Russia, Feb 25 (TIWN): It appears the Russians almost pulled off a plan to seize an airport on the first day of the invasion of Ukraine when 20 attack helicopters landed a crack team of troops at Antonov Airport, 15 miles to the north of Kiev, Daily Mail reported.

But Ukrainian national guard units managed to retake the landing strip overnight after heavy fighting, scattering the surviving Russian attackers into the surrounding countryside, the report said.  A Russian attack on the capital would likely be coordinated with a push by troops on southern and eastern fronts – Crimea and Donbass – aimed at pinning down Ukrainian armed forces so they cannot retreat and reinforce the city, officials told author Michael Weiss.