Бій під Сидоровим 25 липня 1920 року: забута звитяга Армії УНР

Abstract

The history of the Armed Forces of our country is fi lled with many heroic pages that testify to the indomitability of the Ukrainian spirit, the high military skill of commanders and ordinary soldiers, their courage, bravery, and willingness to sacrifi ce themselves for the sake of national interests. Th e battle with the Red Army, which took place near Sydoriv in Eastern Halychyna on July 25, 1920, has not yet become the subject of special research by domestic his- torians. The purpose of the article is to fi nd out based on mobilized sources and historiography, the prerequisites, course, and results of the battle of the Army of the Ukrainian People’s Republic with the Red Army on July 25, 1920, under Sydoriv, its signifi cance for the continuation of the Polish-Ukrainian-Soviet confrontation. Th e research methodology is based on the principles of historicism and objectivity. Th e use of such methods as analysis, synthesis, as well as problem- chronological, systematic, descriptive, statistical, and comparative methods, made it possible to fulfi ll the set goal. Th e scientifi c novelty of the research lies in the holistic, objective coverage of the prerequisites, course, and results of the mentioned battle, and its infl uence on the further development of the Polish-Ukrainian-Soviet war in the summer of 1920 in Pryzbruchchia. Conclusions. The military and political situation in June–July 1920 was not favorable for the Army of the Ukrainian People’s Republic; it was preceded by a long-forced retreat together with its Polish ally, under the blows of the overwhelming forces of the Red Army, to new defen- sive lines on the Zbruch River. Constant clashes exhausted the Ukrainian army, which followed the tactics of active defense. From time to time there were threats of a breakthrough of the front by the enemy, which had to be eliminated. The successful implementation of the idea was the victorious battle of the 3rd Iron Division and the Separate Cavalry Division with the advancing “Red” units on July 25, 1920, near Sydoriv, in which the enemy was completely defeated. Th e Ukrainians demonstrated the high military skill of their commanders, courage, heroism, and mature military training of ordinary soldiers. The counter-battle brilliantly conducted by the cavalrymen with the prevailing enemy cavalry, which in military aff airs is considered one of the most diffi cult types of combat, and the evasive maneuver that led to the encirclement and defeat of the enemy should be considered one of the brightest pages in the history of the Ukrainian army and the national military art of the modern era.