The Battle of Kruty occurred during the Ukrainian–Soviet War, a conflict arising shortly after Ukraine declared independence from Russia following the collapse of the Russian Empire. As the Bolshevik Red Army moved toward Kyiv, their objective was to quash any resistance and secure control over Ukraine. On January 29, 1918, a group of approximately 600 students and young soldiers from military schools in Kyiv, known as the 'Kruty students', were tasked with holding the line against a much larger Red Army force that consisted of thousands of troops. Located near the railway station of Kruty, about 130 kilometers northeast of Kyiv, this battle took place in the context of a nation striving to establish its identity and governance amid post-revolution chaos. Despite their lack of heavy artillery and significant military experience, the students fought valiantly against the advancing Soviets. They held out for several hours and managed to inflict casualties on the enemy. The clash resulted in a retreat, but the bravery displayed by the students became an enduring symbol of Ukrainian resistance. After the battle, many of the students were captured or killed in subsequent fighting, cementing their legacy in Ukrainian history as martyrs for independence.