SOUTH-WESTERN FRONT: DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR

Abstract

The article examines the course of hostilities of the South-Western Front on the territory of Ukraine. The offensive operation of the Russian army against the Austro-Hungarian and German troops, which went down in history under the name Brusylov (Lutskyi) breakthrough and comes from the surname of General O. Brusylov, who commanded the mentioned front, is described. The most important military actions took place in the spring and summer, as well as in the fall of 1916 and covered a large part of the Ukrainian territory – in particular, Volyn, Halychyna, Bukovyna, and Podillia. The need for all military-historical events that took place on the territory of our state throughout its history, including the First World War, was analyzed. They had a significant impact on the course of hostilities in 1916–1917 and significantly influenced the subsequent deployment of military and political forces in Europe. The operations of 1916 on the Eastern Front were of great importance. According to the decision of the Chantilly conference, the troops were to carry out a combined strike against the Central Powers on the Russian, Italian and French fronts in 1916. The troops of the South-Western Front included 4 armies: the 7th, commanded by Infantry General D. Shcherbachov, the 8th, commanded by Cavalry General O. Kaledin, the 9th, commanded by Infantry General P. Lechytsky, 11th, commander – general from the cavalry V. Sakharov The operation represents an outstanding achievement of military art. As a result of this breakthrough, the front was moved 80–120 km deep into the enemy's territory. O. Brusylov's troops occupied almost all of Volhynia, Bukovyna and part of Halychyna. This operation throughout the First World War was not named after a geographical feature, but in honor of the commander's surname.