Battle of Dibrivka

Battle of Dibrivka
Part of the Ukrainian War of Independence
Photograph of Nestor Makhno and Fedir Schchus
Nestor Makhno (center) and Fedir Shchus (right), the insurgent commanders at the Battle of Dibrivka
Date30 September 1918
Location47°58′19″N 36°28′20″E / 47.97194°N 36.47222°E / 47.97194; 36.47222
Result

Insurgent victory

Belligerents

Central Powers

Anarchists
Commanders and leaders
Unknown Nestor Makhno
Fedir Shchus
Units involved
 Austro-Hungarian Army
Ukrainian State Guard [uk]
Insurgents
Strength
500 Austrians[1]
200 Haydamaks[2]
30 insurgents[1]
Casualties and losses
620 killed
80 captured
Unknown

The Battle of Dibrivka was a military conflict between Ukrainian insurgents, led by Nestor Makhno and Fedir Shchus, and the Central Powers that were occupying southern Ukraine. It took place on 30 September 1918, towards the end of World War I. The battle began when Makhno, Shchus, and a group of anarchist supporters ambushed Austrian and Ukrainian detachments stationed in Dibrivka. The anarchists were armed with machine guns and were assisted by local peasants, who together captured ammunition, arms, and prisoners of war. It resulted in an insurgent victory and the establishment of an autonomous territory in the region, following the subsequent defeat of the Central Powers.

  1. ^ a b Darch 2020, p. 32; Skirda 2004, pp. 61–62.
  2. ^ Darch 2020, p. 32.