In a forested area near the Ukrainian capital Kiev, fake Russian troops surround Ukrainian army reservists in camouflage uniforms. The would-be soldiers, which include architects and researchers, respond to fire with replica Kalashnikov rifles as smoke grenades explode around them.
“I believe that everyone in this country should know what to do in the event of an enemy invasion,” says Daniil Larin, a 19-year-old college student, during a break in training. Larin is one of 50 Ukrainian civilians who traveled from Kiev to an abandoned Soviet cement factory to train over the weekend and learn how to defend their country from a possible Russian invasion.
Dozens of civilians have joined Ukraine’s army of reservists in recent months amid fears of an invasion of Russia, which Kiev accuses of massing 100,000 troops on its borders.
With 215,000 soldiers, the Ukrainian army has faced since 2014 a conflict with pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country, a war that has already caused 13,000 deaths.
Moscow denies any invasion plans, but Russian President Vladimir Putin is not ruling out a military response if NATO, an organization Ukraine wants to join, persists with its eastward expansion.
The Ukrainian reservist corps, which has reached 100,000 members, learns “how to use weapons, how to behave on the battlefield, how to defend cities,” explains Larin.
Marta Yuzkiv, a 51-year-old doctor, says the Russian army is “largely superior” to that of Ukraine, but that the risk of a military escalation is “very high” and justifies joining the reservists. “We will only have one chance if we are all prepared to defend our land,” he says.
Since joining the reservists in April, Yuzkiv trains for several hours each Sunday: she provides medical assistance, shoots rifles and sets up checkpoints. The army provided a military uniform, but she bought the helmet, bulletproof vest and tactical glasses with her own money.
His group of apprentices is part of a battalion trained to defend Kiev in the event of an attack on the Ukrainian capital.
Vadym Ozirny, battalion commander, explains that reservists must work to protect administrative buildings and critical infrastructure, as well as help evacuate residents. “With the equipment, weapons and command orders, these people should be able to defend their home,” he says.
Denys Semyrog-Orlyk, a 46-year-old architect and one of the most experienced reservists, said he was prepared to face a real offensive. “For eight years now, I’ve been living with the thought that until we get a good blow to Russia in the face, they won’t leave us alone,” he says. “I fully understand that I am a soldier. I can be called up and I have to act as a soldier,” he added.
USA AND RUSSIA WILL MEET IN GENEVA TO DISCUSS UKRAINE
The United States and Russia announced on Tuesday (28) that they will meet on January 10 in Geneva, in a meeting that is expected to address tensions in Ukraine and fears over security in Europe, following demands from Moscow to limit the western influence on its borders.
“January 10 will be the main day of US-Russia bilateral consultations,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Riabkov told the Tass news agency.
Relations between Moscow and Washington are experiencing a tense moment due to the deployment of Russian troops to the border with Ukraine, raising fears in the White House and other Western governments about the possibility of an invasion of the former Soviet republic.
Russia says it acts in the face of the threat posed by NATO’s advance and has demanded that the transatlantic military alliance prohibit any further expansion towards its borders, as well as interrupting any military cooperation in what Moscow considers its area of ​​influence.
A source at the US National Security Council said the talks would be accompanied by a meeting between Russia and NATO on 12 January. A day later, January 13, a meeting between Russia and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), created during the Cold War to promote East-West dialogue and which also counts on the presence of the United States.
Moscow denies any war intentions in Ukraine and presents itself as a victim of the “provocations” of the West, which supports Ukraine politically and militarily.
In a sign that negotiations will be tough, Russian diplomacy chief Sergei Lavrov has ruled out “any concessions” and said Moscow is “in a position of strength when it comes to defending its interests”.
The Kremlin demands “security guarantees”, including an end to NATO expansion into former Soviet Union territories such as Ukraine. “That’s what we have to talk about, it’s the proposals put forward by the Russian side,” said Riabkov.
Russian President Vladimir Putin last week threatened to adopt “military and technical” measures if his demands are not met.
In response to a pro-Western revolution, in 2014 Russia annexed part of Ukraine, the Crimean peninsula. She is also accused of supporting pro-Moscow separatists who have since fought against the Kiev government in the east of the country.
The January 10 bilateral meeting will take place within the framework of the strategic security dialogue initiated by Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin during the summit in Geneva in June. While this format is primarily aimed at renegotiating post-Cold War nuclear weapons control treaties, discussions will also address the situation on the Russian-Ukrainian border, said a senior US government official who asked not to be named.
In a move that breaks the usually confidential character of diplomatic discussions, Russia has recently introduced two draft treaties to impede any NATO enlargement and to end Western military activities near Russian borders.
Washington has said it is “willing to discuss” the documents, but has pointed out that they include “some things Russians know are unacceptable.”
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