Ukraine is accustomed to war. It has been at odds with Moscow-backed separatists in the country's east since 2014, claiming over 13,000 lives.
Ukrainians two days of learning how to build fires and survive in sub-zero temperatures have taken on new urgency for the participants as fears swirl about a buildup of Russian troops on the border.
“If we will have an attack from Russia, it is very important to have these skills,” says computer programmer Artem Kuzmenko, 29.
What You Need To Know:
Ukraine is accustomed to war. It has been at odds with Moscow-backed separatists in the country’s east since 2014, claiming over 13,000 lives.
However, as the West warns of a possible full-scale invasion by Russian forces, an increasing number of Ukrainians in cities such as Kyiv have begun to prepare for the worst.
“People in the big cities got used to the fact that the conflict was far away,” says Sergiy Vyshnevsky, 40, dressed in military camouflage.
“Now they realise that the war might come to them.”
Vyshnevsky fought on the front lines as a volunteer before beginning civilian survival courses.
He describes the chaos that could ensue in the aftermath of any attack, including massive crowds fleeing for the borders, casualties, and destroyed infrastructure.
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In recent weeks, he has seen an increase in interest as speculation about a possible incursion has grown louder.
Approximately 4,000 Ukrainians have registered for an upcoming online webinar he will be giving.
“Everyone should be able to build a shelter for their family,” he believes.
Yana Kaminska, a 33-year-old student psychologist, attends the course with her boyfriend in an effort to prepare both physically and mentally for what lies ahead.
She’s already prepared an emergency bag in case she needs to leave quickly – and she knows what her top priority would be.
“First of all it is to look after our families,” she says
“We would make sure they had a safe place for them — and then we could go back to try to defend our home.”
What You Need To Know About Self-Defence
As people try to improve their knowledge, more and more training sessions have sprouted up around Kyiv.
Over the weekend, 150 women sat in a university lecture hall as an instructor demonstrated how to incapacitate an unarmed attacker by targeting pressure points on their head and neck.
According to Olena Biletska, whose Ukrainian Women’s Guard organization organized the free self-defense and survival classes, nearly 1,000 women applied, but due to Covid-19 restrictions, the number of participants had to be limited.
“Everyone understands that their life and health, as well as the health and lives of their family, are their own personal responsibility,” the lawyer said.
“You need to have at least some knowledge and basic skills.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has been desperately trying to calm nerves in the face of a growing chorus of concern from the United States
And life goes on as usual in Kyiv, with shops open and restaurants full.However, human resources manager Oleksandra Kovalenko, 25, stated that she wanted to be prepared for any scenario.
“You think about and plan for the worst case scenario that could happen — a military operation — and an attack is a real possibility,” she said.
Do Not Panic, Prepare Yourself:
In other parts of the city, around 300 people gathered in the grounds of a former factory for basic military training organized by a nationalist party formed by former volunteers who fought in the east.
“Panic comes when people do not know how to react, how to use a weapon, how to defend themselves, what to do in case of shooting,” trainer Maksym Zhorin, told participants.
They practiced holding, aiming, and moving with a gun, many of them with wooden models of Kalashnikov rifles.
The students, who included families with children, crept through a decommissioned building allegedly occupied by “enemies,” learning how to enter a room and kneel to shoot.
“Your left leg is still in the wrong place!” a trainer shouted at a young man as he tried to pivot.During the training, medical instruction was also planned, which the organizers said they hope to repeat next week and hold in other regions.
“It’s my country, how can I not be concerned?” Evgeny Petryk, 20, said after adjusting his rifle.
He, like everyone else here, has no idea if an attack is on its way, but he’s not going to take any chances.
“Whether it’s probable or not, it’s not for me to say,” he said.
“I am not a fortune teller, but you must be prepared.”
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