The risk of escalation remains high, in eastern Ukraine, but also on the northern borders where the Russian army should in principle end, this Sunday, February 20, its joint maneuvers in Belarus. Population and elected officials are trained there in the handling of weapons, as a possible conflict approaches.
From our special envoys in northern Ukraine, Boris Vichith and Anastasia Becchio
Large panels explaining how to load a weapon, unpin a grenade, automatic rifles and rocket launchers placed on a table: the club of veterans of the Donbass war in Slavoutich organizes a familiarization session on the handling of weapons and the first relief, for young volunteers.
Among the trainers, Micha fought in eastern Ukraine and is ready to fight again: “ If ever there was a Russian offensive, I’m not one to run away. This is our land. How can we abandon this city where we have lived for so long? »
Nearly eight years after the start of the war in the Donbass, the Ukrainian army has been reinforced, notes the head of the group of veterans of Slavoutich in military fatigues. This former policeman also fought in eastern Ukraine until 2020 and presents himself under his nom de guerre, “grandfather”.
When I signed up to fight in 2014, he recalls, I pretty much came with my own clothes and had to buy things myself. But I saw how everything changed. After my first one-year mobilization, I returned home and left again after three months. And there, I saw that in the space of three months, there had been great changes. I was then equipped from head to toe. I was given everything a fighter on the front line needs
In the current climate of Russian military pressure on the borders, with the uncertainties hovering over the Kremlin’s intentions, the “grandfather” is worried about one thing: a pro-Russian party won the most seats in the last elections. municipalities of Slavoutich.
Chosen AK-47s in hand
About forty kilometers away, the Ukrainian soldiers also organize training sessions in the handling of weapons for the population of Chernihiv. One of these exercises is intended for elected officials of the city. In military fatigues, AK-47 automatic rifle in hand, the mayor of Chernihiv and elected municipal officials listen to a Ukrainian army instructor.
I want to be ready to defend the city where I was born
City councilor Roman Reznik hasn’t held a gun in 15 years: We would like people not to be afraid, not to stay holed up in their house thinking how they could escape, but to think of a way to defend themselves. Let’s say that tomorrow Russia launches an offensive ; it’s unclear whether or not it will happen, but each person needs to know where they need to go to get a weapon and defend the infrastructure to keep the city running. »
Bulletproof vest, helmet on the head, lying on the ground, the chosen ones shoot in the direction of a distant target. At the origin of this initiative, the regional councilor Vitay Khroustitsky, who hopes to convince the population to come and train: ” If the circumstances were such that the boots of unwanted guests entered our native land, I want to be ready to defend the city where I was born, and if necessary, with arms in hand. We don’t want someone in our house to dictate rules and tell us how we should live. “.
In the event of Russian military intervention from the north, the city would be a prime target, less than 100 km from the Russian and Belarusian borders.