In Ukraine, a large part of the population participates in the war effort. In western Ukraine, fuel bottles and hot food are produced on a voluntary basis.
LVIV There has been a queue in front of the arms trade in the center of Lviv since Russia launched an attack on Ukraine.
The men and women in the queue want to join the volunteer forces defending the country.
– I have no fear of going to war. No one here has felt the fear since Russia began killing women and children, says 23-year-old Andrei.
He plans to join the voluntary regional defense.
There are more volunteers than weapons across Ukraine. Therefore, the arms trade will acquire a weapon with its own money. All sorts of weapons are valid, but assault rifles are handed out to those leaving the front.
People also buy hunting and handguns to defend their own block and a possible future guerrilla warfare.
However, no one can go to the store to buy a gun. The weapon may be acquired only with the special permission of the Defense Forces.
Authorities have also distributed tens of thousands of assault rifles as personal weapons to those enlisted in the regional defense as volunteers. The regional defense also has more robust equipment, such as anti-tank weapons supplied from the United States and the United Kingdom.
– There are a lot of weapons, but there are even more volunteers. We desperately need more weapons, says a veteran of the war in eastern Ukraine Constantine.
According to Ukrainian authorities, in two days, 100,000 people joined the army. Some are reservists, some are volunteers moving to regional defense.
Regional defense for volunteers also operates under the auspices of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. Its responsibilities include urban defense and guerrilla warfare if Russia succeeds in occupying the cities. Regional defense is, in principle, open to anyone who wants to.
– Many here have experience in difficult places. There are veterans of the Maidan demonstration movement and veterans of eastern Ukraine. There is also a lot of training on the shooting range. Then there are people who have no background. They have never fired guns, Konstantin says.
Fuel bottles as a last resort
On the outskirts of Lviv, in the old industrial zone, the production of hot bottles, the so-called Molotov cocktails, has begun.
Artem presents bottles that have even been labeled. It insults the President of Russia Vladimir Putinia.
– We did this as soon as Russia attacked. We try to do so much that we can send fuel bottles to other cities as well, Artem says.
In the industrial area, volunteers also carry out other support activities.
– For example, we put hot food on volunteers patrolling in Lviv. Everyone does what they can, says Artem.
For example, refugees are helped by both the authorities and the citizens. Ordinary families cook and collect warm clothes for refugees queuing at the train station and elsewhere.
The city of Lviv has also harnessed all NGOs to support the war effort. For example, organizations provide humanitarian assistance to people.
Volunteers are being trained quickly in the industrial area. An experienced soldier shows how a car carrying any enemies will be safely checked at a checkpoint.
In the city, volunteers can be seen everywhere. They are of all ages, women and men.
As a result of the general mobilization, men of military age are not allowed to leave Ukraine.
You can discuss the topic on Wednesday 2.3. until 11 p.m.