The buildup of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine has raised fears of
a ground invasion. Worries also float among Ukrainian civilians living in
cities close to the border.
A number of these border towns are predicted to become entry points for
Russian troops to Ukraine, one of which is Kharkiv.
As reported by Al Jazeera, Wednesday (26/1/2022), according to some experts,
Kharkiv, a city of more than one million people, lies at a potential entry
point that Russian troops might use if they decide to invade Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy further increased fear in the city
by declaring that Kharkiv "could be occupied" by Russian forces. Zelenskyy
stated that in this case, Russia would use the pretext to protect the
Russian-speaking townspeople. As fear of invasion lurks in the city,
interest in the reserve forces has swelled.
“To fight for the protection of your own home is a big motivation,” said
Mykhailo, a member of the Ukrainian Special Forces.
Mykhailo and a number of other Ukrainian special forces personnel have been
in Kharkiv to prepare the city for a Russian ground invasion.
The locals also learned how to use anti-military weapons, form resistance
groups, and carry out sabotage activities in case of occupation by Russian
troops.
“The main idea behind these troops is to prepare Ukraine for a major
national resistance,” Mykhailo explained.
The Territorial Defense Team in Kharkiv, which is about 40 km (25 miles)
from the Russian border, consists of various groups of soldiers with varying
skills and reserves who can prepare local residents to protect their homes
and cities in the event of an invasion.
The new Territorial Armed Forces bases that have sprung up across the
country are the result of legislation introduced during the previous round
of tensions last year.
The latest escalation has sparked a similar response, with the Government of
Ukraine announcing a new law allowing the use of hunting rifles in acts of
territorial defense.
According to Mykola Levchencko, a reserve officer, many of the people he
trains have purchased personal weapons and ammunition, often imported from
the United States, Israel or Turkey.
Vasily, a major in the Territorial Forces in Izyum, a town near Kharkiv,
believes Russia will face a trained force that can protect key cities.
“Many locals have frontline experience. They are psychologically prepared
for battle in the event of an invasion," he said.
Many of the Territorial Defense Force's recent recruits speak of a sense of
duty. “I promised my family that I would protect them,” said Roman, a
27-year-old recruit from Izyum.
He now believes there is a much higher risk of invasion – about 50 percent –
than in previous years.
