Civilian volunteers acquire weapons to confront Russian troops

For the first time since Russia began the invasion of Ukraine, civilians have been seen receiving weapons on the streets of Kiev, before the imminent arrival of Russian troops. As hundreds of citizens flee the capital for safety, a large group of people prepares to face trained career soldiers.

Early on Thursday, Ukraine called to arms the volunteers of the Territorial Defense Units, which are made up of civilians willing to defend their country, despite the disadvantage.

The newspaper Público says that it has witnessed “how many citizens of Kiev have made the decision to defend the capital against Russian aggression.”

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, himself encourages his citizens to take up arms.

“We have a powerful Army and our inhabitants are also a powerful army. The enemy has come to our land. Ukraine has been under attack since midnight. The defense of the Army and national solidarity are the most important defenses of the State”, the president said in a message to the Nation, according to Bloomberg Online.

A video published on the networks of the Clarín newspaper shows the precise moment that a group of men received weapons from the Ukrainian military.

Likewise, President Zelensky ordered the recruitment of reservists for military service to put themselves at the command of the Armed Forces. In addition, he banned all male citizens between the ages of 18 and 60 from leaving the country, according to the State Border Guard Service.

“In particular, it is forbidden for men between the ages of 18 and 60, citizens of Ukraine, to leave the borders of Ukraine. This regulation will remain in force during the period of the legal regime of martial law. We ask citizens to take this information into consideration.” says the statement replicated by CNN.

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