Ukraine: Amateurs dig in to fight Russian troops from Kyiv forests

[Wicked Blue]

BBC
By Orla Guerin
BBC News, Kyiv, Ukraine

Checkpoints, barricades, and roadblocks radiate from the imposing streets in the city centre to the motorways on the outskirts. Spiky metal tank traps - called hedgehogs - have mushroomed at strategic locations. Troops are more alert, checking every car. Some still smile and say "welcome", but many look distracted, already focusing on the battle to come.

It feels like Ukrainian forces in the capital are poised and ready to fight. This ancient city - with its elegant facades and onion domed churches - is now on a war footing.

Russia's advance has clearly not gone to plan for President Vladimir Putin. With the invasion now in its second week, his troops and tanks are still outside the capital - but maybe not for long. Ukrainian forces we spoke to on Thursday expect the Russians to reach Kyiv in a day or two.

So, deep in a forest on the outskirts of the city, men from Ukraine's territorial defence units are digging trenches.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60607649

[Victor_c3]

1. I get sick reading these accounts and imagining myself in their position

I’m a combat veteran and I remember full well what it was like in my first firefight. The anticipation and feeling of dread was nearly overwhelming.

At least when I was fighting in Iraq I didn’t have the fear that if I failed or was killed that my children would be killed by the invaders.

These people have no idea what combat will do to them. They’re all going to be totally different people after their first firefight.

My heart goes out to all of them.

[hippywife]

3. They do know.

This is a repeat for them of the 2014 revolution they fought, the Maidan Revolution, which has been a thorn aggravating Putin ever since. That's the reason they were able to begin responding so quickly and confidently.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolution_of_Dignity

[Victor_c3]

4. The people specifically mentioned in the article hadn't faced combat before n/t