By Maria Tsvetkova

KYIV, Reuters – Alisa (38-year-old Ukrainian woman with an office job at the capital) had enjoyed shooting sport and joined a territorial defence unit in her area more than a decade ago to improve combat skills.

However, she worries that her skills might be required in wars against Russia.

“People die, that’s horrible. Worse, you have to think about your 7-year old child’s life.

Alisa said, “I realize he can hurt due to silliness in the neighbouring countries, not a brother nation anymore,” and asked for her first name.

Russia’s tens-of-thousands of soldiers positioned near Ukraine’s borders has raised fears that Russia will invade. Moscow insists otherwise.

Alisa was a member of the territorial defense forces one year and half ago. This is earlier than most. As the Russian troops gathered, in January the government announced that they wanted to create a reserve batallions to support a total of 130,000 persons.

Alisa stated that she’s seen many new participants in the Saturday training sessions.

This weekend she began as usual, by wearing camouflage fatigues and taking one of the two small-calibre pistols she has at home. Then she headed for a training field – a pine wood with sand dunes and an abandoned railway.

She was joined by dozens of volunteers mostly in her late 30s or 40s who had civilian jobs. After that, she spent seven hours on the ground with her gun, and on guard with small groups of men assigned to defend concrete buildings from hostile saboteurs.

She stated that the basic training she received was some comfort.

“If, God forbid a war begins… Alisa stated, “I know how to get from unsafe point A and safe point B.”

“I know what to do when I am under fire. If Timur, my friends or neighbours are in danger, I will help them.”

EASY STARTS

Alisa loves motorcycles and traveled more than 50 countries together with her husband. An organization that specializes in cybersecurity, she is the media relations specialist.

Even if she is exhausted, she tries to not skip any training sessions.

She said, “If there was peace I wouldn’t miss training if it was too tired. But now I force myself to get up earlier for a session because this is needed more than ever.”

Alisa stated that she enjoys learning new skills, which have helped her build self-confidence. However, she hopes to never have to use these skills.

My plans have been cancelled because I feel hatred, anger and hate. “It’s all very surreal and it’s hard to believe that such absurdities can occur in civilized society in 21st century.” she stated.