By Gabriela Baczynska

KYIV, Reuters – Mykhaylo works as a lawyer. Alexander works in IT programming. Konstantin is freelancer in online advertising.

The three met in an abandoned building site near Kyiv on Saturday to practice as Ukrainian army reserveists. They are ready for any conflict with Russia.

Kyiv is nervous about Russian troops advancing near Ukraine’s border. This year it launched the Territorial Defence Force. It wants the force to grow into a Corps of 130,000.

Although they might not stand much chance against the larger, better-equipped Russian professional army, reserveists could still be deployed to Kyiv in support of civilian targets.

On Saturday, 70 people attended the training. Many were dressed in infantry and armed with hunting rifles. They also had combat experience dating back to 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea.

Other people in sneakers or casual sportswear received mock wooden rifles.

Konstantin Sevchuk (43 years old) said that he was worried after he spent a year in eastern Donbass during Ukraine’s 2014/15 general mobilization.

“It didn’t work in my life. I did not want it.” It’s now necessary because of the current situation.”

Alexander, an IT programmer from Ukraine, participated in the “Maidan,” 2013/14 mass pro-democracy demonstrations in Kyiv. However, Alexander said that he didn’t feel prepared to fight for Russia when Moscow overthrew Ukraine’s prorussian president and annexed Crimea.

His blue scarf covering covered his face, he stated that he was now in his mid-thirties and it was time to join. “It is better to join before it’s too much.” “I want to be ready.”

After repeatedly falling to the ground with heavy equipment and getting up, Mykhaylo (39) was a bit tired but excited about fighting.

My inclination to warcraft has existed since before World War II. He said that it made perfect sense to practice it during the show-off exercises.

While the United States warns of imminent military intervention in Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Ukrainian president has stated that there is too much panic that is affecting the 41 million-strong economy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin claims that the West hasn’t addressed Moscow’s security concerns in Ukraine, but that he is willing to continue talking.

Meanwhile, the West has warned Russia that it could invade Ukraine with economic sanctions.

Moscow has maintained its desire to avoid war but rejected calls for it to pull its troops out. It said it could deploy its troops on its territory as it sees fit. The West’s response to aggression has been cited by Moscow as proof that it is actually the aggressor, and not the one initiating.

UKRAINE

A motley group of reservists arrived in all manner of vehicles, including small Suzukis and 4x4s and electric Teslas (NASDAQ:). They were often critical of Zelenskiy but also had different views about NATO.

They shared the belief that Ukraine was a former Soviet republic and wanted to determine its fate without Moscow.

Konstantin stated, “I want Ukraine to peacefully develop.” I want it to flourish like Poland and the Czech Republic. Like Germany.

Mykhaylo declared that he wanted his kids to “be born in an orderly and democratic country and live there their lives.” They know the meaning of freedom and will fight to get it.

Alexander observed how tensions over Russia over Crimea and Donbass, as well as Ukraine’s hopes for greater integration with the West and gas supplies, had impacted his country over the years.

We’ve become a country. We now know where we’re going and what it takes to do so. Although we have only taken small steps towards achieving our goals, we now know we are Ukrainians. We aren’t the Soviet Union any more.”