By Natalie Thomas

ODESSA, Ukraine (Reuters – The generation of Ukrainians that has only known about war through the stories and history books of their grandparents is now forced to train to fight. Many are choosing to join the same partners with whom they built their lives just weeks before.

Young urban professionals, who may not normally choose where they want to go for coffee with their friends, learn how to handle weapons and apply emergency first aid to combat wounds in a training center located in Odessa.

Olga Moroz (26 years old graphic designer) said that everyone should be able to fight and make medicines, as well as aid their relatives. She is currently training alongside Maxim Yavtushenko, a 32-year-old salesman.

They had already been planning their summer wedding and were now at the darkly lit training facility, which provides basic training for between 80-150 people per day. All of them are looking to prepare for when the Russian troops, pressing closer to the city, finally arrive.

Odessa is a beautiful Black Sea port which handles over half the Ukraine’s exports and imports. It has been identified as an important strategic and symbolic target by Russian forces. Russia attacked Ukraine on February 24th in what was described by the Kremlin as a “special army operation”.

The capital Kyiv, as well as key cities such Odessa, are not yet under Russian control. They face strong resistance from Ukrainian forces, and fierce opposition from civilians. However, some cities like Mariupol east Odessa have endured days of bombardment.

Residents of Odessa were shocked to learn of the war. Odessa is a lively city with coffee shops and design ateliers that specialize in single-bean roasts.

Murager Sharipov, a 26-year old employee of an internet marketing agency said that it was difficult for him to see the war right now. He stated, “Now people are dieing somewhere. People are dying. And these are our people.”

The centre offers basic civil defense training, but Yavtushenko claimed it has helped mentally prepare him for the future.

“Ukraine right now is alone, people watching it right now need to grasp that it is not in their home. However, it might be there with friends or in your country.