Civilians, Politicians And Sportsmen From Ukraine Are Taking Up Arms To Defend Their Country

Three days into the Russian invasion, Ukraine is still holding up and to a large extent defending itself from the enemy.

With no reinforcement likely from the US, EU, or NATO, Ukraine has largely been left to fend off the Russians.

As the war continues and the armed forces are fighting the war on one side, thousands of civilians are also picking up guns.

AP

On Wednesday, a day before the invasion Ukraine's parliament had voted to approve a law that gives permission to Ukrainians to carry firearms and act in self-defense.

Since then the Ukrainian government had distributed some 18,000 guns to the residents of the Kyiv region alone and has banned all men from 18 to 60 years old from leaving Ukraine.

AP

Some prominent Ukrainians have also picked up a gun in the past couple of days.

Kira Rudik

Kira Rudik, a former chief operating officer of the local branch of Amazon's Ring is one of them.

Kira, who is also a leader of a political party called Voice and has been a member of the country's parliament since 2019 posted a photo of herself with a Kalashnikov.

"I learn to use Kalashnikov and prepare to bear arms. It sounds surreal as just a few days ago it would never come to my mind. Our women will protect our soil the same way as our men. Go Ukraine!," she wrote.

I learn to use #Kalashnikov and prepare to bear arms. It sounds surreal as just a few days ago it would never come to my mind. Our #women will protect our soil the same way as our #men. Go #Ukraine! ?? pic.twitter.com/UbF4JRGlcy

¡ª Kira Rudik (@kiraincongress) February 25, 2022

Vitali Klitschko

Legendary former heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko said he would take up arms alongside his brother and fellow Hall of Famer Wladimir Klitschko to fight in what is a "bloody war" following Russia's invasion of their country.

Vitali Klitschko, who has been the mayor of Ukraine¡¯s capital, Kyiv, since 2014, said he was ready to fight.

"I don¡¯t have another choice, I have to do that. I¡¯ll be fighting,¡± he said.

Here is Mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko at the battlefront defending his country.
Klitschko is a former boxing champion and a millionaire, he could have fled Ukraine by private jet, live a happy life elsewhere, but he decided to fight for his country#UkraineRussia #UkraineRussia pic.twitter.com/nfkSVAraR9

¡ª Breggle Acha Derrick ? ? (@Breggle) February 25, 2022

Former Ukraine President

Former Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko has also taken up arms against the Russian army.

Poroshenko who led Ukraine from 2014 to 2019, held up a Kalashnikov during an interview with CNN.

¡°I think that Putin never will catch Ukraine, no matter how many soldiers he has, how many missiles he has, how many nuclear weapons he has,¡± Poroshenko said.

¡°How long do you think you can hold out?¡±

¡°Forever.¡±

Former Ukrainian President @poroshenko takes up a Kalashnikov rifle alongside civilian defense forces as he speaks to @JohnBerman from the streets of Kyiv. pic.twitter.com/jxGl6BKgZR

¡ª CNN (@CNN) February 25, 2022

Ukrainian historian Yuriy Korchemniy

Ukrainian historian Yuriy Korchemniy who has never fired an assault rifle in his life has also picked up a Kalashnikov as part of the new volunteer defence units.

"They gave out the rifles, loaded them for us and here we are," the 35-year-old said.

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Paragliding instructor

Paragliding instructor Roman Bondertsev said he heeded the call "because it's better than being at home doing nothing. This way I am less afraid".

"And if I get shot, there will be two people ready to come take my weapon and take my place," the 47-year-old said.

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