Among the many Ukrainians studying fight coaching in preparation for a possible Russian invasion is a 79-year-old great-grandmother.

Valentyna Konstantynovska has begun civilian fight coaching held by the Ukrainian Nationwide Guard. As tensions attain a boiling level between western nations and Russia concerning an invasion of Ukraine, she stated that the coaching will assist her defend what's most essential to her.

"I am able to shoot. If one thing occurs, I'll defend my dwelling, my metropolis, my kids," she advised ITV Information. "I'll do that as a result of I believe I am prepared for it. I do not wish to lose my nation, my metropolis."

Konstantynovska was not the one civilian to attend the coaching. Some even got here with their kids, together with Yelena Piddubna.

"Why have we include my son? We would like to pay attention to every thing, and I need him to know how one can do every thing," she advised ITV Information.

Ukraine will proceed plans to affix NATO regardless of Russia's steady pushback. In an interview with BBC Breakfast, Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK Vadym Prystaiko stated that the necessity to be a part of NATO is Ukraine's method of reclaiming its land.

"They have been coming for us for hundreds of years and centuries and centuries," he stated. "We cannot permit our state to vanish once more. It has occurred a few occasions in historical past."

Russia Ukraine Conflict
Civilians, together with a 79-year-old great-grandmother, have begun coaching with the Ukrainian Nationwide Guard. Above, servicemen participate in a joint tactical and particular workout routines of the Ukrainian Ministry of Inner Affairs, the Ukrainian Nationwide Guard and Ministry Emergency in a ghost metropolis of Pripyat, close to the Chernobyl Nuclear Energy Plant, on February 4, 2022. Picture by SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP by way of Getty Pictures

Some nations are making ready to soak up Ukrainian refugees if an invasion happens. Poland, Hungary and Slovakia reportedly plan to simply accept refugees, though the three haven't publicly confirmed plans.

"Based on the present research and evaluation, I can say that even a restricted Russian navy assault on Ukrainian territory would imply tens of hundreds of refugees crossing our border," Slovakia's Protection Minister Jaroslav Nad stated. "From the European continent's perspective, the present state of affairs is essentially the most harmful since World Struggle II."

Polish Deputy International Minister Marcin Przydacz additionally supplied little perception on such plans in a latest radio interview. Nonetheless, he did say that the worst-case situation in a possible refugee disaster is feasible.

Russia has repeatedly denied it plans to invade Ukraine, though their historical past present background as to why such a transfer may very well be within the playing cards. Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014, sparking a battle that resulted in additional than 10,300 deaths, in keeping with the Council on International Relations.

Replace 2/14/22, 11:47 a.m. ET: This text was up to date with further data.