As tensions with Russia reach a crucial point in the next week, some elderly Ukrainian ladies are prepared to go to any length to preserve their homeland.
A woman in her seventies is prepared to pick up guns and battle Russian troops mano a mano in order to safeguard her hometown if President Vladimir Putin authorizes an invasion of Ukraine. Valentyna Konstantinovska, 79, is one of those women.
Since fighting erupted in the Ukraine in 2014, Konstantinovska and an army of "babushkas," or older women, have donated their time to dig trenches, supply food, make nets, provide medical treatment, and even construct an observation tower to keep an eye on the situation.
As tensions with Russia reach a boiling point this week, and the United States threatens that forces might start a brutal campaign to seize control of the nation within days, some women are prepared to go to any length to aid the war effort – even forming a babushka brigade.
"I adore my city, and I have no intention of leaving." Putin will not be able to scare us away. Yes, it's terrible, but we're going to fight for our Ukraine to the bitter end," Konstantinovska said during an event to educate people of the city how to prepare for and protect themselves against a nuclear attack.
The event was organized by a far-right organization. Azov, the training included fundamental courses in first reaction medical treatment, survival and evacuation, weapons safety, and the proper way to fire a weapon. Azov Residents claim that it is the first and only safety or awareness training they have gotten in the almost eight years of violence that they have endured.
"I've wanted to learn how to operate a rifle since 2014, but I was told 'babushka, you are too old for that.'" 'You'll be thrown off your feet by the recoil,' Konstantinovska warned, reclining on a yoga mat in a silky lemon-colored cloak to practice shooting an AK-47 assault rifle replica she had brought along with her.
A far-right all-volunteer infantry military formation, the Azov movement is comprised of ultranationalists who are suspected of harboring neo-Nazi and white supremacist ideologies. They are based in Ukraine. A political branch located in Kyiv has limited support, as seen by their failure to gain any seats in the most recent parliamentary elections in 2019.
However, in Mariupol, the military arm of the Republic of Azov is widely seen as the city's protectors, having recaptured the city from a short takeover by Russian-backed rebels in 2014. They are the first line of defense in the case of an assault since their base is 40 kilometers (18 miles) away from the important port city.
The event was marketed only via Instagram, with no mention of Azov's participation, and not all of the 300 or so attendees were aware of Azov's role. Azov was banned from Facebook in 2019 for hate speech.
For Konstantinovska, who does not share Azov's political beliefs, the only ideology she cares about is "defending their nation," with which she agrees totally and with which she is willing to assist in any way she can.
SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES
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