Ukrainians Across Europe Returning to Defend Homeland From Russia
The world was in shock when it was announced that Russia was moving into Ukraine. However, it took no time for ordinary Ukrainians to jump into action and defend their homeland. As Russia continues attacks throughout Ukraine, Ukrainians from all over Europe are returning to help and many of whom have no combat experience.
The Russian invasion is on its second week, and Russian troops have gained control of Kherson, the first city to be overcome. The captured city allows the Russians to control Ukraine’s southern coastline and move forward towards the city of Odesa.
CNN EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: A source in Kherson just sent me this video of citizens protesting with Ukrainian flags, chanting, “Kherson is Ukraine” and “Ukraine is above everything.”
— Nora Neus (@noraneus) March 5, 2022
This is incredibly brave to do in Russian-occupied territory.
They’re risking their lives. pic.twitter.com/NmAy562nCm
It’s been over three decades since the former Soviet republic gained its independence. Since then, there’s been a huge diaspora of Ukrainians throughout Europe. Nearly hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians emigrated searching for better job opportunities in wealthier countries in Europe.
Many of the citizens returning to defend their country have little to no training and few weapons. “I have never fought in my life. I went through a military training a long time ago, but this is not stopping me. There are no words to describe how I feel,” stated Vitaly, 27, from Zaporozhe in central Ukraine.
“Stop the enemy everywhere, wherever you can,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky encouraged citizens in a televised appearance. “Burn enemy vehicles with whatever you can.” Citizens are taking to the streets, going face-to-face with armed Russian troops. Videos have surfaced on social media of Ukrainians standing up to Russian troops.
Russian soldiers more scared of Ukrainian citizens than Ukrainian citizens are of Russian soldiers. Amazing. 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/2w8X0b4TsV
— Mike Galsworthy 🇺🇦 (@mikegalsworthy) March 5, 2022
Ukraine’s government has given out 18,000 rifles to volunteers of its territorial defense militias since Russia invaded last Thursday. Instructions on how to make Molotov cocktails, homemade explosives made from flammable substances in a glass container, have been published on social media groups and websites.
As ordinary people take up arms against Russia, the biggest threat to Russian President Vladimir Putin is the growing resistance against his plans for regime change. The U.S. and all its major allies in Europe, such as France, the U.K., and Germany, have pledged arms, gear, and jet fighters for the Ukrainian armed forces.
Polish borders are allowing Ukrainians to escape the war, but at the same time, the borders are filled with people wanting to return to fight. “Every truck company in Europe has Ukrainian drivers, and we are organizing ourselves to go,” stated Vitalis Kos, a 38-year-old trucker.
Polish and other European officials openly support the return of Ukrainian emigres. “If it was me, I would go too,” stated a Polish police officer.
Ukrainians are not the only people helping to save their country; non-Ukrainians are also starting to join. Social media groups have been rallying volunteers to fight. Current Ukrainian laws permit foreign nationals to enlist in their armed forces.
Companies such as Google are halting business in Russia; the company paused the use of Youtube, search, and display marketing. Google has blocked ads relating to the crisis because it did not want people taking advantage of the crisis for financial gain.
Not only are sanctions being put in place to cripple Russia’s economy, but the art world is shutting down in response to the invasion of Ukraine. Russia will no longer be represented at major international events such as Eurovision, and artists and performers have canceled their shows in the country.
A Ukrainian embassy in the Czech Republic started a crowdsourcing campaign to raise funds to purchase weapons for Ukraine’s armed forces and citizens’ self-defense units. Czech residents have raised $250,000, and about seven foreign embassies have offered their help, stated Czech Deputy Defense Minister Tomas Kopency.
“A lot of us were here in Europe, working,” stated Sergei Libanski, a 42-year-old trucker. “Now we’re going home to fight.”
As citizens continue to join the fight to protect their homeland, the world will be alongside them encouraging and aiding by any means necessary.
