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“I don’t want my children to inherit Ukraine’s problems or let us pass these threats on to them. It’s better that I deal with this now,” Zhaglo says. “When it comes down to it, we fight for Kiev.”
She’s not shy about using her brand new sniper: “If it gets out of hand, I’ll start shooting,” the mother said as she showed her brand new Zbroyar Z-15 to The Times. She stands at the window of her flat in the Ukrainian capital and looks out combatively.
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sniper course
The shotgun was not an impulse purchase by the 52-year-old woman. She also recently completed a two-week sniper course and had several attachments fitted to the rifle — such as a bipod, telescopic sight and a silencer — to ensure her bullets are as lethal as possible.
But not only that: she also spent almost 1000 euros on military clothing. She bought a helmet, a snow camouflage suit, a bulletproof vest, ammunition and boots. She has also purchased canned food so that she can survive in her apartment for weeks. Zhaglo is ready for battle.
The marketing researcher is one of thousands of Ukrainians who have joined the Territorial Defense Forces (TDF). This is a voluntary part of the army that has been attracting huge numbers of members since the tensions at the Russian border. They are trained internally. For example, TDF last weekend provided training in snowy forests outside the capital, so that civilians can gain combat skills.
If Russia decides to attack Ukraine, these volunteers will be part of the civilian resistance in case Ukraine’s regular army (some 225,000 men) is overwhelmed.
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‘This is our house’
Tensions have escalated in the region in recent months since Russia sent some 100,000 soldiers, tanks and missiles to Ukraine’s eastern border.
Zhaglo tells The Times that many Ukrainians have learned to live with the threat of a possible invasion since Moscow’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. According to her, it is therefore not unusual for Russia to increase its troop deployment near the border.
She is determined to give everything for her city: “My husband and I have no living relatives anywhere else, we have nowhere else to go. This is our home, this is what we will fight for.”
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Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Tuesday called on the people to remain calm. In a televised video speech, he said he was working on a meeting between himself and the leaders of Russia, France and Germany.
In this speech, he also said that the withdrawal of Western embassy personnel does not mean that a military escalation with Russia is inevitable, but that caution is advised.
“There are no rose-colored glasses, no childish illusions. It’s not easy, but there is hope,” Zelenskiy said. “Protect your body against viruses, your brain against lies, your heart against panic.”
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