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Transcript/ScriptUSAGM SHARE
((PLAYBOOK SLUG: UKRAINE VOLUNTEERS
HEADLINE: Fear and Uncertainty in Ukraine Prompt Civilians to Prepare Arms
TEASER: Believing it’s a matter of not if - but when - Russia will invade, Ukrainian volunteers gather their weapons and train for battle.
PUBLISHED AT: 1/31/2022: 8:10am
BYLINE: Ricardo Marquina
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Kyiv
VIDEOGRAPHER: Ricardo Marquina
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: LR, sv
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA ORIGINAL
PLATFORMS: WEB _X_ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 1:25
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE: JON SPIER NARRATES; WEB: ACCOMPANYING PHOTOS VIA EMAIL))
((INTRO)) [[For the last eight years, Ukraine has lived under a permanent state of alert, with the constant threat of Russian intervention in its territory. The fear and tension have led many civilians to seek military training to be prepared in the event of a conflict. Jonathan Spier narrates this report for VOA from Ricardo Marquina in Kyiv.]]
((NARRATOR))
On the outskirts of Kyiv, a group of about 200 men and women receive military training. They are civilians who have joined the Territorial Defense Force, a reserve corps set up by authorities to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the event of a conflict. They train on their own time, and they buy their own weapons.
((RADIO VERSION: Volunteers spoke on condition of not giving their full names. This man, identified only as “Yuri,” gives a simple reason for joining.))
((Yuri, Volunteer MAN, IN RUSSIAN - ORIGINAL VOA))
“I am here to learn fighting techniques and support the army to defend Ukraine.”
((NARRATOR))
Russian military pressure on Ukraine, with a massive deployment not far from its eastern border, has once again raised the specter of war. For many here, the question is not whether there will be a war, but when.
((RADIO VERSION: Denis Semirog Orlik serves as Deputy Chief Coordinator of the Reservists Council of the 112th Territorial Defense Brigade.))
((Denis Semirog Orlik, 112th Territorial Defense Brigade))
“Putin believes that there is no country called Ukraine, and that he has to take it under his control. Since he could not do it by changing his government from within, he only has one option left - the military path.”
((NARRATOR))
After more weeks of intense media reporting on a possible conflict, those in charge of these exercises want to reduce tensions among the Ukrainian population – and are urging calm – including among these trainees.
((RADIO VERSION: ‘Keep calm’ is the order that drill instructors like Artiom Sokhan, a veteran of the Ukrainian army, are receiving.))
((Artiom Sokhan, Drill Instructor - ORIGINAL VOA))
“Our commanders tell us: “Clean the gun, get ready, and don't panic.” That is the Ukrainian way.”
((NARRATOR))
The following workday, these men and women will return to their jobs in the city, while in Moscow and Washington, the political tug-of-war that could push them to war will continue.
((FOR RICARDO MARQUINA IN KYIV, JON SPIER, VOA NEWS))
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