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With tens of thousands of Russian troops deployed near the Ukranian border, residents in Kyiv are anxiously watching what Russian leader Vladimir Putin will do next as he continues his campaign to pressure Ukraine and NATO. Many in Kyiv hope war can be avoided but also fear Putin will decide to launch an invasion. Reporter Oksana Lihostova in Kyiv spoke with residents about their hopes and fears in this story narrated by Anna Rice.
Content TypePackage
LanguageEnglish
Transcript/ScriptUkraine Residents War Possibility – Lihostova
HEAD: Kyiv Residents Anxious Over Possible Russian Invasion
TEASER: Ukrainians in the capital hope for the best but remain worried about a possible invasion
PUBLISHED: 02/02/2022 at 12:30pm
BYLINE: Oksana Lihostova
DATELINE: Kyiv, Ukraine
CAMERA: Oksana Lihostova
VIDEO EDITOR:
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: KE(1st); BR
VIDEO FROM: VOA,
TYPE: TVPKG
TRT: 3:18
VIDEO APPROVER'S INITIALS: KE
UPDATE: ))
((INTRO))
[[With tens of thousands of Russian troops deployed near the Ukranian border, residents in Kyiv are anxiously watching what Russian leader Vladimir Putin will do next as he continues his campaign to pressure Ukraine and NATO. Many in Kyiv hope war can be avoided but also fear Putin will decide to launch an invasion. Reporter Oksana Lihostova in Kyiv spoke with residents about their hopes and fears in this story narrated by Anna Rice.]]
((NARRATION))
Twice a week – rain or shine – Oleksandr Antonets comes here, to the Kyiv Hippodrome where he helps to break in horses. The retired university professor says working with horses helps him take his mind off the worrying news from the Russia-Ukraine border.
((Oleksandr Antonets, Retired University Professor)) ((IN UKRAINIAN))
“No one can say for sure what Putin is going to do, no one knows really. So, we need to be prepared for the worst, for Russia’s attack.”
((NARRATION))
Antonets is not afraid of tough times. In 2014, he took part in Euromaidan, a wave of demonstrations to demand closer Ukrainian ties with the EU. Today he says he is not going to hide or run away. If an invasion does take place, he is prepared to fight.
((Oleksandr Antonets, Retired University Professor)) ((IN UKRAINIAN))
“I know how to handle an F-1 grenade, I learned how to do it. There’s a police station right under my balcony – so, if invaders come they will occupy it for sure.”
((NARRATION))
These young women, who fled the Donbass region and Crimea, have already lived through an occupation. They don’t treat Putin’s threats like a joke.
((Elizaveta Stadnik, Displaced Person)) ((IN UKRAINIAN))
“I remember the time the Donetsk People's Republic signs were just starting to pop up in Donetsk. I didn’t believe this was actually happening, many people I knew didn’t believe anything would come out of it either. // Two days ago, I packed my go-bag.”
((NARRATION))
This café is a gathering place for a lot of refugees from the Russia-occupied Ukrainian territories. Today, as always, they talk about the threat of war.
((Natalia Lyutikova, Displaced Person)) ((IN UKRAINIAN)) [[МАША]]
“We will evacuate the children and come back. I plan to go help at a hospital. I have signed up for first aid and medicine classes. Back in 2014-2016 after I left Crimea, I worked at a hospital helping take care of the wounded. I have the experience; I just need to refresh my knowledge.”
((NARRATION))
Journalist Olena Maksimenko often travels to eastern Ukraine to gather information for articles and blogs.
((Olena Maksimenko, Ukrainian Journalist)) ((IN UKRAINIAN))
“I’m not afraid. I was taken prisoner in Crimea in 2014, then I used to go there as a volunteer on several occasions. I’m not afraid anymore. // I think I’ll go work as a volunteer paramedic. Maybe I’ll be able to cover the events as a journalist. I’m ready for however the events unfold.”
((NARRATION))
Recent surveys show more Ukrainians are feeling increasingly negative toward Russia. And as many prepare for the worst, a poll conducted by a Ukrainian think tank ((Razumkov Center)) shows that 71% of Ukrainians believe Ukraine is already at war with Russia.
For Oksana Lihostova in Kyiv, Anna Rice, VOA News
NewsML Media TopicsConflict, War and Peace, Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Kyiv, Ukraine
Embargo DateFebruary 2, 2022 18:11 EST
BylineOksana Lihostova
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
