Four fathers of young children have told how they will protect their country from the Russians – or die trying – as they underwent training in Ukraine’s newly formed Dads Army.
IT entrepreneurs Slavik, Volodymyr, Andriy and property developer Volodymyr all enjoyed comfortable lives running their businesses in the culturally rich city of Lviv until a few weeks ago.
But the four friends did not hesitate for a moment when called upon to defend their home town after Putin ordered his army to invade Ukraine.
Now the tech wizards have swapped their keyboards for Kalashnikovs and spend their nights manning check points and patrolling the city looking for Russian spies and saboteurs.
The men – all in their mid-30s – are volunteers in the country’s Territorial Defence Force, Ukraine’s last line of defence to the mighty Russian Army.
Yesterday, as they underwent basic training, each man vowed to protect their home town, their streets and their homes from the invaders – or die trying.
Four fathers of young children have told how they will protect their country from the Russians – or die trying – as they underwent training in Ukraine’s newly formed Dads Army. Pictured (L-R): Friends Andriy, Slavik, Volodymyr and Volodymyr who have joined the Territorial Defence Force
‘We all have young children but we are not afraid of dying,’ Slavik Kizyma told MailOnline.
‘We did not want this war but we will win this war.
‘Any Russians that come to our town we will kill them. Or we will die trying.’
The men – all in their mid-30s – are volunteers in the country’s Territorial Defence Force, Ukraine’s last line of defence to the mighty Russian Army. Pictured: Residents of Lviv, Ukraine, at a training facility today where they are taught how to use firearms
Yesterday, as they underwent basic training, each man vowed to protect their home town, their streets and their homes from the invaders – or die trying. Pictured: Residents of Lviv, Ukraine, learn to use firearms today in case of Russian advances into their city
Men across Ukraine, like Slavik and his friends, flocked to join the Territorial Defence Force when President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for volunteers for the country’s version of Dads Army.
Businessmen, factory workers, grandfathers and 18-year-old boys now make up 100-strong brigades across this fiercely independent nation.
Their role is to man road check points at the entrance to all towns and cities and patrol the urban streets looking for the Russian spies and saboteurs that the Kremlin has sent into Ukraine ahead of his regular army.
‘We all have young children but we are not afraid of dying,’ Slavik Kizyma told MailOnline. We did not want this war but we will win this war. Any Russians that come to our town we will kill them. Or we will die trying.’ Pictured: Slavik Kizyma
Men across Ukraine, like Slavik and his friends, flocked to join the Territorial Defence Force when President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for volunteers for the country’s version of Dads Army. Pictured: Men at a training facility in Lviv, Ukraine, learning how to use firearms today
This Dads Army has enabled the Ukrainian military to send its more most experienced troops to the front-line to do battle with the Russian bear in full knowledge that their homes and families are protected.
The volunteers are taught how to load and fire a Kalashnikov rifle.
Experienced soldiers give them instructions on how to search for weapons and where to hide from gun-fire.
Businessmen, factory workers, grandfathers and 18-year-old boys now make up 100-strong brigades across this fiercely independent nation. Pictured: People learn how to use guns and weapons in Lviv, Ukraine today
Their role is to man road check points at the entrance to all towns and cities and patrol the urban streets looking for the Russian spies and saboteurs that the Kremlin has sent into Ukraine ahead of his regular army. Pictured: Residents watch on as instructors show they how to defend themselves against Russian forces using guns in Lviv, Ukraine today
But these groups of hugely patriotic amateurs, armed only with machine guns, will also be the last line of defence against Russian tanks and specially equipped troops as they try to take town after town across Ukraine.
Slavik explained: ‘Now we are at the road check points the regular army soldiers are free to go the front line and fight.
‘But if they Russian come to our town we will fight them to the last man.
‘At night we spend six hours at the check points on the main roads or we spend four hours patrolling the city streets.
‘Then we sleep for a few hours and go to the office about lunchtime.’
‘We know that the Kremlin has sent many spies into Ukraine and it is our job to stop them.’
This Dads Army has enabled the Ukrainian military to send its more most experienced troops to the front-line to do battle with the Russian bear in full knowledge that their homes and families are protected. Pictured: Large groups of men learn how to fire guns in Lviv, Ukraine today
The volunteers are taught how to load and fire a Kalashnikov rifle. Pictured: An instructor teaches men and women of Lviv, Ukraine, how to search for weapons, load guns and hide from gunfire today
Although widely predicted, the Russian invasion initially caused panic and shock across the whole country.
But now men like Slavik, Andriy and the two Volodymyr say they have no choice but to fight.
‘To start with my mother was in a huge panic,’ Slavik told MailOnline.
‘She lives in the countryside outside Lviv so she told me to bring the children there as they would be safer.
‘But the kids got bored so we brought them home.
‘Now we realise that we have to protect our city, our freedom, our way of life, for our children and their children.
‘My mother knows this too.
‘She understands that I must fight.’
Slavik pictured second from left) explained: ‘Now we are at the road check points the regular army soldiers are free to go to the front line and fight. ‘But if the Russians come to our town we will fight them to the last man.’
