READY FOR WAR
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UKRAINIAN troops practised deadly attacks with new missiles yesterday, as Russian forces also prepared for war across the border.
As Kyiv’s troops went through their paces, military commanders thanked its western allies for sending “game-changer” nextgeneration light anti-tank weapons – NLAWS.
At Desna military training base, deep in pine forests 50 miles north of Kyiv, the men of 72 Mechanised Brigade were brandishing the missiles, which could be used to defend against an invasion.
They were less than 50 miles from the Belarusian border to the north, over which as many as 80,000 Russian and local troops began “exercises”.
Codenamed Allied Resolve 2022 it is Moscow’s biggest post-cold War deployment to its neighbour.
Meanwhile, up to 126,000 Russian troops are on Ukraine’s eastern flank, backed by 30,000 pro-moscow separatists in contested Donbas.
Across Ukraine, even civilians are preparing to take arms in a programme called Prepare To Defend the Motherland.
In Vinnytsia, central Ukraine, citizens are being taught military tactics and how to use guns.
Many soldiers here in Desna proudly wear a death’s head insignia with the words: “Ukraine or death”, which may soon become a grim reality.
Lt Colonel Ihor Bezogluk, 50, overseeing them, told the Mirror: “Thank you so much for giving us the NLAWS.
“These missiles have changed the war for us. “It means we can fight the Russians – now we have a way of stopping their armour. The Russians cannot scare us with their numbers.”
As we spoke, hundreds of troops took part in exercises, storming trenches, firing at targets and attacking obstacles in assault formation, many wielding NLAWS.
Shots pierced the cold air and troops moved forward, bristling with weapons and confidence as they seized trenches.
Those with NLAWS marked tank targets with lasers, making sure to hit them before moving to the next task.
Many believe that the Russianbelarusian exercise taking place may be a ruse to gather an invasion force to strike Kyiv.
The capital is just over 100 miles
We are not only ready to die for Ukraine, we are ready to kill for it LT COL IHOR BEZOGLUK OVERSEEING TRAINING
south of Belarus and could be encircled by Russian tanks within days.
Lt Colonel Bezogluk, a married father of four and a grandfather, added: “We are training in urban and trench warfare.
“The missiles mean we will be able to defend a city and fight the enemy.
“These soldiers are 100% confident they can win and will fight until the last breath. “My message to Russia is ‘we are not brothers’.” Asked if Russia will invade, he replied: “It is not possible to say what a crazy person is thinking. In 2014 I never would have imagined they would annex Crimea.
“Be sure of one thing. We are not only ready to die for Ukraine but we are ready to kill for our homeland.”
Staff Sgt Roman Yaremenko, 28, of 72 Brigade, is proud of the troops he has helped train with the NLAWS, having been taught by British forces.
The operator tracks the target for a few seconds before firing and NLAW does the rest, computing the location of the target even if it hides.
Its armour-piercing warhead can destroy heavily protected main battle tanks in a single shot and is deadly up to half a mile.
Weighing 27lb, it is ideal for houseto-house guerrilla warfare.
Sources say a soldier can learn how to fire an NLAW in an hour.
Sgt Yaramenko said: “Technically they are brilliant missiles, as before we only had rocket-propelled grenades.
“They are a game-changer because it’s like they have a brain. We are now ready to defend Ukraine.
“I hope Russia does not invade because that would surely mean a war against Europe. The problem is they keep provoking us, so I think they will do something.”