‘It’s scary’: Ukrainians arming themselves with guns as Russian threat escalates

A former Ukrainian political adviser says people in Ukraine have “run to the shops and bought guns and ammunition”.

Former adviser to the Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, Ostap Kryvdyk, who is based in Kyiv, says “Ukrainians are getting ready to welcome Putin if he comes here”.

Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday recognised two breakaway Ukrainian regions. He’s also sent military into Ukraine on a “peacekeeping mission”.

“Ukrainians are joining territorial defence units and well,” he told Neil Mitchell.

“Yes, of course it’s scary,” he said.

But Mr Kryvdyk says Ukranians are “not willing to give up what we got during our revolution”.

He wants Australia and the international community to call out Russia’s actions as wrong, impose sanctions against Russia, and says “there should be treatment of Putin like there was for Saddam Hussein”.

“A major international criminal trial should be started against Putin. His crimes are not only in Ukraine,” he said.

Press PLAY below to hear the mood in Ukraine

Former Intelligence Analyst Dr David Wright Neville says it’s “not at all surprising” that Ukrainians are buying guns.

“Although the Ukraine has made some pretty impressive improvements to its military over the last five or six years they’re certainly going to be no match for the Russians if they do move from these contested areas into Ukraine proper,” he told Neil Mitchell.

“If you’ve got a well-armed citizenry it’s likely to bog the Russians down in an insurgency, and the Russians don’t have a great history with insurgencies.”

Press PLAY below to hear what Dr Wright Neville thinks fuelled Putin’s Ukraine incursions

Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images