In Ukraine, civilians train on survival skills to cope with dangers from Russia’s war
In a cramped municipal building in a residential area of the Ukrainian capital, a group of people take turns training to shoot from a replica of a machine gun with the help of a weapon’s training simulator relying on virtual reality
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — In a cramped municipal building in a residential area of the Ukrainian capital, a group of people take turns training to shoot using a replica of a machine gun with the help of a weapons training simulator relying on virtual reality.
The nearly 20 participants — all of them civilians and most of them women — have never held a weapon before.
With Russia’s war on Ukraine in its 17th month, the Kyiv City Administration has opened up training for civilians who want to learn survival skills, including how to shoot, provide first aid and recognize land mines. These and other skills could be used in a hostile environment provoked by missile strikes and other man-made disasters.
In a dark room with tightly closed blinds, the unreal poof-poof sounds of the replica weapons are heard. People enthusiastically ask the instructors how to hold their weapons properly and ask to try one more time.
