in the west of the country, Lviv is preparing for the worst

It is a city without combat, but barricaded. At each entrance, a dam. And in the streets patrols, police and civilians who together challenge passers-by. It’s a hunt for Russian spies, and to unmask them, they have a trick. “A suspicious person is asked to say the word ‘Ukrainian’. A Russian will not succeed not“, said a resident. Suspect, a passerby motionless for too long, or with a big bag. “It may contain geolocation material. Spies identify targets for Russians”adds the Ukrainian.

Lviv is preparing to resist. A little everywhere in the city, there are workshops, training in the handling of weapons. The inhabitants learn about guerrilla warfare. Novices in groups of 50, who have two days to learn. Lviv also protects its heritage. The statues are wrapped, to resist the shock of the bombardments. The historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In city parks, authorities have also identified and reopened shelters. One of them dates from the First World War and could be used again in the event of an air attack.