On a foggy Saturday morning, steps from the golden domes of the Church of the Nativity in central Derhachi, eastern Ukraine, members of the band Right Sector pay their respects at the ornate grave of one of theirs, died in combat in 2016 at the age of 32. A few minutes later, the group sets off again on the bumpy streets of the small town of almost 20,000 inhabitants to a wasteland, where the Cossacks are said to have once fought against the Russian imperial troops.
“Stand in a straight line,” shouts Valentene to the forty or so men of all ages gathered in front of him. “When you pull out your guns, don’t shoot at full speed, but take the time to shoot accurately. 22 km from the Russian border, as the clatter of boots and the roar of tanks escalate into disconcerting absurdity, Ukrainian patriots prepare to face—once again—the Russian enemy.
In this motley group of civilians, a woman, two children and a man with an arm in plaster. Almost all of them are in camouflage. Many carry a long gun slung over their shoulder or a handgun on their belt. “These are all legal weapons,” we are told.
Before launching the exercise, which is held in the suburbs of Kharkiv, two flags are hoisted on what will act as a firing range for this battalion of civilians. The blue and yellow flag of Ukraine and the red and black flag of Right Sector — which hosts The duty for a rare foray into this group associated with the Ukrainian nationalist right. A snapshot of the clan is taken: “Say death to Russia and the separatists. » Click.
On the side of the hill, four groups are formed. Targets or sheet metal plates are placed in the grass a few tens of meters further. Then the shots ring out again and again.
Last line of defense
“It’s the first time I’ve shot in my life,” says Maksym, a geologist. Our country and our families are in danger, that’s why I decided to come and train here. We’ll be the last line of defense to protect Derhachi. »
The 42-year-old man has just bought himself a camouflage outfit and is thinking of getting a weapon in the next few days. “My house is 6 km from the border. At night, I hear the sound of big engines and I see lights that weren’t there before, he reports. I think the Russian army will soon cross the border. »
A smell of burnt gunpowder disperses in the icy wind. Cartridges pile up on the ground. The most experienced, who fought pro-Russian separatists in the Donbass eight years ago, offer advice to newcomers.
“If someone throws a grenade at you, always keep your fingers on the trigger of your rifle and your eyes on your enemy when you throw it back,” Valentene told three young people.
national freedom
Alana managed to hit the target with an AR-15 carbine. ” It is not too difficult. I’ve shot before,” said the 23-year-old. “We have to show our enemy that we are ready to defend ourselves and that we are armed,” she says, defiantly. Russia is not a civilized country. We cannot dialogue with our Russian neighbours. »
According to her, the war against Russia has become inevitable for Ukraine to preserve its sovereignty. “Russian troops will not leave the cities of Donetsk and Lugansk without this [des territoires occupés depuis 2014]. »
The Right Sector group was created in the wake of the popular Euromaidan uprising (pro-European demonstrations) which took place in 2013 and 2014 in Kyiv. “We are a national freedom movement,” explains Yuri, who heads the Kharkiv section. We have a political party, a civil organization, volunteer battalions and a youth wing. »
Several Western media associate the group with the far-right movement. “People confuse nationalism with Nazism,” replies Sergey, who says he formed the first Ukrainian civilian battalion in 2014 in Kharkiv. People who love their country don’t hate other people. It doesn’t matter if you are Russian, Tatar or Ukrainian, if you defend the independence of Ukraine, you can join us. »
On the eve of a possible war against Russia, training – during which workshops on shooting, first aid, military strategy or even radio communication are offered – is not reserved for members of Right Sector. “There are a lot of Ukrainians who are ready to defend our values against Russia,” argues Yuri, a piece of sala (pork fat, a typical Ukrainian dish) by hand.
Self-defense
Sunday morning, a few kilometers away, in a basement in the center of Kharkiv, the same urgency won over a group of women gathered to learn the basics of self-defense.
“We have to learn how to defend ourselves as quickly as possible,” said Liza Zhadanova, 32, who is in her third training session. We weren’t taught that in college, and war can start anytime. »
In 2014, the city of Kharkiv, the second city in the almost entirely Russian-speaking country, was briefly occupied by pro-Russian separatists. Armed clashes and street fights have pitted separatists against Ukrainian supporters.
The courses offered to women by the Blade Brothers Knives center cover a wide range of subjects, ranging from first aid techniques to knife fighting and even bare-handed confrontations. Today, the workshop focuses on the handling of firearms.
“Listen carefully to the sound of the mechanism. It’s very important, girls. That’s how you’ll know if your weapon is well loaded,” says instructor Igor Pushkhary to the twenty or so women of all ages who listen to him attentively.
Some women easily slip the blank cartridges into the semi-automatic weapon, others struggle for several minutes before managing to load the gun. “My finger is caught in the mechanism! launches a participant, who manages to snatch a few smiles from her peers before freeing her index finger.
Screens are placed in a few places in the gymnasium. While shooting at a target, the women run from one hiding place to another and reload their weapon while Igor strafs them with tennis balls. “These trainings allow women not to feel like victims, argues Igor, an ex-policeman and veteran of the 2014 war. They learn to defend themselves and their families. And it also allows them to protect themselves against domestic violence. »
In addition to developing technical skills, these trainings also allow women to keep their spirits up through this tumultuous period, underlines Liza Zhadanova. “When I come here, I see people who are ready to defend themselves and who are in action. It helps me a lot psychologically. »
A seizure of power that Elizabeth Riznychenko also feels. “As a woman, I have to know how to defend myself and I have to know in my head that I am capable of doing it,” she argues after training. “War could come to my house anytime. I have to be confident. »
With Vitalii Ovcharenko and Bohdan Chaban
This report was financed thanks to the support of the Transat International Journalism Fund.The duty.