World News
Ukraine allows civilians to carry firearms, calls on citizens to join the fight against Russia
- Ukraine’s parliament passed a law on Wednesday, that allowed citizens to carry firearms in public.
- Gun stores in the capital Kyiv are selling out following the news.
- Ukraine has urged citizens to take up arms and join the fight against Russian forces.
The Ukrainian parliament passed a law on Wednesday, allowing citizens to carry firearms in public. Previously, citizens could only have firearms in private.
“Now it’s the intention of the parliament is to liberalize ownership of armaments by citizens,” Dmytro Shulga, the European Programme Director at the International Renaissance Foundation, an NGO in Kyiv said. “And I think that this is very popular news now.”
Ukraine also approved a state of emergency in the country.
On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops into Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region. The Russian leader recognized the Donetsk and Luhansk regions as independent people’s republics not belonging to Ukraine.
The Kremlin has mobilized more than 150,000 Russian troops along Ukraine’s borders in the previous weeks.
Prior to parliament voting in favor of the state of emergency measures on Wednesday, Ukrainian officials were told by US intelligence officials that Russia will likely begin an invasion into eastern Ukraine within the next 48 hours.
According to the Guardian, gun stores in Kyiv are selling a much higher volume of guns than usual, including AR-10s and AR-15s. The report added that close to 400,000 Ukrainians have combat experience.
Shulga added that he believed that with its own training and US and EU military backing, the Ukrainian army itself is better trained than in 2014.
“There’s a feeling that Ukrainians will fight. I see it. I observe it,” Shulga, who as of Wednesday afternoon has been carrying on with his daily life, told Insider. “If the Russians want to come to our home, we will meet them.”
On Thursday, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged regular citizens to take up arms and made the enlistment process simple.
Zelensky said in a tweet that those who want to defend Ukraine will be given weapons.
They can join the fight as long as they have an ID, according to Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
Source: Insider
Linda Steavens
February 25, 2022 at 7:00 pm
I hope each and every Ukrainian citizen takes to arms and kicks Russian ass! We in the USA stand behind Ukraine and will help in any way we can. You are in our thoughts and prayers!! God be with you Ukraine!!
John J
February 28, 2022 at 6:38 am
We must always protect our right to buy, own and keep as many guns as we please, make trips to the shooting range a family enjoyment
ox
February 28, 2022 at 6:45 pm
Good reason for the gov’t. not to follow the Socialist and Communist trend of not allowing their citizens to have firearms. If one is serious about their Democracy, their liberties and freedoms, they will allow their law abiding citizens to have firearms. This is exactly why our forefathers put a 2nd amendment in the U.S. Constitution, and if Lying Corrupt Quid Pro KING Joe and the liberal commie Democrats don’t like it, too bad.