Bogdan Galayda, 22 years old, is a history student who makes history.
He has been making Molotov cocktails for the past week. These are fuel-filled bottles that he plans to throw at the Russian Army if they invade his beloved city.
He told me that every day we produce more than a thousand bottles, and that if the enemy comes into my city we will make many of them more,” he said to me as he showed me his secret armory in central Odesa.
Ukraine war – Putin “not yet ready” to end the invasion – Latest Updates
Bogdan is part the city’s growing resistance defense force, ordinary men and women who are determined to defend their city.
A few miles away, women are hand-tying netting to pieces of fabric they have cut from a nearby community center.
They use camouflage to hide Odesa’s defenses.
Olha Poliuha (22-year-old English teacher) has volunteered alongside her mother.
She stated that this was a very important issue and that we are working round the clock to achieve more. We won’t stop, and we won’t give up.
“I think we’ve been planning this for years. Russia has been threatening our country for so many years.
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They have been threatening our culture, language, and way of living. It seems like everything has come to this point. Ukraine will not surrender. Russia will not win.”
Odesa, Ukraine’s third-largest city, is strategically important for Vladimir Putin. He could take Odesa and cut Ukraine off from the sea. It is therefore one of the main targets of the Russian offensive.
Russian forces are thought to be near the coast and moving from the south. Reports have suggested that Russian warships may be anchored along the coast. However, this has not been confirmed.
In Odesa, thousands of men joined the army over the last week.
We were taken to the military base at the heart of the city. We were told that it would be converted into a hospital for soldiers who are injured during fighting. It has received blood donations and nurses are available.
Ukraine war map – The story of the invasion up to now
Vladimir Nagorny, a film producer prior to the war, is now second in command of this Army unit.
“We don’t fear death, we are prepared to die.” We won’t allow Russia to dictate the future of this country. We won’t allow them to make us into a Russian nation. Never.”
Soldiers are seen eating lunch at the mess inside the base. It is dark and cramped.
Men eat whenever they can. They sleep wherever they can.
Odesa is preparing for war right now. Dark days may lie ahead.
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