– I am learning to use Kalashnikovs and preparing to carry weapons. It sounds surreal, just a few days ago it would never have occurred to me. Our women want to protect our earth. Hey Ukraine!
It writes the Ukrainian MP Kira Rudik (36) on Twitter, while she poses with an automatic rifle.
Rudik leads the Holos party, and has been a member of parliament since 2019.
Friday, she told CNN that she is in Kyiv and that they will be able to withstand the Russian forces coming to the city.
– I do not know if you can hear, but there are attacks behind me and I can feel the glass shaking a little.
She then added that it is her duty to be in the city.
– Me and my crew are armed.
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18,000 weapons
Rudik is thus one of several elected representatives, as according to the Belarusian media house Nexta by the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has previously called on Ukrainian citizens to fight, and promised weapons to anyone who wants them.
According to Nexta and CNN, 18,000 weapons have already been distributed in the capital, where, according to several witness descriptions, fighting is taking place between Russian and Ukrainian ground forces.
On Thursday, it was also announced that President Volodymyr Zelenskyj called for full mobilization and summoned all conscripts in the country.
In addition, Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 and 60 have been banned from leaving the country.
