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Ukrainians Divided Over Russian Invasion Threat

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

KHARKIV (Worthy News) – With as many as 127,000 Russian troops nearby, people in the Ukrainian border city of Kharkiv have mixed feelings about the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Kharkiv, an industrial city in eastern Ukraine home to tank, aircraft, and tractor factories, lies 42 kilometers (26 miles) from the Russian border.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy claims it is a possible target of a Russian attack. However, Moscow says it has “no intention” to attack Ukraine.

But Russia demands that the West provides security guarantees, including a block on Ukraine joining the NATO alliance.

Washington has so far refused to obey, saying it’s up to Ukraine to decide whether it wants up to join NATO.

Yet with tensions rising, Kharkiv resident Alexander clarified he isn’t ready to battle for Ukraine if Russian troops enter the city. “I am not ready to fight. I can be ready to fight when the Russians come here. But why should I fight?” he said.

“To fight for a state that does not give any impetus to development? Which artificially expels citizens to work in other countries?” Alexander complained, adding, “there are no social programs, no medicines, and the constitution is not respected.”

However, another man, Oles, said he was prepared to fight. “Yes, I am ready to fight. But I think that since our allies raised the issue, Russia realized that an attack is unlikely to be a good idea.”