Kharkiv prepares for possible Russian troop offensive

Local deputy Halyna Kuts says that the city is under constant shelling, but is prepared for any scenario and is building up defensive structures

Halyna Kuts, a deputy of the Kharkiv Regional Council, described how the city is preparing for a possible attack in an interview with Espreso.

"From time to time, there are talks about an attack on Kharkiv, and especially if we consider the last two weeks when Kharkiv has been under constant shelling, we see that Russia is again bringing such disorganization to city life. At the same time, these ideas mobilize Kharkiv residents. Defense lines are being built in the Kharkiv region, we know about it, people are helping with this, and the regional council has created a municipal enterprise for national resistance. The regional budget will be used to train civilians in tactical medicine and how to live in combat conditions. That is, Kharkiv is preparing," explains the deputy.

According to Kuts, Kharkiv has already adapted to living under shelling.

"Russia started attacking hotels, places where people from other regions and countries stay, and as we can see, for example, foreign journalists have been injured twice in two hotels, as they need to monitor the situation on the frontline of Ukraine. Then Russia reports that we "destroyed the facility where NATO mercenaries were located," she said, adding that Kharkiv residents are advised to settle in the largest district, Saltovka, because it is the calmest now.