From MPs to beauty queen, Ukrainian women take up arms against Russia

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has faced with stiff battle as civilians answer the call to defend their nation. Women across the nation, from politicians to beauty queens, have taken up arms to defend Ukraine in the hour of need.

Speaking to India Today, Ukrainian MP Ukrainian MP Kira Rudik spoke about organising resistance groups against Russian assault. Meanwhile, MP Lesia Vasylenko called on foreigners to join Ukraine in resisting the Russian invasion of the country.

Lesia Vasylenko said,“We are a country in complete war. There is no time for somebody to give you training and lessons. Everybody is busy with their tasks.”

The Ukrainian MP referred to the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine, a separate unit of foreigners that is being formed for those who wish to join the resistance against Russian invasion.

“We opened international territorial defense unit of Ukraine, if you want to help Ukraine fight this invasion, you can sign up at Ukraine embassies in your country and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukrainian men and women and help us get rid of the biggest aggressor in the world and have peace in the world,” Lesia Vasylenko said.

he photos and videos of Ukrainian women joining the fight have been shared multiple times on social media.

Earlier, a photo of Ukrainian Member of Parliament Kira Rudik holding a gun had gone viral. "I learn to use #Kalashnikov and prepare to bear arms. It sounds surreal, as just a few days ago it would never come to my mind. Our #women will protect our soil the same way as our #men," Kira Rudik wrote on Twitter.

Speaking to India Today on Saturday, Kira Rudik said, “Holding a Kalashnikov gives me hope.”

"I was very very angry when the war started. I am still very angry. I still don't understand how the neighbouring country [Russia] and Putin can deny Ukraine the right to exist and I am very angry that I am being made to leave my town and my family is threatened and we are all put under threat just because the crazy dictator is telling us so," Kira Rudik said.

"I am protecting my family and I am organising the resistance group that is fighting Russians on our streets because they need to go back to where they came from our soil because we are an independent country and will protect our sovereignty no matter what, because I want my children to live in Ukraine that I'm building for them not some Vladimir Putin," said Rudik.

A day before, a picture of Ukraine MP holding a gun had gone viral on social media, now a former beauty queen has also joined the fight to protect her nation against the Russian invasion.

Anastasiia Lenna, who represented Ukraine in the 2015 Miss Grand International beauty contest , has put down her crown and sash to defend her country. Taking to her Instagram handle, the former beauty queen uploaded a couple of photos where she can be seen carrying arms.

These are just some instances. As war rages on in Kyiv, civilians across Ukraine have picked up arms and are doing their duty in protecting the country from Russian invasion.