While international tensions have soared in recent months over fears Moscow could stage a full-scale invasion, the looming threat of the Russians has been with the Ukrainian forces protecting the frontier a lot longer. Faced by renewed fears that the border region could be plunged into violence, some civilians are learning how to handle Kalashnikov rifles and pump-action shot guns at training for a territorial defence organisation set up by a former combatant. "We were lucky in 2014, but we cannot be lucky every time," says trainee Dmytro Bolchoutkine. "We have to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst." IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES