Thread by @terrelljstarr

I’m at a checkpoint outside of the city where a civilian group is checking all vehicles—including military—for saboteurs. There are reports of them shooting at checkpoints, keep these civilian military groups on edge.

Some of the professions of the men holding government-issued weapons at this checkpoint: shoe maker, museum director, language teacher.

Air raid sirens are going off. This is usually the time civilians are taking cover. Not these volunteer military units. They are staying put at this checkpoint in the pitch dark, at the ready, protecting Ukraine.

It’s 23:25 here at the checkpoint and the airstrike sirens have gone off. Civilians are urged to seek shelter. Territorial Defense volunteers? These guys are staying put, securing the checkpoint. Putting themselves in harms’ way from above and the ground.

Today closed with the unit I’m embedded in eliminating two suspected Russian saboteurs in an EMT vehicle. Saw the whole thing go down. Car refused to stop after several warnings, volunteers opened fire. It’s 00:45 Monday. The volunteers are up protecting this highway into Kyiv.

Good morning from Kyiv.

More on those two suspected saboteur deaths. No one knows who the dead are. Their vehicle, an EMS, isn't registered in the area. Their story about going to pick up a wounded person didn't check out. Their refusal to stop is also suspect.
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Lead volunteer managing the group told me the EMT vehicle was likely a cover for a bigger attack. We'll likely never know the truth. These volunteers are in extremely dangerous situations and it is challenging to tell friend from foe at times.

Some of these men's most significant experience comes from doing security at the 2014 maidan protests. Beyond that, they are learning as they go. They did not train together before this. Some have no real training at all. They are learning as they go.

Saboteurs are running around shooting at checkpoints, I am told. So everyone is on edge. Everything I am telling you comes from the lead volunteer who is leading the Territorial Defense group I am with.

I'll continue to embed with the group and update you o what's happening.

I will end by saying that getting through checkpoints can be a very dangerous activity. Usually, nothing happens. But the wrong behavior coupled with men who are not professional military can make for potential disaster. This is the environment Putin's war created.
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