Dnipro will be a Stalingrad for the Russian attackers, vows regional chief Mykola Lukashuk
thetimes.co.uk/article/dnipro…
thetimes.co.uk/article/dnipro…
The province chief once presided over vast infrastructure projects, oversaw plans for new highways, checked industrial blueprints and regional budgets and ran one of the largest civil administrations in Ukraine... 🇺🇦
Now Lukashuk has a Makarov pistol strapped to his belt and a Kalashnikov on the table, and is organising Dnipro to become a Stalingrad for invading Russian troops 🇷🇺
“I can put a million people under arms,” the 41-year-old head of Dnipropetrovsk region said.
🗣️ “For two years I have done everything I can to make my oblast a place of prosperity and development. Now I’m going to make it a Stalingrad for the Russians”
🗣️ “For two years I have done everything I can to make my oblast a place of prosperity and development. Now I’m going to make it a Stalingrad for the Russians”
Striding through the corridors of the state administration building in Dnipro with an escort of armed bodyguards, Lukashuk has had five short days to turn his head from construction plans to the business of destruction 
“Since the Russian invasion began I get three hours’ sleep on a good night,” he said. “There’s a lot to do as we get ready to receive them.”
Amid the on-off wails of air raid sirens, Lukashuk’s civilian staff co-ordinate the donations pouring in
Amid the on-off wails of air raid sirens, Lukashuk’s civilian staff co-ordinate the donations pouring in
He fields war calls from President Zelensky, who appointed him to his position two years ago; he speaks to police and Territorial Defence Force commanders hunting Russian saboteurs; and looks out of his office to the Rocket Park below, where women work preparing petrol bombs
“I didn’t want my oblast to be a place where everyone grabbed an assault rifle and pistol and Molotov, but we’ve had no choice,” he said.
🗣️“I’ve got 3.2 million people. I can get a million of those under arms, but can you imagine how many will die if the Russians rocket us?”
🗣️“I’ve got 3.2 million people. I can get a million of those under arms, but can you imagine how many will die if the Russians rocket us?”
Lukashuk’s region includes Ukraine’s industrial and mining heartland which last year generated 11% of the country’s GDP.
Now it has turned its economic capability to war.
📸 Billboards that once advertised IT software now read: “Russian Warship – F*** Yourself” 👇
Now it has turned its economic capability to war.
📸 Billboards that once advertised IT software now read: “Russian Warship – F*** Yourself” 👇
He refused to give away details of his conversation with the Ukrainian president the other evening, observing only that he was in a “good mood and believes Ukraine can win”
thetimes.co.uk/article/cheche…
thetimes.co.uk/article/cheche…
War is encroaching fast.
Lukashuk mentions the "strange drone" that has flown around his offices.
🗣️"It seemed to be observing us carefully. Other drones are also above the oblast. They will be able to see the realities of the billions of Hryvnia spent rebuilding this region"
Lukashuk mentions the "strange drone" that has flown around his offices.
🗣️"It seemed to be observing us carefully. Other drones are also above the oblast. They will be able to see the realities of the billions of Hryvnia spent rebuilding this region"
🗣️ "Do the Russians really want to destroy this so they can own it? They say they are coming to ‘save Russian speakers’: I am a Russian speaker and I don’t want saving,” Lukashuk says.
He pulled his Makarov from its holster. “Each day of the last five has seemed like a year”
He pulled his Makarov from its holster. “Each day of the last five has seemed like a year”
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