Fighting In The Streets: Ukrainian Reservists Hold Urban Warfare Drills In Kyiv

​A reservist from the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces during an urban warfare drill in Kyiv on August 9.

The territorial defense unit of Kyiv's 112th Brigade defended key government buildings in the Ukrainian capital during a simulated enemy attack.

Kyiv and many Ukrainian cities have recently formed local territorial defense units to prepare civilians in the event they need to take up arms in a conflict. Ukraine's military is trying to bolster readiness and learn from past mistakes in the eastern Donbas region, where Russia-backed fighters seized territory in 2014.

Ukrainian reservists normally do their usual civilian jobs but are periodically called to participate in military drills.

Reservist training in Kyiv began on August 7.

Soldiers with the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces trained with blank cartridges.

Areas of the Ukrainian capital were closed by authorities for the urban warfare drills.

Authorities warned Kyiv residents not to be alarmed by sounds of gunfire and explosions.

Soldiers practiced defending public buildings.

Local authorities say about 80 percent of reservists in Kyiv have their own weapons.

Reservists from the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces will be holding drills in Kyiv until August 13.