In a sports club just outside Moscow run by a former Russian special forces captain, 70 women and men turned out to train with automatic rifles, many of them seeking military skills because of the conflict in neighboring Ukraine
The United States and its Western allies have condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a devastating post-imperial land grab, but inside Russia what the Kremlin calls "a special military operation" is seen differently by some Russians.
"We are doing urban military training which for us civilians who have not served in the army could be a very useful skill if we need to defend our homes or if we need to be sent to the front to defend our motherland," said Vladimir, after 45 minutes of training with Kalashnikov automatic weapons. Many younger Russians, especially those in major cities, are far less supportive and have little confidence in state television - the Kremlin's main avenue to project its interpretation of the conflict.
The club's videos show training to a popular song with the lyrics: "Be afraid - we, the Russians, are coming."
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