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Inspired by Ukraine, civilians study urban warfare in Taiwan
When Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to invade Ukraine at the end of February, he gave shape to the darkest fears of many Taiwanese.
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This photo taken on June 18, 2022 shows a Taiwanese civilian aiming a replica handgun as part of a firearms workshop in Linko district, New Taipei City. The resilience of Ukrainian forces after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to invade the country has given hope that with the right tactics, Taiwan too might have a chance defending itself against China. Organisers of an urban combat workshop say their students have nearly quadrupled since February. Firearms and first aid courses have also seen increased enrolment.
(AFP/Sam Yeh)
D
ressed in military camouflage with an assault rifle at the ready, "Prof" Yeh peers from behind a vehicle in a parking lot outside Taipei, scanning his surroundings and waiting for a signal to advance.
Yeh actually works in marketing, and his weapon is a replica -- but he is spending the weekend attending an urban warfare workshop to prepare for what he sees as the very real threat of a Chinese invasion.
"The Russia-Ukraine war is a big reason why I came to this workshop," 47-year-old Yeh, whose call sign during training is "Prof", tells AFP during a break between sessions.
When Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to invade Ukraine at the end of February, he gave shape to the darkest fears of many Taiwanese.
The self-governed democracy lives under constant threat from authoritarian China, which views the island as part of its territory and has pledged to take it one day.
But the war in Ukraine has also inspired Yeh.
The resilience of Ukrainian forces has given him hope that with the right tactics, Taiwan too might have a chance defending itself against its much mightier neighbor.
