A large local property company in Ukraine is now doing its part to protect the country.
On Thursday, Russia is now advancing its military forces on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, but KAN real estate developer has a better plan to delay its journey towards the capital.
The local property company reinvented itself to help the defense of the city of 3.4 million people.
A muddy construction site in a local neighborhood was teeming with workers and welders of the KAN real estate developer. Instead of homes and offices, they were making giant, metal anti-tank barricades known as “hedgehogs”, and smaller spiked barriers aimed at stopping wheeled vehicles
Reuters Reported:
Zakhar, a foreman, picked up the phone and started calling the company’s construction workers who had remained in Kyiv. Almost everyone volunteered to stay and contribute, he said.
“We build things. We do not know how to fight, but we knew we could be useful,” Zakhar said. A few meters away sparks flew as builders cut through and welded together large metal beams.
It is another example of how Ukrainian civilians are supporting regular troops as they try to repel Russia’s advance, including through civil defense units and independent militia that have formed across the country.
After Russia invaded Ukraine, a large property company in Kyiv has reinvented itself to help the defenses of the city of 3.4 million people https://t.co/UWzS55DHiS pic.twitter.com/v2nW23reTl
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 4, 2022
Anti-tank hedgehogs can now be seen in the very heart of Kyiv, the central Independence Square and Khreshchatyk Street.
Photo: Illia Ponomarenko/The Kyiv Independent pic.twitter.com/iayIXnMrsJ
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) March 3, 2022
‘Hedgehogs’ v tanks, as Kyiv braces for Russian onslaught https://t.co/Hvp5hLRz6X pic.twitter.com/UjZAcSSSko
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 3, 2022
Old steel rails from the city’s rail yard are also being used to build the barricades, the New York Times reported.
In Odessa, Ukraine’s biggest port city, people are building defenses as they brace for a Russian attack.
At the city’s tram authority rail yard, old steel rails are being sliced up and welded into barricades called “hedgehogs” to stop tanks.https://t.co/ckBjYLSZ44 pic.twitter.com/7Jj9DY61Mc
— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 2, 2022
Building “hedgehogs” to stop tanks out of old tram rails in Odessa. The mayor tells me that he expects an attack any day from Russian naval forces in the Black Sea. pic.twitter.com/aZJw8iXyjQ
— Michael Schwirtz (@mschwirtz) March 1, 2022
This DIY anti-tank obstacle says “kosher hedgehogs from the Jews of Odessa.” pic.twitter.com/Cg704fd1r9
— Anarcho-Judaism (@AnarchoJudaism) March 1, 2022
In this Ukrainian industrial zone, a warehouse which created combines/grain silos is now building anti-tank hedgehogs from old train tracks.. and other anti vehicle devices
All this just transformed overnight and voluntarily. You might remember hedgehogs fr Saving Private Ryan pic.twitter.com/98ZdDStLGk
— Tim Mak (@timkmak) March 4, 2022
Luckily Tesla recognises anti-tank hedgehogs as obstacles #Kyiv pic.twitter.com/u4zknxx1Yw
— Oryx (@oryxspioenkop) March 4, 2022
FANTASTIC
A wrecking ball could do a number on a tank or armored Troop carrier. Bulldozers could flip a tank by catching it on the side. These people may not be Military but they are Patriots. They are showing the world that ordinary people can make a difference in War without using guns.