Ukraine in 'total defense mode,' says defense minister

KRAMATORSK, Ukraine

After Russian military intervention, Ukraine's defense minister announced on Thursday that his country has gone into a "total defense mode."

In a statement on Facebook, Oleksii Reznikov called upon everyone who is ready and able to hold weapons to contact the Territorial Defense Forces of Ukraine in their region to get arms.

To get a weapon, people only need to have a passport with them, Reznikov said.

Ukraine’s reservist officers under the territorial defense structure have been holding weekly military training for civilians in preparation for any possible situation amid tensions with Russia.

Civilians in several cities of Ukraine were trained in the use of weapons, first aid, and how to behave in emergency situations.

Under Ukraine's territorial defense system, special measures are carried out across the country in peacetime to prepare the nation for any possible military threat.

According to the National Resistance Act that took effect on Jan. 1, the Territorial Defense Forces had a regular force of 10,000 career personnel in peacetime, with an additional 120,000 civilian reservists to be recruited and trained.

In case of army mobilization, the volunteer army will consist of more than 130,000 people, including reservists.

Russian President Vladimir Putin early Thursday announced a military intervention in Ukraine just days after recognizing two separatist-held enclaves in eastern Ukraine. The recognition drew international condemnation and announcements of tougher sanctions on Moscow.

There were reports of explosions in several Ukrainian provinces, including the capital Kyiv, and several military vehicles reportedly crossed the border from Belarus into Ukraine.