Ukrainian citizens partake in day-to-day life despite threat of invasion

Ukrainian citizens far from the Russian border appear to be getting on with daily life -despite the threat of invasion and a state of national emergency.

Pictures and video taken in the city of Cherkasy show citizens getting on with chores, using public transport and continuing to go to work and school.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky officially called up Ukrainian reserve forces this morning (23/2), while a state of emergency was declared nationwide.

And, while Cherkasy may be more than 500km from the frontline in the Donbass-Luhansk regions, the town is only 300km from the border near the city of Kharkiv.

Some analysts even suggest that Cherkassy may become a frontline if Russia commits to a full invasion of Ukraine, as it sits on the western bank of the Dnieper river - the maximum extent of a predicted Russian invasion.

But Yuriy Stryhun, 54, journalist for Ukrinform - the Ukrainian National News Agency - said: "So far, the situation is absolutely calm".

"In workshops, transport, public institutions. There are no signs of panic. Everything is as it was a month ago schools, kindergarten, everything is in working rhythm.

"True, the head of the Regional State Administration (governor) will announce the introduction of a state of emergency. Well, this is introduced throughout Ukraine.

"On weekends, they organize territorial defense training. It's the only sign of an impending war."

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered troops into two rebel-held regions in eastern Ukraine, after recognising them as independent states.

This has sparked worldwide fears that a full-scale invasion is imminent, with Ukrainian citizens today told to leave Russia.