Residents of Ukrainian city near Russian border brace for the unknown

FILE PHOTO: Reservists of the Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces listen to instructions during military exercises at a training ground outside Kharkiv, Ukraine December 11, 2021. REUTERS/Vyacheslav Madiyevskyy/File Photo

KHARKIV, Ukraine (Reuters) - Residents in Ukraine's second biggest city Kharkiv said they hoped for the best but would prepare for the worst, as Russia massed tens of thousands of troops near Ukraine's borders and diplomatic talks failed to produce a breakthrough.

Kharkiv, an industrial city in eastern Ukraine that is home to tank, aircraft and tractor factories, lies 42 km (26 miles) from the Russian border. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has identified it as a possible target of a Russian attack.