‘Either help, or join our military forces’: Ukrainians raise funds, send needed supplies to frontline soldiers
Ukrainians know their fate is inextricably linked to the outcome of the war, said observers, adding that their spirit of resistance remains unbroken two years into the invasion.
Loaves of freshly made bread at the Good Bread bakery in Kyiv are delivered to areas bordering Russia, where fierce fighting is taking place.
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KYIV: Loaves of freshly made bread fill the racks of the Good Bread bakery in Kyiv, but they are not for sale.
The bread will be delivered to areas bordering Russia, where fierce fighting is taking place.
“We need to send everything that we can to the east, because there are lots of people who just can't or don't want to leave their homes,” said the bakery’s project manager Liudmyla Petrova.
“They need bread because there are no shops, no restaurants, and there is nothing.”
About 1,300 loaves are made four days a week by bakers who have mental disabilities.
The inclusive bakery is run by donations from fellow Ukrainians, who are hoping to fight the ongoing war against Russia in their own way.
“All of us are tired,” said Ms Petrova.
“But all of us have one desire, (which is) to win. And all of us want to help as much as we can.”
STAYING STRONG FOR UKRAINE
Ukraine has remained resilient in face of Russia's invasion, partly due to the efforts of its civilians who are raising funds and sending much needed supplies to those on the frontlines.
Ukrainians know their fate is inextricably linked to the outcome of the war, said observers, adding that their spirit of resistance remains unbroken two years into the invasion.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb 24, 2022.
Since then, thousands have been killed, millions have fled their homes, and cities across Ukraine have been reduced to rubble.
Even though the Ukranian capital of Kyiv is hundreds of kilometres from the Russian border, it is never far removed from war, said residents.
Some of them have lost their homes amid Russian missile strikes on the city.
‘HOW CAN I JUST SIT AND DO NOTHING?’
For Ms Myroslava, a volunteer with Ukrainian charity Hurkit, her hometown Irpin was occupied when Russia advanced on Kyiv at the start of its offensive two years ago.
The devastation has strengthened her resolve to step up.
“My husband is the head of an intelligence platoon, and it's very dangerous. Every second, he is risking his life. So how can I just sit and do nothing?”
Hurkit supplies food, military equipment, and lifesaving tools such as generators through fundraisers.
Its founder Vlad Samoilenko started out helping residents in Irpin, where the charity ran its operations from. It only moved to Kyiv when the situation became too dangerous.
“And unfortunately, I have 14 guys who were killed (by) Russia in these two years. We have just one way to live in our country, help our military forces or join the military forces.”
