Mission 1

In October 2023 we sat down and made a plan of heading to Ukraine. We knew we needed to be there by Christmas/New Year as the Russians like to stockpile missiles and drones to use over this period to cause maximum damage and destruction to civilians and civilian infrastructure as well as power stations to knock out the heating in a time that it is -10C to -20C outside.

Plan made we set off on the gruelling long journey. Fast forward a day we cross the Ukrainian border entering Ukraine in high spirits. The Ukrainian people are one of the most fantastic people I have ever met, the warmth and welcoming didn’t stop for the entirety of the trip. Knowing you have come to volunteer they took you in as one of their own.

We parked up for the night and that was when the air raid sirens started. Very early morning on the 29th we was woken up by missiles landing and our building shaking, a slight difference from the normal alarm clock.

We chucked on our gear and ran out the door looking for impact zones and people that needed help. I remember another landing not far from us as soon as we came out and it was the first time in my life I have felt a shockwave from a missile exploding, the pressure knocking against my body. We carried on as more explosions were going off around us. Eerily calm we carried on.

The destruction we witnessed when we arrived was harrowing. The lives lost, the homes lost, it was very emotional.

The next day we were stationed over at the school and kindergarten that had been hit. I am not one to show emotion but walking into what I can describe as a brutal attack on innocent civilian lives, everything was so raw.

Then being faced by young children crying with their parents and trying not to let it affect you as you have come to show support and strength was very hard.

Below image of missile debris found at the school.

They had set up an emergency shelter nearby where there was food, water and clothes donations. The amazing thing we found was some of the people donating were from the apartment block that was hit the day prior. The unity of the Ukrainian people is completely unmatched, looking after each other no matter what. A true sign of strength.

On both sites was coordination teams and well known charities. Two of which we met were Los Solomas and Gurtum. Incredible guys that do so much for the communities, from arriving and setting top emergency food and water stations for people affected to rebuilding shelled buildings.

We spent alternate days at the kindergarten & school and the apartment block for a couple weeks clearing the sites, helping the affected and making sure they were okay and boarding up the windows to protect the residents from the elements with it being -10C to -20C at the time and the heating being knocked out in the blast.

After spending some time at the affected sites we headed to Bucha, Irpin, Hostomel, Moschun and a couple more places to witness the destruction caused and warcrimes committed by the Russians.

The amount of residential buildings demolished was on a scale I never thought imaginable. Supermarkets, pharmacies destroyed, kids playgrounds mined along with national parks which no one can visit now for many years.

Back in December 2022 we lost our dear friend Oleg, a successful lawyer who answered his country’s call and fought with honour until he was killed in action.

This was the first time we finally managed to meet again for a catch up, I just wish time could be turned back and the meet could be in person. We all miss you so dearly friend.