Direct from Ukraine: Here's how you can help
REGIONAL— The brutal Russian invasion of Ukraine has stunned the world and left many Americans wondering what they can do to help the Ukrainians protect and defend themselves.
The Timberjay reached out to Roman Polishchuk, who lives in Lviv, Ukraine, for help in identifying organizations that are providing direct assistance to the victims of the Russian aggression.
Former Tower Mayor Orlyn Kringstad provided the connection to Polishchuk, who studied in Minnesota as a foreign exchange student before returning to Ukraine. Polishchuk currently works in the tech field, primarily in sales, and is also the founder and CEO of ValueSpot and Polishchuk Life Coaching, based in Lviv.
While Lviv, located in far western Ukraine, has yet to be a major target of Russian shelling, Polishchuk, like many Ukrainians, is working to assist the Ukrainian effort to maintain its independent democracy. Polishchuk said the effort involves virtually all segments of Ukrainian society.
While an estimated one million Ukrainians have fled the country, that’s a tiny fraction of the country’s 44 million people, Polishchuk notes. “The vast majority of people are staying in Ukraine, not because they cannot leave, but because they choose to stay,” he said. While men under age 60 are currently not allowed to leave the country, Polishchuk said most Ukrainian women as well, even those with young children, are choosing to stay to resist the Russian invasion. “Everyone is doing something,” he said. “People are not hesitating to take a stand because they know what they are standing for. Ukraine is now more united than ever.”
Polishchuk said Ukrainians have been heartened by the tremendous support they’ve received from around the world and believes that Ukraine has become an inspiration to the world.
“When people see other people ready to die for their country, it has helped bolster that international support,” he said.
He said the sanctions are hitting Russia’s economy very hard but, like many, he doesn’t believe it will be enough to stop Putin’s aggression.
While the situation grows ever more dire for the Ukrainians, Polishchuk is confident that his country will ultimately prevail. “Ukraine is huge and believe me our people know how to fight,” he said. Polishchuk said his own father has been engaged on patrol near his home, with a gun and car truck full of Molotov cocktails. “We’re ready to fight in the forest for a very long time,” he said. “Russia will have no peace here.”
Polishchuk said the recent Russian decision to focus its attack on civilians and civilian infrastructure reflects their military’s lack of success when pitted against trained Ukrainian soldiers. “Our military is kicking their asses and they are scared,” he said. “Russians are giving up in whole groups and say they don’t want to fight.”
Despite Ukraine’s valiant fight, the hardest days are undoubtedly still to come, which is why Polischuk says it’s important that people around the world continue to provide support to Ukraine in any way possible.
“If you’re a doctor and can come here to help, please do. There are a lot of wounded people,” he said. “If you can send money, please do. If there are military veterans who want to fight for Ukraine and the freedom of the world, they can contact me directly. They’ll be provided with the flight and guns and the ammunition.”
Polishchuk provided the following links to a number of legitimate organizations and websites that he knows are raising funds both for humanitarian aid as well to support the Ukrainian military.
How anyone can help Ukraine
- https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/
2. https://uahelp.monobank.ua/
3. https://helpukrainewin.org
4. https://www.comebackalive.in.ua/
5. https://bank.gov.ua/en/news/all/natsionalniy-bank-vidkriv-spetsrahunok-dlya-zboru-koshtiv-na-potrebi-armiyi?fbclid=IwAR1PmNv-rdtY9Y3krVJaJS43cpHtiz-09R-YiDtpjMFnykaoj7f5XukI4rA
6. https://supportukrainenow.org/
How doctors and nurses can help
Experienced medical workers can help in the care for the wounded by contacting Mariana Sluzhynska, +38 050 315 8418, ukrainemedhelp@gmail.com. Sluzhynska is able to converse in English.
How American veterans can join the fight in Ukraine
To all experienced servicemen and women who wish to join the resistance to the Russian occupiers and the protection of world security, the leadership of Ukraine offers to come to our state and join the ranks of the Territorial Defense Forces.
1. Apply to the Embassy of Ukraine in your country
2. Get your documents in order
3. Arrive at the embassy with documents for an interview
4. Write an application for enlistment in the Territorial Defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
5. Receive instructions on how to arrive in Ukraine and what to bring.
6. Go to Ukraine in an organized manner.
https://www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/ukraine/2022/02/27/want-to-go-fight-for-ukraine-heres-what-to-do/
Military veterans wanting to fight for Ukraine can also contact Polishchuk directly at +380681086513.
Keywords
Ukraine, Russian aggression
