THE UKRAINIAN VOLUNTEER DELIVERING FOOD SUPPLIES TO THE FRONT LINE: MEET DENYS

RE:ACT together with our partner, the Ukrainian Education Platform, has so far sent more than 10,000 food boxes to help feed hungry Ukrainian families. But who are the folk who make sure these vital supplies reach their final destination, to those most in need? Denys Vaschchuk is one of the brave people who does just that. Here’s his story.

Like millions of his fellow Ukrainians, Denys Vaschchuk’s comfortable life ended when the conflict with Russia began.

Until then, the married father of two had been running a successful business. Together with his 11 staff, he made and sold furniture in the south eastern city of Zaporizhzhya. And when he wasn’t busy with work, he found time to chair a local charity called Nebayduzhy Lyudy (Caring People).

But then the rockets began to fall on his beloved city, and nothing would ever be the same again.

“My wife, Lesya, woke me up the night the fighting started and said we were being shelled. I didn't believe it at first and told her to go back to sleep!” Denys says.

“It was very scary when it finally sank in that something terrible had begun. We packed an emergency bag to be ready to move ourselves and our children, five-year-old Milana, and two-year-old Timofey but we really didn’t want to leave and decided then and there to stay whatever happened,” continued Denys.

He said the situation in the city was extremely grim.

“There was panic everywhere. The shops were crowded with people. The banks blocked our cards so we couldn’t get any money. It was impossible to buy fuel. For two days I was in a kind of stupor with the horror of it all.”

It was only on the third day that his attitude changed when he heard the authorities were looking for trucks to help deliver material to build the city’s defensive fortifications.

“I had a vehicle, so I decided to help. Along the way I met so many people who were ready to fight and they inspired me so much. A week later, I was called in to evacuate people from already occupied territories and combat zones. For more than two months, other drivers and I were engaged in the daily transportation of refugees back to Zaporizhzhya,” explained Denys.

He credits being involved in the rescue efforts as the reason he was able to avoid panic and the depression that has understandably affected many of his fellow citizens.

“I was and still am in an active position to help our people and our army. I'm really tired, but this rescue work is my constant inspiration. We have now evacuated more than 15,000 people.” said Denys.

He and his friends have also helped deliver almost 400,000 kg of essential supplies to the war zones.

“Sometimes our missions can be very scary, especially when you start hearing explosions nearby. I think my worst experience was when we twice came under direct fire but you get used to the fighting and you just get on with it.”

Denys says he has also been involved in negotiations with Russian soldiers for the grim task of collecting and exchanging the bodies of dead soldiers on the battlefield.

“That will forever leave a mark on me,” he adds.

He says understandably people living closest to the front lines are having the worst of it.

“Many people simply have no place to go, so they have to stay there. Usually, these are middle-aged and older people, but there are also young women with children. Due to the danger, the supply of products to the front-line cities is interrupted. Even if there is money, you simply cannot buy anything. There is no electricity, communication, no fuel. There is no water in many areas,” he explained.

“People can survive only thanks to the kindness of humanitarian organisations like RE:ACT. Those poor people on the front lines live in stress and fear. It’s already the norm for them. Some don’t even turn their heads at the sound of an explosion. Others drink alcohol or smoke a lot just to help their nerves.”

Denys explains that the food situation is particularly difficult. Though some villagers have managed to grow their own this also brings new danger.

“There are small settlements and villages close to the lines where people have gardens and can grow vegetables but many have been killed right there as they harvested the food after being caught in an explosion and hit by shrapnel.”

Denys adds: “Thanks to RE:ACT’s boxes we can support people on the front lines with good, nutritious, high-quality food, which they either don’t have at all or only in a small quantities. Also, they are helping us feed Internally Displaced People, especially women with children and old people.”

“They are living here in Zaporizhzhya, but most of them don't have anywhere good to stay or the possibility of getting work. Their need will be even greater this winter.”

Denys says his fellow Ukrainians were “very grateful” to the people of the UK.

“You don’t just help with food, but also give us great spiritual support. People really feel this care on an emotional level, which is also very important. We want to thank you so much, but more is always required. The war continues and winter is coming, which means that heaters and more food will be desperately needed, as well as solid fuel that can be burned in boilers. We also need electricity and water purification systems.”

RE:ACT would like to keep sending these vital supplies into Ukraine so that brave volunteers like Denys can continue to distribute food packs to those most in need. But to do so, we need your support. We know that times are hard in the UK right now, but If you can donate any amount, no matter how small, we would be hugely grateful.