Fresh appeal for equipment which could save lives in Ukraine

A desperate plea has been issued for generators to be donated so they can be taken to Ukraine by two Plymouth aid volunteers, with Russia targeting energy infrastructure.

Between them, Andreas Evangelou and Maksym Litvinov have made 11 trips to aid those affected by war in Ukraine, and they are preparing their 12th now.

Among the latest items which are most needed in Ukraine are generators which can be used to provide light and heat during blackouts, which are the result of the latest Russian tactics.

Mr Evangelou said even smaller hospitals and clinics are suffering from power blackouts, even in the west of Ukraine near to the border with Poland.

“With Putin bombing all of the infrastructure they are without lights and without heating,” he said. “Lutsk, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk – they are all near the Polish border, he’s not letting up on anyone.

“He needs to break their morale, and for the Ukrainian people to say they have had enough and that they are prepared to cede territory, and he’s breaking some but not others.

“It’s a very tough time over there, very cold and I’ve had a request for generators so some of the smaller hospitals, clinics and even warming rooms can be heated and keep the lights on. They all need generators to provide the power.”

Mr Evangelou said that he or Maksym would be willing to pick up any generators which can be provided – and which could be life-saving.

He added: “If we get one generator then it’s one more than we have now, and we can put them in the back of the pick-up and take it.
They might have one in their garage that they are not using – it’s anything which is going unused.

“If anyone is sympathetic to what is going on in Ukraine and could donate any type of generator then we will be taking them over there ASAP.”

Among other items which are also badly needed in Ukraine are any unused medicines, incontinence pads and even tampons. The latter are needed as they are being used by frontline medics, and have been requested by a military hospital in Kyiv.

Mr Evangelou explained: “The military hospital in Kyiv are using the incontinence pads for amputees, and the tampons is a request from the field hospitals on the front line.

“They put them in military medics’ kit bags as if there is a shrapnel wound, and they are running low on bandages, or if it is a big wound, they will pack it with a tampon.

“The part we forget is that they can’t evacuate injured soldiers on the frontline until night-time, so if you get shot at 9am then you might have to wait 12 hours to get evacuated.

“If they’ve got basic stuff like tourniquets or bandages, which they haven’t always got, then they will use it, but if they haven’t then they will end up ripping off bits of their clothes if it will save their comrades.”

Mr Evangelou said that the response from the community has been positive to recent appeals, with members of the community even clubbing together to collect old medicines which are almost impossible to find in Ukraine.

He said: “I’ve had a phone call from a lady who went to Roborough when her mother passed away with meds and crutches and things, and they couldn’t take the meds, but they gave her a phone number and we went and collected them.

“She was in a Facebook group with the surrounding neighbourhood, and called again later to say she had another six carrier bags of medicines. Everybody has got meds in the cupboard that we don’t use.

“Over there you can’t get anything for free – everything is expensive, and that’s if you can find it. Whereas we’re just throwing it into landfill left, right and centre.”

Any items can be dropped off at Turners of Roborough and Cosmic Kitchen, behind Plymouth Magistrates’ Court, while Dart Vale Veterinary Group in Totnes are also now taking donations.

To arrange for the collection of bulky generators, people can call Maksym on 07388 541960.

Join PlymouthLive's WhatsApp community for top stories and breaking news sent directly to your phone

PlymouthLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join us. Once you sign up for our updates, we'll send the latest breaking news and biggest stories of the day straight to your phone.

To join our community, you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select 'Join Community'.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the PlymouthLive team.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.

To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'Exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Click here to join our WhatsApp community.