From drones to binoculars, Winnipeggers band together to send supplies to Ukraine

Yana Syvolos stands before a table of radios, first-aid kits, drones and other donated items she helped gather to send back to Ukraine this week.

Syvolos, who moved to Canada from Ukraine when she was 11, posted a call for supplies on social media Monday with a list of items needed for people fighting in Ukraine.

She says the list came in part from wanting to help a family friend from Winnipeg who is headed to Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, to enlist in their army. 

"I definitely feel almost guilty being here and not being there for my family," Syvolos said. "Doing this made me feel better and made my parents feel better that we were doing something to help."

Winnipeggers have organized a series of donation drives in an effort to send funds and items to Ukraine as the country grapples with an invasion by Russian forces.

The invasion, now in its sixth day, continues to pound civilian targets in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, while a convoy of tanks and other military vehicles threatens the capital, Kyiv. Overnight Monday, many Ukrainian civilians spent another night huddled in shelters, basements or corridors.

Syvolos is helping solicit donations online based on a list of needs her friend provided. As of Monday she had raised $1,500, purchased a drone, medical supplies, binoculars, several two-way radios and more to send with her friend to Ukraine.

Most donors so far aren't Ukrainian, Syvolos says most donors so far haven't been Ukrainian-Canadians: "I'm just so happy to see the world supporting us — not just sharing information but financially supporting us it's amazing."

Maryna Prystaiko was putting her baby to bed when she heard Russia was invading late last week. Stunned and at a loss for what to do, she says she cried for the first couple days. 

"We didn't know what to do," she said. "But now we understand now is not time to cry, we don't have time for that. We need to unite and we need to help."

Prystaiko, also originally from Ukraine, is friends with the same man heading to Ukraine. She, too, is helping gather things to send.

"Life for our people depends on that stuff," Prystaiko said Monday, her finger nails painted blue and yellow in honour of Ukraine. "I cannot be there. I want to, I wish to … If we cannot help there, we can help here."

She said she and others involved contacted a professional logistics adviser to help them figure out how to get the gear into the right hands.

Prystaiko says the outpouring of support that stemmed from a social media post asking for supplies came as a big surprise.