As the world marks the one year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, no perspective tells the day-to-day realities of war other than those still living in Ukraine. That includes people like Vlas Shurubko. WLWT first spoke to the Ohio trucker in March 2022 when he flew to Kharkiv in February 2022 to visit family. As soon as war broke out on February 24, Shurubko decided to stay and volunteer to help clothe, feed, and supply Ukrainian civilians and military members. During these 12 months, she has continued to volunteer and work with non-profit organizations to provide a constant flow of relief aid and survival supplies. “So that was one of the real motivations that pushed us to do what we did just to see those people smile on their faces,” said Shurubko. “Seeing them be so grateful and realizing that makes you realize that you are in the right place right now. That kind of feeling is just amazing.” , Shurubko herself, now 34 years old, is trying to survive in the Kharkiv war zone. “I thought like, ‘Hey, I’m a little too close to the window. Chances are it’s going to break, but there’s a desk right beside me and I could probably run and hide in there.'” said Shurubko President Joe Biden’s surprise visit to Ukraine feels like a morale boost to those around him as the war drags on. a sign of potential or hope for ending the war. Recently, Shurubko was awarded the Ukrainian military medal for his efforts to “defend Kharkiv.” “I had no idea,” said Shurubko. “That certainly wasn’t a motivation to leave, but it was just something nice to have,” he muses. “Hey, maybe I did something good.” From the photos he sent to WLWT, you can see the smiles of the grateful people he continues to help and feed every day. Shurubko said he was unwavering in his desire to make peace and defeat Russia. “So they’re going to lose either way and we’re going to win no matter what. And that’s something that really motivates me and all of us. I can’t wait to finally open a bottle of champagne and say, ‘Glory to Ukraine, we won!'” Shurubko said he plans to return to Ohio after the war is over. If you’d like to donate to Shurubko’s volunteer humanitarian efforts, click here.
As the world marks the one year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, no perspective tells the day-to-day realities of war other than those still living in Ukraine.
That includes people like Vlas Shurubko. WLWT first spoke to the Ohio trucker in March 2022 when he flew to Kharkiv in February 2022 to visit family.
As soon as war broke out on February 24, Shurubko decided to stay and volunteer to help clothe, feed, and supply Ukrainian civilians and military members. For 12 months now, she has continued to volunteer and work closely with nonprofits to provide a constant stream of relief aid and survival supplies.
“So that’s one of the real motivations that pushed us to do what we did just to see those people smile on their faces,” said Shurubko. “Seeing them be so grateful and realizing that makes you realize that you are in the right place now. That kind of feeling is just amazing.”
Even as he spends his days sourcing materials, coordinating donations and delivering supplies, Shurubko himself, now 34, tries to survive in the Kharkiv war zone.
“Even now, as I talk to you,” Shurubko said on Zoom while talking to WLWT. “I thought like, ‘Hey, I got a little too close to the window. Chances are it’s going to break, but there’s a table right beside me and I can probably run and hide there.'”
Shurubko said President Joe Biden’s sudden visit to Ukraine felt like a morale boost to those around him as the war dragged on.
“That’s a relief for them just because now they might think that it’s going to end sooner than expected,” Shurubko said of seeing Biden’s visit as a sign of potential or hope for ending the war.
Recently, Shurubko was awarded the Ukrainian military medal for his efforts to “defend Kharkiv”.
“I didn’t expect that at all,” said Shurubko. “That certainly wasn’t a motivation to leave, but it was just something nice to have,” he muses. “Hey, maybe I did something good.”
From the photos he sent to WLWT, you can see the smiles of the grateful people he continues to help and feed every day. Shurubko said he was unwavering in his desire to make peace and defeat Russia.
“So they are [Russia] will still lose and we will win no matter what. And that’s something that really motivates me and all of us. I can’t wait to finally open a bottle of champagne and say, ‘Glory to Ukraine, we won!'”
Shurubko said he plans to return to Ohio after the war is over.
If you’d like to donate to Shurubko’s volunteer humanitarian efforts, click here.
