Today is a grim milestone. Today marks two years since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. I write this message to you as I ride the train from Poland into Kyiv, on my 16th trip to Ukraine since February 24, 2022. As I head east across the rolling fields sprinkled with snow and dotted with tiny villages, I wanted to share a few memories and observations about my time on the ground over the past two years.
Months before the full-scale invasion, I was working with US Embassy Kyiv and US Special Operations Forces teams deployed to Ukraine, asking them the worst-case scenario question: If Russia invades, how can Spirit of America help?
On February 24, 2022 that worst-case scenario became reality. A US Special Operations Forces Team Leader called me and asked, “How quickly can you get here?” Within 96 hours, I landed in eastern Poland with fellow Spirit of America team member Terrell Chandler and began working side by side with the 40+ US Special Operations Forces soldiers who had been evacuated from Ukraine into Poland.
The early days felt uncertain, as we worked around the clock with our US military partners to begin triaging the innumerable lists of needs coming to us. I had hundreds of emails, WhatsApp messages, Signal messages, and text messages from US government personnel, Ukrainian military, and Ukrainian civil society leaders. I had desperate pleas from brave Ukrainian civilians who joined the military the morning their country was invaded, asking for medical supplies, tourniquets, body armor, anything as they were preparing to go to the front lines and defend their villages.
I remember Oleh, the first Ukrainian Special Operations Forces soldier I met face to face on the Polish-Ukrainian border as we delivered our first batch of assistance — gasoline, smart tablets, and tourniquets. I’ll never forget Oleh telling me, “Tell your Americans thank you, and that we just want to be free like they are. I want my kids to be free like American kids are free.” I don’t know what happened to Oleh. I hope he’s still out there fighting for that freedom.
And I remember driving through Bucha just days after it was liberated, where the world witnessed the horrors of Russian occupation — mass graves, torture, and quiet neighborhood streets scattered with the bodies of innocent Ukrainian civilians.
But I also remember the generous outpouring of support from regular Americans who were horrified at the Russian invasion, and who wanted to help Ukrainians defend their freedom and democracy. At Spirit of America, we witnessed everyday Americans see themselves in the everyday Ukrainians who were now defending their country. Because of these Americans, we were able to fly in four cargo planes full of lifesaving assistance. Within the first 90 days of the full-scale Russian invasion, we were able to deliver 9,156 bulletproof vests, 8,463 helmets, 20,500 first aid kits, 900 tourniquets, 100 advanced trauma kits, 33,000 ready-to-eat meals, 1,085 combat boots, 32 vehicles, 10 surveillance drones, communications gear such as phones and encrypted radios, and much more. I received so many messages like the one below from grateful Ukrainian soldiers. The message below is not just for me; it’s for all of you.
While so much has changed over the past two years, what has remained consistent is the Ukrainian will to fight. The sentiment that Oleh shared with me on March 2, 2022, has been repeated to me countless times by Ukrainians of all walks of life. I remain in awe of the steadfastness and bravery Ukrainians have shown the world, and inspired by their commitment to defend their country against tyranny.
The past two years have been a humbling experience, and have demonstrated that the citizen-service approach we brought to Ukraine can save lives and have real impacts. Words can’t express how grateful I am to all of you who have supported Spirit of America’s work in Ukraine. Our work now is more important than ever as we reach the 730th day of war.
In 2022, Ukraine caught everyone off guard and was underestimated by all. In 2023, Russia surprised everyone by continuing to disregard the value of life, to Ukrainians and to their own soldiers. Now, in 2024, we can help choose the fate of those fighting for their children to be free.
Thank you for standing up for justice, freedom, and democracy with me. United we can continue to save Ukrainian lives and help democracy win.
Sincerely,
Colleen Denny
Regional Director – Europe
