Ukrainians grateful for donations and US aid

ROCHESTER, NY — Russia refuses to attend peace summit in Sweden this weekend; an event intended to end more than two years of fighting there.

This comes after the United Nations announced that May was the deadliest month of war for Ukrainian civilians in almost a year. More than 170 Ukrainians were killed in May and 700 were injured, a 30% increase from the previous month.

Meanwhile, the United States and other allies continue to support Ukraine in its efforts to defeat Russia.

The ROCMaidan organization in Rochester continues to collect donations to send to people in need in Ukraine.

Rochester has one of the largest Ukrainian communities in the country.

Ukrainians in Rochester and ROCMaidan volunteers say they are grateful for all the donations and recent help from the United States.

“So look, of course, we’re happy that help is coming. If you think about the size of Ukraine and the size of Russia, Ukraine doesn’t stand a chance. Without the support of the whole world, she literally has no chance. Ukrainians are very determined to win the war and they will do everything they can, but they only have a limited amount of manpower and weapons,” said Elena Bilai of ROCMaidan, commenting on the recent decision by President Biden to provide approximately $225 million in military aid to Ukraine.

The aid package includes munitions that kyiv’s forces can use to threaten strikes inside Russia to defend the city of Kharkiv against a heavy Russian attack, according to U.S. officials.

The Associated Press reports that the aid includes ammunition for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System as well as mortar systems and a series of artillery shells.

Under a controversial new U.S. directive, Ukraine can use such weapons to strike across the Russian border if forces attack or prepare to attack there.

“Let us not forget that Ukraine is fighting for global democracy,” Bilai said. “If Ukraine, God forbid, does not win this war, there will be a huge geopolitical shift in the powers in this world, we don’t want that to happen. So let’s keep democracy and help Ukraine. »

This aid program is in addition to previous US aid programs. Some MPs oppose sending the aid, saying they are skeptical that such a large amount of funding would go to Ukraine.

You can learn more about help by going to ROCMaidan.org.