Press release
Brussels, January 27, 2023
The fire truck and ambulance destroyed in the war in Ukraine were installed in front of the European Parliament
On January 27, the fire truck and ambulance that were destroyed during the war in Ukraine were installed in Brussels in front of the European Parliament.
On March 20, 2022, two firetrucks exploded on a landmine in Kyiv’s residential suburb, 20 km from the city center, while the crew was extinguishing the fire. As a result of this tragedy, eight firefighters were seriously injured, and one of them got his leg amputated. The ambulance car was shelled by Russian troops in a village in the Kharkiv region. Medical workers arrived to provide first aid to an injured civilian but didn’t manage to evacuate him as the car was targeted by a mine.
These cars were delivered from Ukraine by volunteers of Lukraine asbl within the framework of the global fundraising campaign Ukraine is Calling. They aim to present real evidence of the war in Ukraine and remind everyone that it is still on. Before these rescue vehicles were delivered to Brussels, they had been installed in Luxembourg. The firetruck was set up in the capital, and the ambulance installation took place in Esch-Sur-Alzette. Now the vehicles remind parliamentarians of the European Parliament that Ukraine is waiting for decisive action.
During wartime, civilians whose lives are in constant danger must have free access to medical help and rescue services. Ukrainian firefighters and medical workers work in hot spots, frontlines, and mined territories. Also, Russian troops target rescuing vehicles to thwart civilians’ salvation and constantly shell them with missiles, mines, or gunfire. These dangerous conditions not only drastically complicate rescuers’ work but also jeopardize their lives.
“At the beginning of 2023, the Ukrainian State Emergency Service reported the deaths of 57 saviors. 1629 fire trucks and up to 400 ambulances have been destroyed since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, and this number is increasing daily. Explosives on mines and shelling turn them into scrap, but those that are in good condition are stolen by the Russians. With this excessive shortage, emergency services need to choose which emergency to deal with first. The first part of the vehicles we sent out in December has already been utilized by Ukrainian saviors, but unfortunately, cars at war are consumables. We appreciate those who have donated to this project and encourage everyone to contribute to the salvation of innocent Ukrainian saviors and civilians”, says Inna Yaremenko, Vice President of LUkraine asbl.
Ukraine is Calling is a fundraising campaign launched by Lukraine asbl in October 2022. It aims to raise 10 million euros for the purchase of 112 rescue vehicles (fire trucks and ambulances). The first convoy of 12 ambulances and four fire trucks was sent out to Ukraine in December 2022. Eight of these cars were graciously provided by the Ministry of Interior of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. All the vehicles were transferred to the Ministry of Healthcare and the Ukrainian State Emergency Service.
LUkraine ASBL is a Luxembourg-based non-profit that was founded in 2014. The association unites the Ukrainian Community in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to increase awareness about Ukraine in Luxembourg and contribute to humanitarian crisis relief in Ukraine. Over the last year, LUkraine has focused its activities on the fields of emergency response, sending ambulances, life-saving medical equipment, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The association provides informational, psychological, and humanitarian aid to refugees in Luxemburg. LUkraine also helps with the integration process through language and job-seeking courses.
Press contact: inna.yaremenko@ukrainians.lu