Volunteer drivers, who were in a hurry to donate supplies to Ukrainian forces, were killed in a Russian attack, a campaign organizer said on Saturday.
Thomas Lukashuk, a former deputy prime minister of Alberta and organizer of the massive United For Ukraine donation campaign in Edmonton, said on social media that two volunteers transporting supplies to Mariupol, Ukraine, had been killed.
“Ed Stelmach and I are saddened and angry that we need to inform you that two drivers believed to be Ukrainian and Polish were killed by Russians while delivering some of our supplies to United for Ukraine,” he said. Lukashuk. “They are heroes.”
Stelmach, a former prime minister of Alberta, and Lukashuk spearheaded the flight, which raised more than $ 20 million in donations, including 35 tons of aid, flown over a donated Boeing 787 Dreamliner to LOT Polish Airlines.
Some supplies include medical and first aid equipment, stretchers, thermal blankets, sleeping bags, diapers for adults and youth and wheelchairs. Everything that the donated material did not fit on the 737 was loaded into 10 sea containers to be delivered to Poland and then taken away by the drivers of the Ukrainian forces.
Lukashuk says supplies have been sent to the Lutsk, Zhytomyr, Kryvyi Rih, Kherson and Mariupol regions of Ukraine.
In an interview with CTV News Edmonton on Sunday, Lukashuk confirmed that the drivers were transporting packages of donated goods from Edmonton.
“Unfortunately, a few days ago, one of the vehicles delivering one of the smaller loads was intercepted by Russians and there were three people in that vehicle,” Lukashuk said. “Fortunately, one escaped and two were killed.”
“They were in a heavily occupied Russian zone,” he said, adding that he would not reveal the exact location where the drivers were caught for security reasons.
“We do not want to put volunteers anywhere in Ukraine in additional danger.
Lukashuk said that while Albert residents who voluntarily collect supplies or parcels are lucky enough to help, the action is “fading” compared to what Ukrainians are doing on the ground.
“These people are really fighting for freedom all over the country,” he said. “They deliver medical supplies, food and other items to save soldiers and people who have been wounded and people who are starving.
“They are superheroes,” he added. “They accept this, knowing the risk, but it is how important the freedom and independence of Ukraine is and how to resist this aggression.
Located on the shores of the Sea of Azov, the port city of Mariupol has been under siege in recent months, including prolonged Russian bombing.
On Saturday, Ukrainian forces fought village by village to hold off Russia’s offensive through the east as the UN tried to mediate the evacuation of civilians from the bombed-out city.
“Russia is intercepting our deliveries to Ukraine, we are doubling,” Lukashuk said. “The lives of our volunteer heroes have not been lost in vain. More help is on the way.
With files from the Associated Press
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