Ukraine’s ‘volunteer army’ helps rebuild what Russia destroys

What Happened

On June 15, Russian forces launched a multi-missile attack on Ukraine, including a strike that detonated above an apartment building in eastern Kyiv. The explosion shattered hundreds of windows but caused no structural collapse. Later that day, Dobrobat—Ukraine’s largest volunteer reconstruction group, short for 'Battalion of Kindness'—dispatched over 100 volunteers to the site. They cleared debris and installed temporary board coverings for broken windows, securing the home of resident Mariya Prokopchuk and preventing looting. The group, with 55,000 volunteers nationwide, has helped more than one million Ukrainians. Foreigners like Swedish blacksmith Lars Fersters (70) and American hair stylist Jason Hercula (37) were among the workers. The effort is part of a broader volunteer movement that fills critical gaps in government response, from repairing homes to supplying military equipment.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The work of Dobrobat and similar volunteer networks illustrates Ukraine’s societal resilience and the critical role of civilian-led response in the absence of swift government support. It also highlights how foreign solidarity has translated into direct on-the-ground assistance, sustaining morale and enabling people to remain in their homes despite ongoing attacks.

Watch For

Longer-term state housing subsidies (such as for new plastic windows) may strain government budgets as war damage accumulates. Future large-scale Russian missile barrages will test the volunteer network’s capacity to respond simultaneously across multiple cities, while foreign volunteer participation could be affected by shifting international sentiment or travel logistics.