Two Canadians with ties to the Maritimes have been teaming as much as present non-lethal provides to Ukraine’s territorial forces.
Lex Brukovskiy, a lobster fisherman from Meteghan, N.S., and Don Bowser, who grew up in New Brunswick, joined forces on Monday, with Brukovskiy offering transport from Poland into Ukraine after Bowser gathered up the gear for a supply.
Bowser, a legislation enforcement and safety adviser, has been elevating funds and shopping for provides that embody bulletproof vests, helmets and evening imaginative and prescient tools for Ukraine’s territorial defence models.
The 54-year-old marketing consultant mentioned he just lately heard about Brukovskiy’s work driving humanitarian provides to individuals in besieged areas of jap Ukraine and contacted the Nova Scotian to ask for “a elevate” from Poland to usher in gear he has purchased.
Reached on the street throughout their journey collectively on Monday, Bowser mentioned the cargo contains electronics, radio batteries and army clothes for Ukraine troopers.
The 2 related after Brukovskiy just lately returned from a visit delivering mills and humanitarian assist to the outskirts of Pokrovsk in southeastern Ukraine.
In a few of their social media posts, they’ve taken to referring to their collaboration as “the dream group.”
“We equip them with gear they don’t have. The territorial models are of their road garments in some case,” Bowser mentioned of his mission.
Bowser mentioned his crowdfunding donations are principally coming from Atlantic Canada. Brukovskiy’s humanitarian provides have additionally been largely funded by small fishing communities on Nova Scotia’s southwest coast.
Brukovskiy had targeted on delivering humanitarian assist and ferrying displaced Ukrainians to security, however because of connecting with Bowser, he determined to assist his fellow Canadian with supply.
“I had a car, so right here I’m. I had two days between my final journey and my subsequent journey. So I had yesterday and as we speak off, and I took the chance to make the run to Poland and provides Don a hand,” the fisherman mentioned.
The 2 usually learn the western information, together with the latest disturbing documentation of atrocities towards residents in cities round Kyiv that had been occupied by the Russian military.
Bowser mentioned the pictures inspire him to work longer hours to supply assist. “For each of us, it makes us all of the extra decided to remain right here and do the job,” he mentioned.
“Any individual has to do that, and so on the finish of the day, the extra horrors you see, the extra urgency there may be to ship.”
Brukovskiy mentioned he believes Ukraine is bracing for a second onslaught of Russian assaults and persevering with bombardments and shelling.
He mentioned he was shocked on the numbers of individuals making an attempt to flee the Donetsk and Pokrovsk areas throughout his voyage there over the weekend. “The strains of vehicles attempting to depart have been kilometres lengthy,” he mentioned. “Persons are making ready for the worst in that a part of the nation.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed April 6, 2022.
© 2022 The Canadian Press
