Natalya Voronkova Interview

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Natalya Voronkova Interview

Transcript: 

Good day to all who care,  

To those who support Ukraine, to those who are concerned about the situation here, and to those who care about our defenders who are protecting us on the front lines.   

First of all, I want to thank you for not being indifferent to this topic, for showing interest. I’d like to share a bit about the situation we are currently facing.   To be honest, it’s very difficult for us right now—especially for us volunteers who have been helping since 2014. We are exhausted, both morally and physically. We want to help more, but people’s resources are running out. Even among our fellow citizens here in the country, the economic difficulties are apparent. With many people having left Ukraine and production decreasing, our industry and economy are struggling.   While the desire to help remains strong, many simply lack the funds or resources. A significant number of people have been mobilized, and others who joined the front lines had to close their businesses, further reducing the capacity to help.   Regarding the situation at the front, unfortunately, it is deteriorating. There is increasing pressure from all sides, including a potential threat from the north. According to recent reports, the enemy might be amassing troops for a strike, possibly by the beginning of summer.   The situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions is particularly dire. Sadly, almost none of these territories remain under our control. I still remember the times when they were ours, traveling through these areas since 2014, witnessing so much. Now, the situation is critical.   There are many wounded, and they are being treated not only in military hospitals but also in civilian ones, which are under immense pressure. Mobile hospitals near the front lines and stabilization points meant to provide life-saving care are also overwhelmed. Supplies and equipment are insufficient, and sometimes the materials we receive are of poor quality. Imagine how a combat medic feels when a tourniquet tears in their hands or when a piece of equipment fails during a critical moment.   This is why we continue to ask for help equipping combat medics’ backpacks. The state is currently unable to provide everything needed. In hospitals and stabilization points, specialized surgical equipment is required—quality staplers, reloads, and other supplies—to speed up surgeries in mobile hospitals and increase patients' chances of survival.   This is why we hope the *Stefania Foundation* project will succeed. We hope for collaboration, for people to hear us and support us. The most critical help is for our defenders, especially combat medics, whom I call "angels of life." These medics save lives under the most extreme conditions, giving wounded soldiers a chance to survive.   The needs vary greatly, from simple gauze pads and gloves to expensive equipment. For instance, one of the mobile hospitals was recently shelled. Thankfully, the hospital building itself was not hit, but three people lost their lives, and essential equipment, such as a laparoscopic system worth approximately £10,000, was destroyed. We barely managed to raise the funds to replace it.   Since 2014, our volunteer organization, Dobrovolya Volunteer Hundred, has been supporting hospitals and the military. I personally began as a volunteer during the Maidan protests, helping the wounded there. Later, during the war, we shifted focus to military hospitals.   Now, as someone with years of experience in military medicine, I am trying to contribute as much as I can. From 2015 to 2022, I served as an advisor to four deputy defense ministers. Military medicine is my field, something I have dedicated myself to 24/7 since 2014.   I am proud of the work our foundation does to support the wounded, medics, and everyone defending our homeland. I sincerely hope you will join us in this effort.