November 2023, Mazda B2500 Flint
The journey began with the purchase of the B2500 from a private owner at the same time we were simultaneously preparing for the previous missions with the L200 "Pavel" and T4 "Jirka" in September 2023, which gave us enough time for preparations.
Volodimir Lopatko worked on the vehicle and made a significant financial contribution, helping fund the purchase and repair of the car. He also secured additional funds from acquaintances and donors and arranged a complete set of tires.
We did extensive work on the vehicle. The frame was completely welded, the body underwent local repairs, the electrical system was inspected, all fluids were replaced including engine and gearbox oil, oil filters were changed, the reduction gear sensor and belts were replaced, the hardtop was reinforced, netting added, and seals on the gearbox and cylinder head were renewed. Part of the exhaust system was replaced. The team worked on the vehicle for several days after hours without any compensation. We are deeply grateful to all of them, especially to Vlad Lopatko, who was instrumental in acquiring and preparing the car for the mission.
I picked up the car two days before departure from Michal at Cerny Most. It was our first time meeting, both of us arrived on time. I asked about the vehicle's condition; from the outside, I had some concerns, but Michal reassured me with a smile, and he was right—the vehicle runs very well.
Its biggest asset is its steering stability. The team managed to reassemble the steering components in a way that kept the car calm even at high speeds despite its age and mileage. We named the vehicle B2500 Flint.
On the day of departure, my wife Katerina picked up wax for making trench candles, donated by Mrs. Hobzova from Prague—thank you very much. The timing of the first two wax donations, roughly 100 kg, was crucial. It allowed the school to finish 250 trench candles that we delivered to the soldiers just 12 hours later.
The journey to western Ukraine went smoothly. It was All Souls' Day, and in Slovakia, candles lit up every cemetery in the villages, creating a powerful atmosphere. We met Vasyl at the border at midnight, and the crossing was completely empty. The border check took about an hour, then we continued to Uzhhorod and Osij. In the morning, Vasyl took the wax to the school to allow for the candle completion.
During the school run, Alena reminded Vasyl that he had forgotten to pick up Sonia from kindergarten, so we went back, picked up Dasha as well, had lunch, and returned to school to collect the candles and camouflage net. It was raining.
We stopped to pick up additional aid. A woman who has long supported the troops by baking for them had no specific request but did it out of goodwill. The soldiers take photos, and Vasyl sends them to her. She helps the way she knows how, and it's important to facilitate such contributions. It resonates with me deeply—a tree isn't just a trunk for firewood, but roots, branches, leaves, and blossoms—each part is essential and deserves attention.
We visited the school to see the candle production, which takes place in the school boiler room. It was warm, and Vasyl was finishing the final stage of candle-making—melting the wax and pouring it. We left with over 250 completed candles.
Vasyl shares the name and school history with Vasyl Andrishko, who works at the school and manages the school museum, which he showed me. I was fascinated by exhibits about the school's namesake, F.M. Potushak, a geologist who conducted archaeological excavations in Zakarpattia. A banner on the wall reads "Osij 1209," and I realized how little I knew about this place.
We went to take pictures at the school, capturing the final phase of the camouflage net production. Children of various ages, not from one class, stood by the wall threading strips of fabric into nylon netting. These were active students who decided to help.
On the way home, we picked up Denys, who hadn’t been home for three weeks. The family reunion was emotional. The house was full of kids with very strong, loving bonds—a family rich in positive emotions.
Before bed, I had to figure out the time difference issue that caused me to wake up an hour early on the second trip. Ukraine follows Kyiv time, which is one hour ahead of Czech time. When I arrive, my mobile phone displays one hour more than my mechanical watch. Previously, I synchronized my watch with the phone, causing confusion. However, in Zakarpattia, which used to be part of Czechoslovakia, people still use local time, referred to as "m.c." or "our time," while institutions like schools and shops follow Kyiv time. It’s a charming cultural quirk that shows respect for tradition.
In the morning, we loaded the remaining supplies into the cars and set off. We stopped to pick up Michal, a professional truck driver who became our primary driver for the B2500. After just a few kilometers, it was clear he was the best among us—smooth, cautious, and safe.
Zakarpattia's landscape is breathtaking, and riding in the passenger seat offered hours of mountain views. I noticed differences in farming practices. While Czech farms usually have herds, here we often saw individual cows or goats tied in grassy areas between roads and houses—likely family-owned.
We stopped for lunch at a cafeteria adorned with anti-tank weapons. The food was excellent, with a wide variety of soups, salads, and main dishes.
While I didn't drive much, I observed Michal's coasting technique in neutral, as opposed to engine braking. Though engine braking slows the car slightly, coasting in neutral saves more energy, albeit putting stress on the clutch when re-engaging.
Later, while downshifting into third gear in a village, I couldn't shift out. We called Vasyl, who had to slow down to let us catch up since we were stuck in third. I recalled a childhood trip with my parents in a similar situation with a Fiat 137. Back to our issue, Vasyl test-drove the car and eventually freed the gear. He's knowledgeable about cars and very practical—despite having a humanities background, he's incredibly capable and adaptable.
Rain and worn-out wipers made our journey harder. Before arriving in central Ukraine, Michal bought and replaced them. When that didn’t help, he diagnosed the issue as a loose mount, applied spray oil, and fixed it. Thanks to his persistence, we had a clear view—critical for safety.
At my favorite charity diner, I noticed new staff resting at a side table.
In Vinnytsia, we picked up more supplies and a fourth driver. While leaving the parking lot, we encountered red lights and got slightly lost. Heavy rain fogged the windows, making it impossible to see. Strong winds pushed our fully loaded pickup, forcing us to slow down.
We switched drivers and arrived in Dnipro at 2:30 a.m., continuing to Pavlohrad for rest. Bad roads pushed us onto muddy fields. The B2500 proved its worth by pulling the stuck Vito out of the mud. We were covered in mud but thankful for the water we had brought for such emergencies.
As we drove east through villages, we saw blue and yellow everywhere—gates, fences, rooftops, bridges, playgrounds, flags on graves. It’s visible across Ukraine but more pronounced in the east, as if in defiance: "This is Ukraine. This is our home. We will not give up."
I imagine Russian soldiers must find this unwavering spirit intimidating. Without genuine motivation, they face a people whose belief will outlast them. Eventually, they will become dust in these fields, and from that soil, a resilient nation will rise again.
We arrived in Druzhkivka and met with the 3rd Assault Brigade, who led us beyond the town on damaged roads. They had a civilian vehicle we could barely follow. They made excellent use of available resources.
We unloaded supplies and handed over the vehicle, providing them with food, energy drinks, heating pads, trench candles, and gas canisters. The car also came with two sets of mud tires.
They signed our flags, and we continued to Sloviansk for the next handover to two units: Unit "David" and the 4th Rapid Response Brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard, Supply Unit 3035. The men arrived in the "David" vehicle. It was heartwarming to see it still in use and helping them. They received similar supplies plus thermal underwear and warm jackets.
While photographing the candle handover, I showed them pictures on my phone of the schoolchildren making them. They were surprised to learn the candles were made by kids. They immediately shared the information among themselves and asked me to thank the children. I do so here with great pride. Thank you to each and every one of you. In those candles is more than warmth—there is hope, energy, and the motivation to persevere.
The final handover went to the 4th Rapid Response Brigade of the National Guard. We delivered the camouflage net made at the school, trench candles, and heating pads. We also received several artifacts for the museum.
Though the journey is not over until we return home, we are already thinking about the next one. We need to secure a vehicle for Unit 137, but we lack the funds. Until then, the unit must wait. The focus now is on warmth—heating pads, candles, wax, production, clothing, sleeping bags, and camouflage nets.
There will be many more trips. We think of the men on the front lines and hope for donors' support, because we cannot do it without you.
If you can contribute in any way, even with a small financial donation, please do so. Share information about our project. Without supporters, it is hard to carry on.
If you choose a different project that supports Ukraine, we are grateful (we also try to participate in other projects). If you try donating and see the results your help makes possible (which we've aimed for from the start), you might feel happier and become an active part of making the world better. It's not about the size of the deed—what matters is getting involved and accepting your role in what happens around us, even if it's not in our own backyard. Just because we're not to blame for what’s going wrong doesn't mean we don't have a responsibility to act.
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СЛАВА УКРАЇНІ! ГЕРОЯМ СЛАВА!
Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!
