Exactly a year ago, in the early hours of February 24, Ukrainians were awakened not by an alarm clock but by sounds of bombs explosions and air-raid sirens ringing out. Europe recovering from the pandemic of COVID-19 has plunged back into uncertainty, insecurity and followed the situation in Ukraine with a held breath. At the same time, horrified Ukrainians left their homes with what they packed really quickly, while others said goodbye to their loved ones on the borders of Poland, Moldova and other countries and returned to Ukraine to face the aggressor.

Today, bombs are still exploding, homes are still being destroyed, people are tortured, electricity, water, gas supplies are restricted, and people are forced to look for safety in cold basements. This is the reality that Ukrainians have lived with for a year. Nevertheless, the country shows extraordinary courage in defending its freedom, and the democratic world, and especially the countries that have been under aggressor’s oppression, are uniting in search of ways to help war-torn Ukraine or to help Ukrainians that are trying to start their life in another country.

We encourage you not to stay away, not to get used to the war and not to get tired of supporting Ukraine. Below you can find a few ways in which you can support Ukraine and Ukrainians.

Financial support

Lithuania currently has a number of organisations that support Ukraine financially, such as Blue/Yellow, which has been supporting Ukraine’s armed forces and civilians affected by the war since 2014. To mark a year since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine Blue/Yellow, Laisvės TV, 1K Aid Fun“ and Strong Together, invite you to unite and participate in the campaign RADAROM!, during which all the funds raised will be spent on acquiring multifunctional tactical radars. The purpose of the radars is to monitor airspace around facilities of strategic importance to Ukraine, such as power plants, water towers, etc., which help ensure the most normal life possible for Ukrainians during the war. It is important to mention that a large number of these organisations provide assistance not only to the people who remain in Ukraine, but also to those who come to Lithuania. They provide assistance in finding housing, taking care of transport, food, clothing and medicines.

For more information on all existing organisations, visit the page https://suukraina.lt/en.

Donate clothes and other things

One of the problems refugees from Ukraine face is the lack of clothing and other belongings. Some have had to leave their homes without taking anything but the clothes they were wearing at the time, so if you have clothes or shoes that you do not wear but they are still in good condition, you can donate them to Ukrainians who found refuge in Lithuania. You can help to build a more cosy home by giving out unused furniture or giving home appliances, the most important thing is that things must be in good condition and still working.

Volunteering

You can support Ukraine and refugees not only financially but also by dedicating your time. One of the organisations you can join is  Lithuanian Caritas.

How to spot when news is fake

Since the beginning of the war, there has been an increase in the number of fake news. For example, much of the fake news related to the migrant crisis presented by Russian and Belarusian propagandists is primitive, designed to quickly arouse negative emotions, and is easily debunked. A typical example is the video presented with the employees of the power structures of the Belarusian regime using firearms to scare migrants, naming them as officers of the military or law enforcement institutions of other countries (information of the Department of State Security of Lithuania).

The Department of State Security of Lithuania reminds that it is likely that you are reading fake news if the published message is sensational; message evokes emotional responses and only a few facts; the information is posted by a person you do not know or do not know well; the news is not commented on by mainstream media channels. If, after reading a message, you suspect that it may be a fake news, check the information in several sources; do not rush to share the message; do not open attachments and links if the message if it reached you via email, by mail or text message on the phone; strengthen the security of your networks.

More information on how to spot fake news can be found here.

A year after the start of the world-shattering war, we encourage you to remember that Ukraine still needs help defending its freedom.

You can find more information about support for Ukrainians here.