Sunday, 24 Aug 2025
America Age
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Font ResizerAa
America AgeAmerica Age
Search
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
America Age > Blog > World > Ukrainian welders turn donated vehicles into army transport
World

Ukrainian welders turn donated vehicles into army transport

Enspirers | Editorial Board
Share
Ukrainian welders turn donated vehicles into army transport
SHARE

LVIV, Ukraine (AP) — A strawberry-scented air freshener dangled from the Ukrainian military’s latest vehicle to head to war.

In a welding shop in Ukraine’s western city of Lviv, workers were adding steel plates to a donated pickup truck so a volunteer could drive it to the front.

“Our victory depends on us,” said Ostap Datsenko, a welder who is part of a huge volunteer effort playing a role in Ukraine’s resistance, with support from the diaspora.

But he hadn’t expected to see so much of the war, or its shrapnel, so soon.

He had been standing on the truck hurrying to finish the job before sunset Saturday when he heard a noise, looked up and saw an object whizzing through the air.

“It was pretty large, but I’ve never seen rockets before,” he said. “Then I heard a huge explosion.”

The Russian airstrike hit a factory connected to the military, and the blast sent Datsenko tumbling. Dazed, he hurried into the garage’s makeshift bunker in the grease pit.

The following day, he was back at work for the finishing touches on the truck before it’s driven on Monday to eastern Ukraine, along with three other vehicles.

The truck’s camouflage paint job was complete. The welders put bars in the back to help support a machine gun.

The 31-year-old Datsenko, his clothes streaked with oil, said he was ready like all Ukrainian men to be called up to fight. But he had no combat experience, meaning his time is yet to come.

Until then, he said, “I’m doing what I can.”

Ukraine’s military appears to have fought Russia’s much larger army into a stalemate on some fronts, which has surprised many observers. One of Ukraine’s weapons is a parallel army of volunteers who are busy mobilizing funding and supplies ranging from body armor to cigarettes. Others make the military connections.

In Lviv, which had been relatively far from the war until the airstrikes on Saturday, the welding shop looked for ways to help. It started off making “hedgehogs,” or the metal barriers placed at checkpoints and around some sensitive facilities. Then they heard the call for cars.

“Any vehicles are very much in demand on the front line” by commanders, said Artem Pastushyna, a 27-year-old welder with metal nuts glinting in his earlobes.

Only a small number of the vehicles have been adapted with steel plates and camouflage, he said. The need is too big and there’s little time.

“Many cars from Europe are driven directly to the front line,” Pastushnya said.

The truck was the first vehicle that the welding shop has adapted, he said, and he hopes they’ll do many more.

Until then, the welding shop is paying new attention to its grease pit after Saturday’s airstrikes. They had expected an attack sometime but not one so big, Datsenko said.

In the pit-turned-bunker, accessed by a wooden ladder, an empty pizza box indicated that the workers had spent more time there than usual.

“Until yesterday, it was only a basement,” Datsenko said. “Now we realize it would be wise to have more stuff there.”

___

Follow the AP’s coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Russia shifts focus to try to grind Ukraine’s army in east Russia shifts focus to try to grind Ukraine’s army in east
Next Article Diversity at the Oscars: ‘CODA,’ ‘Encanto,’ ‘West Side Story’ Wins Show Breadth of Inclusion Diversity at the Oscars: ‘CODA,’ ‘Encanto,’ ‘West Side Story’ Wins Show Breadth of Inclusion

Your Trusted Source for Accurate and Timely Updates!

Our commitment to accuracy, impartiality, and delivering breaking news as it happens has earned us the trust of a vast audience. Stay ahead with real-time updates on the latest events, trends.
FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
LinkedInFollow
MediumFollow
QuoraFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad image

Popular Posts

Live Updates: Biden Reassures Israelis on Iran Nuclear Talks

VideoDuring a four-day trip to Israel and Saudi Arabia, President Biden will focus on securing…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Biden braces Americans for higher energy prices if Russia invades Ukraine

February 16, 2022, 12:39 PMWith fears of a Russian attack on Ukraine remaining a "distinct…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

The way to watch Cowboys vs. Commanders on-line

TL;DR: Stay stream Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders with NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV.NFL…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

She Took the White House Photos. Trump Moved to Take the Profit.

WASHINGTON — As President Donald J. Trump’s tenure came to an end, the chief White…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

You Might Also Like

‘A dangerous moment’: the emboldening of Britain’s far proper
World

‘A dangerous moment’: the emboldening of Britain’s far proper

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Trout farm in Cotswolds vacationer hotspot accused of welfare abuses
World

Trout farm in Cotswolds vacationer hotspot accused of welfare abuses

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
UN-backed specialists declare famine in and round Gaza Metropolis
World

UN-backed specialists declare famine in and round Gaza Metropolis

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Putin needs to ‘wriggle out’ of assembly, Zelenskyy claims, and says Russia doesn’t need to finish conflict – Europe stay
World

Putin needs to ‘wriggle out’ of assembly, Zelenskyy claims, and says Russia doesn’t need to finish conflict – Europe stay

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
America Age
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


America Age: Your instant connection to breaking stories and live updates. Stay informed with our real-time coverage across politics, tech, entertainment, and more. Your reliable source for 24/7 news.

Company
  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement
Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability
Terms of Use
  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?