When Kyiv is hit by another attack, the first to arrive—often even before the official rescue services—are volunteers. They aren’t called by authorities, they aren’t bound by contracts, and they don’t work for recognition. They come because their conscience, humanity, and responsibility leave them no choice.

These people are the ones sweeping away shattered glass, sealing broken windows with film or OSB boards, helping elderly residents, and supporting families who have just lost their sense of safety.

After every attack, organisations such as Gurtum, Dobrobat, Kyiv Bats, Bez Doma, and Rayon1 unite into one large Coordination Council. This teamwork allows them to respond quickly and efficiently—each group takes on a specific role, requests are processed step by step, tools are delivered, volunteers are coordinated, and new urgent needs are addressed without delay.

For example, after the June 17 and June 23, 2025 attacks in Solomianskyi and Shevchenkivskyi districts, almost 500 requests were handled. Damaged buildings included residential homes, libraries, kindergartens, and colleges. Volunteers restored what had been part of everyday life just hours before—windows, roofs, and safe spaces.

Special care is given to places that need extra attention, such as the NAU College building, School №22, and the “Kyianochka” kindergarten, where every single window was blown out. Thanks to the volunteers’ rapid response, the building was protected from further damage.

But why does this work fall on ordinary citizens? Even after three years of full-scale war, Kyiv still lacks a functioning, rapid-response system for repairing damage after missile and drone attacks. In cities like Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Zaporizhzhia, municipal services arrive within hours. In Kyiv, it is still volunteers who fill the gap left by the state system.

Local administrations sometimes provide OSB boards or film, but there are never enough materials—or workers. When a kindergarten with 140 broken windows receives just 40 OSB boards and no repair teams, every volunteer’s hands become invaluable.

This work is exhausting—physically, emotionally, and mentally. Many volunteers finish their regular jobs and then go directly to help with clean-up and repairs. And yet, they return again and again, because they can’t imagine doing otherwise. They don’t call themselves “heroes”—they are ordinary people who care deeply.

Importantly, volunteering here is about more than just physical help. It’s about trust, dignity, and human connection. When someone arrives at your damaged home, silently boards up your shattered windows, and leaves—you remember that moment as a reminder: you are not alone.

The teams working in Kyiv’s aftermath don’t seek applause. What they truly hope for is that the city will one day have a proper emergency response system. Until then, they keep going—on the days when the air raid sirens sound, and on the days when silence returns. Their goal: to restore peace to the places where, just yesterday, there was only smoke and debris.

Because this is their front line. And every action here is worth a peaceful morning for someone else.

How You Can Help

If you’ve ever wondered how to volunteer in Ukraine, now is the time. Kyiv’s volunteer networks are always looking for people—both locals and internationals—ready to help repair homes, deliver aid, or support survivors. No special skills are required—just a willingness to act.

Whether you join on the ground or support from abroad, your contribution helps rebuild not just buildings, but also hope and resilience in Ukraine.

👉 Learn more about volunteering opportunities in Ukraine and join us in making a difference: Start here