Estonian aid and ambassador behind the wheel: five buses traveled 2,300 km to get to Vyshneve
Photo: Rubryka
Ukraine now receives a variety of aid from around the world. Estonia has become one of our most loyal friends among all the countries — it has promised Ukrainians the greatest help. Rubryka watched part of this aid transfer in Vyshneve in the Kyiv region. The support of Estonians was the answer to a specific request.
On June 16, in the town of Vyshneve in the Kyiv Region, the five buses were transferred from the Estonian Government to the Vyshneve City Community to evacuate people from high-risk areas.
The event was attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Estonian Republic, Kaimo Kuusk, the Vyshneve City Community Mayor, Ilya Dikov, and the Union of Jewish Religious Organizations founder Mikhail Zaslavsky.
The mayor of the Vyshneve City Community, Ilya Dikov, said that the buses would be used to transport privileged categories and children in the Bucha district. "Equipment issues arise constantly; the availability of heavy and special equipment is what the Bucha district needs now and, accordingly, those de-occupied communities, 90 percent of which have almost no equipment," he said. "We help as much as possible in the Bucha district, and we have a base where these buses will be serviced. Accordingly, they will be used throughout the district."
"This is a huge gift for our Bucha district," the mayor added. "Thank you, Mr. Ambassador, who paid attention to our request. These buses will be used in our Bucha district, which has suffered greatly from the fighting. Thank you to the people of Estonia, and thank you to the drivers who arrived yesterday by bus and truly cared.
A friendship between adequate peoples exists, and it is impossible to underestimate it. So many thanks to the Estonian people. Thank you to everyone who organized the process."
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Estonia to Ukraine, Kaimo Kuusk, could not help and put the role of a driver on himself.
Mr. Ambassador also responded to the gratitude of the citizens:
"Thank you very much. You are applauding me, Estonia, Hugo (the Estonian entrepreneur who helped deliver the aid – ed.). But we really have to applaud you. Ukrainians are now struggling with russian aggression, and you are helping to continue the life here. We clearly know that friends are not only those who are around in the moments of joy when you can have fun and celebrate but, most importantly, those who are close in difficult times. I am very proud that Estonia can call itself a friend. I am proud that in Estonia, everyone is united in helping Ukraine — the Estonian state, the government, private companies, and common people. And these wonderful buses, that came from Estonia to your community, we call them cloud buses, actually, because of the color similar to the sky. I dreamed of becoming a bus driver when I was a little boy. And then, as a child, I could not imagine that one day, I would have to hand over buses to Ukrainians. I have these five keys to each bus, which I will pass on to your community today," said Kaimo Kuusk.
First Deputy Head of the Bucha District Military Administration Maksym Glushak stressed that "help in deeds, not in words" is very much needed in Ukraine now. Mykhailo Zaslavsky, the Association of Jewish Religious Organizations founder, said that the entrepreneur who made the aid possible, Hugo Osula of Mootor Grupp AS, got behind the wheel of a bus in Estonia and drove 2,300 kilometers to get to Vyshneve in the Kyiv region.
Hugo Osula from Mootor Grupp AS spoke about the unity of Estonians in wanting to help Ukrainians: "I am an entrepreneur from Estonia, and when I learned that the Estonian government has the opportunity to supply buses to Ukraine, I immediately decided to help with delivery. Now the whole of Estonia wants to help Ukraine. We gathered all our drivers together, and there were many of them. We chose the most reliable and best and drove 2300 kilometers. Now, these buses are here. We are very proud to be able to help Ukraine."
The Estonian government has donated the aid to the Vyshneve Territorial Community, Buchansky District, Kyiv Oblast, in coordination with the Charitable Foundation "Association of Jewish Religious Organizations."
