United to win: Estonian deputy bikes from Tallinn to Rivne to raise funds for Ukraine’s armed forces

Kristo Enn Vaga, a member of the Estonian parliament, cycled from Tallinn to Rivne in just under a week. He covered over a thousand kilometers in his journey. Along the way, he is raising funds for Ukraine's armed forces and plans to continue on to Kyiv. He also made a stop in Zhytomyr.

Suspilne and Ukrinform report this.

The politician said that he is doing this to draw attention to aid to Ukraine:

"Compared to other large European countries where I see war fatigue, our situation is a little better. But I want to show that we are not tired, that Estonians are not tired, and that we cannot afford to be tired when there is a war in Europe—literally one bicycle ride away from us. And today, we have to do everything possible to help Ukraine win."

^{Photo: Rivne Regional Military Administration}

He added that one of the trip's goals was to raise money for Ukraine's armed forces.

Along the route, a member of the Estonian parliament and the "69th Sniffing Brigade" charity organization plan to collect 50,000 euros to purchase drones and cars for the soldiers.

"So far, I have already collected 30,000 euros, and I hope I can collect the entire amount by the end of the trip. I am doing this for the 93rd Brigade; in particular, I will meet with its representatives on Friday and representatives of other units of Ukraine's armed forces. I have been to Ukraine many times over the past few years. To be honest, this is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I want to show that we can all join in the Ukrainian victory," Kristo Enn Vaga said.

In Zhytomyr, the Estonian Parliament member Kristo Enn Vaga was met by Ukrainians while riding her bicycle from Tallinn to Kyiv as part of the "Ride for Victory. Tallinn to Kyiv" project.

^{Photo: Iryna Chyrytsia, Ukrinform}

"In six days, I rode over 1,500 km. My main objective was to raise awareness of Ukraine and rally support from European nations. I embarked from my home city, Tallinn, and am currently en route to Kyiv to show that war is just a bike ride away," the deputy said.

According to him, during the bike race, he plans to raise money for:

• four SUVs,
• 35 FPV drones for Ukraine's armed forces.

"I am trying to do everything that can help Ukraine in this war. As a politician and citizen, I want to increase support for Ukraine," the deputy added.

^{Photo: Iryna Chyrytsia, Ukrinform}

In Zhytomyr, Kristo Enn Vaga commemorated the fallen defenders of Ukraine. Then he will go to Kyiv. A migrant from Mykolaiv accompanies him from Rivne.

In the past, the Estonian MP was a cyclist.

For reference:

As Rubryka reported, on April 29, Kristo Enn Vaga, a member of the State Defense Commission of the Estonian Parliament and the Ukraine-Estonia parliamentary group, set off on a bicycle from Tallinn to Kyiv to run in support of Ukraine.

Earlier, the mayor of the Norwegian city of Sokndal, Jonas Andersen Sayed, made an 11-day cycling tour to the village of Zaliztsi in the Ternopil region, during which he collected 545,000 hryvnias for the Ukrainian military's needs.