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Notes from Poland is run by a small editorial team and is published by an independent, non-profit foundation that is funded through donations from our readers. We cannot do what we do without your support.

The Polish government is sending 379 power generators from its strategic reserves to Ukraine, where Russian attacks have left many without heat and power amid freezing winter temperatures.

Meanwhile, the city of Warsaw is sending an additional 90 generators of its own to help protect Ukrainians from the winter freeze. And a public fundraiser in Poland to buy more generators has now received almost 7 million zloty (€1.7 million) in donations.

Ukrainians have been struggling to stay warm amid temperatures regularly dropping below -15°C. Currently, almost 60% of buildings in Kyiv have no electricity and a similar proportion lack heating. President Volodymyr Zelensky accuses Russia of deliberately targeting energy infrastructure to make civilians suffer.

In response, Poland announced on Friday that Prime Minister Donald Tusk has ordered the delivery of 379 electricity generator and 18 heating units from the Government Strategic Reserve Agency (RARS) to Ukraine.

Government spokesman Adam Szłapka revealed that the equipment is worth around 7 million zloty in total. Shipments began on Friday and are set to be completed next week.

“Poland once again reaffirms its role as a key partner to Ukraine in the field of humanitarian aid,” declared Tusk’s office. “The donated equipment will enable the operation of heating stations and public facilities, providing a real protective barrier against the effects of winter in war-affected regions.”

 

Poland, which is the main logistics hub for international support to its eastern neighbour, will also help facilitate the delivery of a further 447 generators being sent by the European Union from its reserves to Ukraine.

On Friday, Warsaw’s mayor, Rafał Trzaskowski, announced that his city has readied 90 generators for immediate transport to Kyiv, following an appeal from the Ukrainian capital’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko.

“Putin is brutally attacking critical infrastructure,” said Trzaskowski. “We are extending our assistance to Kyiv and our solidarity with the Ukrainian people.”

Meanwhile, a public fundraiser in Poland to provide generators and other heating equipment to Ukraine, which had an initial target of 1 million zloty, has so raised 6.8 million zloty (€1.6 million) from over 50,000 donors.

On Friday, the first set of generators bought with the money was set to be delivered to Ukraine, reports news website Onet.

Earlier this week, Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, thanked Poles for their “true solidarity, humanity, and sincere support at a time when warmth and light mean safety and life”.


Notes from Poland is run by a small editorial team and published by an independent, non-profit foundation that is funded through donations from our readers. We cannot do what we do without your support.

Main image credit: Rafał Trzaskowski/X

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