'Warmth from Poland' — More than $650,000 raised to buy generators for Kyiv amid energy crisis
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Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the latest figure.
A volunteer fundraising platform in Poland has raised more than 2.4 million Polish zloty (around $660,000) to purchase generators for Kyiv, its organizers announced on Jan. 18, as Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure continue amid freezing winter conditions.
Launched under the name "Warmth from Poland for Kyiv," the fundraiser initially set out to raise 400,000 zloty ($110,000) to purchase generators. After quickly hitting that target, organizers raised the goal to 2 million zloty ($550,000) — a figure that has since been surpassed, with donations now exceeding 2.4 million zloty.
"The response of Poles has exceeded our expectations," the organizers said. "You have shown that you care about the fate of your neighbors. We can do much more than we planned."
Ukraine's energy situation has deteriorated following repeated Russian mass strikes on power infrastructure. A state of emergency was declared on Jan. 14, while weather forecasts warn temperatures could drop below –15 degrees Celsius (–5 degrees Fahrenheit) in late January.
Organizers said the funds will help residents facing extreme conditions in Kyiv.
"People are staying in unheated apartments and basements," they said. "Lack of electricity means no way to cook a hot meal, discharged phones, and loss of contact with loved ones during attacks."
The initiative is organized jointly with several civic groups, including Euromaidan-Warsaw, the Democracy Foundation, Sestry.eu, the Open Dialogue Foundation, the PRB Foundation, and the Entrepreneurs Help initiative.
Ukraine's Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Bodnar welcomed the effort, thanking Polish donors for their support. He said the assistance is "important" and "truly saving human lives" amid the crisis.
Since launching its full-scale invasion in 2022, Russia has systematically targeted Ukraine's power grid, damaging power plants, substations, and transmission lines. The attacks have caused widespread blackouts and forced emergency outages across the country.
Ukrainian officials described the current energy situation in Kyiv as "extremely serious." Ukraine's Security Service has said Russia's ongoing strikes on energy infrastructure amount to crimes against humanity.
