The volunteer work of the US-based organization House of Ukraine, the FC Group, and the Revival Foundation, led by Aksenia Krupenko, has been highlighted in Forbes for their delivery of 13 planes filled with US aid to Ukraine. Krupenko was able to create a humanitarian convoy with the help of the Ukrainian and Georgian diasporas as well as local volunteers, allowing aid to be delivered directly to those in need. 

Here is a quick summary of the key factors that contributed to this successful delivery, demonstrating the power that comes from the compassion and commitment of civilians throughout the world to aid and support the Ukrainian people.

The Ukrainian Diaspora In The US

Aksenia Krupenko is one of the one million U.S. citizens of Ukrainian heritage, and as soon as Russia declared war on Ukraine, she understood it was crucial to mobilize aid for the Ukrainian civilian population. As a result, the Revival Foundation was established. Its founders are all of Ukrainian descent – Aksenia Krupenko is the co-founder and Chairman and the FC Group, also founded by Aksenia Krupenko, is a hospitality company that provides services such as accommodations to Ukrainians in need.

The House of Ukraine is another non-profit organization that’s been crucial in aid operations since the beginning of the war. The NGO is operating out of San Diego, seeks to expose Ukrainian culture to Americans by sponsoring educational programs, presentations, demonstrations, and various events that highlight Ukraine.

The Infrastructure Behind the Aid

In the early weeks of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, there was no no-fly zone in place, therefore it was not difficult for anyone to deliver aid to Ukraine that was intended for humanitarian purposes. This changed as the invasion advanced, with a no-fly zone eventually being declared.

As soon as airspace restrictions were implemented, the humanitarian convoy was compelled to halt. In order to transfer goods from abroad to Ukraine, aiding nations and organizations, including those of Aksenia Krupenko, encountered logistical obstacles.

From the US, shipments would have to be by aircraft, anything else would take too long a time. Krupenko contacted all major freight airlines in the United States, but was told that preparations would take weeks. Furthermore, she was told the cost of chartering a plane to deliver aid would be $1 million. Through connections in Ukraine, she found a Ukrainian airline that offered their services on their route back from the US to Poland at a cost of $250,000 per flight. 

David Kezerashvili, the former Georgian minister of defense, donated $250,000 to make the first plane possible. This was made possible by the networking and connections of the Ukrainian and Georgian diasporas. This donation initiated the shipment of tons of humanitarian aid from the United States to the Ukrainians in need.

After receiving money for the first aircraft, the donated goods were loaded, and the first plane departed for Ukraine at the beginning of March 2022. Twelve further planes were dispatched to provide relief to Ukraine; they all landed in Poland, where volunteers distributed the supplies with the assistance of the Ukrainian postal service.

The Role By The Georgian Diaspora And David Kezerashvili

When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Georgia was one of the first countries to open itself to the rivers of Ukrainians fleeing their homeland. The Georgian help didn’t surprise many, as Russia had invaded Georgia in 2008, and they had received support from abroad.

Back then, David Kezerashvili was the then-active Georgia’s Minister of Defense. Ukraine sent weapons and assisted with the Georgian defense. Kezerashvili managed to showcase Georgia’s resilience and earned himself a reputation as steady under pressure. 

As a person with profound knowledge of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, David Kezerashvili was one of the first to offer his knowledge, connections, and professional connections to aid the Ukrainian people and their homeland in surviving the invasion. 

As the owner of the Georgian private TV channel, FormulaTV, Kezerashvili made a substantial donation to his charitable fund to help Ukraine through his FormulaTV foundation. FormulaTV is the catalyst between the Georgian people and fellow Ukrainians, giving objective, first-hand information on the most recent development.

The same David Kezerashvili was behind the donation that funded the first plane filled with aid from the United States to Ukraine, organized by Aksenia Krupenko.

The Need For Support Continues

When the story broke, it revealed how Aksenia Krupenko created a humanitarian funnel that connected diaspora communities with people on the ground in Ukraine and neighboring countries. It’s a story about the power that comes from dedication and hard work. When asked about her actions, Krupenko had only one wish: that the most recent plane she saw being unloaded with supplies wasn’t the last one. The suffering continues and only worsens with each passing day of the war. Aksenia Krupenko has stayed in Ukraine to help firsthand, and her story should inspire all of us to keep giving.