Since the beginning of the war, they delivered tons of humanitarian and military aid in Ukraine and spent months in high-risk areas, often only several hundred meters from the frontline. The four reserve soldiers from organisations Team4Ukraine and “CESTA naděje života” were decorated with the highest Czech MoD military decoration by the Minister of Defence Jana Černochová.
The Cross of Merit of the Minister of Defence, grade II and grade III, for merit in volunteer humanitarian activities in assistance to the war-torn Ukraine and its inhabitants was awarded to: Warrant Officer Stanislav Hejhal, ex servicemember of the 21st Tactical Air Base Čáslav, Corporal Vojtěch Pomikálek, Reserve Mechanised Company, 44th Light Motorized Battalion Jindřichův Hradec, First Lieutenant Jan Heřmánek, Commander of the Reserve Mechanised Company, 72nd Mechanised Battalion Přáslavice, and Staff Sergeant (Res.) Petr Pojman, former Active Reserve Component member.
Defence Minister Jana Černochová thanked them for their day-to-day dedication and resolve to help Ukraine: “I am proud that Czech citizens are supporting Ukraine in its fight against the barbaric Russian aggression. Today, I decorated four men for their bravery and dedication. They are supporting Team4Ukraine and “CESTA naděje života” initiatives and they embody this positive stance. I am very grateful to them,” she stated.
Helping since the very beginning
The four young men have been supporting Ukraine since the early days of the war. The reasons why they have been risking their lives for Ukraine and Ukrainian citizens are similar: to defend the weaker and do the right thing.
“I have always wanted to help. Initially, I got involved in humanitarian aid initiatives and my interest in war and in various forms of aid progressively grew. I joined the Fénix organisation (part of Team4Ukraine) which helps to train Ukrainian military personnel in health sciences and combat readiness, and in August last year I left for Ukraine for the first time. I discovered Bakhmut and other unsightly parts of the country and I developed my own opinion on the goings-on in the country. I saw much more aid was needed than were able to provide. I spent three months in Ukraine and I plan to return there at the end of January,” says Hejhal on behalf of all.
Both organisations have different focus. “CESTA naděje života”, founded by Marian Bizuba, is primarily helping the civilian population. “Our assistance targets predominantly children’s homes in Western Ukraine and refugee centres in difficult-to-access areas. We are sort of an icebreaker that clears the way for other organisations,” explains Bizuba in relation to the fact that his organisation has been active in newly liberated areas, namely in Izium.
A stone’s throw from the frontline
Jan Heřmánek from Team4Ukraine is involved in deliveries of material aid to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and in training too: “Our area of interest is the whole Ukraine, we primarily go to areas near the frontline. At the beginning of the war, we were delivering materiel to reconnaissance units in Kyiv. It included ballistic helmets, vests, drones, and reconnaissance devices that volunteers donated to us or that we acquired thanks to funds raised from donors. Now, the highest demand is for winter equipment, drones, infrared cameras and night vision surveillance devices. Those go to forces around Donetsk Oblast and Bakhmut,” Heřmánek explains.
The founder of Team4Ukraine Petr Pojman adds that his organisation has recently raised additional CZK 5.5 million for Hummer ambulances through public fundraiser. “Ukrainian paramedics do not have enough ambulances for transport of wounded civilians and military personnel from the frontline. They improvise with civilian trucks that are unsuitable and insufficient,” Pojman explains the reason of the fundraiser and adds that similar amount – again raised from donors – will go to the military personnel providing medical care on the frontline.
Similarly to Ukrainian military personnel defending their country, not even the four Czech men do not ease up their assistance and are determined to carry on. The vow of Ukrainians to fight to the last man, just as the famous statement of the heroic Czechoslovak paratroopers, inspires them: “We are Czechs. We will never surrender. (…) We depend on donors. Our tempo, strength and swiftness is determined by our donors and they do not slack off either. We will keep helping as long as we have enough finances and strength,” all four decorated men concluded.
- For more pictures see: https://army.cz/-241488