As Ukraine faces another Christmas under bombardment, I am proud that Kent With Ukraine , in partnership with Fire Aid UK has been able to deliver a fully-equipped fire engine to the frontline border community of Semenivka, in the Chernihiv region which sits just kilometres from the Russian border.

While we gather in warmth and safety, Ukrainian emergency crews are responding to devastating strikes on homes, schools, and power infrastructure that is under daily threat of attack. This fire engine will now see active service, helping to protect civilian lives where every second matters.

This special project was made possible by extraordinary generosity from our donors, and because of the volunteer UK firefighters who used their leave to drive this vehicle across Europe in an act of real solidarity. – My sincere thanks to you all.

FIRE AID UK played a critical role in the project, drawing on their international operational expertise to facilitate logistics, vehicle deployment, training, and specialist familiarisation and in the new year we are proud to be working with them to further their pioneering mental health Brave Minds support program for Ukrainian firefighters in the region.

Thank you to our friends at the Чернігівська ОДА and Департамент економічного розвитку Чернігівської ОДА for the partnership that has enabled us to fulfil this project.

The people of Kent stand firmly with our friends in the Chernihiv Region and northern Ukraine. Please keep them in mind this Christmas as they are literally holding the line against Russian aggression, and they should know they do not stand alone.

Our support will not fade as 2025 draws to a close.
It will grow stronger.

Happy Christmas to all and Slava Ukraini!

Embassy of Ukraine to the UK British Embassy Kyiv Chaus Viacheslav Сергій Деденко UK Friends of Ukraine Семенівська міська рада Суспільне Чернігів