Blackburn man travelling back to Ukraine to provide vital training and aid
Harley Whitehead says unexploded bombs and mines are a growing issue
Despite being caught up in a missile strike during his last trip to Ukraine, a Blackburn man has stated he will continue to visit the country every two weeks to provide support to soldiers and civilians.
Harley Whitehead is returning to Ukraine today (Tuesday 28th), bringing with him supplies such as first aid kits, body armour, drones, and radios. Whitehead is a member of a group called East Lancashire 4 Ukraine, which has been gathering donations for refugees fleeing Ukraine and providing them with surgical items, wound and burn dressings, and medication. The group is now focusing on supplying non-lethal items to the forces, as they are in greater need than civilians.
Whitehead explained that the fighting in Ukraine has intensified, particularly in the east, and that the group's priority is to help those affected by the conflict.
He also noted that there are parts of Ukraine where there is no indication of a war going on. However, in the east, the situation is different, with deserted streets and cities getting shelled every day. Despite the challenges, Whitehead said there are many people who choose to stay.
The group is currently raising funds for mine clearance training and plans to start training this May, as the war against mines in Ukraine is expected to continue for decades. Many Russian munitions do not explode on impact, and Ukraine is littered with mines in liberated areas. Whitehead acknowledged that the next few months will be interesting, as they work to assist with mine clearance.