Volunteers, diplomats donate COVID-19 test components to Ukraine’s military (PHOTOS)

Ukrainian diplomats in cooperation with civilian volunteers from the Kyiv-based charity Come Back Alive decided to help the Ukrainian Armed Forces prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Working in countries around the world, Ukrainian diplomats fundraised Hr 1.78 million ($67,000) and purchased components for 5,000 COVID-19 express tests for military labs.

The initiative, called “Protect the Defender,” received support from 109 Ukrainian missions abroad and the foreign ministry in Kyiv. Diplomats donated part of their monthly salaries to support the project.

On May 15, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Come Back Alive director Oksana Kolyada handed the first batch of assistance over to the military.

The volunteers who gathered the aid also say they plan to purchase personal protective gear for military medics with the money raised by Ukrainian diplomats.

As of May 15, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have reported a total of 46 COVID-19 case in their ranks, and 266 more servicepersons are undergoing isolation.

Two service members have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.