Ben Cope says, “We are currently in a war situation” and leads us inside.
Although we’re not in a conflict zone, they are very nervous and fearful of those who might undermine their efforts to support the war in Ukraine.
This is Ukraine House. It was founded in Warsaw, Poland in 2009 in order to assist Ukrainians who live in Poland.
Few people were working here a few weeks back. All that has changed since Russia invaded Ukraine.
There are many volunteers now, all working with Ukraine’s expat war effort. They organize aid for Ukraine, assess where it is most needed, and plan how it will reach there.
They are also looking for Polish-speaking refugees to match them with their offers to be taken in. So far, they have filled over a thousand flats with families.
Briton Ben Cope speaks of his friends in Kyiv as a spokesperson for Ukraine House.
He said, “It feels as if what we’re doing is what they are doing – and trying to be a part of that struggle we really help people and send a message that we are here with you.”
Before the war, well over a million Ukrainians worked in Poland.
We have seen men get buses at the station, presumably returning to fight.
Foreign fighters were recruited to the operation to reinforce Ukraine’s frontlines.
We’ve now found refugees who are also helping the war effort to reach Ukraine.
Expectant taxi drivers are usually found in the airport’s arrivals hall.
Kristina Hai and Yve Takkalenko are still holding signs that read “Ukrainian International Legion”.
They’ve spent hours doing this. They explain that their job is to wait for those who have signed up to fight.
They don’t keep lists or know who’s coming.
The 20-year olds who were studying International Relations at Kyiv University waited – they offered any assistance that was needed.
Yve said: “I don’t want to be a refugee.” My country was unfortunately affected, but I might still be of use.”
Kristina says, “We don’t know who our meeting is.” We just need people to help our country.
They point to a cafe and say that two men from Georgia and Brazil are waiting for them after they have flown in.
Kristina says it makes her feel “really great, we know we may have a special mission”.
Sergey, a boxing trainer, is on a mission to drive round-trip from Spain to Warsaw with his coach.
The aid was packed and he arrived at the refugee camp with the intention of taking them back to provide shelter for the war.
Sergey immigrated to Spain when he was ten years old and has been living there since then for 14 years.
He said, “All my family is in Kyiv, and half of my family is in Mariupol – the most dangerous zone in the war at this moment.”
“I’m from Ukraine, and all my family is there. I believe all Ukrainians around the world should help one another.”