Thomas Lukaszuk, Alberta’s former deputy prime minister and organizer of the United For Ukraine mass donation event in Edmonton, said on social media that two volunteers driving supplies to Mariupol, Ukraine, had been killed. “Ed Stelmach and I are saddened and angry to report that two drivers, believed to be Ukrainian and Polish nationals, were killed by Russians while handing over some of our United for Ukraine supplies,” Lukaszuk said. “They are heroes.” Stelmach, the former prime minister of Alberta, and Lukaszuk spearheaded a plane-packed event that raised more than $ 20 million in donations, including 35 tons of aid flown in a LOT Polish Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Some supplies included medical and first aid equipment, stretchers, thermal blankets, sleeping bags, diapers for adults and young people, and wheelchairs. Any donation material that did not fit in the 737 was loaded into 10 sea containers to be delivered to Poland and then transported by the drivers to the Ukrainian forces. Lukaszuk says supplies were sent to Lutz, Zhytomyr, Kryvy Rigg, Kherson and Mariupol regions of Ukraine.
In an interview with CTV News Edmonton on Sunday, Lukaszuk confirmed that the drivers were carrying packages with donated goods from Edmonton. “Unfortunately, a few days ago, one of the vehicles delivering one of the smaller loads was intercepted by Russians and there were three people in that vehicle,” Lukazuk said. “Fortunately one escaped and two were killed.” “It was in a heavily occupied Russian territory,” he said, adding that he would not reveal the exact location where the drivers were stopped for security reasons. “We do not want to put volunteers anywhere in Ukraine at extra risk.” Lukaszuk said that while Alberts volunteering to raise supplies or packages were lucky enough to help, the actions were “pale in comparison” to what the Ukrainians are doing on the ground. “These people are really leading the country for freedom,” he said. “They are carrying medical supplies, food and other items to rescue soldiers and people who have been injured and people who are starving. “They are superheroes,” he added. “They take it knowing what the danger is, but so important is the freedom and independence of Ukraine and the opposition to this aggression.” Located on the shores of the Sea of Azov, the port city of Mariupol has been under siege for the past month, including extensive Russian bombing. On Saturday, Ukrainian forces fought village after village to contain Russian advance in the east of the country as the United Nations sought to mediate the evacuation of civilians from the bombed city. “Russia is blocking our delivery to Ukraine, we are doubling,” Lukaszuk said. “The lives of our heroes’ volunteers were not lost in vain. More help is on the way.” With files from the Associated Press
