Three years ago, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, no one thought the war would last so long. Russian President Vladimir Putin said he’d take the country in three days; the world held its breath for Ukraine’s defeat.

Instead, Ukrainians fought back, and continue to fight back — by some accounts killing far more Russian soldiers than the losses they have suffered themselves. For three years, too, Ukraine has had the support of the United States — not because of the 1 million Americans of Ukrainian descent who live here, but because the fight to save Ukraine from the tyranny of Putin is a fight for democracy, as The Atlantic’s Anne Applebaum eloquently put it in 2022:

The clash that is coming will matter to all of us, in ways that we can’t yet fathom. In the centuries-long struggle between autocracy and democracy, between dictatorship and freedom, Ukraine is now the front line — and our front line too.

That support appeared to end Friday February 28, 2025, during Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Oval Office visit, when President Trump and Vice President Vance publicly and loudly berated him for being ungrateful and “disrespectful” to the United States. What was supposed to conclude with a deal giving the United States access to Ukraine’s precious metals in exchange for continued military support instead ended with Zelensky rapidly leaving the White House and Trump going to social to claim the Ukrainian president “is not ready for PEACE.”

In Pennsylvania, where 150,000 people of Ukrainian descent reside — including about 67,000 in the Philadelphia region — Governor Josh Shapiro quickly issued a statement laying out what is inarguably true: That the war was started by Russia.

He went on to criticize Trump and Vance:

Strong leaders stand with their allies and they stand on their principles — and I believe we must continue to advocate for the values of freedom and liberty, not to cower to dangerous dictators like Vladimir Putin.

Where does all this leave Ukraine? In need of help. Here, some easy ways to support Ukraine’s war efforts:

HOW TO HELP UKRAINE RIGHT NOW

Contribute directly to Ukraine 

Since the start of the war, United24 has collected more than $1 billion from around the world for a fund launched by Zelensky, that goes directly to supporting war efforts — including buying war and medical supplies, education and rebuilding the country. The effort is supported by, among others, American actor Mark Hamill (aka Luke Skywalker) — who also has provided the voice of the Ukrainian Air Raid Alert app. Choose where your money goes here.

Donate to Ukrainian humanitarian aid

Nova Ukraine, a 10-year-old, San Francisco-based nonprofit, has distributed more than $140 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, particularly medical supplies. It is now also raising money to make up for the halt of U.S. funding. Donate here.

UNICEF has provided medical care, clean drinking water, basic services including water and sanitation, immunization and health care, schooling and learning, psychosocial support, and emergency cash assistance for millions of children so far. You can donate here to keep it going.

Support independent English-language journalism

Subscribe or donate to The Kyiv Independent, a trusted source for English language news from the country’s capital, formed in 2021 by 30 reporters and editors who were fired from the Kyiv Post for demanding editorial independence. As it is everywhere, reliable, fair and independent local news is fundamental to fighting disinformation and ensuring people everywhere know what is really happening on the ground.

Keep up with what’s happening in Ukraine

Besides the Kyiv Independent, last year has seen a lot of incredible reporting from Ukraine, including from Citizen board member and MSNBC anchor Ali Velshi.

For daily coverage of the war and its impact, The Wall Street Journal offers a valuable perspective. The New Yorker has incredible narrative journalism about people on the ground. And The Atlantic’s Anne Applebaum is delivering both personal stories and smart analysis about Russia. (All require subscriptions to read.)

Learn the history of Ukrainian-Russian relations

There’s a lot to unpack in the history of Ukrainian-Russian relations. Take some time to understand what’s really happening. Check out the Council on Foreign Relations’ explainer. This article from the Kyiv Post debunks the 10 most popular misconceptions about Ukraine. And take some time to listen to this in-depth guide to the history of Ukraine, PRIALIA Podcast.

Help supply Ukrainian hospitals

A crowdfunding campaign through international aid organization Project C.U.R.E. has already delivered over $7.5  million to send 40-foot containers containing medical equipment and supplies to hospitals in Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv and other areas in need right now. They have now shifted their focus to fundraising for tactical medicine and field surgery supplies.

Rally for Ukraine

The Ukrainian community in Philadelphia has come together a few times already to raise awareness and demand support for the efforts to stop Putin. Follow @ukr_phl_people on Instagram for Ukraine-related events in the city, including several rallies and vigils over the last week to commemorate the anniversary of the full scale invasion.

Fund frontline medical care

Much of the important work of treating the injured in this war has come from the volunteer paramedic group, Hospitallers, made up of more than 800 Ukrainian civilians and others from around the world. They need more supplies — including, immediately, night vision equipment — to continue and expand their work. Read more about them, and donate here.

After initially pulling back from Ukraine because of rapidly escalating danger, international non-governmental organization Doctors Without Borders has been supporting Ukrainian healthcare workers by treating patients near the front lines, running mobile clinics, evacuating patients to safer areas, offering mental health care, and providing supplies and training to health facilities. You can support their work here.

Help the children of Ukraine

Several hundred children have died or been injured in this war. Millions more have fled or been forcibly deported to Russia. Voices of War launched in 2015 to help evacuate children and families affected by aggressions in the east of Ukraine. Now the group provides psychological and psychosocial support to children to help them overcome the trauma of war.

Support Ukrainian refugees

Around 6.9 Ukrainians have fled the war to other countries, and approximately 3.7 million have been internally displaced, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency.

The International Rescue Committee, which works with refugees throughout the world, has been distributing cash to Ukrainians who have fled to Poland, and helping to equip refugees with essentials and care within the country itself.  HIAS — the same organization that helps refugees in Philadelphia — is working to help particularly vulnerable populations, including women, children and LGBTQ Ukrainians in and outside the country.

Support Ukrainian organizations in Philadelphia

There are several Ukrainian community organizations here in Philadelphia that celebrate Ukrainian culture and customs. Many are hosting events and donation drives to support war relief efforts. The Ukrainian American Citizens Association, also known as UACA or the Ukie Club on Franklin, has been aiding Ukrainian causes and assisting refugees for 110 years.

The Ukrainian League of Philadelphia, founded in 1927, has a Facebook page where you can see their upcoming events. The Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center in Jenkintown has posted donation items needed and drop-off times, a vetted donation resource, and upcoming rallies and fundraisers on its website. The United Ukrainian Relief Committee is collecting donations both monetary and material, with the list of needed supplies is posted on their home page. 

Support local Ukrainian fundraisers

Local Dissent Pins worked with Ukrainian artists and designers to create their “Stand With Ukraine” collection of beautifully-crafted metal pins and jewelry, with proceeds going to a variety of on-the-ground organizations.

Philly’s Triple Bottom Brewery partnered with the Ukrainian League last year on a summer lager, Volya, to benefit Ukraine’s fight for freedom. The striking design of that beer label is now on a t-shirt, with all the proceeds going directly to the Ukrainian government.

A local artist has created a shop on Redbubble, weareukraine91, with low-cost t-shirts and stickers to support the war effort.

Tell American politicians to support Ukraine’s independence.

America used to stand for freedom and democracy against tyranny and aggression. We should still do that. Contact your federal elected officials and tell them to push back against Trump’s kowtowing to Putin and defend Ukraine’s right to control its own borders.

Looking for more ways to help Ukraine? 

Razom for Ukraine, a group of Ukrainian-Americans working with Ukrainians on the ground, has carefully vetted this list of ways to contribute to the fight and support those who are suffering as a result of it. You can sign up for an action newsletter with updates on how to participate.

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