Volodymyr Skovorodka, a Ukrainian fireman, ran 830 kilometres from Kyiv to Warsaw. He took part in the „Ultramarathon of Gratitude” to express his gratitude to Poland for the support of his country during the war with Russia. After 2 weeks of running, he arrived in Warsaw on the Independence Day of Ukraine (August 24 – editor’s note), where he was enthusiastically welcomed.
On a daily basis, Volodymyr is a firefighter-rescuer of the Main Board of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Kyiv. It wasn’t his first ultramarathon. He broke the national record of Ukraine several times; in the last run, he set another record, which was registered by the National Register of Records of Ukraine.
Skovorodka crossed the border with Poland together with other Ukrainian firefighters on Saturday in Dorohusk. Mykola Voytovych ran over 220 km, Ruslan Butok over 300 km, and Serhiy Borkov over 400 km. Polish firefighters have joined the run already in Poland.
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Information about this unique expression of gratitude was provided on Twitter by Brigadier General Andrzej Bartkowiak, Commander-in-Chief of the State Fire Service in Poland. The Commander and Polish firefighters joined the marathon and together with a Ukrainian colleague, they completed the last 5-kilometre stretch of the run, crossing the finish line together. The General took patronage over the run and, after its completion, said: “Our help for Ukraine is something natural […] Something that is required of a neighbour, something that is required of a nation that has been friends with the Ukrainian nation for centuries. And although we have had difficult moments in history, today, it is all irrelevant. Today we are building a new beautiful history of Poland and Ukraine, and maybe something more.„
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As reported by the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Poland, the purpose of the „Ultramarathon of Gratitude” was to thank Poles for their fraternal support and help for Ukraine, and to raise funds for equipment for demining Ukrainian water reservoirs and for the purchase of drones and underwater mine detectors. Thanks to this equipment, rescuers would not have to dive into the pool on their own, putting themselves in danger. The detectors are steered with convenient manual control and are equipped with a camera that allows you to see the most accurate image of what is hidden under the water.
The Embassy encourages you to support the campaign. The link is available here.
Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Poland, Oleh Kuts noted that Poland was the first country to recognise the independence of Ukraine and immediately came to Ukraine’s aid on the day the Russian invasion began. “Today we fight shoulder to shoulder for a better tomorrow for our children, for the security of the entire region and Europe (…) Poland is the leader of Europe and the whole world in supporting Ukraine (…) You opened your homes and hearts at first. You help and support us, and together we are stronger and show the whole world what being a reliable partner means,” he added.
The next day, a ceremony took place at the Embassy of Ukraine in Warsaw, during which Ambassador Vasyl Zvarych handed Vołodymyr Skovorodka a thank you for his courage and heroism in the service of the Ukrainian people, for a significant contribution to strengthening Polish-Ukrainian friendship, and for the record-breaking course of the „Ultramarathon of Gratitude” from Kyiv to Warsaw on the occasion of the Independence Day of Ukraine.
“The fact that the marathon ended in Warsaw is symbolic because it was Poland who helped us in everything and continues to help, particularly for the State Emergency Service of Ukraine for which fire trucks and many other necessary things were handed over. Ukrainians see fantastic friends and partners in Poland, and the fact that you have come here with words of gratitude is very important, for which I am sincerely grateful to you. Not only for saving Ukraine and Ukrainians but also through such activities – through sport, through gratitude, you show that Ukraine can not only fight boldly but also be grateful for help ”, emphasised Ambassador Vasyl Zvarych during the ceremony.
Author: Maria Byczynski
Translation: Sébastien Meuwissen
Photos: Facebook of Embassy of Ukraine and Volodymyr Skovorodka
