- A team of volunteers from Europe, Ukraine and the United States is working to turn civilian trucks into Ukrainian military vehicles.
- The trucks are equipped with armor and weapons.
- The team has re-equipped 60 vehicles and has 15 in the process of supplying mobile combat units of the Ukrainian army.
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A team of volunteers, made up of Ukrainians, Europeans and Americans, is working to convert civilian vehicles into combat trucks for the Ukrainian army.
The team, led by Ivan Oleksiy, a 25-year-old e-sports analyst from Kherson, southern Ukraine, is working to equip the Ukrainian military with upgraded vehicles from across Europe.
Since the start of the project in March, the team has completely re-equipped 60 vehicles and has 15 more in the process of supplying mobile combat units to the Ukrainian army.
Alexei, who is based in Lviv, western Ukraine, explained the modernization process. The truck models you see parked on the street or taken to the mall are being transformed into vehicles capable and ready to attack Russian tanks.
He told Insider that they were first looking for used 4-wheel-drive diesel trucks with 2.0-liter engines or more for about 5,500 euros, approximately $ 5,821. Preferred models include Toyota Hilux / Tundra, Mitsubishi L200, Ford Ranger, Nissan Navara / KingCab, Isuzu D-Max, Mazda BT-50 / Mazda B2500 and Jeep Gladiator.
Most vehicles are purchased from Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Scandinavia or the United Kingdom.
All their money comes from crowdfunding through their website.
Once the vehicles arrived on the team in Ukraine, they were re-equipped by volunteer mechanics and engineers who reinforced the truck’s bodywork to provide protection from mortars and shells and added a stand to the rear of the vehicle for Javelins machine gun or anti-tank weapons, NLAW and Stingers.
43rd Cars4Ukraine civilian car used for conversion (before) Ivan Oleksi 43rd Cars4Ukraine car converted (after) Ivan Oleski
Adding a second layer of metal plate to the truck’s chassis is one of the most critical parts of the conversion process, Oleski explains, as it has helped save lives.
“There have been several cases where the vehicle has been attacked, but it has protected soldiers and saved lives,” Oleski said, showing Insider a photo of a truck still able to drive after being hit by a Russian explosive.
All trucks come decorated with the Ukrainian flag and the slogan “Russian warships swing.”
Ivan Alexi with the metal armor used to protect the car from explosions Ivan Alexi
Together with his Car4Ukraine teammate Ivan Karbashevsky, Alexei also created War-Stop.com, an initiative that allows anyone around the world to buy supplies – ranging from first aid kits and thermal underwear to radios and binoculars – for the Ukrainian military.
“We found a way to make a real impact.”
Ukrainian soldiers shoot from behind a truck converted by Cars4Ukraine Ivan Oleksiy
Freed for medical reasons from fighting in Ukraine’s armed forces, Olesky said he wanted to find a way to meaningfully support his country’s military efforts.
“I wanted to do this project because it has a very direct impact. You buy a car, you fix that car, you arm it, you put the thing on your back to hold machine guns or anti-tank weapons, and then you have a burnt out Russian tank. ”
Ukrainian soldiers with a truck upgraded with anti-tank weapons from Cars4Ukraine Cars4Ukraine
Alexei adds that his parents are still trapped in Russian-occupied Kershon. He described the “new normal” as phone calls to his father amid the Russian shelling. “Everyone has arms and legs” when asked if their family is safe.
That is why Cars4Ukraine is so important to him. “If we can do at least something to deoccupy the territory, we will do it,” he said.
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