1. Why did you decide to join the Life Robots UA project?I truly believe that demining Ukraine brings victory and the end of the war very much closer.
2. Do you remember the moment when you realized that you could not stand aside?It was March, 8.I'm driving in the car, I turn on the news - Russia is changing its strategy. They are gathering swarms of drones to cut off logistics for our brigades.I was on the front line. I saw these roads between villages. And I realized how easy it is - to cut off, surround, leave without a chance.I was scared for our guys. Because when supply routes are cut off - the lives of thousands of people are at risk.I remembered that the manufacturer of mine-clearing robots created logistics robots at their base. Those that can go where conventional equipment cannot. Off-road. Under fire. And still - deliver.I stopped the car right on the highway. I wrote to him.And I thought: This will be my gift to myself for Women's Day.Later it turned out that logistics and demining robots are two different machines.Now we are engaged in both.Because if you can save an entire brigade, you have to do everything to save it.
3. What does this project mean to you personally?For me, it is an opportunity to show people that if you are a small person with a big idea, you should not be afraid to bring it to life.When your idea is really important, when you understand its value, you will find the words to convey it to people.A real project will find a place in the hearts of others, grow and acquire its own independent life.
4. How has your life changed since you started participating in this project?I no longer have free time. On the other hand, many fantastic people have gathered around me, ready to stand for truth, justice and dignity.
5. Why robots? Why do you think this is important for the front now?There is one thing that very few people know: the war that is currently taking place in Ukraine is significantly different from all the wars that have been in the world before.There is one thing that very few people know: the war that is currently taking place in Ukraine is significantly different from all the wars that have been in the world before.Because before, assaults were sometimes prepared for months. And now in some areas of the front there can be 12 assaults per day.The tension that is now falling on the shoulders of the military is simply incredible. This is the most aggressive war that has ever been in the history of mankind. A person cannot withstand such a load. This is nonsense. That is why we need robots - this is the first reason.And the second reason is that we are Ukrainians, and we really value the life of everyone on the front.That is why since the second Russian invasion in Ukraine there has been a real boom in innovation.In a few years, our people have developed so many different types of automated equipment that allows us to risk only metal, not human life. This is incredible.They will write about this in books. And this war will be studied by many generations.
And the invention of a robot deminer is generally some kind of miracle that made the demining procedure hundreds of times cheaper than it was before this invention.And if Russia considered it absolutely impossible to liberate Ukrainian territories and constantly blackmailed us with this, then when we raise money and produce deminers, it will no longer be able to do this. And it will be forced to negotiate, making concessions."
6. What human story or fact particularly touched you and prompted you to take action?It was in this project that it was the moment when Trump suspended aid to Ukraine, and Russia began to use more aggressive strategies for waging war. And I was simply scared for ours.
7. How do you explain the essence of the project to friends or relatives who are not very knowledgeable about technology?I explain it very simply: either you help, or more people will die. And that's it. That's our reality.The works we purchase are the cheapest works of this type in the world today. They have been approved by the Ministry of Defense. They have all the necessary certificates.At the same time, we are ready to purchase new developments if the supplier independently delivered its samples to the brigade, and an experienced brigade tested it and said: Oh, yes, this is cool, this is more effective than what we had. If we have such feedback, we are also ready to help.
8. What is unique about the project? What do you do that other foundations do not do?"All the foundations that we know about this issue are engaged in several areas at once: some supply medicines and teach tactical medicine, some provide psychological assistance, some purchase drones.For them, demining is just a small percentage among other things. Sometimes not even 1% of the total purchases.And for us, it is goal No. 1.We took on one thing - the purchase of robots that really save lives and bring victory closer. And we do this one thing with the highest quality."
9. Do you believe that ordinary people can influence the course of the war? How exactly?Of course, I believe. And I don't only believe, I'm just sure.
10. What do you say to yourself or others when it gets difficult or scary?We talked about this at the first team meeting. And we agreed that when it gets really difficult, we will just lie down and lie in the direction of the goal. And to gain strength until we can get up again and keep going.
11. What strength have you seen in people who are already helping?Audrey Hepburn once said that when you become an adult, you will learn that you have two hands: one to help yourself, and the other to help others. And in this project, I have met many people who, when they need help, take this adult position, trying to help both themselves and those around them. And this makes our strength more human.
12. Do you have a dream related to the future of Ukraine and this project?I dream of implementing this project, then exhaling, creating my own happy family, and raising children with my husband in love and joy on our free and peaceful land. And writing a book.
13. What would you say to a person who is hesitating whether to help or not?I once realized that there are many people from all over the world who are ready to help a Ukrainian child buy toys and clothes, help a Ukrainian woman with psychological support, and even finance some of her small business. But if you help the man of this family, you will save this family from grief that no doll for the child or any business can ever erase. And that there is a great lack of people who are ready to help the father of this family return home healthy and personally hold his child, buy her toys, create his own small business, and be a moral support for his wife in a healthy and whole family.
14. Why is even one donation important to you?I have this question, as in the Bible: when money is given with a sincere heart, you receive something much more and more important than money itself. And I believe that this contribution, made from a sincere heart, also has its own incredible impact. Sometimes more powerful than money.