1. Why did you decide to join the Life Robots UA project?In many ways, it was an emotional decision. In general, everything related to war has a strong impact on people's emotions: empathy, compassion, hatred, the sense of injustice, powerlessness, etc. I have long wanted to join a project like this. And when I saw an announcement that people were needed for the team, I immediately wrote and contacted the founder of the project.
2. Do you remember the moment when you realized that you could not stand aside?I remember it well - the night of February 24, 2022. I was in Spain at the time, at 4 am I was flipping through the news feed and read about the start of the bombing of Ukraine… At 7 am I went out into the yard to clear my head and saw people behind the fence happily playing golf in the warm morning sun… It was at that moment that I realized that I would not be able to play golf while there was a war in my country. A few hours later my wife and I were standing with posters in the main square of a Spanish town near the church. Many locals learned about the start of the war from us. So we started collecting aid for Ukraine — literally a few hours after the invasion began.
3. What does this project mean to you personally?It is an opportunity to save the lives of Ukrainians.
4. Why work? Why do you think it is important for the front now?Many things are important for the front. The guys who fight on the front lines — each of them is a hero for me. And each of them fights for the sovereignty of our country. Without our soldiers — there will be no independent Ukraine. And if the robots for which we raise funds save at least a few lives — it means that this whole project was created for a reason.
5. What human story or fact has particularly touched you and prompted you to take action?There are a lot of such stories. My uncle lived his whole life without an arm. His arm was cut off 10–15 years after World War II, when as a child he, together with other boys, found a mine and started playing with it. I am horrified to think that similar stories can happen again on our land — with our children.
6. How do you explain the essence of the project to friends or relatives who are not very knowledgeable about technology?I myself am not very knowledgeable about technology. But I understand the main thing — instead of human sappers, demining is done by robots. They work faster, more efficiently, and most importantly, much safer for people's lives and health.
7. Do you believe that ordinary people can influence the course of the war? How exactly?Every person already influences the course of the war - whether they want to or not. By what they do, do not do, say, write, declare. But this influence can be positive or negative - even if a person does not realize it. Therefore, it is especially important that they understand the consequences of their actions. The easiest thing is to say: "Everyone there is stealing" - and thus give themselves the indulgence of doing nothing and helping no one. But usually such patterns are a form of self-justification. Instead, the feeling of active involvement unites people. And it is precisely such associations of those who care that bring the end of the war closer on the best terms for Ukraine.
8. What do you say to yourself or others when it gets difficult or scary?For more than two and a half years since the war began, I have been abroad due to family circumstances. And I was scared there — scared for my relatives, friends, loved ones who remained in Ukraine. I am not scared in Ukraine. When they bomb, I am filled with anger and annoyance, but not fear. I do not feel entitled to say anything or advise others unless they ask me to.
9. What strength have you seen in people who are already helping?First of all, it is their inner determination, energy, and faith in what they are doing.
10. Do you have a dream related to the future of Ukraine and this project?I would like to believe that after the war, Ukraine will begin to develop very quickly — including in the technological direction. And that Ukrainian military technologies will be in demand all over the world. And God grant that the works of “our” manufacturer sell well all over the world, saving people where it is needed.
11. What would you say to a person who is hesitating: to help or not?Thinking people tend to doubt - and that is normal. Behind doubts there are always questions to which a person cannot find the answer. I would try to find these answers together with her.
12. Why is even one donation important to you?A donation is important not for me, but for the tasks of the project. Ultimately, we can turn donations into saved lives and preserved health. Depending on the amount, one donation can save the lives of several people - or save someone's arm, leg, foot, eyes, fingers...
13. If you could convey one message to everyone reading this interview - what would you say?We are all psychologically, and some physically, very tired of the war. But if we stop participating in it — how we can — this will be the end of independent Ukraine. And this is exactly what our enemy is counting on. Can we allow him to destroy our independence — and become subjects of an enemy state, or will we be forced to emigrate to other countries forever?