Volunteer Organizations of Ukraine: Notable Initiatives and Assistance During the War.

With the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022, the volunteer movement became not just an essential part of supporting the military and affected civilians, but a true phenomenon of national unity. Millions of Ukrainians and foreigners united around the idea of help.

Volunteer organizations took on functions that the state could not always fulfill promptly: providing the military with drones, thermal imagers, vehicles, bulletproof vests, as well as evacuating people from hot spots, restoring destroyed housing, providing psychological support, and humanitarian aid. As of 2026, the volunteer movement in Ukraine not only did not fade but gained even more systemic and professional character. Many spontaneous initiatives evolved into powerful charitable foundations with multimillion-dollar budgets, international partners, and dozens of employees. This article will introduce you to the most well-known volunteer organizations in Ukraine that have made and continue to make invaluable contributions to achieving victory and restoring the country.

Volunteer Organizations of Ukraine

Today, hundreds of volunteer organizations and charitable foundations operate in Ukraine. They work in various areas: assistance to the military, support for internally displaced persons, medical aid, evacuation, infrastructure restoration, psychological rehabilitation, and animal welfare. Some organizations are highly specialized, while others operate comprehensively. The sizes of organizations also differ: from small local initiatives to global funds with representations abroad. It is important to note that all these organizations are united by full transparency in the use of funds, reporting to donors, and impeccable reputation. In wartime, volunteering became not just a hobby or calling, but for many—a way of life and a debt to the country. Next, we will examine five of the most well-known and influential volunteer organizations in Ukraine that have become true symbols of the unwavering spirit of the Ukrainian people.

Come Back Alive

The Come Back Alive fund was established in 2014, at the beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian War in Donbas. It was created by ATO veterans and volunteers who understood that military assistance must be systematic, not spontaneous. This is one of the oldest and most respected volunteer funds in Ukraine. The main focus of Come Back Alive is the technical re-equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The fund purchases drones, thermal imagers, night vision devices, electronic warfare systems, armored vehicles, and conducts training for military personnel. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the fund has provided the military with equipment worth billions of hryvnias. One of the fund's most well-known campaigns was the 'Eyes for the Army' program—a massive equipping of units with reconnaissance drones.

The Come Back Alive fund is known for its maximum transparency: every penny can be traced in open reports. They do not transfer cash, but purchase equipment directly from verified suppliers and hand it over to teams with a receipt. In addition to material assistance, the fund implements educational programs: training military drone operators, sappers, and radio operators. Come Back Alive works closely with the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, allowing it to address the most critical needs of the army. The fund's slogan is 'Come Back Alive. We will do everything to ensure you return.' These are not just words—it is a philosophy that saves thousands of lives every day.

Serhiy Prytula Charity Fund

The Serhiy Prytula Charity Fund began its active work in 2019, but it truly blossomed after February 24, 2022. Serhiy Prytula—a well-known Ukrainian TV presenter and volunteer—organized one of the most powerful volunteer headquarters from the very first days of the full-scale war. The fund operates in several areas. Firstly, assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine: purchasing drones, vehicles, ammunition, and communication tools. Secondly, humanitarian aid to affected civilians: food, medicines, clothing, hygiene products. Thirdly, restoration of destroyed infrastructure. The fund's most resonant action was the collection for three reconnaissance drones Bayraktar, which Ukrainians closed in just a few hours, raising over 600 million hryvnias.

The Serhiy Prytula Fund also actively engages in international advocacy: using his contacts, Serhiy conveys the truth about the war to the global community, organizes arms supplies from foreign partners. As of 2026, the fund has implemented hundreds of major projects: from purchasing air defense systems to restoring schools and hospitals in liberated territories. The fund stands out for its aggressive and modern approach to communication: it actively uses social media, conducts live broadcasts, and reports on every hryvnia spent. Anyone can contribute to fundraising through the fund's website or Monobank. Transparency, speed, and scale are the three pillars on which the success of the Serhiy Prytula Fund rests. During the four years of the full-scale war, the fund has provided aid worth billions of hryvnias, and Serhiy Prytula has become one of the most recognizable volunteers not only in Ukraine but in the world.

UNITED24

UNITED24 is a unique platform created at the initiative of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in May 2022. This is not just a volunteer organization, but an official state fundraising platform for collecting funds to support Ukraine. The main goal of UNITED24 is to accumulate donations from around the world for three key areas: defense and demining, humanitarian aid and medicine, and restoration of Ukraine. The platform operates with maximum transparency: every donor can choose a specific direction or even project that they want to support and track the use of funds. The ambassadors of UNITED24 include famous global stars: actors Mark Hamill, Liev Schreiber, Misha Collins, Barbra Streisand, singer Pink, director Michel Gondry, legendary footballer Andriy Shevchenko, and many others. Thanks to their support, the world learned about the platform. UNITED24 finances the most complex and expensive projects: purchasing maritime drones, air defense systems, demining areas, and restoring energy infrastructure after attacks. As of 2026, the platform has raised billions of hryvnias from donors from over 120 countries.

Every month, the UNITED24 team publishes detailed reports on the use of funds, as well as reports with videos from the locations where assistance has been directed. The main advantage of the platform is absolute trust. People know that their money will not be lost but will go exactly where they intended it. UNITED24 has become a true bridge between Ukraine and the world, which wants to help but needs a reliable and proven mechanism to do so. If you want to help Ukraine but do not know whom to trust with your money, UNITED24 is the safest choice.

Army SOS

The volunteer initiative 'Army SOS' emerged in February 2022 as a spontaneous reaction to the Russian invasion. However, it quickly transformed into a powerful structured organization engaged primarily in searching for and evacuating people from hot spots. 'Army SOS' is a network of volunteers throughout Ukraine, coordinated through messenger chats, particularly Telegram. When someone is in trouble—under fire, unable to leave an occupied city, losing contact with relatives—people turn to 'Army SOS'. Volunteers process requests, contact the military, police, and the State Emergency Service, organize evacuation flights, and search for missing persons.

'Army SOS' worked particularly actively at the beginning of the full-scale invasion during the evacuation from Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol, Kharkiv region, and the Kherson region. Volunteers evacuated people under fire in their vehicles, risking their lives. Over four years of work, 'Army SOS' has saved tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilians. In addition to evacuation, the organization is engaged in searching for missing persons—an important area involving work with morgues, hospitals, and the police. 'Army SOS' also assists internally displaced persons with documentation for those who lost passports, birth certificates, and identification codes during their flight. The organization operates entirely on a volunteer basis, with all staff working unpaid. Funding goes exclusively to fuel, vehicle repairs, and medications for those being evacuated. 'Army SOS' is a vivid example of a grassroots volunteer initiative that proved that caring individuals can achieve the impossible without waiting for help from above.

Razom for Ukraine

Razom for Ukraine is an international volunteer organization based in the United States. It was created by Ukrainians from the American diaspora back in 2014, but with the onset of the full-scale invasion, its activities increased exponentially. The main task of Razom for Ukraine is to consolidate assistance to Ukrainians from American society, businesses, and ordinary citizens. The organization purchases and delivers essential supplies to Ukraine: medical equipment, tourniquets, first-aid kits, generators, transformers, thermal imagers, drones, and ambulances. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Razom for Ukraine has delivered hundreds of tons of cargo to Ukraine. Special attention is paid to medicine: the organization provides hospitals with equipment for resuscitation, obstetric kits, and ventilators. Razom for Ukraine also finances psychological rehabilitation for military personnel and civilians who have experienced torture or lost loved ones.

In 2025-2026, the organization launched large-scale programs to restore energy infrastructure: purchasing and delivering powerful generators, transformers, and restoration materials for critical infrastructure facilities across Ukraine. Razom for Ukraine collaborates closely with the Ukrainian Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Energy, and regional military administrations. The Razom team includes professionals in logistics, management, and finance, enabling the organization to orchestrate complex multi-ton shipments across the ocean. The organization publishes detailed reports on every project, earning the trust of major American corporations and funds. Razom for Ukraine serves as a bright example of how the Ukrainian diaspora influences support for Ukraine at the highest international level. Their slogan 'Together to Victory' has become a global symbol of unity for all Ukrainians and their friends around the world. Without their efforts, tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians would have been left without critically important assistance.

Medical Battalion 'Hospitallers'

The Medical Battalion 'Hospitallers' is a legendary volunteer medical unit created at the beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian war in 2014. Its founder and unwavering commander is Yana Zinkevich, who at that time was a student but took up arms and a medical kit and headed to the front line. The main mission of the 'Hospitallers' is to save wounded soldiers directly at the contact line. This is not an ordinary volunteer organization that collects funds and distributes aid. This is a combat unit whose medics operate under fire, pull the wounded from the battlefield, stabilize their condition, and evacuate them to hospitals. As of 2026, 'Hospitallers' have saved thousands of lives. Their contribution to Ukraine's defense capability is hard to overestimate. The battalion is funded entirely by donations from caring individuals. Funds are used to purchase ambulances, bulletproof vests for medics, first-aid kits, tourniquets, blood transfusion systems, and medicines. 'Hospitallers' are known for their incredible efficiency: the time from injury to getting the soldier to the operating table often takes mere hours, saving limbs and lives. In 2025, the battalion received the state award 'For Courage and Bravery', which recognized their merits at the state level. Female medics of 'Hospitallers' have become symbols of Ukrainian resistance. They didn’t wait for someone to come to their aid, but went to where it was hottest.

In addition to their direct work on the front line, 'Hospitallers' are engaged in training civilians and military personnel in tactical medicine. Every Ukrainian should know how to stop bleeding, apply a tourniquet, and help the wounded until the ambulance arrives. The battalion conducts training sessions throughout Ukraine, providing free instruction to people on how to save lives. If you want to support the 'Hospitallers', you can join their regular fundraising efforts on their social media page. Every hryvnia is a life saved of a Ukrainian defender. The story of 'Hospitallers' is a story of how a small group of concerned individuals can achieve the impossible and become a legend while still alive. Their example inspires millions of Ukrainians, and their work saves those who defend our land.

Kolo Fund

The Kolo Charity Fund was established in 2015, but after 2022 its activities significantly expanded. The fund specializes in comprehensive support for military personnel and their families, as well as assistance to civilians in frontline areas. The main idea of Kolo is to create a support system that covers all aspects of a serviceman's life: from quality equipment to psychological rehabilitation after injury and assistance with employment after demobilization. The fund operates in several areas. The first is logistical support for brigades: drones, thermal imagers, vehicles, binoculars, uniforms. The second is medical: purchasing medicines, equipment for hospitals, and rehabilitation centers for the wounded. The third is social: assistance to families of the deceased, support for children of military personnel, legal consultations, psychological help. The fourth is humanitarian: delivery of food, water, medicines, and building materials to frontline cities and villages.

A distinctive feature of the Kolo Fund is its systematic approach. They do not just address individual requests but develop long-term programs. For example, the 'Kolo Support' program provides monthly assistance to large families of soldiers who have died or been severely wounded. The 'Kolo Care' program provides free psychological assistance to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. The fund collaborates closely with military administrations, volunteer organizations, and international donors. As of 2026, Kolo has implemented hundreds of projects throughout Ukraine—from Chernihiv to Kherson, and from Kharkiv to Odesa. The fund's transparency is confirmed by numerous independent audits, and reports on the use of funds are published monthly. Support Kolo through the official website, bank details, or charitable fairs that the fund regularly holds in various cities of Ukraine. Kolo is an example of how volunteering can be professional, systematic, and long-term, without losing its sincerity and humanity.

East SOS

'East SOS' is a volunteer organization created in 2014 by residents of Donbas who were forced to leave their homes due to military actions. It was founded by displaced persons for displaced persons. The main mission of 'East SOS' is to assist internally displaced persons (IDPs) who fled from occupied territories or areas of active hostilities. The organization provides free legal, psychological, and humanitarian assistance to millions of Ukrainians who had to start life from scratch. Legal assistance includes consultations on obtaining IDP status, securing certificates, grants, restoring lost documents, obtaining subsidies, and resolving land and property issues. Psychological support consists of individual and group consultations with professional psychologists specializing in war trauma and forced displacement. Humanitarian aid consists of food, clothing, medicines, hygiene products, and children's items that 'East SOS' delivers to remote communities and places where IDPs reside. Following the full-scale invasion in 2022, the organization's workload increased exponentially. The number of IDPs in Ukraine exceeded 7 million people. 'East SOS' quickly deployed hotlines, opened additional offices in various regions, and attracted international aid.

As of 2026, the organization has helped over half a million Ukrainians resolve their displacement-related issues. 'East SOS' also actively engages in advocacy: they prepare analytical reports on IDP issues, propose legislative changes, and lobby for the interests of displaced persons at the state level. Thanks to their work, several important laws were passed that simplified the procedures for IDPs to receive grants and services. The organization has representations in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Lviv, Odesa, and other major cities. 'East SOS' is the voice of millions of Ukrainians who lost their homes but did not lose hope. Support the organization through its website, where there are donation details and a form to join the volunteer team. 'East SOS' proves that even in the darkest times there are people who extend a helping hand and help lift those who have fallen.

Ukrainian Volunteer Service (UVS)

The Ukrainian Volunteer Service, or UVS for short, is a nationwide network of volunteers that was established in 2017. Unlike many other organizations, UVS does not specialize in one direction, but covers a wide range of volunteer activities. Their slogan is 'Do good. Always. Everywhere. Together'. UVS has regional branches in dozens of cities across Ukraine. Each branch independently determines the priorities of its work, depending on local needs. Somewhere it is assistance to the military, somewhere it is shelters for animals, children's homes, or elderly people. With the onset of the full-scale invasion, UVS became one of the coordinators of the volunteer movement in Ukraine. They helped weave camouflage nets, prepare food for the military and displaced persons, collect clothes and food, search for housing for IDPs, and organize leisure activities for children in bomb shelters.

In 2024-2025, UVS launched the 'Volunteer Hundred' program—a mass engagement of youth in volunteering through educational intensives, training, and practical tasks. The aim of the program is to form the next generation of conscious Ukrainians, for whom helping others is a norm of life, not a heroic act. UVS also conducts extensive educational work. They created a free online course 'Volunteering 101', where they explain how to become a volunteer, how to choose a direction, how to obtain a volunteer book, and what are the rights and responsibilities of a volunteer. As of 2026, tens of thousands of Ukrainians have completed the course. UVS collaborates with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, participates in the development of state policy in the field of volunteering. The organization does not accept donations from citizens since its activities primarily involve engaging volunteers rather than financial resources. However, anyone interested can join their campaigns and projects. To do this, simply find the nearest UVS branch on their website map and contact the coordinator. UVS is the largest volunteer network in Ukraine that unites people of all ages, professions, and views around the simple truth: we can do more when we are together. Their approach 'small deeds for big changes' has proven its effectiveness over ten years of existence. Today, UVS is not just an organization; it is a genuine movement that inspires Ukrainians to daily quiet heroic work.