As russia’s invasion of Ukraine persists into its third year, indiscriminate missile and drone attacks continue to devastate civilian life and infrastructure across the nation, deepening an already critical humanitarian crisis. The UN Refugee Agency estimates that 12.7 million people, including 2 million children, urgently require humanitarian assistance in 2025. This is further driven by widespread displacement: approximately 3.7 million are internally displaced in Ukraine, with 6.9 million refugees remaining abroad. The continued destruction of homes, hospitals, and schools—whether in Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia, and countless more cities—only exacerbate this crisis.
In recognition of the escalating need for prompt distribution of humanitarian relief, Nova Ukraine launched the Nova Stash project in June 2024, a rapid-response initiative designed to deliver critical aid to Ukraine’s hardest-hit areas. Operating as a key arm of Nova Ukraine, Nova Stash consists of partners from local organizations who provide essentials like food, water, medical supplies, and shelter to survivors of russian attacks and shelling. As of September 2025, our Nova Stash teams are present in 13 regions throughout Ukraine.
At the time of writing, Nova Stash teams have supported approximately 42,200+ victims across 133 locations targeted by russian shelling, totaling 176 deployments to attack sites. The significance of this project lies in the ability to mobilize essential aid swiftly and efficiently, bridging potential shortcomings in local emergency response efforts while supporting communities undergoing significant trauma.
This article examines Nova Stash’s recent efforts, spotlighting its critical interventions following waves of russian airstrikes in early to mid-2025 across Odesa, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, and Kryvyi Rih, and other cities, where the team’s rapid action has proven vital to survival and recovery.
To better understand the scale and urgency of the Nova Stash mission, we explore key deployments throughout 2025. Rather than listing by month, we’ve grouped them by region and type of response.
Emergency Responses: Regional Breakdown
Eastern & Southern Ukraine: Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih & Odesa
Zaporizhzhia, March 21st: At night, russian forces struck Zaporizhzhia, targeting a kindergarten, private homes, a restaurant, high-rise buildings, the district administration, and small businesses. The attack tragically killed an entire family—a 14-year-old daughter and her 41-year-old father were recovered from the rubble, while doctors battled for over 10 hours to save the mother, who tragically passed. A nine-month-old infant suffered a concussion, and the injury toll climbed to 14, per the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration (ZOVA), with residents still seeking medical care. The Nova Stash team, alongside Happy Kids, remained on-site, delivering vital assistance to those impacted by the horrific strike.
Zaporizhzhia, August 30th: Another strike in Zaporizhzhia injured 28 people and killed one woman, while knocking out electricity to 25,000 households. Nova Stash partner Happy Kids was on the ground within hours, distributing aid and supporting local relief efforts.
Odesa, September (as part of wider attacks): Russia launched its largest single attack on Ukraine in September 2025. In Kyiv, 10 different strike sites were hit, and in Odesa, eight locations were impacted—including a grain warehouse, the Palace of Sports, and residential neighborhoods. Nova Stash teams, including Rada Mist, provided hot drinks, snacks, and emotional support to residents and utility workers working under dangerous conditions.
Kryvyi Rih, April 2nd: Kryvyi Rih suffered a devastating attack, killing four civilians—two women and two men—and injuring at least eight others, including an 8-year-old boy now in critical condition. Nova Stash volunteers, partnered with Brotherhood UA, were among the first on the scene to administer emergency medical aid before ambulances arrived, stopping bleeding, dressing wounds, flushing eyes, and stabilizing head injuries. Despite exhaustive resuscitation efforts, one victim could not be saved. The team respectfully managed the removal of the deceased, and all injured were evacuated for further treatment.
Odesa, February 1st: During the early morning of February 1st, russia launched a deliberate missile attack on Odesa’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, injuring seven civilians with no fatalities. The missiles caused significant damage to historic buildings in the city’s central district, where Norwegian diplomats were present near the epicenter, further displaying russia’s indiscriminate targeting of civilian and cultural landmarks.
Northern Ukraine: Sumy, Chernihiv
Sumy, January 30th: At 1:30 a.m., russia launched a Shahed drone attack on Sumy, destroying nine apartment units, killing nine—including two married couples—and injuring thirteen, including a child. In response to this tragic attack, our Nova Stash team responded swiftly, delivering essential relief such as tea, water, and hot food alongside support for local emergency responders rescuing civilians trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings. Despite intense demand in a short window, the team assisted survivors efficiently by providing urgent relief to those devastated by the indiscriminate attack.
Chernihiv, June 6th: Following a devastating russian strike on Chernihiv on June 6th, our Nova Stash team was on the ground alongside emergency responders as rescue operations unfolded. The attack, carried out using both Shahed drones and ballistic missiles, caused extensive damage to residential apartment buildings, a kindergarten, key infrastructure, and an industrial facility.
Preliminary reports indicated that civilians were trapped under the rubble of collapsed structures, intensifying the urgency of the response. Despite the chaos, Nova Stash partners swiftly mobilized to assist approximately 250 people, distributing critical supplies such as:
- Bottled water
- Hot sandwiches
- Snack bars
- Freshly brewed coffee
Throughout the day and into the evening, Nova Stash continued supporting first responders and survivors by providing warm meals and drinks to both rescue crews and affected residents as they searched tirelessly for those still buried beneath the debris.
Kyiv faced repeated missile barrages in the summer of 2025. On multiple occasions, Nova Stash teams partnered with local organization Atma Olmya to assess damage and deliver immediate support, including food, drinks, and psychological assistance, to residents and emergency workers across numerous strike sites.
In Their Words – Voices from Nova Stash Partners
With near-daily exposure to heartbreaking headlines detailing the destruction and death wrought by russia’s ongoing attacks on Ukraine, as well as the gruesome realities faced by Ukraine’s defenders amid trench and drone warfare, desensitization has become a growing challenge. It is one thing to look at the “numbers” or statistics in a war, yet even more powerful is gaining direct insight and perspectives from those on-the ground in Ukraine—those who are uncompromising in their dedication to their loved ones and the sovereignty of their country despite unimaginable hardship.
Having had the deep honor of interviewing several Nova Stash team members, their stories, marked by pain, love, and determination, reminds us of the urgent duty we have to continue advocating for Ukraine in any capacity we can. This section of the article will highlight the stories and motivations of several Nova Stash partners. Each of them offers a unique window into what drives ordinary civilians to serve others during a time of extraordinary crisis.
In just three words, what does working with Nova Stash mean to you?
“Help, actualization, swiftness.”
“Victory, aid, love.”
What motivated you to become a partner of the project?
“To be useful…To protect the vulnerable.“
“This project truly impacts people who would otherwise have no one.”
What does collaboration look like within the team?
“We work closely with local emergency responders—fulfilling whatever requests they have and stepping in to provide extra aid and relief. Sometimes that means bringing food or drinks, sometimes helping repair shattered windows or setting up generators. Not all of us are trained professionals, and we don’t always have the expertise to handle every emergency, but we do what we can. DSNS (State Emergency Service) teams and psychologists support us when possible. It’s a mix of different systems and programs coming together to help a very diverse group of people.”
“Even something simple, like a cup of tea, can offer a moment of peace for someone who’s just lost everything. We often find ourselves helping count the injured and the dead. It’s hard work, but necessary.”
“Everyone brings their own strengths. Some are trained in medical response or evacuation; others are psychologists working with both children and adults. We even have vets on hand to help injured animals. Our team is mostly male, but there are three women who play key roles as well.”
“Some areas are so dangerous, we can’t stay long. I remember driving on a road that had just been hit by a Shahed drone—people were still walking there. Seeing it happen in real life is completely different from hearing about it. The reality is harsh, and the danger is constant. But each person in the team has a specialized role, and we all work together to respond as best we can.”
Looking back at late 2024 or early 2025, what have been the most significant challenges your team has faced in responding to critical emergencies?
“Digging people out from under rubble. It’s horrifying. Sometimes we lack enough trained personnel or equipment. 75% of this work is done by volunteers…The need is overwhelming.”
One responder recalled driving through a recently hit area:
“People were still on the road when another Shahed drone struck. Seeing that in real time is something I’ll never forget.”
How do you manage the challenges and burdens that come with working in emotionally demanding situations?
“For me, faith in God. For others, it’s their families. It’s painful to hold this burden daily—but it’s harder to give up.”
One partner from Sumy said:
“I lost my home the day the war began. Now, all I want is to build a future for my kids, in a country that’s free.”
“Love.”
What message do you have for our donors and supporters?
“We want to thank those abroad—this project must continue and grow, as it provides direct relief and makes a tangible impact. Giving survivors the opportunity to access that relief often demands immense effort from our team, sometimes requiring them to stay on-site for several days. Whether through art therapy specialists or children’s care packs, we aim to create lasting support that goes beyond a cup of tea or coffee for the evening. Our focus is on making a concrete impact that lasts well beyond the moment of crisis.”
SUPPORT NOVA STASH
During emergency-response periods, Nova Stash project partners utilize materials in several key ways:
- Immediate essentials: Teams distribute critical supplies such as hot meals, snacks, water, hot beverages, baby formula, children’s food, diapers, and basic medications.
- Comprehensive aid for extreme cases: For individuals who have lost everything in an attack, teams provide fundamental necessities including bed linens, clothing, and hygiene products
- Medical assistance: In addition to basic supplies, teams offer medical aid to those in need, with properly equipped first responders providing accessible assistance
- Power solutions: Some teams set up power stations and/or generators, allowing affected individuals to charge their mobile devices.
- Coordination with authorities: Nova Stash team members work alongside local authorities and first responders to ensure effective aid distribution and support rescue efforts.
Nova Ukraine’s emergency response teams swiftly mobilize critical aid within hours of an attack or urgent situation. By rapidly deploying essential supplies and coordinating with local authorities, these teams provide immediate relief to communities devastated by conflict—demonstrating the urgent need to extend and sustain such life-saving initiatives.
Whether you choose to share our humanitarian efforts within your community or provide monthly donations, your involvement is crucial in saving and uplifting lives during times of crisis. Continued support ensures that initiatives such as Nova Stash grow beyond their current scope, promoting rapid and effective responses to emergencies across Ukraine.
Donate. Impact. Change.
We greatly value your support, and it is indeed crucial. Please consider donating monthly. Your consistent contributions are vital to sustaining our efforts and driving meaningful change over time. Your commitment will make a lasting difference, and we sincerely appreciate your consideration. Donate now or learn how you can help.
