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.

Author Nova Ukraine Chief Executive Officer Give Warmth. Give Light. Give Hope. In the early hours of October 3, 2025, skies over Kharkiv and Poltava glowed orange as 381 drones and 35 missiles struck Ukraine’s gas and energy infrastructure. It was the largest attack on natural gas facilities since the full-scale invasion began. For the fourth winter in a row, Russia is trying to turn cold and darkness into weapons of war.

Among the foremost duties of Nova Ukraine is the funding and provision of critical emergency equipment in Ukraine, whether for general medical support, civilian rescue operations, or other humanitarian initiatives. A recent demonstration of this priority included our delivery of protective helmets for first responders who work arduously in hazardous conditions in the Donetsk, Sumy, and Kirovohrad regions. Gear such as helmets is especially vital for these rescuers as they face the threat of enemy shelling and rocket attacks prevalent in their areas of duty while carrying out critical duties—extinguishing fires, retrieving survivors from rubble, and evacuating civilians from hostile areas, among many other responsibilities. The recipients of these helmets were first responders from the State Emergency Service (SES), who play a critical role in clearing debris following russian strikes, rescuing survivors, and coordinating emergency operations. Providing them with essential protective gear ensures their safety and enables them to continue their lifesaving work for Ukraine’s most vulnerable communities. In addition to protective gear, Nova Ukraine is dedicated to supplying medical kits, trauma supplies, and other emergency resources to rescue workers and doctors alike. Through projects such as Ukraine Without Pain managed in collaboration with the Ukrainian Ministry of Health, for instance, we continue to establish strong, reliable medical networks across Ukraine capable of operating under extraordinary circumstances. In 2024 alone, we have consistently supported over 36 first responder units—both directly and through partners—while also facilitating the procurement and delivery of:

In Ukraine’s high-risk regions, daily air raids and relentless shelling put lives in constant danger. Nova Ukraine’s Safe Spaces initiative will build bomb shelters along Ukraine’s most affected border regions, including Kharkiv, Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk, offering protection for children, women, and men from the harsh reality of ongoing attacks.Your Contribution Will Make a Difference on the Ground: Every dollar you contribute builds hope and provides a life-saving refuge for Ukrainians in the line of fire. Together, let’s create safe spaces! 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.

The heaviest russian offensive since the beginning of the invasion in February 2022 (now overtaken by russia’s appalling attack on Poltava on September 3rd, with 41 killed at the time of writing), hundreds of ballistic missiles struck dozens of cities throughout Ukraine as families celebrated Independence Day. Among the cities impacted by this extreme attack include Kryviy Rih and Kharkiv. russia destroyed an apparent “military target”—a peaceful civilian hotel in the center of Kryvyi Rih—in which four people were killed and five more were critically wounded. On top of these casualties, six shops and four multistory buildings were damaged. As of recently, the primary strategy employed by russian forces include shelling hotels—where foreign journalists and representatives of peace missions and NGOs reside—to intimidate the civilian population and diminish the persistence of those brave enough to share the truth of the war’s atrocities to the wider world. Only recently, russia shelled a hotel in Kramatorsk, killing a foreign journalist while seriously injuring several others. Facilitated through the emergency-response project, Nova Stash, Nova Ukraine coordinated an effective and impactful response following the attacks in Kryviy Rih and Kharkiv on August 25th. By nine in the morning, five hours following the attack, 62 houses along with 228 individuals required aid and assistance. In addition, twelve households were completely destroyed, along with damage to critical civil infrastructure. After this disastrous rocket attack on Kharkiv, Nova Stash partners by the name “Unbreakable Kharkiv” provided prompt aid to help those affected by the bombardments. The Nova Stash project has proved to be a critical provider of aid and humanitarian assistance during the recent attacks. The first teams utilizing Nova Stash supplies began their operations in June of 2024. The project, however, has been primarily active for 2 ½ months due to the time required to prepare appropriate supplies for emergency aid.