Russian kamikaze drone destroys volunteer hub’s workshop in Zaporizhzhia

For the second day already, the locals help volunteers clear the rubble at the impact site, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"In the first days of the war, we set up in Zaporizhzhia a volunteer center we named ‘Palianytsia’, and therefore, I think, they avenge us being the center of resistance," says one of the founders, Hennadiy Vovchenko.

In his post on Facebook page, he said the incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, March 8 – something he realized would happen sooner or later.

The Shahed drone directly hit my workshop and almost completely destroyed my business. First, I report that my team and I are safe and sound. Second, we will not give up and will work to bring our victory closer. We are full of enthusiasm and positive energy. Third, you are all incredible!", wrote the co-founder.

He admitted he had not expected so many people to lend a helping hand.

"I cried last night, seeing how many people responded and helped us with money. I’m very grateful to everyone. I’d like to thank each one of you,” he wrote, adding that Ukrainians tend to rally once trouble hits.

Among those who have been working in the volunteer workshop since the first days of the full-scale invasion is Valentyna Tyshkevych of Zaporizhzhia. She was part of the team weaving camouflage nets and making trench candles. The woman says she was shocked when she heard about the UAV strike.

Now, along with others, she is helping rebuild their center of resistance.

“We worked and are working for victory,” she said.

For two days in a row, the rubble is being cleared in the destroyed workshop, construction debris is being removed, and metal structures that became unsafe as a result of the strike are being pulled from the site. In the coming days, wiring and glazing will be restored so the workshop will be effectively restored. A fundraiser has been launched to help the team restore their volunteer endeavor.

As reported earlier, at the outset of the full-scale invasion, the volunteer center was dubbed a “defense enterprise” that produced anti-tank fortifications, stoves, bulletproof vests, and much more.