Kyivstar and the “Come Back Alive” Foundation exceeded the goal and raised UAH 106,646,045 for the joint demining fundraiser We Live Here 2.0. The funds raised under the project will provide Ukrainian-manufactured robotic platforms, transportation and communications to the deminers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Support Force. The initiative was implemented with the informational support of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine.

Kyivstar additionally donated and transferred UAH 20 million to the fundraiser. This will facilitate the delivery of all the necessary equipment within the project to the military. Kyivstar`s assistance within the initiative amounts to UAH 50 million total. Kyivstar fulfilled its commitment as these funds are the second part of the UAH 100 million assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced after the cyberattack in late 2023.

“This project is an example of how the business, the citizens, and the state unite and ensure the result. Together, we are not just raising funds, we are providing specific systemic assistance to the army by providing deminers with modern solutions. I am grateful to everyone who donated, your support makes Ukraine stronger and safer,” commented Oleksandr Komarov, Kyivstar CEO. 

The project was launched in August 2024 and in six months accumulated more than UAH 106 million thanks to donations from concerned Ukrainians, subscribers, and employees of the operator, business, and cultural representatives. In particular, almost UAH 35 million was raised by the company's subscribers via activating the charity Superpower “Help the Armed Forces of Ukraine” or SMS subscription. Another UAH 22.1 million was raised by caring Ukrainians and socially responsible businesses that joined the fundraiser.

“Today, Ukraine is the most potentially mined country in the world: 20% of our territory must be surveyed. The government, private operators and philanthropists are actively engaged in de-mining to allow people to return to the de-occupied and border regions, businesses to resume operations, and farmers to sow their fields. While two years ago there was not a single demining vehicle in Ukraine, today there are more than 200 of those, and this number is increasing. As a result, the area that was cleared of explosive ordnance is expanding. I am sincerely grateful to our partners for their initiatives that make our land safer. I am especially grateful that the funds raised will be used to purchase Ukrainian-manufactured equipment, which will additionally support our economy,” noted Yulia Svyrydenko, First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine.

The initiative will assist in saving the lives of deminers, because not only people will be engaged in demining the territories, but also Ukrainian-manufactured equipment, in particular by ground robotic complexes, as well as “Vampire” drones, which will ensure remote demining by detonation.

“This project is about consistency, efficiency and saving the lives of our deminers. “We Live Here 2.0 is a joint initiative of Kyivstar and the Come Back Alive Foundation to provide a comprehensive ecosystem of remote demining equipment. Thanks to the accumulated funds, the deminers of four newly created companies of engineering unmanned systems of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Support will receive Ukrainian-manufactured “Termit” and “Tarhan” ground robotic systems, transport, communications, power, air support for situational awareness and remote demining by detonation, as well as maintenance workshops. The success of the project is a contribution not only to saving the lives of our military but also of civilians living in the de-occupied territories or near the front line,” emphasized Taras Chmut, director of the Come Back Alive Foundation.

Among the businesses that joined to support We Live Here 2.0 are: “Intellias” IT company, Ukreximbank, Visa, SOVA, Genuisee, Ukraїner, and others. Bubibo, the first Ukrainian super app for dog and cat owners, has also joined the initiative.