The Kyiv region emerged as a crucial battleground during February and March 2022, defending Ukraine’s capital from Russian advances.
Hostomel was the first to engage in combat with Russian forces, Irpin halted their advance, Bucha became a tragic symbol of civilian casualties, while Makariv, Demydiv, Moschun, and Borodianka are still rebuilding their devastated infrastructure.
By March 28, 2022, after the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) had fully liberated Kyiv region, the immediate need shifted to the rebuilding of destroyed homes in the area.
In the towns and villages of Kyiv region, Russian forces left behind hundreds of ravaged homes, schools, kindergartens, and hospitals. Thousands of people were left homeless, without access to basic social services. It quickly became clear that the recovery of the region would require a comprehensive approach and a significant amount of time.
In response, Rostyslav Smirnov, an advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs, together with political analyst Viktor Andrusiv, founded Dobrobat – a nonprofit volunteer organization focused on helping local communities. The initiative swiftly grew into the largest volunteer movement in Ukraine’s history.
As Rostyslav Smirnov explains, Dobrobat is essentially a volunteer construction battalion aimed at rebuilding homes and infrastructure in war-affected regions. The organization unites both skilled professionals and untrained volunteers to help restore communities. Dobrobat’s core mission is to return people to their homes and support the stabilization of life in the hardest-hit areas.
The Kyiv region was among the first places where Dobrobat launched its efforts. Volunteers initially focused on clearing debris from devastated areas, but soon they moved on to rebuilding. Over the past two and a half years, they have restored hundreds of homes damaged or destroyed by indiscriminate Russian shelling.
The first agreement Dobrobat signed was with the city of Irpin, which played a heroic role in defending Kyiv by stopping the Russian forces.
In two extensive editorial series by Milwaukee Independent from 2022 and 2023, the news service highlighted the pivotal role of Irpin in defending Kyiv during the early days of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
As the only journalism team from Wisconsin to cover the war from Irpin and across Ukraine, the publication’s coverage emphasized the local resilience, as well as the critical rebuilding efforts underway – including the work of volunteer organizations like Dobrobat.
With over 70% of Irpin’s infrastructure destroyed, the photojournalism by Milwaukee Independent documented the ongoing reconstruction of homes, schools, and essential services, highlighting the determination of local volunteers and international support in restoring normality to the war-torn region.
Since 2022, Dobrobat volunteers have restored more than 200 buildings, including over 100 in Irpin alone, through reconstruction and complete rebuilding efforts. Under Smirnov’s initiative, Dobrobat concentrated on repairing roofs and windows.
For many area residents, the effort was more than just returning to their homes — it was a victory over the devastation of war. The team has also worked on schools, hospitals, administrative buildings, and the most heavily damaged private and multi-story homes in Kyiv and the region.
In addition to reconstruction, Dobrobat provides modular homes as a quick solution for those left without shelter. One notable example in Kyiv region is the construction of a modular house for Olga, a displaced woman from Kherson. She fled the occupied territory with her adopted children and found refuge in the village of Yasnohorodka, where Dobrobat volunteers built her a new modular home.
Dobrobat is also focused on restoring social infrastructure. In Kyiv region, they have rebuilt several schools, medical facilities, and other key institutions. One such project is the reconstruction of a school in Makariv, severely damaged during the fighting. For hundreds of students, it was the return of a childhood stolen by war.
Since the inception of Dobrobat, more than 10,000 people have responded to Smirnov’s call to volunteer. Today, over 50,000 Ukrainians across all regions have applied to join Dobrobat. Among them are locals, displaced people, and even foreigners who come to Ukraine to help rebuild.
These volunteers are of various ages and professions: doctors, teachers, lawyers, engineers, shopkeepers, and pharmacists. Many are also professional builders eager to share their expertise.
One of the most touching stories to surface from the work is of a father and daughter from Kharkiv who work daily on rebuilding homes in Kyiv region. For them, it is not just volunteering but a way to help and bring Victory closer.
“Since Dobrobat’s founding, we’ve accomplished a great deal. But the enemy continues its senseless attacks, causing new destruction, and many families still need help. The scale of the devastation forces us to seek new resources — both human and material — and to expand our partnerships. One of our top priorities remains attracting international aid and fundraising to support new projects and continue reconstruction across all fronts,” said Rostyslav Smirnov.
In addition to Dobrobat, Smirnov has launched several other national volunteer projects aimed at Victory and rebuilding Ukraine. On February 24, 2022, the first day of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Smirnov initiated the “Shelter” project, a portal to help Ukrainians find temporary housing in safer parts of Ukraine and abroad. Through “Shelter,” more than 1 million Ukrainians have found temporary homes.
Smirnov also serves as the executive director of the Lazar Foundation, which has raised over 50 million UAH in charitable donations and organized the purchase of hundreds of generators, thermal imaging cameras, drones, sights, and other equipment for the military. The foundation has donated more than 1,000 vehicles to the army, over 3,000 mobile phones, and has provided prosthetics to dozens of soldiers.
In 2022, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded Rostyslav Smirnov the Order of Merit, Third Class, and the Irpin City Council honored him with a medal for his service to the city.
© Photo
Dobrobat (Добробат) and Review News (via Shutterstock)
