Kyiv received 230 industrial generators on 26 January from "Warmth from Poland for Kyiv," a Polish grassroots initiative that has raised nearly 8 million zlotys ($2.2mn USD) in just ten days - far exceeding organizers' initial one million zloty goal.
The delivery marks a concrete payoff from the campaign launched on 16 January, when Polish donors hit the first fundraising target within hours. The initiative has since grown eightfold, with organizers now aiming for 10 million zlotys and expanding beyond generators to mobile power substations and assistance to Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts.
What Kyiv receives
Of the 230 generators handed over at Kyiv City State Administration, 130 go directly to Kyiv's Department of Industry and Enterprise Development for distribution to critical infrastructure.
The remaining 100 go to Polish volunteer organizations operating in Ukraine, who will deliver them to frontline military units and affected civilians across the country.
The equipment - Polish-manufactured Fogo generators - ranges from 12 kW units to industrial 600 kW machines capable of powering a hospital, school, or entire apartment building. Organizers will monitor how each generator is used to ensure transparency.
Campaign exceeds all expectations
The Stand With Ukraine Foundation, led by Ukrainian diaspora leader Natalka Panchenko, organized the fundraiser on the pomagam.pl platform alongside Open Dialogue Foundation, Sestry.eu, and Action Democracy Foundation.
"This campaign is not just about generators. It's about trust, responsibility, and real solidarity between Ukrainians and Poles," Panchenko said at the handover ceremony. "We are infinitely grateful to everyone who contributed - more than 55,000 people, primarily Poles, as well as Ukrainians in Poland who actively supported this initiative."
She added that the campaign is already inspiring similar efforts in the Czech Republic, Italy, and other countries.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko personally met with the volunteers and thanked them.
Energy crisis in Kyiv
The generators arrive as Kyiv continues recovering from waves of Russian strikes on energy infrastructure since 9 January that have left thousands of apartment buildings without heat and electricity. The city remains on emergency blackout schedules.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told parliament that every Ukrainian power plant has been damaged by Russian strikes, with 612 targeted attacks on energy infrastructure in 2025 alone.
The Polish grassroots delivery supplements government-to-government aid - Poland separately sent 400 generators from state reserves to Kyiv earlier this month.
