Senior EU official visits Kyiv to express support amidst Russia’s attacks
On 9 September, Maciej Popowski, Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid, visited Kyiv. He was joined by Katarina Mathernova, the EU Ambassador to Ukraine.
Popowski and Mathernova visited Zhylianska Street, one of the areas badly damaged in the 28 August Russian airstrike. They surveyed the residential buildings alongside Kyiv’s Deputy Mayor, Petro Panteleiev. Popowski also met families hit by the latest Russian strikes, and together with Mathernova visited a specialised medical evacuation train that has been operating since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. It transports wounded people from frontline regions to safer hospitals.
Those evacuations are supported by the Medevac Ukraine programme, organised by the European Union, together with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. To date, over 4,600 patients have been transferred to hospitals across 22 European countries.
Maciej Popowski said: “It is a great honour for me to see the commendable work of health services in Ukraine and to support them in their efforts. They save lives every single day – even under the threat to their own lives.” He emphasised: “We will continue this crucial mission for as long as Ukrainians need our support.”
Katarina Mathernova added: “The work of our colleagues from the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid has been vital since Russia’s first aggression in 2014 – and has only become more crucial since the start of the full-scale invasion. From repairing damage after missile strikes and transporting all needed energy equipment to building shelters and supporting internally displaced people, they remain on the ground with Ukrainians, no matter what.”
The Medevac Ukraine programme functions through the EU Civil protection Mechanism. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism aims to strengthen cooperation between EU countries and 10 participating states on civil protection to improve prevention, preparedness, and response to disasters.
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