Walworth County duo delivers equipment to Ukrainian troops
A group of Ukrainian soldiers recently received some much-needed equipment thanks to the assistance of two Walworth County residents.
Jeffrey Leonard of Lake Geneva and Donald Root of Geneva Township, along with former Ukrainian soldier Maksym Stukalo, traveled to Ukraine last month to deliver drone detectors to troops serving on the front lines of Zaporizhzia.
The duo shared their experiences during a “Support Ukraine” event May 20 at Simple Cafe, 525 Broad St. in Lake Geneva.
Leonard, co-owner of Delaney Street Mercantile in Lake Geneva, said the purpose of the trip was to assist the Ukrainian soldiers in their conflict with Russia, which began in February 2022.
He said the Ukrainian soldiers appreciated the donation.
“You will find that you will meet nothing but warmth and smiles and gratitude for your coming,” Leonard said. “They’re so happy that you are there.”
Jeffrey Leonard of Lake Geneva has traveled to Ukraine several times during the past three years to help deliver supplies to Ukrainian soldiers. He recently traveled with fellow Walworth County resident Donald Root to help deliver supplies.
Root, president of the Friends of White River Park, said one soldier told him that his daughter is taking boxing lessons to learn how to defend herself.
“It’s a scary situation and he wants his daughter to fight just like they all are,” Root said. “Not only are the soldiers themselves at risk, but all the women and children while they are walking down the street.”
Stukalo appeared by video during the event to share why the donation was important.
“What they’re doing is extraordinary,” Stukalo said. “They are helping to deliver what matters most in today’s battlefield, technology. Throughout this war, technology has really changed the course of fighting.”
Stukalo said he appreciates the support Ukraine has received from the United States and other countries.
“For us, it’s important to know we are not alone. It is important to know that people remember us,” Stukalo said. “Thousands of miles from Ukraine, there are people over there who are giving their time and their support to our country.”
Past visits
Leonard has delivered supplies to Ukraine five times during the past three years. He became interested in helping while living in Turkey in 2022.
During the beginning of the conflict, Leonard purchased a cargo delivery van in Germany, which he now stores at a friend’s home in Dresden. About once a year, Leonard travels to Ukraine with Stukalo to deliver equipment to the troops.
In addition to drone detectors, Leonard has helped deliver generators, tires and other non-military supplies.
“The list of his support has become very long,” Stukalo said.
Walworth County resident Jeffrey Leonard has traveled to Ukraine to help donate supplies and equipment to troops serving on the front lines. Front row from left, are Maksym Stukalo and Leonard. Back row, from left, are soldier Andrii Volodymyrovych Shcherbyna, Sgt. Vitalii Mykolaiovych Koval, Col. Oleh Olehovych Tsybulko and Lt. Anton Ihorovych Ulianov.
Leonard said he is impressed with how resilient the Ukrainians have become.
“I’ve had the pleasure of going to many cities in Ukraine during this entire war,” Leonard said. “Those cities have been vibrant and alive. They’re living their lives fully in the defiance of Vladimir Putin.”
Stukalo said Leonard has become well respected among the Ukrainian people. He said his son calls Leonard his “American grandfather.”
“He’s become not just a friend but a member of our family,” Stukalo said. “When I first saw Jeffrey, I felt in front of me was a man of peace and a kind man.”
First trip
The May trip was the first time Root traveled to Ukraine with Leonard.
“He twisted my arm. I finally said ‘yes,’ and thank God I did,” Root said. “There’s other people on the other side of the ocean who aren’t doing so well, and they need our help.”
Root also is impressed with the Ukrainian people’s willingness to fight.
“It seems like they’re getting the upper hand,” Root said. “They’re hungry. They’ve gotten a taste of freedom, and they would like to have that taste again.”
Stukalo said his family named Root “uncle Don.”
“His sense of humor, simplicity and sincerity means a lot to us,” Stukalo said.
He said it is important that Ukraine continues to receive support from people like Leonard and Root.
“Ukraine, today, is just not fighting for use of its own land. We’re not only fighting for our freedom and not only for our right to live a democratic life,” Stukalo said. “But Ukraine, today, fights for democracy around the world.”
Related
AI has been in the news a lot recently, that’s because it is now at the forefront of things like copyright law and becoming eerily humanlike w…
