Supporting those who defend
Andriy Dovbenko has provided sustained personal support to Ukraine's Armed Forces since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, and is now extending his philanthropic focus to veterans and defence communities in the United Kingdom.
Supporting those who defend
Andriy Dovbenko has provided sustained personal support to Ukraine's Armed Forces since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, and is now extending his philanthropic focus to veterans and defence communities in the United Kingdom.
Approach to philanthropy
Since February 2022, Andriy has directed significant personal resources towards Ukraine's defence and humanitarian recovery. His support has included funding demining operations in territories formerly under Russian occupation as well as equipping units with vehicles, specialist equipment, and protective gear. Contributions are delivered directly to those carrying out the work.
Andriy's philanthropic interests are closely connected to his work through UK–Ukraine TechExchange: a conviction that technology, properly supported and deployed, protects lives, accelerates recovery, and strengthens long-term resilience. Demining, counter-drone capability, and battlefield innovation sit at the centre of this.
Andriy's philanthropic interests are closely connected to his work through UK–Ukraine TechExchange: a conviction that technology, properly supported and deployed, protects lives, accelerates recovery, and strengthens long-term resilience. Demining, counter-drone capability, and battlefield innovation sit at the centre of this.
Philosophy
Principles of giving
- Where it is needed mostSupport is directed to operational needs on the ground, informed by direct relationships with those carrying out defence and humanitarian work in Ukraine.
- Technology at the heart of recoveryFrom demining to counter-drone systems, Andriy's philanthropic focus reflects his conviction that innovation is central to saving lives and restoring stability.
- From Ukraine to the United KingdomAndriy is now developing philanthropic partnerships in the UK, with a particular focus on veterans and their transition into skilled roles in defence, security, and industry.
Recognition from the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Andriy’s contributions have been formally recognised by multiple units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine across different branches and operational domains. These acknowledgements are issued directly by military command structures and reflect support provided in areas considered critical to operational capability.
These recognitions are particularly meaningful to Andriy, as they come from those on the frontline and reflect the real impact of his giving — helping to protect the lives of those defending Ukraine.
- Air defence and protection of airspace
- Frontline support across ground and marine units
- Specialised operational units
- Sustained contribution to defence efforts
These recognitions are particularly meaningful to Andriy, as they come from those on the frontline and reflect the real impact of his giving — helping to protect the lives of those defending Ukraine.
Recognition from the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Andriy’s contributions have been formally recognised by multiple units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine across different branches and operational domains. These acknowledgements are issued directly by military command structures and reflect support provided in areas considered critical to operational capability.
- Air defence and protection of airspace
- Frontline support across ground and marine units
- Specialised operational units
- Sustained contribution to defence efforts
These recognitions are particularly meaningful to Andriy, as they come from those on the frontline and reflect the real impact of his giving — helping to protect the lives of those defending Ukraine.
Humanitarian demining
Demining has been a consistent focus within Andriy’s philanthropic work, particularly in regions affected by occupation.
Support has included funding clearance operations in areas such as de-occupied towns in Kyiv Oblast, enabling the safe return of civilian life and economic activity.
This work directly contributes to restoring agricultural land, infrastructure, and basic security conditions for local communities.
Support has included funding clearance operations in areas such as de-occupied towns in Kyiv Oblast, enabling the safe return of civilian life and economic activity.
This work directly contributes to restoring agricultural land, infrastructure, and basic security conditions for local communities.
Latest updates
Looking ahead
As his work increasingly expands in the United Kingdom, Andriy is focused on developing partnerships that connect social impact with long-term capability.
This includes work with organisations supporting veterans, skills development, and the integration of innovation into defence and security sectors.
The objective is to translate lessons learned in Ukraine into initiatives that strengthen resilience in a broader international context.
This includes work with organisations supporting veterans, skills development, and the integration of innovation into defence and security sectors.
The objective is to translate lessons learned in Ukraine into initiatives that strengthen resilience in a broader international context.
This includes:
- Adapting technologies for rehabilitation and accessibilityFacilitating the introduction of UK-developed technologies — including assistive and rehabilitation solutions — to support Ukrainian veterans affected by injury, including loss of limbs or vision.
- Transferring frontline insights into veteran reintegrationSharing Ukraine’s experience in transitioning veterans into operational roles within defence and industrial environments, including manufacturing, UAV operations, and technical specialisations.
- Connecting organisations and practitioners across both countriesSupporting collaboration between charities, technology providers, and defence-adjacent institutions to enable practical, scalable solutions.