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Estimates by Ukrainian authorities say that one single ambulance can save up to 70 lives per month.
Twelve ambulances were lined up in Helsinki, Finland, on Wednesday as part of a charity initiative led by the Lions organization, preparing to send vital medical support to Ukraine, Finnish broadcaster Yle reported.
The vehicles are destined for regions heavily affected by Russia’s ongoing invasion, where demand for emergency transport remains acute.
“It’s an incredible feeling when you know what they do in Ukraine, what they are used for, and how much they are needed,” project manager Jari Järvela told Yle.
The ambulances, previously retired from Finnish rescue services, have been repaired prior to deployment. Once in Ukraine, they will undergo further maintenance, with local teams known for restoring even heavily worn vehicles.
Expanding effort
The Lions initiative began in 2024 and has since grown into one of Finland’s largest international humanitarian projects.
Around 500 clubs nationwide have contributed, raising approximately €500,000.
Previous deliveries have already brought 16 ambulances to Ukraine, with the current convoy adding to that total.
The effort has been carried out in cooperation with Pro Patria Suomi-Ukraina ry and the Dobrobut Foundation, highlighting continued cross-border support for Ukraine’s healthcare system.
According to Ukrainian estimates, a single ambulance can save between 35 and 70 lives each month.
However, Järvela noted that ambulances have increasingly become targets in the conflict, making their use especially dangerous.
Frontline challenges
Deliveries will take place in March, with Lions representatives driving the ambulances through the Baltic states and Poland to Kyiv.
From there, they will be handed directly to medical operators.
The vehicles will primarily serve areas such as Zaporizhia, Kherson, Pavlohrad, and Kharkiv, where access to emergency care is critical.
Sources: Yle
