On July 8, 2024, Kyiv was targeted in a Russian missile strike that destroyed the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital and severely damaged infrastructure, commercial and residential buildings including an apartment complex housing dozens of Ukrainian police officers and their families. Reuters reports at least 41 Ukrainians were killed in this attack which is assessed as one of the most deadliest air strikes in several months.
Many of the residents of the apartment building pictured are well known to Canadian police officers who participated in training missions in Ukraine since 2015, notably via the Canadian Police Mission in Ukraine (CPMU) and the Canada-Ukraine Police Development Project (CUPDP). The Ukrainian police families affected in this attack include pregnant spouses and many children. They have lost their homes; they have lost everything.
Friends of Ukrainian Law Enforcement (FULE) is an organization created by Canadian police following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022. It’s founders include RCMP Veterans Joe McAllister and Tracy Hardy. FULE was established to provide financial assistance and humanitarian aid for those Ukrainians who worked and supported Canadian Police Reform Projects in Ukraine since 2015. This fund aspires to save lives and ease suffering while promoting human rights and dignity for those affected by this crisis.
This grassroots initiative is led by Canadians who joined Canadian police training efforts in Ukraine over the last six years. These funds are reserved for members of the Ukrainian Law Enforcement Community and Civil Society who have partnered or worked alongside Canadian police reform projects and require humanitarian assistance. Support focuses on directly helping people in an emergency and seek to save lives and alleviate suffering.
FULE has established a GoFundMe account as one initiative to raise funds. To date, over $160,000 has been raised by FULE via this GoFundMe initiative.
While this fund is supportive of Ukrainian Law Enforcement and the Democratic institutions of Ukraine, efforts are undertaken to ensure any funds or aid will remain neutral, and not be provided in support of the conflict (i.e., lethal or non-lethal tactical equipment). Every effort is made to adhere to the Principles of “Do No Harm” while being mindful of unintended consequences.
Given the devastation of the July 8 attack and its direct impact upon the Ukrainian police and their families that this fund was created to support, FULE has asked to share this communique with the RCMP Veteran community to solicit support.
Those wishing to donate are encouraged to do so via the GoFundMe account; https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-ukr-friends-of-can-police-reform-projects.
Anyone wishing to know more about Friends of Ukrainian Law Enforcement are welcome to connect with Joe McAllister at joemcallister60@yahoo.com
Friends of Ukrainian Law Enforcement (FULE) Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/486929639742182
FULE / Canada Stands With Ukraine GoFundMe Page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-ukr-friends-of-can-police-reform-projects
