Sumy: Supporting the Northern Shield
Pillar: Relief & Community Recovery | Mission Volume: 882 Units | Context: Cross-Border Offensive
On July 23, 2025, Bird of Light Ukraine successfully deployed 882 food boxes to the Sumy region.
This delivery arrived during one of the most volatile periods for the northern border. With Russian troops pushing close to the city limits and occupying several border villages, Sumy has effectively become the "Northern Shield" of Ukraine. The 882 families who received this aid are living in a zone of constant friction, where air raid sirens are ceaseless and logistics are frequently severed by drone attacks.
Life in the Grey Zone By July 2025, the security situation in Sumy had deteriorated sharply. The region faces daily cross-border shelling and the expansion of "grey zones"—areas where control is contested and infrastructure has collapsed.
For the civilians remaining here—many of whom are elderly or unable to evacuate—access to basic necessities is a daily gamble. Local markets in border communities have shuttered, and the supply lines that do exist are dangerous to traverse.
A Lifeline, Not Just Lunch In this environment, a 13.2kg food box is a strategic asset.
Volume: We delivered 11.6 metric tons of aid in a single convoy.
Stability: Each box contains the caloric baseline (grains, sugar, canned proteins) to sustain a family when the stores are closed or too dangerous to reach.
Morale: We included coffee, tea, and biscuits because psychological endurance is just as important as physical survival. In a city under constant alert, these small comforts matter.
Operating in Sumy requires courage. We extend our deepest thanks to VPO Ukraine for their tireless logistical work in getting these boxes to the communities that need them most. This mission was fully funded by The World Orphan Fund and Diamondback Energy, whose support allowed us to stand with the defenders and families of the north.
