COOPER CITY, Fla. – We first met Vasyl Zaverukah just over a month ago the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Saint Nicholas in Cooper City.
It was just days before he put on his military gear to go join the war against Russia in his native Ukraine.
Local 10 News spoke to his son, who said his father is still in the fight.
“I’m definitely scared, but also proud,” said Kirill Zaverukah.
26-year-old Kirill took a photo with his father before leaving South Florida.
He spoke from the Polish border with Ukraine where he has been helping deliver tactical gear to the troops and got to speak on the phone with his dad.
“The conversation kind of ended with him saying it’s them against us,” said Kirill Zaverukah.
Earlier this week, President Joe Biden approved $800 million in new military assistance to Ukraine, including artillery and helicopters, to bolster its defenses against an intensified Russian offensive.
Kirill says it gives him hope.
“My hopes are high but again hopes and spirits doesn’t win the war,” said Kirill Zaverukah.
Viktor Nebesnyuk’s older brother Yuyri is also on the frontlines.
“I talked to him today. He’s good,” Nebesnyuk said of his brother. “He doesn’t tell me much. He doesn’t want me to worry.”
Nebesnyuk said his brother is asking for bullet proof vests. He spent the night in Fort Lauderdale raising money to buy and send as many as he can.
“If Ukraine falls, Russia will eventually get to Poland, and next and next,” he said. “Russia will never stop.”
For more information on Nebesnyuk’s efforts to raise money for vests, click here.
[ALSO SEE: Here is how South Floridians can help Ukrainians]