Ukrainians living in the UK have been horrified by the invasion of their country. Those who can't help in other ways are buying old helmets, military fatigues and medical supplies to send to the frontlines.
The carpenter who has lived in the UK for seven years told Insider that they bought everything within a 300 mile range from London. He has recently had open heart surgery, so he can't return to fight, but he is helping equip an army in desperate need of support.
Russian troops have been vastly outnumbered by Ukrainian troops since February 24.
While foreign governments are sending military equipment and have introduced economic sanctions, they have ruled out putting troops on the ground.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for Ukrainian citizens to defend their homeland and for many volunteers to join the fight.
There are hundreds of groups working to procure kit, like the one that Yurii's small five person London-based group is in.
The group sent five vans full of military equipment to Ukraine, including helmets, body armor, medical supplies and satellite phones, within the last two days.
They rely on cash donations from the Ukrainian diaspora to purchase equipment from military surplus stores at a 70% discount. Some UK army veterans have given their own helmets and body armor, while store owners have also donated equipment.
The sale of military grade helmets and body armor in the UK is restricted because of strict gun laws.
The owner of one military surplus store, who goes by the nickname of Wozza, estimates that he has had more than 50 Ukrainians come into his shop in the southeast England town of Folkestone since the invasion began. He told Insider that they are looking to either buy equipment to send home or to equip themselves to return to fight.
Wozza said that customers are also buying socks, ballistic glasses, thermals, boots, trousers and combat smocks. He is now offering discounts to Ukrainian buyers.
Normally he would sell a combat smock for 40, but he is selling trousers, a shirt and a smock for 20.
The manager of the Ranger Army Surplus Store told Insider that people are buying what they can rather than what they want.
After selling out of his limited supply of helmets over the weekend, he is now connecting customers with other stores in other parts of the country who have supply.
Both managers said the same thing happened when Russia invaded Georgia in 2008.
The stores will need more kit. There are no plans for Yurii to stop.
Our plan is not to stop until we win. We are sending everything with guys who are going to the war zone, and van drivers, and we are going to collect another van full of kit.
He said that his granddad fought Soviet and Nazi armies and that he did the same.
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