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'Without electricity, they’ll be colder than normal': Cleveland nonprofit seeks donations for Ukraine before winter

As Russian missiles knocked power out to even more Ukrainians on Tuesday, one local group is asking for help as the war-torn country prepares for winter.

CLEVELAND — As Russian missiles struck Ukraine Tuesday, knocking out power to even more people, efforts continue in Northeast Ohio to send help.

"Some cities have over 90% power outages, they're being told accumulate some water and charge your phones is what people know to do right now," said Nataliya Dudzianyi.

Dudzianyi with the Cleveland Maidan Association is one of the many members working to provide humanitarian aid to Ukrainians as the war wages on.

"Even if a ceasefire happens today, there's still going to be so much work to do. There's still so many devastated hospitals, buildings, children," Dudzianyi said.

The group said medical supplies have been in high demand. They recently sent a shipment of antibiotics and other supplies to treat burn victims hurt from the various bombings.

Dr. Taras Mahlay's cousins are physicians in Kyiv working to help in hospitals as the city is bombarded.

"They just moved everybody into the halls, waited until the bomb strike is done and they move them back into the rooms if the windows are still intact," Mahlay said.

As the country braces for winter, Maidan is focusing efforts to bring in donations to help keep people warm.

"Without electricity they'll be colder than normal so we're looking for coats for kids, shoes, boots, gloves," Mahlay said. 

They are also raising monetary donations to help purchase generators. Dudzianyi said those interested in contributing are able to earmark donations for to help in a specific way. She also thanked the community for the outpouring of support so far.

The group is hopeful Northeast Ohio will continue to step up as they have before while Ukraine fights to reclaim its war-torn home.

"I think the world has seen what Ukraine, the population, the people there are doing," Mahlay said.

If you're interested in donating you can visit Maidan's website.

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