Throughout the war, Ukrainian authorities have continued to report devastating missile strikes by Russia on key healthcare facilities, including a children’s and maternity hospitals. These attacks left buildings in ruins and windows shattered, forcing medical staff to care for patients amidst the debris.
These tragedies highlight one of the many consequences of war – the destruction of buildings and homes where people must continue to live and work. Windows create a particular danger; first when they shatter from an explosion and then when they leave buildings and homes without protection from the elements.
One dedicated non-profit group, Insulate Ukraine, provides temporary, shatterproof windows to impacted homes and buildings like hospitals to help protect those in areas prone to frequent shelling. Greater Good Charities is proud to support this mission.
Volodymyr Anatoliyovich, the head of the surgery department at one of the impacted hospitals, recounted his experience during the attack on his facility:
“During the last enemy attack on our hospital, we were in the operating room. We were mid-surgery when the explosions started. Immediately, I sent all the nurses who could leave to the basement. But we couldn’t stop the surgery; the person was under anesthesia. It had to continue.
Thank God we were able to finish. And thank God the explosions also stopped. The nurses all came back; they were in shock. It was very, very frightening. We were lucky; the surgery was in the farthest operating room from the impact site. It was a room with no windows. Nothing fell or shattered. But in the OR nearby, there were fragments everywhere, dust, and debris. The nurses were all very scared. Some fell to the floor. It was horror.”
Yevhen Pilin, the Medical Director, described the relentless assaults on their hospital:
“Our hospital has been struck by missiles five times. The first attack, during winter, devastated our maternity department, forcing us to relocate patients to other facilities. We worked together to repair the damage, boarding up windows, but the damage was severe.
Another strike destroyed over 250 newly replaced windows. Thankfully, Insulate Ukraine quickly stepped in to assess the damage and began repairs. Their innovative windows, which do not shatter during explosions, offer insulation and allow sunlight in—critical for both patient comfort and safety.
Then, a few days later, Insulate Ukraine was working, another strike hit. We are immensely grateful to the workers who, despite the danger, continued to help us. Our hospital remains resilient, with all staff committed to their work despite the constant threat of air raids. We are determined to rebuild a better university hospital when this war is over.”
lya, a representative from Insulate Ukraine, shared his experience of the ongoing danger:
“We arrived from the frontline city of Nikopol to help with insulation and weatherproofing. On our first day, as we prepared to start work, the shelling began. The first rockets landed about 200 meters away. We took cover in the corridor, and when it seemed safe, we rushed to the shelter. Minutes later, more powerful rockets hit, shaking the building and shattering windows.
The next day, despite the danger, we resumed our work. We are focused on insulating windows to protect the vulnerable, especially in Nikopol, which faces daily shelling. Here in Dnipro, the situation is equally dire, with many windows destroyed in the hospital where sick people are receiving care.”
Ordinary glass windows have become a hazard in war-torn Ukraine, with shattered glass posing significant risks. Greater Good Charities has partnered with Insulate Ukraine to provide and install temporary, shatterproof windows that offer insulation, light, and safety.
Your donations can make a difference in the lives of those affected by this conflict. Help us protect the most vulnerable and support the rebuilding of Ukraine’s healthcare infrastructure.
Greater Good Charities has ultimate authority and discretion with regard to the distribution of its funds. All expenditures made are consistent with the exempt purposes of Greater Good Charities.