Vasyl Yavorsky, a Ukrainian miner, gave his own earnings to striking Welsh miners in 1984, never imagining that assistance would come full circle.
To return the favor, a crew of Welsh miners has since drove from South Wales to Kiev while laden down with supplies and medication.
Two years after Russian soldiers invaded, the convoy is providing much-needed relief to miners fighting on the front lines.
“They did not forget about us, just like we didn’t in 1984,” stated Vasyl.
The former Soviet Union and other countries provided much-needed support to communities in Wales that were impacted by the miners’ strike in the 1980s.
“We are mining brothers – I remember the donation box we had, everyone donated as much as they could, and sent it to those miners” , stated Vasyl.
“Now 40 years later we are in need, seeking help, and our English and Welsh friends responded, and are helping our soldiers on the frontlines.”
