Dutch support to Ukraine: De Leeuw Kyiv
Since the first days of the full-scale invasion, the foundation has been organizing the delivery of aid from all corners of the Netherlands helping people in Ukraine survive the russian invasion.
Material prepared based on the original article of NH news (in Dutch) Arno helpt Oekraïne al sinds dag één met levensreddende steun aan het front . Published on 24 februari 2025, Author: Lisa Dekker
Arno has been helping Ukraine with life-saving support at the front since day one
February 24, 2025 marks three years since Russia invaded Ukraine. For Arno from North Holland, this marked the beginning of an uninterrupted mission. From his foundation De Leeuw Kyiv, he has been arranging aid shipments from all over the Netherlands since the beginning. Now he is sending used fishing nets to the front to protect Ukrainian soldiers from Russian kamikaze drones.
For Arno Klijbroek from Tuitjenhorn, February 24, 2022 is a day to never forget. Russia invaded Ukraine from several directions at the same time. At that time, he has been living in Kyiv for almost 25 years, running his business including trade of tulip bulbs. "It was five o'clock in the morning when we heard heavy explosions. The rockets exploded just a few kilometers away from us. Then it was clear that the war had started," Arno looks back on that day.
"We immediately packed our things and barely an hour later we were in the car. And there was only one direction for us: to the Netherlands." Arno and his wife drive in thirty hours from Ukraine to Tuitjenhorn in North Holland, his second home.
From fire trucks to fishing nets
When the war broke out, he had to take his family to the Netherlands. But sitting still was not an option for him. "We immediately decided that we had to do something." From Dirkshorn, he therefore started collecting all kinds of humanitarian products and materials. He has already sent with foundation hundreds of trucks, off-road vehicles and generators to Ukrainian regions affected by war and Ukrainian defenders. He does this together with a number of Dutch entrepreneurs in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the focus is on something new: used fishing nets from the Dutch and Danish fishing fleet. "A lot of kamikaze drones are used in the war. These are drones with an explosives that target personnel and vehicles. In the frontline areas there are a few ways to protect yourself against those drones. One of them is very simple by hanging nets above the trenches. That way the drones get stuck in the nets securing everything under."
The fishing nets are strong and rough, according to feedbacks Arno receives from Ukrainian defenders they are an effective protection against the attack of Russian kamikaze drones. In the meantime, he and his foundation have sent almost 100 trucks full of nets to the front. "These nets have already saved hundreds of lives in Ukraine", he says. He himself now commutes back and forth between North Holland and Ukraine to arrange everything.
“We cover cost for delivery of nets from the donations we receive with the foundation. More help is urgently needed at the front, but our resources are not endless. The transport of one truck with fishing nets costs around 2500 euro. We are also asking for support from the Government. Although they admit that our project is very important, there are limited possibilities to support it," says Arno.
Three years of war, three years of aid
Three years after the outbreak of the war, Arno sees on the streets of Kyiv that Ukrainians do not know what will happen next. People are living between hope and fear." After all, developments worldwide are moving at breakneck speed. There has been fighting on the front line every day for three years. Arno hears from many Ukrainian soldiers, where he delivers the fishing nets, what it's like at the front. "It's hell on earth there," he says. That's why he is still doing what he can by raising money and collecting aid supplies. And as long as the war is not over, Arno will continue to do so with his foundation.
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