The state-owned company Forests of Ukraine has transferred UAH 1.1bn more to the state budget for the first 8 months of 2023 than for the same period last year (up 35%). From the profit the company finances programs of assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to the report, another batch of equipment was handed over to the Armed Forces this week: five new L200 pickup trucks and four Ford trucks worth more than 24 million UAH, the company’s press service said.
“Since the beginning of the war, we have provided the AFU with more than 800 units of equipment, the total amount of assistance is more than 1.2 billion UAH. Additionally for tens of millions of hryvnias of aid for different units of the AFU collected by our employees. These are drones, thermal imagers, ammunition, generators, food. 43rd brigade, which has already become almost sponsored by us, this summer we have already transferred equipment worth more than 25 million hryvnias, and we will transfer it again”, – the press service quoted the head of the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine” Yuriy Bolokhovets at a meeting with the military in Kyiv Prigorodny forestry.
Since its establishment in December 2022, the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine” has not purchased a single vehicle for the administrative staff. Only special equipment for firefighting and forest protection has been purchased. Almost two-thirds of the purchase amount was spent on vehicles then transferred to the military.
“With the profit that remains after taxes, we try to buy what the military needs,” Bolokhovets noted.
He added that the state forestries suffered a lot during the occupation. It is necessary to rebuild forestry premises, but the priority for the company is investment in the development of production and assistance to the AFU.
“Our brigade was established at the beginning of the year and is holding the front in the Kharkiv direction, where it is very hot today. There is a shortage of equipment, and the help of the State Enterprise “Lesov Ukrainy” is very important. We especially appreciate that it is new equipment – it means that it will serve longer and will not need repairs. There is no time for it in the war”, – said the deputy commander of the 43 brigade Andriy Petrov.
The head of the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine” also said that the company has started the implementation of a program to support veteran foresters. Participants of those who have returned from the frontline of military operations receive a 20% salary supplement and an annual bonus.
