Ukrainians on hunger strike stop protest to help their country in other ways

The two Ukrainians who were on a hunger strike in Barcelona have now both decided to end their protest and start eating again on Friday. Ostap Petroschak and Mykola have been camping out at Plaça de Catalunya square in the city center for almost a week but said the hunger strike "made no sense" anymore.

While Mykola stopped his hunger strike on Wednesday as he fell ill, Ostap continued until Friday.

Their plan is to find other ways to help Ukraine, such as by collecting humanitarian aid or by helping to organize a big demonstration scheduled for Sunday at 12 pm at Plaça de Catalunya in Barcelona.

"We are keen to continue our movement and help in any way we can," both said to the Catalan News Agency (ACN)-

Despite putting an end to their hunger strike, both will continue to camp out at Plaça de Catalunya. They urge authorities to "freeze Russian oligarchs’ fortunes in Catalonia and Spain,” and call for “greater humanitarian support in Ukraine."

Humanitarian aid from Catalonia to Ukraine

Catalonia's Ukrainian community has set up a number of points in Barcelona and beyond where donations of humanitarian aid can be made. 

Several truckloads of supplies have already been dispatched, with the Ukrainian consulate in Barcelona coordinating the logistics of transporting the goods gathered by various groups. 

The site where all the collected material ends up going is 9, La Rambla, in Barcelona, in a Greek-Catholic church. Vans and trucks are going to Ukraine from there. 

Aid organizations are particularly seeking donations of defense material, first aid equipment, medicines, long-lasting food and warm clothes, as well as boxes to carry them and trucks and drivers to transport them.

Listen to our podcast on the impact of the Ukraine war in Catalonia with voices from those protesting on a daily basis to defend their country.