Update from NovaRent in Ukraine

Aleksandr Shapovalov, the CEO of NovaRent, the largest rental company in the Ukraine, has provided the following update on its activities as the war with Russia continues.

“Our company continues its activities. Some employees are combining work with volunteering and activities in territorial defense.

NovaRent is the largest general equipment rental business in Ukraine. (Photo: NovaRent.)

“Over the past few weeks, we have been carrying out the removal of equipment from the Kherson region - from the part located in the combat zone. Everything went well, though it was not exactly calm.

“The entire territory of the country is still under rocket fire, but for the population it has become commonplace. Everyone has a feeling of surrealism of the observed events. But no matter what, we firmly believe that we will win.

“Now there is a difficult situation with transport. The seaports are not functioning and the railway serves refugees and the army. The entire burden has fallen on road transport. The first priority is to carry food, medicines and fuel. There are not enough cars. Also, many drivers went into the army.”

This update follows a previous report from Shapovalov in March – read here.

Meanwhile, various rental companies and individuals in Europe’s rental industry continue to provide support to Ukraine.

Jeremy Fish, the CEO of UK company Ardent Hire, who recently held an informal meeting of rental companies to discuss Ukraine, said he hoped to form a European rental industry network to support the country, in particular using depots and delivery vehicles to receive, sort and dispatch donations.

In the shorter term, Ardent is also planning another trip involving a convoy of vans to drop off supplies - probably somewhere near the Ukraine border - in late autumn, with a Sunday morning in mid-October slated as a likely departure date.

A delivery of mattresses to Ukraine organised by Ardent Hire in the UK.

Mattresses, medical supplies and food remained the priority items. He said; “About 20 tonnes of food has been collected to date but we need to get that to 100.

“The reality is, however, that’s still not enough,” said Fish. “The situation is getting worse and will continue to do so this autumn as the weather gets colder.

“We believe that as the hire industry we should pull together and let Ukraine know we’re not going to forget about it...The hire industry should be seen as a force for good.”

Fish added that around 50 tonnes of medical and sanitation products would soon be dispatched to the country. This will be the latest of a number of deliveries organised by Ardent.

Anyone interested in supporting deliveries to Ukraine should contact Jeremy Fish directly at [email protected]