As the Ukrainian defenders push the enemy back to the state border, volunteers step into the liberated territories just behind them. These people are on the verge of life and death daily in areas bordering the front line. They must constantly face shelling, provocations, a lack of service, quality medical care, and restful sleep.

However, plenty of people are willing to be helpful in this challenging time, and their number is growing. That is why the charity foundation “Direct Inclusion” published tips to help volunteers protect themselves from extreme danger.

How to move and what to take

The first rule for anyone who stays or plans to go to frontline areas is to have protective equipment.

Consider wearing a helmet and Level IV or Level V body armor. Moreover, consider the color you are wearing: it should NOT be military. The best option is black or dark blue.

As for clothes, they should be comfortable and practical.

A volunteer must carry a small “bug-out bag” with sufficient cash, a charged power bank, a flashlight, and a supply of food, water, medicines, and hygiene products for a few days of the working trip. Learn how to provide first aid and use a tourniquet to stop bleeding. You should also know the purpose of the medicines in your travel medical kit.

Communication and personal information

In addition to volunteers, journalists often come to areas close to the front. Before starting a conversation, ask which media they represent and make sure they have accreditation.

Be calm and polite while communicating with the police and military. Do not divulge unnecessary details about who you are and where you are going. However, you have to answer all the questions.

Approaching the checkpoint, prepare the necessary documents. Keep a close eye on how other drivers behave and follow the rules established on specific road sections. Make way for the cars with members of the military and doctors, and calmly move along with other vehicles.

Ensure there is no political information or evaluative judgment on your phone. Photos and videos of military equipment should also be removed in advance.

The charity foundation “Direct Inclusion” wants to remind us that volunteers are civilians legally protected by international humanitarian law. Yet even so, knowing how the Russian army adheres to such rules, it is better not to provoke its representatives and avoid excessive attention.