VEON’s Kyivstar and the Come Back Alive Foundation Raise USD 2.6 Million for Demining in Ukraine
VEON's Ukrainian subsidiary Kyivstar and the Come Back Alive Foundation have successfully raised USD 2.6 million (UAH 107 million) for the We Live Here 2.0 project, aimed at demining Ukrainian territory. The campaign, supported by the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, will fund Ukrainian-made robotics, 'Vampire' drones, vehicles, and communications tools for mine clearance operations.
This follows the first phase which raised USD 4.8 million (UAH 180 million), with Kyivstar's total contribution across both phases reaching USD 1.2 million (UAH 50 million). The initiative addresses a critical safety issue, as over 140,000 square kilometers of Ukraine are contaminated by landmines, which caused 608 civilian casualties, including 104 deaths, in 2024.
The funds will equip four newly created companies of engineering unmanned systems with Ukrainian-manufactured Termit and Tarhan ground robotic systems, supporting VEON's broader USD 1 billion commitment to rebuild Ukraine's telecom infrastructure.
La filiale ucraina di VEON, Kyivstar, e la Fondazione Come Back Alive hanno raccolto con successo 2,6 milioni di dollari (107 milioni di UAH) per il progetto We Live Here 2.0, volto alla bonifica dei territori ucraini. La campagna, sostenuta dal Ministero dell'Economia dell'Ucraina, finanzierà robotica prodotta in Ucraina, droni 'Vampire', veicoli e strumenti di comunicazione per le operazioni di bonifica delle mine.
Questo segue la prima fase che ha raccolto 4,8 milioni di dollari (180 milioni di UAH), con il contributo totale di Kyivstar nelle due fasi che raggiunge 1,2 milioni di dollari (50 milioni di UAH). L'iniziativa affronta una questione di sicurezza critica, poiché oltre 140.000 chilometri quadrati dell'Ucraina sono contaminati da mine terrestri, che hanno causato 608 vittime civili, di cui 104 morti, nel 2024.
I fondi equipaggeranno quattro nuove aziende di ingegneria di sistemi senza pilota con sistemi robotici terrestri Termit e Tarhan prodotti in Ucraina, sostenendo l'impegno più ampio di VEON di 1 miliardo di dollari per ricostruire l'infrastruttura delle telecomunicazioni in Ucraina.
La subsidiaria ucraniana de VEON, Kyivstar, y la Fundación Come Back Alive han recaudado con éxito 2,6 millones de dólares (107 millones de UAH) para el proyecto We Live Here 2.0, destinado a la desminado del territorio ucraniano. La campaña, apoyada por el Ministerio de Economía de Ucrania, financiará robótica fabricada en Ucrania, drones 'Vampire', vehículos y herramientas de comunicación para las operaciones de desminado.
Esto sigue a la primera fase que recaudó 4,8 millones de dólares (180 millones de UAH), con la contribución total de Kyivstar en ambas fases alcanzando 1,2 millones de dólares (50 millones de UAH). La iniciativa aborda un problema crítico de seguridad, ya que más de 140,000 kilómetros cuadrados de Ucrania están contaminados por minas terrestres, que causaron 608 víctimas civiles, incluidas 104 muertes, en 2024.
Los fondos equiparán a cuatro nuevas empresas de ingeniería de sistemas no tripulados con sistemas robóticos terrestres Termit y Tarhan fabricados en Ucrania, apoyando el compromiso más amplio de VEON de 1 mil millones de dólares para reconstruir la infraestructura de telecomunicaciones de Ucrania.
VEON의 우크라이나 자회사인 Kyivstar와 Come Back Alive 재단이 우크라이나 영토의 지뢰 제거를 목표로 하는 We Live Here 2.0 프로젝트를 위해 260만 달러 (1억 700만 UAH)를 성공적으로 모금했습니다. 우크라이나 경제부의 지원을 받는 이 캠페인은 우크라이나산 로봇, 'Vampire' 드론, 차량 및 통신 도구를 지뢰 제거 작업에 사용할 자금을 지원합니다.
이는 480만 달러 (1억 8000만 UAH)를 모금한 첫 번째 단계에 이어지는 것으로, 두 단계에 걸친 Kyivstar의 총 기여는 120만 달러 (5000만 UAH)에 달합니다. 이 이니셔티브는 우크라이나의 14만 제곱킬로미터 이상이 지뢰로 오염되어 있으며, 2024년에는 608명의 민간인 사상자와 104명의 사망자를 초래한 심각한 안전 문제를 다루고 있습니다.
자금은 우크라이나에서 제조된 Termit 및 Tarhan 지상 로봇 시스템을 갖춘 네 개의 신규 무인 시스템 엔지니어링 회사에 장비를 지원하여 VEON의 10억 달러 규모의 우크라이나 통신 인프라 재건 약속을 지원합니다.
La filiale ukrainienne de VEON, Kyivstar, et la Fondation Come Back Alive ont réussi à collecter 2,6 millions de dollars (107 millions de UAH) pour le projet We Live Here 2.0, visant à déminer le territoire ukrainien. La campagne, soutenue par le ministère de l'Économie de l'Ukraine, financera des robots fabriqués en Ukraine, des drones 'Vampire', des véhicules et des outils de communication pour les opérations de déminage.
Cela fait suite à la première phase qui a permis de collecter 4,8 millions de dollars (180 millions de UAH), avec une contribution totale de Kyivstar sur les deux phases atteignant 1,2 million de dollars (50 millions de UAH). L'initiative aborde un problème de sécurité critique, car plus de 140 000 kilomètres carrés de l'Ukraine sont contaminés par des mines terrestres, causant 608 victimes civiles, dont 104 décès, en 2024.
Les fonds permettront d'équiper quatre nouvelles entreprises d'ingénierie de systèmes sans pilote avec des systèmes robotiques terrestres Termit et Tarhan fabriqués en Ukraine, soutenant ainsi l'engagement plus large de VEON de 1 milliard de dollars pour reconstruire l'infrastructure des télécommunications en Ukraine.
Die ukrainische Tochtergesellschaft von VEON, Kyivstar, und die Come Back Alive Stiftung haben erfolgreich 2,6 Millionen USD (107 Millionen UAH) für das Projekt We Live Here 2.0 gesammelt, das darauf abzielt, ukrainisches Territorium von Minen zu befreien. Die Kampagne, die vom Ministerium für Wirtschaft der Ukraine unterstützt wird, wird ukrainisch hergestellte Robotik, 'Vampire'-Drohnen, Fahrzeuge und Kommunikationsmittel für Minenräumungsoperationen finanzieren.
Dies folgt auf die erste Phase, die 4,8 Millionen USD (180 Millionen UAH) gesammelt hat, wobei der Gesamtbeitrag von Kyivstar über beide Phasen 1,2 Millionen USD (50 Millionen UAH) beträgt. Die Initiative greift ein kritisches Sicherheitsproblem auf, da mehr als 140.000 Quadratkilometer der Ukraine mit Landminen kontaminiert sind, was im Jahr 2024 608 zivile Opfer, darunter 104 Todesfälle, zur Folge hatte.
Die Mittel werden vier neu gegründete Unternehmen für unbemannte Ingenieursysteme mit den in der Ukraine hergestellten Termit- und Tarhan-Bodenrobotersystemen ausstatten und unterstützen damit das umfassendere Engagement von VEON in Höhe von 1 Milliarde USD zum Wiederaufbau der Telekommunikationsinfrastruktur der Ukraine.
- Successful fundraising of USD 2.6 million for humanitarian initiative
- Total contribution across both phases reached USD 7.4 million
- Supporting local economy by purchasing Ukrainian-manufactured equipment
- Aligns with larger USD 1 billion infrastructure investment commitment
- None.
Insights
This strategic initiative represents a sophisticated approach to corporate social responsibility with significant business implications. The USD 2.6 million fundraising campaign, while modest relative to VEON's USD 3.2 billion market cap, demonstrates exceptional stakeholder engagement and creates multiple value streams:
The decision to source Ukrainian-manufactured equipment generates a dual impact: it supports domestic industrial capacity while addressing urgent humanitarian needs. This approach creates a virtuous cycle of economic development, particularly valuable given that 20% of Ukraine's territory requires demining survey.
The program's structure reveals sophisticated stakeholder management:
- Government partnership through the Ministry of Economy enhances regulatory relationships
- Community engagement through public fundraising strengthens brand value
- Technology focus aligns with VEON's digital operator positioning
From an investment perspective, this initiative, combined with VEON's USD 1 billion infrastructure commitment, positions the company as a key player in Ukraine's reconstruction. The focus on critical infrastructure security enhances the long-term viability of VEON's broader investment plans and demonstrates strong risk management practices.
The scalable nature of the demining technology platform, coupled with Kyivstar's digital service expansion (including Helsi healthcare service), suggests a comprehensive approach to market development that extends beyond traditional telecom services. This diversification strategy could create new revenue streams while strengthening VEON's competitive moat in the Ukrainian market.
Dubai and Kyiv, February 14, 2025: VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON), a global digital operator, announces that VEON’s wholly owned digital operator in Ukraine Kyivstar, together with the Come Back Alive Foundation, has jointly raised nearly UAH 107 million (USD 2.6 million) for the We Live Here 2.0 project to support demining of Ukrainian territory. The Ministry of Economy of Ukraine provided informational support for the campaign.
Over 140,000 square kilometers of Ukraine are contaminated by landmines. In 2024, these landmines caused 608 civilian casualties, including 104 deaths, according to Statista data. Businesses and individuals in Ukraine, as well as international donors, contributed to We Live Here 2.0. These funds will be used to equip mine clearance services with Ukrainian-made robotics and “Vampire” drones for the remote detonation of mines, as well as vehicles and communications tools. The new funds are in addition to those raised in the first phase of the We Live Here project, which saw over UAH 180 million (USD 4.8 million) donated. Kyivstar’s direct contribution across both phases amounts to UAH 50 million (USD 1.2 million).
“The We Live Here 2.0 campaign provides specific systematic assistance to protect the people of Ukraine from the horrors of landmines. Ukrainian businesses, citizens, and the state have come together to clear mines with advanced technological solutions. I am grateful to everyone who donated to make Ukraine stronger and safer,” stated Oleksandr Komarov, Kyivstar CEO.
“Today, Ukraine is the most potentially mined country in the world:
“It is imperative that we help rebuild Ukraine and make the country safe again for its citizens. In addition to our USD 1 billion commitment to invest in rebuilding Ukraine’s telecom infrastructure, Kyivstar is leading the way through fundraising for demining, offering digital services like its Helsi digital healthcare service and its work across other humanitarian programs. The We Live Here campaign 2.0 has shown the tremendous resilience, determination and generosity of the Ukrainian people and businesses. It is a privilege for VEON and Kyivstar to support these critically important initiatives as we work together for the recovery and rebuilding of Ukraine,” said Kaan Terzioglu, Group CEO of VEON.
“This project is about consistency, efficiency and saving the lives of our deminers. We Live Here 2.0 is a joint initiative of Kyivstar and the Come Back Alive Foundation to provide a comprehensive ecosystem of remote demining equipment. Thanks to the accumulated funds, the deminers of four newly created companies of engineering unmanned systems of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Support will receive Ukrainian-manufactured Termit and Tarhan ground robotic systems, transport, communications, power, air support for situational awareness and remote demining by detonation, as well as maintenance workshops. The success of the project is a contribution not only to saving the lives of our military but also of civilians living in the de-occupied territories or near the front line,” emphasized Taras Chmut, director of the Come Back Alive Foundation.
About Kyivstar
Kyivstar is Ukraine's largest communications operator, serving more than 23.3 million mobile subscribers and over 1.1 million Home Internet fixed line customers (as of September 2024). The company provides services across a wide range of mobile and fixed line technologies, including 4G, Big Data, Cloud solutions, cybersecurity, digital TV, and more. Kyivstar plans to invest USD 1 billion into the development of new telecom technologies in Ukraine over 2023-2027. Kyivstar has allocated over UAH 2 billion over the past two years to help Ukraine overcome wartime challenges, including providing support for the Armed Forces, clients and social projects. Kyivstar's is a
About VEON
VEON is a digital operator that provides converged connectivity and digital services to nearly 160 million customers. Operating across six countries that are home to more than
Contact Information
VEON
Hande Asik
Group Director of Communication
pr@veon.com
Julian Tanner
MHP Group
Julian.tanner@mhpgroup.com
FAQ
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