The war in Ukraine has brought many foreigners and Ukrainians together to do extraordinary things: a conversation with Richard Woodruff, the 30-year-old leader of Frontline Kitchen in Lviv, Ukraine.
Originally from a London suburb, Woodruff worked in publishing. When he quit his job to take an extended vacation in Spain, news came of the Russian invasion in February 2022. On an impulse, Richard got on a plane to Poland and a bus to Ukraine. There, he offered his assistance to a volunteer kitchen, providing fresh home cooked meals for troops at the front-line. At that time, the kitchen was run by several Babushkas -or grandmothers. Under Richards leadership, the operation expanded.
Woodfuff spoke with Ukraine 2 4 2 last February and in this return interview, he describes the expansion, the volunteers, puppies they save, orphans they visit, NAFO, the Internet meme and social media movement dedicated to countering propaganda and raising funds. Woodruff also describes lives and emotions of humanitarians in Ukraine, including his own trip to the frontline.