An ambulance from Kharkiv, riddled with bullets by Russian forces, was recently put on display in the heart of Rome as a stark reminder of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. The exhibition was organized by the Christian Association of Ukrainians in Italy, with the initiative led by Oles Horodetskyy, the leader of the Association and head of the Ukrainian community in Italy.
“On September 2, in the very heart of the Italian capital, on Via dei Fori Imperiali, an ambulance from Kharkiv, shot up by Russian occupiers, was put on display. For the past two years, it has been traveling as part of the ‘Ukraine is calling’ mission, organized by the non-profit public organization ‘LUkraine’ from Luxembourg. The Christian Association of Ukrainians in Italy is officially hosting the Rome stage,” wrote Horodetskyy.
The ambulance serves as practical evidence of Russian crimes and holds spiritual significance, as everyone can touch the bullet holes “just as the Apostle Thomas once touched the wounds of Christ,” said Father Rostyslav Hadada, head of the Communications Department of the Ukrainian Catholic Apostolic Exarchate of Italy.
During the official opening and press statements, Horodetskyy urged the Italian government to increase military aid to Ukraine and lift all restrictions on its use. “Let this shot-up ambulance appeal to the conscience of Italian politicians over the next five days, so that aid to Ukraine is as effective as possible and not just symbolic, enabling us to strike Russian airports and reduce the number of innocent victims in Ukraine,” emphasized the head of the Ukrainian community in Italy.
Rome is the 37th Italian city to host the bullet-riddled ambulance. “We call on all Ukrainians in Rome to take the opportunity to come to the ambulance with their Italian acquaintances and friends to show them the tangible consequences of the ‘Russian world.’ The ambulance will remain on Via dei Fori Imperiali until September 7,” Horodetskyy reported.
Photos: Horodetskyy on Facebook
