Discover Druzhkivka, Ukraine’s Industrial Town Now Under Attack
To most people, Druzhkivka is just another dot on the war map of Ukraine. It stands today at the heart of the Russo-Ukrainian War.
This city — just 65 kilometers from Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast — is marked by layers of history, resilience, and urgent need. Before Russia’s invasion, this area was a hub of mechanical engineering, known for its 10 factories and over 500 enterprises.
Originally developed in the late 19th century by Belgian and French investors, it became a symbol of Europe’s industrial investment in Eastern Ukraine.
But everything changed when Russia’s war in Ukraine turned Druzhkivka into a frontline stronghold.
That changed in 2022.
Russia’s full-scale invasion turned Druzhkivka from an industrial town into a target.
What was once a city of production became a city of survival.
As of 2023 and 2024 and continuing into 2025, missile strikes in Ukraine and Shahed drone attacks have caused widespread devastation in towns like Druzhkivka.
These rocket attacks on Ukraine have not only destroyed vital infrastructure but also endangered the lives of thousands of civilians.
In 2023, Ridgefield, Connecticut, became Druzhkivka’s Sister City.
In partnership with the CT organization Ridgefield Responds, UAI ensures direct, community-to-community support — not just aid drops, but relationships.
Together, we’ve delivered:
- Medical equipment
- Warm clothing and supplies
- Water filtration systems
- Support for trauma-affected families
- Reliable local delivery networks
These aren’t abstract donations. They’re life-preserving acts of solidarity.
Druzhkivka is more than rubble.
It’s memory, industry, resilience, and people.
Let’s not let the silence of the world become the silence of this city.
Together, we can turn a forgotten frontline into a future rebuilt.
This is not the time to look away.
If you’re looking to donate after the missile strike in Ukraine or support victims of drone strikes, Druzhkivka desperately needs aid.
Contribute to the Ukraine missile relief or donate after Shahed drone damage to make a real difference.
Donate now: ukraineaidinternational.org/donate-now
Support the Ridgefield-Druzhkivka partnership
Share this story in your community, workplace, or local paper
Organize a fundraiser or join the Sister City program in your town
Every action — no matter how small — sends a message: You are not forgotten.
By contributing to the Ukraine war relief fund or a charity for war in Ukraine, you’re not just preserving buildings — you’re protecting lives.
