A Ukrainian toymaker and its fans respond to Russia's full-scale invasion
In the face of Russian attack, Ugears, a Ukrainian toymaker, releases new lines of military-themed and Harry Potter-themed wooden model kits to worldwide fans eager to support Ukraine.
Pramod Thomas is a senior correspondent with Asian Media Group since 2020, bringing 19 years of journalism experience across business, politics, sports, communities, and international relations. His career spans both traditional and digital media platforms, with eight years specifically focused on digital journalism. This blend of experience positions him well to navigate the evolving media landscape and deliver content across various formats. He has worked with national and international media organisations, giving him a broad perspective on global news trends and reporting standards.
Russia's February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine unleashed untold destruction and suffering on its neighbor. One unnoticed casualty of this senseless war was the manufacturing facility and warehouse of Ugears, a Ukrainian toy company that makes ingenious DIY wooden models and 3D puzzles. Located near Bucha, the company lost £439,881 worth of inventory burnt to ashes.
The company managed to save all workplaces, and most of the team continued working remotely. After the initial shock, talk turned to how they could help contribute to the war effort through their mechanical creations and honor the defenders. When Ukrainian armed forces pushed Russian occupiers from the Kyiv region in April, Ugears' 250-person team began to reassemble.
Ugears warehouse
In October, Ugears proudly released its new line of military-themed models, including The Tractor Wins — a Ukrainian tractor towing a damaged Russian tank, and the Bayraktar TB2, a combat drone that has had outsize importance in Ukraine's war effort. At the same time, Ugears also delivered on a new line of Harry Potter™ themed models for Warner Brothers.
Ugears has never stopped shipping models thanks to its warehouse in Riga, Latvia. So the newly released kits have immediately proven popular among Ugears' fanbase, with millions of hobbyists eager to show their support. “We have received thousands of emails, comments and orders from all parts of the world. Hobbyists continued purchasing Ugears kits to support our business and the country, not even knowing that we would be able to deliver their orders from outside of Ukraine. We could not give up with so many people standing with us!” said Oleksiy Lysyany, the CEO of Ugears.
Recent waves of Russian missile and drone attacks against civilian infrastructure in Ukraine are the next set of dire challenges the company and its employees must face. Regular power outages, missile strikes and air raids, and a lack of reliable water and heat supply are among the threats to business and life. But if Ukraine has taught the world anything, it's that the Ukrainian people are fighters, tough and resilient, so expect more good things to come from this Ukrainian toymaker.
Delhi’s air quality dropped to hazardous levels after Diwali, topping global pollution charts.
IQAir recorded a reading of 442 for New Delhi, 59 times higher than WHO’s recommended level.
Supreme Court had allowed limited use of “green crackers”, but violations were reported.
Lahore ranked second most polluted city with an air quality reading of 234.
AIR quality in New Delhi deteriorated to hazardous levels on Tuesday (October 21), with pollution readings the highest in the world, according to Swiss group IQAir. The spike followed the use of firecrackers during Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.
The Supreme Court of India had last week relaxed a ban on firecrackers in the city, allowing the use of “green crackers” for a maximum of three hours each on Sunday and Monday. However, Reuters witnesses reported that firecrackers were set off outside the permitted time.
Emissions from green crackers are 30 to 50 per cent lower than conventional fireworks.
IQAir recorded a reading of 442 for New Delhi, making it the most polluted major city in the world. The PM 2.5 concentration was more than 59 times higher than the World Health Organisation’s recommended annual guideline.
PM 2.5 refers to particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns or less in diameter that can enter the lungs and increase the risk of deadly diseases and cardiac problems.
India’s Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) rated the city’s air quality as “very poor” with an air quality index (AQI) of 350. CPCB considers an AQI between 0 and 50 as good.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences forecast that Delhi’s air quality is likely to remain in the “Very Poor to Poor” category in the coming days, with AQI levels expected between 201 and 400.
Delhi and its neighbouring districts experience smog every winter as cold air traps construction dust, vehicle emissions and smoke from agricultural fires. The pollution affects many of the city’s 20 million residents, leading to respiratory illnesses.
In the past, authorities have closed schools, suspended construction work and restricted the use of private vehicles to reduce pollution levels.
India is not the only South Asian country facing severe air pollution.
In Pakistan’s Punjab province, which borders India, the government has implemented an “emergency plan” to tackle toxic air. The plan includes measures against farm fires and smoke-emitting vehicles, and the use of anti-smog guns in highly polluted areas.
The air quality reading for Lahore, the provincial capital, was 234 — the second highest in the world, according to IQAir.
“Right now, the major issue is the air coming from Indian Punjab and other parts, which is affecting the air quality in various parts of Pakistani Punjab,” said Sajid Bashir, spokesperson for Punjab’s Environment Protection Agency.
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