Ukrainian World Congress, Maple Hope Foundation, and Helijet Deliver Lifesaving Medical Helicopter to Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine (April 16, 2025) – A medically equipped Sikorsky S-76A helicopter has officially arrived in Ukraine, marking a powerful milestone in the Ukrainian World Congress’s ongoing global efforts to support Ukraine’s humanitarian and emergency response infrastructure.

Donated by Canadian company Helijet International, the aircraft will be deployed exclusively for non-commercial, humanitarian, and medical evacuation missions—airlifting the wounded, transporting critical care patients, and delivering frontline medical support across war-impacted regions. The donation was facilitated through a close collaboration and strategic partnership between Helijet, the Maple Hope Foundation, and the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) under its “Unite With Ukraine” initiative - a global campaign that has raised more than $61 million USD since 2022 to supply life-saving aid and tactical equipment to Ukrainian security forces and medical responders. “In a war where seconds mean the difference between life and death, this helicopter will become a lifeline, a flying beacon of hope for the wounded and vulnerable,” said Andrew Potichnyj, Director of the Unite With Ukraine initiative at the UWC. “Helijet’s extraordinary donation is not just a gesture of solidarity; it’s a bold act of humanity that will save lives on the front lines. Danny Sitnam’s decision to personally bring this aircraft to Ukraine sends a clear message that the world has not turned its back. This is what true allyship looks like. Thank you. History will remember this.” The helicopter’s arrival is a critical boost to Ukraine’s capacity to conduct high-speed medical evacuations and deliver emergency care, capabilities that have become increasingly essential as frontline conditions intensify. Ukrainian medics, often working with limited resources under fire, now gain a vital tool to reach the injured faster and more safely, and to transport medical teams and supplies to places ground vehicles cannot access. Previously used in British Columbia to provide backup air medical service for the province’s Ministry of Health, the Sikorsky S-76A was disassembled for its journey from Helijet’s headquarters in Richmond, B.C. to its destination in Ukraine. Ukrainian engineers, trained by Helijet in service and maintenance protocols, have now reassembled the aircraft and are preparing it for operations.

“Once you’re here, what the war has done to the Ukrainian people and their villages and cities suddenly becomes real in a way that just can’t be fully conveyed in the reports we see on the news,” said Danny Sitnam, President of Helijet International, who personally traveled to Ukraine to oversee the delivery. “Having helped with various Ukrainian relief efforts in Canada since the Russian invasion began here three years ago, I knew simply gifting one of our now-surplus aircraft for use over here would make a positive impact. I’d like to encourage all companies in the Canadian aviation industry to join in and take a look at what they can spare from their fleets, and match or beat our contribution. The people here will appreciate any help more than you can know.”

The Sikorsky S-76A was handed over to the Medical Services Department of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. The helicopter’s primary use will be to airlift individuals in need of urgent medical care to hospitals, particularly from high-risk or remote areas where traditional ground evacuation is too slow or dangerous. It will also transport medical teams and supplies into regions impacted by heavy fighting, serving as a mobile medical asset and critical link in Ukraine’s emergency response network.

“The significance of this gift, Danny’s personal attention and involvement, and now his very presence here in Ukraine to oversee the exchange is reflective of the united support we’ve seen from the Canadian people,” said Svitlana Kominko, CEO of the Maple Hope Foundation. “Danny doesn’t have a single drop of Ukrainian blood in him, but he understands the importance of providing support to help people in desperate need whoever, or wherever, they may be. This helicopter is meant to save lives. If it saves even a single life, then everything was worth it. The donation of a Sikorsky helicopter also comes ‘full circle’ for us symbolically as the Ukrainian people continue to fight this war. Igor Sikorsky himself was born in Kyiv and surely had no idea that his invention of a 100 years ago would become part of the effort to save lives in his own native country today.”

“Helijet’s donation is a profound act of solidarity that exemplifies the best of humanity,” added Paul Grod, President of the Ukrainian World Congress. “In the face of brutality and destruction, this medically equipped helicopter will serve as a symbol of life, hope, and unwavering support from the people of Canada. Danny Sitnam’s leadership and personal commitment to delivering this aircraft to Ukraine show the world what real partnership looks like. Not just words, but action. We urge others in the global business community to follow Helijet’s lead. Ukraine’s fight for freedom is not just our battle—it is a stand for the values of democracy, dignity, and the sanctity of human life.”

About the Ukrainian World Congress The Ukrainian World Congress represents the interests of over 20 million Ukrainians living in more than 80 countries. Its Unite With Ukraine initiative has become a cornerstone of global support, systematically delivering tactical medical supplies, armored vehicles, UAV systems, and other critical aid to Ukraine’s defenders. About Helijet International Helijet is North America’s largest helicopter airline and British Columbia’s leading provider of medically equipped air transport. Based in Richmond, B.C., Helijet has served more than 2.5 million passengers over 38 years and is recognized for its socially responsible aviation leadership. About Maple Hope Foundation Founded by Ukrainian-Canadians in Vancouver in 2014, the Maple Hope Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to delivering humanitarian and medical aid to Ukraine and providing settlement support to displaced Ukrainians in Canada. The foundation has delivered over $32 million in aid since its inception.