Protect the body: Ukraine volunteers wear armor

Sparks fly as a circular saw slices into the metal, while nearby welders work feverishly to the sound of heavy metal ringing. Upstairs, sewing machines ring when women mark patterns on bulletproof vest-shaped fabric.To get more news about bullet proof zone, you can visit bulletproofboxs.com official website.

An old industrial complex in the south-eastern Ukrainian riverside city of Zaporizhzhya has become a hive of activity for volunteers, ranging from body armor and anti-tank barriers to camouflage nets, portable heating, for Ukrainian soldiers fighting the invasion of Russia. Produces everything up to stoves and rifle slings. One class specializes in vehicles, some converting armor-plating, others into ambulances. The other organizes food and medicine distribution.

About 50 kilometers (30 mi) from the city, some sections of the operation, such as the tailoring of bulletproof vests, are operating round-the-clock to meet demand. The crowdfunding has brought in enough money from Sweden, Finland and Belgium to buy steel that is lighter than local steel, organizers say, an important quality for body armour.

The operation is the brainchild of local celebrity Vasil Busharov and his friend Henady Vovchenko, who ran a furniture-making business. They named it palinitsia, a type of Ukrainian bread whose name many Ukrainians say cannot be pronounced properly by Russians.The operation relies entirely on volunteers, who now number over 400 and come from all walks of life, from tailors to craftsmen to lawyers. In addition to those involved in the production, there are also drivers delivering humanitarian aid and medical equipment purchased through the donated money.

“I think I’m needed here,” said 52-year-old fashion designer Olena Grekova, taking a brief break from marking up clothes for vets.

When Russia invaded on February 24, she was in Thailand to seek inspiration for her spring collection. Initially, she said, she wondered if this was a sign from God that she should not return. Her husband and two adult sons urged her not to do so.

She had known Busharov for years. Coming home on 3 March, she gathered her equipment the next day and was in Paliantsia until 5 March. She is working there every day once in a while, sometimes even at night.

From designing a backless ballgown to creating a functional bulletproof vest was “a new experience for me,” Grekova said. But he sought feedback from soldiers for his designs, which feature armor plates. Now she’s helping to design several versions, including a prototype summer vest.

In another section of the industrial complex, 55-year-old Ihor Pritula was busy making a new camouflage net, winding pieces of dyed cloth through a string frame. A furniture maker by trade, he joined Palianitsia at the beginning of the war. That said, he had some military experience, so it was easy to get feedback from soldiers about what they needed.The call for volunteers ended as soon as the war began. Bushrov announced his project on Facebook on February 25. The next day, 50 people came. “150 people the next day, 300 people the next day. … and all together, we try to defend our city.”

In the event of Russian troops advancing on Zaporizhzhya, he began to make Molovov cocktails. In 10 days, he produced 14,000, he said. They then began to produce anti-tank barriers known as hedgehogs – three large metal beams joined together at angles – used as part of the city’s defences. Soon, Bushrov and Vovchenko said, they discovered a more pressing need: There weren’t enough bulletproof jackets for Ukraine’s soldiers.“I was not really attached to the army at all,” said Vovchenko. “It took two days and three sleepless nights to understand what needs to be done.”

The team studied different types of steel, made plates and tested them to check bullet penetration. Some didn’t offer enough protection, others were too heavy to be functional. Then he had a success.

“It turns out that the steel used for car suspension has very good properties for bullet penetration,” said Vovchenko, standing in front of four shelves of test plates with varying degrees of bullet damage. The car’s suspension steel one was hit by dozens of bullets, but none penetrated.

Vests and everything else made in Paliantsia are provided free of charge to soldiers who request them, as long as they can prove they are in the army. Each plate is numbered and each vest has a label indicating it is not for sale.