A pensioner from Belgium helps the Armed Forces of Ukraine through DrukArmia. “At 72 years old, I no longer feel the spirit of a fighter on the front line,” the man says. “But the modest work I do gives me hope that I am helping these unfortunate people win their freedom.”
A pensioner from Belgium helps the Armed Forces of Ukraine through DrukArmia. “At 72 years old, I no longer feel the spirit of a fighter on the front line,” the man says. “But the modest work I do gives me hope that I am helping these unfortunate people win their freedom.”
About two months ago, Belgian Claude (not his real name) began looking for ways he could help Ukraine. He came across the Druk Army website online, where requests for Ukrainian military needs are forwarded to volunteers with 3D printers.
"I am an engineer by education, I was also a 3D artist and was engaged in 3D design. When the first printers appeared on the market, it was obvious: if you draw in 3D, you want to see these objects live. So I immersed myself in it, and later it became my passion. That's why I realized that this is something I can help Ukrainians defend themselves with," Claude told the Belgian publication MSN.
The man registered on the site and is now uploading models of parts that the Ukrainian army needs.
“They offer files that can be printed directly on any machine. It’s a really beautiful design, very well done. You just run them through a slicer, a program that cuts objects for a given machine, send them to the printer, and that’s it!” explains Claude.
According to the man, he met other foreigners on the site, including from Belgium.
Although manufacturing weapons parts on a 3D printer may be a criminal offense under Belgian law, Claude has never broken the law, as he has never printed any components of this type.
“These are not necessarily parts for weapons. For example, I printed hundreds of airtight pill containers that are convenient to carry in your pocket as a daily dose of medicine. Pharmacies near the front are often closed or do not issue whole packages, but only the necessary minimum. I also printed small legs for drones or protective covers for equipment,” the man explains.
Claude says he doesn't spend much money.
“The filaments and resin I use are inexpensive. 10 kg of plastic costs less than 100 euros. I use about 10 to 12 kilograms of raw materials per month, which is about a hundred euros,” to which should be added the shipping costs (about 1 euro per kilogram). In addition, “I contribute my share to the Hope for Ukraine Foundation,” a humanitarian organization that helps the population affected by the Russian invasion.
This desire to help Ukrainians resist the Russian invader is rooted in Claude's very heart: his parents were deported to a death camp.
“Looking at the photos of these unfortunate people, I see the same thing my parents went through. They were also in grief and felt grateful for the help they received. So I consider it necessary to save these people by doing at least something. This is my upbringing. Although we are not Jewish, my father was deported to a death camp. We all live on the same planet, and despite politics or anything else, something like this should not happen again.”
