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Volodymyr Mukhurov is a 25 year old lawyer with experience in combat operations – he served as a reconnaissance man in 74th separate reconnaissance battalion. The idea of launching a race flash mob emerged three years ago, right after demobilization. Initially, only Volodymyr’s colleagues and friends took part in the flash mob. However, this year the campaign became an all-Ukrainian one.

“One day after demobilization I heard the following words during a conversation with a combat brother: “Your life is good, you sit on sofas and watch TV at home, while we hide in trenches in the severe frost…”. Back then there was a blizzard outside and snow came up to the waist. I thought that we could support our servicemen, show them that we are interested in where they are and what they do”, – Volodymyr says. This year’s flash mob went from the district level to an all-Ukrainian one – volunteers, combat brothers and Volodymyr’s former course mates from across Ukraine decided to join the campaign. The participants’ aim is to cover as many kilometers as possible together in one month. Each participant runs a certain distance during one day and posts a report on social platforms with the hash tag “#біговий_флешмоб #патріот_підтримки” (#running_flashmob#patriot_support).

The running flash mob was launched on Unity Day. “For me, this day symbolizes unity, that is why I want Ukrainians to demonstrate their unity in supporting Ukraine’s defenders. This is very important to guys who are currently on the frontline. I know that such support is better for raising morale than material assistance”, – Volodymyr explains. He runs in his native Dmytrivtsi village twice a day, then summarizes the distance and posts the results in the evening.

Last year, the campaign’s participants managed to run one hundred kilometers in 21 days.