Volunteers repurpose vapes to power Ukrainian drones

Viacheslav Semeniuk has led the effort transforming disposable vapes into powerbanks for the Ukrainian military.

Disposable vapes are being repurposed into powerbanks and sent to the Ukrainian front lines.

Volunteers at Leeds Ukrainian Community Association (LUCA) recycle components, such as batteries and wires, from the discarded vapes to send to Ukraine to be turned into energy sources for soldiers in remote locations.

The recycled components are used to power drones, phones and night vision devices in the trenches.

Viacheslav Semeniuk, a LUCA trustee, said the repurposed vapes are used "as a light source and in cooking" adding, "this is sometimes the only source of power".

Earlier this year, a ban on the sale of single-use vapes was introduced in the UK to address environmental concerns and protect children's health.

It is estimated 8.2 million vapes were being thrown away every week prior to the ban in the UK.

"It is a creative way to use these vapes," said Mr Semeniuk.

"We crack open the vape and pull out the battery, isolate the wires, and pack them into boxes".

Volunteers in Ukraine turn the dismantled disposables from LUCA into working energy supplies for soldiers.

"If we can utilise whatever is not needed any more and make it for free, why not?" said Mr Semeniuk.

Disposable vapes are dismantled and sent off to Ukraine to be turned into powerbanks.

The 42-year-old, who has lived in the UK for more than a decade, told the BBC it was hard to watch the war unfold from his adopted home in Leeds.

"I feel some kind of guilt that I am not there, fighting on the front line - but I cannot leave my family here.

"My daughter's godfather died fighting last year, he was my best friend from kindergarten - so it is really difficult being here.

"That is why I do what I do".

The powerbanks are used by soldiers to provide light and cooking heat, or to charge drones

Since 2014, LUCA has worked to support expats living in and around Leeds, promoting Ukrainian language, culture and heritage.

But Mr Semeniuk said the scale of their work has "increased massively" since Russia's invasion began in February 2022.

As well as donating clothing and essentials to those fleeing the conflict, the charity has hosted concerts, barbecues and Ukrainian film screenings as part of its fundraising efforts.

"We are here for refugees - whether they need help, or want to talk.

"At the start of the war, we were focused on helping Ukrainians abroad and in Leeds, but now most of our efforts go towards supporting those in the country."

More volunteers are needed to help recycle the donated vapes, according to the association.

"Usually it is just two or three people doing this," explained Mr Semeniuk.

"I have spent hours sitting at home with my daughter, cracking the vapes and pulling out the batteries".

He said he was "pleased" to make a contribution: "This has been ongoing for years, and we are not stopping.

"We will keep going."

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