Lalla plans to return to war-torn region in spring

By Robert Cloud

Michael Lalla plans to return to Ukraine.

Currently living in Weyauwega, Lalla spent June through November 2022 in the region, rescuing families from the war.

He is part of an independent frontline search and rescue team, SAR Kharkiv/Donbas.

The Donbas region, where Lilla’s team operates, has been on the frontline of the war since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 21, 2022.

In 2014, Russia troops occupied Crimea and parts of Donbas, where they set up proxy governments.

Lalla witnessed the devastation as Russian missiles and air strikes reduced the cities and villages in Donbas to rubble.

Rescue efforts

Lalla shared his experiences through stories and photos he posted on his Facebook page.

“Two days ago we received information that a father was killed from a shell in a deoccupied frontline town. The two children watched it all happen. We’ve been at this man’s house many times, he refused to leave his stuff,” Lalla wrote on Oct. 26. “Our team went in to get them all out.”

Lalla said two officers helped pulled out the two children and placed them and an elderly woman in his van to transport the police station.
The woman asked if they could take her to her mother’s home.

“I went in with her. Her mom was dead in the bathroom. The children were still in the van outside. We called the cops.

“We then took the children to a safe home and they’ll be staying there for a couple days till family comes and picks them up,” he said in his post.

Noting that the team evacuated three adults and two children, Lalla said, “This was the first time in awhile I heard a child cry. I broke down pretty quickly. I had to hold the lady once we were at her mom’s house. I just hugged her and cried with her while her mom was a couple feet away. I’m crying now just writing this.”

Lalla told the Waupaca County Post that the last few weeks in Ukraine were stressful.

“Missiles and those Iranian drones are not fun to hear fly over and watch them hit their targets,” Lalla said.

When asked how he overcomes the stress, Lalla said, “Everyday the sun comes up is a good day. I cry often. Scream into the darkness. I sleep and eat well. Exercise. Keep a clean house.”

Raising funds

He returned home and began raising money to return in this spring.

“We’re raising funds for all independent frontline evacuation teams. My team SAR will be able to apply in Donbas for the funds that we raise,” Lalla said. “Spring is coming. We need vehicles, fuel, parts, a safer place to live.”

To make a tax-deductible donation to all the search and rescue teams, go to www.motherukraine.org/ and earmark the fund for “Volunteer Army Aid Association.”

By going online to bit.ly/3Y1MgFX, people can donate directly to Lalla’s team, SAR Kharkiv-Donbas, and learn more about their mission in Ukraine. Direct donations are not tax-deductible.

Lalla reflected on what inspired him to help people in a combat zone in a foreign country.

“My friends talk about a force, a power that drew many people together during great chaos,” he said. “I don’t understand, It’s the path. I’m not the only one who feels this way. It’s comforting.”