Volunteer Dima Dubovik: a conversation about war, failures, and dreams

In the world of RBTNK, there are 6 characters who together fight for victory: Defender, Medic, Rescuer (front) and Volunteer, Journalist, Worker (rear). These superheroes are among us: with their backgrounds, skills, and superpowers — different, but united by a common goal. We want the RBTNK community to know more about them. So in the Superheroes section, we talk to our heroes about important things: why they chose this role, what their mission is, their dreams, and the artifacts that help them hold on.

This time, here is Dima Dubovik — a volunteer since the beginning of the full-scale war.

Dima, hello. Tell us how you became a volunteer?

On February 21, 2022, I went to Kyiv to onboard at a new job, but I couldn't return to Sumy. We tried to enlist in the Kyiv Territorial Defense, but we were not accepted due to our Sumy registration and, in general, they were suspicious of it. Then we started delivering humanitarian aid to elderly people. Later, the first requests from guys in Sumy came — somehow it all started rolling, and I am still doing this.

I remember my first collection and how it ended — I just contributed my own 3,000 for body armor, and everyone was so happy.

What mission do you see in your volunteering?

I believe that everyone should volunteer; it is everyone's duty. It shouldn't be that someone is fighting, someone is volunteering, and someone is just sitting and watching. This is a protracted war of attrition, so you are either in the military or for the military.

«This is a protracted war of attrition, so you either in the military or for the military»

How do you think we should build a bridge between the rear and the front?

I believe that there is a greater responsibility for the rear: to communicate with the military, to immerse oneself in the context, to take training in tactical medicine or shooting preparation, just to attend training sessions to understand what the military are experiencing. It is also civilians, not military, who should prepare a cushion for the adaptation of soldiers back to civilian life.

What is your civilian job?

I am a graphic designer. This also resonates with me in relation to the war — only from its informational side. I was designing political posters back when there were protests in Belarus in 2021. Now I help the military, including as a designer.

What do you think about our military identity?

Thank you, Taras Ishchik (designer, author of the graphic style of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, — ed.) for what he does for the military in terms of identity.

Visually, I probably like Azov the most. It embodies both the Idea of the Nation and the ideology of the corps itself. There is also adherence to a unified visual style across all channels, which is very important.

Tell your favorite volunteer story

There are many of them. There are also bad ones. For example, we were making little planes and needed two-stroke engines. They are hard to find in Europe, and the Chinese don't sell them to us for obvious reasons. I found them in Ukraine from a military man who understood all the technical details very well. He even gave a discount because we are all "for Ukraine". We paid to a private entrepreneur, and there was even a shipment created at Nova Poshta. But then suddenly there were delays, and I started to understand: "Dima, we've been scammed." I checked this private entrepreneur in the database (yes, you should do this right away) — and there was already a criminal case opened (and the accounts were not frozen). Good thing we took a small batch.

But there are also many good stories. A year or a year and a half ago, we had a fundraiser for "smart" drones. I see a notification from the bank — someone donated 400. And then it turns out it's not 400 UAH, but 400 thousand. And then again +400 thousand. And once more, for the third time, +400 thousand. I'm sitting in shock. I open it — and indeed see 1.2 million UAH for the fundraiser. Then I was told that these people want to remain anonymous.

What gives you strength and helps you hold on?

Beloved, definitely beloved. And the cat Ponchik :) A very polite, well-mannered, and beautiful cat.

What do you dream about?

I think we all have the same dream — for the war to end with our victory and the collapse of Russia. For them to destroy each other there, while we watch it on streams with beer and enjoy.

«My dream is for the war to end with our victory and the collapse of Russia»

What artifacts are always with you?

The bracelet is handmade by a former military man from Odesa, who is also volunteering now. I received it for a donation somewhere in 2023, and it is such a symbolic thing for me.

And what is on your token?

On the back are the words I came up with myself: "Live interestingly — burn brightly". It reflects me.

And on the front side — the symbol "ꑭ", "Idea of the Nation". My grandfather was the founder of the enlightenment movement in Sumy and a people's deputy. A very honest deputy — we were six (and a cat) living in one apartment while my grandfather's colleagues were buying luxury. But my grandfather believed in the nation, in the idea, invested in Ukrainian nationalism. This matured in me with the onset of the full-scale war. Then I felt the "Idea of the Nation" as my own.

«Live interestingly — burn brightly»

And lastly: if you could become any character in a game — who would you choose?

I would be a nuclear weapon for the destruction of Russia :)

Wear symbols that unite. Order the RBTNK token, like Dima's, and join our community.

Text: Victoria Safronova

Photo: Artem Komendant