Volunteer Dima Dubovyk: a conversation about the war, screw-ups, and dreams

In the RBTNK world, there are 6 characters fighting for victory together: the Defender, Medic, Rescuer (front), and Volunteer, Journalist, Employee (rear). These superheroes are among us: with their own 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 series, we talk with our heroes about what matters: why they chose this role, what their mission is, their dreams, and the artifacts that help them keep going.

This time, it’s Dima Dubovyk - a volunteer since the beginning of the full-scale war.

Hi, Dima. Tell us, how did you become a volunteer?

On February 21, 2022, I went to Kyiv for onboarding at a new job, but I couldn’t return to Sumy. We tried to enlist in Kyiv’s territorial defense, but they wouldn’t take us because our registered residence was in Sumy and were generally suspicious of it. So we began distributing humanitarian aid to elderly people. Then came the first requests from guys in Sumy - somehow it all took off from there, and I’m still doing this today.

I remember my first fundraiser and how it was completed - I simply added my own 3,000 toward plate carriers, and everyone was so happy.

What mission do you see in your volunteering?

I believe everyone should volunteer; it is everyone’s duty. It shouldn’t be that some people fight, some volunteer, and others simply sit and watch. This is a protracted war of attrition, so you are either in the military or supporting the military.

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

In your opinion, how can we build a bridge between the rear and the front?

I believe the rear has a greater responsibility here: communicating with the military, immersing yourself in the context, taking tactical medicine or firearms training, and simply attending training sessions to understand what service members are going through. Civilians, not service members, should also prepare a safety net to help them adapt back to civilian life.

What is your civilian job?

I’m a graphic designer. For me, this also strongly resonates with the war - only with its informational side. I designed political posters back in 2021, when there were protests in Belarus. Now I help the military, including as a designer.

What do you think of our military visual identity?

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

Visually, I probably like Azov the most. It incorporates both the Idea of the Nation and the ideology of the corps itself. It also maintains a consistent visual style across all channels, which is very important.

Tell us your favorite volunteering story

There are countless of them. Some are bad too. For example, we were building aircraft and needed two-stroke engines. They're difficult to find in Europe, and the Chinese don't sell them to us for obvious reasons. I found one in Ukraine from a serviceman who understood all the technical details very well. He even gave us a discount because we're all “for Ukraine.” We paid a sole proprietor, and a shipment had even been created with Nova Poshta. But then there were sudden delays, and I began to realize: “Dima, we've been screwed.” I checked this sole proprietor in the database (yes, you should do that immediately) - and there was already criminal proceedings underway (while the accounts had not been frozen). Fortunately, we had ordered a small batch.

But there are many good stories too. A year or a year and a half ago, we were fundraising for “smart” drones. I see a notification from the Bank - someone has donated 400. Then it dawns on me that it's not 400 hryvnias, but 400 thousand. And then another +400 thousand. And once again, for the third time, +400 thousand. I'm sitting there in shock. I open it - and indeed see 1.2 million hryvnias in the fundraiser. Later, I was told that these people wanted to remain anonymous.

What gives you strength and helps you keep going?

My beloved, definitely my beloved. And my cat Ponchyk :) A very well-mannered, well-brought-up, handsome cat.

What do you dream about?

I think we all share one dream - for the war to end with our victory and the collapse of Russia. So that they destroy each other over there while we watch it on streams with some beers and enjoy ourselves.

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

What artifacts are always with you?

The bracelet was handmade by a former serviceman from Odesa who now volunteers as well. I received it for a donation sometime in 2023, and it's a very symbolic thing for me.

And what's on your tag?

On the back are words I came up with myself: “Live an interesting life - fade brightly.” It reflects me.

And on the front is the «ꑭ» symbol, the “Idea of the Nation.” My grandfather was a founder of the educational movement in Sumy and a member of parliament. A very honest MP - the six of us (and the cat) lived in one apartment while my grandfather's colleagues were buying luxury goods. But my grandfather believed in the nation, in the idea, and invested himself in Ukrainian nationalism. In me, this matured with the beginning of the full-scale invasion. That was when I felt the “Idea of the Nation” as my own.

«Live an interesting life - fade brightly»

And finally: if you could imagine becoming any game character - who would you choose?

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

Wear symbols that unite us. Order an RBTNK tag, like Dima's, and join our community.

Text: Viktoriia Safronova

Photo: Artem Komendant