In today’s world, where war rages on, acts of courage aren’t just about the soldiers who hold the front lines every day. They’re also about the civilians who do everything they can, day after day, to help our defenders remain invisible to the enemy—no matter the season. Today we’ll talk about the residents of the village of Tetirka (Zhytomyr Oblast), who weave camouflage nets for the Ukrainian military day in and day out. Their story of support began on November 12, 2024. Since then, the people of Tetirka haven’t stopped. As of July 31, 2026, they had already produced 2,650 camouflage nets. And everyone is weaving them—from the youngest to the oldest. Schoolchildren are also joining in. In their free time, they come here not for typical children’s activities, but to do something useful for those who are defending Ukraine today. For the village residents, this has already become a part of life. “There’s always a great atmosphere around the nets. Here, we don’t just work—we chat, joke around, and can have tea together. Even if you come in tired or in a bad mood, they’ll definitely cheer you up here. And the best part is knowing that while we’re weaving here, our guys out there will receive another mesh that can help them,” says Alona, a village resident. They used to use regular fabric for weaving. Later, they switched to rolls of spunbond. The residents of Tetir also prepare the spunbond for use themselves. Here, everything happens almost without a word: some prepare the material, others cut it, and still others weave. Everyone knows their role, because over time, this volunteer work has become a well-oiled process. The villagers look for ways to raise funds on their own to pay for the mesh materials. To do this, they organize charity fairs where schoolchildren sell homemade treats and hold raffles. One of those helping to organize these events is Wanda Zagurska. Together with other villagers, she raffles off a variety of prizes—from handmade toys to fresh farm produce. Caring individuals also lend a hand. This is how a small village comes together for a great cause. And when another blanket is ready, they fold it up and prepare it for shipment. Then it’s sent to places where it’s already eagerly awaited—to the Donetsk, Sumy, Pokrovsk, and other regions. Tetirka’s story proves that anyone can help bring victory closer—regardless of age. Sometimes all it takes is simply to come, pick up a piece of fabric, and start weaving—weaving the “Victory” net. Author: Alona Shvaykivska
