Mark Kutsevalov, who is a stand-up comedian, completed the charity walk in 18 days, raising some EUR 81,000 for Ukrainian troops and medics in the process, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
He ended his journey at the peak of Mount Hoverla, Ukraine’s highest mountain at 2,061 metres.
Each day Kutsevalov live-streamed his “walking reality show” on Instagram, helping raise awareness about Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and attract donations.
EUR 81,000 for ambulances and truck for Ukrainian soldiers
In all, Kutsevalov collected around UAH 3 million, or EUR 81,000, the PAP news agency reported. He decided to use the money to buy three ambulances and a pickup truck for his compatriots fighting on the frontlines of the war, the PAP news agency reported.
He covered between 40 and 64 kilometres every day, spending nights in rented rooms or with locals who offered him a place to sleep, and trying to observe the 11 p.m.-to-5 a.m. curfew.
He told reporters afterwards: “I did break the curfew several times, because I had to find a place to spend the night. I couldn’t spend it in the middle of the field or in the middle of the road.”
Kutsevalov said he suffered a heat stroke and foot blisters during the journey, but refused to be discouraged, "not least thanks to the power of humour," PAP reported.
He told the PAP news agency: “Humour is important. Especially when you are feeling low, when you are aching. When you tell a joke, the tension goes away. It’s especially necessary during war.”
He said he had spoken to a volunteer who had been caught in Russian shelling in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region.
“Although it was a very stressful experience, the people caught up in it were laughing and joking," Kutsevalov said. "Bullets were flying and they were laughing. It’s a defensive response to relieve tension."
Thursday is day 246 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
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Source: PAP, wpolityce.pl, Instagram