Freiburg donates old diesel buses to Kyiv and faces criticism - Freiburg donates old diesel buses to Kyiv and faces criticism
Freiburg has donated ten decommissioned diesel buses to Kyiv as part of humanitarian efforts following Russia’s invasion. The vehicles, each with around one million kilometres on the clock, were transported in 2022 and 2023 to support the war-torn city’s struggling public transport network.
The move has faced criticism online, with some accusing the city of misusing taxpayer funds. However, local officials have defended the decision as a practical and necessary act of solidarity.
The buses, which served Freiburg for roughly 20 years, were handed over to Kyiv after being taken out of regular operation. Their transfer cost approximately €30,000, split equally between the city and its transport authority, VAG.
Several organisations worked together to make the donation possible. These included Freiburg’s city council, the VAG transport company, the Freiburg-Kyiv partnership initiative, and Ukrainian bodies like the Kyiv City State Administration. Additional support came from the German Association of Transport Companies (VDV) and Munich’s local government, which helped coordinate the logistics. The buses were sent to replace damaged vehicles in Kyiv’s public transport system. Repeated Russian drone strikes have left the network in urgent need of functional replacements. Despite the practical aim, the donation triggered backlash on social media, with claims of financial waste and even fraud. VAG acknowledged the criticism but condemned what it called disrespectful and insulting remarks. The company also suggested that some negative comments may have originated from automated bots. Freiburg’s mayor, Martin Horn, stood by the initiative, describing it as a sensible and well-considered response to Kyiv’s needs.
The buses are now in use in Kyiv, helping to keep the city’s transport running despite ongoing attacks. Freiburg’s contribution, while controversial for some, reflects broader efforts across Germany to provide direct aid to Ukraine.
The total cost of €30,000 was shared between the city and VAG, with no further public funds allocated. Officials have reiterated that the decision followed careful assessment of both the humanitarian need and the buses’ remaining operational value.
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