As the war between Russia and Ukraine grinds on with no clear end in sight, Korean companies and Ukrainian organizations find themselves navigating a landscape defined by both uncertainty and hope. While Korean industrial giants strategize for a postwar future and seek ways to support Ukraine’s eventual reconstruction, Ukrainian charities and artists are channeling creativity into tangible support for animals and communities devastated by conflict. Together, these efforts reveal the resilience and ingenuity at play on both sides of the Eurasian continent as they await the day when peace—and rebuilding—can finally begin.
On September 18, 2025, the Ulsan campus of HD Hyundai Construction Equipment in South Korea played host to a significant visit from a Ukrainian reconstruction delegation, according to Korea JoongAng Daily. The group, led by Marina Denysiuk, deputy minister of Ukraine’s Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories, and Serhii Sukhomlyn, head of the Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure, was composed of about a dozen government officials. Their journey to Korea was not just a diplomatic gesture—it was part of a weeklong construction equipment capacity-building program, orchestrated by the Korea Construction Equipment Manufacturers Association and the Korea Construction Equipment Technology Institute. The timing couldn’t have been more crucial, as Ukraine’s needs for reconstruction continue to grow with each passing month of war.
The World Bank’s sobering estimate in 2024 put Ukraine’s reconstruction bill at $486.2 billion over the next decade, a figure that only climbs as the conflict persists. The priority areas for rebuilding—energy, transportation, housing, public facilities, and other critical infrastructure—demand not just material resources but also a skilled workforce ready to take on the mammoth challenge when peace returns. Korean construction machinery leaders like HD Hyundai Infracore and HD Hyundai Construction Equipment, which once dominated the Ukrainian market, have found themselves shifting gears. With the war making large-scale equipment sales impossible for now, these companies are investing in human capital instead.
“Equipment sales will only surge once the war is over. Since that’s not possible yet, we decided to shift focus to securing skilled operators and technicians before we supply equipment,” an HD Hyundai Construction Equipment representative told Korea JoongAng Daily. The company is now working closely with Ukrainian officials to establish a construction equipment training center in Ukraine, modeled on its own Global Training Center in Eumseong County, North Chungcheong. The plan? Donate training machinery and VR simulators to local vocational schools, ensuring that when the time comes to rebuild, there will be no shortage of talent on the ground. It’s a pragmatic approach—one that keeps the company engaged in Ukraine’s future while laying the groundwork for eventual business expansion and support for the country’s recovery.
But not all Korean firms have found a clear path forward. Those with investments in Russia, such as Hyundai Motor Group and its affiliates, are facing difficult decisions. In 2023, Hyundai Motor sold its St. Petersburg plant to the Russian venture capital firm Art-Finance for a symbolic 10,000 rubles—about $110. The sale came with a two-year buyback option, which will expire in December 2025. Other Hyundai affiliates have been left in limbo: Hyundai Mobis has considered selling its Russian plant for two years but has yet to find a buyer, and operations are barely ticking over. Hyundai Wia, which opened an engine plant in Russia just months before the war began, has run the facility at minimal capacity ever since. Despite reporting losses every year since 2021, Hyundai Wia finally posted a profit in the first half of 2025, thanks largely to a favorable ruble exchange rate.
“We are waiting for the war to end, hoping Hyundai Motor will resume operations in Russia rather than sell assets at a loss,” an official at a Hyundai Motor Group production subsidiary explained to Korea JoongAng Daily. The sentiment is widespread among Korean companies with Russian ties: wait, hope, and avoid irreversible losses if possible. For now, the clock ticks down on buyback options and the future of multi-million-dollar investments hangs in the balance.
Meanwhile, in Ukraine, the war’s impact is being felt well beyond the industrial and economic spheres. The country’s animals and natural environment have suffered immensely, prompting a wave of grassroots and creative responses. On September 19, 2025, Animalism by UAnimals—a charitable brand under the well-known Ukrainian animal welfare organization UAnimals—unveiled the “Forest Inside” charity jewelry collection in collaboration with the Ukrainian premium jewelry house DARI Jewelry, according to Rubryka. The launch was more than just a fashion statement; it was a call to action, blending art, philanthropy, and environmental advocacy.
The collection, brought to life by artist Natalka Soiko, features eight unique pieces: “Eyes of My Forest” earrings, “View of My Forest” earring pendants and pendants, “Breath of My Forest” earring pendants and pendants, “The Power of My Forest — From the Inside” pendant, hoop earrings, and a chain. Each item is imbued with a sense of inner harmony and resilience, echoing the collection’s central theme—the search for peace and strength within. Thirty percent of the proceeds from each piece are pledged directly to UAnimals, supporting their ongoing work rescuing animals and restoring war-damaged ecosystems. The collection is available for purchase at animalism.shop and darijewelry.ua, making it accessible to supporters both in Ukraine and abroad.
This isn’t Animalism by UAnimals’ first foray into using art for advocacy. In August 2025, the organization launched the “Forest Inside” apparel collection, a set of 12 pieces designed to reflect a broad spectrum of human emotions—harmony, inspiration, anxiety, fatigue, and sadness among them. Each garment serves as a wearable reminder of the inner complexity that defines both individuals and communities living through war. All profits from Animalism’s activities go toward helping animals suffering as a result of the conflict, underscoring the interconnectedness of human and animal welfare in times of crisis.
Education, too, has become a battleground for positive change. UAnimals, in partnership with Suziria Group, recently rolled out the “Humane Education and Volunteering” initiative for teachers. The program aims to introduce animal care and volunteering into school curricula, creating a “knowledge ecosystem” that encourages empathy and responsible action among students. By embedding practical, age-appropriate content into classrooms, the initiative hopes to inspire a new generation to act for the benefit of animals, people, and the environment.
These efforts, large and small, speak to the adaptive spirit that pervades both Korean business strategy and Ukrainian civil society. For Korean companies, the focus is on readiness—training, building relationships, and waiting for the right moment to re-engage. For Ukrainian organizations like UAnimals, the challenge is immediate: protect the vulnerable, foster empathy, and keep hope alive through art and education.
As the war stretches on, the stories of these companies and charities reveal the many ways people and organizations are refusing to stand still. Whether it’s a multinational corporation preparing for the day after, or a jewelry collection raising funds for animal rescue, the message is clear: resilience, creativity, and compassion are shaping the future, even in the shadow of war.