Dear customers, partners, and friends of our agency,
My name is Alex. I am the Chief International Operations Officer (CIOO) at Blackbit and the Engineering Director of our Kyiv site in Ukraine.
Back then, in 2020, Nadine and Stefano met with me for an interview in Kyiv. That was the moment when the Ukrainian chapter of Blackbit’s story began.
In the heart of Kyiv, there is a wonderful place called UNIT.City — a vast tech park, often referred to as the local “Silicon Valley.” Blackbit decided to open the Blackbit Ukraine office here.
Blackbit Ukraine grew actively and dynamically. By the end of 2021, the company had over 25 employees working daily with their German colleagues on various e-commerce projects for our valued clients.
Unfortunately, life in Ukraine changed on February 24, 2022. The bloody war also affected our employees. The first few weeks were entirely uncertain. No one knew how to live or what to do next. Most Blackbit Ukraine colleagues were forced to leave their homes:
- Some managed to go abroad and temporarily found shelter in the private homes of their German colleagues.
- Others took up arms to defend their homeland.
- Many relocated to safer places, often in western Ukraine, and continued their work there.
One of our engineers recalls working on critical client projects while sheltering underground during air raids. Another colleague combined volunteer efforts with a full-time workload, proving how resilient and dedicated our team is. These personal stories are a testament to the strength and determination of Blackbit Ukraine’s employees.
During the COVID-19 pandemic and the war, many companies reduced staff or scaled back operations in unstable regions. Blackbit chose a different path: The company remained fully committed to its employees and clients, ensuring stability and creating a sense of security for the team. This approach reinforced the feeling that Blackbit is not just a workplace, but a family.
Blackbit Ukraine colleagues actively engaged in volunteer work, helping those in need and supporting affected families.
Since April 2022, as European partners began providing strong support, including weapons and powerful air defense systems, the situation has become more stable. Kyiv was relatively safe. Most employees returned to their homes and resumed their work, supporting the business.
It’s important to remember that Ukraine is not only fighting for its own freedom but also for the safety and stability of all of Europe. This war is a battle for democratic values and the right to live in a free and secure world — values that resonate deeply with Blackbit’s mission and principles.
Blackbit has consistently assisted its Ukrainian colleagues and continues to do so: delivering generators and uninterruptible power supplies, and financially supporting employees who are serving in the military and unable to work. This support will continue until Ukraine’s victory.
Blackbit Ukraine and Blackbit Germany have always worked together on projects, supporting each other like one big family.
Over the years of the war, the people of Ukraine have endured so much: mass shelling, prolonged blackouts, and relentless Russian aggression. But most importantly, no one ever gave up. Instead, they supported one another, united, fought back, and kept working.
For Blackbit in Germany, these times have also been challenging. Delivering projects for clients while facing uncertainty about the future of our Ukrainian colleagues and at the same time providing substantial financial support to them, was a tough but deliberate decision. The core value of the company is its people, its professionals.
We believe that anyone can face adversity, but it is essential to support each other in every way possible. The world is changing. We have learned to work through the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, and now, as strange as it sounds, we have also learned to work despite the wartime risks in Ukraine.
Today, Blackbit Ukraine symbolizes resilience, professionalism, and unity. We continue to grow, build the future, and believe in victory because behind us are our clients, our colleagues, and our entire team.
This Christmas, as the world gathers to celebrate hope and unity, we hold onto the belief in something truly magical — the miracle of peace, victory, and a brighter future for Ukraine and the entire world.
Merry Christmas!
Alexander Strizhakov
Chief International Operations Officer (CIOO) at Blackbit
Social commitment, team spirit, fair and transparent dealings with one another, and sustainable work characterize the Blackbit spirit. Since this year, this has also been confirmed by the certificate of the Economy for the Common Good (ECG), which we were awarded following a voluntary value-oriented audit.
For Blackbit, one thing is clear: we will continue to stick together and support our Ukrainian colleagues wherever we can. To support Ukraine, we are donating 1,000 euros to the non-profit organizations Ukraine TrustChain and Volia Fund. These organizations provide direct humanitarian aid in the form of food, medicine, and shelter and support targeted, technology-oriented projects in the areas of defense, research, production, and education in Ukraine.
If you would like to get more insights into the daily life of our Ukrainian team and stay up to date on our projects and news from digital commerce and online marketing, please sign up for our monthly blog newsletter.
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