CLEVELAND — Cuyahoga County Council members voted in favor Tuesday of sending surplus personal protection gear to support Ukraine forces. 

What You Need To Know

  • Cuyahoga County Council approved Tuesday sending surplus equipment to Ukraine

  • The National Guard is helping to facilitate a transfer of surplus local police equipment to the Ukraine military

  • County Executive Armond Budish is authorized to destroy the equipment if the equipment does not get to Ukraine forces

  • Earlier this month, Gov. Mike DeWine urged local police departments to help provide extra equipment, such as helmets and shields, to help Ukraine forces

The legislation states equipment will be given to the Ohio National Guard, which will help facilitate the transfer getting the equipment to Ukraine. 

Earlier this month, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine sent a letter to police departments throughout the state requesting they provide surplus military equipment. The National Guard Bureau tasked the Ohio National Guard to help compile expired or surplus body armor and helmets that can be given to Ukraine. DeWine’s office said the intent is to help the Ukrainian military “defend their country against Russia.”

"I know many of you share my concern for the Ukrainian military men and women who are bravely fighting against the senseless aggression of Russia," DeWine wrote in the letter. "I encourage all Ohio law enforcement agencies that have surplus or expired personal protective gear to answer this request for information. Your response could result in help that could save lives in Ukraine."

DeWine’s office said the National Guard Bureau will work with the Department of Defense, its interagency partners and the Ohio National Guard to develop a logistics plan to collect and deliver any donated equipment to aid Ukraine.

According to U.S. Census data, 15,253 residents with Ukrainian ancestry live in the county. 

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish and Global Cleveland President Joe Cimperman signed a letter last month stating that those from Ukraine are welcomed into the community. 

“We strongly condemn this attack that will result in the loss of innocent lives and is a direct threat to the freedom of so many,” Bibb, Budish and Cimperman said in a joint statement. “As thousands of individuals are displaced from their homes and livelihoods in the face of war and violence, we want to remind the world that the city of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, Ohio are here to embrace them with open arms. 

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