Partners of the Integration Foundation work hard every day to ensure that newly arrived immigrants living in Estonia receive the support they need and feel at home here. In this series of stories, we give them a voice to talk about the joys, challenges, and lessons learned in their work. This time, we will share the thoughts of Kirill Badikin, who leads crisis management efforts at the Estonian Red Cross and actively manages the Facebook group ‘Ukraina sõbrad Eestis’ (Friends of Ukraine in Estonia).
‘When defenders and heroes fighting in Ukraine know that their loved ones are being cared for and supported in a foreign country, it helps them focus on defending their country and people instead of worrying about their families,’ says Kirill Badikin, member of the board and crisis manager at the Estonian Red Cross and administrator of the Facebook community ‘Friends of Ukraine in Estonia’, explaining what motivates him in his work.
Kirill's journey into the field of adaptation began in the spring of 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale war in Ukraine. ‘I felt that I couldn’t just stand by and watch,’ he recalls. Initially, he assisted the Estonian Red Cross with sorting and assembling humanitarian aid and providing psychological first aid. He then helped register refugees arriving from Ukraine at the reception centre for war refugees in Tallinn and provided them with information on how to adapt to their new surroundings. Before long, he was answering hundreds of calls on the information hotline of the Estonian Refugee Council and advising refugees in temporary accommodation facilities.
Kirill currently works as a member of the board and crisis manager at the Estonian Red Cross, and remains active as a community leader on social media. Thanks to his efforts, the ‘Friends of Ukraine in Estonia’ Facebook group has become one of the most successful channels of information and support, helping Ukrainians find their way into Estonian society.
Working for the benefit of people
People have always been at the heart of Kirill’s work. His work is primarily focused on Ukrainian war refugees, but through the Estonian Red Cross, he also reaches many other target groups, including labour and family migrants, beneficiaries of international protection, and third-country nationals.
‘People with disabilities or serious illnesses often find it more difficult to adapt,’ he points out, highlighting an area that is often overlooked. Such people need specialised support, from identifying their disability to creating a community support network that helps them cope in society. ‘People with mobility, visual, and hearing disabilities clearly need an adaptation programme tailored to their needs, as entering the labour market, i.e. ensuring their independence, is more difficult for them.’
The questions Kirill is asked are often very practical: finding work, learning Estonian, renewing Ukrainian documents, extending temporary protection or other status. However, mental health issues are also becoming increasingly prominent. ‘Unfortunately, many people have lost loved ones in the war, or have loved ones who are being held hostage or are missing – in such cases, they need someone who can help them make sense of it all and support them without judgement,’ he explains. According to him, there is likely to be an even greater need for mental health services in the future.
Creator of support networks and keeper of trust
‘My approach is based on inclusion, trust, and systematic cooperation,’ said Kirill, describing his work. ‘My goal is not to be able to answer all questions, but to direct people to experts in their field who can provide them with accurate information and support.’ A strong network of volunteers, which the Estonian Red Cross helps to develop, is an important source of support, especially in crisis situations, e.g. in the event of mass immigration.
Feedback from people and knowing that their concerns have been resolved brings me joy in my work. ‘As Ukrainians tend to communicate very emotionally, including when expressing gratitude, these expressions of appreciation often bring tears to my eyes and truly inspire me to continue helping people – you realise that what you are doing is necessary after all,’ he notes.
Stories that hurt
However, Kirill’s work is not all joy and gratitude. His most emotionally difficult moments have been meetings with former Ukrainian prisoners of war – there have been three such meetings over the past year. ‘Although I have become quite hardened in recent years, having heard the stories of so many people, it is difficult to listen to the stories of heroes who have been prisoners of war. The inhumane treatment of prisoners in Russia, the torture of people, the brutal infliction of physical injuries, and the mental destruction of people – these exposures have been the most difficult and have caused me many sleepless nights,’ he candidly admits.
Superpower: connecting people and systems
When asked what his professional ‘superpower’ is, Kirill responds modestly but confidently: ‘I think my superpower is the ability to build trusting communities and connect people and systems – be it social media, government agencies or communities themselves.’ He is proud of having launched a large-scale information network and of having supported people on a very personal level.
‘I am proud to have been able to work with many passionate people to help people quickly and comfortably adapt to a new environment and integrate into a new society. Knowing that you have been able to support someone during a difficult period in their life and that they have truly benefited from your help brings joy and inspires you to continue your work.
The article appeared in the newsletter of cooperation partners in the field of adaptation. You can subscribe to the newsletter here.