Why people are booking stays in Ukraine with NO plans to check in
While the people of Ukraine are navigating air-raid sirens, fleeing their homes and frantically messaging family for updates, they are also being inundated with Airbnb booking requests.
However, those people booking properties in Ukraine don’t wish to come for a holiday.
Instead, these accommodation requests are part of a creative social media campaign to funnel money to besieged Ukrainians in need of financial support.
Users have even requested to book a one-bedroom apartment in Ukraine’s capital that belongs to politician Volodymyr Bondarenko, to which he responds with heart-felt emojis to say thank you.
The initiative began when Russian forces started to bomb Ukraine and cut off essential services, with people all around the world wanting to help.
The idea has quickly gathered momentum, with international guests “booked” for more than 61,000 nights in Ukraine, according to an Airbnb spokesperson.
More than half of those nights were booked by Americans, with people from Australia and the United Kingdom also contributing greatly.
"More than 10 bookings came in today. This was surprising, it's very supportive at the moment," Mr Bondarenko, 36, told CNN early Friday.
"I told many of my relatives and friends that I plan to use this money to help our people who need it at this time."
As well as the payments for their homes, those making the bookings are also leaving messages of support for the residents of Ukraine.
New York City resident Anne Margaret Daniel “booked” a stunning apartment in Kyiv, and left a message for the host saying, "I hope that you, and your lovely apartment, are safe and that this horrible war is over ... and Ukraine is safe."
"I will come and see you one day, please count on it, and will stay with you when we visit. God bless you and God be with you, your city, your country."
Image credits: Getty Images