April 2026 Update - Ukraine Ignites Volcanoes in Russia

 

Dear Supporters of Ukraine,

After a long winter of doom, spring arrived in full bloom, and Ukraine’s prospects have markedly improved. While the war in the Middle East saw oil prices soaring, and Trump waiving sanctions on Russian oil exports, Ukraine increased its successful long-range drone assaults on Russia’s Primorsk, Ust-Luga, Samara, Novokuibyshevsk, Perm, and, most prominently, Tuapse refineries - self-sanctioning Russia’s oil transshipments. Ukraine eliminated considerably more BUK and TOR air defence systems in recent months with its much-improved mid-range fixed-wing drones, thus paving the way for more consequential strikes on Russian oil infrastructure. Business newspaper Kommersant reported Russia’s oil exports may soon decline to their lowest level since 2023.

Donate for Ground Drones: LINK

On the diplomatic front, with the Western Europeans having left a vacuum, Zelenskyi seized the opportunity and showed leadership qualities, visiting and signing drone defence partnerships with several Middle East nations. Also, after Russian proxy Orbán was overwhelmingly shown the door by the Hungarian electorate, Ukraine will receive the €90 billion support loan from the EU, thus averting default, and able to finance defence spending.

Our April 2026 newsletter provides you with all info about our UAO work during last month - enabled by your generous donations:

Your UAO Volunteer Team

Interview with Dutch Journalist Joris Luyendijk

My name is Joris Luyendijk, born 30 December 1971 in Amsterdam. Trained as an anthropologist I worked in journalism for about three decades, first from the Middle East, then a while in London and now from my native Amsterdam. At the moment I identify as a writer and part-time volunteer and fund-raiser for Ukraine. I am convinced that Ukraine is the shield of Europe. Not only do we have a moral obligation to support the country. This is a battle between dictatorship and democracy and democracy must win. It is therefore in the self-interest of everyone who believes in democracy and the rule-of-law that Ukraine prevails.

This was my second trip to Ukraine. My first one was with a Protect Ukraine convoy over the summer of last year. This left a very big impression on me and when Stichting Diel asked me to help fundraise for generators for the front I jumped at the opportunity.

While my first trip stopped in Kyiv, this second trip went all the way to Kharkiv, Zaprorizya and Dnipro. We spoke to dozens of soldiers, drone pilots, commandos, a mil intel guy, an army psychologist... It was gripping to be able to speak to the people currently waging this war. I came away with even more admiration for the steely determination with which the Ukrainians are holding their own against such a vastly bigger opponent.

The most surprising thing was that we did not get bombed. Very strange to sleep in your hotel bed every night and wake up each morning thinking: hey, another night where I did not need to go into the shelter. The other thing that did not surprise me so much as strike me was how in spite of everything life goes on in Kharkiv, Dnipro and those places. People have driving lessons. The tomatoes are on sale. A building project starts... Footage on the news or Youtube gives you the gruesome bits of war, as they should. But for the 35 million people in Ukraine not in the army, life grinds on.

In the future I hope to help Ukraine by doing podcasts and writing pieces in my newspaper, and also by showing Dutch people that helping Ukraine is one of the most fulfilling things you can do with your life today.

Donate via the UAO Shop: LINK

The famous “Achilles” unit received an extra large “Tor” UGV, funded with the steadfast support of the “Anna from Ukraine” YouTube community. In turn, Achilles presented UAO with an official brigade medal. Achilles also received long-distance optic fiber drones, a thermal reconnaissance drone, and drone detectors from donations to UAO. Joris Luyendijk (behind Sytske), who thankfully supported our winter campaign, was happy to deliver generators and power stations himself also.

UAO's April Delivery Bonanza

UAO deliveries reached many units in April, among them the 154th Brigade, the OMEGA special unit, the 429th Unmanned Systems Brigade "Achilles", the 58th Motorized Brigade, the Spartan Brigade, the International Legion, the 142nd Brigade, the Lyut Brigade, the 23rd Battalion, the 3rd Brigade, the 38th Marine Brigade, and the 82nd Air Assault Brigade. None of that would have been possible without your generous donations. Also, we had the support of two Youtube fundraisers organized by Operator Starsky and Anna from Ukraine - thank you!

Every ground drone rolling toward the grey zone, every generator humming behind a command post, every car making the long journey eastward is funded by you, our supporters from all over the world.

Donate via the UAO Victory Gallery: LINK

Major truck delivery for the UGV unit “Alter Ego”. This absolutely huge Ford F250 pickup truck is fitted with a custom made platform and ramp system to deliver UGVs to positions

On a recent delivery trip, the UAO team provided a drone jammer and a Matrice 4T drone to the Spartan Brigade. The woman on the right is their EW specialist, she immediately tested the jammer when they got back safely: “Thank you very much for the electronic warfare device, it is excellent, I was just at the training ground, all my pilots were put out. Thank you very much!”

Generators, jammers, starlinks and drones drones drones! In April, the UAO team delivered critical equipment to a big number of units.

In Memory of his Grandson: Grandfather Donates to UAO

Behind every mission we support, there is a story of courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to freedom. Here, we want to share one that reminds us why your support matters so deeply.

Joseph Bank, known by his call sign “J,” served for three years with the International Legion of Ukraine’s defence forces. An American volunteer, he stood shoulder to shoulder with those defending Ukraine against the Russian aggressor. He gave his life in service - not only protecting Ukraine and its people, but also our shared desires for freedom and security. His commanders have recommended him for the Ukrainian Cross of Combat Merit.

In Joseph’s memory, his grandfather will make an extraordinary contribution. His donation of $50,000 will fund seven ground drones for frontline evacuation and resupply missions. As Zelensky pointed out: Increasing the availability of ground drones is one of the main priorities of the AFU at this moment. From our experience, these seven ground drones will at least save seven lives.

For those of us volunteers who are working towards that effort, moments like these feel deeply personal. When a family that has suffered such a profound loss chooses to donate in honor of their loved one, it strengthens our resolve. We work every day with the hope that fewer families will face such grief - and that more defenders will return home safely.

At the family’s request, we honor Joseph by keeping the focus on his service and sacrifice. His legacy now lives on not only in memory, but in the lives that will be saved because of him.

The memorial for the fallen warriors on Maidan square in Kyiv. Each single flag reminds us of a defender who fell in the fight for freedom. Not only Ukrainian, but also US, Canadian, German or Georgian flags honor international defenders who answered the call.

UAO Volunteers Tell Their Story - Part 2

Jan Pieter - how did you start to help as a volunteer, and what do you do? Through ‘Ukraine Aid Operations’ and the organisation, the ‘Friese Rijders’ I, among others, help to deliver essential goods such as food, military equipment and medical aid to Ukraine.

Why do you support Ukraine? The reason I support Ukraine is because this war is a clear struggle between tyranny and the right of the Ukrainian nation to live freely. I see our work as both physical and symbolic: delivering supplies saves lives but standing up as citizens also shows to Ukraine and to the people and governments everywhere that Ukraine is not alone. 

After 4 years of war, what keeps you motivated? After four years of war I stay motivated by the difference our efforts make and by the conviction that ordinary people CAN change outcomes. We must continue providing aid and moral solidarity so Ukraine knows the world stands with them and tyranny will not prevail.

Sophie - how did you start to help as a volunteer, and what do you do? In 2024, I met Sytske de Boer during an international convoy with the Zero Line team and shortly after joined Ukraine Aid Ops. Today, I coordinate the sourcing and procurement of critical supplies for frontline units - from night vision equipment and generators to drone and electronic warfare components, and sometimes even basic items like tape. I also source and occasionally design patches for our Victory Shop, where people can support frontline units through donations. In addition, I manage our social media communication - responding to messages and comments, often from soldiers and their families, and moderating the space, including dealing with spam and bot activity. During the day, I work at an art center, and in the evenings and at night, I dedicate my time to volunteering.

Why do you support Ukraine? I support Ukraine because it is my country - and I belong to the first generation that grew up with its independence. I was raised with a deep awareness of our history: a nation that has repeatedly had to defend its identity, land, and right to exist. Ukraine has long been both valued and targeted because of its strength and position. For me, this is a matter of responsibility - to stand for the continuity of my country and its people.

After 4 years of war, what keeps you motivated? My motivation is deeply personal - my parents, friends, and family are still in Ukraine. This is about the survival of a country whose history and culture shape my identity, but also about the kind of world we are all part of. This war is not isolated — it defines the security and values of the wider world. Volunteering has become part of my daily routine, and I will not stop for as long as the war continues.

Donate for Ground Drones: LINK

Left: Jan Pieter. Right: Sophie

Thank you for standing strong with Ukraine. Together we will win this war!

Sincerely, the UAO volunteer team. 

Heroyam Slava!

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