November 2024 Update - Our meeting with Budanov, a visit of the "Combat Veteran Reacts" team & 30% Black Friday Discount
Dear Supporters of Ukraine,
While Ukraine continues to mount an otherworldly defence, and winter begins to arrive in parts of the country, the largest supporters of Ukraine - America and Germany - are undergoing fundamental changes. Donald Trump was elected 47th President of the United States of America, and Olaf Scholz’ “traffic light coalition” collapsed, with a snap election imminent next February. Unfortunately, Joe Biden and Olaf Scholz will go down as almost Chamberlains of our time, too cautious and indecisive to rise to the world’s key challenge - democracy versus authoritarianism, a free and independent Ukraine versus Russian tyranny.
At the time this newsletter reaches your inbox, it is by all means impossible to foresee what the changes in America and Germany will hold in store regarding Ukraine’s defence. While Donald Trump assured to end the war within 24 hours after taking office or earlier, international experts are less certain. Trump has promised to achieve peace through strength, but the nature of the peace he envisions remains unknown. Certainly, some of the secretaries and advisers nominated so far, awaiting Senate confirmation, are no outspoken friends of Ukraine. And then, with the German election three months away, it is uncertain if the prospective new chancellor Friedrich Merz will kickstart the German defence industry and, at last, release Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.
However, no matter what happens in the political sphere - we here at Ukraine Aid Ops will not dither, and instead will increase our effort to supply the valiant defenders of Ukraine with essential equipment, supported by you, the donors, to whom we are forever grateful.
This newsletter highlights our latest drone-jammer fundraiser, Yuri’s meeting with lieutenant general Kyrylo Budanov, a visit by Paul and Daniel from the “Combat Veteran Reacts” YouTube channel, and Black Friday discounts for purchases from our Victory Gallery shop!
Your UAO Volunteer Team
Drone Jammers for Ukraine - with 100% Donation Matching
Since spring 2024, Ukraine Aid Ops delivered over 40 multi-frequency drone jammers, and our Dutch partner organisation “Eyes on Ukraine” another 11. Drone jammers, or REBs, are electronic devices that disrupt enemy FPV drones, surveillance drones, and other types. As the sky is saturated with drones on all frontlines, drone jammers have an enormous impact on the battlefield. Almost always, within days after a delivery, we receive messages like: “Thank you, thank you so much for the drone jammer! It works perfectly, it has saved our lives already!”
Drone jammers have become essential, and we aim to donate them to frontline units defending against the aggressor in all the most embattled zones. However: Top-notch reliable drone jammers are costly items and must be constantly upgraded, as the enemy not only changes frequency bands, but uses multiple ones in parallel. The first devices we provided were single-band units, but now, drone jammers must cover seven or even eight frequency bands, and the price rises accordingly. We have to pick and choose, depending on funds raised and what is available for purchase, which is not easy, considering just how essential these life-saving devices have become.
UAO & EoU have found a donor that is willing to double (!) all donations made in the framework of this drone jammer fundraiser, up to €100.000, which is, frankly, breathtaking. If we can reach our fundraising target of $107,500, we will be able to purchase around 40 additional devices and/or multi-frequency upgrade-modules for those already in use. We will be able to almost double the number of drone jammers both UAO and EoU were able to deliver so far. Please support us to reach our goal!
https://donorbox.org/safe-skies-matching
We recently delivered this drone jammer to the defenders of the 41st Brigade who are in the Kursk direction
UAO volunteer Yuri meets Russia’s nemesis, Kyrylo Budanov
Only a week ago, UAO’s ground team in Ukraine was granted a very special honour, a meeting with none other than Kyrylo Budanov, chief of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, also known as GUR. UAO has, on several occasions, supplied GUR units that often execute special operations well beyond the front lines, and even on Russian territory proper. We provided drones, drone jammers, and more; this time delivering 19 high-quality night vision devices. Usually, equipment would be delivered to a front line unit’s commander, but this time, it was different - UAO volunteer Yuri was granted access to Kyrylo Budavov himself for the hand-over after receiving security clearance. As a recognition for his steadfast support, Budanov awarded Yuri with a medal.
Kyrolo Budanov awarded UAO's Yuri with a medal
Security is taken very seriously in the GUR, and so, the meeting location was cleared of everything that could provide intelligence to the enemy. However, after the hand-over and award, Budanov and his deputy were more than happy to sign flags and other items, which we will soon put up for sale in our UAO shop, to allow us to buy and deliver more equipment.
https://ukraineaidops.org/pages/shop
Shop at our UAO Victory Gallery with a Black Friday discount
Our popular Victory Gallery entered the Black Friday week. Using the code "BLACK2024" upon checkout, you will receive a 30% discount for all items!
And, what is more - if you buy an item from the "Ready to Ship" section, it will arrive in time for Christmas and Hanukkah. We have added many additional and novel items - keychains made from T-72B tanks, 30mm shells, and items made from shot-down Shahed kamikaze drones. Each purchase supports the heroes of Ukraine with life-saving drones, drone jammers and more!
https://ukraineaidops.org/pages/gallery
UAO Victory Gallery Black Friday sale
The "Combat Veteran Reacts" team visits Ukraine
You may know that in recent months, UAO received much support from various Youtube channels. For charities like ours, endorsements and mentions like these are crucial to extend our reach, helping us to support the defenders of Ukraine with as much equipment as possible. CVR, or “Combat Veteran Reacts”, is a YouTube channel that has already promoted two UAO fundraisers, one for the Lyut Brigade, and one for the 130th Battalion. Once Paul and Daniel from CVR mentioned planning to visit Ukraine, we were happy to provide support to plan the trip and arrange interviews with units.
Apart from making deliveries to the 30th Brigade and other units (see photo below), the CVR and UAO teams met the chief of the National Guard of Ukraine, Oleksandr Pivnenko, also scoring an interview with the National Guard’s Rubizh Brigade. For their support, the CVR team received a commemorative plaque from the Lyut and 130th Battalion. On their trip through Ukraine, Paul and Daniel beheld the devastating destruction along the Eastern front first hand, leaving a memorable impression.
CVR's Paul meeting with Oleksandr Pivnenko, chief of the National Guard of Ukraine
Our friend Mike (warrior of the legendary 93rd Brigade) took both teams to a command post of the 93rd, providing them with first hand experience of just how crucial the use of drones is in this war. They were allowed to observe the big control displays, all eyes trained on Ukrainian and enemy positions, witnessing the brigade’s highly professional work and the importance of a well-functioning command structure. Please visit CVR’s YouTube channel to watch their content - field reports, interviews, and more.
Together, UAO and CVR teams delivered FPV drones, surveillance drones, and generators to the soldiers of the 30th Brigade
Thank you for standing strong with Ukraine. Together we will win this war!
Sincerely, the UAO volunteer team.
Heroyam Slava!