Dear Supporters of Ukraine,

war is constant adaption: with winter approaching, also our priorities as UAO team change. The brigades contacting us increasingly request critical fuel and diesel generators to secure energy supply in times of increasing Russian attacks on the energy grid - something we have also seen during previous three winters. In anticipation of that, we have organized a huge generator delivery to "Energize the Frontline" (for a great price): Over 100 (!) generators will be incoming!

Donate here: Energize the Frontline 

Moreover, our drone deliveries to the Kramatorsk frontline keep flowing without any stop. This UAO October newsletter provides you with:

• our latest fundraiser, focusing on energy sources for the frontline
• and an account of last week’s delivery at the "Fortress Kramatorsk"

Your UAO volunteer team

Winter is Coming - UAO Energizes the Frontline

In October 2022, Russia began with its aerial assaults on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure - electrical and thermal power plants, electrical substations, gas distribution hubs - to deprive civilians and the military of energy during the cold winter months. Russia’s perfidious strategy, a war crime beyond any doubt, aims to break morale and weaken resilience, but also incapacitate as much of Ukraine’s economy, its industry and rail services as possible. Russia’s ultimate goal remains to force Ukraine to surrender.

With allied equipment support, grid synchronisation and decentralisation efforts, fatal crises were avoided three winters in a row, without nationwide blackouts, without load-shedding, also helped by a milder than expected climate. UAO responded swiftly each winter season, supplying front line units with diesel and petrol generators, as well as power stations and power banks, purchased from your generous donations.

Volunteer Sytske and the Dogs United / Postmaster Boomer team (who supported with logistics) in the UAO warehouse - receiving the latest delivery of 31 inverter generators

In recent weeks, however, Russia has substantially ramped up its strikes on the energy infrastructure across the whole of Ukraine, helped by increased production of strike drones and ballistic and cruise missiles, after its summer offensive failed to gain traction. Ukraine’s largest electrical and thermal power plant operator DTEK reported four assaults so far in October alone, while Naftogaz claims that already over 60% of the nation’s gas production and distribution capacity is destroyed. Ukrzaliznytsia, Ukraine’s rail service, suffered over 300 attacks on its rail infrastructure and rolling stock, causing ever more delays and cancellations.

Yet, against all odds, the defenders of Ukraine keep holding the line to the best of their abilities. Unit and command posts must be run, drone batteries recharged, surveillance equipment operated, and, in a sense, the war is considerably electric. This is why UAO decided, once again, to dedicate a fundraiser to the supply of frontline units with diesel and petrol generators.

We just bought over 30 more generators (see photo above), and we plan to buy over 100 (!) more. As we buy in bulk and VAT-free, we were able to negotiate a very good deal:

• 3000W Inverter Generators (for sensitive electronics): 190$ / piece
• 5000W Diesel Generators: 750$ / piece

Donate here: Energize the Frontline 

Together, we will "Energize the Frontline"!

On our recent delivery journey, the UAO team handed over essential equipment - power stations and generators for the defenders from the 22nd Brigade in the northern direction

A Trip Like no Other - UAO Delivers to Kramatorsk

After our highly successful Kramatorsk fundraiser, and the partial arrival of the equipment we purchased, a difficult question emerged: How would we deliver from now on? As you may know, the road from Izyum to Kramatorsk has unfortunately come within reach of Russian FPV drones since September, while the city of Kramatorsk itself is also under surveillance and attack from drones of all kinds. You can imagine that this is no welcoming scenario for delivering and distributing much needed equipment in and around the city, having to stop our van and wait for the handover to happen in broad daylight.

In recent weeks, we sent smaller packages to Kramatorsk with Nova Poshta, but we decided that such impersonal means of delivery would not cut it this time - we wanted to meet the heroic defenders of Kramatorsk in person, as we always did in the past, shake hands, and meet eye to eye to learn about their needs first hand and discuss the specifics of the items. For us, meeting the soldiers is also an expression of solidarity; after all, they are risking their lives for all of Europe - every hour, every day.

UAO visited soldiers from the 3rd Assault Brigade. Our team delivered essential equipment to upgrade ground drones

With the latest intelligence regarding the safest routes and hand-over locations, we set off - two cars, fully loaded with drones, generators, and power stations. After a lengthy detour over potholed back country roads, we finally reached Kramatorsk one Wednesday night. Next morning, our first hand-over was to Azov’s international battalion and UAV team, and we met Kim - the drone pilot that you may know from his recent interview with Tom Lassing - a real highlight. While handing him three thermal vision and two standard drones, Kim mentioned the urgent need for a vehicle, which we hope to supply at the soonest opportunity. Right after, we delivered to Lyut, 82nd, 33rd, 117th, and 63th brigades. One soldier from the 63th was so happy to receive a Matrice 4T drone that he began hugging it like a newborn. Moments like those remind us why we are doing what we are doing, by now for well over three years.

It was a glorious autumn day - golden sun, blue sky, smiles and happiness all-around. For just a few hours, Kramatorsk felt peaceful again. Sadly enough, at that moment, a chilling message arrived: Two Ukrainian TV-journalists had just been killed at a nearby petrol station, a stark reminder to move on and not linger in one place for too long. We swiftly delivered the remaining equipment, ending with the 30th brigade that received the contents of our second car that was fully loaded with all kinds of drones, and began our long journey back through the autumnal rolling landscape of Donetsk. We all agreed that it was a good day - all units we met appeared determined and in good spirits, despite the otherworldly circumstances. With your generous support, many more delivery trips will surely follow, enabling the valiant and never tiring defenders of the Kramatorsk fortress to hold the lines.

The defence of Kramatorsk and the adjacent region will remain a key issue in the coming months, and UAO will continue the fundraising campaign for several weeks. Watch out for more news and new co-operators joining our effort.

Donate here: Energize the Frontline 

A soldier from the 63rd brigade was visibly overjoyed receiving a "Matrice 4T". We started to provide these new Thermal drones to our drone pilots - and they have great features: Wide-Angle Camera, Medium Tele Camera, Tele Camera, Infrared Thermal Camera, Laser Range Finder & NIR Auxiliary Light

 

The 82nd brigade that performed so well in the Kramatorsk region received urgently needed supplies - among others many generators and powerstations

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

Sincerely, the UAO volunteer team. 

Heroyam Slava!