June 2026 Update - More Positive Developments & Reddit Power for Ukraine

Dear Supporters of Ukraine,

Black rain in Moscow. Blackout in Crimea. While Putin and his lapdog Lavrov hallucinate agreements with Trump “in the spirit of Anchorage”, Ukraine is once again proving Western naysayers and appeaseniks wrong, taking matters into its own hands. In June, Ukraine’s “long range sanctions campaign” intensified and became increasingly successful. The number of strikes on Russia’s oil refineries rose noticeably, and in many regions of Russia, as distant as Irkutsk, petrol and diesel prices began to soar, while exports were prohibited, and refueling quantities were rationed for all but the military. Particularly Crimea, the mythological apple of Putin’s eye, became affected, with miles-long queues forming at petrol stations, and equally long ones at checkpoints, as residents and holidaymakers try fleeing the illegally annexed peninsula, bemoaning and bewailing their “undue fate” with cringeworthy videos on social media.

Donate here for Reddit Power for Ukraine (Drones, Vehicles & Connectivity): FUNDRAISER

Better still, it appears that FP-5 “Flamingo” cruise missile production has risen. Consequently, Ukraine was able to strike various key factories of Russia’s defence industrial complex in, for example, Cheboksaryk and Novomoskovsk, and, only a couple of days ago, in Volgograd. This is significant, because all factories, producing essential chemicals, radars, launch systems, or missile components, were substantially or terminally damaged. Ukraine’s mid-range strike campaign in the south-east not only disrupts logistics, but specifically targets air defence assets, and Putin decided to concentrate systems in and around Moscow, leaving large areas of Russia’s territory insufficiently guarded.

In line with the above, US Secretary of State Rubio and US military intelligence officials began to rebuke the Kremlin’s “spirit of Anchorage” claims, and currently do not see Russia as the inevitable winner of its imperialist war. What comes of it all remains, as always, to be seen.

This June 2026 UAO newsletter provides you with updates about our most recent work in Ukraine - enabled by your generous donations:

• Reddit Power for Ukraine - Join 30 Subreddits to support Ukraine's Heroes
• Frontline Deliveries: Two Milestones reached - and the Trucks Keep Coming
• Volunteer Jan Pieter’s Trip to Ukraine (Personal Report)

Your UAO Volunteer Team

Reddit Power for Ukraine - Join 30 Subreddits to Support Ukraine's Heroes

Reddit steps up

Considering the Russian imperialist war against Ukraine, most people don’t think of Reddit - yet some of the most determined supporters of Ukraine’s valiant defence effort have always been active on that platform. This month is a case in point: UAO launched “Reddit power for Ukraine” across 30 Subreddits - a fundraiser to procure and deliver what is most essential right now: Ground drones for resupplying front line units and to evacuate wounded soldiers, heavy-lift transport drones that cover the most perilous last mile, mid-range drone components for those units that strike deep into the temporarily occupied territories, Starlink terminals for communication, generators and power stations to keep all things electric reliably operational. As a US-based 501(c)(3) charity, and verified by Reddit’s r/Ukraine moderators, we have worked with many Redditors over the years to convert online solidarity into concrete support, into real impact on the ground. Never before have more Redditors combined their reach to that end.

The Subreddits joining our effort span the entire breadth of the platform - from r/neoliberal, r/askaliberal, and r/credibledefense, to international voices from r/Lithuania, r/Taipei, and r/Kazakhstan; from the “Reddit Drone Warriors” around r/Kyiv, to the "Meme Army for Ukraine," Team England, and the European "Forum Götterfunken". One thing unites them all - the conviction that democracies must walk the talk.

Coordination support from great people

Aligning so many different voices took a lot of work behind the curtain, much of it done by Redditor u/WithUnfailingHearts who first proposed the idea. He told us how deeply his personal support of Ukraine runs. His long-time interest in European history made him aware of the Kremlin’s extensive record of evils from well before 2022 - from Putin’s not so clandestine actions in the Donbass, Georgia, and Chechnya, to assassinations of regime critics at home and abroad. One event touched him profoundly: The 1915 pogroms against the Jewish communities of Lithuania, a most disturbing event that, as he says, led him to ensure that r/Lithuania joined our fundraising effort. Once he learned about the Russian war-crimes committed in Bucha, Irpin, and elsewhere in Ukraine, he became determined to offer his support wherever he could. He discovered UAO through r/Ukraine’s list of vetted charities and began donating, impressed with the effectiveness of our support, happy to see how we made donations towards the support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine accessible and effortless for everyone concerned.

Last month we delivered Interceptor drones „Barrier“ to defend Ukraine’s sky (the very first time that we delivered this drone type)! The delivery was made to the famous Kherson Anti-aircraft brigade which defends Ukrainian soil against the attacks from the Crimea and Azov sea area! With the help of "Reddit Power" we will continue supporting air-defense units.

A strong community

The fundraiser was inspired by a scheme that had already proven successful: Every year, the “Against Malaria Foundation” runs a “SubredditsAgainstMalaria” campaign that rallies many Reddit communities behind their cause, and u/WithUnfailingHearts decided to adopt a similar approach. In late summer of 2025, he reached out to u/Jenbanim, a long-time organiser of anti-Malaria campaigns, and both spent several months developing the Ukraine fundraiser, advised by Andrew Garner from the Against Malaria Foundation. When u/Jenbanim presented their idea to UAO, we offered our support, and the common goal to enlist other Subreddits became achievable. We also took inspiration from prior fundraising campaigns that ran across multiple Subreddits, like the one managed by r/Ukrainewarvideoreport for United24’s “Quiet Nights” initiative to procure AI-enabled air-defence turrets.

What began as a casual conversation between Redditors grew into the largest co-managed Reddit fundraiser we were part of so far. Every donation goes directly to enhancing the capabilities of Ukraine’s defenders - ground drones navigating grey zones, generators powering command posts, Starlink terminals ensuring that drone units can strike the Russian aggressors with precision. When Reddit users from all over the world stand together, anything becomes possible, so please join our effort.

Donate here for Reddit Power for Ukraine (Drones, Vehicles & Connectivity): FUNDRAISER

Our Marines from the 501st Battalion and the Rubizh Brigade received from the UAO team critical Starlink terminals and generators. With our Reddit campaign, we will be able to deliver even more critical equipment.

Frontline Deliveries: Two Milestones Reached - and the Trucks Keep Coming

This June, the UAO team hit the road every day, delivering in the Kharkiv, Slovyansk, Kramatorsk, Prokovsk and Kherson directions, converting your generous donations into drones, generators, communication devices, and vehicles on all fronts. Two of our long-running fundraisers successfully crossed the finishing line; please see below.

First milestone - funding for 100 ground drones secured

On 4th June, we shared news regarding a goal we have worked for since March: Our joint “Four wheeled friends” ground drone fundraiser, done with the Dutch foundation VVO Diel, reached its ambitious goal to raise $250,000. Combining our efforts, we set out to fund 100 ground drones (UGVs) to improve front line logistics and evacuations, remotely controlled work-horses that supply forward positions and transport wounded soldiers back to stabilisation points across any terrain. We reached the milestone due to outstanding support, including $150,000 from an anonymous donor, $25,000 from “Dura Vermeer”, and a $50,000 donation in memory of the late U.S. volunteer Joseph Bank who defended Ukraine for many years. We would also like to thank Anna, Operator Starsky, Tom Lassing, Joris Luyendijk, Preston Stewart, and the Combat Veteran News team. Orders for around 50 ground drones were already placed, and more are being delivered to the 25th Airborne Brigade, 429th Unmanned Systems Brigade "Achilles", 42nd Separate Mechanized Brigade, Rubizh Brigade, Omega Special Purpose Center, and the Marines. Donations are still welcome, because we intend to also procure larger UGVs alongside the Targans we delivered so far.

Our warriors from the 154th Brigade and the 3rd Separate Tank Brigade received their "Targan" Ground Drones from UAO!

Second milestone - procurement of 135 generators secured

On 23rd June, UAO completed one of the most complex logistics efforts since we began: We had learned that 135 high-quality generators from 20kW upwards, eight flatbed truck loads, were available for a very good price. It was a true yes-but-how situation we did not want to miss. Thankfully, several Dutch donors, charities, and volunteers made it happen - jointly, the entire lot was purchased at short notice. 58 generators were already delivered by UAO, and the heartfelt feedback from various brigades showed just how vital reliable electricity supply is. We want to express our gratitude to VVO Diel foundation, Protect Ukraine, Hands & Feet, Eyes on Ukraine, and LifeLine Ukraine for their swift co-operation and co-sponsorship, but also to our long-standing anonymous Dutch donor, and Hope4Ukraine and their volunteer drivers who handled much of the transportation.

Together with a group of charities, donors, and volunteers, we acquired 135 generators (8 truckloads). The generators were bought by the organizations involved, with 58 generators distributed by UAO. We already heard back from the brigades how big of a difference this equipment means.

Trucks, vans, cars, and other equipment keeps coming

Apart from the above, equipment purchased from your donations reached units on all front lines. Also in June, generators, power stations, and Starlink terminals remained highest on the list of unit requests. The 17th Special Purpose Center, Perun Unmanned Systems Battalion, Rubizh Brigade, 54th Separate Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, 82nd Air Assault Brigade, and the 433rd Unmanned Systems Battalion all received what they asked for, much of it funded by our steadfast Dutch partner, the Dutch foundation VVO Diel. Thanks to the Dutch fund Protect Ukraine, we ensured steady deliveries of reconnaissance and strike drones, and long-standing night-vision drone requests from the 30th Mechanized Brigade, “Black Swan” unit of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment, Omega Special Purpose Center, and the 54th Artillery Brigade were fulfilled.

We provided the 5th and 54th Separate Reconnaissance Battalion with thermal vision drones, delivered tablets and drone controllers to the 428th Separate Unmanned Systems Battalion "Shadow", and delivered “Barrier” interceptor drones to the Kherson Anti-Aircraft Brigade. For an NGO that is not focused on cars, we nevertheless delivered an impressive fleet this month, working with the Dutch foundations VVO Diel and Eyes on Ukraine. A group of tireless volunteers drove vans, trucks, and cars to the 144th Mechanized Brigade, 18th Sloviansk Brigade, 225th Separate Assault Battalion, 1129th “Bila Tserkva” Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment, 3rd Special Operations Regiment, and to the “Avenging Shadow” unit of the 11th Border Patrol Detachment. UAO even delivered a fork lift truck to an engineering regiment in the Pokrovsk-Kramatorsk direction.

The 1129th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment was in need of another van for their logistics! Happy to have helped these air-defense warriors with the van!

Donate here for Reddit Power for Ukraine (Drones, Vehicles & Connectivity): FUNDRAISER

Volunteer Jan Pieter’s Trip to Ukraine (Personal Report)

On 6th June, Sytske, Yuri, and I began our journey from the Netherlands to Ukraine. For me, this trip meant something special: I had set up a personal fundraiser connected to it, and thanks to the generosity of friends, family, and colleagues, more than €7,500 were collected.

We picked up two cars in the early morning - a Toyota Hilux and a Mitsubishi Pajero - along with Starlink terminals and generators. Before heading east, we stopped near Leiden for a meeting with Dutch volunteers and sponsors, as well as Ukrainian soldiers.

Seeing so many people and non‑governmental organisations working together to support Ukraine was inspiring. Moments like these remind me that together, we truly make a difference.

Arrival in Volodymyr

Late in the evening of Monday, 8th June, we arrived in Volodymyr in western Ukraine. Friends of Yuri welcomed us warmly with barbecued meat and beer - exactly what you wish for when you’re tired and hungry after a long drive.

The next day brought a small delay: The Hilux’s light wiring had broken and needed fixing. This gave us the chance to explore the beautiful city and its surroundings. As in all Ukrainian cities, the central square is lined with photos of fallen or missing heroes - a grim reminder of the ongoing war.

Onward to Kharkiv

On Thursday, 11th June, Sytske and I continued towards Kharkiv after delivering supplies to the UAO warehouse and picking up additional equipment. In Kharkiv, we made deliveries to three units and handed over our beloved car.

After driving a vehicle for 2,500 km, I grew attached to it - even if the steering wheel and gear shift are on the “wrong” side, because the car was sourced from the UK. It was nice to see how happy the unit was to receive it, assuring us it would be put to good use.

Delivering the equipment funded by the fundraiser felt personal. Moreover, meeting the young men who fight bravely every day was intense, especially in a city where the sirens don’t seem to stop.

Kyiv and Lukianivska market

Upon returning to Kyiv, I had time to walk through the city. What struck me most was the Lukianivska market. Despite a recent Russian terror attack, the people of that neighbourhood refuse to give in. The market remains open, and good coffee is available on every corner. Life continues. Ukrainians live their lives in freedom - a freedom worth fighting for!

Donate here for Reddit Power for Ukraine (Drones, Vehicles & Connectivity): FUNDRAISER

Impressions from Jan-Pieter's Ukraine trip

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

Sincerely, the UAO Volunteer Team.

Heroyam Slava!