Defending Freedom and Saving Lives
Ukraine
Spirit of America has supported the people of Ukraine in their fight against Russian aggression since 20215.
Today, Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine is the greatest threat to freedom and democracy since World War II.
Days after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Spirit of America was on the ground in the region working with our US military partners to provide assistance.
We have delivered over $50 million of nonlethal aid to Ukraine’s front lines, saving tens of thousands of lives and helping Ukraine defending itself against a brutal invasion.
In the early days of the war, we rapidly delivered the most needed lifesaving equipment to citizen
soldiers of the Territorial Defense Forces, enabling Ukraine to block Russia’s advance, save Ukrainian
lives, and prevent their country’s collapse.
This aid included:
• 9,296 Level IV bulletproof vests
• 9,298 ballistic helmets
• 21,095 first aid kits and advanced trauma kits
• 21,620 tourniquets
• 33,000 ready-to-eat meals
Spirit of America is the only nonprofit that is recognized by Congress and has an agreement with the Department of Defense that allows US troops to collaborate with us to build goodwill and deliver assistance at scale.
This allows us to deliver aid to Ukraine’s front lines with incredible speed. Some of our lifesaving aid was in the hands of Ukrainian defenders in as little as 36 hours.
Fast aid delivery times result in fewer lives lost.
As the war’s landscape evolved, Spirit of America adapted in response to critical needs identified by our US military and Ukrainian partners.
During the 2022 counteroffensive, we shifted resources toward enhancing the safety, speed and maneuverability of frontline elite units. This helped Ukrainian troops regain more than half the Russian-occupied territory by the end of the year.
To enhance Ukrainian forces’ speed and maneuverability, we have delivered:
- 1,750 thermal imagers
- 223 surveillance drones
- 74 total vehicles: 9 50-passanger buses, 15 vans, 41 trucks, 9 SUVs
- 347 TDF truck refurbished
There is a constant need to replace vehicles that become damaged on the front lines.
When the Territorial Defense Forces identified thousands of unused, inoperable, Soviet-era trucks, Spirit of America stepped in to help fund their repair and redeployment to the frontlines.
$4,000 in parts and repairs resulted in newly deployed trucks worth $80,000 each – a 20x ROI.
To date, 347 military trucks have been repaired and put in service on the front lines.
On the frontlines, Ukrainian soldiers face the challenge of maintaining personal hygiene, which leads to force sustainment issues due to increased sick leaves, mental health issues, and suicide rates.
That is why we funded 12 mobile combat showers for the Territorial Defense Forces.
Now, the TDF can use these combat showers on the front lines and tow them into vulnerable communities for civilians who haven’t had access to electricity or running water.
Combat showers can clean 50-100 showers and civilians daily.
More than 120,000 men and women serve in Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces, but only 3% had any military experience or training before 2022.
To increase their combat survivability, Spirit of America provided critical startup funding to the Territorial Defense Force’s Captain’s Course.
The course training hundreds of combat-credible leaders, reduced casualties on the front lines, and has been hailed by President Zelenskyy and General Zaluzhny as catalytic.
As of December 2023, the Captain’s Career Course has graduated 480 captains. With each Captain commanding a company of 100 soldiers, Spirit of America’s initial investment has impacted an estimated 48,000 soldiers.
Spirit of America continues to deliver urgently needed assistance ot propel Ukraine to victory.
We prioritize elite unites that have the greatest asymmetric impact in defending Ukraine and stopping Russian aggression. This includes:
- Force protection gear
- A secure communications network that identifies threats and protects lives on the battlefield
- Medical equipment
- Surveillance drones
- Night vision goggles
These items enable Ukrainian soldiers to identify threats, provide protection to the frontlines, and help them stay alive on the battlefield.
Thank you for taking Ukraine’s side.
Your support is saving lives and helping Ukraine defend its freedom.
