Today, as I'm sure you know, marks the 4th anniversary of the start of this war. There will be no jokes today, no attempts at levity.

None of us imagined what events that day would set in motion. Terror and tragedy mixed with the Ukrainian tenacious spirit to reshape the world. No, I'm not being hyperbolic. Think about the world before the invasion: russia was still considered a major power, Europe's gaze was firmly turned inward, and the USA was a symbol of freedom and hope.

Today, Ukraine has been beaten and battered, but they not only still resist, they have destroyed the russian image of power. Europe is waking up and strengthening, and the USA is...changed. All of this because a people decided that they wanted sovereignty and freedom from centuries of muscovite oppression.

None of us know how, exactly, this war will end or how the world will change because of it. UFL knows that you have done something special, though, and tirelessly and lovingly helped literal thousands of Ukrainian defenders stand firm and tall against tyranny and evil.

Just as the world can never repay Ukraine for its sacrifice, so, too, can we never repay you for your compassion and support. We say it every week, but we always mean it from the bottom of our hearts: thank you.

Updates

The drone team (designated Echo) from the SOF 17th Special Purpose Center sent us two pictures thanking you for the powerstation and their new backpacks.

The 25th Brigade's drone team (also called Echo), got their Starlink and sends their thanks.

And the 20th Unmanned Systems Brigade (formerly K2), sent a video thanking you for their powerstation and Starlink. Here is a screenshot from that video:

And lastly, the Pomsta Brigade received and loves their pack of needful things.

This week:

Because of today's significance, we wanted to do something special, so we have two packs brought to you by the 110th Brigade. This unit holds a special place in UFL_Arcaist's heart; he supported the unit on his own before joining UFL. That support ended abruptly when his contact with the unit suddenly stopped communicating, something that happens all too often and never gets easier for Arcaist. Thankfully, someone eventually replaced that lost contact.

$4 Flag pack

The first pack comes with a signed flag from the 110th bearing the HQ emblem, a HQ patch and a brigade patch, and a calendar featuring the 110th.

$4 Artwork pack

This week's second pack features a heartbreaking piece of handmade art entitled "Strengths of Ukrainian Woman". Glass beads form a 40cm x 40cm image of a Ukrainian woman holding poppies, made by a Ukrainian widow to honor her murdered husband by russians. This, too, comes with two patches from the 110th and a calendar.

In closing:

As UFL_Robin has said to me many times, while we earnestly wish that this war had never happened, it brought us at UFL together for a common cause. That same bond between us here extends also extends to you, the people that make UFL's work possible. A shared vision has built a community dedicated to doing the right thing.

I will say it once more, on behalf of UFL and all the friends and family we have met over the last 4 years: thank you for being good people.

Don't forget:

Givebutter may limit ticket purchases to 10 at a time, but as many of you know, you can always buy additional ticket packs without limit.

UFL has amazing art here if you haven't seen it yet!

And please note that although the event description mentions a livestream, there will be none. And while we do deeply appreciate those of you who choose to donate as well as buying raffle tickets, we want to make it clear that donations are not required to enter the raffle.

A somber UFL raffle for 24 February 2026

Four long, horrible years.