A quick note from our president

I know that events in Iran and the US have, rightly and understandably, captured the world's attention. Unfortunately, that means less attention on Ukraine during a particularly harrowing time. I just wanted to thank you for still being here for them.

--Robin

It's bad

UFL has been inundated with urgent requests, the majority of which are for powerbanks and generators. Thanks to the continuous russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, electricity supply across the entire country is down to 3 hours per 24 hours in multiple regions. As difficult as that is for Ukrainian civilians, it is even more troubling for the soldiers on the front. Add to that a colder winter than any over the past few years and you have a power grid that is barely functioning.

Unfortunately, the bad news doesn't stop there. UFL's contacts in Ukrainian units are telling us that the russian attacks just don't stop, and it is straining AFU forces.

You, the engine that drives UFL's efforts, have consistently and generously supported Ukraine for years now. Never think that we take that support for granted; every donation, no matter how much, is noticed and appreciated. As much as it pains us to ask every week, we have no choice but to do so yet again.

Updates

We haven't received many photographic updates this week, but that doesn't mean that we are taking a break. This is what UFL_Arcaist sent to Ukraine this week:

- 5 Generators “Scheppach”
- 1 3D Printer Bambulab P1S
- 100 Tourniquets CAT-7
- 11 Powerstations Fossibot F2400
- 3 Starlinks
- 2 Starlink Mini
- 4 Jackets (donated)
- 13 powerbanks of various type (used, donated)
- 3 3D Printers Bambulab A1 + extra Nozzles / 3D Lac
- 1 Sleeping bag (donated)
- 30kg of 3D printing filament
+ a LOT of food, socks, t-shirts and other needful things

We did get word that the 79th received their tourniquets and warm winter socks, and the 214th thanks you for their tacmed.

This week:

$2 TACO Tuesday

Let's hope that TACO continues again this week...

We begin this week's Extra Extra Large raffle with a sticker pack and a notebook. A Ukraine patch joins a rare K2 patch from when K2 was only a battalion. Lastly, the same artist who made the montanka in this week's $5 pack also made this Ukrainian dove.

$5 Motanka

This week's $5 ticket is truly special: a handmade Ukrainian motanka symbolizing good, wearing protective red.

A montanka is a traditional Ukrainian family talisman. They have been made in Ukraine for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. This motanka was handmade by a Ukrainian artist and was specifically given to UFL by one of our contacts in the country who is instrumental in UFL's operations. You can read all about motanky here.

$10 TF Nobody

Task Force Nobody, a drone unit with the 112th Brigade, was so thankful for your support that they gave us this awesome pack! If you remember from our first raffle this year, TF Nobody sent us a "thank you" picture with their Brigade flag.

This pack makes this week an XXL raffle; a signed 112th Brigade flag, two Brigade patches, and a "Nobody" unit patch. As if that weren't enough, they send a beautiful shot glass set with their message of thanks!

Lastly, "Nobody" sent twisted nails in the shape of the 112th emblem. According to our contact in the unit:

"The Iron triangles are made by a Ukrainian brother of mine. He was the Gunner and later Commander of a PzH2000. 🤟🏼 Destroyed 34 ork pieces of armor around Avdiivka. Now he's in hospital for the past 6 months, and those are part of his therapy."

In closing:

This geopolitical instability is getting ridiculous! I know I am not alone in wishing that the world's so-called "leaders" would focus on improving the lives of regular people instead of creating political drama to further their own agenda.

Throughout all this posturing and bombast, good people, not just Ukrainians but across the world, stand up and resist. Resist hate, resist violence, resist injustice...resist evil.

An Observation
by May Sarton

True gardeners cannot bear a glove
Between the sure touch and the tender root,
Must let their hands grow knotted as they move
With a rough sensitivity about
Under the earth, between the rock and shoot,
Never to bruise or wound the hidden fruit.
And so I watched my mother’s hands grow scarred,
She who could heal the wounded plant or friend
With the same vulnerable yet rigorous love;
I minded once to see her beauty gnarled,
But now her truth is given me to live,
As I learn for myself we must be hard
To move among the tender with an open hand,
And to stay sensitive up to the end
Pay with some toughness for a gentle world.

Such resistance is never without cost. Remember those costs, both hidden and visible, that the heroes bear and know that we all play our parts in making humanity worthy of that sacrifice.

-Scott

Don't forget:

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.

20 January Triple Extra Large raffle

We are getting slammed with requests