What does an operation room of an air defense unit look like? Think about a Hollywood movie you’ve seen: it’s full of modern computers and large-size display monitors and TV sets. What does it look like in reality in Ukraine? Unfortunately, nothing like a movie. Just lots of old and outdated equipment.

(the operations center photo above is taken during an air defense exercise in the HMS Queen Elizabeth's operations room)

Why Ukrainian defenders need computer equipment?

Having modern computers and displays helps to make a quicker and more accurate decision, by providing more info to the decision makers. For example in air defense operation rooms, it helps the air deference systems to be more effective, while every second counts.

Similar story with the units that are in the field and need to be mobile. Having modern laptops and tables allows our defenders to download and install modern maps and apps that allow for a quicker, more accurate, and more informed decisions to be made, to use their limited resources in the most effective way.

Where would you get electronics, and how would you deliver them?

For the field-based computing, we plan to buy light-weight tablets and laptops in the USA where they are much less expensive than in Europe, and deliver them through Poland to Ukraine with our volunteers and team members respectively. These items will be distributed on request from our office near Rivne (Sunflower Seeds Ukraine manager - Oksana Shadyi) to individual and small groups of defenders, in the order that the requests are received and verified.

For the air defense operation rooms, we’re planning to buy Samsung UE40T5300AUXUA TV sets, which seems to have a perfect combination of price and quality. We’ll be buying them in Ukraine and passing them officially from Odesa (Oleksandr Krasnov) to the air defense units in the following way:

two TV sets will be passed to the Air Defence unit in Kherson region
two TV sets will be passed to the Air Defence unit in Mykholaiv region
one TV set will be passed to a supporting unit in Odesa region

Results so far:

We’re working on providing consumer electronics starting early summer 2022, and have already delivered more hundreds of computer items. For example, the Sunflower Seeds Ukraine team (Rivne manager - Oksana Shadyi) provided 36 tablets and 42 communication sets that were purchased, mostly to radio reconnaissance and artillery units.

As another example our Oleksandr Krasnov based in Odesa (where Kateryna Bakova is also from) delivered 32 TV sets donated in-kind by our partners, mostly for air defense operation rooms. In both cases, more than 90% of our deliveries are done directly to the military based on their requests. Other 10% are passed via the trusted volunteer groups that are traveling to the front lines or other relevant locations.

Next steps:

Please click “Donate for Gadgets” button to support this cause with any debit or credit card, GooglePay, or PayPal, and track the progress of this fundraiser on this web page. This page will also show your name and your contribution, or you can choose to donate anonymously. Once you complete your donation, you will be prompted to share this campaign on social media—please consider doing so and adding a personal note for your friends.

More information:

The mission of Sunflower Seeds Ukraine is to save lives and reduce suffering by providing medical aid, protective equipment, and tactical gear to small groups of defenders at the front lines, and humanitarian assistance to affected civilians and animals in need. For frequent updates about our efforts to save lives in Ukraine please like our Facebook page and follow our Instagram account.

Webpage https://www.sunflowerseedsukraine.org
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SunflowerSeedsUkraine.
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sunflower_seeds_ukraine.
Twitter https://twitter.com/UASunflowerSeed

Thank you for helping us strengthen Ukrainian defense efforts with modern consumer electronics!

Note: Sunflower Seeds Ukraine raises funds as an initiative of Ukrainians of Colorado, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations and gifts are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed under IRS regulations and the U.S. law.

Give Gadgets to Ukrainian Defenders!

By Sunflower Seeds Ukraine

Give Gadgets to Ukrainian Defenders!

Our goal is to strengthen Ukrainian defense efforts by providing consumer electronics to units in need. The electronics includes laptops and tablets for the field, as well as display monitors for air defense rooms. To help - click “Donate for Gadgets”!