This week

We are dedicating this week's raffle proceeds towards 10th Mountain Assault Brigade "Edelweiss". They need help in armoring one of their pickup trucks used for logistics. The 10th has long been one of UFL's supported units and we want to make sure that they are as safe as they can be.

Updates

This week was a slow week for photographic updates from the front, but here is a screenshot of an update video that UFL_Robin posted on Reddit. The quad you bought for the 127th is on its way!

The 5th also sends their thanks after receiving their medical cot.

Lastly, we thought you would like to see what Arcaist does every single week (if not more often). 3 Fossibots, 1 Generator, 50 Sets of thermal underwear (shirt / pants) 2 Boxes with food/morale stuff, and 4 boxes with donated children's clothing are being sent from Germany into Ukraine using UFL's contacts and volunteers. Some of these will never generate an official "thank you" picture, so this is a glimpse into the heavy lifting that Arcaist does for UFL.

$2 Tuesday

Enough about food - I'm getting hungry. This week we have a collection of items that we couldn't fit into a cohesive theme:

A Ukrainian stamp collection set in a frame starts us off, followed by a patch that reads "Good evening, we are from Ukraine". My Kharkiv friend had to explain to me that this comes from a song that found popularity at the onset of the war. By now, you should all recognize the 43rd's emblem, this time emblazoned on a wall clock. Lastly, one of the aforementioned volunteers makes these keychains by hand for fundraising purposes.

$5 pack

Do you recognize the emblem on the flag and patch? You should, since you bought the 79th a UGV a few weeks ago! To go along with the pair, we have another patch that means "I live on my land that God gave me" or "I live on my God-given land". Another handmade keychain rounds out this pack.

Speaking of the UGV...

Borsch Express won the naming contest! We hope that the 79th will like the name and that we get pictures of it in use. Thank you again for providing such a valuable and useful piece of equipment that significantly enhances their ability to defend Ukraine.

On a sidenote, borsch (борщ ) is the Ukrainian transliteration of their national dish. Like everything else, the russians took that delectable dish and appropriated it, claiming it as their own. If you have not yet tried borsch, you really should; it is not only delicious and nutritious, but it is a way to share and spread Ukrainian cuisine (which has an undeservedly bad reputation).

In closing:

Does anyone else here sense a shifting in the war? I find myself more optimistic as I see more and more cracks developing in russia, but I have to caution myself against premature celebration. Ukrainian defenders are still dying on the front lines, and russia is renewing its attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure and civilians.

My optimism is an example of the differences I have found between American culture and that of my Ukrainian buddies. I keep hoping, looking for the bright side of things, while I see my friends don't share that same naivete. They know the price that Ukraine paid and continues to pay for their freedom.

Ukraine's history has been one of existential struggle against the russians (I should really call them muskovites) and before that a fight for independence from the Polish Empire. Their culture and people have been fighting against genocide for centuries, and it has left its mark on them. Ukraine's most reknown author, Taras Shevchenko, explains it much better than me:

“It may be Moscow's razed the land,
And emptied to the sea
Our Dnieper, and our lofty mounds
Dug up — so none may see
The relics of our former fame”
—From “A Dream” (1844)

But that same dogged, defiant, and unquenchable spirit is what inspires me. They aren't an outgoing, bubbly, or superficially pleasant people; they know that everything good requires that they work for it and protect it. This steadfast determination to survive separates them from russians, who seem to have abandoned any desire to improve or progress.

In my experience, once you take the time to get to know a Ukrainian, they are some of the warmest, most sincerely good people I have met.

-Scott

Please note

Though 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.

7 October Raffle

From the 79th to benefit the 10th