Rickshaws for the ZSU, Update 13
Hello everybody!
Yes, I’ve ‘promised’ to take a week off, but well… here’s an update on our collection for ZSU units, and its results.
Indeed, thanks to your continuous donations, the last week was so busy, it could easily fill ‘2-3 average’ updates. Here a ‘much compressed’ version.
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The Nissan Navara we’ve bought back in August for the 151st Mech is, finally, back from the repair shop. Anastasiia exploited the opportunity to buy two additional winter tyres for it: these are meanwhile in massive demand, all over Ukraine, thus better do so on time.
For one of examples for all the work done on this car: this is the replaced strut, brake-pads and discs on the right side:
Total cost for the overhaul was as listed below: it might appear ‘high’, but compare it with the price for some other stuff the units need. Foremost, the car is now really ‘almost as new’, and should be able to hold through the winter.
Gents from the 151st Mech are also sending us photos of the (diesel-powered) heater we’ve sponsored for them, two weeks ago. They are grateful and as happy with it as with the charging station sponsored by you, and meanwhile in service, too:
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As reported the last week, this unit lost its StarLink terminal in an air strike on one of their observation posts. Fortunately, everybody survived the strike, and meanwhile - and thanks to your donations - we’ve shipped them a new StarLink, plus a set of tyres for their SUV.
Total cost for that ‘action’:
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Thanks to your continuous donations, the last week, we were both happy and proud to be able to quickly acquire and to ship the third set of tyres for the Medical Company of the 82nd Airborne Brigade.
Here the total expenses for aid for the 82nd Airborne so far (3 sets of different tyres):
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The last week, the 72nd Mech has also received the same heater like you’ve sponsored for the 151st Mech. Like Anastasiia and me, the gents there are as happy ‘as little kids’: it’s keeping a major tent comfortably warm.
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You’re certainly going to recall that the last week the 44th requested us for help with gas masks. Of course, Anastasiia reacted promptly: in cooperation with some 5-6 other volunteers, she purchased a number of brand-new gas masks (sorry, can’t go into precise number: sufficient to say that the volunteers in question have shared the acquisition, so that each sponsored an equal part of the total package for this unit). Anastasiia has also added her ‘usual package’ of supplies for that unit’s paramedics (the same like supplied to the paramedics of the 154th Mech, the last week) and then shipped everything to the destination requested.
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We’ve received a request for paramedic supplies from the Mecial Company of the 65th: the package is ready, but haven’t yet received the delivery address, so this one is waiting for its turn.
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152nd Jäger (former ‘Mechanised’) and 154th Mechanised Brigades
Gents from these two units have had a ‘simple’ request: tourniquets. Anastasiia has processed their request in super-fast fashion, and troops from both brigades are already sending their greetings and thanks!
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…the next part of this update is a sad story…
Readers following my updates on this war since longer know I’ve been ‘following’ this brigade ever since its withdrawal battles from the Tokmak area, back in February-March 2022 (back then, this was one of first units to deploy Javelin guided missiles in combat, and then to establish a ‘solid’ frontline, which saved the city of Zaporizhzhya); then through the Kherson Counteroffensive in September of the same year; and through the Zaporizhzhya Counterffensive of the last year. Lately, got in touch with them again, and some of stories they’ve had to tell were… ‘hair raising', to put it mildly. Here’s what’s likely to appear as ‘just one, minor episode’…
Early the last week, the 128th has requested help with a set of tyres and rims for their SUV that hit petal mines and lost three wheels.
Anastasiia reacted in her usual fashion, found the suitable rims and tyres, acquired and prepared them and was about to ship them when… we’ve been informed that the car was hit as they were trying to recover it, and two soldiers killed.
Of course, we’re going to continue supporting the 128th with all our abilities. Have already received an ‘extended’ list of additional stuff they need, including:
ground control station
airborne repeater
3 sets of batteries for Matrice 30
Ecoflow Delta Pro charging station (2kW)
Ecoflow smart generator
Skyzone glasses
Laptop & Tablet
Anastasia is in the process of preparing this shipment, right now.
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As mentioned above, could go on with yet more photos and ‘stories’. Think, it’s enough for this update, though. What is actually important is this: I can imagine there are readers who might consider all of this for ‘peanuts’. I beg for your understanding if I disagree and emphasise: even your ‘smallest’, ‘minimal’ donations are helping save lives. Every single cent you kindly donate is used precisely for the purpose for which you have sent it: for supporting the ZSU. With your help, we are providing direct and immediate help, without any delays, without any ‘fees’ or whatever, to the troops that request it. No requests are turned down. About 99% of work is done by Anastasiia alone and she is not spending a single cent from your donations for any other purpose but to buy gear and equipment for the ZSU. As soon as another unit contacts her or me, Anastasiia is creating a ‘list’, placing orders, then collecting and re-packing everything - and shipping it on the fastest way to the required destination.
Therefore, your help does matter - and it’s making a huge difference for the troops receiving it.
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In that sense: Accounting
Thanks to your continuous donations, even after all of these purchases the last week, we ‘still’ have US$ 8,559,99 on the PayPal account, €2,195,— on one bank account, and US$ 100 on another bank account.
As usually, for the end, here details for how can you continue helping us help the ZSU.
For donations in US$:
https://send.monobank.ua/jar/j5TsJjQWg
Bank Card Number: 5375411221843282
IBAN: UA333220010000026200347742354
SWIFT/BIC Code: UNJSUAUKXXX
Receiver: Anastasiia Nakonechna
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One plea from Anastasiia: whenever possible, please, make use of the Euro-account: in Ukraine, it’s far easier to use than PayPal, and we’re losing no money for transfers from PayPal to the bank account.
For donations in €:
https://send.monobank.ua/jar/9mtn7jRTuJ
Bank Card Number: 5375411218638372
IBAN: GB27CLJU00997188707780
SWIFT/BIC code: CLJUGB21
Receiver: Anastasiia Nakonechna
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Or, per Paypal: 5266986@gmail.com (Purpose: ‘For Rickshaws’)
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SPECIAL THANKS FOR YOUR CONTINUOUS SUPPORT!
Sustainment is so important in combat operations, both in capabilities, the wear and tear on the body, and the fatigue of the mind.
Having operated in a mechanized unit for a few weeks in -9 C weather, it was important that we rotated the troops in my platoon for time in the one track (out of four) that had a functioning heater. It reduced the chance of frostbite and reduced the general fatigue on the body so they could function. It’s hard enough on a soldier in their 20’s and harder still on a soldier in their 50’s. Inside a headquarters, non-freezing temperatures help the equipment and batteries function better, and it helps the staff focus on keeping their troops alive. A heater is an oasis in a winter desert.
Ammo has to be delivered to the troops. Drone teams and replacements need to move close to the front. Casualties have to be evacuated. There aren’t enough Humvee’s or their equivalent to go around so pickup trucks fill the void. They need the vehicles and the vehicles need to be able to move. These non-combat vehicles save lives in many ways.
I’ve been in tear gas chambers twice, and I’ve been in the field and streets (riot training) when tear gas is used. It is difficult to focus on your aim when your eyes are streaming tears and your nose is streaming snot. In heavy enough doses, particularly in closed spaces, such as bunkers, or even trenches were the gas collects, it impacts your ability to function. This is why the Russians sometimes use tear gas before an assault. Gas masks save lives.
We know, of course, of the value of tourniquets. A limb can survive for two hours with a tourniquet on. It usually takes 4-6 hours before the restricted blood flow causes harm. Depending on the wound to the limb, a human can bleed out in minutes or seconds. Even if a limb wound wouldn’t result in death, the less blood that is lost, the faster the body will recover.
And then there is the sustainment of the mind of those fighting at or near the front. You’re a human being. You can imagie what it feels like when there are people like Anastasiia that put in so much effort to help with the little things that saves lives. Every day. These soldiers fight on behalf of their people of their country, and, yes, to the benefit of all. Surely, it must feel nice to know that people care about their efforts.
So thank you Anastasiia, for working so hard for your people, to the benefit of us all. Thank you, Tom, for being the bridge between both the soldiers on the front line and Anastasiia, and for keeping us engaged in the struggle with both news and a way to directly help. And thank you for all who make the effort to read and stay engaged and directly helping. Thank you for being good people and doing your part to make the world just a little bit better.
Me lame duck missed to donate three times. Felt so bad, so I send five times the amount I would have, to make up for it…