- Dette innlegget er også tilgjengelig på norsk.
Taras og Kate from NGO “Come Back Alive” together with Christian Stabell Eriksen, Chairman of CentraGruppen. Photo: Erik Bjørndal/Fritt Ukraina
CentraGruppen has donated 10 million NOK to Ukraine’s fight for freedom through Fritt Ukraina. As part of this effort, they recently drove a convoy of ten vehicles, fully loaded with critical equipment, all the way to Kyiv.
“This is a donation that has a real impact. Quickly. And thanks to a family business that takes the lead,” says Natalia Golis, Secretary General of Fritt Ukraina.
With this donation, Fritt Ukraina has joined the “Dronefall” project, which supplies Ukrainian forces with “interceptors”—drone packages with anti-drone drones.
CentraGruppen’s donation gave Fritt Ukraina the means to undertake its largest matching project ever. Ukraine’s largest NGO, “Come Back Alive,” matched CentraGruppen’s contribution, bringing the total delivery value to nearly 20 million NOK.
Aiming to Take Down 1,000 Russian Drones
Come Back Alive’s primary mission is to support Ukraine’s defense forces, save soldiers’ lives, and combat the enemy. The foundation receives support from individual donors, private organizations, and state-owned companies both in Ukraine and internationally, making it Ukraine’s largest NGO.
The goal of the “Dronefall” project is to take down over 1,000 Russian drones using drones instead of costly missiles. Alongside essential support materials such as vehicles, power stations, and communication equipment, these drones are already being deployed by skilled Ukrainian units.
Russian surveillance drones like ZALA, Supercam, and Orlan collect data on Ukrainian personnel movements, equipment, and both military and civilian infrastructure. This intelligence is used to launch artillery and missile attacks, causing massive destruction and loss of life.
“This work saves lives and preserves infrastructure on the ground in Ukraine,” says Natalia Golis.
“We Have an Obligation to Contribute”
Employees of CentraGruppen personally participated in the delivery, driving a convoy of ten vehicles loaded with vital supplies for three days from Norway to Kyiv. The collaboration with Come Back Alive enabled an expanded delivery that also reached operational units deep within Ukraine.
“We do this because we feel an obligation to contribute to Ukraine’s fight for freedom,” says Christian Stabell Eriksen, Chairman and shareholder of CentraGruppen. “This is about defending the values we take for granted in our society—whether in Norway, Europe, or liberal democracies as a whole.”
Freedom as a Shared Responsibility
Stabell Eriksen emphasizes that the responsibility to support Ukraine does not rest solely on governments.
“This is not just a public responsibility. It is also an opportunity and a responsibility that companies and individuals can influence.”
Powerful Impressions from the Frontlines
Stabell Eriksen describes the journey as both meaningful and thought-provoking.
“We have met people who have chosen freedom and Western Europe over Russian-dominated governance. They are engaged in a desperate fight against an existential threat that feels light-years away from our safe everyday life in Norway.”
He recounts meetings with soldiers and civilians showing remarkable determination to fight for what they believe in, often risking their lives.
“They warmly welcomed us and greatly appreciated both the equipment we delivered and our presence. It was clear that our contribution made a difference in their defense efforts.”
More than Half of the Employees Participated
The Centra convoy was made up of a mix of employees, owners, and external board members. What united them was a desire to contribute beyond CentraGruppen’s donation.
“It was a powerful and meaningful experience to personally deliver the donation in the form of requested equipment to select Ukrainian units and to hear directly from those on the frontlines about the importance of this contribution in their fight for our shared values,” Johannesen explains.
“We are a small company, and over half of our employees took part in this trip,” says Per Christian Johannesen, CEO of CentraGruppen. He has previously joined several of Fritt Ukraina’s transport missions.
“The feedback I’ve received from employees afterward has been overwhelmingly positive,” he says.
“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our chairman, Christian Stabell Eriksen, to our incredible volunteer Per Christian Johannesen, who is also Centra’s CEO, and to the team of employees who drove 3,000 kilometers with 10 vehicles and equipment to Ukraine,” says Natalia Golis. “And I hope others will follow their example,” she adds.
A Call to Action
The collaboration with Fritt Ukraina and Come Back Alive has provided CentraGruppen with new perspectives on freedom and community.
“We return home with deep gratitude for the society we are a part of. At the same time, we question why Norway as a nation isn’t contributing more, given the resources we have at our disposal. This is about everything we value, everything we stand for, and the values we want to shape the future,” says Eriksen.
In closing, Eriksen offers a call to action:
“This is a fight we can all contribute to – as individuals, companies, or organizations – with resources or effort. Together, we can make a difference.”
Images from the delivery
Se innslag om leveransen på ukrainsk TV
