- Dette innlegget er også tilgjengelig på norsk.
Chair of the board and Member of Parliament Peter Frølich and Secretary General Natalia Golis recently visited Kyiv. There, they met with Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency HUR, and his deputy, Major General Vadym Skibitskyi.
During the meeting, Budanov and Skibitskyi expressed deep gratitude and recognition for Fritt Ukraina’s contribution to Ukraine’s defense efforts.
Vital equipment to the frontlines
“The support we receive from Fritt Ukraina shows that the democratic world stands with us in the face of Russian aggression. This is more than assistance — it is a sign of true solidarity. By strengthening Ukraine, you also strengthen the security of Europe,” Budanov said during the meeting.
Deliveries have a total value exceeding 40 million euros. All equipment is delivered directly to the frontlines, making Fritt Ukraina a key player in the supply chain.
“To date, Ukrainian forces have received more than 660 vehicles, over 4,600 drones, as well as thousands of communication units, computers, generators, and other critical equipment from Fritt Ukraina,” they said.
Both Peter Frølich and Natalia Golis have personally participated in several deliveries and met with soldiers on the frontlines.
“We are grateful for such a strong recognition from the highest level,” said Natalia Golis. “This acknowledgement highlights the importance of Norway’s engagement and inspires us to continue our efforts to ensure Ukraine gets the equipment and support it needs.”
Increased support for special forces and new technologies
Budanov also emphasized the importance of continued close collaboration to strengthen Ukraine’s special forces and invest in forward-looking defense initiatives.
“Since the beginning of the war, Fritt Ukraina has provided hundreds of vehicles and drones to combat units, including the special unit Kraken,” Frølich said.
Kraken is a volunteer-based special forces unit under the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs, known for its high combat effectiveness and advanced equipment in complex operations.
Frølich stressed that Fritt Ukraina continues to work on securing new funding sources to ensure Ukraine’s intelligence forces get everything they need.
Kremlin preparing for possible war with NATO
Major General Vadym Skibitskyi painted a grim picture of the security landscape:
“The Kremlin is preparing for a potential war against NATO in the 2030s and plans to spend nearly 1.1 trillion US dollars on military buildup between 2027 and 2036. This is the largest military modernization program in Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union,” he warned.
Fritt Ukraina continues its vital efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s defense and contribute to security across Europe.
See also: Support for Special Units and New Defense Projects: DIU Chief Kyrylo Budanov Meets Norwegian MP Peter Frølich