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Transport number 105 from Fritt Ukraina delivered drones and vehicles of significant value to units in Lviv and Kyiv. The delivery included both small and large drones, as well as vehicles, exactly what is most urgently needed on the battlefield right now.
– This winter is decisive for the war. Never before has it been so clear to us how important every single donation of vehicles and drones is, delivered by a civilian organisation, says Natalia Golis,director of Fritt Ukraina.
From 1,000 to 50,000 drones
The organisation Come Back Alive and the Dronefall project, which Fritt Ukraina has supported, had a goal in 2024 of shooting down 1,000 large Russian surveillance and Shahed drones.
– Now the ambition for 2026 has been set at 50,000. That says something about both the effect of Dronefall and how the project has grown, says Per Christian Johannesen, who took part in the delivery.
Johannesen is CEO of Centragruppen, a Norwegian company that has contributed significant support to Fritt Ukraina. He has personally taken part in several transports delivering vehicles and equipment to Ukraine.
– When we went in with support for Dronefall last autumn, we helped kick-start the project, says Johannesen.
The Norwegian contribution was matched with an equivalent amount from Come Back Alive.
In a short time, the project has developed from a targeted initiative into a central part of the defence against both surveillance and attack drones.
– Today, Dronefall has become “mainstream” in the defence against Russian drones, Johannesen adds.
Drones and vehicles that cannot wait – literally
This transport involved vehicles loaded with drones and equipment that urgently needed to be delivered to units close to the front.
That the need for support to Ukraine is great is well known. What nevertheless became particularly clear on this transport, through conversations with recipients in both Lviv and Kyiv, was just how acute the situation is, and how little time they have to spare.
For one recipient unit, a waiting time of two days was unacceptable. Instead, they drove 850 kilometres each way to collect parts of the delivery themselves.
– When recipients drive 850 kilometres one way to get equipment faster, the seriousness becomes very concrete. It puts everything else into perspective, says Thomas Jøraandstad, volunteer of Fritt Ukraina.
During the transport, Fritt Ukraina met with key partners People’s Self-Defence Lviv and Robymo. In addition, a follow-up meeting was held with Come Back Alive to get a status update on the Dronefall project and to follow up the ongoing cooperation.
The pace also characterised meetings in Kyiv. Soldiers Fritt Ukraina knows from previous deliveries only had time for a brief conversation, a photo and the handover of equipment before having to return directly to the front.
– This is not a question of weeks or days. For many of those we meet, it is a matter of hours, says Jøraandstad.
Strong encounters and experiences
– I wanted to join this trip because it gave me an opportunity to meet Come Back Alive, says Nini Nergaard, who also took part in the delivery.
– Together with several others, our family participated in the Odins Ravner project. In that project, Fritt Ukraina cooperated with Come Back Alive, which matched the Norwegian donations. For me, it was interesting to learn more about the organisation and how they work, she says.
– It was very clear that all the units we met have an even tougher daily reality now than when I was there the first time in October.
Nini Nergaard represents the Nergaard family, which has contributed significant donations through Fritt Ukraina. She also took part in the major delivery to Odins Ravner.
– It made a strong impression on me when even a security guard at the train station grabbed me to thank us as foreigners for being there to contribute, she adds.
Read also: “Odins Ravner”: Search and rescue for military pilots and aircrew
Losses are felt more closely
As relationships are built over time, the losses also become more personal. During this transport, several units spoke about losses of both vehicles and lives – friends, colleagues and people they have fought alongside.
– It becomes very close when units we know talk about losses. Not only of equipment, but of lives. And sometimes also of the belief that this will turn out well. Yet they continue the fight, says Jøraandstad.
Read also: Lightning-fast delivery of vital equipment to the front
Deliveries to Lviv and Kyiv
The objective of the transport was to deliver drones and vehicles to recipients in both Lviv and Kyiv.
Fritt Ukraina’s delivery number 105 consisted of five vehicles and a large quantity of drones, including 30 Mavic 3T units, 10 Matrice 4T units, and a delivery of large Ukrainian-produced hexacopter drones with a lifting capacity of up to 15 kilograms.
Drones and vehicles are what is most in demand in Ukraine right now, and the delivery has great value for the units’ operational capability on the battlefield.
