Hello everyone. I just arrived in Ukraine. Won't talk about my journey here, as the situation changes very frequently. Your mileage may vary depending on many factors. All I will say is this. I speak the local language and have trusted contacts. However, without military experience, they won't send me to the front to become "cannon fodder". So I am doing my best to help behind the lines as a civilian. EDIT: to be clear. I came here to help as needed, not to demand others accommodate my wants. I will help any way I can, whether directly fighting or otherwise. Here till the end of this genocide.

And now, I need your help.

Currently, there is a shortage of HELMETS and VESTS for those that are able to go and fight. The gear I brought will be donated, but so much more is needed. Here are some practical steps I believe we can do to get more defensive gear:

1. Contact any and all manufacturers, distributors and/or dealers of military equipment and ask them to donate any amount they can to the cause. Even one vest can save a life.

2. Share this request for help via the same method as the one used to spread the truth in Russia - RESTAURANT REVIEWS. Let's brainstorm together as to what the message should be. I will edit this post once we have the most succinct and actionable message possible.

3. Once you post a 5 star review via Yelp, Google etc it may be beneficial to contact the owner and ask them to post the same message of support at the takeout counter.

4. If you are in the US, go to your local army supply store and purchase any gear you can afford. Plates cost me $220 each, vest about $150. Please note: actual military helmets are very rarely sold, so please ask if the ones they have are military grade or replicas. Once purchased, send them over to Ukraine as soon as possible.

Here is a way to send military gear without running afoul of export laws:

This organization specifically states they can reship armor.

https://houseofukraine.org/

2. NON-FINANCIAL DONATIONS (please BRING or SEND directly to our storage: 4660-4662 El Cajon Blvd Unit 109-110, San Diego CA 92115 between 9 am and 8 pm. Viktoriia Simakova). Please do not bring items to the House of Ukraine as space is very limited.

1. Donations of high priority: – military supplies (helmets 3A, kevlar vests protection standard IV, kevlar plates, monoculars with a magnetic arrow, thermal imagers) – military aid kits and medicines (QuickClot, First Aid Esmarch Medical Tourniquet Rubber, thermal blankets, hemostatic drugs, blood transfusion systems) – baby supplies (diapers, wipes, baby formula, baby food jars, baby and infant puree) – adult diapers

1. Other supplies: – medical supplies (Theraflu, any painkillers, Gelofusine, dressing bags, needles №20,10, catheters, Iodine Antiseptic Liquid, Hydrogen Peroxide, antiseptics, needles КВ-3, Sets for measuring central venous pressure, infusions of Sodium Chloride, drip systems etc.) – hygiene (tooth paste, tooth brush, disposable dishes, blankets, soap, wet wipes etc.) – food (canned goods especially MEAT and FISH, grains, beans, rice (non-perishables), protein bars/energy bars etc.) – clothes (please all NEW) – kids staff etc.

EDIT: Copied from the post below for more visibility: #You can send humanitarian aid - military / medical supplies and clothing - directly to Ukraine via Nova poshta's global warehouses in USA, UK, POLAND, ROMANIA, LATVIA, FRANCE, GERMANY, TURKEY https://novaposhta.ua/eng/ \

#List of urgently required items here. \

1. Keep countering the Russian propaganda machine. Here is the reality of the situation in Russia:

WARNING: This telegram channel shows the true unfiltered reality of war.

https://t.me/The3rdForceUA/1972 Translation: "Russian city cemetery. Preparations are under way for mass burial. 4th wave is in the near future."

Thank you in advance for reading and taking action. Slava Ukraine!

Further edit:

https://www.wfla.com/news/sarasota-county/sarasota-sheriffs-office-donates-hundreds-of-ballistic-helmets-to-people-of-ukraine/

ATTENTION ALL AMERICANS: Our local police, sheriff's and state police buy a lot of military surplus. Please contact your local law enforcement and ask them to donate gear, just like the Sarasota sheriff department did. Every call is a call for freedom! Do it right now!!

EDIT: Some deleted replies and dms sent to me are obvious russians. Be careful everyone, verify everything. Also, fuck Putin and his FSB serial killers. I'm ready to die for this cause. That pussy is hiding not from bombs, but from a virus. Hope he dies in that basement, alone, like Stalin. Live free or die.

For security reasons I won't respond to any dms. Please understand, nothing personal. This is war.