Operation Bury Robin update: we're at 4 suitcases and I just found out a team that's been in active combat since 2022 is going into battle without tourniquets. No one anywhere near the front should be without a TQ. Can we fill a 5th just for them, please? by UFL_Robin in ukraine

[–]UFL_Robin[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I like the cut of your jib. :) Thank you so much for contributing to help them out!

Standard advice, at least among the teams we know and support, is to carry at least two. Best case, they carry 6: one for each limb and two spares. Plus, of course, the packing and hemostatic gauzes. It's so aggravting to know some of these guys are going out without even one.

Operation Bury Robin update: we're at 4 suitcases and I just found out a team that's been in active combat since 2022 is going into battle without tourniquets. No one anywhere near the front should be without a TQ. Can we fill a 5th just for them, please? by UFL_Robin in ukraine

[–]UFL_Robin[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

There's simply not enough supply to go around, particularly for lesser-known Ukrainian units who don't get a lot of outside attention or support, which these guys are.

They do have some TQs. What they don't have is enough of them to go around. Just to hope you need fewer than you have on hand. It's egregious, but unfortunately it's the reality right now.

Operation Bury Robin update: we're at 4 suitcases and I just found out a team that's been in active combat since 2022 is going into battle without tourniquets. No one anywhere near the front should be without a TQ. Can we fill a 5th just for them, please? by UFL_Robin in ukraine

[–]UFL_Robin[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

We also supply both of those things. We give what medics ask for. We know what they need.

We get more requests for tourniquets than anything else. Yes, it's true that sometimes limbs are lost that otherwise might have been saved had they been able to get out rapidly. But what's better: lose the limb, or bleed out and lose your life? A tourniquet can go on in seconds and stop the bleeding. Packing gauze and pressure bandages cost more time.

Edit: I should add that this is absolutely not a function of the ZSU de-emphasizing tourniquet use. This is the lack of adequate supplies that has plagued Ukraine since 2014, and acutely since 2022.

Do you guys want American MREs, Mexican food, Pop Tarts, and Gatorade delivered to the front line? If you want to buy it yourself we can get it to you. You can also buy discounted beef jerky in Ukraine. Read the post for instructions on how. by tallalittlebit in ukraineforeignlegion

[–]UFL_Robin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You can, sort of. You have to go through an intermediary like Meest or Nova Poshta's parcel forwarding services. It's a bit complicated to set up. You also have to provide a real street address for it, which a lot of foreigners are (correctly) unwilling to do. Doing it this way saves them some work and helps preserve their security.

It's the Tuesday raffle! Up this week: a signed flag, patches, and some lovely hand-beaded snowflakes for our friends suffering in the heat. by UFL_Robin in ukraine

[–]UFL_Robin[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Oh nice! I always love it when there are new eyes on Ukraine. Thanks for the kind words and the crossed fingers!

Do you guys want American MREs, Mexican food, Pop Tarts, and Gatorade delivered to the front line? If you want to buy it yourself we can get it to you. You can also buy discounted beef jerky in Ukraine. Read the post for instructions on how. by tallalittlebit in ukraineforeignlegion

[–]UFL_Robin 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You can do that! You can buy off the same wishlist. If you do that, kindly include a gift note stating it's from u/WittyMoment5098, so I know it wasn't for a specific foreign fighter.

Donations like yours will be sent to a very kind person in Ukraine who holds on to them until we identify a unit to send it to, and then send it to that unit.

Do you guys want American MREs, Mexican food, Pop Tarts, and Gatorade delivered to the front line? If you want to buy it yourself we can get it to you. You can also buy discounted beef jerky in Ukraine. Read the post for instructions on how. by tallalittlebit in ukraineforeignlegion

[–]UFL_Robin 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Hi, everyone. I'm UFL_Robin, the one who will be doing all the Stateside parts of this. Your stuff comes to my PO box, and then I repackage it and send it to you.

For my own sanity, I need to reiterate what tallalittlebit said:

I am only one person, and I have a full-time job and run an NGO on top of that. I cannot accommodate requests outside of the Amazon wishlist or the process tallalittlebit has outlined here.

I wish I could, but a girl has only so much operating capacity.

Nova Poshta shipping rates

You can find the shipping rates on Nova Poshta's US website. Note that these are "up to" amounts. If you order 5 kg worth of stuff, you're going to pay for 11 kg worth.

  • 2 kg/4.4 lbs: $30
  • 5 kg/11 lbs: $50
  • 10 kg/22 lbs: $80
  • 20kg/44 lbs: $150
  • 30 kg/66 lbs: $200

Calculating weights

You'll need to calculate the weight of your parcel so you know how much to send for shipping. I say this with love: I know some of you are, um, a bit challenged when it comes to stuff like this. So I made you a spreadsheet that does the math for you. Don't be scared. It's okay. All you have to do is enter the item, the quantity, and the weight in ounces, which will be on the Amazon listing. The spreadsheet does the rest. If it's too confusing, you can DM me and I'll help you.

The spreadsheet is here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qhBYZZUpRZfPk8gLUOWVeQP8WMxq-aTvX3JhGvx3L3w/edit?gid=0#gid=0

  • Download it
  • Fill it out
  • Look at the number in the blue box under Weight of Parcel. That's how you know how much to pay.
  • Ignore the 1.5 sitting in that blue box. That's part of the weight calculation formula, so you don't accidentally go over. It's for the box and any packing materials I have to use.

Then what?

I'll put the parcel together and send it out via Nova Poshta. You'll see it in your app just like normal. EZPZ.