Palo Alto residents rally to assist Ukraine as war drags on

Palo Alto residents rally to assist Ukraine as war drags on

Palo Alto residents rally to assist Ukraine as war drags on highlights how our community continues to show up for Ukraine with urgency and heart. Through the leadership and dedication of volunteers like Anna and Olga, and with the support of local partners including Kathy Torgerson, Palo Alto residents are turning concern into action by raising funds, gathering supplies, and sustaining aid as the war continues. This story reflects the collective effort behind Assist Ukraine and our steadfast commitment to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

There is free access to the article via this link

Nets that Protect Against Drones

Nets that Protect Against Drones

One day this spring we were driving to deliver a car to one of the military units north of Kharkiv with which we work. At the checkpoint the guard commented about the exposure of this checkpoint to enemy drone attacks. The frontline is not far so the attacks are very frequent. This means that civilians driving through there are exposed. Indeed, as we were able to see the traffic on this checkpoint is very heavy and in the past the checkpoint was hit several times, with people wounded and cars damaged. We got the contact of the unit at this checkpoint and soon our car was loaded with 300 m2 of anti-drone nets to protect this checkpoint. (photo above)

Now nothing can get through from the sky above this checkpoint which is a big relief for the soldiers who do the checking and for the civilians who live (try to live) in this area.

Ukraine’s drone lessons for NATO

Ukraine’s drone lessons for NATO

 

Writing in The Washington Post, Anna Husarska a close friend of ours, says:

“My colleague Olga Shpak from the nongovernmental organization Assist Ukraine has drone experience because as a PhD in marine biology she often filmed orcas and other whales. She and I have discussed the utility of “setkomets” — nets dropped by drones to trap enemy attack drones, not unlike a net Nabokov might have used to catch butterflies.”

Here is the full text of her article:

The Ukrainian Bell Tolls… for Whom?

The Ukrainian Bell Tolls… for Whom?

Anna Husarska, a close friend of ours, contributed an article on the importance of the Foreign Legion for solving Ukraine’s manpower shortage. While she does not mention directly Assist Ukraine, we visited together a stabilization point of the Foreign Legion which we know was what triggered her interest in the matter.

Her article was published by Project Syndicate and was picked up by many newspapers around the world. There is a free access via this link.

The Cruel Human Cost of the ‘Land Swap’ Idea for Ukraine

The Cruel Human Cost of the ‘Land Swap’ Idea for Ukraine

Writing in The Washington Post, Anna Husarska, a close friend of ours, says:

Since the full-scale Russian invasion, I have frequently traveled to the parts [of Donbas] still held by Ukraine, delivering medical supplies and cars alongside the humanitarian group Assist Ukraine. This week, I am making my 32nd car delivery. Here is the full text of her article:

Assist Ukraine Recognized by Renowned Historian Patrick Bishop on “Battleground” Podcast

Assist Ukraine Recognized by Renowned Historian Patrick Bishop on “Battleground” Podcast

Assist Ukraine Recognized by Renowned Historian Patrick Bishop on "Battleground" Podcast

In Episode 229 of the acclaimed “Battleground” podcast, Patrick Bishop, distinguished British military historian, author, and journalist, shared high praise for Assist-Ukraine.org, naming it his favorite Ukrainian charity. Bishop lauded the organization for its straightforward and heartfelt approach to delivering aid, describing it as:

“A very simple operation delivering medical and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. It’s small, but it’s effective and it’s heartfelt — the best kind of charity. No big bureaucracy, no BS about a bigger mission.”

Assist Ukraine is a grassroots initiative committed to providing life-saving medical supplies, protective gear, and essential humanitarian aid to those impacted by the conflict in Ukraine. Operated with minimal overhead, the organization ensures that every contribution directly supports individuals in urgent need.

To hear Patrick Bishop’s full endorsement and insightful commentary, listen to Episode 229 of the Battleground podcast here.  Patrick recognizes Assist Ukraine around the 29 minute mark.