Between February 24, 2022, and mid-October 2023, the Come Back Alive Foundation raised over UAH 9 billion to assist the Defense Forces of Ukraine.

The Come Back Alive Foundation reported on this.

In total, over this time period, the Foundation received 2,654,568 transfers.

Funds come from both individuals and businesses. Transfers are made both to the Foundation’s general account and to the accounts of individual projects.

The average donation is UAH 3,393.

Sappers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine received mine clearance equipment from the Come Back Alive Foundation, November 2023. Photo by the Foundation

“We are grateful for every donation and are tirelessly working to ensure that every hryvnia you give us is spent with maximum efficiency for the military,” the Come Back Alive Foundation emphasized.

The Foundation shared that between February and May of this year alone, it allocated over UAH 2 billion to prepare the Defense Forces for the summer offensive campaign.

In 2023, the Foundation’s instructors have already trained more than 1500 military personnel in the “Shooting from Closed Firing Positions Using the ARMOR graphical and calculation system” program.

Eight tactical medicine training facilities were deployed on the training grounds of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. About 300 soldiers have been trained and further developed in mine safety. 600 marksmen are being trained as part of the Beastmen project.

The Come Back Alive Foundation, in particular, purchased for the army from February 24, 2022

More than 7,900 people have completed online intensive courses on training UAV operators, which the Foundation’s aerial reconnaissance specialists launched on the Prometheus platform last year.

The PD-2 unmanned aerial vehicle of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. October 2023. Photo credits: Come Back Alive Foundation

Come Back Alive Foundation analysts presented four important studies in the field of security and defense, including those on the experience of deploying the Territorial Defense Forces and on Ukraine’s membership in NATO being the only effective guarantee of security.

Come Back Alive Foundation trains marksmen of the Rubizh brigade. November 2023. Photo credits: press service of the foundation

The Come Back Alive Foundation notes that this is an incomplete list of their results. More about individual projects can be found on the Foundation’s website.

On Tuesday, November 13, the German government announced a new military aid package for Ukraine.

The contents of the package were announced on the official website of the government of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The assistance includes tanks, other armored vehicles, and various equipment, drones, and radars.

The new package includes:

• 10 Leopard 1A5 tanks;
• 14 tracked all-terrain vehicles Bandvagn 206;
• 5 All Terrain Tracked Carrier Warthog Ambulances;
• 1,020 rounds of 155mm ammunition;
• 1 Wisent 1 mine clearing tanks;
• 10 Vector reconnaissance drones;
• 10 thousand safety glasses;
• -14 GO12 ground surveillance radars;
• 3 border protection vehicles;
• 4 8×8 HX81 truck tractor trains and 4 semi-trailers;
• 16 Zetros trucks;
• 13 MAN TGS trucks;
• 1.4 million rounds of firearm ammunition.

Leopard 1A5 tank in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. September 2023. Photo credits: ArmyInform

Previously, the first Leopard 1A5 tanks were delivered to Ukraine in July this year as part of a military aid package from Germany. They were equipped with a 105-mm rifled cannon that allows them to hit targets with great accuracy.

The Leopard 1A5 tank crew consists of four servicemen, unlike the Soviet-era main battle tanks in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which are operated by three servicemen.

Leopard 1A5 tank in Ukraine. September 2023. Photo credits: ArmyInform

In June 2023, the Belgian government also ordered 105-mm tank ammunition worth €32.4 million for Ukraine.

A branch of KNDS supplied shells for Leopard 1 tanks.

As previously reported, Germany plans to transfer two more IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine by the end of the year.

German diplomat Martin Jäger, German Ambassador to Ukraine, reported on this. He emphasized that three IRIS-T systems are currently deployed in Ukraine, and five are planned for the end of this year.

The launcher from the IRIS-T SLM SAM on fire position. Photo by Diehl

In October 2023, Germany handed over the IRIS-T SLM air defense system to Ukraine.

It was also reported that Germany’s Diehl Defense plans to significantly increase the production of IRIS-T air defense systems and missiles for them.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine strives to ensure that body armor, helmets, tactical equipment, clothing, and food for the Armed Forces are produced in Ukraine.

The press service of the Ministry of Defense reported on this.

The Ministry initiated a meeting with Ukrainian business representatives who supply these products to the military.

Entrepreneurs claim that they are ready to fully meet the rear needs of the Armed Forces with quality goods.

At the meeting, the parties discussed how to make business cooperation with the state predictable so that businesses can plan expenditures for the MoD’s orders.

Dmytro Klimenkov, Deputy Minister of Defense, at a meeting with business representatives. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense

In 2024, the Defense Procurement Agency, a newly created enterprise of the Ministry of Defense, will be responsible for providing the Armed Forces with clothing, food, fuel, body armor, helmets, and tactical equipment.

On November 1, Militarnyi reported that the State Logistics Operator, a state agency, would be responsible for purchasing food for the military personnel.

Agency employees will analyze the market and prices, communicate with suppliers directly, evaluate them, and analyze the work.

​​The first area in which the State Logistics Operator will supply the Armed Forces is food. Procurement is scheduled for December, and the first deliveries are expected in the second quarter of 2024.

Illustration photo of servicemen’s food. Photo from open sources

In addition, it was announced that the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine is launching a project to recruit to the Armed Forces of Ukraine through the Lobby X platform.

It is reported that recruiters will work for the military for free.

The platform makes it possible to independently choose a unit and position to serve. To do this, it is enough to submit a resume for the desired position on the website.

The Government of Ukraine has signed a contract with the German company Rheinmetall to produce a new batch of Leopard 1 tanks for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The company’s official website reported on this.

This order is for the repair and modernization of 25 Leopard 1A5 tanks, five Bergepanzer 2 armored recovery vehicles, and two training tanks for driver training.

The order is financed by Germany and worth a figure in the upper-two-digit million-euro range.

Leopard 1A5 tank at the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann company. Source: twitter.com/nicholadrummond

The order also covers training, logistics, spare parts, maintenance, and other support services.

Delivery is due to take place in 2024. The Leopard 1 systems are currently being overhauled and readied for use at Rheinmetall’s plants in Unterlüß and Kassel.

Rheinmetall thus continues to support Ukraine with a steady flow of tactical vehicles, the company stated.

In addition to the preparation of Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks and special equipment based on them, the company continues to deliver the previously announced Marder 1A3 infantry fighting vehicles. The company is to supply about 80 IFVs, most of which are already in Ukraine and being used at the front.

Marder 1A3 of the Airborne Assault Troops during training exercises at the training ground. Photo credits: Ukrainian Air Assault Forces

In addition, the company is ready to provide the Armed Forces of Ukraine with an additional 20 armored personnel carriers if it receives an order from Ukraine. Additionally, Rheinmetall will prepare 14 Leopard 2A4 tanks for delivery next year, which will be produced jointly with the governments of Denmark and the Netherlands.

Militarnyi previously reported that Germany’s budget for 2024 is to include an additional €4 billion for military assistance to Ukraine.

An agreement on this was reached in the German parliament this week. Next week, the Bundestag Budget Committee will officially decide on an additional €4 billion.

As a result, the total amount of aid for military support to Ukraine will become €8 billion.

Initially, the Federal Budget for 2024 assumes only €4 billion euros for military aid to Ukraine.

Rustem Umerov, Minister of Defense of Ukraine, commented on the results of the investigation into the circumstances of the missile attack on the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade.

The Press Service of the Ministry of Defense reported on this.

“The Main Inspectorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported to me on the results of the investigation into the circumstances of the missile attack on the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade. Now, we know what happened minute by minute and how it happened. We have figured out what led to the tragedy and how it could have been avoided,” the Minister reported.

Umierov stated that the soldiers were gathered in the courtyard of the building for an award ceremony. All the camouflage rules have been ignored, and more than ten cars were parked nearby.

During the event, a Russian reconnaissance UAV was spotted in the sky, after which an alarm was raised throughout the region, and the military was warned about the sector in which it was operating.

Illustrative photo of the Russian Orlan-10 UAV. Photo from open sources

As soon as the missile launch was detected, a “missile alert” was announced, but no centralized security measures were taken at the award ceremony.

It is reported that the investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation is ongoing. The Minister emphasized that all those responsible for this tragedy will be punished according to the law.

Umerov instructed the General Staff to check the implementation of security protocols in the units and emphasized that disrespect for basic security measures is unacceptable.

On November 6, Militarnyi reported that the tragic incident that took the lives of soldiers of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade was discussed at the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

Zelensky noted that, as reported by officials, “it has already been possible to derive from the circumstances of the tragedy whose orders created the conditions for the tragedy to occur.”

Illustrative photo of Iskander SRBM. Photo from open sources

He also emphasized that the entire situation is being analyzed minute by minute, and “it will be established who specifically violated the rules for the safety of people in the area of access to enemy aerial reconnaissance.”

On November 3, Russian troops fired an Iskander-M missile at the personnel of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade in the Zaporizhzhia region, killing the soldiers.

The blast wave and debris damaged about 30 houses and outbuildings located near the impact site.

Ukraine will become the first country-operator of Caracal air assault vehicles by Rheinmetall.

The company announced this on its website.

It is reported that five vehicles will be delivered to Ukraine in late 2023 or early 2024.

The Caracal is a light-air assault vehicle based on the civilian Mercedes-Benz G-Slass SUV.

The vehicle’s design allows it to transport two units in the internal cargo compartments and as the external load of CH-47F Chinook and CH-53K King Stallion helicopters.

Сaracal vehicle from Rheinmetall. Photo from open sources

The manufacturer provides the possibility of installing additional ballistic protection elements.

Modular design allows installing and combining various weapons, starting with machine guns, and ending with anti-tank missile systems.

Given the purpose of the vehicle, it can be assumed that it will be used in the Special Operations Forces or special forces units of the DIU.

On October 10, Militarnyi reported that a package of military assistance from Germany, under which Ukrainian SOF should have received unnamed vehicles.

It is possible that those vehicles were Caracals.

Сaracal vehicle from Rheinmetall. Photo from open sources

In June, it was reported that Germany and the Netherlands were jointly purchasing Caracal AAVs from the German Concern Rheinmetall.

The contract is designed for €302.5 million, and supply is planned to begin in 2025. Production will last 5 years, with 100 vehicles being manufactured per year.

Russia has developed a compact air defense control system that is installed on the uniform of a soldier.

The equipment performs target distribution and guidance for anti-aircraft gunners on the air target, as well as controlling the counter-UAS system.

Penza “Radiozavod” presented the system at the international aerospace exhibition Dubai Airshow 2023.

Previously, the system was made in a frame-modular version for installation on the base of the vehicle.

The updated version consists of an automated control system and an individual automation kit.

Russian compact air defense control system from Radiozavod. November 2023. Photo credits: Rostec

The automated control system is intended for the commander of the unit of anti-aircraft gunners, and an individual automation kit — for soldiers who are equipped with portable anti-aircraft systems or rifle weapons.

The Russians declare that after modernization, the equipment also gained the ability to control anti-drone systems.

Equipment

The automated control system includes a laptop or tablet with special software, navigation tools, and wired and wireless equipment.

The system provides coordination for anti-aircraft gunners, its functionality allows it to simultaneously control nine gunners or four MANPADS platoons.

Illustration photo of Verba MANPADS. Photo from open sources

The system is capable of tracking up to a hundred targets, receiving information from individual automation kits about the hostilities stages and the condition of ammunition, issuing target designation commands, and automating the alignment of anti-aircraft gunners on the ground.

The individual automation kit includes a tablet, goggles with a built-in microdisplay that shows targets, and radio and navigation tools.

Russian compact air defense control system from Radiozavod. November 2023. Photo credits: Rostec

The equipment provides preliminary guidance of the gunner’s armament to the air target according to the commands and target designations received from the unit commander.

Ukraine has created a compact electronic intelligence system ETER.

This was announced by Mykhailo Fedorov, Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.

The development was funded as part of the Brave1 project aimed at developing defense technologies.

ETER is a compact set of direction finders that is designed to detect enemy signals from radio stations, drones, and electronic warfare systems.

This system will help the military detect enemy EW systems and launch drones on a safe route.

Illustrative photo of the Russian Krasukha-4 EW system. Photo from open sources

In addition, such a system can help to counter the EW systems more effectively, detect enemy positions and the location of artillery, and inflict target effects.

The ETER system is modular. It allows it to quickly replace damaged components. It is reported that individual units of the Defense Forces are already using this development.

“ETER is just one of the unique technologies that Ukrainians have created to more effectively counteract the enemy and save human lives. If you also have ideas or projects in the defense field, submit them through the Brave1 platform,” Fedorov said.

In early November, Militarnyi reported about the development of an EW system for Piranha AVD 360 armored vehicles in Ukraine.

Illustrative photo of the Kupol EW system of the Piranha Tech company. Photo from open sources

The system creates a protective dome of up to 600 meters around it. Under the influence of the system, enemy copters or kamikaze drones cannot receive commands and transmit data.

As a result of a communication break with the operator, the drone either hangs in the air and makes an emergency landing, or falls uncontrollably.

Slovakia will finance the production of two Bozena-4 demining systems for Ukraine.

Juraj Blanár, Slovak Foreign Minister, said that Slovakia will continue funding as part of humanitarian assistance.

Slovakia has offered its aid in the humanitarian field, namely in mine clearance.

The Slovak military has extensive experience in this matter and wants to transfer it to Ukraine.

“You may already know that Slovakia intends to finance the production of two Bozena-4 mine clearance systems for Ukraine,” said Juraj Blanár.

Juraj Blanár. Photo credits: rtvs.sk

It is planned that new Bozena-4 demining systems should arrive in Ukraine in early 2024 and start work in the Kherson region.

According to Blanár, Bratislava is also ready to help Ukraine prepare for the cold season, but there will be no weapons from the stocks of the Slovak Army to Kyiv.

Previously, Slovakia supplied Ukraine with 10 remotely controlled Bozena demining systems of Slovak production. In the arsenal of Ukrainian sappers, there are demining systems for Bozena-4 and Bozena-5.

Slovak BOZENA demining systems are produced by WAY INDUSTRY, they were developed on a tracked track. First of all, to demine territory that is contaminated with explosive objects.

BOZENA-4. Photo from open sources

Control is carried out using a remote radio transmitter. Systems have the main body, on-board device, operator’s cabin, and transport platform-trailer. Machines are also equipped with a rotating device with a chain.

There are samples of the 4th and 5th generations of these systems in service in Ukraine. A key difference between the two is that a newer version can be used to clear not only anti-personnel minefields but also anti-tank ones.

BOZENA-5. Photo from open sources

Recall that in September, benefactors raised 650 thousand euros for the purchase of an unmanned mine clearance machine, the Bozena-5 for Ukraine.

Invader forward base in the village of Brylivka on the left bank of the Kherson region was hit with HIMARS.

The Flying Skull unit, which was correcting strikes from a reconnaissance drone, demonstrated their combat work.

The Russian military was housed in two neighboring buildings in the occupied village of Brylivka.

The Shark drone, manufactured in Ukraine, was selected for deep reconnaissance and HIMARS adjustment.

Russian soldiers placed in houses in the village of Brylivka. November 2023, Ukraine. Freeze frame from the Flying Skull video

The drone initially recorded the Russian military coming to the houses and then locating there.

Then, GMLRS missiles were fired from the US M142 HIMARS missile system, which hit the buildings with precision.

“We have a new contender for the high jump record,” the Flying Skull unit commented on the destruction of the Russians.

It is not the first strike against a group of Russian soldiers in the occupied village of Brylivka.

Brylivka on the map

At the end of July this year, a train with military equipment, ammunition, and manpower of the Russian military was hit in the area of the Brylivka railway station.

After the incident, the Center for National Resistance reported that residents were evicted from their own homes near the railway station in the village of Brylivka so that local residents would not inform the Ukrainian Armed Forces of the movement of Russian equipment.

Brylivka railway station. Photo credits: khersonrda.gov.ua

Due to the approaching winter, Russian forces in the occupied left bank of the Kherson region are now trying to arrange logistics for themselves.

Recently, Ukrainian artillery hit a convoy of Russian invaders in the Kherson region. At that time, the convoy was also detected by a reconnaissance drone, which recorded the Russians’ encampment in the village.