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Hey gang, sending gear to Ukraine?

 

We’ve had numerous phone calls and emails asking us about our donation to Ukraine. Originally, the shipment was supposed to be sent already before the attack but it ran into some logistical issues. Now the kinks have been worked out and we’ve made sure that all the gear will find its way safely to those that need it. We’ve also noticed that some of you have already purchased some gear to be taken to Ukraine.

 

We know you all want to help, but we also need to keep the realities in mind. “Infantry wins battles, logistics wins wars”, is the famous quote by General Pershing. Nowadays, when there is so much more gear than even just a hundred years ago, getting the right gear to the right place at the right time can be a nightmare. International post packages are not the way to go right now.

 

If you want to help the people of Ukraine, the best way to do that is to donate money. There are various organizations collecting donations, for example the Red Cross, Unicef and the UN Crisis Relief. You can even donate straight to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Donating money makes sure that it reaches the people who actually need it, and will be used for those purposes that are most essential right now.

 

Sometimes it feels better to purchase actual items, and of course these are also welcomed by the Ukrainians. Sending physical items always has its downsides though: will it arrive safely where it’s supposed to? In the midst of crises, all sorts of asshats come crawling out of their hiding places, supposedly gathering gear for a good purpose but ending up selling it to the highest bidder. There is no doubt that the Russian regime is also paying people to divert shipments away from Ukraine. So if you opt for sending gear rather than money, make sure that it will be sent where it’s supposed to.

 

If you want to purchase smaller batches, you can just make an order online or come straight to our physical store. If you want to haul a van full of gear at once, please contact our customer service so we can work out the details.

 

What do the Ukrainians need? We’re already almost out of ballistic helmets and bulletproof vests but we are trying to get more. Good undergarments and socks are always needed, combat boots in EU sizes 43 to 45, hats, gloves, combat vests, pouches, backpacks, first aid items and meal rations. Do not send Finnish M05 camo gear to an active warzone.

Our own shipment contains combat gear, food and first aid items. We are also donating money.

 

The situation of the world is vastly different now than it was 19 years ago when Varusteleka was founded mainly to provide gear for airsofters. During the last six years, we have been developing proper gear also suited for active soldiers during wartime that keep you safe from bullets and fragments. Now that the war in Ukraine is escalating, we are working even harder than before to ensure a steady flow of gear even if Finland would be under military threat. Bulletproof vests and ballistic helmets are damn expensive items that offer little money to us, but we’ve decided to keep at least a platoon’s worth of gear in stock at all times. Let’s hope that we won’t need them.