36 million hryvnias to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine from Norwegian donors
The “Come Back Alive” Foundation, together with the Norwegian organization Fritt Ukraina, implemented a historic project aimed at strengthening the capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Within the framework of the “Dronefall” project, €1.6 million was raised.
Half of this amount—€800,000 (approximately 35 million hryvnias)—was provided by Norwegian donors, while the rest was collected by the Come Back Alive Foundation. The project will supply 30 Ukrainian military units with modern anti-aircraft FPV drones, components, technical equipment, communication tools, and vehicles.
It is expected that this will help Ukrainian forces shoot down up to 300 Russian reconnaissance drones, significantly limiting the occupiers’ intelligence capabilities.
Largest International Contribution
This is the largest international donation in the history of the Come Back Alive Foundation. The project has become a symbol of cooperation between Ukraine and Norway, which recently approved a new aid package for Ukraine worth €3 billion.
On December 2, 2024, the 411th Separate Battalion of Unmanned Aerial Systems received equipment as part of this collaboration. The handover involved representatives of Fritt Ukraina, private donors, the Norwegian Ambassador to Ukraine, military personnel, and Come Back Alive staff.
“Norway fully understands that the war Ukraine is fighting is not only about democracy, sovereignty, and the right to make independent decisions. It is also largely about European security policy, the future of Europe, international law, and whether we will allow an aggressor country to impose its will on another sovereign country through force,” emphasized the Norwegian Ambassador to Ukraine, Helene Sand Andresen.
Kateryna Leschyshyn, Manager of International Partnerships at the Come Back Alive Foundation, noted that the collaboration with Fritt Ukraina exemplifies how joint efforts can significantly enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
“From the first meeting with Fritt Ukraina to the first delivery of equipment, only two months have passed. There is more to come: we will supply new units, monitor and celebrate their progress, and analyze what can be improved in subsequent deliveries. The success in launching this large-scale project with an international partner was driven by my firm belief in the “Dronefall” concept, which our partners likely saw as dedication. This was the 1% that made them choose us. The remaining 99% was the work both teams had done previously to build their impeccable reputations,” summarized Kateryna Leschyshyn.
Within the “Dronefall” project, the goal is to shoot down 1,000 Russian reconnaissance UAVs. Upgraded FPV drones are the most effective solution for this purpose. In addition to drones, the project provides support groups with equipment such as pickup trucks, ammunition, communication tools, power supplies, optics, and more. Four months after the project’s launch, 278 Russian UAVs have already been neutralized.
