Calendar of Forces. The Come Back Alive Foundation Presents the 2025 Calendar

Come Back Alive foundation for competent assistance to the Army has unveiled its 2025 calendar. Created in collaboration with the creative team at GusevArtLab, the annual edition is dedicated to the Defense Forces of Ukraine and explores their history through the symbolism of shoulder patches.

Each page of the Calendar of Forces highlights a specific unit, showcasing their achievements, traditions, and values. Animal and plant imagery, along with stylized elements, tell the story of the heroism, resilience, and steadfastness of Ukrainian warriors.

From ancient times, symbols, coats of arms, and insignias have helped distinguish friend from foe. By carefully studying these symbols, one can uncover the character, history, and principles of those who wear them with pride. This tradition endures today—every element of a shoulder patch carries meaning and narrates the unique story of a unit.

We consulted official sources, archives, and historians to collect this information and share it with a broader audience. We firmly believe that the stories of modern Ukrainian defenders deserve to be heard loudly and clearly.

The history of the foundation’s calendars serves as a chronicle of the ongoing war and its heroes. In 2015 and 2016, the Come Back Alive team created a series of portraits of the defenders of Donetsk Airport—first with an initial series, followed by “Cyborgs: A Year Later” the next year. In 2017, the focus returned to portraits, this time dedicated to veterans of the russian-Ukrainian war.

2018 marked a year of experimentation, resulting in a creative calendar about frontline food, which surprised the audience. From that moment, creativity became a key part of the calendar designs.

In 2019, a calendar-dictionary was introduced, using illustrations to show how war even affects language. This edition became one of the most successful. In 2020, the calendar once again featured portraits, this time of Invictus Games participants. The calendars for 2021 and 2022 were less high-profile but continued the foundation’s tradition.

The 2023 edition was a tear-off calendar-sticker pack featuring unique daily illustrations, with some copies signed by Valerii Zaluzhnyi and Kyrylo Budanov.

In 2024, the calendar commemorated the tenth anniversary of the russian-Ukrainian war, serving as a chronicle of events with archival photos and descriptions of key moments in the fight for independence.

“The Calendar of Forces 2025 is not just a way to mark time. It’s an opportunity to delve deeper into the symbolism of the Ukrainian military, feel the connection between generations, and reaffirm the strength and resilience of our defenders. As in previous years, the calendar is crafted with attention to detail, making it a true collectible. It will not only decorate any space but also serve as a reminder of the unbreakable spirit of Ukrainian soldiers,” notes Oleh Karpenko, Deputy Director of the Come Back Alive Foundation.

Proceeds from the sales of the Calendar of Forces will support the operational activities of the Come Back Alive foundation, which has been assisting the Ukrainian army for over 10 years.

Every order is another step toward our shared victory.

You can order the 2025 Calendar of Forces via the link.