A Logistical Puzzle Solved

Starting right after the fullscale invasion in March 2022, #OperationRurik exceeded its initial goal of raising $115,000 USD by 198%, ultimately raising $227,639 during a mere month long drive. The majority of its 17 night vision devices (and additional thermal clip-ons) went to SBU "Alpha" Group units like Mich Team as well as an all-western volunteer GUR Legion unit extremely active in both the initial Kyiv defense as well as southern frontlines.

Despite our enormous success at fundraising (thanks largely in part to the generous support of partners like One 7 Six and Forward Observations Group), our first supply initiative was a learning experience for all involved on the logistics side of things. Until the time SIRIN brought in these first 17 night vision devices, few if any private orgs had legally imported milspec NODs into Ukraine's post-invasion environment. Navigating an unholy number of bureaucratic requirements, SIRIN mapped out a cross-border logistics process requiring no less that 12 official stamped documents and the cooperation and/or approval of 7 separate government and private sector entities. Today that knowledge is something we still regularly utilize regularly and also openly share with others seeking to bring dual-use items into Ukraine from Europe.

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Rurik - from Church Slavonic (Рюрикъ) and Old Norse (Hrøríkʀ):

1. Legendary Varangian (Viking) king founder of the Kyivan Rus and the Ukrainian state

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