One of the many ways Ukraine Defense Support helps Ukraine’s defenders is helping to cover the cost of vehicle repairs. There are never enough military vehicles for every unit, so the vast majority of transportation is done in civilian cars and pickup trucks bought on the second hand market. Once sent to a unit at the front, these vehicles are used hard and are frequently damaged by battlefield use and close calls by artillery, bullets or landmines, and they are often destroyed completely.
The cars and pickups are also damaged in less lethal ways when driven on rough roads and off-road and when driven at night with no lights. They must also be hidden when parked near frontlines after delivering troops or equipment. Oftentimes this means driving a vehicle straight into thick brush, ripping off mirrors, mufflers and more. But an exposed vehicle is a vulnerable vehicle, and when troops don’t have a vehicle, they are vulnerable too.
UDS recently helped cover the repairs for several vehicles used by an International Legion unit that operates in and around “zero lines” in the most active combat zones. Having cars and pickups that work means the unit can send soldiers and supplies to where they’re needed, when they’re needed. They can also rotate weary soldiers to the rear for rest, while rested soldiers take their place at the zero line.
