Support the fundraiser to purchase ammunition for Ukrainian defenders

In April 2024, we launched the fundraiser "Ammunition for Ukraine – If not the government, we will send it." Its ambassador was the then 99-year-old partisan Otto Shimko, who fought in the Slovak National Uprising (SNP). The fundraiser was a response to the refusal of Robert Fico's government to join the Czech ammunition initiative and selflessly support Ukraine militarily. In a short time, donors contributed over 4 million euros to its account. The funds have already been used to purchase ammunition for Ukrainian defenders. The civic association "Mier Ukrajine" and its partner "Weapons to Ukraine," in response to the pro-Russian policies of the Slovak government, decided to launch the second phase of the fundraiser in January 2025. We kicked it off on January 14 directly from the heart of Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, under the name "We Are Europe, We Keep Sending." Fico's pro-Russian policies will not stop us. We are ashamed of the Slovak Prime Minister, who is selling Slovakia out to Putin. Nor will other Slovak pro-Kremlin politicians, who regularly visit Moscow, change the fact that we belong to the EU and NATO, and we continue to stand with heroic Ukraine. Slovaks and Czechs are Europe; we are part of the West, and Ukraine belongs to the West as well. That is why we continue the fundraiser for ammunition for Ukrainian defenders.

Czech actor Ivan Trojan declared on January 10, 2025, during the protest "Slovakia is Europe – Enough of Russia" at Freedom Square in Bratislava: "Ukrainian soldiers, all of Ukraine – we are always with you." We are still on the right side of history. Let’s show it and contribute. Together, let’s help Ukraine achieve victory.

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WHAT HAVE WE ALREADY ACHIEVED?

The Slovak fundraiser for ammunition for Ukraine was launched in spring 2024, and thanks to the incredible response from the Slovak public, more than 4 million euros were raised to purchase ammunition as part of the Czech ammunition initiative. With the funds collected, 2,700 pieces of 122 mm artillery ammunition were purchased and successfully delivered to Ukraine. Thanks to continued support, an additional 5,500 grenades for handheld grenade launchers have been purchased and are already on their way to Ukrainian soldiers. Let’s contribute together to the next purchase – join us and help Ukraine’s defenders!

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WHO IS BEHIND THE INITIATIVE

The "Ammunition for Ukraine – If not the government, we will send it" fundraiser was initiated in 2024 by Fedor Blashchak and Vladimir Shimichek, who garnered support from numerous prominent figures, including the now 100-year-old partisan Otto Shimko. Mr. Shimko, who fought for freedom against fascists during the Slovak National Uprising (SNP), became its main ambassador. The implementation and communication of the fundraiser were significantly supported by several civic initiatives coordinated by the MIER UKRAJINE association. This organization has supported Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war and, in January 2025, launched the second phase of the fundraiser under the title "We Are Europe, We Keep Sending." The logistical, technical, and communication partner for both phases of the fundraiser is the "Weapons to Ukraine" (DPP) project. In 2023, "Mier Ukrajine," in collaboration with DPP, successfully conducted a campaign for the Božena 5 demining machine. This Slovak-made machine is now actively helping clear mines in the Kharkiv region. The fundraiser also partners with the ALL4UKRAINE initiative, which has delivered vehicles worth over €1.5 million to rescuers in Ukraine. The fundraising platform Donio.sk, which has been supporting Ukrainians both in Slovakia and in their homeland since the start of the conflict, is another key partner. Additional partners include the Nezlomni.org association and media partners such as "Aktuálne o Ukrajine," "Futurearmy.sk," "Infosecurity.sk," and "Sebavedomé Slovensko."