Let me share a story about nets—about passionate people, a bit of craziness, a systematic approach, and the relentless pursuit of solving a small yet critical problem, step by step. And, remarkably, these efforts are saving lives.
Allow me to introduce my friends from two non-profit organizations: Eyes On Ukraine and WildBees BeNeLux. I am truly honored to know such dedicated individuals. In my eyes, they are modern-day heroes, living and acting in the midst of extraordinary circumstances.
Recently, they launched a campaign—a flash mob—focused on buying nets that could protect Ukrainian soldiers from the threat posed by FPV drones launched by the enemy.
The primary purpose of these nets is to prevent birds from damaging fruit trees, but in the current context of Ukraine’s ongoing conflict, these nets have taken on a life-saving role for soldiers on the front lines.
It’s a long and complex story of how Ukrainian soldiers have been suffering from FPV drone attacks and how dependable nets have provided a reliable defense. But why these specific nets? What makes them stand out?
The reasons are manifold, and here are some key factors:
- Cost-Effectiveness: One package of these nets doesn’t break the bank and is affordable enough to scale quickly.
- Portability: They are small, lightweight, and easy to carry.
- Organization: Each batch is stored neatly in a durable plastic bag, making distribution more manageable.
- Versatility: They can be mixed with other safety measures, enhancing the overall defense setup.
There are various approaches to camouflage and protection in trenches, but I’ll focus only on the tangible steps we took—a story of collective effort and determination.
Sharing this experience is not easy. It is composed of multiple “chapters” of effort, perseverance, and hope. Today, I want to highlight how these nets, simple as they seem, have made a tangible difference—particularly in saving my comrades on the front lines.
But first, I want you to imagine the enormous number of steps involved to get these nets from an idea into the hands of those who need them most. To be honest, it’s a tremendous achievement just to complete this logistics chain.
Here’s an overview of how it all unfolded:
Step 0: It all begins with funding—these nets are not free, and securing financial resources is the first crucial step.
Step 1: Volunteers storm various stores in different cities, buying up large quantities of the nets.
Step 2: These nets are then gathered at local “hubs”—usually volunteers’ homes. A special shoutout goes to the volunteers’ spouses, whose strength and patience in storing such quantities of material are truly commendable.
Step 3: The nets are packed into paper boxes, ready for distribution.
Step 4: Shipping begins. The packages are handed over to drivers who transport them into Ukraine.
Step 5: Ukrainian volunteers, with a list of addresses, then distribute these packages across various locations.
Step 6: The National Postal Service—Nova Poshta—transports the packages closer to the war zone.
Step 7: After arrival, the final leg involves local pick-up and movement of the nets to frontline positions.
Throughout this process, the volunteers have faced immense challenges—long hours, logistical hurdles, and the emotional toll of their work. I’ve redacted some messages from these dedicated individuals to protect their privacy, but their words reveal the grit and determination behind this effort.
M1: Hey guys, big news. With the help of the boys and me we’ve secured the funding for 21.800m(squared) of drone nets
M2: And the nets have been delivered, a nice wall of boxes. Thank you to all who have been involved in coordinating and buying these nets, the next challenge is getting these to Ukraine via specialized logistic channels.
M1: there’s also 21.800m(squared) going towards Ukraine in phases of the stronger braided nets
E1: I found we could ask fruit growers(apple), for damaged nets. They are using them to cover whole fields. I will send a few emails next week. What do you think?
S1: Other guys says nets need to be doubled. So 2 layers is preferable.
BD1: I got 3 boxes ready with presents and nets but was gonna send them to a hub. Or if we have a driver in Belguim. But i’m in Italy right now.
L1: Germany Department is also getting some nets!
E1: I just talked with my friend, she is helping me gathering stuff for Soldiers, if you will make some video/photos of the nets, we will buy more and send to you. Also I was looking into bird nets, but commercial nets(not from a store), but they are more expensive
L1: These bird nets are really thin, but it looks like the drone slised through and then the next wrapped itself nicely around the motors
E1: We bought today more than 200, UA Soldiers – how many do you need?
This story is a testament to what can be achieved through community, organization, and unwavering resolve. These nets may seem simple, but their impact is profound—saving lives and providing hope amid chaos.
As they continue to support Ukraine, i hope stories like these remind everybody that even small solutions can play a significant role in the larger picture of resilience and resistance. Every net, every effort, and every step counts.
Below are details of how you can support Eyes on Ukraine campaigns
Bank: bunq.me/MedsAndMore4Ukraine
PayPal: eyesonukraine.eu/paypal
Website: https://eyesonukraine.eu/act
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eyesonukraine
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: instagram.com/Eyes_On_Ukraine
Youtube: youtube.com/@eyesonukraine
More Nets, More Battles: The Ongoing Fight for Survival in Ukraine
There will be more nets for Ukraine. More shipments are on the way, thanks to the relentless efforts of the dedicated volunteers—the “boiz”—who continue to mobilize resources, patch logistics gaps, and bring hope to the frontline. These volunteers not only deliver supplies but also bring patches, food, and, often, smiles—small acts of kindness that make a significant difference in these harsh realities.
It’s an honor to know them, and honestly, it’s a shame that many Ukrainian soldiers can’t freely speak English. If they could, you’d hear countless stories of resilience, bravery, and camaraderie—stories that truly demonstrate the spirit of these incredible people.
Now, when exactly did these nets save my unit? I’d share a story about our position, which I’ll refer to as D2. We found this location after two days of reconnaissance on foot. To make it a sustainable position for the upcoming weeks, we dedicated four to five days to digging in, creating a makeshift fortified camp—equipped only with some food, water, and a radio for communication.
Throughout the day, I monitored the status of the work every hour; at night, every two hours. We tried to minimize our exposure as much as possible while maintaining vigilance and readiness.
Our defenses included a large number of camouflage nets, carefully draped over our position. We also made small holes in the ground for storing equipment and tried to hide our traces as best as possible. We even “planted” makeshift trees—small fallen branches and logs pulled from nearby—raising them with ropes to create additional shade and concealment.
We also used fishing nets as part of our camouflage strategy. Usually, we patch these nets between trees at known flyways of the FPV drones, providing overhead cover to prevent them from attacking directly from the sky.
However, despite our precautions, the enemy attack was unavoidable. At some point, our position was compromised—probably by an aircraft, possibly during daylight hours.
They were searching for someone else, but somehow, they spotted us. The enemy deployed a few FPV drones, connected via optic fiber for better signal control, and managed to fly a drone through a hole in our net and detonate close to our equipment. The explosion was intense; it was so powerful that our guys couldn’t stop the fire. We lost some critical gear that was on the ground, but thankfully, the “attack” didn’t escalate further.
Lesson learned: I was foolish not to have purchased an automatic fire extinguisher for situations like this. The team quickly prepared for the next drones
The next threat came with a drone equipped with a thermobaric bomb. Fortunately, our guys were able to shoot it down before it could get close enough to cause real damage. Despite the challenges, our defenses held—thanks to the nets and the quick reflexes of our team.
, as the enemy attempted to pack another drone with explosives, it was caught precisely by our nets. We couldn’t have predicted how vital these nets would prove to be—how they became our lifeline in a silent, invisible battle. Without them, who knows what could have happened to our team?
Eventually, the enemy stop attacking us, but not before they kept a watchful eye on our position, attempting to hit us again with more drones. The next day, we evacuated what remained of our equipment and supplies, tactically retreating to regroup. This time, we managed to escape, but the experience served as a stark reminder: the nets saved us.
There’s more to tell, more incredible stories of resilience and innovation from the front lines. If you’re interested in hearing detailed interviews from the brave men who were involved in this process, I can write another article. But for now, I urge you to share this story. Spread the word about what these volunteers are doing—because their efforts are making a difference, and they deserve recognition and support.
The volunteers are actively raising funds to do even more—expand their activities, improve their equipment, and ensure that more lives are protected. The nets are just one part of their broader mission: a mission driven by courage, resourcefulness, and an unwavering commitment to saving lives.
Every contribution, every share of this story, helps amplify their work and brings hope to those who need it most. Together, we can make a difference.
I’ll repeat the links where you can support Eyes on Ukraine
Bank: bunq.me/MedsAndMore4Ukraine
PayPal: eyesonukraine.eu/paypal
Website: https://eyesonukraine.eu/act
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eyesonukraine
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: instagram.com/Eyes_On_Ukraine
Youtube: youtube.com/@eyesonukraine
