Help Misha Protect Ukraine

My German son, David Meyer-Lindenberg, whose writings you’ve seen here and at Fault Lines, and who was my editor here for years before Beth, has been busy over the past six weeks doing what he could to save the life of his best friend, Misha. I’ll let David explain.

Let me tell you about my best friend, Mykhailo – Misha – who’s fighting for his life and the freedom of his country, Ukraine. We met in 2018, when we worked together in Washington, D.C. I assumed he’d pursue a career in the States, but he told me he wanted to go back to Ukraine, that his country needed him.

When Russia invaded Ukraine, Misha put down his smartphone and picked up a rifle.

(Misha sent me this pic when he was called up for army service.)

 I offered to get him out, but he refused. He said his country needed him more than ever. Instead, he had a request: Could we do anything to help him and his friends survive?

A major problem facing the Ukrainian army is a lack of supplies, from sleeping bags to body armor. This is especially true for soldiers like Misha, who were called up from reserve status or drafted. Sometimes, all they were given was a rifle, and then, to quote Misha, you go into battle “pretty much naked.”

Since then, David and others have been working on finding sources or body armor and other equipment Misha and his unit need to survive. Some of this has been public, like when he drove to the Polish-Ukrainian border to deliver 300 thermal scopes. Some of it has not because, well, there are things best kept quiet.

David and his group have put together sources for body armor and other protective gear, but need to fund their purchase. Governments may provide the big-ticket items like tanks and planes, but the smaller needs, from medical equipment to helmets, are coming from smaller, individual efforts like David’s, spending their time seeking sources for the critically needed equipment, making the deals and physically taking them to Ukraine to put into the hands of Misha and his people in the hope they will survive.

Our most important task now is to raise the funds to pay for these things. I humbly ask for your help in protecting Misha and his friends. We aim to raise $50,000 to purchase armor and armor-making supplies, which Kay and I will then take to the border and Misha’s unit. Every dollar you give helps: Even if we can’t buy everything on the market, we’ll buy as much as we can. I don’t want Misha or his friends to die for lack of a vest.

If you can, please donate. It’s tax deductible. It’s easy. It will save lives. Hopefully, it will save MIsha’s life as he fights the Russians to save his country. Thank you.

Edit: If using the Bank of America donation link, please note that the recipient zip is 22303.

29 thoughts on “Help Misha Protect Ukraine

  1. David Meyer-Lindenberg

    Anything you guys can do to help, whether it’s a donation or a signal boost on social media, would be massively appreciated. Tragically, it really is a matter of life and death for Misha and the men and women fighting alongside him. Thank you so much!

    1. Evan

      Done.

      FYI, the Bank of America donation method might need a recipient zip code. My bank would not process a wire transfer without the zip code.

      1. David Meyer-Lindenberg

        Thanks very much for bringing that to our attention! We fixed it on the live site. And of course, we greatly appreciate the donation, too 😉

    2. David Meyer-Lindenberg

      Just an interim update: You people are terrific. Don’t know what to say – I’m truly humbled by your kindness. We’ve had some astonishingly generous donations already and we think we’re going to be able to buy a substantial amount of armor. Thank you!

      Each contribution helps us keep another of Misha’s friends – most of whom, like him, are very much new to this “defend your country against Russian megalomania” thing – safe on the battlefield, and we appreciate it immensely.

  2. Hunting Guy

    In.

    As a gray haired warrior to a young warrior.

    God be with you and keep you and your companions safe.

  3. Richard Parker

    Honestly, I’m confused. How is it tax deductable for an US taxpayer to donate military and/or police equipment to Ukrainians?

      1. Kirk A Taylor

        Whether these particular donations cross the line regarding allowed conduct by a 501c3 organization is subjective argument and one I’m sure lawyers would have a blast with, but, that is between the 501c3 and the IRS. Donating to a 501c3 organization, is, in almost all cases, a safe harbor for the donor up until the IRS revokes a 501c3 designation.
        501c3 designation is easy to get and easy to maintain and, recent experience of mine would indicate, they really don’t care as long as you fill out the paperwork with words and file your reports annually.
        My personal opinion as an Enrolled Agent with the IRS (I don’t work for the IRS I represent clients AGAINST the IRS – stupid title) is that as long as the donations do not go to weapons that directly kill, they are fine and an argument could be made that even weapons would be okay.

        1. Richard Parker

          I’m pretty sure that weapons or military supplies for Russia would land a 501C3 in hot water instantly. Bullets for Putin is not going to fly.

  4. CLS

    I’ve blown this up on social media as best I can.

    Dr. S. and I are going to discuss how much we can financially contribute tonight.

    Godspeed, you big German lug, and may God bless you, Misha, and everyone you’re working with, David.

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