At the beginning of 2024, a representative of Your Finnish Friends received the following message from a Finn fighting in Ukraine:
One of the kevlar vests you’ve donated saved the life of my good friend!
Modern protective equipment, such as ballistic helmets, protective plates and bullet and shrapnel vests, significantly improve the fighters' chances of survival.
At the same time, such equipment is also expensive to acquire, and cannot be provided to everyone by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. That's why helmets, protective vests and their protective plates are among the most requested purchases.
Local operations are preferred in the procurement of these equipments, so that the procurements also contribute to the Ukrainian state economy.
A Finnish fighter with a "plate carrier" protective vest purchased by Your Finnish Friends.