Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine @dmytrokuleba.bsky.social says hello to all of you who support Ukraine! But a special hello to the Dzyga’s Paw community 😉
Ukrainian. Head of @dzygaspaw.com charity: we bring tech to Ukraine's defence. Analyst. Data geek. Cyclist. Dog lover. https://dzygaspaw.com/support
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Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine @dmytrokuleba.bsky.social says hello to all of you who support Ukraine! But a special hello to the Dzyga’s Paw community 😉
That chance is no longer given to us. Let’s make sure to give it to the next generations. So they can live without war. There’s much work ahead!
In the past three years, seven people whom I had the honor to call friends have been killed. Most of them — not much older than 25. The war, of course, reveals truth about many things — to a great extent, ourselves. But without it, things would be better.
The above photo was taken by my husband in Singapore two weeks ago. It’s beautiful, calm, and there is no war. Here, in Ukraine, there is war. And we have to live with it: not despite it, not ignoring it, but with it.
At 22, I went to pursue a Master’s in Paris, the one I wanted. I quit it after three months, along with my job. I raised my first million dollars for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. At 23, I got married. To that same love. At 24, he made the decision to join the Armed Forces. And now: 25.
At 16, I first really felt the war — when I lost my close one. At 17, despite all the heavy grief, I entered the university of my dreams. At 18, I met the love of my life. At 20, I graduated. At 21, I worked at a job I loved and earned twice as much as I do now. Travelled. Enjoyed life.
Overall, I think I’m doing well. I’m alive and healthy. I have a wonderful family and incredible friends. I’m honest with myself. I love what I do every day. Of course, the war slows many things down and destroys a lot. Still, much is changing and unfolding in a special way given the circumstances.
A few days ago, I turned 25. One of the first thoughts that came to me was: wow, just three more years, and half of my life (the conscious half) will have been lived during the war. Probably not the best thought to have. But it means a lot.
Look at the amazing people I randomly ran into on the street! Small world! @ippvch.bsky.social @dim0kq.bsky.social
Summary? 1) Thank you for supporting Ukraine 2) Fundraising brings responsibility 3) Reporting requires systematic work 4) Donate to trusted charities 5) Love. Honesty. Freedom.
The best part is receiving messages from soldiers saying some piece of equipment literally saved their lives.
Honestly, I love the work I do every day. I enjoy making improvements and seeing the results. It can be stressful and difficult at times (like today, it’s 9 PM, and I’m writing this from our office). But it’s inspiring because I can see the impact of our work.
The remaining 20% consisted of Secret Santa project gifts and other small parcels sent to trusted military personnel. If we compare the financial value of the unit deliveries to individual soldier deliveries, the ratio is 96 to 4 :)
We constantly increase the share of large systematic projects and shipments sent to military units in bulk rather than to individual soldiers. So far in 2025, 80% of our shipments have been officially transferred to the military units' accounts with all supporting paperwork.
We track contents, costs and require a photo report from the soldiers for each shipment. We do not manage to publish every photo, but delivery reports are live on our website with details about the units, types of equipment, quantities, and total value.
The same principles apply to delivery reporting. Since the start of 2023, we have kept a record of every shipment we made, from small packages with flashlights and candies to large parcels with NVGs and drones.
We do not display it publicly for obvious reasons — namely, the security of our suppliers, and blurring all the details would require another person working here to do specifically that. A screenshot of our internal reporting system, developed by our volunteers for our needs attached.
Our internal policies require every transaction to have an invoice/receipt attached. So, what you see online is only part of the reports. The other part is scanning all the papers and securely storing them online.
Although our system is as automated as possible — automatically pulling financial data from four different sources — all the incoming and outgoing transactions arrive in our system raw. We manually edit the transactions so you can easily view our live reporting on the website in English.
We dedicate a significant amount of time to reporting. Those who have ever tried to do it know how time-consuming it is. We spend hours each week validating suppliers to ensure deals are safe, preparing all the paperwork to comply with the law, and processing transactions.
Again, because I have a degree in Systems Analysis and worked as a data scientist and analyst, I am very focused on structuring everything. Our team and volunteers often joke about it, and I love it. That's why I was able to pull up the data for the table shown in the previous tweet so quickly ;)
We started operating as a nonprofit in July'22. Over three years, we continually improve, refine our processes, introduce policies and safety measures, and enhance creativity. What is the result of this? Despite all the politics and the global decline in focus on Ukraine, we are growing.
First, because we help save lives and remove occupiers more effectively. Second, because every day I feel the love and support from people worldwide. Third, because I truly believe we create value: at Dzyga’s Paw, we reach audiences who might never have donated to Ukraine if not via our charity.
Because, returning to my values, I am honest with myself about the work I am doing now. It is tiring, often filled with unknowns, and far outside my comfort zone. But it is also very rewarding.
Over the past two years, I’ve been paid less than half of what I was earning in 2022 at my comfortable IT job, which I liked and that didn’t drain as many resources from me. I could have continued my career and easily grown professionally, and I often think about this. But I’ve never felt regret.
I quit my job as a Product Analyst at an SF company three years ago. I initially did all the work for Dzyga’s Paw voluntarily before being assigned a salary.
My three core values in life are: 1) love 2) honesty 3) freedom These guide everything I do.
But my motivation is simple: I lost more than a dozen of friends in this war since 2014. I continue their work. Because I want Ukraine to remain free, independent, and safe. I also want to help other men and women fighting to come home healthy and alive.
Leading an Ukraine-based organization that focuses on international fundraising at 24, without a large network of contacts or previous fundraising experience, is sometimes exhausting.
Since August last year, I have been the director of the foundation, as our founder Dimko joined in the army as UAV pilot and does not have a predictable amount of time to dedicate to the foundation’s work.
My name is Iryna. Over the past year, I’ve led Dzyga’s Paw, a Ukrainian org supplying our Defense Forces with tech, crowdfunded worldwide. We recently surpassed $4 mil in donations. In this thread, I will share why this work is so important to me and why transparency matters.
This is the first time since 2022 when my dog woke me up in the middle of a night and cried searching for escape because of the explosions.
How much time do we need to hit $4M in total donations?🙂 Can we do it today?!
We're not ready for the revolution in drone warfare. See this unique panel discussion recorded in May 2025 in Lviv, with extraordinary guests. @ippvch.bsky.social @dim0kq.bsky.social @dzygaspaw.com - youtu.be/u6y-vGZ8oWc
We are a family for one year now. Love you, Dimko.
developments of the last two weeks.
In the meantime, fighting is happening right at the administrative border of the Dnipropetrovsk oblast. Shevchenko, Komar, Yalta -- heavy fighting daily.
he book is out! Huge congrats @dim0kq.bsky.social ! Reading the final version of the “Ordinary Guy at War” at the cafe you spent most of your time writing it, while thinking of you somewhere in Donetsk region. Tremendous work. I hope this reading will help better understand our reality.
Our Crimean Fundraiser project is finished! Thanks to your help, we've raised $12,650 and delivered equipment to the 8th and 109th battalions of the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade and the 38th Marine Brigade! We also added $4,095 from other donations, as all needed equipment costs $16,745.
Over $300K worth of drones delivered to the Ukrainian defenders within the Triad project ✅ We have completed the largest fundraiser of Dzyga's Paw fund so far! Many thanks to Ukrainian and International supporters for enabling this. Delivery pictures and details below👇🏻
How do ordinary people help us reach our fundraising goals faster? Last year, supporters like you stepped up to help with five of our projects -not just by donating but also by launching their own mini-fundraisers to speed things up.
We haven't published the full May report yet, but from the live reporting on our website, one can tell...
It was a pleasure to discuss recent mil-tech developments, our experience vs. the international perspective, and the risks of underestimating the enemy. With Nazar from NORDA Dynamics, Dan from the 47th, and Jonathan from Silicon Curtain. Wait for the episode release soon!
It was a pleasure meeting @anneapplebaum.bsky.social today. Ms. Applebaum was excellent, very bold, and direct, as always, in the discussion on journalism and reporting in times of institutional decline. Thank you for coming to Ukraine.
Do you think we should invest time in this, or are occasional project-based reports via social media good enough? Do the donors want to see "checks" or should I invest resources into fundraising/marketing instead?
We also have photo/video reports from the military for every equipment transfer. We post only part of it (the beautiful part) on our social media, but we could actually develop our system to make every photo report public. It'll require more resources (opsec check, blur stuff, etc).
We have transaction-level reporting, which allows you to check our procurement prices live on our website at any time. We also have supplemental docs (invoices/receipts) for every transaction and every transfer to the military unit we make, not published, but available upon request.
Our top-value transactions last month. The procurements team and volunteers go brrr with Mavics 3T for the Night Triad project. DJI discontinued this model and the market is freaking out with high demand / low supply + tones of used drones people are trying to sell as "new"
What's this crazy amount of spending in April?! What for? :)
😏😏😏 added the thing to our todo’s!!
I am proud of the whole Dzyga's Paw team for the great start to this year. This is huge. Thanks to everyone who has contributed: because of you, we can deliver more quality equipment to the defenders on the frontlines. Next question: how do we keep it through the year?
Have you ever wondered how EW equipment works? Due to the modern drone wars, the military started to protect their positions, vehicles, and soldiers with drone jammers. EW systems disrupt the radio signal between a drone and its operator, forcing the drone to lose control and crash.
my dog has been captured and they demand a ransom. donate here if you love Dzyga dzygaspaw.com/projects/sav...
Thank you for being responsible!!!
wow, I love the duo! ty 🫶
what is going on
visit this link to chip in dzygaspaw.com/triad-night-...
Friends, we are almost there! $3,500 left to close the international part of the night drones fundraiser - let's finish it before the end of the month! 😏
Check out these incredible film photos from our recent trips! They truly capture the emotions and unforgettable moments with our soldiers. Shot by our fundraising lead, Vasylyna, during one of our latest expeditions 🚙
I love my bicycle. Do you have one? :)
While you keep donating and the future remains uncertain, we’ve just wrapped up the first part of our strategic session, which explored different scenarios and future possibilities. Planning in such times is challenging and crucial, but we’re ready for the various situations!
Watch the real emotions of the soldiers who received them. 🥹 This is why we do what we do. 🎥 Watch here: youtu.be/OLm8lGqHefE?... 🔁 Please share to show the world that these connections matter.
There were not just Santa gifts: they were personal letters, small comforts, and proof that our defenders are seen, valued, and supported by people across the world. We received the gifts and traveled to frontline cities to deliver them, and the reactions were unforgettable! 🥹
We released a video about a project very close to my heart: this Christmas, 66 people worldwide became Secret Santas for 🇺🇦 soldiers. This project highlights the direct connection between people far away and those on the front lines here in Ukraine.
Thank you! We’re doing our best 🙏🫂
I want this report to be proof: Ukraine’s fight continues. It is our responsibility. And we are ready to take it even further in 2025. We are not giving up. We are not fading away. With your help, we will grow even stronger in 2025. Join us.
We are not an ordinary "charity" – we are part of Ukraine’s national security effort. Thank you if you’ve ever donated, shared, or supported us. You are part of this story, and you made a difference. 📖 Read the full report: dzygaspaw.com/report-2024
One of our proudest moments? Funding Ukrainian-made drones. Instead of buying Chinese alternatives, we raised $30K for 🇺🇦 Galka UAS systems, supporting local production while boosting our Defence. Because our future depends on what we build NOW.
We did it while growing a global community. Over 2,500 new donors joined us in 2024. Some gave $3, some gave $30,000. But every single donation meant another defender had the tools to fight back.
We continued even as four team members (including our founder & my husband @dim0kq.bsky.social) volunteered to serve in the Armed Forces. Why? Because we built a system. A structure that doesn’t depend on one person. Personal dedication + institutionalization + community support = impact.
This wasn’t just numbers. It was drones spotting Russian advances before they reached our troops. It was Starlinks keeping units connected in the field. It was EW systems protecting our personnel and vehicles. It was night vision helping defenders own the night.
Despite global attention fading, we delivered more. · +33.5% more military aid vs. 2023 · 221 shipments to the Ukrainian Army · over $1M worth of supplies delivered · 91 military units equipped
At @dzygaspaw.com we didn’t just watch - we participated in what was happening. 💰 $1.2M raised for the Ukrainian Armed Forces 🌍 3,810 donors from 63 countries 💵 Half of all donations were under $25: every dollar mattered. And we made it count.
In 2024, 🇷🇺 took key cities, such as Avdiivka and Vuhledar. We lost ground. We lost friends. And yet, we didn’t surrender. We hit back. We took the fight to Russia, striking their soil in Kursk & keeping their bombs away from our cities.
A small team of young Ukrainians and a dog raised $1.2M for our defenders in 2024. With creativity, we turn donations into real battlefield impact. I’m the 24-year-old girl leading the team, and today, I’m incredibly proud to share our 2024 report. A thread🧵
It was a pleasure to once again meet @katrineigendorf.bsky.social and her team in Lviv on their trip to Ukraine. Thank you for being so committed to telling the stories from Ukraine and the front lines. Your hard work brings truth to the world and keeps the right focus. Grateful for all you do! ❤️
Thank you from Ukraine! 🙏
just did it 🤝
The comments to the transfers we are receiving tonight as a Ukranian nonprofit organization supplying defense tech to the frontiles. A thread.
I want to thank President Zelenskyy for standing firm and keeping our line, not disgracing us, the citizens of Ukraine, and most importantly, the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I feel spanish shame for the President of the United States and his team. That was a shitshow.
As I discussed the Trump & peace-deal situation with my brothers-in-arms, I decided to also make an argument with this opinion piece: Ukrainians will not get a JUST, LASTING peace. In this article, I describe WHY there is no justice at the table right now.
🙀 We’re just $13400 away from smashing our all-time high in donations this February! This month has been tough emotionally / geopolitically / in every way, but you have shown up. Thank you. We still have two days and a couple of hours in February. Will we beat the record?🤞🏻😏
How much more will we pay?
Hey folks, do you use Substack? I am considering making a regular newsletter with updates from Ukraine, our field trips, my reflections and thoughts as my husband left for the army, and updates from Dzyga's Paw. Will that be a good platform for longer reads?
Our Owning the Night project fundraiser is finished! Thanks to your support, we've reached our goal and raised $30,110 💪 We're already purchasing the equipment, so stay tuned for the report! Our hero, Said, and his comrades from the 88th Battalion sent us a video thanking you for your help 👇
sign-up for the live gathering in Lviv or for the online Zoom meeting here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
