Ukrainian volunteers present new sleep systems for military

Ukrainian volunteers presented a unique sleeping system for the military, which does not get wet nor dirty, and can withstand frosts of -10°C.

What is the problem?

Soldiers on the frontline can spend the night without a tent, but still requiring a sleeping bag during their rest without roofs and safe covers.

However, choosing a sleeping bag is never easy, as one has to consider the quality of the materials, the size, and whether you are satisfied with a particular model.

Diana Ilnytska, director of the Riy Charitable Foundation, has been researching this issue since last year and came to the conclusion that sleeping bags for Ukrainian troops need to be customized.

What is the solution?

Diana and the Riy Foundation team studied sleeping bags from other countries and NATO bloc and decided to create unique Ukrainian ones.

They consulted with technologists, military personnel, mountaineers and, together with ROCK FRONT, developed a unique sleeping system for the military, the Riy Military Sleeping System, which does not get wet, and can withstand frosts of -10°C and even lower.

How does it work?

"The most exciting was that first message: "For the first time in six months, I slept as if in a bed thanks to your sleeping system." And it was something incredible precisely because the soldier was on the way out, right in the middle of the cold," says Diana Ilnytska.

Another message from a military medical unit of the 47th separate mechanised brigade says:

"Thank you very much for making sure we sleep in warmth and comfort. Glory to Ukraine!"

Now the main goal is to get the Ministry of Defense to change the technical specifications and purchase improved sleeping bags.

"We want to transfer this experience and propose to the Ministry of Defence changes to the technical specifications in order to improve the sleeping bags that the Armed Forces currently have," says the director of the Riy Charitable Foundation.

The product consists of an insulating mat, a waterproof cover, and the sleeping bag itself.

Each of the elements is designed to provide the military with warmth and comfort.

The model also impresses with its spaciousness, allowing soldiers to spend the night in full ammunition.

An interesting feature is the unique zip lock that unzips so easily and quickly that one can quickly get out in case of danger.

This sleeping system is designed for military personnel who perform tasks in the open air.

"It can be artillerymen, assault troops, scouts. In fact, everyone – every specialisation and branch of the military still has tasks that require the use of these sleeping bags. This is a truly unique development," she noted.

Last year, thanks to donations, Riy and its partners sewed and sent nearly 500 sleeping systems to the frontline.

"This year, we set a goal to send 2,000 of them, but this will cover only 1-2% of the army's needs. So to raise more funds for the production, the Rock Front manufacturer, together with the foundation, launched a sale."

Now the military can buy sleeping systems on an individual basis.

"When people buy a sleeping system, they invest in sewing the next sleeping systems," she said.

The team is ready to join the work on changing the technical specifications, which will improve the sleeping bags of the Armed Forces. To develop the sleeping bag project, her foundation, Riy, is looking for volunteers and craftsmen to join the team.

Now it is crucial to make sure that the military have a good night's sleep in warmth, as winter is coming.