"Let Ukraine Strike Back": all Ukrainians and supporters called to join global action

Rally in New York. Photo from the Strichka Archive/ Ukrainian activists in New York

Alice Smahina

Rubryka shows how to do it and why it holds significance.

What is the problem?

Ukraine has the right to defend itself, which includes targeting enemy territory. However, to attack military sites in Russia with any weapon, the country requires permission from its Western allies, which, unfortunately, it is currently unable to obtain.

What is the solution?

To effectively defeat the aggressor, partner countries must heed the advice of the Ukrainian military and diplomats and authorize Ukrainian forces to target the "heart" of the aggressor directly. This includes attacking locations where Russian planes take off and then launch guided aerial bombs at Ukrainian cities, as well as ammunition warehouses, airfields, and military units.

"Strikes against them can save thousands of lives of Ukrainian soldiers; our defense may depend on it. While the enemy concentrates troops on its territory with impunity, chooses the time and place of the strike, destroys the positions of Ukrainian soldiers with air bombs, attacks our cities, hospitals, and schools, and kills civilians, including children — the war will continue," the Strichka digital platform, which initiated the Let Ukraine Strike Back global action, emphasizes.

^{"Let Ukraine Strike Back" campaign poster. Photo from the Strichka archive / Association of Ukrainian Organizations in Estonia}

This initiative aims to empower Ukraine's voice and give it the right to defend itself adequately. The focus is on securing Ukraine's ability to effectively protect and strike targets on Russian territory using any weapon.

The promotion will run from October 1 to 18. The organizers encourage Ukrainians from all around the globe to participate in "Let Ukraine Strike Back" and rally their foreign friends and colleagues to show support for Ukraine, attract attention from the international community, and spread the promotion.

How to become a participant of the promotion?

^{In Tallinn, the exhibition was organized as part of the "Let Ukraine Strike Back" campaign and was visited by the US Ambassador to Estonia, George P. Kent. Photo from the Strichka archive / Association of Ukrainian Organizations in Estonia}

Every Ukrainian has the opportunity to join the "Let Ukraine Strike Back" campaign through the coordination application Strichka, completing special quests:

• organize or participate in a rally;
• create posts on social networks;
• participate in other online promotions.

Quests are tasks that every person can complete and that bring Ukraine's Victory closer, says Strichka. The organizers explain:

• The top priority is to draw in foreign individuals for the campaign. To achieve this goal, participants reach out to acquaintances, coworkers, and relatives from other countries, inviting them to join the call for permission to strike the Russian territoties. Banners, posters, videos, social media posts, and demonstrations play crucial roles.
• The most impactful mission is to attend a rally or plan an event to show support for Ukraine. The organizers recommend making a personalized poster with the message "Let Ukraine Strike Back!" or using one of the pre-made posters designed by the Strichka team and distributed by partner organizations.
• There is also a quest for online activists to post on social media in support of the action. Especially for this, Strichka also prepared a visual that one can use in posts on social networks.

Participants are awarded points for quests, which are then used during voting. Activists and organizations that score the most points for their activities in favor of Ukraine receive awards from Strichka ambassadors and commemorative prizes—embroidery, merch, souvenirs, and books.

Does it really work?

^{A volunteer of the Estonian organization Vaba Andre's Rumm supported the action regarding Ukraine's right to strike Russian military facilities. Photo from the Strichka archive / Association of Ukrainian Organizations in Estonia}

During the campaign, several activities have already taken place in different countries, in particular:

• An exhibition was organized in the capital of Estonia, Tallinn, under the auspices of the Association of Ukrainian Organizations. It was visited by the US Ambassador to Estonia and supported by foreign volunteers.

^{Exhibition in Tallinn (Estonia). Photo from the Strichka archive / Association of Ukrainian Organizations in Estonia}

^{Exhibition in Tallinn (Estonia). Photo from the Strichka archive / Association of Ukrainian Organizations in Estonia}

^{Exhibition in Tallinn (Estonia). Photo from the Strichka archive / Association of Ukrainian Organizations in Estonia}

• In Senigallia (Italy), local activists held a rally in the city center, holding posters of the "Let Ukraine Strike Back" action.

^{Rally in Senigallia (Italy). Photo from the Strichka archive / Associazione Insieme Per Ucraina}

^{Rally in Senigallia (Italy). Photo from the Strichka archive / Associazione Insieme Per Ucraina}

^{Rally in Senigallia (Italy). Photo from the Strichka archive / Associazione Insieme Per Ucraina}

• In New York, USA, Ukrainian activists assembled a Times Square demonstration. They displayed large, full-size cardboard shields representing the unshakable Ukrainian soldiers who tirelessly defend their country's freedom. Surrounding the main shields were smaller ones, representing the brave individuals who lost their lives fighting for independence.

^{Rally in New York. Photo from the Strichka Archive/ Ukrainian activists in New York}

^{Rally in New York. Photo from the Strichka Archive/ Ukrainian activists in New York}

^{Rally in New York. Photo from the Strichka Archive/ Ukrainian activists in New York}

"[The rally] was attended by Ukrainians and Americans who support Ukrainian activists in New York. It is symbolic that they stood behind shields at an action dedicated to the defenders of Ukraine. Many people stopped and asked about installation. Many filmed and expressed support for Ukraine. One woman even cried: she was an American soldier who was at the front in Ukraine, who understands the hell that is happening in Ukraine," Hanka Smirnova, a Ukrainian activist in New York, said.

Ukrainian military personnel currently undergoing treatment in the USA joined the action in New York.

^{Rally in New York. Photo from the Strichka Archive/ Ukrainian activists in New York}

"The most important message we wanted to convey to the foreign audience is that Ukraine today is a shield that protects not only its territories. We thanked the Ukrainian defenders for protecting Ukraine and the whole world. Foreigners heard and saw us," the Ukrainian activist added.

"With us, everyone can find a personal challenge, contribute to Ukraine, feel grateful, and receive a sense of fulfillment from their actions," Dmytro Sholomko, co-founder of Strichka, said.

Non-governmental organizations and Ukrainian activists are expected to hold demonstrations in Germany, Slovakia, Belgium, and the United States.

For reference:

Strichka is a platform for coordination and a digital community of Ukrainians living abroad. It is an independent and self-governed community that brings together proactive and compassionate Ukrainians dedicated to protecting Ukraine's interests. The project was initiated on May14,2024, with quests for activists launched in August2024.

ICUV, the International Center for Ukrainian Victory, is the official partner of the "Let Ukraine Strike Back" campaign. The organization is comprised of civil society leaders who advocate for all of Ukraine's necessary resources to achieve victory over Russia in the ongoing war.