Rubryka highlights the activities of Soldier's Kitchen — a volunteer organization aiding soldiers in battlefield camouflage.
In war, every second counts. Enemy drones equipped with cameras and thermal imagers constantly monitor positions, turning any delay into a deadly risk. Soldiers face extreme challenges in staying undetected during tactical maneuvers.
"A smoke screen is the best camouflage robe for those on the front," says Leonid Pavlenko, head of the NGO Soldier's Kitchen. Their team of volunteers has been producing smoke bombs for over two years, offering a simple yet effective way for Ukrainian fighters to evade detection.
The smoke bombs blind enemy drones, providing critical cover to evacuate the wounded, carry out tactical movements, and defend positions under fire.
This phrase is the motto of a volunteer team from Nemyriv, in the Vinnytsia region. Since the onset of the full-scale war, the Soldier's Kitchen has been tirelessly supporting Ukrainian soldiers by preparing hearty soups, borscht, stews, and canned goods. Volunteers also weave camouflage nets and sew adaptive clothing for wounded defenders—a product in high demand, according to Pavlenko.
What began as a culinary initiative for the military evolved in the spring of 2022 to address the defenders' growing needs, prompting the community to expand its efforts significantly.
The team became inspired to make smoke bombs after watching a Facebook video where Ukrainian soldiers used volunteer-made smoke bombs to safely evacuate the wounded from the battlefield.
"We learned that smoke bombs truly save lives. They are essential for battlefield camouflage, whether advancing or retreating. Under the cover of dense smoke, soldiers can remain invisible for over two minutes," explains Pavlenko.
This two-minute window is precisely the smoke generation time of the Soldier's Kitchen smoke bombs.
According to Pavlenko, smoke bombs play a crucial role in modern warfare, serving various purposes:
"The smoke mixture ignites and releases enough smoke to cover several dozen square meters. This creates a screen that prevents the enemy from accurately targeting Ukrainian soldiers," explains Pavlenko. "Most often, smoke bombs are used to rescue injured soldiers from critical zones."
The idea of producing their own camouflage tools solidified when the Soldier's Kitchen learned that Ukraine currently has no state production of smoke bombs. The only available supplies are outdated stockpiles from military warehouses, which are far from sufficient to meet the needs of all defenders.
After watching dozens of YouTube tutorials to learn the basics of making smoke bombs—their components and proportions—the volunteers began their own experiments to refine the product. Pavlenko reveals that their most effective formula was discovered almost by accident, stemming from a calculation error during testing.
The process of making a smoke bomb, despite using basic ingredients like saltpeter, paraffin, and powdered sugar, is quite intricate.
In addition to their practical function, the volunteers of Soldier's Kitchen add a personal and meaningful touch to each smoke bomb. They decorate the outer casing with branded decorative tape and place a poem written by the mother of a fallen hero, Sasha Bevz, who was just 24 years old:
"From Sashko Bevz… Heroes do not die, they protect us. They are for us in the sky. We are for them on earth."
The volunteers also aim to make the exterior of the smoke bombs both aesthetically pleasing and even humorous. Their design team has created a distinctive seal featuring an image of a serviceman relieving himself on the dictator's head. Each smoke bomb also includes a contact phone number, ensuring that those receiving them can reach out if needed.
In just over two years, the Soldier's Kitchen volunteer initiative has produced more than 20,000 smoke bombs. Each bomb costs around $1,45, and the finished products are sent to the front line free of charge, either through familiar fighters or by mail. A significant portion of these camouflage tools is also transferred to training units to prepare troops.
"Our guys tried them out and checked them out. We are often sent videos of our bombs being used during combat and training. I was especially moved by a video call from unfamiliar defenders, who emotionally thanked us for the smoke bombs. According to them, after returning from reconnaissance, they were exposed by the enemy and came under heavy fire. Thankfully, they had several of our bombs. Everyone got out alive and only one soldier sustained a minor wound. It was impossible to watch their happy faces without shedding a tear," shares Pavlenko.
Recently, after evaluating requests from the front lines, the Soldier's Kitchen launched a fundraising campaign to purchase a 3D printer. Thanks to the generosity of subscribers and supporters, around $845 were raised. With the new printer, the team has begun producing another much-needed item for the front — loaders for automatic weapons.
"The demand for them is incredible. Thanks to the 'loaders,' the time it takes to load magazines with cartridges is significantly reduced, as fingers don't get tired and the speed is much higher. This is especially crucial in the autumn and winter months, because in cold weather, soldiers' fingers freeze and become stiff," explains Pavlenko.
Looking ahead, the team plans to use the 3D printer to produce spare parts for drones. The volunteer emphasizes that all these efforts are only possible because of the support from caring Ukrainians.
"The main and only source of financial income to cover all our expenses is charitable contributions. Essentially, the same people donate — those for whom war is not just a word. These are relatives and friends of those who are currently at the front or who have already given their lives for Ukraine's freedom, as well as pensioners and even military personnel who quietly contribute from their own salaries. Sadly, there are fewer and fewer such people. It is terrifying to think that we might eventually have to turn down some work, stop certain activities, or refuse the military due to lack of funds," says Pavlenko.
He emphasizes that in order for the organization's projects to continue, not only money is needed, but also people. The volunteers have managed to partly address this issue through cooperation with the local Employment Center. They learned from their colleagues in Chernihiv that this approach is possible.
"We also reached out to the employment service. After discussing the details, we were given the green light, and from January 2023, our volunteer organization became part of the 'Army of Recovery.' Today, 26 unemployed individuals from the community, working alongside volunteers, are helping bring our victory closer. The state provides these individuals with a minimum wage, while our task is to provide them with work — meaning we need to secure funds to purchase all the necessary materials for our products. At the same time, taxes are also paid into the local budget," the volunteer explained.
If you'd like to help the volunteers in making smoke bombs, loaders, camouflage nets, warm clothing, and nutritious food for Ukraine's defenders, you can find the organization's details at the link.
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