On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in an escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War which began in 2014. The invasion has killed tens of thousands on both sides, with Russian troops causing mass civilian casualties and captured Ukrainian soldiers reporting frequent torture.
On 26 February 2022, Aerial Recovery deployed their Special Forces Veterans to begin the “Ukraine Orphan & Refugee Rescue Mission”.
On 16 March 2022, Lviv Regional Military Administration authorized at a national level, and the Service for Children of Lviv Military Administration, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Aerial Recovery and fellow U.S.-based charity New Horizons for Children to work in partnership to provide safeguarding for orphans of Ukraine.
On 2 April 2022, Aerial Recovery deployed their US team of volunteers to provide aid and support to Polish refugee camps, with several of the team’s Veterans crossing into Ukraine to carry on missions with the team in the field.
From February through August 2022, Aerial Recovery Operators remained boots-on-the-ground in Ukraine to conduct operations, including:
In September 2022, Aerial Recovery used the Special Forces tactic of Force Multiplication to aid the Ukrainian people in establishing their own local NGO, Mamay Project, which continues to this day conducting heroic rescue and relief efforts on the frontlines with Aerial Recovery’s support.
7-9 December 2022 Aerial Recovery was proud to have several members of the team presenting at the World for Ukraine Summit in Poland in a unified mission to save lives and preserve the dignity of their Ukrainian brothers and sisters amidst this ongoing terrible war. As field experts, they are presenting and engaging in panels on the following topics: