The Winter War of 2022 has created an interesting logistics network that relies on private donations to supply needs identified by units in combat. Both Russia and Ukraine do this, but Russia's refusal to admit it is in anything but a "special military operation" hinders motivation to help. But be careful with this development.
Ukraine especially is turning to private groups for logistics help to keep their army fighting:
Civilian assistance for the military effort has been a feature of Ukrainian resistance from Day 1 of the Feb. 24 invasion, as ordinary folk dropped everything to help and raided their bank accounts to equip hastily assembled new units. From modest beginnings, including telephone hotlines for donations that were immediately overwhelmed with calls, crowd-funding initiatives have matured into well-oiled machines. They have online payment systems and slick websites explaining their needs, and volunteers applying their expertise in civilian fields — logistics, technology, purchasing, electronics — to help get supplies into troops' hands.
This extends to Ukrainian models sending (tasteful, I'm told) nude photographs to donors.
In the past, civilian "camp followers" trailed an army and provided support services to the troops. This included sex workers, which eventually twisted the meaning of "camp follower" to just that aspect.
This modern digital camp follower program in Ukraine that supplies even weapons is a step up from what Americans did during the Iraq War. And it is beyond what I projected with direct intelligence support in the field. Although I suspect that happens in Ukraine, too. But perhaps not as organized as the logistics effort.
And this type of effort opens up new angles. Like celebrity commanders and units that compete for this logistics support. Film your exploits, get them out to the public, and directly appeal to civilians worldwide for support. And even recruits.
Hints of this potential problem are already evident (from the initial article):
The foundation run by Prytula, the TV personality, prioritizes its aid for units in combat hot spots. Unit commanders list their needs and locations on an online form.
That would be a damaging development that the government would need to suppress and harness for the entire military. For now, the hotspots and units in need might be obvious. But that could easily move into who is more popular because they are gifted at self-promotion.
But for now, it is a way to keep the people in the war effort for the survival of Ukraine and make needed contributions to fill gaps in the government supply effort. In a way, the Ukrainian army is swimming in a digital sea.
NOTE: War coverage continues here.
