On February 23, 2023, Azov commanders launched an official platform to centralize support for the unit and combat fraud. The main goals are transparency, the efficient use of donations, and strengthening the brigade’s combat capabilities through active engagement with the civilian population. The team quickly established its own logistics and effective communication systems, adapting to the challenges of collective fundraising. The result of the first year of operation was the provision of equipment to the units totaling 97,378,291₴. AZOV.ONE quickly established itself as the sole verified method of supporting the brigade.
Fundraising Department “AZOV.ONE” 12th Special Forces Brigade “Azov”
About unit
AZOV.ONE is the first service of its kind dedicated to fundraising within a single unit—the 12th Special Forces Brigade “Azov” of the National Guard of Ukraine.
For the general public, this is the only official way to financially support the brigade without fear that the funds will be misused.
For Azov units, it offers the opportunity to submit specific requests and obtain the equipment needed for operations or to replace gear lost in combat.
Since its inception, AZOV.ONE has evolved into a self-sustaining aid mechanism:
- constant communication with the command allows us to immediately learn about the brigade’s needs;
- well-established logistics reduce the time required to locate, procure, and deliver requested equipment or gear;
- the technical team actively facilitates the digitization of processes;
- constant engagement and trust from the public enable partnerships that accelerate the completion of large fundraising campaigns or allow for the immediate procurement of significant amounts of aid;
- media presence and transparency strengthen the trust of individuals, businesses, media figures, and opinion leaders.
Today, AZOV.ONE is a fully-fledged fundraising department of the brigade, which, thanks to its effectiveness and transparency, has established itself as a link between the rear and the front lines.
The success of AZOV.ONE inspires other units of the Defense Forces to create their own aid and support platforms.
Symbols
History
AZOV.ONE scaled up in response to the challenges on the front lines, strengthening its team and improving the quality of its operations. The year was marked by strategic partnerships with major businesses and an increase in the volume of aid. A landmark initiative was a joint fundraising campaign with the TILOVYKI project, which provided the brigade with 17 armored vehicles despite restrictions on Western aid. The biggest achievement was the launch of the STRUM subscription, which has grown into a separate brand and continues to build its own support network for the brigade. The year’s total exceeded the previous year’s by three times, reaching 333,560,534 ₴.
AZOV.ONE adapted to the brigade’s transformation into a corps and the overall decline in donations by focusing on initiatives to rescue and save the lives of Azov fighters, as well as on equipping them with the latest technology.
Key projects included: a fundraiser for the evacuation and rehabilitation of wounded fighters, the MedCruiser campaign to purchase and re-equip 10 casevacs, and Steel Courier, which provided the unit with new NRCs. The number of strategic partnerships with Ukrainian businesses has grown. The STRUM subscription has fully proven its effectiveness and autonomy, and the annual report showed a total of 356,319,138 ₴.
As of the first half of the year, AZOV.ONE has been focused on strengthening international cooperation and sharing expertise, as well as on its own large-scale campaign, Eastern Barrier, with a record-breaking goal of 250,000,000 ₴. Its mission is to change the strategic situation by providing the Azov Brigade with means to counter air threats and tools for retaliatory strikes. The project has received significant support from Norwegian partners at Fritt Ukraina, who will double the amount raised through the initiative.
Commander
Yaroslav “Yarchik” Golovchenko
Second LieutenantHe began his service in the 1st Special Forces Battalion of the Azov Brigade in 2023. Within the unit, he was responsible for civil-military cooperation, logistics, and supply operations.
In 2025, he joined AZOV.ONE to develop the brigade’s fundraising department. He spearheaded the unit’s entry into the international arena, where the experience gained serves as a model for foreign partners.
