Fighting Chance Ukraine: Jerry Hultin's Initiative Bolsters Ukraine's Defense Forces in Direct Response to Russian Aggression

The humanitarian crisis and ongoing conflict in Ukraine have spurred numerous efforts worldwide to aid and support the Ukrainian people. Among these, the Fighting Chance Ukraine (FCU) initiative stands as a beacon of solidarity, driven by a team of distinguished leaders, military experts, and devoted individuals. At the helm of this noble endeavor is Jerry Hultin, a former United States Under Secretary of the Navy, renowned for his innovative leadership and strategic vision within the Department of the Navy.

FCU Founder Jerry Hultin, who served as Under Secretary of the Navy and has held senior positions in academia and corporate settings. One of his main areas of focus is Smart Cities, which has introduced a global perspective and network to his efforts in support of Ukraine.

During his tenure as Under Secretary, Hultin was pivotal in revolutionizing the Department of the Navy’s business approach and spearheading initiatives that harnessed private-sector acumen to fortify the Navy and Marine Corps. Drawing from a rich familial history steeped in service and a profound understanding of defense dynamics, Hultin, alongside a dedicated cadre of former military leaders, initiated the FCU with the intent to offer direct support to Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces (TDF) and civilian volunteers.

In an exclusive interview, Hultin sheds light on the pivotal role FCU plays in filling critical gaps on the frontlines of Ukraine's resistance against Russia's invasion. The initiative, stemming from the collective realization that certain essential needs often surpass official channels, aims to supply drones, demining equipment, and crucial provisions directly to volunteers and TDF members who operate at the forefront with remarkable technical expertise and agility. Hultin remains steadfast in his commitment to galvanize American support, channeling resources and donations to bolster Ukraine's courageous defenders in their fight for freedom and sovereignty.

The following interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Who are the key individuals involved in FCU, particularly those with backgrounds in the U.S. Department of Defense?

Initial former DoD organizers of FCU were myself, Dov Zakheim, Harlan Ullman, General Phil Breedlove, and Ambassador John Herbst. We had support from many others including General Wesley Clark and General Jim Jones.

Unexploded ordnance in Ukraine. FCU is supporting Sunflower Project, which is developing demining robots augmented by drones and AI for mapping and clearing mined fields.

What is your role in the efforts to support Ukraine through organizations like FCU?

I am a co-founder and leader of Fighting Chance Ukraine (FCU). We organized FCU to support Ukraine in its resistance to Russia’s invasion. Many of us have been senior defense leaders, whether in the U.S. or NATO, and we knew we had to show Russia it had crossed a red line and that its aggression would be resisted. Many of us also knew from our time fighting wars, that not everything that you need shows up through official channels. Just like parents raise money to fill the gaps at their children’s schools, we decided FCU should raise money to fill the gaps on the frontlines of Ukraine. 

So we focused on Ukraine’s volunteers and the Territorial Defense Forces because we knew they were the most likely to be the last to receive official US government assistance. For the first 6 months, we collected and donated helmets and vests and other supplies, but then we learned that what really made a difference in Ukraine’s success were drones and demining equipment, so we shifted our efforts,  Fighting Chance Ukraine has received  donations from across the U.S. and given supplies, funding and equipment to volunteers in Ukraine who have shown amazing technical expertise and agility in countering Russian forces.   

How does your experience as a former Under Secretary of the Navy contribute to the cause?

My experiences started long before I became Under Secretary. One grandfather served in France in WWI. My other grandfather was born on Gotland, a Swedish island that Russia had invaded more than once. My father was a bomber pilot in Europe and flew numerous missions before he was shot down and captured as a POW for the last year of WWII. A brother and I fought in Vietnam during the early years of that war. As Under Secretary, I spent time with the Ukraine Navy and came to know how much they appreciated being free of the Soviet Union. 

When Russia attacked Ukraine in 2022, colleagues asked me to tap into my network of defense colleagues and use our influence and relationships to support Ukraine in the best way possible.  We quickly saw how essential civilian volunteers were to Ukraine’s success in destroying Russia’s attack on Kyiv and that, as I have described earlier, led to creating Fight Chance Ukraine. Many friends from my days as Under Secretary joined me and soon we had supporters from across the country, including former Under Secretary of Defense, a number of retired generals and admirals, many senior defense advisors, and top-level corporate leaders. FCU has benefited from donations given by Americans of every walk of life.  

What are the challenges faced by members of the Territorial Defense Force in Ukraine?

More than challenges, let’s focus on successes. Remember, in the first days of Russia’s invasion, it was volunteers who were instrumental in creating the 45-mile traffic jam of Russian tanks attacking Kyiv. This totally ended Putin’s strategy to quickly capture Kyiv and win the war in a few days, like he had in Crimea. Everything changed after that. Russia suffered enormous losses and retreated. Seeing this success, Ukraine President Zelensky created the Territorial Defense Forces to give volunteers official status, and the war shifted to the east. The TDF has done vital work in defense of Ukraine and this has often been overlooked. They come from every part of Ukraine's civil society and have intimate, first-hand knowledge of towns and villages, roads and rail lines, and rivers and forests.  

A main focus for FCU is supporting the training of new drone pilots. Dream Ukraine hosts cohorts of military members, veterans, and civilians in developing this crucial capability.

If the TDF has a challenge, it is that TDF units are often low on the official priority list for receiving equipment and supplies.   That is why FCU’s goal is to show America’s support for Ukraine and to supply the TDF and volunteers directly with what it needs, when it needs it, where it needs it. 

How can donations and support from organizations and individuals bridge the gaps in support for these volunteers?

Of course, FCU makes the decisions here in the United States about what to give and who to give it to. Our goal is showing and organizing American support to fill the gaps that Ukraine’s volunteers are suffering. We have a network of advisors and contacts, both in the United States and Ukraine, so donors to FCU can be confident their contributions to FCU are going to trusted volunteers and TDF members. In the beginning, we decided to send helmets, vests, cold-weather clothing and medical supplies.Then as the war evolved, we decided our greatest impact would be to provide funding for drones, including drone training and cyber-security protection, and demining robots.

What innovations and technologies are being proposed to enhance the capabilities of the Territorial Defense Forces?

Drones and drone pilots have given Ukraine the capacity to hold and beat back Russia’s forces in the east of Ukraine. We continue to support greater use of drones because they work and have shifted the calculus on the front lines. But the Russians are catching up with drones, so we need to support civilian volunteers, some of whom are in the U.S., who do coding of new software, designing of new stealthier drones, and training of drone pilots in the latest skills.  Hopefully the day will come soon when FCU will be providing civilians and TDF volunteers with the financing, skills and supplies needed to rebuild Ukraine. But for now, we are focused on ways to help the TDF win the war in Ukraine.

What role is the United States government expected to play in addressing these critical needs?

In the United States, where we are a democracy that represents all its citizens, the U.S. government’s role includes setting the strategy and goals of America’s support for Ukraine; supplying as much ammunition, intelligence, training, and financial support as possible; and informing the American people why their support matters. We as Americans are doing the right thing by providing billions of dollars to Ukraine, for without this U.S. and European aid, Ukraine’s resistance would be in grave trouble and Russia’s desire to expand would soon imperil all of Europe.

FCU is concerned about the political challenges to America’s support of Ukraine, especially since the TDF and civilian volunteers in Ukraine would be among the first to suffer.

We will continue to raise funds for FCU to support Ukraine, but donations alone are not enough for Ukraine to win. We are thankful to all the Americans who have already supported FCU and will continue to encourage Americans to give generously so that Ukraine’s brave Territorial Defense Forces and civilian volunteers can continue to give Ukraine a fighting chance!