Eric Klose and Ground Squirrel Ventures are shipping recycled fishing nets to Ukraine to provide affordable protection against exploding drones.
Eric Klose, founder of Ground Squirrel Ventures, is leading an initiative to provide Ukrainian soldiers with recycled fishing nets to serve as a cost-effective defense against drones. During a visit to the war zone, Klose discovered that nets are being used to cover hundreds of miles of roadways, protect trenches, and seal bombed-out windows. To replicate a successful Canadian model, Klose partnered with the Alaska-based organization Net Your Problem to ship containers of nets from the U.S. to Kyiv. These nets are lightweight and portable, allowing soldiers to carry strips of mesh in their packs for emergency cover against minor debris. Nicole Baker, the founder of Net Your Problem, noted that while the nets must be prepped by removing floats and chains, they provide a vital resource for the front lines. Klose emphasized that the initiative allows everyday people to become heroes by repurposing plastic waste that might otherwise contribute to environmental pollution. The project continues to adapt based on real-time feedback from soldiers in the field.