In just a few days, Lithuanian citizens have collected almost EUR 6 million to buy a combat drone. The "Bayraktar" is a gift to Ukraine in the fight against Russian forces. Now the drone is on its way to the war country.
A combat drone donated by Lithuania is on its way to Ukraine. This is reported, among others, by the Lithuanian journalist Andrius Tapinas from Liberty TV. At the beginning of June, the country's residents had collected almost six million euros for the purchase of the drone in a fundraiser within a few days. Enthusiastic about the campaign, the Turkish manufacturer Baykar gave it to Lithuania free of charge so that the money raised could be used for other purposes.
On Twitter, Tapinas writes of 10,000 people who came together on Wednesday evening to say goodbye to the combat drone and "wish them good luck in the war". It is decorated with the coats of arms of both countries.
The Ukrainian military is already using "Bayraktar" drones in battles against Russian forces: Turkey had sold several combat drones of the same type to Ukraine before the war, twelve of which are said to have been delivered. There is no information on deliveries during the war.
Andrius Tapinas initiated the fundraiser himself. According to the journalist, 1.5 million euros of the money collected should be transferred to the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense to equip the drone. The remaining 4.4 million euros are to be used for humanitarian purposes in Ukraine.
Following the example of their neighbors in Lithuania, citizens in Poland are now also collecting money to buy a drone that is to be passed on to Kyiv. According to the organizers' website, around 1.4 million euros have been raised so far. Almost 5 million euros are required for the purchase. According to the developer Selcuk Bayraktar, the "Bayraktar TB2" drone is in demand worldwide after successful operations against the Russian military. "'Bayraktar TB2' does what it's supposed to do - knocking out some of the most advanced anti-aircraft systems, artillery systems and armored vehicles," said the entrepreneur. "The whole world is our customer."
