Drones have proven effective against the Russian military in recent years (File)
Vilnius:
Hundreds of Lithuanians are joining together to buy an advanced military drone for Ukraine in its war against Russia, in a show of solidarity with a fellow country formerly under Moscow’s rule.
Some 3 million euros ($3.2 million) have been raised in just three days – out of the required 5 million euros – in largely small amounts, according to Lithuanian Internet broadcaster Laisevs TV, which launched Drive.
“Before this war started, none of us thought we’d buy guns. But now it’s a normal thing. Something must be done to make the world better,” said 32-year-old Agne Bellicait, who soon died. Send 100 euros as soon as possible. Fundraising began on Wednesday.
“I’ve been donating to buy guns for Ukraine for some time. And will continue to do so until victory,” she told Reuters, driven by fears that Russia might attack Lithuania.
The drone has proven effective against Russian forces and their allies in conflicts in Syria and Libya in recent years, and is being procured by Lithuania’s defense ministry, which told Reuters it had planned to buy the craft from Turkey. Plan to sign the letter. next week.
Ukraine has purchased more than 20 Bayraktar TB2 armed drones from Turkish company Baykar in recent years and ordered a further 16 on 27 January. That batch was delivered in early March.
Ukraine’s ambassador to Lithuania, Beshta Petro, told Laisevs TV: “This is the first case in history when ordinary people raise money to buy something like Bayraktar. It’s unprecedented, it’s unbelievable.”
Of the heavy weapons NATO countries have sent to Ukraine so far, most Soviet-made weapons are still on the list of Eastern European NATO member states, but some have recently started supplying Western howitzers.
“While the governments of the world’s largest countries are having endless discussions… Lithuanian society just comes together and, you know, is about to do a 5 million euro fundraiser and buy drones – which is an impressive thing for the world.” The message is there,” said Belichite.