‘MESSAGE TO THE WORLD’: LITHUANIANS TEAM UP TO BUY A BAYRAKTAR DRONE FOR UKRAINE

Sat 28 May 2022:

The drone has proven effective against Russian soldiers and their allies in Syria and Libya in recent years

Hundreds of Lithuanians are teaming together to purchase an advanced military drone for Ukraine’s fight against Russia, as a gesture of solidarity with a fellow country that was once ruled by Moscow.

According to Laisves TV, a Lithuanian internet broadcaster that initiated the campaign, 4.4 million euros ($4.1 million) was raised in just three days, out of a total of 5 million euros needed.

“Before this war started, none of us thought that we would be buying guns. But it’s a normal thing now. Something must be done for the world to get better,” said Agne Belickaite, 32, who sent 100 euros as soon as the fundraising launched on Wednesday.

I’ve been donating to buy guns for Ukraine for a while now. And will do so until the victory,” she told Reuters, adding she was motivated in part by fears Russia could attack Lithuania.

The drone has proven effective against Russian soldiers and their allies in Syria and Libya in recent years, and its purchase is being arranged by Lithuania’s Ministry of Defense, which told Reuters it plans to sign a letter of intent to buy the craft from Turkey next week.

In recent years, Ukraine has purchased more than 20 Bayraktar TB2 armed drones from the Turkish company Baykar, with a further 16 being ordered on January 27. Early in March, that batch was delivered.

“This is the first case in history when ordinary people raise money to buy something like a Bayraktar. It is unprecedented, it is unbelievable,” Beshta Petro, Ukraine’s ambassador to Lithuania, told Laisves TV.

Most of the heavy weapons that NATO countries have sent to Ukraine so far are Soviet-built arms still in the inventories of eastern European NATO member states, but some have recently started to supply Western howitzers.

“While governments of the world’s largest countries are endlessly deliberating … Lithuanian society simply comes together and, you know, is about to fundraise 5 million euros and buy the drone – which is an impressive message to the world,” said Belickaite.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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