On July 6, the national holiday, Lithuania presented the Turkish-made Bayraktar combat drone to the population before handing it over to Kyiv. At the beginning of June, the Lithuanians collected more than 5 million euros to acquire it and offer it to Ukraine for their defense against Russia. The report of our correspondent in Lithuania.
With our correspondent in Vilnius, Marielle Vitureau
It’s him that everyone comes to see. This drone, baptized Vanagas, the falcon, named after the leader of the anti-Soviet Lithuanian resistance. Leva took part in the collection, she came to admire it, wrapped in a Ukrainian flag. ” This new purchase is magnificent. Here too we are fighters, because in our own way we contribute to make it known that Ukraine needs the help of all “, she explains.
Loreta took a photo of herself with her family in front of the drone. ” One drone is already a lot, and that’s how small streams make big rivers “, she says.
At the end of May, at the call of a journalist, the Lithuanians collected more than 5 million euros for this purchase. Touched by the gesture of the Lithuanians, Turkey decided to offer them the drone. The money collected was therefore used to buy ammunition to arm it.
This initiative has also been emulated. “The Ukrainians did the same thing as the Lithuanians and they started collecting for several Bayraktar and the Turkish company again offered three drones to Ukraine,” said Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas.
As in Ukraine, air defense is one of Lithuania’s weak points. The national defense budget provides for the purchase of the combat drones, but the Ministry of Defense did not reveal whether the country also plans to buy Turkish-made drones.
►Also listen: Drone Bayraktar: Ukraine’s aerial asset