Together with Ukraine, many Ukrainians as well as citizens of Europe and the whole world, with their donations, help raise funds for a very important weapon for Ukrainian soldiers - Turkish Bayraktar attack drones.
Ukraine - "Nations Bayraktar"
On June 22, 2022, TV presenter and volunteer Serhiy Prytula and blogger Igor Lachenkov opened a fundraiser asking Ukrainians to raise UAH 450 million to buy three Bayraktar TB2 UAVs. However, Ukrainians transferred 600 million hryvnias to the charity fund in 3 days for the purchase of 4 Bayraktar drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Drone manufacturer Bayraktar was enthusiastic about the solidarity of Ukrainians in fundraising and decided to donate the drones for free.
"Businessmen and ordinary people have contributed funds - small and large - to achieve this goal within a few days. Baykar will not accept payment for TB2 and will send 3 UAVs to the Ukrainian front for free. We ask that the funds raised be used to help in the struggle of the people of Ukraine. We are touched by this solidarity and determination in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges," Baykar Makina said.
Lithuania - "Vanagas"
Andrius Tapinas, a Lithuanian TV presenter, founder of Laisvės TV and public figure, was the first initiator of the idea of raising funds for Bayraktary, who planned to raise the necessary amount in three weeks. The fundraiser was announced on May 25, 2022.
The target amount of €5 million was raised in just three and a half days, mostly through small donations, and in less than three weeks the amount reached almost €6 million.
On June 2, 2022, Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas announced that Baykar Makina decided to donate the Bayraktar TB2 UAV free of charge, Lithuania will purchase the necessary ammunition with the money raised, and the rest will go to support Ukraine. The Lithuanian drone has already been delivered to Ukraine.
"The Lithuanian Bayraktar "Vanagas" is already in Ukraine! This is an outstanding manifestation of friendship and once again proving unity - not only Ukraine is fighting the aggressor. I am personally grateful to the CEO of Baykar Defense and Lithuanian TV presenter Andrius Tapinas for their unwavering support on the way to victory!" Ukraine!” the official said.
"The people of Lithuania honorably raised funds to buy Bayraktar TB2 for Ukraine. Upon learning of this, Baykar decided to donate Bayraktar TB2 to Lithuania for free and asks to transfer these funds to Ukraine for humanitarian aid," Baykar Makina said.
About ten thousand Lithuanians gathered at the air base in the Lithuanian city of Siauliai to see the dispatch of the Bayraktar drone, for which Lithuania was raising money.
Now, the strike operational tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Bayraktar, on which the Lithuanians were assembled, is already in Ukraine and is doing its job.
“18 Russian military vehicles were found, the coordinates were transferred to the Ukrainian artillery units. Results - Russian tanks were destroyed, the drone landed safely," Andrius Tapinas said on July 19, 2022.
Poland
Following the successful fundraising of the Lithuanians, our Polish friends picked up the fundraising for Bayrkatary.
As of July 19, 2022 (9 days before the end of the collection), more than 18 million zlotys (almost 4 million US dollars) have already been collected in Poland on Bayraktar for Ukraine, which is 79% of the funds from the required amount of 22.5 million zlotys ( about $5 million). More than 160,000 people transferred funds within the "Buy Ukraine Bayraktar" campaign.
The fundraising campaign on Bayraktar for Ukraine, which began on June 28, 2022 on the Zrzutka.pl crowdfunding platform, was initiated by a well-known public figure, political scientist and journalist Slawomir Sierakovsky. In particular, he noted that if Lithuania raised funds for Bayraktar in a very short time, then much larger Poland should also do this.
At the same time, according to Serakovsky, if funds are collected less than necessary, they will be transferred to an account with the National Bank of Ukraine for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The same will be done if more funds are raised. Well-known artists in Poland, journalists, social activists, and politicians continue to join the action, calling on Poles to help Ukraine.
Now all Ukrainians are looking forward to the completion of the collection of the target amount by the Poles.
Norway
The yet-to-be-finished crowdfunding campaign in Poland did not stop the Norwegians from starting their own fundraising for Bayraktar for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The relevant information appeared on the Norwegian crowdfunding platform Spleis on July 18, 2022. The goal is to raise NOK 55 million (approximately $5.5 million) in 80 days.
A national fundraising campaign for Bayraktar TB2 for Ukraine was launched by Norwegian lawyer Bengt Eric Waldow, urging Norway to do the same as other European countries.
"Lets give Bayraktar from the Norwegians to the Ukrainian people - show solidarity in Ukraines struggle against Putin," Bengt urged Eric Waldow.
The conditions for collecting money are also known:
- accepting donations from 10 NOK - that is, from 1 dollar;
- the first thousand volunteers are eligible to vote for the Bayraktar name for Ukraine;
- if after 80 days the amount is not collected, then the money will be transferred to the fund for assistance to Ukraine at the Ukrainian embassy in Norway.
Canada
On July 19, it became known that Canada also started a fundraiser for Bayraktar for Ukraine. Canadians intend to collect 7 million dollars (about 5.5 million US dollars) to buy a drone for Ukraine.
Bayraktar is planned to be handed over to the military for the Independence Day of Ukraine.
Fundraising is going on the U help Ukraine platform.
"Our allies from all over the world in Lithuania, Ukraine and Poland raised millions of dollars through crowdfunding to ensure and carry out the purchase of the famous Bayraktar drone. Its time for Canadians to step up and do the same," the organizers of the meeting said in a statement.
At the moment, more than $38,000 has been collected.
"With the help of the Ukrainian-Canadian community and everyone who supports Ukraines fight against tyranny, we will be able to promote real physical changes and help our heroes return home. Every dollar is important for the liberation of Ukraine," the statement says.
Who else can support the initiative, perhaps the UK?
As for the production of Bairkators in Ukraine
On July 19, 2022, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that the government would send to the Verkhovna Rada a draft law on the ratification of the agreement between Ukraine and Turkey on cooperation in the field of high technologies, aviation and space industries.
"Among other things, this will make it possible to build a factory in Ukraine for the production and maintenance of the famous Bayraktar drones," Shmyhal noted.
In February 2022, during the meeting of the presidents in Kyiv, Ukraine and Turkey already signed an agreement expanding the production of unmanned aerial vehicles by the Turkish company Baykar in Ukraine.
Bayraktar TB2 (Bayraktar TB2 - “standard bearer”) is a Turkish strike operational-tactical medium-altitude UAV with an internal combustion engine and a pusher-type propeller. Bayraktar TB2 with 4 guided munitions on the suspension can be in the air from 12 to 24 hours. The maximum control range is up to 150 km. This allows you to maintain constant watch in the air and, after identifying targets, quickly advance to the front line to launch missiles. The private Turkish company Baykar Makina is engaged in development and production.
