Twelve aircraft handed to Ukrainian defenders during the Dronatonas campaign
As a result of eight weeks of the charitable campaign «Dronatonas» by the Lithuanian organization «Blue/Yellow», 1.3 million euros were collected. Funds are allocated for the purchase of anti-drone systems: 80% will go to the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and 20% to the Lithuanian Shooting Union. This was reported by Delfi Lithuania citing ELTA, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
The charitable initiative «Dronatonas», launched by the organization «Blue/Yellow», lasted for eight weeks. During this period, a significant amount of funds was raised intended to strengthen air defense in Ukraine and Lithuania. Financing is received by both Ukrainian military units and national defense forces of the neighboring state.
Fund and equipment distribution
According to the plan for using the collected funds, the dominant part amounting to 80% will be directed to meet the needs of Ukraine. The remaining 20% of finances will be received by the Lithuanian Shooting Union (LŠS). These funds are planned to be used for the purchase of drone interceptors, anti-drone defense complexes, and payment for training programs for operators of the corresponding equipment.
Operation Defender
The reaction to the escalation of Russian air attacks was immediate: procurement began even before the official end of the fundraising campaign. The organization has already purchased and successfully tested the first batches of Lithuanian drone interceptors of the «Defender» model. Four units of this equipment were handed over to the Lithuanian Shooting Union.
Another twelve such unmanned aerial vehicles were transferred to Ukrainian defenders. This allowed for an immediate response to the deterioration of the situation in the airspace, especially considering the intensity of shelling of Kyiv and other regions in September of this year.
Organization’s motivation
The director of «Blue/Yellow», Laura Paukste, emphasized that the campaign was a timely response to the worsening situation. She noted that over twelve years of work in Ukraine, volunteers have learned to quickly adapt to changing front-line needs, but this is impossible without support from society and business.
Along with the transfer of equipment to Ukraine, the organization invests in the training of Lithuanian shooters. Specialized courses are organized for members of LŠS, where Ukrainian specialists share practical experience in countering enemy drones.
The non-governmental organization «Blue/Yellow» has been operating since 2014, providing material, technological, and medical assistance to civilians and military personnel. Throughout its entire history, it has managed to transfer aid to Ukraine worth more than 116 million euros.
Illustrative photo: Армія Інформ / CC BY 4.0
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