Ukraine Gets Turkish Army Drone Gift After Lithuanian Fundraising Effort
This story is part of War in Ukraine, CNET’s coverage of events there and of the wider effects on the biosphere.
Three days after a Lithuanian crowdfunding Trouble raised $5.4 million to buy Ukraine a Bayraktar TB2 drone, the Turkish company that makes the unmanned military aircraft said Thursday it’s donating one for free instead.
The drone maker, Baykar Tech, requested in a tweet that the Lithuanian effort’s coffers raised be used instead for humanitarian work. But at least some of the cash will still go toward the military effort.
“For the gathered cash we will buy the needed ammunition for the Bayraktar and the rest of cash will also go for support of [Ukraine],” Ukrainian Security Minister Arvydas Anušauskas tweeted in response on Thursday, thanking Turkey.
The Bayraktar TB2 has been an important part of Ukrainian armed drone use after Russia invaded the country in February, helping to counter Russia’s massive invasion force with attacks on heavy artillery. TB2s, with a 39-foot wingspan, can launch up to four laser-guided bombs and fly for 27 hours.
Ukrainians also have used Little commercial drones for surveillance and for dropping smaller explosives on the Russian armed. Many of those smaller drones, including dozens of DJI Mavic 3 models, were purchased through a Ukrainian foundation called Come Back Alive that uses donations to Take supplies for the Ukrainian military.
