Lithuanians Raise EUR 300 Thousand for Drones to Mark Ukraine's Independence Day

Lithuania has launched the Drone Songs campaign to raise 300,000 euros to purchase 500 FPV kamikaze drones for Ukraine. It will last until 24 August.

This was reported by the organisation Maži, bet stiprūs ("Small but strong"), which started the initiative.

"On 24 August, Ukraine celebrates its Independence Day. We will send 500 kamikaze drones from you and Lithuania. Make your contribution to the birthday gift that Ukrainian soldiers need most in their fight for the freedom of all of us! During the campaign, the Maži, bet stiprūs Foundation for Ukraine aims to raise €300,000 in donations to be used to buy 500 Toro kamikaze drones. Such a swarm of drones is a powerful force in the hands of professional pilots! Let's not get tired and keep supporting them. We need your maximum participation! Ukraine is born every day, it does not die. Together with Ukraine to victory!" - reads the message on the Maži, bet stiprūs website.

According to the founder of the foundation, Raimundas Aleknavicius, the frontline is witnessing both a counter-offensive by Ukrainian forces and new Russian attacks, and one of the most influential factors in the war is the growing use of drones.

"The war in Ukraine will go down in world military history as a war of constantly evolving drone technology. Along with combat Bayraktars, commercial DJIs and various fixed-wing drones, FPV kamikaze drones are now becoming increasingly important in the war between Ukraine and Russia," Aleknaevicius said.

The organisation emphasised that FPV drones dominate the Ukrainian sky, so the demand for them is growing exponentially. 

"Lightweight, weighing only half a kilogram without a battery, FPV drones are a very dangerous weapon at the frontline, as they can carry explosives three to four times heavier than themselves at 150 km/h. A drone costing just 600 euros (for comparison, military drones cost from 30,000 euros) is a powerful force in the hands of professional pilots. When properly hit, such a drone can destroy enemy armoured vehicles, including tanks," the statement said.

Aleknavicius noted that Russia has recently purchased thousands of drones, which are causing huge damage to the Ukrainian military.

The Drone Songs campaign, which started on 19 July, will last until 24 August, when Ukraine's Independence Day is celebrated.

The organisation aims to raise money and purchase TORO drones developed by Ukrainian and Lithuanian experts. 

"Our fund contributes to the production of batteries for this drone, some technological improvements and logistics. This is a Spanish FPV drone that has been further modernised to perform kamikaze missions. This drone on the Ukrainian front is considered one of the best kamikaze drones in its class with an accuracy rate of 80%," the organisation said. 

According to Raimundas Aleknavicius, in most cases, the enemy has no means to interfere with the flights of these drones.