The Bayraktar drone from the Lithuanians has already arrived in Ukraine.

This was announced by the Minister of National Defense of Lithuania.

The unmanned combat aerial vehicle Bayraktar TB2 Vanagas (“Hawk”) was crowdfunded by the people of Lithuania.

On Wednesday, July 6, the drone was presented to the Lithuanian public at the Air Force Base of Lithuania.

Everyone could briefly see the Bayraktar TB2 drone purchased with funds donated by the Lithuanians.

The drone and its ammunition were delivered from Istanbul to Lithuania.

In June, Lithuania signed a contract with Turkey to supply the Armed Forces of Ukraine with the Bayraktar drone. Given the circumstances, the Turkish manufacturer decided to provide the drone for free.

Prior to that, Lithuanians joined their efforts to collect funds for a purchase of an unmanned combat aerial vehicle in honour of Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression.

They raised over €5 million in just three and a half days. Most donations were relatively small amounts of money from individuals. This was the first time in history when civilians raised money to buy a combat drone to defend another country.

The campaign was initiated by Lithuanian Andrews Tapinas. He launched the campaign on May 25, saying he had agreed to a potential purchase with the defence ministries of Lithuania and Turkey, and the manufacturer.

The next day a special broadcast was held to promote it, with top Lithuanian officials and the Ukrainian Ambassador in Lithuania participating.

The Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicle for Lithuania was named Vanagas, which means Hawk.