In just 3.5 days of collecting, the Lithuanian people raised five million euros to buy a Turkish UAS Bayraktar TB2 to donate to the Ukrainian defense forces.

In just 3,5 days people of Lithuania raised €5 million to buy Bayraktar drone for Ukraine in a crowdfunding initiative. Together we #StandWithUkraine! ????

— Lithuanian Government ?? (@LithuanianGovt) May 28, 2022

This money will be managed by the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense, which will act as purchaser to the Turkish Government and the Baykar company, manufacturer of the Bayraktar TB2.

The campaign was initiated by Laisves TV, a local television station, and the Lithuanian Minister of Defense and other government officials quickly got on board.

Ukraine purchased, at least until the beginning of the conflict, more than thirty Turkish unmanned aerial systems Bayraktar TB2, which have been performing outstandingly well against Russian forces since the beginning of the conflict, including the first naval air victories of this type of platforms in the world.

See also: First successful anti-ship mission of Bayraktar TB2 drone in Ukraine

When Lithuanians say "We #StandWithUkraine", they mean it. In 3 days, #Lithuania crowdfunded 5 million euros to buy a Bayraktar drone for Ukraine. ?????

Today and every day we #StandUpForUkraine. pic.twitter.com/aGiWUQLgbu

— LT MFA StratCom | #StandWithUkraine (@LT_MFA_Stratcom) May 28, 2022

Given the good results of this very peculiar crowdfunding campaign, it is likely that several replicas will emerge in the near future, in order to continue buying weaponry so that Ukraine can stay in the fight.

In fact, something similar to this assistance model had already been proposed by the Ukrainian Air Force in its #Buymeafighterjet initiative, in order to seek the help of the world’s millionaire individuals in the purchase of fighter jets, available on the second-hand market.

See also: #Buymeafighterjet, Ukrainian pilots ask the world’s millionaires for help

It is striking to see how technological tools and massive access to social networks allow any individual to participate in the financing and purchase of modern weapons systems, something that until a few years ago was only the prerogative of nation states or powerful organizations (many of them criminal or outside the law).