Lithuania launches fundraiser for robotic systems for Ukraine
Lithuania has launched a new fundraising campaign to support Ukrainian troops, aiming to purchase robotic systems for battlefield protection and medical evacuation.
Source: LRT, a Lithuanian public broadcaster, as reported by European Pravda
Details: The Radarom! campaign was initiated by Lithuania's public broadcaster LRT together with Blue/Yellow, Laisvės TV and Stiprūs kartu.
The funds raised will be used to purchase tracked robotic platforms that can be equipped with machine-gun turrets featuring AI-based target detection and recognition systems or electronic warfare and reconnaissance equipment. The list also includes robots for casualty evacuation and cargo transport, reconnaissance and battlefield management drones, long-range drones and interceptor drones.
The cost of one set of robotic systems is up to €250,000.
LRT Director General Monika Garbačiauskaitė-Budrienė thanked businesses and residents who have joined the initiative.
"People know about this campaign – we have repeatedly seen cases where donations come from both children and elderly people," Garbačiauskaitė-Budrienė said.
She also urged businesses to join the fundraiser.
Blue/Yellow head Jonas Ohman said Lithuania would purchase robotic systems for Ukraine capable of operating both on the ground and in the air.
"The hot phase of the war has been going on for the fourth year already. Every day we work with units and soldiers and see a clear trend that warfare is becoming increasingly robotic. Robots perform various functions – from evacuation and logistics to combat operations – all of this is done by robots, drones and robotic platforms," Ohman said.
He noted that by helping Ukraine acquire robotic systems, Lithuania itself can better understand changes in modern warfare.
The Radarom! fundraiser will run from 9 February to 24 February.
Background:
- In January, another Radarom! campaign in Lithuania concluded, resulting in the transfer of drones and related equipment worth nearly €6 million to Ukrainian troops.
- On 22 July, the Lithuanian Radarom! campaign purchased more than two thousand drones for Ukraine's defence forces.
- In September, it was reported that the Dronaton charity campaign in support of Ukraine, initiated by the Blue/Yellow non-governmental organisation, raised €1 million for drones.
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