Latvian Minister of Defence Artis Pabriks proposes diverting the money donated by Latvian residents for the purchase of Bayraktar drone so far towards the purchase of winter clothes and other needs.
The donation campaign started on ziedot.lv portal on 16 August. A total of EUR 862 693 of the necessary EUR 5 million for the purchase of Turkish-made drone was collected by 16 September. One of the authors of this campaign is musician Ralfs Eilands.
Pabriks announced on Twitter that this week he intends to discuss with his Ukrainian colleague the successes of the Ukrainian army in liberating territories from Russian occupation. The two will also discuss support from Latvia and diversion of donations towards winter preparations.
Pabriks said he asked his Ukrainian colleague Oleksii Reznikov about the needs of the Ukrainian army. Among them are winter uniforms and other winter equipment.
«Considering that the price of Bayraktar drone is very high, my offer, if residents would agree, is to divert donations towards immediate needs. Collecting money to purchase a Bayraktar drone will take more time, but the Ukrainian army is on the offence now and the cold is approaching,» stressed the minister.
Pabriks proposed diverting donations towards purchase of winter uniforms and smaller Latvian-made drones.
The minister said he cannot say if the Bayraktar donation campaign could fall through. The Ministry of Defence promised to settle logistical and other procedures on behalf of organisers of the donation campaign.
«Currently is necessary to consider more flexible use of donations. With the war continuing, needs continue changing,» stressed the minister.
Eilands said he cannot say he agrees with the minister’s proposal, because it is necessary to consult with other authors of the donation campaign. Once this has been done, Eilands will provide a comment, he promised.
Also read: Latvian citizens collect donations for the purchase of Bayraktar for the Ukraine’s army
At the start of September the Ministry of Defence reported that since the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war the volume of support provided by the Latvian government to Ukraine has reach approximately EUR 300 million. Latvian residents, companies and NGOs have donated aid worth more than EUR 15.7 million.
The aid provided by Latvia includes arms, individual equipment, MREs, munitions, anti-tank weapons, Stinger anti-air launchers, UAVs, self-propelled howitzers, fuel and other items.