The Bayraktar TB-2 “Vanagas” UAV, received by Ukraine after the Lithuanians raised money for its purchase through a crowdfunding campaign, has been seen in action for the first time.

A video posted on social media shows a drone used by Ukrainian operators targeting Russian soldiers from an artillery position, with the administrators of the Ukraine Weapons Tracker page noting that despite reports to the contrary, Bayraktar TB-2 drones are still in use in a role in the attack, and not only for reconnaissance behind enemy lines.

The new footage comes after the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in one of its assessments of the progress of the fighting in late June that it had suspended Bayraktar drone operations due to the strengthening of Russian anti-aircraft systems. .

ISW quoted then-Foreign Policy analyst Jack Dech as saying, based on discussions with several unnamed Ukrainian military and officials, that Ukrainian forces had largely stopped using Turkish Bayraktar drones, which had been used to great effect early in the war for strikes. against armored convoys and convoys.

In another video that appeared on social networks last week, it can be seen that the Ukrainians are also using Bayraktar mini-drones obtained from Turkey, but they are used for reconnaissance and artillery fire.

The history of the Bayraktar TB-2 “Vanagas” drone.

In May, hundreds of ordinary Lithuanians donated money for the purchase of this Turkish drone as part of a crowdfunding campaign initiated by Vilnius journalist Andryus Tapinas.

The amount of 5 million euros needed for the purchase of the drone was collected in just a few days.

But Baykar, an Istanbul-based drone company, announced in early June that it would not take the money and would give the drone to the Ukrainian military for free, recommending that the proceeds be used to help Ukrainians affected by the war launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24.

The Lithuanians received the drone the following month and christened it “Vanagas” in Lithuanian, i.e. “Hawk”, announcing that it would be sent to Ukraine in the near future.

In late June, Baykar announced that it would deliver another batch of 3 Bayraktar TB-2 drones to Ukraine after a separate crowdfunding campaign, this time started by Ukrainians, raised $20 million in 3 days to buy the Turkish-made drone.

As for the Lithuanians, they also raised funds to buy 110 anti-drone guns, which they called “ork destroyers,” before sending them to the Ukrainians.

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