Crowdfunding campaign in the Czech Republic has successfully raised more than $1.3 million to buy a modernised tank for the Ukrainian army
A crowdfunding campaign, dubbed “a gift for Putin”, received donations from over 11,000 individuals and is presumably the first purchase of its kind.
The fund was backed by the Czech defence ministry and Ukraine’s embassy in Prague.
As Vladimir Putin’s 70th birthday approaches, the defence minister of the Czech Republic joked his nation has “a great birthday present” for the Russian leader.
Ukraine’s ambassador to Prague says the gift is a concrete demonstration of solidarity and practical assistance from the Czech Republic.
The tank is a Soviet-era T-72. It has been modernised and named Tomas.
The Czech Republic has also sent a range of non-lethal military equipment, including night vision goggles and first-aid kits, to Ukraine.
