Czech Volunteers Raise Funds Black Hawk and More Aid for Ukraine
2 March, 2025 U.S. Army UH-60 helicopter. Photo: US Army
The Czech volunteer initiative Darek pro Putina (A Gift for Putin) has successfully raised funds to purchase a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter for Ukraine's Defence Intelligence. The announcement was made on the group's official page on the X social network. "We did it!
The Czechs are sending a Black Hawk helicopter to Ukraine. We managed to secure a cheaper, newer machine that Ukraine urgently needs. Let's finish what we started together and send Chestmir to fight against the dark Empire," the volunteers wrote.
The fundraising campaign, launched in November 2023, initially faced challenges, slowing significantly after a few months due to criticism from individuals claiming the funds could be better allocated elsewhere.
The UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter that Czech volunteers originally planned to purchase for Ukraine. Photo credits: Darek pro Putina
However, after discussing the matter with DIU representatives, the volunteers proceeded, identifying a helicopter outside Europe that cost CZK 35 million (EUR1.4 million) less than the initially planned purchase. The campaign raised a total of over 72 million CZK (EUR2.87 million), surpassing the CZK 70 million (EUR2.8 million) goal.
The funds will be used to acquire a Sikorsky UH-60A+ Black Hawk helicopter from the United States, equipped with upgraded T700-GE-701D turboshaft engines, offering 25% more power than the base model. The Ukrainian side will handle the transport and operational integration of the helicopter. The DIU already operates two Black Hawks, the first of which was spotted in service in February 2023.
The first, seen in service in February 2023, previously belonged to the civilian company Ace Aeronautics, which specializes in transport aircraft cabin upgrades.
UH-60A helicopter of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense, February 2023
The second Black Hawk, first recorded on video in March 2024, has an unknown origin. The Darek pro Putina initiative has been actively providing defense equipment to Ukraine, including 15 Viktor air defense systems, 1,000 RPG-75M anti-tank grenade launchers, 10 tons of explosives, a T-72 tank, and an RM-70 multiple rocket launcher. In collaboration with Slovak benefactors, they have also supplied several thousand 122 mm shells.
Currently, the volunteers have almost completed the fundraiser to purchase six D-30 howitzers and repairs of two armored personnel carriers damaged in the Kursk region, and the open-ended campaigns for shells and drones for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Viktor anti-aircraft systems of the Ukrainian military, 2023.
Photo credits: Joint Forces Command
Currently, the volunteers have almost completed the collection for the purchase of 6 D-30 howitzers, repairs, two armored personnel carriers damaged in Kursk region and an indefinite collection for shells and drones for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.