The Lithuanian volunteer organisation Blue/Yellow has concluded its «Dronathon» campaign, raising €1,301,494 for counter-drone equipment for Ukraine and Lithuania. Eighty per cent of the donations will go to the Ukrainian Defence Forces, with the remainder going to the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union. Ukrainian defenders have already received 12 Lithuanian-made Defender interceptor drones, LRT reported on 20 October, citing the organisation.
Briefly about the main points
- The Blue/Yellow campaign raised €1,301,494, exceeding its initial target.
- The bulk of the donations will be channelled to the Ukrainian Defence Forces.
- Ukraine has received 12 Lithuanian Defender interceptors.
- A further four aircraft were handed over to the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union.
- The budget provides for machinery, ancillary equipment and operator training.
The campaign exceeded its initial target and extended to two countries
«Dronathon» was launched on 17 August 2026 with the aim of raising €1 million to purchase equipment to counter Russian drones and to train operators. Citizens, businesses and civil society organisations have all contributed to the fundraising effort.
This year, for the first time, the initiative has been directed simultaneously towards strengthening the defence of Ukraine’s airspace and Lithuania’s defence readiness. Part of the funds raised will be used to equip and train members of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union.
Procurement began before the collection was completed due to an increase in attacks
Blue/Yellow began spending the donations even before the campaign had officially ended, due to the intensification of Russian air strikes on Ukrainian cities. The organisation’s director Laura Paukšte reported that, in September, the air quality alert in Kyiv lasted for a total of more than 11 days.
The first Lithuanian-made Defender interceptors were procured and tested as part of the campaign. The Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union received four such devices.
The money will be spent on machinery, equipment and operator training
The funding is intended for the purchase of interceptor drones, other anti-drone systems and associated equipment. The Blue/Yellow website also lists the STING and P1SUN among the models planned for procurement in Ukraine.
Another area of focus is the training of specialists. Ukrainian instructors will teach members of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union how to counter enemy drones, and the Defender systems purchased will also be used to train Lithuanian operators. The organisation has not disclosed the total number of drones to be purchased under the campaign’s budget.
Blue/Yellow has been helping Ukraine since the start of the Russian aggression
Blue/Yellow has been operating since 2014, supporting the Ukrainian military and civilian population. According to the organisation, over the past 12 years it has provided Ukraine with aid totalling more than €116 million.
Previous collections included transport, drones, communications equipment, medical equipment and other essential resources.
