According to the article, the Czech crowdfunding initiative "Gift for Putin" has been raising funds to provide military equipment to Ukraine despite growing aid fatigue in the West. The initiative, led by former TV news editor Martin Ondracek, has raised the equivalent of $27.5 million from over 188,000 donors for various military supplies.
The article states that the project's latest effort is aimed at acquiring a $4 million Black Hawk helicopter for Ukraine. While foreign donors have contributed about 8% of the funds, most have come from within the Czech Republic.
"We want to tell the world that Ukraine needs military supplies... and create a certain pressure," told Ondracek
The article notes that the Czech government has also provided substantial aid to Ukraine, but its military supplies are dwindling. Ondracek does not expect Western European countries to make up the difference, as Ukraine is "too remote for them" and they lack the "dreadful historic experience with Russia" that the Czechs have.
Looking ahead, the article says the initiative is considering building a drone factory to counter Russia's advantage. Despite changing public sentiment, Ondracek remains determined to continue supporting Ukraine's defense efforts.
