Ukrainian Railways passengers donate over ₴2.7 mln for FPV drones

Ukrainian Railways passengers who purchased "Scout" and "Combat" tea have donated ₴2,788,588 in proceeds for "Hrim" FPV drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Rubryka reports.

What's the problem?

The importance of FPV drones on the front line is hardly news to anyone. This is what the military talks about, volunteers shout about, and officials acknowledge.

Their advantage lies in their affordability and ease of manufacturing, which partially compensates for the lack of more expensive types of weapons. In the face of reduced assistance from partners, the availability of FPV drones becomes a question of survival in many respects.

FPV drones are one of the key factors that directly bring Ukraine closer to victory and allow Ukrainians to save countless lives. Where there are no drones, people become expendable.

What's the solution?

Last July, the "Army of Drones" launched a charity initiative with the Ukrainian Railways and tea manufacturer Gemini, allowing passengers to donate to drones while traveling.

Photo: t.me/UkrzalInfo

On August 1, 2023, it was announced that passengers had ordered over 50,700 packets of "Combat" and "Scout" tea, raising ₴278,965, enough for 13 "Hrim" FPV drones.

Currently, passengers who bought "Combat" and "Scout" tea have donated ₴2,788,588.

Photo: t.me/UkrzalInfo

How does it work?

"Last year, Ukrzaliznytsia, the Army of Drones, and tea manufacturer Gemini launched a special tea collection on trains across the country to raise money to purchase Ukrainian-made FPV drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. During this time, passengers drank 507,000 cups of tea, donating ₴2,788,588," the statement said.

Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov noted that part of the funds has already gone towards purchasing combat drones for the Armed Forces.

Photo: t.me/UkrzalInfo

"They allow for effective work against the enemy at a safe distance. The first 62 kamikaze drones have already been handed over to the 110th  Mark Bezruchko Separate Mechanized Brigade. It has been defending the area near Avdiivka in the Donetsk direction since March 2022," the minister said.

After the limited collections of "Combat" and "Scout" tea are sold out in the "Iron Shops" in Kyiv and Lviv, the remaining funds will go toward the second batch of drones.

In December 2022, Ukrzaliznytsia returned "railway" tea cups to trains. The cups have "Iron Bravery" and "Ukraine" written on them. The basic tea in trains was replaced with higher-quality tea without changing the price. A selection of premium teas and capsule and drip coffee were also added to the menu.

Ukrzaliznytsia has created the world's first autonomous food train, which can operate autonomously for up to seven days and deliver food to the most remote regions of Ukraine.

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