Ukraine has launched an ingenious campaign to get revenge after brutal Russian attacks across the country this week.
Kyiv and a number of other cities were subject to devastating attacks this week that saw dozens left dead.
But in response, one Ukrainian politician launched a crowdfunding campaign that has seen them raise almost £9million to buy up kamikaze drones to inflict damage on Russian forces.
These drones are similar to Iranian-built drones that Russia used to bomb Ukraine ’s cities and inflict severe death and destruction just this week.
The fundraiser raised a massive £8.7million, which meant they could buy an initial 50 Ram II drones which each carry a 3kg explosive payload.
Serhiy Prytula, who organised the initiative, said further munitions would be bought over the coming days as well.
He said: “They wanted to scare us but we united even more. Remember: never infuriate Ukrainians. Never. The people have donated for the revenge, so we will ensure the revenge happens.”
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, told G7 leaders on Tuesday that Russia had used a variety of munitions to strike Ukrainian cities over the previous two days, killing 20 people.
He said: “The enemy has used more than 100 cruise missiles, dozens of different drones, including Iranian Shaheds.
“And every 10 minutes I receive a message about the enemy’s use of Iranian Shaheds.”
The Shahed-136 drones are similar to the Ram II in that they are not designed for a return trip.
Whilst some have questioned their effectiveness, they have been deployed against Ukraine in recent days, causing particular damage in Zaporizhzhia .
Regional governor Oleksandr Starukh said the drones had been used to target infrastructure within the city as a part of a wider strike that left 11 dead.
The Ram II drones have already proven effective during Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to repel the brutal Russian invasion.
Footage shared on social media shows one destroying a Russian 9k33 Osa surface-to-air missile system reportedly worth £634,000.
Serhii Sternenko, an activist who co-founded the crowdfunding exercise, which was closed after 26 hours, said £24,507 had been donated in the first seven minutes of the appeal.
He said: “Crowdfunding campaigns make our defence stronger; we, the people, help the Ukrainian army. But we still need more weapons from our allies to stop this terror and the crime of genocide Russia commits daily in this European country.”
The news comes after a bloody week of fighting in Ukraine.
The weekend first saw the bombing of a bridge in Crimea that linked it to Russia. The attack was considered a blow to Putin and in response Monday began with a number of Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, waking up to heavy bombings.
More hellish footage emerged from the Ukrainian capital of wounded civilians and burning cars and buildings.
