In the Czech Republic, a fundraising campaign has been launched to raise money for interceptor drones that will target and destroy Russian drones over Ukraine.
The campaign, named Charlie One, was started by the civil initiative Skupina D.
The initiative has received support from Karel Řehka, the Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces and honorary chairman of the project.
He noted that Charlie is his combat call sign.
The interceptor drones purchased with the collected funds will be handed over to the air‑defense units of the Security Service of Ukraine.
“Our aim is to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression with defensive drones. We will help protect vulnerable civilians and save lives. You can help too,” Řehka stated.
He noted that it is a great honor for him that this campaign bears the name of his call sign.
The cost of one Charlie One interceptor drone is approximately 60,000 Czech crowns.
To be used effectively on the front line, a full set is required. It includes several drones, spare batteries, spare parts, communication equipment, operator training, and logistics. The complete package costs several hundred thousand Czech crowns.
Skupina D explained that Charlie One is designed to destroy Russian attack drones before they reach their targets, at a safe distance from populated areas. It can take off within a few minutes, detect an aerial threat, track its target, and destroy it directly in the air. It can operate both day and night.
Currently, Russian kamikaze drones are one of the biggest threats to both Ukrainian military forces and civilians. The Russians are using them in large numbers.
Previously, Ukraine set a record for shooting down Shahed drones – a soldier with the call sign Miguel, who serves in the 1020th Anti-aircraft Missile Regiment, destroyed 24 enemy attack drones in one night.
