'Gift to Putin': Europe collects €400,000 for Black Hawk helicopter for Ukrainian Intelligence

The total cost of the helicopter is approximately 4.3 million euros.

"According to the organizers, the helicopter has already been inspected by aviation experts from Ukraine - it is in good condition and ready to perform combat missions. Once the necessary amount for the purchase is collected, the Ministry of Defense of Czechia will deliver the Black Hawk to Ukrainian intelligence," the press service writes.

As noted in the intelligence, our soldiers already have one such helicopter, which helps them perform:

• Combat and special tasks;
• Missions for delivering military cargo;
• Missions for delivering personnel;
• Missions for electronic warfare;
• Evacuation of the wounded.

Not the first "gift to Putin"

Earlier, as part of the initiative, the Czechs donated to our military:

• 15 anti-aircraft defense systems Victor;
• Tank T-72;
• Multiple rocket launcher RM-70.

The total cost of the "gifts" is $2.3 million.

"We express gratitude to our friends from Czechia and Slovakia to all citizens of European states who help repel the terrorist onslaught from Moscow, protect Ukraine and all of united Europe from the regime of Russian war criminals," the Main Intelligence Directorate added.

What is known about the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk?

The helicopter entered service with the U.S. Army, replacing the Bell UH-1 Huey helicopter. Flight tests of the experimental modification UH-60 were completed in 1974.

By the mid-1990s, more than 2600 helicopters had been built. With additional towers, it can be equipped with AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles and extra fuel tanks for long-distance flights.

Also, M240 and M134 machine guns and 30mm M230 cannons can be installed in the front cargo compartment. The current model used in the U.S. Army is the UH-60M.