A crowdfunding campaign in the Czech Republic has raised more than 33 million crowns (£1.1m) to buy a modernised Soviet-era T-72 tank that will be sent to the Ukrainian army to help it fight Russia’s invasion.
Run by the Ukrainian embassy in Prague, more than 11,200 people donated money.
Ukrainian deputy foreign minister Yevhen Perebyinis said on Twitter: “The Czech Republic became the first country where ordinary people bought a tank.”
The T-72 Avenger has been modernised to improve its protective systems and to add modern night-vision and communications equipment.
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Fundraising is continuing to provide ammunition, the campaign said on its website.
The Czech Republic, a NATO and European Union member, has been a strong backer of Ukraine.
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It has shipped surplus army stocks as well as privately sourced equipment funded by other countries and the Ukrainian government to Ukraine.
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This includes older tanks, multiple rocket launchers, artillery, infantry fighting vehicles and air-defence systems.
The Ukraine embassy said that by late September, Czechs had donated £46m to its weapons-purchase fundraising efforts coordinated with the Czech defence ministry.
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