A Czech charity initiative has successfully raised €2.4 million to purchase six new 122mm D-30 howitzers for Ukrainian forces fighting Russia’s invasion.
The campaign, called Dárek pro Putina (“A Gift for Putin”), announced the completion of its fundraising drive on its official website this week. Supported by the Ukrainian Embassy in Prague, the initiative will now proceed to deliver the artillery pieces directly to the front lines.
Organizers said all six howitzers are already available for transfer, an “exceptional achievement” given that acquiring military hardware often involves months of waiting. The handover to Ukraine’s Defense Forces will take place in coordination with Ukrainian diplomatic representatives, with delivery planned soon after administrative procedures are finalized.
“Soldiers value these guns for their simple design, mobility, and the ability to rotate 360 degrees without changing position, making them an effective means of artillery support in diverse terrain,” the campaign said in a statement.
Děkujeme velmi. S pokorou.❤️ pic.twitter.com/behfVug3zU
— Dárek pro Putina (@DarPutinovi) July 20, 2025
The D-30 (2A18) howitzer, developed in the Soviet Union in the 1960s, has a firing range of up to 15.4 km (or 21.9 km with rocket-assisted projectiles) and a rate of fire of 10–12 rounds per minute. Despite its age, the weapon remains in service in multiple countries and is prized for its reliability and ease of use.
This latest effort follows earlier successes by Dárek pro Putina, which previously raised funds to supply Ukraine with a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter for the country’s military intelligence agency.
The Black Hawk fundraising drive began in November 2023 but encountered delays after some critics argued the funds would be better spent elsewhere. Nonetheless, the initiative persevered and delivered the helicopter to Ukrainian forces.
The initiative’s rapid mobilization of resources underscores the strong popular support for Ukraine within the Czech Republic. Prague has emerged as one of Kyiv’s staunchest backers in Europe, both at the government level and through civic engagement.