-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Ivan Khomenko")
On November 23, defense ministers from Ukraine and Lithuania signed a memorandum in Vilnius, establishing a framework for enhanced cooperation and support for Ukraine’s security and defense forces.
The agreement includes Lithuania’s commitment to fund the production of long-range Ukrainian drones, a significant step in bilateral defense collaboration.
According to Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, the memorandum will enable Lithuanian investments in Ukraine’s defense industry, strengthening strategic ties between the nations. “This is a long-term agreement, with the first tranche of €10 million already approved. Lithuania is allocating these funds for the development of Ukrainian long-range weaponry, including the Palyanytsia drone project,” Umerov stated.
Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas highlighted ongoing efforts to finalize bureaucratic procedures, with the initial tranche expected to be transferred in the near future to support Ukraine’s DeepStrike program.
The memorandum outlines not only immediate financial aid but also collaborative priorities for 2025. These include the preparation and equipping of Ukrainian brigades, procurement of munitions and air defense systems, and advancing joint defense industry initiatives.
In August, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the successful operational deployment of the Palyanytsia drone—a long-range missile-drone developed by Ukraine. While specific details about the drone remain classified, its range reportedly encompasses multiple military airfields within Russia, and it is designed for launch from ground-based platforms.
