crypto exchanges block

Ukraine Buys 5.5k Bulletproof Vests, 500 Helmets using Crypto Donations

Quick take:

  • Ukraine has purchased 5,550 bulletproof vests, 500 ballistic plates for the vests, 500 helmets, and more using the country’s crypto fund
  • According to the Deputy Minister of Digital Transformations of Ukraine, Alex Bornyakov, the equipment is already saving lives in the field
  • Deputy Minister Bornyakov has thanked everyone who has donated to Ukraine
  • Crypto is playing a vital role in Ukraine’s defense process

The government of Ukraine has announced through its Deputy Minister of Digital Transformations, Alex Bornyakov, that it has purchased the following non-lethal military supplies to help with the war effort.

  • 5,550 bulletproof vests
  • 500 ballistic plates for the bulletproof vests
  • 3,427 ‘medicines’
  • 60 walkie-talkies
  • 410,000 packed lunches
  • 3,125 thermal imaging systems and optics
  • 500 helmets

Through Twitter, Deputy Minister Bornyakov went on to thank each and every donor for their generosity during this trying time. He also added that the aforementioned equipment was already saving the lives of Ukrainian soldiers in the field of battle against the Russian invasion.

In an earlier Tweet, Deputy Minister Bornyakov had pointed out that for the last two years, Ukraine had been at the forefront of crypto adoption and that digital assets were playing a vital role in the country’s defense process.

He said:

Almost for two years, our ministry @mintsyfra have been working on developing a legal framework for crypto companies. Today crypto plays vital role in Ukraine’s defense process. All this helps to raise awareness and engage people worldwide.  #StandWithUkraine

With respect to managing the crypto donations, the Ukrainian government has partnered with the Kyiv-based crypto exchange of Kuna.io.

The crypto exchange has assisted the Ukrainian government in setting up secure crypto wallets for the funds as well as the numerous NFTs that are continually being donated towards the effort to defend the country. Furthermore, the trading platform is helping with the conversion of crypto donations into traditional currency, primarily Euros.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal earlier this month, Kuna’s CEO, Michael Chobanian, explained that the crypto donations were particularly useful when buying non-lethal military equipment. However, they could not purchase ‘nuclear bombs or rockets’ with the crypto donations that have since hit $77.3 million.

Ukraine Buys 5.5k Bulletproof Vests, 500 Helmets using Crypto Donations 13
Crypto donations to Ukraine as of March 12th. Source, Slowmist.com