Driving Ukraine’s 12-car Convoy 37 began on January 23 by turning laps around the legendary Silverstone Circuit. From there, the group traveled 2,000 miles across Europe to their destination, where the vehicles were donated to Ukrainian emergency and military personnel. A Snatch Land Rover from the convoy ended up in the hands of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR), the Ukrainian military intelligence division led by Kyrylo Budanov.

Budanov, a Hero of Ukraine whose GUR is behind special operations domestically and abroad against Russia, facilitated the Land Rover’s transfer with Driving Ukraine organizers Maksym Stodolia and Fynn Watt. The lieutenant general also signed a British flag with “God Save the King” that he gave to them, along with a GUR challenge coin and certificate of recognition.

The Snatch Land Rover is a patrol vehicle based on the Land Rover Defender 110. Besides the armored plating, Stodolia pointed out electronic warfare equipment can be installed, making it “the best vehicle for small sabotage and reconnaissance groups.” It even has orange stripes on the side as a nod to McLaren F1 and the Silverstone event prior to the trip.

“We’ve been supporting Ukraine for coming up to three years now, and we’ve got hundreds and thousands of people in the UK behind us providing vehicles like this,” said Watt.

Convoy 37 arrived in Lviv on January 26, where the group was received by Mayor Andriy Sadovyi. The other 11 vehicles included four ambulances and a fleet of pickup trucks. All of them drove around Silverstone with a camera crew in partnership with the British Racing Drivers’ Club before making the trek to Ukraine. The convoy also brought with it £250,000 in medical aid.

A British-Ukrainian joint effort based in Oxfordshire, Driving Ukraine has donated over 160 vehicles since its founding in March 2022. It boasts the support of both countries’ automotive federations and has raised over £1 million for off-road and emergency vehicles.

Featured image credit: Головне управління розвідки МО України