Rokas Baciuška has had a busy start to July. Three days after celebrating the General Motiejus Pečiulionis Artillery Battalion’s birthday, he was in the forest of Baisogala as a special guest of Komandiruotė. Besides chatting with the hosts and attendees, the two-time World Rally-Raid Champion led an auction to raise donations for Ukraine.

Komandiruotė (“Business Trip”) is a talk show hosted by Mantas Bartuševičius, Mantas Grimalis, and Airidas Jankus out of a camper. As is the general sentiment in Lithuania, the show has been openly supportive of Ukrainian defense against Russian invasion. Their conversation with Baciuška ended up being one of their longest, lasting well past midnight and even featuring a live performance by the band Abudu.

Baciuška and Komandiruotė campaigned for Blue / Yellow, a Lithuanian NGO that donates supplies to Ukrainian troops like medical supplies, drones and anti-drone systems, vehicles, and training. The winner of the auction got a ride-along with Baciuška in one of his Can-Am Mavericks as part of the RB Driving Experience.

“The evening had everything: genuine smiles, interesting questions, lots of laughter, and a really strong, warm atmosphere,” Baciuška said. “During the event, we contributed to a noble cause: support to Ukraine! We held an auction for an RB Driving Experience ride-along, and the auction funds were donated to Ukraine.

“Evenings like this remind us why all this activity—not just sports, but also socializing with people—is so meaningful and inspiring.”

Lithuania’s support for Ukraine also extends to Baciuška’s compatriots in the rally raid world. Fellow Hilux driver Benediktas Vanagas is one of the sport’s most vocal figures while Antanas Juknevičius and Vaidotas Žala have helped with fundraisers too. At the 2022 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, Baciuška himself swapped out the Lithuanian flag on his Can-Am for the Ukrainian one while he and his team wore shirts sporting the phrase “Русский военный корабль, иди на хуй!” (“Russian warship, go fuck yourself!”). Baciuška went on to finish second in T4.

Featured image credit: MCH Photo