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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Dominique Hines

Star Wars legend Mark Hamill stars in drone appeal video for Ukraine Armed Forces

Mark Hamill has announced a fundraiser for drones for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The Star Wars legend and UNITED24 ambassador is raising money to get 10 RQ-35 Heidrun reconnaissance drones.

Hamill says in the clip: "Movies teach us that during the most difficult times in history, when evil attacks good, when darkness attacks light, superheroes always come to the rescue.

"But in reality, things are not like in the movies. There are no superheroes wearing capes, Jedi knights, time machines, or magic wands.

"Instead, there are millions of real people standing up to real evil. We can help them.

Hamill, who portrayed Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, continued: "Even when we are far, far away, we can join their fight.

"I call on you to support the brave Ukrainians, who are standing up to evil right now, and join the fundraiser for 10 Heidrun drones that will help perform reconnaissance missions."

The RQ-35 Heidrun is a Denmark-made unmanned aerial vehicle, with a flight range of 25 kilometres.

It can transmit video in real time, allowing intelligence to be gathered without exposing the operator.

To the rescue: Hamill as Luke Skywalker and Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia in Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) (Press Image/Star Wars)

In September it had been announced that Hamill was recruited by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to help fundraise for his country’s military efforts in the ongoing conflict with Russia.

The actor said he was “honoured” to take on the role of ambassador for the United24 platform.

His role will include raising funds to support Ukrainian defenders, the Drone Army, a project set up by the Ukrainian government to procure unmanned drones to assist the war effort.

Sharing a picture of himself in a virtual meeting with Mr Zelensky, Hamill wrote: “Honoured to be an ambassador for the Army of Drones and to help President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine in any way possible.”

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