Lancaster Uni Students’ Union suspends society for sending drones to Ukrainian troops

Lancaster University Students’ Union has suspended a society due to their alleged purchase of drones that were later sent to support Ukrainian troops fighting Russian soldiers.

The society involved is Lancaster University Ukrainian Society which was suspended the Ukrainian Society at University College London (UCL).

The suspensions have taken place pending an investigation into a potential breach of UK charity laws.

Both universities’ students’ unions are regulated by the Charity Commission watchdog, which provides regulation over fundraising and the use of funds and assets.

A post from March 2024 on the Lancaster University Ukrainian Society Instagram account showcases three DJI Mavic 3 drones, with the caption stating: “During our events in late February we were able to purchase three DJI Mavic 3 drones.”and that the “the drones would soon be delivered to Ukraine.”

The Charity Commission has previously asserted that “providing aid or military supplies to any foreign armed force is not a charitable purpose, and no charity can legally undertake such activity.”

In a statement provided to The Lancaster Tab on 7th May, Lancaster University said: “Lancaster University is proud to offer a safe place for staff and students from Ukraine to work and study.”

The university continued: “Although LUSU is a separate legal entity to the University we retain a close and supportive interest in their work and expect their own regulations to be adhered to – as such we support their action to suspend the society and investigate. We keenly await the outcome of the review.”

Lancaster University Students’ Union and Lancaster University’s Ukrainian Society were contacted by the Lancaster Tab for comment, but did not provide a response. However, they did provide a response to the Financial Times.

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The Lancaster University Students’ Union said that it had “just been made aware of the allegations.” The SU further commented: “We have not yet had an opportunity to investigate these, but on the basis of these allegations we have decided to suspend the society’s affiliation to the LUSU, on a precautionary basis, whilst we undertake an urgent investigation”

In the same publication of the Financial Times, Lancaster University’s Ukrainian Society said its “fundraising activities have always been strictly humanitarian. We have never made any announcements or posts regarding fundraising directed at military targets.”

The society further stated the social media content in question was “exclusively related to personal initiatives of individual members of our society, not official society fundraising activities.”

A UCL spokesperson said: “We support the action taken by the union to suspend the Ukrainian Society. Their investigation and disciplinary processes are fully independent of UCL, so it would be inappropriate to make any further comment while this is ongoing.”

A spokesperson for UCL Students’ Union told The London Tab: “We have taken the difficult decision to suspend the Ukrainian Society, pending an investigation and the outcome of a disciplinary hearing.

“This step was taken in line with our policies and our responsibilities as a charity. The Society is engaging with the process, and we will communicate next steps to them once we have completed all our investigations.

“It would not be appropriate for us to comment further at this time.”

Featured image via Instagram