Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, European countries have provided extensive financial and military support to Kyiv, supplying weapons systems and ammunition.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has now released a list of European manufacturers it claims are producing drones for Ukraine, stating that such joint ventures represent a “step toward escalation.”
According to the ministry, this kind of cooperation risks “drawing European countries deeper into the war,” while a Russian official described these manufacturers as potential military targets.
The Russian defense authorities said that by the end of March, leaders of several European Union countries had decided to increase the production and supply of drones to Ukraine for use in strikes on Russian territory, as well as expand funding for companies involved in producing attack drones and their components.
“We consider this decision a deliberate step leading to a sharp escalation of the military and political situation across the European continent and the gradual transformation of these countries into a strategic rear base for Ukraine,” the ministry said, warning that drone attacks using European-made equipment could lead to “unpredictable consequences.”
It added that the European public should be aware not only of the perceived threats to their security, but also of the locations of companies involved in producing UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and components for Ukraine within their own countries.
The published list includes 11 branches of alleged Ukrainian-affiliated companies producing drones and components, with locations in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany, and Latvia.
It also lists coordinates of 10 companies in Germany, Spain, and Italy that are allegedly involved in drone and component production for Ukraine.
Potential military targets
Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, stated that the information “should be perceived as a list of potential targets for the Russian Armed Forces.”
“The statement of the Russian Ministry of Defense must be taken very literally: publishing the locations of drone production and other military equipment in Europe is effectively a register of legitimate potential targets for Russian forces,” he wrote on X.
Since the beginning of the invasion, European countries have significantly increased their support for Ukraine.
This week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed agreements with Germany and Norway for joint drone production. Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also expressed interest in similar cooperation.
“Supporting Ukraine is not only a moral duty, but also a strategic necessity. Europe’s security is at stake,” she said following a meeting with Zelenskyy in Rome.
