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Ukrainians chide German defense boss for jibes about ‘Lego’ drones made by ‘housewives’

Rheinmetall CEO’s remarks on Ukraine’s drone tech sparked backlash; Ukrainian drones destroyed over 11,000 Russian tanks, officials said.

  • In an interview published Friday, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger dismissed Ukraine's drone industry as "housewives with 3-D printers in the kitchen," likening the production work to "playing with Lego."
  • Ukraine's drone sector produces around four million units annually and has reportedly destroyed more than 11,000 Russian tanks, making the technology vital to the nation's four-year defense strategy.
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the remarks "strange," saying "If every Ukrainian housewife can really produce drones, then every Ukrainian housewife could also be the CEO of Rheinmetall." Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko called the comments sexist.
  • Rheinmetall issued a statement Sunday expressing "utmost respect" for Ukraine's defense efforts and praising the "innovative strength and fighting spirit" of its people, though notably omitting an apology for Papperger's remarks.
  • The controversy risks straining relations between Rheinmetall and Kyiv as Ukraine expands defense partnerships, despite the German manufacturer remaining a key supplier of tanks and 155mm artillery rounds to the region.
Insights by Ground AI

68 Articles

Lean Left

Rheinmetall-Chef Armin Papperger makes fun of the drone technology of Ukraine. He could learn a lot there for his company. It would be necessary.

·Germany
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According to a statement on Ukrainian drone production, the Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger is critical. The war in Ukraine shows how heavily favorable drones have changed the battle – and how hard Western planning staff are dealing with this new logic.

·Zürich, Switzerland
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The statements made by Rheinmetall chief Papperger about Ukrainian drones have provoked fierce criticism, which is also due to the fact that the weapons have long proven themselves on the battlefield.

·Frankfurt, Germany
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babel.ua broke the news in on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
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