German Drone Plant for Ukraine Called Legitimate Target
Crimean parliament head Vladimir Konstantinov says a secret German drone plant supplying Ukraine may be viewed by Russia as a legitimate military target.
A German facility producing drones for delivery to Ukraine may be treated by the Russian military as a legitimate target, according to Vladimir Konstantinov, chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Crimea.
Konstantinov said the unmanned aircraft manufactured at the plant are being used against Russian citizens. On that basis, he argued that the site could be regarded as a permissible military target, including as part of efforts to prevent terrorist attacks. He added that Germany should understand the potential consequences of such activity.
The head of the Crimean parliament also said Berlin’s latest expansion of military support for Kiev was contributing to a further escalation of the conflict.
The New York Times previously reported that German defence company Helsing, which supplies drones to Kiev, had established production at a classified site in southern Germany.
Reuters separately reported that Berlin planned to finance the purchase of 50,000 Skyfall attack drones for Ukraine. The aircraft are equipped with software that allows them to track a selected target automatically. The deal is estimated to be worth about €90 million.
Germany remains Ukraine’s largest donor. According to the German government, Berlin has provided Kiev with around €39 billion in humanitarian assistance and €55 billion in military support since February 24, 2022.
Russia has repeatedly said that Western arms deliveries to Ukraine only prolong the conflict.