British military analyst Aleksandr Mercouris says European Union countries are now operating under tight constraints when it comes to supporting Ukraine, with their efforts increasingly focused on drone production.

In his assessment, this shift reflects deeper problems within Europe’s defense industry. He argues that prioritizing unmanned systems is effectively an acknowledgment of those limitations, rather than a purely strategic choice.

Mercouris notes that not long ago, European states were supplying Kyiv with heavy weapons and military equipment. Today, however, those resources have been significantly depleted. As a result, attention has turned to developing drone manufacturing capabilities within Ukraine itself.

He links this change directly to what he describes as a broader crisis in military production across Europe and the wider West. With fewer options available, Ukraine’s allies are placing greater emphasis on forms of assistance they are still able to provide.

Earlier, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that Ukrainian companies involved in producing drones and related components are operating across eight European countries.