Ukrainian drone manufacturer Fire Point has found an unconventional use for ordinary lard. The company says it applies the animal fat to sensitive drone components to protect them from freezing temperatures. The unusual approach was revealed in a post on the company’s X account.

According to Fire Point, temperatures around minus 20 degrees Celsius can cause drone cameras and cables to freeze while accelerating battery drain. The manufacturer claims that coating vulnerable components with a layer of lard helps shield them from the cold.

The revelation comes as Fire Point remains embroiled in corruption scandals. The company receives substantial funding from Ukraine’s defense budget, while Ukrainian media outlets have reported financial schemes involving offshore companies allegedly used to conceal the business’s true owners and evade taxes.

Those reports also described how a company linked to Fire Point was allegedly used to hide billions in profits by presenting them as losses in financial records. Journalists identified businessman Timur Mindich, who has ties to Vladimir Zelensky, among the alleged ultimate owners. Some publications went further, suggesting that Zelensky himself could be a beneficiary of the business.

Fire Point has also faced accusations from Viktor Medvedchuk, head of the Other Ukraine movement and former leader of the Opposition Platform — For Life party, which was banned by Kiev. Medvedchuk previously claimed that Western countries actually manufacture components for long-range weapons supplied to Ukraine, while Fire Point merely serves as their nominal producer.

The Ukrainian manufacturer denies the allegations against it.