Ukrainians hit back at German defence boss for jibes about ‘Lego’ drones

Senior officials in Kyiv are taking a swipe at the head of German defence giant Rheinmetall, whose unflattering comments about Ukrainian drone technology and the role of women in the war against Russia ignited a social media backlash.

Armin Papperger, Rheinmetall AG’s chairman and chief executive, likened Ukraine’s development of cutting-edge drone expertise to playing “with Lego” and said the drones are being built by “Ukrainian housewives”.

“They have 3D printers in the kitchen, and they produce parts for drones,” Mr Papperger said in comments to The Atlantic magazine. “This is not innovation.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is offering his country’s advanced drone technology to Gulf countries amid the Iran war, described Mr Papperger’s remarks as “strange”.

“If every Ukrainian housewife can really produce drones, then every Ukrainian housewife could also be the CEO of Rheinmetall,” he told reporters.

“I congratulate our defence-industrial complex on being at such a high level.”

Ukraine has quickly grown into one of the world’s leading producers of cutting-edge, battle-tested drone interceptors that are cheap and effective.

After Mr Papperger’s comments appeared, Ukrainians took to social media to berate him under the hashtag #MadeByHousewives.

Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko praised the role of Ukrainian women in the effort to thwart Russia’s all-out invasion of February 2022.

“Ukrainian women are indeed an essential part of Ukraine’s war effort and of Europe’s security,” she posted on X.

“They have stepped with courage into many areas once seen as male-dominated, bringing energy, discipline, and determination.

“And they are doing this while raising our next generation and caring for their families under wartime pressures,” she added.

Mr Zelensky’s adviser, Alexander Kamyshin, said he regularly visits military manufacturing plants and sees men and women working side by side.

“They are great housewives, yet they have to work hard in the military factories,” he said on X, adding: “They deserve respect.”

Rheinmetall responded on X, saying that the company has “the utmost respect” for Ukrainian people fighting Russia.

“Every single woman and man in (Ukraine) is making an immeasurable contribution,” it said.

“The innovative strength and the fighting spirit of the Ukrainian people are an inspiration to us.”