MOSCOW, April 15 - Russia's defence ministry warned on April 15 that planned increases in drone supplies from European countries to Ukraine are dragging those governments deeper into the conflict with Russia. The ministry said it had reasons to believe a number of EU governments have decided to increase the production and delivery of drones to Ukrainian forces, a development Moscow described as contributing to an escalation of hostilities.
Alongside its statement, the ministry published a list of factories and enterprises it alleges are engaged in the manufacture of drones or drone components, and provided addresses for the facilities. The list includes sites in Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy, Israel and Poland, among other countries.
The defence ministry framed the publication as a disclosure intended for the European public, saying citizens should have clarity about what it termed the true causes of threats to their security, and should be informed of the locations of Ukrainian and joint enterprises producing UAVs and components on their own soil.
"The European public should not only have a clear understanding of the true causes of the threats to their security, but also be aware of the addresses and locations of Ukrainian and joint enterprises producing UAVs and components for Ukraine within their own countries," the ministry said.
Shortly after the defence ministry released the list, Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president who now serves as deputy chair of Russia's Security Council, posted on X that the list amounted to potential targets for Russia's armed forces. He wrote that when strikes might occur would depend on subsequent developments and added: "When strikes become a reality depends on what comes next. Sleep well, European partners!"
Russian officials, including Medvedev, have on multiple occasions made public remarks that have been perceived as threats to European states over their support for Ukraine. The article notes that those remarks have typically taken the form of warnings or veiled hints rather than explicit declarations of imminent strikes.
The statements and the publication of specific facility addresses highlight Moscow's framing of increased drone production and transfers as an escalation and underscore the tensions between Russia and European governments providing material support to Ukraine.