Kyiv, Ukraine. Ukrainians criticised German arms maker Rheinmetall after its CEO Armin Papperger dismissed the country’s drone-focused defence innovation as basic technology put together by housewives in kitchens. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was among those who reacted to Papperger’s comments in an interview with The Atlantic published on Friday.
Zelenskiy responds to Papperger comments
“If every housewife in Ukraine can really make drones, then every housewife in Ukraine can be the CEO of Rheinmetall,” Zelenskiy told reporters in a WhatsApp chat.
Supporters rally under #MadeByHousewives
Online, under the hashtag #MadeByHousewives, other Ukrainians and supporters of Kyiv voiced support for Ukrainian women and highlighted the country’s innovation. Some users posted animated images of Ukrainian women in traditional attire holding or building drones in a village setting.
Role of drones in Ukraine’s war effort
For Kyiv, drones have been critical to its war effort against Russia and a source of pride as the country has fought a larger and better-armed adversary in four years of fighting. Since the first days of Russia’s February 2022 invasion, Ukraine has relied on rapid, often homegrown innovation to match Moscow’s firepower.
Claims about battlefield impact and Rheinmetall response
Writing on X, Zelenskiy adviser Oleksandr Kamyshin said Ukrainian drones like those dismissed by Papperger have destroyed more than 11,000 Russian tanks. Rheinmetall said it has the “utmost respect” for Ukraine.
How do you think public reactions like #MadeByHousewives shape perceptions of Ukraine’s defence innovation?
