Rheinmetall president calls Ukrainian drone makers housewives \u2014 and gets a response<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nOn March 27, in an interview with The Atlantic<\/a> journalist Simon Shuster, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger said there is nothing innovative about Ukrainian drones and referred to their manufacturers as \u201cUkrainian housewives\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPapperger\u2019s remarks triggered a wave of reactions from officials, business leaders, and opinion-makers \u2014 mostly negative. The hashtag #MadeByHousewives<\/a> trended across social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPresident of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, in particular, said during a meeting with journalists that if every Ukrainian housewife can produce drones, then every Ukrainian housewife can be CEO of Rheinmetall.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/659881826_10233458518508635_1521913742687723619_n-1024x963.webp\")
Founder of TAF Industries Oleksandr Yakovenko<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nOleksandr Yakovenko, founder of TAF Industries, wrote<\/a> that Papperger\u2019s statement shows how deeply the European defence establishment still misunderstands the nature of modern warfare. \u201cThese \u2018housewives\u2019 destroy more enemy equipment every month than entire European armies do over full campaigns. And they do it while your industry continues to sell 20th-century solutions at 21st-century prices,\u201d the businessman argued.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOn March 29, the German company indirectly apologised for its CEO\u2019s remarks. \u201cWe have the utmost respect for the tremendous efforts of the Ukrainian people in defending against Russian aggression for more than four years. Every woman and man in Ukraine is making an invaluable contribution,\u201d the company said in a post on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nZelensky: 10 interceptor drone factories were built around the world behind the state\u2019s back<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nOn March 28, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told journalists he is aware of 10 interceptor drone production facilities built in various parts of the world without the state\u2019s involvement. The president made it clear he is dissatisfied with such actions by businesses and plans to respond. In his view, these companies are \u201charming Ukrainian exports\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President\u2019s quotes via Interfax<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe story of Sting interceptors<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nCensor.NET spoke with the founders of Wild Hornets<\/a> about their path, funding, cooperation with charitable foundations, China\u2019s role in the Russia-Ukraine war, and the challenges they face daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRead more<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nUkraine signs defence cooperation agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nThe president of Ukraine visited the Middle East, where several defence cooperation agreements were signed<\/a>. In particular, Ukraine\u2019s Ministry of Defence and Saudi Arabia signed a defence cooperation agreement. The document lays the groundwork for future contracts, technological cooperation, and investment, strengthening Ukraine\u2019s role as a security provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLast week, the chiefs of general staff of Ukraine and Qatar also signed a 10-year intergovernmental defence cooperation agreement. It implies joint projects in the defence industry, co-production, and technological partnerships between companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/67fb40440b41c7e01c20c0f9c7349dae_1774702387_extra_large-1024x683.webp\")
Photo Courtesy: Office of the President of Ukraine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn addition, the president visited the UAE and Jordan, where he met with state leadership and agreed to cooperate on security and defence. Teams are finalising the details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During these visits, Zelenskyy also met with three teams of Ukrainian military experts working in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. The president heard reports on the protection of critical infrastructure, capabilities for civilian protection, approaches to intercepting ballistic threats and drones, and proposals for building a comprehensive defence system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mariia Berlinska on the drone fever<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nIn a column for Ukrainska Pravda, Mariia Berlinska, head of the Aerial Reconnaissance Support Centre, writes that the president of Ukraine holds a uniquely strong position \u2014 that of a leader of a society engaged in the largest technological war in human history. He speaks about technology as one of Ukraine\u2019s key geopolitical assets. According to Berlinska, this is the right bet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut are officials within the presidential \u0432\u0435\u0440\u0442\u0438\u043a\u0430\u043b\u044c doing everything necessary to turn technology into a fully-fledged asset in the big geopolitical game?\u201d she asks. \u201cSo that Ukrainian technologies become not just a tool of war, but a full-fledged industry, a budget-generating export product, and a strategic geopolitical asset for Ukraine?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the column, she outlines where Ukraine stands in the military tech race and what must be done urgently \u201cso as not to lose again the chance gained at the cost of the lives and health of around a million of our people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Group 12 on the anatomy of anti-aircraft drones<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nOfficers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from the analytical unit Group 12, which studies the behaviour of weapons in combat environments, appeared on the \u201cDo Zbroi!\u201d podcast by Militarnyi. They discussed interceptor drones and hunting Shaheds<\/a>: how crews operate, why \u201cgaps\u201d in air defence emerge, and whether drones can realistically replace mobile fire groups. They also covered types of interceptors and how effective they currently are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Papperger\u2019s remarks triggered a wave of reactions from officials, business leaders, and opinion-makers \u2014 mostly negative. The hashtag #MadeByHousewives<\/a> trended across social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, in particular, said during a meeting with journalists that if every Ukrainian housewife can produce drones, then every Ukrainian housewife can be CEO of Rheinmetall.<\/p>\n\n\n Oleksandr Yakovenko, founder of TAF Industries, wrote<\/a> that Papperger\u2019s statement shows how deeply the European defence establishment still misunderstands the nature of modern warfare. \u201cThese \u2018housewives\u2019 destroy more enemy equipment every month than entire European armies do over full campaigns. And they do it while your industry continues to sell 20th-century solutions at 21st-century prices,\u201d the businessman argued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On March 29, the German company indirectly apologised for its CEO\u2019s remarks. \u201cWe have the utmost respect for the tremendous efforts of the Ukrainian people in defending against Russian aggression for more than four years. Every woman and man in Ukraine is making an invaluable contribution,\u201d the company said in a post on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On March 28, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told journalists he is aware of 10 interceptor drone production facilities built in various parts of the world without the state\u2019s involvement. The president made it clear he is dissatisfied with such actions by businesses and plans to respond. In his view, these companies are \u201charming Ukrainian exports\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n President\u2019s quotes via Interfax<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Censor.NET spoke with the founders of Wild Hornets<\/a> about their path, funding, cooperation with charitable foundations, China\u2019s role in the Russia-Ukraine war, and the challenges they face daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read more<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The president of Ukraine visited the Middle East, where several defence cooperation agreements were signed<\/a>. In particular, Ukraine\u2019s Ministry of Defence and Saudi Arabia signed a defence cooperation agreement. The document lays the groundwork for future contracts, technological cooperation, and investment, strengthening Ukraine\u2019s role as a security provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last week, the chiefs of general staff of Ukraine and Qatar also signed a 10-year intergovernmental defence cooperation agreement. It implies joint projects in the defence industry, co-production, and technological partnerships between companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, the president visited the UAE and Jordan, where he met with state leadership and agreed to cooperate on security and defence. Teams are finalising the details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During these visits, Zelenskyy also met with three teams of Ukrainian military experts working in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. The president heard reports on the protection of critical infrastructure, capabilities for civilian protection, approaches to intercepting ballistic threats and drones, and proposals for building a comprehensive defence system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a column for Ukrainska Pravda, Mariia Berlinska, head of the Aerial Reconnaissance Support Centre, writes that the president of Ukraine holds a uniquely strong position \u2014 that of a leader of a society engaged in the largest technological war in human history. He speaks about technology as one of Ukraine\u2019s key geopolitical assets. According to Berlinska, this is the right bet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut are officials within the presidential \u0432\u0435\u0440\u0442\u0438\u043a\u0430\u043b\u044c doing everything necessary to turn technology into a fully-fledged asset in the big geopolitical game?\u201d she asks. \u201cSo that Ukrainian technologies become not just a tool of war, but a full-fledged industry, a budget-generating export product, and a strategic geopolitical asset for Ukraine?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the column, she outlines where Ukraine stands in the military tech race and what must be done urgently \u201cso as not to lose again the chance gained at the cost of the lives and health of around a million of our people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Officers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from the analytical unit Group 12, which studies the behaviour of weapons in combat environments, appeared on the \u201cDo Zbroi!\u201d podcast by Militarnyi. They discussed interceptor drones and hunting Shaheds<\/a>: how crews operate, why \u201cgaps\u201d in air defence emerge, and whether drones can realistically replace mobile fire groups. They also covered types of interceptors and how effective they currently are.<\/p>\n\n\n\nZelensky: 10 interceptor drone factories were built around the world behind the state\u2019s back<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The story of Sting interceptors<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Ukraine signs defence cooperation agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Mariia Berlinska on the drone fever<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Group 12 on the anatomy of anti-aircraft drones<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n