War in Ukraine: by comparing Ukrainian drone factories to “housewives”, a German boss sparks a heated controversy

kyiv denounced contemptuous remarks. In an interview with The Atlantic and published on Friday March 27, the head of the German defense group Rheinmetall, Armin Papperger, compared Ukrainian drone manufacturers to “housewives”. “They have 3D printers in the kitchen and they produce parts for drones,” he said, before asserting: “It’s not innovation.”

In the midst of the war in Ukraine and while drones are of strategic importance, Armin Papperger downplayed the scope of these technologies, believing that they were not at the level of large Western groups in the arms sector.

“Excellent housewives,” defends Zelensky

Comments which strongly caused Ukraine to react. Alexander Kamyshin, an advisor to President Volodymyr Zelensky, currently on tour in the Middle East to promote Ukrainian expertise in drones, recalled on X the effectiveness of the devices on the ground, particularly against Russian tanks.

He also said that he had “quite often seen Ukrainian women working on equal terms with men” during his visits to arms factories. “They are excellent housewives, but they are forced to work hard in arms factories,” he said, adding that “they deserve respect.”

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko also reacted to X. “The people of Ukraine deserve not only the greatest respect but also to be heard – and taken as an example.” “Yes, the defense of Europe is carried out by Ukrainian ‘housewives,’” she wrote, adding #MadeByHousewives.

Rheinmetall does its my fault

The hashtag #Madebywomensautoyer emerged on Ukrainian social media, where users responded with jokes and memes highlighting the effectiveness of Ukrainian drones and their anti-drone defenses.

Faced with controversy, German defense giant Rheinmetall retreated. “We have the greatest respect for the immense efforts of the Ukrainian people to defend themselves,” the company said in a message published on X on Sunday evening.

The company adds “that every woman and man in Ukraine makes an invaluable contribution.” “It is to Ukraine’s credit that it is fighting with such effectiveness despite limited resources,” she says, backpedaling.