“Yes, it’s a legitimate target,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declared, putting Rheinmetall’s Ukraine-based factories squarely in Russia’s sights.
In a bold and ominous declaration, Moscow has openly threatened German defense giant Rheinmetall, labeling its Ukrainian factories fair game for Russian military action. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov left little to the imagination when he announced, “Certainly it is,” in response to whether Russia would target Rheinmetall’s new plant in Ukraine, a site dedicated to maintaining and repairing Ukraine’s armored vehicles and weaponry.
Rheinmetall, led by CEO Armin Papperger—Europe’s most influential weapons mogul—has already become a thorn in Moscow’s side, especially since the Düsseldorf-based firm shipped around 200 Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Kyiv. As Russia’s full-scale invasion drags on, Rheinmetall is doubling down with plans to run four factories inside Ukraine to churn out everything from artillery shells to air defense systems.
This bold investment in Ukrainian soil has sparked fury in the Kremlin, particularly as Rheinmetall’s equipment is enabling Ukraine’s defenses against Russian advances. In a dramatic turn earlier this year, Papperger survived an assassination attempt orchestrated by Russian operatives—a plot foiled by intelligence agencies in the U.S. and Germany. Now, with his company’s Ukrainian ventures fully operational, Papperger’s high-stakes game of bolstering Kyiv has Putin’s regime seething.
For Rheinmetall, this is not just about profits, which Papperger touts as making it the most lucrative defense company in the world. The CEO recently revealed that Ukraine needs up to four million rounds of artillery ammunition to keep its forces equipped, with Rheinmetall positioned to meet this demand through its Ukrainian facilities. Papperger sees this as a strategic lifeline for Ukraine, even as it draws intense heat from Russia.
Germany’s government has backed Rheinmetall, supplying advanced air defense systems along with thousands of rounds of ammunition to fortify Kyiv’s forces. But now, with Peskov’s declaration putting Rheinmetall on high alert, every shipment could become a catalyst for Russian retaliation.
