Armin Papperger, CEO of German defense giant Rheinmetall, has ignited a firestorm of criticism after controversially likening Ukrainian drone manufacturers to ‘housewives’ producing weapons in their kitchens.
During a recent interview, Papperger appeared to diminish Ukrainian innovation in drone technology, unfavorably comparing their efforts to those of established major defense corporations like Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics.
These dismissive comments swiftly drew widespread condemnation from Ukrainian officials and ignited a wave of protest across social media, where the hashtag #MadeByHousewives rapidly gained traction.
Oleksandr Kamyshin, an advisor to President Volodymyr Zelensky, staunchly defended the sector, underscoring its proven effectiveness against Russian forces and highlighting the crucial involvement of both men and women in its production.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko further asserted that Ukrainians ‘deserve to be heard – and learned from.’
In an attempt to quell the controversy, Rheinmetall later issued a statement affirming its ‘utmost respect’ for Ukraine’s determined efforts in self-defense.