The Russian defence ministry issued a thinly veiled threat to Ukrainian drone manufacturers via a Telegram post on Wednesday, publishing the addresses of multiple drone manufacturers in Europe that are aiding Ukraine.
It comes amid a flurry of defence pacts between Ukraine and European leaders, including a German €4 billion military aid package focusing on air defence and drones and ongoing talks between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Giorgia Meloni over a possible joint drone production project.
Russia’s defence ministry denounced these ventures as a “sharp escalation of the military and political situation”, turning countries into strategic props for Ukraine. Ukraine’s defence industry has been lobbying European partners to co-produce drones and defence equipment to keep up with its massive deployment of around 9,000 drones daily since the end of 2025, according to a senior Ukrainian official.
Russia’s former president, Dmitry Medvedev, translated this message more bluntly, stating separately that the ministry’s statement should be taken “literally” and that these manufacturers are “potential targets for the Russian armed forces.”
Roundup
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Eurozone inflation creeps up – Inflation in the eurozone rose to 2.6% in March, slightly higher than estimates. The increase marks a sharp jump from February’s 1.9% and pushes inflation above the European Central Bank’s target. The rise was largely driven by higher energy prices, which climbed 5.1% year-on-year.
No exceptions for China from cyber norms, says EU – The EU’s only industry-driven official standardisation body has warned against “politicising” technical requests by excluding Chinese or US companies. The Commission is responsible for risk-based designations, factoring in country of origin and a review of potential cyber risks a company might pose to the EU. A draft proposal indicates it may then exclude high-risk suppliers from participating in standards-setting.
Across Europe
Hungary loses court battle over tax on free pollution permits – A Hungarian tax on greenhouse gas emissions permits awarded free of charge to swathes of heavy industry violates EU law, the bloc’s top court has ruled. The outgoing Orbán government sought to tap a potentially lucrative revenue stream with a €36 per tonne tax on companies that receive emission allowances, in part to help fund the generous energy crisis interventions put in place by the populist administration.
Lufthansa axes CityLine service, cites jet fuel inflation – Airline Lufthansa has reacted to the kerosene price spike triggered by the war in Iran by accelerating plans to stop using inefficient planes and trim back loss-making routes. The German carrier said it would immediately shut down the unprofitable Lufthansa CityLine subsidiary to contain losses and save on fuel.
Slovenia’s Janša is no Orbán – Slovenia’s knife-edge election last month delivered no clear winner and left open a possible comeback of former right-wing Prime Minister Janez Janša. Comparisons are being made with Orbán, but Janša is staunchly anti-communist, pro-Ukraine, and, while Eurosceptic, he remains committed to staying within the centre-right European People’s Party.
Source:
www.euractiv.com