Medvedev promises ‘fireworks’ at German military factory in Ukraine

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev anticipates a fireworks display at Rheinmetall’s weapon manufacturing facility in Ukraine after the company announced that one of its production plants, constructed to support Kiev’s war effort, is already operational.

Germany’s largest arms maker finalized plans to establish a joint venture with the state-owned Ukroboronprom defense group earlier this year, to manufacture artillery ammunition, armored vehicles and air-defense systems. As part of the partnership agreement, Rheinmetall, which produces a vast array of weapons including Leopard tanks, stated it would build four factories on Ukrainian soil.

Moscow responded to the announcement, warning that such facilities are considered “legitimate targets” for Russian strikes.

On Saturday, Rheinmetall’s director, Armin Papperger, confirmed that “things are progressing” in Ukraine and “the first plant is already ready.”

“We have many good plans. The first plant is already operational,” he said during an interview with Ukrainian news channel TSN. “The Ukrainian defense industry is our partner.”

“Currently, we have a production facility and a maintenance facility. By the end of the year, we will have the first state-of-the-art Lynx infantry fighting vehicle in Ukraine. At the moment, we are servicing infantry fighting vehicles as well as main battle tanks,” he added, noting that the joint venture has proven productive.

Medvedev, who currently serves as the deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, commented on the development, implying that the newly built plant will be targeted by the Russian military.

“The German company Rheinmetall has launched the first of four military factories in Ukraine. As previously promised, we eagerly await a celebratory Russian ‘fireworks display’ right at the production site,” he said in a post on X and his Telegram channel, accompanying the message with a short video of an explosion.

Rheinmetall previously stated that the Ukrainian conflict has “significantly improved business performance” and nearly doubled the company’s operating profit in the first half of 2024. The company expects to receive orders exceeding €60 billion ($64.8 billion) by the end of this year.

Moscow has repeatedly denounced Western involvement in the conflict, arguing that efforts to support Kiev only benefit the military-industrial complex at the expense of EU and American taxpayers. Russia maintains that no amount of military aid to Ukraine will change the outcome of the conflict and will only prolong the fighting.