Dutch company Destinus on Russian list of "possible targets"
European plans to provide Ukraine with more drones are another step towards a war with Russia, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. The Ministry published a list of companies it says are involved in “escalation.” The list includes the Dutch company Destinus in Hengelo, RTL Nieuws reported.
According to Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president and current Vice Chairman of the Russian Security Council, the list should be taken literally. “The list of European facilities which make drones & other equipment is a list of potential targets for the Russian armed forces,” he wrote on X. “When strikes become a reality depends on what comes next.”
The list warns that the companies are a threat to people’s security. The Russian Ministry of Defense calls this aid to Ukraine a deliberate step towards a sharp escalation of the military and political situation in Europe, according to RTL.
Destinus is listed as a producer of the autonomous cruise missile Ruta. Earlier this week, the Dutch company announced a collaboration with the German manufacturer Rheinmetall to produce cruise and ballistic missiles.
Locations in the United Kingdom, Poland, and Italy, among others, are also on the list.
On Wednesday, Defense Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz announced that the Netherlands would allocate another €248 million for drones for Ukraine. These will be manufactured in both Ukraine and the Netherlands.
The announcement came just after Ukrainian drone builder Fire Point told Nieuwsuur that it decided against setting up a production location in the Netherlands, criticizing the bureaucracy. “The Netherlands does a lot for us, but waiting a year and a half before you are allowed to build something? We don’t have that time,” director Denis Shtilerman said.
