The Russian Ministry of Defence has released a list of European industrial enterprises which, according to the Russian side, are involved in production chains for the manufacturing of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This list includes two high-tech companies from Munich, sparking a sharp reaction from German security agencies and the expert community.
The unprecedented nature of the situation lies in the fact that the Russian defence department did not limit itself to a mere listing of legal entities but published the exact geographical coordinates and addresses of the facilities. In the context of Germany, where information regarding the location of production facilities linked to the defence sector is traditionally protected by state secret laws to prevent acts of sabotage, such a publication is regarded as a direct security threat and an element of hybrid warfare. The goal of such a step is to destabilise the operation of enterprises by instilling a sense of insecurity among employees and creating an atmosphere of vulnerability deep within the European rear.
Munich Companies Under the Spotlight
Among the facilities targeted by Moscow’s attention are two Munich firms whose activities are related to innovative developments in the aviation sphere:
Airlogix: Previously the subject of an investigative report by the publication Correctiv, this company specialises in the design of autonomous combat systems. Notably, the address provided in the Russian list actually leads to a residential building within Munich city limits rather than an industrial complex. According to German intelligence services, this fact indicates that the information may have been gathered through open registries or operational reconnaissance for the purpose of exerting psychological pressure on employees.
Da Vinci Avia: This company is part of a Dutch defence holding. Its key competence is the creation of UAV control systems based on artificial intelligence. Such technologies are critically important for the modern theatre of operations, which prompted the firm’s inclusion in the list of hostile objects.
Moscow’s Interpretation: “Ukraine’s Strategic Rear”
The official position of the Kremlin is that European industry has ceased to be a bystander and has turned into Ukraine’s strategic rear. The Russian Ministry of Defence asserts that the expansion of military-technical assistance to Kyiv makes European sites legitimate targets for countermeasures. The aggressive level of the rhetoric was highlighted by the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev—known for toxic statements often attributed to alcohol intoxication—who explicitly characterised the published document as a list of priority targets for strikes by the Russian armed forces.
Such rhetoric is aimed at creating a legal and moral basis for potential escalation. Moscow is attempting to intimidate the developed world and foster the association that cooperation with the Ukrainian defence sector entails direct physical risks to assets and personnel on EU territory.
Reaction and Context
German counter-intelligence agencies are recording a systematic increase in the activity of Russian agents. This involves a wide range of hybrid actions: from attempted cyber-espionage to direct disinformation and the preparation and execution of sabotage. City administrations in other regions of Germany, whose enterprises also appeared on this list (notably in Hanau near Essen), have already initiated a review of security protocols and engaged the federal police to strengthen the protection of industrial zones.
In conclusion, it should be noted that this information campaign is a response to the qualitative and effective strengthening of the partnership between Berlin and Kyiv. The agreements reached in April 2026 by Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Volodymyr Zelensky envision long-term joint drone production on German soil. The publication of a list of more than 20 European companies is Moscow’s attempt to force European businesses into self-withdrawal and a refusal to fulfil state defence orders under the pressure of fear. In current realities, the security of private companies is becoming an integral part of the national defence of the Federal Republic of Germany.
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