Ex-US Envoy: Kremlin’s ‘Target List’ of European Drone Firms Is Intimidation

Steven Pifer told Kyiv Post Moscow is trying to scare off European support for Ukraine’s drone industry, even as Russia remains bogged down on the battlefield. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Former US Ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifer during an interview on April 16. (Photo: Kyiv Post) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google In an interview with Kyiv Post, former US ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifer dismissed Russia’s warning that European companies involved in Ukraine’s drone supply chain could become “legitimate targets.” Earlier, Russia’s Ministry of Defence published lists of companies and facilities across Europe that it claims are supporting Ukraine’s drone industry, including locations in cities such as London, Munich, Prague and Vilnius. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev amplified the move, saying the list should be taken “literally” as a register of potential targets. The Czech Foreign Ministry summoned Russia’s ambassador on Thursday to demand an explanation over threats against companies based in the country. Pifer, however, ridiculed Medvedev’s rhetoric. “First of all, former President Medvedev says a lot of things that are, quite frankly, borderline crazy or just outright crazy,” he said. “So I’m not sure I would take his comments as definitive.” He said Moscow’s move appeared aimed at pressuring European governments and companies involved in supporting Ukraine’s defense industry. “To be sure, the Russians are trying to intimidate those countries in Europe that are now working with Ukraine on the production of drones,” Pifer said. But he questioned whether Russia has the capacity – or intent – to follow through on such threats while its military remains bogged down in Ukraine. Other Topics of Interest Damage Reported in Russia’s Lipetsk Region Residential buildings are understood to have been damaged near the JSC Energia industrial facility. “Given that the Russian military at this point has its hands completely full with the war in Ukraine, does Russia really want to pick a fight with NATO countries?” he asked. Analysts say the publication of the lists is part of a broader effort by Moscow to deter Western support for Ukraine. International interest in Ukraine’s drones comes as a blow to Russia, as their effectiveness on the battlefield has become increasingly clear. Sevinj Osmanqizi is a journalist covering US foreign policy, security, and geopolitics, with a focus on the broader post-Soviet space. She reports on Washington’s decision-making and its implications for Ukraine and regional stability.