“If every homemaker in Ukraine can really produce drones, then every homemaker in Ukraine can be the CEO of Rheinmetall,” responded Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday.
The CEO of the German defense giant Rheinmetall described the main Ukrainian drone manufacturers as “homemakers” during an interview with The Atlantic. In the interview published on Friday, Armin Papperger was asked about Ukraine’s development of drone technology, widely seen as playing a crucial role in the country’s response to the Russian invasion. “It’s like playing with Legos,” he said about drones, before comparing the main Ukrainian drone manufacturers to “housewives.” “They have 3D printers in the kitchen and produce parts for the drones,” he said, adding, “it’s not innovation.”
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This Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to the CEO’s comments: “If every homemaker in Ukraine can really produce drones, then every homemaker in Ukraine can be the CEO of Rheinmetall.”
“They deserve respect”
Other reactions quickly followed. Alexander Kamyshin, advisor to the Ukrainian president, pointed out that Ukrainian women often work in armament factories at the same level as men. “They deserve respect,” he added.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko spoke out on Sunday to highlight the “essential” contribution of Ukrainian women in sectors that were previously seen as male-dominated, especially in the military and defense industry. This controversy sparked the hashtag #MadeByHousewives, humorously embraced by Ukrainians on social media.
In response to the situation, Rheinmetall attempted to justify itself on Sunday through a post on its X account, stating: “We have the utmost respect for the immense efforts made by the Ukrainian people to defend themselves. Every woman and man in Ukraine contributes invaluable efforts.”
