Ukraine's Rheinmetall facility ready, Medvedev promises 'fireworks'
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Rheinmetall has announced the operation of its first production plant in Ukraine, where it plans to manufacture military equipment.
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A Leopard 2 tank is seen on the production line as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius visit the future Rheinmetall arms factory site in Unterlüß, Germany. (AP)
Rheinmetall, Germany's largest arms manufacturer, announced on Saturday that one of its production plants in Ukraine is now operational, a facility that former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said would witness "Russian fireworks".
Earlier this year, the company finalized a joint venture with the state-owned Ukroboronprom defense group to produce artillery ammunition, armored vehicles, and air defense systems. As part of this partnership, Rheinmetall plans to establish four factories in Ukraine.
On Saturday, Rheinmetall's CEO, Armin Papperger, affirmed that things are moving forward in Ukraine and that the first plant is now operational.
Speaking to the Ukrainian news channel TSN, Papperger remarked, "We have many good plans. The first plant is already operational," adding, "The Ukrainian defense industry is our partner."
Moreover, the CEO remarked, "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."
In turn, Moscow responded to the announcement with a warning that such facilities are considered “legitimate targets” for the Russian military.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev posted on X that "Germany's Rheinmetall has launched the first of its four weapons manufacturing plants in Ukraine. As promised, we're looking forward to seeing some Russian fireworks on the premises."
Germany's Rheinmetall has launched the first of its four weapons manufacturing plants in Ukraine. As promised, we're looking forward to seeing some Russian fireworks on the premises. pic.twitter.com/nNIsCCJW5l
— Dmitry Medvedev (@MedvedevRussiaE) October 26, 2024
EU drowning in poverty while funding Ukraine, 'Israel' wars
While the European Union continues pumping billions into Ukraine, record poverty rates and homelessness have spiked across its states, affecting more than 20 percent of their citizens.
More than one in five citizens within the EU are now homeless, applying for emergency accommodation and seeking charities for hot meals, while legislators warn that fundamental human rights are being blatantly disregarded.
German MEP Gabriele Bischoff urged the bloc to find and establish a strategy against poverty, saying, "We are talking about 100 million people who are affected by poverty and social exclusion here, on one of the richest continents in the world, more than one in five in the EU."
In the same context, Malika Sorel, the French MEP, blasted living conditions and crises within the bloc, revealing that 34% of EU citizens do not have healthcare benefits, while hospitals are unable to treat or look after patients. Meanwhile, poverty has struck every member state, risking transforming EU countries into "third world nations."
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