Kremlin says Russia could target Rheinmetall plant in Ukraine

A military factory of the German group Rheinmetall, opened in Ukraine at the end of October, could become the target of Russian attacks, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.

Asked about this, Mr Peskov said it would “of course” be a legitimate target.

Rheinmetall said this was not the first such threat from Moscow and that its activities in Ukraine were well protected. Rheinmetall said in July 2024 that it planned to open four military factories in Ukraine.

The first plant intends to produce a batch of Lynx infantry fighting vehicles by the end of the year, the director of the German concern, Armin Papperger, told Ukrainian media.

Rheinmetall intends to open the second factory in the near future, Papperger said, adding that Rheinmetall also plans to open a gunpowder factory in Ukraine, a tank ammunition factory, as well as than to set up production of air defense systems.

Russian Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman Andrei Nastasin said in late July that the Rheinmetall facilities, if built, would constitute a “legitimate target” for the Russian military.