Ukrainians hit back at German defence boss for jibes about ‘Lego’ drones

Ukrainian officials have hit back against a German businessman compared its drone production to playing ‘with Lego’ (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP)

Senior officials in Kyiv are taking a swipe at the head of German defence giant Rheinmetall, whose unflattering comments about Ukrainian drone technology and the role of women in the war against Russia ignited a social media backlash.

Armin Papperger, Rheinmetall AG’s chairman and chief executive, likened Ukraine’s development of cutting-edge drone expertise to playing “with Lego” and said the drones are being built by “Ukrainian housewives”.