Russia calls Japanese firm's interceptor drone delivery to Ukraine 'hostile act'
In short
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zakharova said on 21 October that Russia regards the delivery of interceptor drones to Ukraine by Japan's Terra Drone as a clear hostile act. She warned that Russia will take harsh measures against Japan and said drone production facilities in Ukraine would be legitimate targets for the Russian military.
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Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zakharova said on 21 October that Russia regards the delivery of interceptor drones to Ukraine by a Japanese company as a clear hostile act. According to TBS NEWS DIG, the ministry said it would take harsh measures against Japan. Asahi Shimbun reported that she made the remarks at a press conference and said harsh countermeasures against Japan were necessary. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
Zakharova said Russia had repeatedly warned that such conduct would harm bilateral relations and cannot be tolerated. She called the claim that the cooperation is a purely private initiative not convincing at all. Asahi Shimbun said this showed suspicion of Japanese government involvement, and Jiji Press quoted her as accusing the Japanese government of effectively encouraging its companies to do military-sector business with Ukraine. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
She also warned that drone production plants and other facilities in Ukraine would be legitimate targets for the Russian military, and said she hoped Japan would listen, Asahi Shimbun reported. Jiji Press carried the same warning about manufacturing facilities in Ukraine. [ 3 , 4 ]
The company is Terra Drone of Tokyo. Asahi Shimbun and Jiji Press said it announced on 14 October that a Ukrainian subsidiary had delivered interceptor drones. TBS NEWS DIG and Jiji Press said they went to the Ukrainian government, while Asahi Shimbun said they went to the Ukrainian military and described the Ukrainian firm as a subsidiary of a subsidiary. Asahi Shimbun added that the company said local production capacity exceeds 12,000 units a year. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
Asahi Shimbun said Russia has recently taken a harder line toward Japan. It noted that Russian authorities announced on 13 October that they had detained a Hokkaido Shimbun reporter on suspicion of spying, claiming the reporter gathered military information on the instructions of Japanese intelligence. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
Asahi Shimbun describes Russia as having recently hardened its stance toward Japan. The documents do not say what specific measures Russia will take.
Key facts
- Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zakharova said on 21 October that Russia regards the drone delivery as a clear hostile act and will take harsh measures against Japan. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Terra Drone, a Japanese drone developer, announced on 14 October that a subsidiary in Ukraine had delivered interceptor drones. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Zakharova called the claim that the deal is purely private not convincing at all. [ 1 , 3 ]
- She said drone production facilities in Ukraine would be legitimate targets for the Russian military. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Terra Drone said local production capacity in Ukraine exceeds 12,000 units a year. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Zakharova described the delivery of interceptor drones by Terra Drone to Ukraine as a clear hostile act and warned of harsh countermeasures against Japan. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Zakharova rejected the description of the deal as purely private. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Zakharova said production facilities in Ukraine would be legitimate targets for the Russian military. [ 3 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- What measures Russia will take against Japan. The documents quote only general warnings of harsh measures and give no details.
- Who received the drones in Ukraine. TBS NEWS DIG and Jiji Press say the Ukrainian government; Asahi Shimbun says the Ukrainian military.
- Whether the Japanese government was involved in the deal. Jiji Press reports Zakharova's claim that the Japanese government effectively encourages such deals by its companies, and Asahi Shimbun says her remarks suggested suspicion of government involvement; the documents give no evidence either way.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TBS NEWS DIG reports on 21 October that the Russian Foreign Ministry calls the delivery a clear hostile act and will take harsh measures. [ 1 ]
- Nishi-Nippon Shimbun publishes a report on 22 October on Russian objections to the Japanese firm's delivery of drones to Ukraine. [ 2 ]
- Asahi Shimbun publishes its report on Zakharova's press conference on 22 October. [ 3 ]
- Jiji Press publishes its report on 22 October, saying Zakharova warned of harsh countermeasures. [ 4 ]