On June 10 (Moscow time), TASS news agency quoted Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova as saying that Russia will publicly disclose the addresses of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) production facilities serving Ukraine on Canadian territory.
Speaking at a press conference, Ms. Zakharova said that Ottawa is increasing the level of involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and affirmed that Moscow will consider new developments in the process of planning military and foreign policy.
We are monitoring and grasping everything that is happening. Russia reserves the right to make appropriate responses and will consider these new factors in its military-political plans. We will also publicize the addresses of relevant production facilities on Canadian territory for the public to know," she said.
A spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry reiterated the announcement on May 25 about Canada and Ukraine signing an agreement to support the production of Ukrainian unmanned systems in Canada.
According to Ms. Zakharova, this agreement allows Canada to deploy weapons production activities on its territory, while Kiev can build capacity to produce and store weapons in third countries.
She said the new cooperation program is expected to produce thousands of UAVs each year. According to the plan, Canada may begin producing multi-role fixed-wing, low-fly UAVs with an operating range of up to 500km before the end of this year.
The Russian side believes that all UAVs produced under this program will eventually be transferred to Ukraine for use in the conflict with Russia.
According to Moscow's assessment, expanding UAV production capabilities outside the territory of Ukraine could help Kiev maintain a stable supply of equipment in the context of ongoing fighting. Russia also believes that this move reflects the increasing trend of military support from Western countries for Ukraine in recent times.
Canada is one of the countries that strongly supports Kiev since the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out. Ottawa has provided many packages of military, financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and participated in Western sanctions against Russia.
Ms. Zakharova's latest statement was made in the context of relations between Russia and Western countries continuing to be tense. To date, Canada has not issued an official response to the statements of the spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
