ukraine Under Drone Barrage as Germany Announces €35 Billion Space Defence Investment
KYIV, Ukraine – Ukraine faced a massive overnight drone attack, repelling over 150 Shahed drones launched by russia, Ukrainian officials reported early friday. Simultaneously, an oil refinery in Russia‘s krasnodar region caught fire, reportedly following a drone strike, though details remain limited.These events underscore escalating tensions and a growing reliance on drone warfare as Germany announced a meaningful investment in its space defense capabilities.
The Ukrainian Air Force stated it successfully intercepted and destroyed the majority of the drones targeting multiple regions across the country. While damage assessments are ongoing, the sheer scale of the attack highlights Russia’s continued use of drone swarms to pressure Ukrainian defenses.
Meanwhile, in Russia, an oil refinery in the town of slavyansk-na-Kubani, Krasnodar region, was ablaze Friday morning.Initial reports suggest the fire was triggered by a drone strike, though Russian authorities have not yet officially confirmed the cause.
The attacks occurred as German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced a €35 billion investment in defensive and offensive space projects by 2030. speaking at the BDI 2025 space congress in Berlin on September 25, Pistorius warned that the West must “catch up” with Russia and China, who he accused of rapidly developing capabilities for warfare in space.
“We must create redundancies thanks to several constellations of interconnected satellites and also discuss offensive capacities,” Pistorius insisted, adding that Moscow and Beijing already controlled “strategic heights in space.” He framed German space defense as a crucial “pillar” within NATO, viewing Moscow as an “existential enemy.”
Pistorius painted a stark picture of the threat, alleging espionage, assaults, and the development of anti-satellite weapons by russia and China. He warned that an attack on Western satellite guidance systems would impact “millions of human beings,” and stated that “German army systems are already affected by scrambling attacks,” impacting both the “economy and society as a whole.” Germany intends to establish “structures within the Bundeswehr in order to defend and dissuade us effectively.”
The announcement follows similar concerns voiced by German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, who earlier this week told German deputies that Europe is “in an arms race” regarding drone defense. Dobrindt emphasized the principle of “detect, neutralize, intercept” and pledged to “intensify our investments in this race.”
The escalating drone activity and Germany’s substantial investment signal a significant shift in European security strategy, acknowledging the growing importance of both space-based assets and counter-drone capabilities in modern warfare. The events also highlight the broadening geographic scope of the conflict in Ukraine and the potential for escalation beyond its borders.
