Colonel Khodarenok: factories in Europe need to be hit with nuclear reinforcements
In April 2026, the Russian Ministry of Defense published the addresses and names of branches of Ukrainian and joint ventures that produce UAVs for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This has caused serious concern in Germany. Whether Russia can really hit European enterprises, how and with what kind of weapons a strike can be carried out, what consequences it may have and what Iran has to do with it — in the material of the military observer Gazeta.Ru", retired Colonel Mikhail Khodarenka.
Back on April 15, 2026, the Russian Ministry of Defense published a list of branches of Ukrainian companies in Europe and foreign enterprises working in the interests of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The addresses of 21 European companies, including three German ones, were named.
The Defense Ministry then stressed that the supply of drones to Ukraine leads to a sharp escalation of the military-political situation in Europe, and the actions of European leaders are increasingly dragging these countries into the war with Russia. Finally, the Russian military department emphasized that the implementation of Ukraine's scenarios for terrorist attacks against Russia using UAVs from Europe leads to unpredictable consequences.
Statements of this kind by the Ministry of Defense have caused considerable alarm in Berlin. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany has prepared a special instruction for enterprises of the military-industrial complex, which analyzes the current risks for the industry. The threat level for German companies working with Kiev is assessed as "still high."
In the footsteps of Iran
It cannot be ruled out that Berlin's position on this issue was seriously influenced by Iran's actions in the conflict with the United States. As you know, Tehran continues to launch missile and drone strikes against several Arab countries in the Middle East.
According to a statement by Iran's military and political leadership, the strikes are being carried out against American facilities and military bases in the region in response to attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran. Tehran constantly emphasizes that any country that allows its territory to be used for attacks on the Islamic Republic will be considered a legitimate target for the Iranian Armed Forces.
It is quite possible that the federal chancellor's office believes that Moscow may follow the example of Tehran. The question arises as to how realistic the attacks of the Russian Armed Forces on European countries producing weapons and military equipment for Ukraine are in the current military-political situation.
How and with what to beat?
Opinions on this issue have diverged in the Russian expert community. Some experts believe that the strikes should have been carried out yesterday, while others believe that such actions by the Russian Armed Forces will inevitably lead to the conflict going beyond Ukraine, the full—scale involvement of European states whose enterprises appear on the April list in military operations and a relatively rapid transition to World War III.
However, in my opinion, there may be neither the first nor the second, if the Russian military and political leadership demonstrates boundless determination and readiness to use all types of weapons, including special ones.
A possible scenario in this case may look something like this. One of the European countries that is most hostile towards Russia is being selected. Let's say an island state claims this status more than others. Conventional weapons, such as sea— and air—launched cruise missiles, are being attacked at military facilities in this country at night in order to minimize casualties among personnel. But at the same time, quite powerful high-altitude demonstration nuclear explosions are carried out over the waters of the seas and oceans around the entire perimeter of this country.
At the same time, the following political statement is made:
Recall Nikita Khrushchev's expression in this regard: "Two or three thermonuclear bombs and your unsinkable aircraft carrier will disappear forever into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean." Previously, it was believed that this phrase was attributed to the first secretary of the Central Committee of the CPSU, but in fact he did not utter it. So that's what he said. And this was confirmed by his son, Sergey Nikitich.
If a strike is carried out only by conventional means, without nuclear reinforcement, then it is highly likely that everything will go according to the scenario predicted by a number of experts — retaliatory strikes from opponents, the conflict going beyond Ukraine, escalation, the involvement of new states in strikes on the territory of Russia, the transition to World War III.
If we demonstrate boundless determination in the use of special weapons, then a generally favorable outcome for Russia is possible.
And if we do nothing, let the situation take its course, then UAVs from European countries will begin to arrive in Ukraine like Niagara Falls — which, in fact, is already happening — and then there will be really unpredictable consequences for us. So the slogan "Let's take everything to hell!" becomes the dictate of the military-political moment.
Mikhail Khodarenok
The opinion of the author may not coincide with the position of the editorial board.
Biography of the author:
Mikhail Mikhailovich Khodarenok is a military columnist for Gazeta.Ru", retired colonel.
Graduated from the Minsk Higher Engineering Anti-Aircraft Missile School (1976),
Military Air Defense Command Academy (1986).
Commander of the S-75 anti-aircraft missile division (1980-1983).
Deputy commander of the anti-aircraft missile regiment (1986-1988).
Senior Officer of the General Staff of the Air Defense Forces (1988-1992).
Officer of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff (1992-2000).
Graduated from the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces (1998).
Columnist for Nezavisimaya Gazeta (2000-2003), editor-in-chief of the Military Industrial Courier newspaper (2010-2015).
