Russia threatens Israeli tech company over Ukraine sales

Russia singles out Israeli company it claims is supplying Kyiv with drones as Moscow threatens to target factories involved in Ukraine’s military supply chain.

By World Israel News Staff

Russia has publicly named an Israeli company as part of what it says is a wider European drone supply network supporting Ukraine, escalating its rhetoric as Moscow warns that such facilities could become military targets.

Haifa-based Elsight was identified in Russian statements last week after Moscow published a list of sites and companies it claims are involved in producing drones or drone components for Ukraine. The list spans multiple countries, including Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland, Israel and Turkey, according to Reuters.

The Calcalist tech outlet reported that Russian officials described Elsight as supplying cellular connectivity modules used for communication and remote control in unmanned systems. Elsight says on its website that its Halo platform provides beyond-visual-line-of-sight connectivity for drones and other unmanned systems, including military, public safety and commercial applications.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said European governments were deepening their involvement in the war by expanding drone production and cooperation with Ukrainian partners.

In a message highlighted by Reuters, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, said the published list amounted to potential targets for Russian forces. “When strikes become a reality depends on what comes next. Sleep well, European partners!” he wrote.

The Kremlin doubled down a day later. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said countries named by Moscow were becoming “increasingly directly involved in the conflict, in the war surrounding Ukraine,” though he stopped short of explicitly confirming that Russia was preparing strikes beyond Ukraine.

The threats triggered an immediate diplomatic response in Europe.

The Czech Foreign Ministry said it summoned Russia’s ambassador after several Czech companies were identified as possible targets.

“The statements were directed against several Czech companies that were identified as possible targets of Russian attacks,” the ministry said.

There was no immediate public response from Elsight, and no immediate Israeli government comment was noted.