Tensions between Canada and Russia have intensified after a drone partnership involving a Canadian and a Ukrainian company prompted a senior Russian official to denounce Canada as a “warmonger,” further escalating the already strained relationship between the two countries.
On May 29th, Canada and Ukraine signed a new drone production deal that established a partnership between the Ukrainian defense technology company Airlogix and Sentinel Research and Development, a Canadian unmanned aerial vehicle manufacturer.
Made in Canada and used in Ukraine
The new deal will see Airlogix and Sentinel Research and Development produce drones in Canada that will be used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, according to CTV News.
Moscow wasn’t happy about the new deal
While Canada will be supporting its ally through the Airlogix‑Sentinel venture and using the new drone deal to support high-value jobs in the country, the deal has caused a stir in Russia and led to criticism from a spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
A significant Canadian escalation in the war
On June 10th, Maria Zakharova attacked the drone deal between Canada and Ukraine at a press conference where she called the new agreement a “significant” escalation of Canada’s involvement in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
Comments from Maria Zakharova
“All pretense has been cast aside,” Zakharova stated about the agreement between Canada and Ukraine, according to a transcript of her comments cited by Global News.
Canada is a warmonger fueling the conflict
“The full base nature of a state far from being peace-loving has been revealed, but rather a warmonger, seeking by any means necessary to further fuel this bloody conflict. We reserve the right to provide an appropriate response,” Zakharova added.
Russia will plan its response accordingly
Zakharova reportedly went on to explain that Moscow would account for the new drone deal between Canada and Ukraine in its military and political planning. She also vowed to publish the addresses of all manufacturing facilities participating in the partnership.
Canada’s Defence Minister responded
Canadian Minister of Defense David McGuinty was quick to respond to the threats from Zakharova and told reporters that Russian comments on the new agreement were “not unexpected” and that they wouldn’t affect the manufacturing deal.
We would expect the Russians to be critical”
“We’ve seen this before… It’s not something they only direct at Canada; they direct it at other nations,” McGuinty explained to reporters, according to Global News. “We would expect the Russians to be critical, because they don’t appreciate the fact that NATO is coming together to assist the country that’s in need.”
Canada’s military is monitoring the situation
McGuinty added that both the Canadian Armed Forces were “monitoring things closely.” The Canadian Minister of Defence signed the new drone agreement with his Ukrainian counterpart during the CANSEC defence trade show in Ottawa in late May.
Sentinel’s CEO isn’t worried
While Canadian authorities are monitoring any threats that Russia could pose towards the production facilities where Ukrainian drones will be made in Canada, the chief executive officer of Sentinel Research and Development said she was surprised by the recent remarks from Russia about exposing the address of key production facilities.
Taking the Russian threat seriously
“We take all threats to our security seriously,” Katheron Intson explained, according to a report from CBC News. “But it really doesn’t change our plans at this point in time.”
Surprised by Russia’s rhetoric
Intson, who co-founded Sentinel Research and Development, said that she expected criticism from Russia, but was surprised by the rhetoric regarding the drone agreement that her company recently signed with Airlogix.
Moscow has the situation backwards
“I think any country that’s the aggressor, that attacks the sovereignty of another nation, calling our nation a warmonger is an interesting, head-scratching thought,” Intson said.
A problem with Moscow’s plan
Inston noted Russia has previously published the addresses of drone factories around the world that have supplied drones to Ukraine, so it was possible that production sites involved in the new drone deal could be released by Russia. However, manufacturing sites tied to the new agreement with Airlogix have not been chosen yet.
Only time will tell what happens next
“So if they find our address before we do, that will be very interesting,” Inston stated. It is also important to note that Sentinel Research and Development operates under key security requirements set out by Canada’s Controlled Goods Program. However, only time will tell if Russia will find and release the address of facilities tied to the new deal.
Canada has spent billions helping Ukraine
Since Vladimir Putin ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine February 2022, Canada has provided Kyiv with more than $25.5 billion in total assistance, which includes $8.5 billion in military assistance, according to the Government of Canada.
