EU Unleashes $6.6B From Frozen Russian Assets to Boost Ukraine’s Drone Power in New Drone Alliance Initiative

The European Union will allocate around $6.6 billion from frozen Russian assets and launch a new cooperation format known as the “Drone Alliance,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced in a speech to the European Parliament on September 10.

“We call it Qualitative Military Edge. It will support investment in the capabilities of the Ukrainian armed forces.,” von der Leyen said.

She reminded lawmakers that before Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine did not have drones. Today, their use accounts for more than two-thirds of Russia’s equipment losses.

“That is not just an edge on the battlefield. It is a reminder of the power of human ingenuity in our open societies.,” she said.

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War in Ukraine

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At the same time, von der Leyen warned that Russia is actively ramping up production of Iranian-designed Shahed drones, focusing on mass industrial output.

“In one single night, Russia sent 800 drones to Ukraine. So ingenuity helped to open a door for Ukraine's defense. But raw industrial might, on the other side may threaten to sweep it closed,” she said.

She stressed that Europe must also harness its industrial power to ensure Ukraine’s success. “We can help transform Ukrainian ingenuity into battlefield advantage–and into joint industrialisation,” von der Leyen said.

Von der Leyen added that while Ukraine has ingenuity, it now needs scale, and that together with Europe this can be achieved to help Ukraine preserve its advantage while strengthening the continent itself.

Earlier, it was reported that all $165 billion in SAFE program loans for EU defense projects have been fully distributed among 19 countries.

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