Lithuania to invest in Ukraine's long-range Palianytsia drone production

Lithuania has committed to investing in the production of the Palianytsia rocket drone, a crucial component of Ukraine’s long-range defence capabilities.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced the decision on December 20, following intergovernmental consultations with a Lithuanian delegation led by Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

Shmyhal highlighted the strategic importance of Ukraine’s partnership with Lithuania for European security. “The strategic partnership between Ukraine and Lithuania is vital for all of Europe, and today, we took significant steps to strengthen this partnership,” Shmyhal stated on Telegram. “We discussed key issues concerning our future cooperation, particularly enhancing the defense capabilities of Ukraine and Europe."

Lithuania’s contribution to Ukraine’s defence sector includes supporting the production of the Palianytsia rocket drone, which is part of Ukraine’s broader initiative to enhance its long-range strike capabilities. The Palianytsia drone missile has already shown promise in Ukraine’s defense efforts, with its serial production officially beginning on December 10.

In addition to defense cooperation, the two leaders discussed Ukraine's ongoing reconstruction efforts. Lithuania has pledged to support Ukraine’s reconstruction by providing decommissioned equipment from the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant and Vilnius Thermal Power Plant.

Furthermore, Shmyhal emphasized discussions on bolstering trade and economic ties, as well as Ukraine’s EU and NATO aspirations. He also underscored the need for increased sanctions against Russia and the creation of a mechanism to ensure that Ukraine not only receives the profits from the frozen Russian assets but also the assets themselves. "The aggressor must pay — this is only fair," Shmyhal added.

The Palianytsia rocket drone, a key development in Ukraine’s defence strategy, has already been successfully deployed in combat, marking a significant milestone for Ukraine's military capabilities. In addition, the Ukrainian armed forces are continuing trials of the new "Ruta" missile, further advancing their efforts to strengthen their defence systems.

By Tamilla Hasanova