A factory belonging to the French company Delair, a drone manufacturer that supplies equipment to Ukraine, was targeted in a Molotov cocktail attack in early June.
The facility, located in Labège, on the outskirts of Toulouse, suffered only minor damage because the incendiary devices did not explode or cause a significant fire. French authorities have opened an investigation into destruction of property with risk to life.
The incident drew even more attention after the arrest, two days later, of a 48-year-old Belarusian citizen near the factory. According to French prosecutors, the man was detained while filming a drone prototype and allegedly sent the images to a contact in Russia. He was formally charged with collecting and transmitting information to a foreign power and remains in custody.
Authorities are investigating whether there is a connection between the attempted arson and the espionage case. According to information reported by the French press, the suspect had already been seen several times near the facility before his arrest.
Delair is among France’s leading drone manufacturers and began supplying unmanned systems to Kyiv after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The company produces both civilian and military drones and plays an important role in the French defense industry.
Photo: SIPA JEAN-CHRISTIAN | Delair. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
