GRU-linked network targets European defense firms via Slovakia

GRU hybrid warfare sabotage drone production Slovakia

German and Slovak authorities have identified a Russian GRU-linked network operating out of Slovakia that has conducted or planned sabotage operations across Europe. The network is accused of targeting military supply chains to Ukraine.

In Munich, two Bulgarian nationals were arrested following an arson attempt on September 3 near the headquarters of technology and defense companies Rohde & Schwarz and Helsing. The suspects allegedly threw Molotov cocktails from a moving vehicle at a construction site. German investigators link this incident, along with a drone attack at Leipzig/Halle airport on August 4, to the GRU's Special Activities Service.

In Slovakia, authorities thwarted a planned arson attack on a Skyeton drone factory near Prešov. This operation resulted in the arrest of a Latvian and a Ukrainian citizen, while a third suspect, a Latvian, was detained in Hamburg. Slovak police noted the attack could have endangered approximately 70 employees and caused tens of millions of euros in damage.

Intelligence sources suggest the GRU recruits operatives via Telegram and compensates them using cryptocurrency. In Slovakia, opposition parties have called on Prime Minister Robert Fico to convene the Security Council to address these intelligence links and the potential threat posed by Russian operations on Slovak soil.

Entities

GRU · Germany · Munich · Robert Fico · Rohde & Schwarz · Skyeton · Slovakia

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 12 SOURCES] Two Bulgarians arrested after an arson attack in Munich are linked to a Russian GRU group. www.pravda.sk · www.info.sk · www.interez.sk · www.aktuality.sk · www.startitup.sk · +7 more
[● 12 SOURCES] The group planned an attack on the Skyeton drone plant near Prešov. www.pravda.sk · www.info.sk · www.interez.sk · www.aktuality.sk · www.startitup.sk · +7 more
[● 12 SOURCES] The GRU's operations aim to disrupt military supplies to Ukraine and pressure European nations to reduce support for Kyiv. www.pravda.sk · www.info.sk · www.interez.sk · www.aktuality.sk · www.startitup.sk · +7 more
[● 6 SOURCES] The planned arson attack in Prešov could have caused an extensive fire and threatened approximately 70 lives. www.pravda.sk · www.interez.sk · www.startitup.sk · www.topky.sk · www.info.sk · +1 more
[● 15 SOURCES] A group linked to the Russian GRU operated from Slovakia. koktejl.azet.sk · www.pravda.sk · www.info.sk · www.interez.sk · sita.sk · +9 more
[● 12 SOURCES] The GRU reportedly recruits operatives via Telegram and uses cryptocurrency for payments. www.pravda.sk · www.info.sk · www.interez.sk · www.aktuality.sk · www.startitup.sk · +7 more
[● 2 SOURCES] Slovak opposition parties are demanding that Prime Minister Robert Fico convene the Security Council to address the GRU links. koktejl.azet.sk · sita.sk
[● 12 SOURCES] Investigators have linked the Munich arson and a drone incident at Leipzig/Halle airport to the GRU. www.pravda.sk · www.info.sk · www.interez.sk · www.startitup.sk · www.topky.sk · +7 more