Slovak intelligence chief warns over unverified Russian GRU reports

Pavol Gašpar, head of the Slovak Information Service (SIS), has urged restraint regarding unverified reports linking Russian military intelligence (GRU) to activities within Slovakia. The warnings follow a report by the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, which suggested a GRU-linked group was operating in Slovakia and was involved in a thwarted arson attack.

Gašpar noted that the attribution of the arson attack, which SIS described as one of its most successful counter-espionage operations, has not yet been confirmed. He further stated that German security and investigative authorities have not confirmed the information. He promised that the public would be informed if the attribution is confirmed or if a ‘false flag’ operation is ruled out.

The Slovak Police Force is currently monitoring the security situation and collaborating with international partners to evaluate potential threats. Meanwhile, political opposition in Slovakia is demanding explanations from Prime Minister Robert Fico regarding the German media reports and has called for a meeting of the Security Council of the Slovak Republic.