Slovakia reveals details of attempted arson at Ukrainian Skyeton plant
Photo: Raybird-3 drone manufactured by Skyeton (Getty Images)
Preparations for the Skyeton arson attack
Prosecutors in Prešov said on August 27 that the planned arson attack in eastern Slovakia, organized by three suspects, was aimed at Skyeton.
The company, founded in Ukraine, produces drones for civilian and military use in Ukraine and other countries.
Details of the case
A German prosecutor told Reuters that a 26-year-old Latvian national had been detained in Hamburg and that extradition proceedings were underway.
Slovak prosecutors said two other suspects, a Latvian and a Ukrainian citizen, had been detained in Slovakia. No property was damaged and no one was injured.
Local media reported that on Thursday, a court ordered that the suspects remain in custody until the investigation is completed.
Slovak police have not yet identified anyone suspected of ordering the attack.
A group calling itself "Global Citizens Against War 1984" claimed responsibility in a statement to Reuters and demanded the release of the two suspects.
What Skyeton says
Skyeton suggested that Russia was behind the attack. The company said Russians had previously made repeated attempts to target its production facilities in Ukraine and damage the reputation of drone manufacturers.
The Russian embassy in Bratislava rejected the allegations, dismissing them as baseless and unsupported by evidence.
Skyeton clarified that its Slovak plant produces equipment for Western markets, while its plant in Ukraine supplies the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that on August 25, Slovak police had prevented an attempt to set fire to a drone manufacturing plant. Three foreign nationals were detained in connection with the case.
During the investigation, law enforcement officers seized a significant amount of incendiary material, as well as tools, mobile phones, a camera and a handwritten plan.
It was also reported that in Germany, a court sentenced a Ukrainian man accused of espionage and preparing acts of sabotage on behalf of Russia. He was sentenced to one year and three months in prison.
