Key facts
- A Latvian man suspected of an attempted arson attack on a Slovak drone factory said he was hired via Telegram.
- The suspect reported receiving instructions from several individuals, including a Russian speaker.
- The drone factory operator, Skyeton, suggested Russia was behind the attempt.
- Russia has denied any involvement in the incident.
- A group named 'Global Citizens Against War 1984' claimed responsibility for the attack.
- The Latvian suspect was arrested near the factory, with other arrests made in Germany and Slovakia.
A Latvian man suspected of an attempted arson attack on a drone factory in Slovakia told investigators he was hired through the Telegram messaging app and received instructions from several individuals, including one who spoke Russian, a Slovak news website reported. The factory operator, Skyeton, a company founded in Ukraine that produces drones for civilian and military use, has suggested Russia was behind the attempt last month. The Russian embassy in Slovakia denied any Russian role when asked about the incident. A little-known group calling itself "Global Citizens Against War 1984" claimed responsibility for the attempt. The news website www.dennikn.sk, citing court documents, reported that the man was given the coordinates of the Skyeton plant near Presov a day before the planned attack. Police arrested the Latvian man near the factory and also arrested a Ukrainian man who was supposed to drive him to Poland afterward. Another Latvian was arrested in Germany, and another Ukrainian was detained later in Slovakia in relation to the plan. Concerns over sabotage attacks on production sites in western Europe related to the war in Ukraine have risen sharply in recent months, with governments frequently pointing the finger at Russia, which denies involvement.