Slovakia Prevents Arson Attack on Ukrainian Drone Maker Skyeton’s Factory

Slovak police thwarted a planned arson attack on a Skyeton production facility in the eastern part of the country, where unmanned systems are manufactured.

Slovak police announced the operation, codenamed “Drone,” on August 25.

A Skyeton representative told Militarnyi that Russians regularly attempt to attack companies that work for Ukraine:

“Russians regularly try to target our production facilities in Ukraine, as well as damage our reputation. The recent attempt to attack our facility in Slovakia is further evidence that Ukrainian arms manufacturers have become a major thorn in their side, which means we are on the right track. We thank all the services and police officers who helped prevent the attack and apprehend those involved in the crime.”

The facility was the target of a planned attack that could have sparked a large-scale fire and caused significant material damage. According to law enforcement, around 70 employees could have been inside the building at the time of the planned attack.

The property inside the production facility is estimated to be worth tens of millions of euros.

The ÚBOK anti-crime unit launched an investigation after receiving information from the Slovak Information Service and Military Intelligence. Law enforcement identified the individuals involved in planning the arson attack and subsequently arrested them.

During the operation, police seized incendiary substances, tools, mobile phones, an action camera, and a hand-drawn plan.

According to a preliminary assessment by the Police Forensic and Expert Institute, the seized mixture consisted of gasoline and polystyrene – a substance commonly referred to as napalm.

Slovak police detained two suspects, and the investigator has requested that they be remanded in custody. Authorities detained a third suspect in Germany under a European Arrest Warrant.

The ÚBOK investigator charged all three foreign nationals with preparing to commit an especially serious crime against public safety as accomplices.

Police emphasized that timely intervention prevented injuries and property damage. The investigation is ongoing.

On March 20, in the Czech city of Pardubice, “pro-Palestinian activists” set fire to a thermal imaging equipment manufacturing facility operated by the Ukrainian company Archer.