Slovak police thwart arson attack on drone factory and detain three foreign suspects

Arson plot thwarted in eastern Slovakia

Slovak security forces prevented a planned arson attack targeting a factory that manufactures unmanned aerial systems in eastern Slovakia on 25 August 2026. The intervention took place before any damage could be inflicted on the facility, ensuring that no property was destroyed and no injuries were sustained. Officials reported that approximately 70 workers were present inside the production hall during the window of the planned attack.

The targeted plant houses production infrastructure and assets valued at tens of millions of euros. While police confirmed the industrial nature of the facility, authorities did not disclose the specific commercial name of the company or the exact municipal location in eastern Slovakia, citing the confidentiality requirements of the ongoing criminal proceedings.

Multi-agency operation and cross-border arrests

Police investigators apprehended three foreign nationals suspected of preparing the attack, noting that none of the detained individuals hold Slovak citizenship. Two suspects were arrested directly within Slovak territory, while the third was taken into custody in Germany under a rapidly issued European arrest warrant.

The counter-sabotage operation was conducted by the anti-organized crime unit ÚBOK of the Slovak Police Presidium. Operatives launched reconnaissance and tactical actions based on intelligence provided by the Slovak Information Service (SIS) and Slovak Military Intelligence. Field operations in eastern Slovakia received direct operational support from the Regional Police Directorate in Prešov, the RHCP Sobrance border and alien police mobile intervention unit, and the specialized police intervention unit in Košice. ÚBOK investigators filed an official request for pre-trial detention for the two suspects captured in Slovakia.

Seized materials and improvised napalm

Raids conducted by law enforcement yielded physical evidence and incendiary materials prepared for the operation. Investigators seized communication devices, mobile phones, tools, a sports camera, and a handwritten operational plan outlining the stages of the attack.

Forensic specialists at the Institute of Forensic Science analyzed the seized flammable compounds and determined that the mixture consisted of gasoline and polystyrene, a chemical combination functioning as improvised napalm. Authorities noted that ignition of the substance inside the industrial hall would have caused severe hazards.

If the attack had taken place, there would have been a risk of an extensive fire, endangerment of life and health of workers, and large-scale material damage.

Charges and industrial context

ÚBOK investigators charged all three detained men with preparing a particularly serious crime of public endangerment, committed jointly and on the orders of third parties. Officials have not publicly identified the commissioning party behind the plot.

Police spokesperson Roman Hajek stated that additional procedural steps are underway and that formal charges could be expanded.

The investigation is continuing and a change in the legal qualification cannot be ruled out.

Slovakia is an EU and NATO member bordering Ukraine. While state military aid to Ukraine ceased under Prime Minister Robert Fico, private defense production remains active across the country. Commercial firms operating in Slovakia include Ukrainian manufacturer Skyeton, which builds reconnaissance drones with a 28-hour endurance and an operational flight radius of 2,500 kilometers.