Slovak police recently announced the prevention of an attempt to set fire to a drone manufacturing facility, although the name of the factory remains undisclosed. Local media reports suggest that the factory in question is Skyeton, located near Prešov, which produces Raybird drones used by the Ukrainian military.
Authorities have detained one Latvian national in Germany with assistance from local security services, while another Latvian and a Ukrainian were apprehended in Slovakia.
According to the investigation, the suspects allegedly planned to set the factory ablaze “on order.” During the arrests, police seized incendiary mixtures, tools, an action camera, and a handwritten plan.
Pravda reports that investigators suspect the mastermind behind the arson plot could be linked to someone in Russia. A representative from Skyeton commented, “Russians regularly attempt to target our manufacturing capabilities in Ukraine and our reputation. The recent attempt to attack our factory in Slovakia is further evidence that Ukrainian defense industry manufacturers have become a significant thorn for them, and that we are on the right path.”
Context
- Skyeton transitioned into a full-fledged drone manufacturer shortly after Russia’s annexation of Crimea, previously producing small sports aircraft.
- In Slovakia, the company has established a complete production cycle involving metal processing, component manufacturing, assembly, and testing of drones. Skyeton has stated its plans to produce dozens of Raybird III drones annually at its factory near Prešov, with an eventual increase to one hundred units per year.
