A fire erupted at the home of an arms magnate in Prague, leading to an ongoing investigation by authorities. Reports indicate that the building’s facade caught fire, with preliminary damage estimates reaching 200,000 Czech korunas (approximately €8,000). Richard Hrdina, spokesperson for the Prague police, stated that investigators are working to determine whether the fire was caused by a technical malfunction, an accident, or intentional actions.
Firefighters responded to the scene around 11:30 PM when debris outside the house caught fire, which was subsequently extinguished. The investigation has been handed over to the Czech Republic’s fire service and police, as confirmed by Miroslav Rezach, a spokesperson for Prague’s rescue services.
At the time of the incident, the arms manufacturer, identified as Drda, was at home with his family. The STV Group, which he is associated with, is known as a major supplier of munitions to Ukraine as part of a Czech initiative.
Russian publication “Agency” highlighted that weeks prior, the Financial Times reported heightened preparations by Russia to target leaders of European arms companies, citing concerns from Western intelligence. The Telegraph had noted in late August that Russian intelligence services had launched a new wave of sabotage attempts on European factories producing weapons and equipment for Ukraine.
Additionally, “Agency” reported on recruitment efforts by Russian military intelligence for carrying out such operations via messaging platforms. These agents have been involved in surveillance and sabotage activities in countries including the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, and Lithuania. Noteworthy cases include targeted arson involving former UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a planned assassination of Rheinmetall’s CEO Armin Papperger, and suspicions surrounding a plot against drone manufacturer Donaustahl’s head, Stefan Tuman.
Since March 2022, STV Group has supplied Ukraine with munitions and military technology, producing artillery shells of calibers 122, 152, and 155 mm. The company also repairs and modernizes Soviet-era armored vehicles, including T-72 tanks and BMP-1/2 infantry fighting vehicles. It is notably the primary manufacturer of “Contact-1” dynamic protection blocks for the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ tanks.
