Czech Police: Russia Blew up Ammo Depots in Vrbětice in 2014
Czech law enforcement officials believe it's proven that the explosions at the ammunition depots in Vrbětice on October 16 and December 3, 2014, were carried out by representatives of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Russia. These explosions resulted in the deaths of two people and caused damages worth 1 billion Czech crowns (almost 38 million euros). This information is reported on the Czech police website.
Authorities note that the motive of Russian saboteurs was to prevent the supply of weapons and ammunition to areas of conflict in eastern Ukraine, where an anti-terrorist operation was ongoing to counter illegal Russian and pro-Russian armed formations.
The Czech police affirm that the individuals who committed the crime are military personnel of Unit 29155, which conducts foreign sabotage operations at the behest of Unit 161 specializing in training specialists for special assignments in the Russian GRU.
The investigation revealed that these explosions were not just isolated incidents but part of a larger diversionary operation by Russian military intelligence in the European Union and Ukraine. Since 2011, there have been repeated explosions at ammunition depots, including in Bulgaria. In Ukraine, starting from 2014, there have been eight fires and explosions at military depots.
Currently, Czech law enforcement lacks some information to conclude the investigation, including details about the movement of specific GRU members to the Czech Republic and the exact number of individuals involved in these actions. The police stated that the suspects are in Russia, and the Russian authorities refuse to provide Prague with international legal assistance. Consequently, Czechia has had to suspend further investigation into the case.
As a reminder, The Gaze reported that the police in the Bavarian city of Bayreuth arrested two men on suspicion of espionage and sabotage in favour of Russia. The Federal Prosecutor's Office of Germany announced in Karlsruhe that the detainees are accused, among other things, of acting as agents for sabotage and preparing explosives.
The arrests of the men identified as Dieter S. and Alexander Y. were made based on arrest warrants issued by a federal judge on April 9 and 11, 2024. Additionally, with the support of the Bavarian Criminal Police Office, searches were conducted at the homes and workplaces of the accused.