2014 Vrbětice ammunition warehouse explosions

Series of explosions in the Czech Republic hist April 2021 April 2021 Vrbětice ammunition warehouse explosions Vrbětice, Vlachovice (Zlín District), Czech Republic yes 2014 10 16, yes 2014 12 03 Lipová_(ZL),_zákaz_vstupu_(2).jpg A no entry clean-up zone secured by Czech police in May 2018 A no entry clean-up zone secured by Czech police in May 2018 Výbuchy muničních skladů ve Vrběticích cs Ammunition depot Sabotage 2 GRU Unit 29155 In 2014, two explosions of ammunition depots occurred in Vrbětice, Vlachovice, in the Zlín District of the Czech Republic.2021-04-21 Russian military attack on the Czech territory: details, implications and next steps https://europeanvalues.cz/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/REPORT_EV_Russian_military_attack_on_the_Czech_territory_Details_implications_and_next_steps.pdf live https://web.archive.org/web/20210421064919/https://europeanvalues.cz/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/REPORT_EV_Russian_military_attack_on_the_Czech_territory_Details_implications_and_next_steps.pdf 2021-04-21 Kremlin Watch Report Alt URL The first explosion occurred on 16 October, and the second on 3 December. Two people were killed in the first explosion. The cleanup of unexploded ammunition left by the blasts was finished on 13 October 2020.Kramář Rudolf 2020-10-14 Zásah ve Vrběticích je po dlouhých letech ukončen The intervention in Vrbětice is over after many years https://www.hzscr.cz/clanek/zasah-ve-vrbeticich-je-po-dlouhych-letech-ukoncen.aspx 2021-04-25 hzscr.cz cs According to the Security Information Service and the Police of the Czech Republic, two agents from the Russian military's GRU Unit 29155 were involved in the explosions, with the motivation of disrupting weapons supplies to Ukraine.2021-04-17 Czechia expels Russian diplomats over 2014 ammunition depot blast https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/17/czech-expels-russian-diplomats-over-2014-ammunition-depot-blast 2021-04-17 Al Jazeera EnglishEckel Mike Bedrov Ivan Komarova Olha 2021-04-18 A Czech Explosion, Russian Agents, A Bulgarian Arms Dealer: The Recipe For A Major Spy Scandal In Central Europe https://www.rferl.org/a/czech-expulsions-bulgaria-gebrev-russia-gru-intelligence-explosion-spy-scandal/31209960.html 2021-04-19 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty On April 29, 2024, Czech president Petr Pavel declared the investigations and information available to him confirm the event to be a Russian attack on Czech soil.Pavel Petr 2024-04-29 Czech president April 29th 2024 tweet on the 2014 ammunition depot explosion. https://twitter.com/prezidentpavel/status/1784902822221246468 Background Both destroyed warehouses were located on the site of the state-owned Military Technical Institute (Vojenský technický ústav, or VTÚ), leased by the Ostrava-based arms company Imex Group.Stratilík Ondřej 2014-12-08 Kulomety do Konga, prošlé náboje v USA. Staré hříchy vrbětického zbrojaře Machine guns to the Congo, used rounds to the USA. Old sins of a Vrbětice armorer https://www.lidovky.cz/domov/afrika-i-usa-zbrojar-se-sklady-ve-vrbeticich-mel-uz-potizi-vic.A141208_155329_ln_domov_sij 2021-04-25 Lidovky.cz cs2020-07-07 Nejvyšší soud vrátil případ odškodnění za Babišovy výroky The Supreme Court returned the case of compensation for Babiš's statements https://www.novinky.cz/domaci/clanek/nejvyssi-soud-vratil-pripad-odskodneni-za-babisovy-vyroky-40329860 2021-04-25 Novinky.cz cs A total of six buildings were leased on site, in which the company stored ammunition, weapons and other goods. The owner was Petr Bernatík Jr., who was the executive director and, together with his father, also worked in several other armaments companies.Válková Hana 2014-12-07 Šéf Imexu kontroloval v muničním skladu balení. Druhý den přišel výbuch The head of Imex inspected the packaging in the ammunition depot. The next day there was an explosion https://www.idnes.cz/zpravy/domaci/babis-munice-sklad-vrbetice-imex.A141207_125558_domaci_hv 2021-04-25 iDNES.cz cs Explosions First explosion On 16 October 2014, the first explosion occurred at Warehouse No. 16, which contained 58 tonnes of military material, including ammunition and weapons.9 March 2015 Vrbětice - odvoz munice https://policie.gov.cz/clanek/vrbetice-odvoz-munice.aspx 29 August 2026 Policie České republiky cs The explosion scattered ammunition up to 800 m yd from the warehouse.2014-10-23 Okolí vybuchlého skladu obsadili pyrotechnici, evakuace začala The area around the exploded warehouse was occupied by pyrotechnicians, and the evacuation began https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/regiony/1012450-okoli-vybuchleho-skladu-obsadili-pyrotechnici-evakuace-zacala 2021-04-18 ČT24 cs Two employees of the company leasing the warehouse were killed and nearby villages were evacuated.Vozárová Jana 2014-11-21 Exploze skladu ve Vrběticích má dvě oběti A warehouse explosion in Vrbětice has two victims cs Zlínský deník https://zlinsky.denik.cz/zlociny-a-soudy/pyrotechnici-nasli-pobliz-municniho-skladu-ve-vlachovicich-tela-pohresovanych-20.html 2021-04-18May 2018 Explosion Of Ammunition Depots In Vlachovice-vrbětice In The Czech Republic https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348559221 2021-10-05 The ammunition depot was not present in Zlín District emergency plans, so firefighters at the scene were left unaware of the possible dangers.Fuksa Aleš 2014-11-03 Hasiči netušili, do jakého pekla ve Vrběticích jedou The firefighters had no idea what the hell they were going to in Vrbětice https://www.novinky.cz/domaci/clanek/hasici-netusili-do-jakeho-pekla-ve-vrbeticich-jedou-251483 2021-04-18 Novinky.cz Immediately after the explosion, about 100 people from the nearby village Vlachovice, as well as students from elementary school and high school in Slavičín were evacuated from the surrounding area.2014-10-16 Po výbuchu v muničním skladu jsou dva lidé nezvěstní After the explosion in the ammunition depot, two people are missing https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/regiony/1013421-po-vybuchu-v-municnim-skladu-jsou-dva-lide-nezvestni 2021-04-18 ČT24 cs The evacuation, which lasted for two days, was a preemptive measure, as pyrotechnicians were clearing the villages. For days, there were sudden uncontrolled detonations in the area caused by ammunition falling from trees or disturbed elements and by wildlife. On 30 November, pyrotechnicians completed clearing part of the complex, after which the planned removal of approximately 7,000 tonnes of ammunition from the remaining warehouses could begin.2014-11-30 Pyrotechnici vyčistili areál ve Vrběticích, munice se může odvézt Pyrotechnicians cleaned the area in Vrbětice, ammunition can be removed https://www.novinky.cz/domaci/clanek/pyrotechnici-vycistili-areal-ve-vrbeticich-munice-se-muze-odvezt-258174 2021-04-18 Novinky.cz Second explosion On 3 December 2014, a second explosion occurred at Warehouse No. 12, which contained 98 tonnes of ammunition.9 March 2015 Vrbětice - odvoz munice https://policie.gov.cz/clanek/vrbetice-odvoz-munice.aspx 29 August 2026 Policie České republiky cs The depot was 1.2 km mi2014-12-14 Vrbětice: Evakuovaní lidé se domů dnes nevrátí Vrbětice: Evacuated people will not return home today https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/regiony/1006486-vrbetice-evakuovani-lide-se-domu-dnes-nevrati 2021-04-18 ČT24 cs from the epicentre of the first explosion. 430 people from surrounding villages were evacuated.2014-12-03 Ve Vrběticích explodoval jiný sklad s municí, lidé stráví noc mimo domov Another ammunition depot exploded in Vrbětice, people spend the night away from home https://www.idnes.cz/zlin/zpravy/nerizene-vybuchy-v-municnim-skladu-ve-vrbeticich.A141203_082825_zlin-zpravy_ras 2021-04-18 iDNES.cz According to Imex Group's lawyer, artillery ammunition and submachine guns were stored in the depot. He believed that the depot could not have exploded on its own.2014-12-03 Sklad nemohl vybuchnout samovolně, řekl zástupce firmy, která si jej pronajímala The warehouse could not have exploded spontaneously, said a representative of the company that rented it https://www.novinky.cz/domaci/clanek/sklad-nemohl-vybuchnout-samovolne-rekl-zastupce-firmy-ktera-si-jej-pronajimala-259066 2021-04-18 Novinky.cz Cleaning up the damage Uncontrolled blasts continued after the second explosion. The last one was observed in mid-December 2014. On 22 December, clean-up workers arrived in Vrbětice.2019-10-16 Před pěti lety vybuchlo ve Vrběticích 60 tun munice. Policejní zásah trvá dodnes Five years ago, 60 tons of ammunition exploded in Vrbětice. The police intervention continues to this day https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/domaci/2949860-od-vybuchu-ve-vrbeticich-uplynulo-pet-let-munice-letala-do-okolnich-obci-vysetrovani 2021-04-18 ČT24 cs In October 2020 the clean-up was finished.2020-10-15 Po šesti letech skončil nejdelší a nejdražší zásah policie, čištění Vrbětic After six years, the longest and most expensive police intervention, the cleansing of Vrbětice, ended https://www.idnes.cz/zlin/zpravy/zlinsky-kraj-vrbetice-vybuch-zasah-municni-sklady.A201015_576538_zlin-zpravy_ppr 2021-04-17 iDNES.cz The total cost of cleaning the unexploded ammunition was estimated to be up to CZK 1 billion. Involvement of Russian GRU According to the Security Information Service and the Police of the Czech Republic, the depot explosions were probably engineered by Russian military intelligence (GRU) officers. The announcement was made at a press conference by the Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš on 17 April 2021. Babiš said that there was "reasonable suspicion regarding a role of members of Russian military intelligence GRU Unit 29155 in the explosion." He said "Russia was not attacking the Czech Republic. The agents attacked ... the goods of a Bulgarian arms trader, who was probably selling these arms to parties fighting Russia ... The ammunition was supposed to explode en route. Of course it is unacceptable that GRU agents were undertaking the operation here - which they bungled".https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russias-reaction-czech-diplomat-expulsions-stronger-then-expected-czech-minister-2021-04-19/ Czechs say Russian retaliation stronger than expected, seeks EU solidarity Hovet Jason Lopatka Jan Reuters limited 19 April 2021 1 November 2023 Two Russian intelligence officers Alexander Mishkin and Anatoly Chepiga suspected of carrying out the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in 2018 were alleged to have been involved in the explosions. Mishkin and Chepiga reportedly arrived in Prague from Moscow on 13 October 2014 and left on 16 October. They requested permission to visit the warehouses for the period of 13–17 October from Imex, using fake passports of citizens of Tajikistan and Moldova (Chepiga as Ruslan Tabarov, Mishkin as Nicolaj Popa). Although no one saw them in the ammunition depot, the investigators believe that both visited Vrbětice as potential arms buyers.Corera Gordon Gordon Corera 2021-04-17 Salisbury poisoning agents 'linked to Czech blast' BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-56790053 2021-04-18 According to the Czech news magazine Respekt, the ammunition stored in the exploded depot was to be sold to Ukraine battling in the war in Donbas through the Bulgarian arms trader Emiliyan Gebrev;2021-04-18 Moscow Expels 20 Czechs In Tit-For-Tat Move Over Alleged Russian Links To Deadly 2014 Depot Blast https://www.rferl.org/a/czech-republic-expels-russians-depot-blast-skripal/31209614.html 2021-04-18 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Gebrev himself was poisoned in 2015, allegedly by the GRU,2019-02-07 Third Skripal Suspect Linked to 2015 Bulgaria Poisoning https://www.bellingcat.com/news/uk-and-europe/2019/02/07/third-skripal-suspect-linked-to-2015-bulgaria-poisoning/ 2021-04-18 Bellingcat and his arms depots in Bulgaria suffered five explosions linked to the GRU between 2011 and 2022.Walker Shaun 2022-08-01 Arms dealer '100% sure' Russian agents behind blast at Bulgarian depot https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/01/arms-dealer-100-sure-russian-agents-blast-bulgarian-depot 2022-08-03 the Guardian Jan Hamáček said the munitions were not planned to explode on Czech territory but only after being transported to Bulgaria.Minister: Blast involving Russian agents intended to occur elsewhere https://english.radio.cz/minister-blast-involving-russian-agents-intended-occur-elsewhere-8715145 Radio Prague 18 April 2021 According to the news portal of Seznam.cz, the ammunition was to be sold to the Syrian opposition battling in the civil war against the armed forces led by Bashar al-Assad, an ally of Russia.Blažek Vojtěch 2021-04-17 Proč ruští agenti zabíjeli v Česku: aby zabránili dodávce zbraní do Sýrie a na Ukrajinu Why Russian agents killed in the Czech Republic: to prevent the supply of weapons to Syria and Ukraine https://www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/proc-rusti-agenti-zabijeli-v-cesku-aby-zabranili-dodavce-zbrani-do-syrie-151003 2021-04-18 Seznam Zprávy EMCO, the Gebrev company, published a statement denying that the ammunition was heading to Syria or Ukraine.2021-04-20 Russian attacks in the Czech Republic: domestic context, implications, perspectives https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2021-04-20/russian-attacks-czech-republic-domestic-context-implications 2021-04-23 OSW Centre for Eastern Studies Later, Gebrev admitted in his email to The New York Times that his company had shipped military equipment to Ukraine after 2014.Michael Schwirtz 2021-04-24 The Arms Merchant in the Sights of Russia's Elite Assassination Squad https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/24/world/europe/arms-merchant-russia-assassination-squad.html 2021-04-25 The New York Times Russian investigative group The Insider published further details, indicating that EMCO was one of two companies in the EU manufacturing ammunition compatible with Soviet designed arms, especially 120 mm mortar and 152 mm howitzer rounds. Supplies from the other company were purchased out by the GRU at a higher price, thus making them unavailable for Ukraine, while EMCO agreed to a sale to Ukrainian armed forces, which significantly increased their defense capabilities against Russian intervention. However, the particular supplies intended for Ukraine were not stored in Vrbětice, and the GRU either didn't know it or it hoped that the supplies from Vrbětice would be eventually transported to EMCO depots in Bulgaria and explode there (which explains the delayed detonation).Дипломаты с бомбой — 2. Как и почему ГРУ охотилось за болгарским оружейником Гебревым Diplomats with a bomb – 2. How and why the GRU hunted for the Bulgarian gunsmith Gebrev https://theins.ru/politika/241432 2021-04-26 The Insider ru According to the conclusions of the joint investigation by Bellingcat, Der Spiegel, Respekt and The Insider, six officers of the GRU, led by the head of military unit 29155, general Andrey Averyanov, took part in the operation. In addition to Averyanov, Mishkin and Chepiga, among these six officers were Nikolay Yezhov, Denis Sergeev (cover identity "Sergey Fedotov") and Egor Gordienko ("Georgy Gorshkov"). Two out of six operated under the cover of diplomatic couriers.2021-04-20 Senior GRU Leader Directly Involved With Czech Arms Depot Explosion https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2021/04/20/senior-gru-leader-directly-involved-with-czech-arms-depot-explosion/ 2021-04-20 BellingcatDobrokhotov Roman Roman Dobrokhotov Grozev Christo Lehberger Roman Mayr Walter Puhl Jan Schmid Fidelius 2021-04-20 Tschechien: Explosion in Munitionsdepot war wohl Operation des russischen Geheimdienstes Czech Republic: Explosion in ammunition depot probably was an operation by the Russian secret service https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/tschechien-explosion-in-munitionsdepot-war-wohl-operation-des-russischen-geheimdienstes-a-ca5bdb8e-d125-4013-a47c-74e615b589dc 2021-04-20 Der Spiegel de2021-04-20 Дипломаты с бомбой. Как ГРУ взорвало склад вооружений в Чехии Diplomats with a bomb. How the GRU blew up an arms depot in the Czech Republic https://theins.ru/politika/241241 2021-04-20 The Insider ruSpurný Jaroslav Kundra Ondřej 2021-04-20 Bellingcat a Respekt: Za výbuchem ve Vrběticích je šest členů ruského komanda včetně jeho velitele Bellingcat and Respekt: Behind the explosion in Vrbětice are six members of the Russian commando, including its commander https://www.respekt.cz/agenda/bellingcat-a-respekt-za-vybuchem-ve-vrbeticich-je-sest-clenu-ruskeho-komanda-vcetne-jeho-velitele 2021-04-20 Respekt cs Data analyzed by Bellingcat supports the hypothesis that the 2014 explosions in Vrbětice were part of a longer-term GRU operation aimed at disrupting Ukraine's capabilities to procure weapons and munitions critical to its defense against Russian troops and Russia-sponsored militants in the war in Eastern Ukraine.Bellingcat Investigation Team 2021-04-26 How GRU Sabotage and Assassination Operations in Czechia and Bulgaria Sought to Undermine Ukraine https://www.bellingcat.com/news/uk-and-europe/2021/04/26/how-gru-sabotage-and-assassination-operations-in-czechia-and-bulgaria-sought-to-undermine-ukraine/ 2021-05-02 bellingcat The investigation at the time was ongoing and the National Center Against Organized Crime was examining potential support from a Czech citizen.https://www.newsendip.com/controversy-in-czech-republic-on-a-missing-document-about-russian-responsibility-in-vrbetice-explosions/ Controversy in Czech Republic on a missing document about Russian responsibility in Vrbětice explosions 2 February 2022 On January 30, 2024, Sofia City Prosecutor's Office announced that it issued a European Arrest Warrant against six Russian nationals accused of terrorism based on the court rulings.Sofia City Prosecutor's Office Issued Eaw Against Russian Nationals Accused Of Terrorism https://prb.bg/en/news/68319-sofia-city-prosecutor%E2%80%99s-office-issued-eaw-against-russian-nationals-accused-of-t 2024-01-30 2024-05-15 Office of the General Prosecutor of Bulgaria en On April 29, 2024, the Police of the Czech Republic announced the completion of the investigation of explosions, stating that it considered it proven that the explosions were carried out by GRU. Police officers from the National Centre for Combating Organised Crime cz Národní centrála proti organizovanému zločinu investigated the matter as part of a joint investigation team with police officers from Great Britain and worked closely with police authorities from Ukraine and the USA.https://www.policie.cz/clanek/ukonceni-proverovani-vybuchu-municnich-skladu-ve-vrbeticich.aspx Ukončení prověřování výbuchů muničních skladů ve Vrběticích Completion of the investigation of the explosions of ammunition warehouses in Vrbětice 2024-04-29 Police of the Czech Republic cs https://web.archive.org/web/20240429113647/https://www.policie.cz/clanek/ukonceni-proverovani-vybuchu-municnich-skladu-ve-vrbeticich.aspx 2024-04-29 live In May 2024, the commander of Unit 29155, Averyanov, was declared wanted by the Czech Police.https://theins.ru/news/271484 ru:Чехия объявила в розыск за организацию взрывов во Врбетице известного по расследованиям The Insider ГРУшника Аверьянова Czechia has declared wanted for organizing Vrbětice explosions the GRU agent Averyanov known from The Insider's investigations 2024-05-11 The Insider ru-RU https://web.archive.org/web/20240511075616/https://theins.ru/news/271484 2024-05-11 liveHledaný muž: AVERIYANOV ANDREY Wanted man: AVERIYANOV ANDREY https://aplikace.policie.cz/patrani-osoby/PersonDetail.aspx?person_id=17270507245030 2024-05-11 Police of the Czech Republic cs Security Information Service intelligence report On 7 April 2021, the Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and other members of the Intelligence Activity Committee of the National Security Council were informed about the involvement of Russian secret agents by the Security Information Service.https://www.vlada.cz/cz/clenove-vlady/premier/projevy/premier-byl-to-odporny-a-zcela-neprijatelny-teroristicky-akt--pri-nemz-zemreli-dva-nasi-lide-187857/ Premiér: Byl to odporný a zcela nepřijatelný teroristický akt, při němž zemřeli dva naši lidé Prime Minister: It was a heinous and completely unacceptable act of terrorism in which two of our people died On the same day, a secret intelligence report by BIS was delivered to the Office of the Czech president Miloš Zeman; the Office delivered it to the president himself on 13 April.https://www.idnes.cz/zpravy/domaci/zeman-bis-vrbetice-zprava-tajne-duverne-spis-hrad.A220203_083856_domaci_remy BIS nás s Vrběticemi vystavila hrozbě obvinění z porušení zákona, píše Hrad The BIS has exposed us and Vrbětice to the threat of accusations of breaking the law, writes Hrad 3 February 2022 On 25 April the president said he had been first informed about the involvement by Babiš and Hamáček on 17 April;https://www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/prepis-projev-prezidenta-zemana-ke-kauze-vrbetice-152035 Přepis: Projev prezidenta Zemana ke kauze Vrbětice Seznam Zprávy Transcript: President Zeman's speech on the Vrbětice case – List of Reports according to five sources of Deník N, the President did not read the report before that.https://denikn.cz/629479/tajna-zprava-bis-o-vrbeticich-lezela-na-hrade-deset-dni-prezident-ji-necetl-zrejme-mu-o-ni-ani-nerekli/ Tajná zpráva BIS o Vrběticích ležela na Hradě deset dní. Prezident ji nečetl, zřejmě mu o ní ani neřekli The BIS secret report about Vrbětice lay in the Castle for ten days. The president didn't read it, they probably didn't even tell him about it 19 May 2021 In January 2022, it was reported that police wanted to analyze the intelligence report for fingerprints and DNA to find out who had unauthorized access to it but the Office of the President told them the report had been shredded in November 2021.https://english.radio.cz/police-investigating-whether-office-president-shredded-intelligence-report-8740538 Police investigating whether Office of President shredded intelligence report on Vrbětice blasts 29 January 2022https://nazory.aktualne.cz/komentare/mynar-vypravi-pohadky-cetl-tajnou-zpravu-bis/r~6a74c8dc81ca11eca89f0cc47ab5f122/ Mynář vypráví pohádky. Četl tajnou zprávu BIS? Poskytl ji Rusům? Hrad je vyšetřován Aktuálně.cz Mynář tells fairy tales. Did he read the BIS secret report? Did he give it to the Russians? The castle is under investigation 31 January 2022 Reactions following Czech Government's conclusions on Russian involvement Domestic reactions Czech Republic–Russia relations#2021–present On 17 April 2021, Minister of the Interior and acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Hamáček announced that the Czech Republic was expelling all Russian diplomats who had been identified as Russian intelligence services′ operatives, namely 18 diplomats in the Russian embassy in Prague.17 April 2021 Czech Republic Expels 18 Russian Diplomats Over Depot Blast; Searches For Skripal Poisoning Suspects https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-czech-republic-depot-blast-expulsions-skripal-poisoning/31209093.html 21 April 2021 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty2021-04-17 Do výbuchu ve Vrběticích byli zapojení ruští agenti, oznámil Babiš. Česko jich osmnáct vyhostí Russian agents were involved in the explosion in Vrbětice, Babiš announced. The Czechia will expel eighteen of them https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/domaci/3299339-do-vybuchu-municniho-arealu-ve-vrbeticich-byly-podle-zjisteni-ceskych-bezpecnostnich 2021-04-18 ČT24 csSpurný Ondřej Kundra Jaroslav 2020-04-17 Za výbuchem muničního skladu ve Vrběticích stojí ruští agenti, kteří se pokusili zabít Skripala Russian agents who tried to kill Skripal are behind the explosion of the ammunition depot in Vrbětice https://www.respekt.cz/agenda/za-vybuchem-municniho-skladu-ve-vrbeticich-stoji-rusti-agenti-kteri-se-pokusili-zabit-skripala 2021-04-18 RespektLopatka Jan 2021-04-17 Czechs expel 18 Russian envoys, accuse Moscow over ammunition depot blast https://www.reuters.com/world/czechs-expel-russian-embassy-staff-pm-says-suspected-russian-link-ammunition-2021-04-17/ 2021-04-18 Reuters On 19 April, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said that the incident was not an act of state terrorism, but a botched operation to destroy the goods of a Bulgarian ammunition trader, "who was probably selling those weapons to parties fighting against Russia".2021-04-19 Rusové ze hry o Dukovany. Babiš mluvil o "zpackaném" útoku na zboží a schytal to Russians from the game about Dukovany. Babiš talked about a "messed up" attack on goods and caught it https://www.blesk.cz/clanek/zpravy-udalosti/676758/rusove-ze-hry-o-dukovany-babis-mluvil-o-zpackanem-utoku-na-zbozi-a-schytal-to.html 2021-04-21 Blesk csWilloughby Ian 19 April 2021 Babiš: Deadly Russian operation at Czech munitions store not act of state terrorism Radio Prague https://english.radio.cz/babis-deadly-russian-operation-czech-munitions-store-not-act-state-terrorism-8715271 Babiš's statement was widely condemned and ridiculed by politicians, experts, and the public.20 April 2021 Czech PM's Remarks On 2014 Blasts Trigger Outrage, Underscore Split Over Russia Ties https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-czech-babis-zeman-vrbetice-blast-sputnik/31213800.html 21 April 2021 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Babiš was criticised by the Czech Social Democratic Party first deputy chairman Roman Onderka and by the opposition.2021-04-20 ČTK PM Babiš calls 2014 explosion a 'terrorist attack' after previously avoiding the phrase https://www.expats.cz/czech-news/article/pm-babis-calls-2014-explosion-a-terrorist-attack-after-previously-avoiding-the-phrase 2021-04-20 expats.cz Some public figures including Jan Hamáček, former Chief of the General Staff Petr Pavel, President of the Senate Miloš Vystrčil and Chairman of the Civic Democratic Party Petr Fiala labelled the incident as a terrorist attack and an act of state terrorism.Štraub Jiří 2021-04-18 Petr Pavel pro eXtra.cz: Útok ve Vrběticích je vojenské napadení, ti lidé mají povolení zabíjet Petr Pavel for eXtra.cz: The attack in Vrbětice is a military attack, those people are allowed to kill https://www.extra.cz/petr-pavel-pro-extra-cz-utok-ve-vrbeticich-je-vojenske-napadeni-ti-lide-maji-povoleni-zabijet-88f15 2021-04-19 Extra.cz2021-04-18 Vystrčil i Fiala viní Rusko ze státního terorismu He also pushed Fiala to blame Russia for state terrorism https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/domaci/3299397-nic-nedava-rusku-pravo-narusit-suverenitu-zeme-s-niz-neni-ve-valce-hodnoti-deni-ve 2021-04-19 ČT24 Babiš apologized and said that the incident was an "unprecedented" terrorist attack.Lazarová Daniela 2021-04-20 PM apologizes for saying Vrbětice blasts did not constitute state terrorism https://english.radio.cz/pm-apologizes-saying-vrbetice-blasts-did-not-constitute-state-terrorism-8715366 2021-04-20 Radio Prague The initial statement by Babiš was quickly picked up by Russian media, including state-controlled RT. On 18 April, Czech Trade Minister Karel Havlíček said that Russia's Rosatom would be excluded from the nuclear tender to build a new unit of the Dukovany Nuclear Power Station.Willoughby Ian 18 April 2021 Deputy PM: Rosatom to be excluded from key Czech nuclear tender Radio Prague https://english.radio.cz/deputy-pm-rosatom-be-excluded-key-czech-nuclear-tender-8715122 On 21 April, the Senate of the Czech Republic passed a resolution designating the explosion an "act of state terrorism against an EU country", and called on the Czech government, i.a., to claim from Russia a financial compensation for the victims, material damage and repair of the damages.2021-04-21 Usnesení Senátu ke vztahům mezi ČR a Ruskou federací Senate resolution on relations between the Czech Republic and the Russian Federation https://senat.cz/xqw/webdav/pssenat/original/99164/83233 2021-04-21 Senate of the Czech Republic Prague City Hall demanded that the government negotiate with Russia on the return of part of the city's park Stromovka with a total area of about half a hectare that the Russian Embassy has been using since it was taken over by Soviet troops in 1968 after the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia.Laca Peter Ponikelska Lenka 2021-04-19 Czechs Accuse Russia of 'Terrorist Attack' for Deadly 2014 Blast Bloomberg.com https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-04-19/czechs-confirm-2014-blast-suspects-linked-to-skripal-s-poisoning 2021-04-212021-04-19 Praha chce od Ruska zpět část Stromovky zabranou v roce 1968 po invazi Prague wants back from Russia the part of Stromovka captured in 1968 after the invasion https://www.irozhlas.cz/zpravy-domov/praha-rusko-invaze-stromovka-navrat_2104191426_kuc 2021-04-21 iROZHLAS csBeranová Klára 2021-04-19 Okupace části Stromovky ze strany Ruska musí skončit, vyzvala vládu Praha Russia's occupation of part of Stromovka must end, the Prague government called on https://www.novinky.cz/domaci/clanek/okupace-casti-stromovky-ze-strany-ruska-musi-skoncit-vyzvala-vladu-praha-40357501 2021-04-21 Novinky.cz cs Seznam Zprávy reported that Jan Hamáček was considering negotiating with Russia not to disclose evidence of Russia's involvement in the explosions in exchange for 1 million doses of Sputnik V vaccine. Hamáček denied the accusation and said that he intended to sue the media outlet. The journalist, Janek Kroupa cs, said that he had an audio recording.Plevák Ondřej Czech Deputy PM files civil suit against article accusing him of Russia collusion https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/czech-deputy-pm-files-civil-suit-against-article-accusing-him-of-russia-collusion/ 6 May 2021 euractiv.com 6 May 2021 On 25 April Czech president Miloš Zeman cast doubt on Russia's involvement, suggesting the blasts could have been caused accidentally due to the mishandling of explosives and said there was no conclusive evidence to charge Russia.2021-04-26 Czech president 'casts doubt over' Russian involvement in deadly blast https://www.euronews.com/2021/04/26/czech-president-casts-doubt-over-russian-involvement-in-deadly-blast 2021-05-06 Euronews This statement prompted thousands of demonstrators to take to the streets in Prague on 29 April, calling Zeman "a servant" of Russia, and demanding he be tried for treason.2021-04-29 Czech Protesters Ask Senate to Charge President Miloš Zeman With Treason Over Support for Russia https://www.newsweek.com/czech-protesters-ask-senate-charge-president-milos-zeman-treason-over-support-russia-1587590 2021-05-06 Newsweek In response to Zeman's comments, Deputy Prime Minister Jan Hamáček on 26 April said that "only one line of investigation exists on the Vrbětice case and that is the one connected with movements of those members of the [GRU] unit 29155" and that "the president's speech was such that everybody found something in it to please them including the Russian Federation, unfortunately".Czech Government Rejects President's Comments Casting Doubt On Russian Role In Arms Depot Blast 2021-04-26 https://www.rferl.org/a/czech-government-rejects-president-comments-russian-role-arms-depot-blast/31223886.html 2021-05-06 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Reactions of other countries On 17 April 2021, the day the Czech government made statements on Russia's involvement and expulsion of Russian diplomats, the US Embassy in Prague stated that the United States "stands with its steadfast ally, the Czech Republic. We appreciate their significant action to impose costs on Russia for its dangerous actions on Czech soil." The Czech Republic was also fully supported by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom, Dominic Raab, who stated that this event corresponded to the previous behaviour of Russian secret service agents, as was revealed, for example, in Salisbury. Other countries that were the first to express support for the Czech Republic included Slovakia, Latvia, Ukraine, Canada and Poland.2021-04-18 "Rusko je třeba potrestat, stojíme při vás." Spojenci vyjadřují Česku jasnou podporu "Russia must be punished, we stand by you." The Allies express clear support for the Czech Republic https://zpravy.aktualne.cz/zahranici/reakce-ze-zahranici/r~f6044c22a02711ebb98b0cc47ab5f122/ 2021-04-20 Aktuálně.cz cs2021-04-18 NATO vyjádřilo Česku podporu. A spolu s ním i Spojené státy, Británie nebo Polsko NATO has expressed support for the Czech Republic. And with it the United States, Britain or Poland https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/domaci/3299361-vinici-musi-byt-potrestani-lotyssko-chvali-vyhosteni-18-dustojniku-ruskych-tajnych 2021-04-20 ČT24 cs The chairman of the Britain's Commons foreign affairs select committee, Tom Tugendhat, stated that "the explosions in Vrbětice are the murder of two Czech citizens and a direct attack on a NATO country."2021-04-18 Salisbury poisoning suspects wanted over deadly Czech explosion condemned as 'war-like act' https://news.sky.com/story/czech-police-hunt-two-men-wanted-over-salisbury-novichok-poisonings-12278716 2021-04-20 Sky News He believed that the level of relations with the Russian Federation needed to be reduced immediately. Tugendhat said that the member states of the North Atlantic Alliance should expel the Russian ambassadors.Hošek Jiří 2021-04-18 Šéf zahraničního výboru Dolní sněmovny: Pojďme vyhostit ruské velvyslance Head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons: Let's expel the Russian ambassadors https://www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/sef-zahranicniho-vyboru-dolni-snemovny-pojdme-vyhostit-ruske-velvyslance-151053 2021-04-20 Seznam Zprávy cs On 20 April, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia of the Visegrád Group issued the statement "We are ready to continue to build our resilience against subversion. We will carry out this both at the national level and in cooperation with our NATO allies, as well as within the framework of the European Union. The Foreign Ministers of Poland, Slovakia and Hungary express their solidarity with the latest actions taken by the Czech Republic, our close partner, ally and neighbor."https://iz.ru/1154210/2021-04-20/glavy-mid-vishegradskoi-gruppy-vyrazili-solidarnost-s-deistviiami-chekhii Главы МИД Вишеградской группы выразили солидарность с действиями Чехии Foreign Ministers of the Visegrad Group expressed solidarity with the actions of the Czech Republic ru Izvestia 20 April 2021 24 September 2021 25 September 2021 https://archive.today/20210925024329/https://iz.ru/1154210/2021-04-20/glavy-mid-vishegradskoi-gruppy-vyrazili-solidarnost-s-deistviiami-chekhii On 22 April, NATO′s North Atlantic Council issued a statement that concluded by saying, "Allies express deep concern over the destabilising actions Russia continues to carry out across the Euro-Atlantic area, including on Alliance territory, and stand in full solidarity with the Czech Republic."2021-04-22 North Atlantic Council statement in solidarity with the Czech Republic https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_183252.htm?selectedLocale=en 2021-04-22 NATO On the same day, Slovakia expelled three Russian diplomats (Russia had 28 diplomats accredited in Slovakia), Slovak prime minister Eduard Heger commenting that Slovakia was acting in solidarity with the Czech Republic and that the decision was made after a thorough evaluation of information provided by Slovak intelligence services in coordination with the services of allied countries.2021-04-22 Slovakia expels three Russian embassy staff in solidarity with Czechs https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/slovakia-expels-three-russian-embassy-staff-solidarity-with-czechs-2021-04-22/ 2021-04-23 Reuters2021-04-22 Slovakia to expel three Russian diplomats https://spectator.sme.sk/c/22644281/slovakia-to-expel-three-russian-diplomats.html 2021-04-23 The Slovak Spectator On 23 April, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia expelled four Russian diplomats in solidarity with Prague.2021-04-23 Baltic nations expel Russian diplomats in support of Czech Republic https://www.euronews.com/2021/04/23/estonia-latvia-and-lithuania-expel-russian-diplomats-in-support-of-czech-republic 2021-04-24 Euronews2021-04-23 Moscow, Prague To Keep Equal Number Of Staff At Each Other's Embassies, Says Czech Foreign Minister https://www.rferl.org/a/czech-russia-embassies-staff-diplomatic-dispute/31218651.html 2021-04-24 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty2021-04-23 EU's Baltic states expel four Russian diplomats in solidarity with Prague https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210423-eu-s-baltic-states-expel-four-russian-diplomats-in-solidarity-with-prague 2021-04-24 France 24 Russia expelled 20 diplomats as persona non grata from the Czech embassy in Moscow. Maria Zakharova called the evidence presented by Czech authorities "a lie". On 23 April, Vladimir Putin signed a decree establishing a list of "unfriendly countries" which will be banned from hiring Russians at their diplomatic missions. On 14 May, Russia placed both the Czech Republic and the United States on the list of unfriendly countries. On 27 April, the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that additional countries could be added to the unfriendly list, especially the Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and also Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine, and on 10 June, Poland was proposed to be added to the unfriendly list because Andrzej Duda had called the explosions a "violation of international law".https://iz.ru/1156593/2021-04-25/v-mide-rasskazali-ob-ukaze-putina-o-merakh-protiv-nedruzhestvennykh-stran В МИДе рассказали об указе Путина о мерах против недружественных стран The Foreign Ministry told about Putin's decree on measures against unfriendly countries ru Izvestia 25 April 2021 24 September 2021 25 September 2021 https://archive.today/20210925024209/https://iz.ru/1156593/2021-04-25/v-mide-rasskazali-ob-ukaze-putina-o-merakh-protiv-nedruzhestvennykh-stranЗабродин Алексей Байкова Татьяна Лежнева Любовь https://iz.ru/1157053/aleksei-zabrodin-tatiana-baikova-liubov-lezhneva/desiat-proletiat-ssha-chekhiia-pribaltika-mogut-stat-nedruzhestvennymi Десять пролетят: США, Чехия, Прибалтика могут стать "недружественными": Странам из "черного списка" запретят нанимать россиян на работу в дипмиссии Ten will fly by: USA, Czech Republic, Baltic states may become "unfriendly": Countries from the "black list" will be banned from hiring Russians to work in the diplomatic mission Izvestia 27 April 2021 24 September 2021 25 September 2021 https://archive.today/20210925023207/https://iz.ru/1157053/aleksei-zabrodin-tatiana-baikova-liubov-lezhneva/desiat-proletiat-ssha-chekhiia-pribaltika-mogut-stat-nedruzhestvennymihttps://iz.ru/1164224/2021-05-14/pravitelstvo-rf-utverdilo-perechen-nedruzhestvennykh-stran Правительство РФ утвердило перечень недружественных стран The Russian government approved the list of unfriendly countries ru Izvestia 14 May 2021 24 September 2021 24 September 2021 https://archive.today/20210924215102/https://iz.ru/1164224/2021-05-14/pravitelstvo-rf-utverdilo-perechen-nedruzhestvennykh-stranhttps://iz.ru/1176895/2021-06-10/naryshkin-zaiavil-ob-interese-rf-v-sokrashchenii-spiska-nedruzhestvennykh-stran Нарышкин заявил об интересе РФ в сокращении списка недружественных стран Naryshkin announced the interest of the Russian Federation in reducing the list of unfriendly countries ru Izvestia 10 June 2021 24 September 2021 24 September 2021 https://archive.today/20210924215018/https://iz.ru/1176895/2021-06-10/naryshkin-zaiavil-ob-interese-rf-v-sokrashchenii-spiska-nedruzhestvennykh-stranhttps://iz.ru/1157362/2021-04-27/v-spisok-nedruzhestvennykh-stan-mogut-popast-ssha-chekhiia-i-respubliki-pribaltiki В список "недружественных стран" могут попасть США, Чехия и республики Прибалтики The list of "unfriendly countries" may include the United States, the Czech Republic and the Baltic republics ru Izvestia 27 April 2021 24 September 2021 25 September 2021 https://archive.today/20210925022138/https://iz.ru/1157362/2021-04-27/v-spisok-nedruzhestvennykh-stan-mogut-popast-ssha-chekhiia-i-respubliki-pribaltikihttps://iz.ru/1170119/2021-05-27/v-gosdume-prizvali-vkliuchit-polshu-v-spisok-nedruzhestvennykh-stran В Госдуме призвали включить Польшу в список недружественных стран The State Duma called on to include Poland in the list of unfriendly countries ru Izvestia 27 May 2021 24 September 2021 25 September 2021 https://archive.today/20210925020439/https://iz.ru/1170119/2021-05-27/v-gosdume-prizvali-vkliuchit-polshu-v-spisok-nedruzhestvennykh-stran See also 2024 Toropets depot explosions 2025 GRU Exposure in Prague Russian sabotage operations in Europe Russian hybrid warfare References Category:Explosions in the Czech Republic Category:2014 crimes in the Czech Republic Category:2014 building bombings Category:Zlín District Category:Czech Republic–Russia relations Category:GRU Category:Russian intelligence operations Category:October 2014 in Europe Category:December 2014 in Europe Category:Terrorist incidents in the Czech Republic Category:Terrorist incidents in Europe in 2014 Category:Ammunition depot bombings Category:2014 disasters in the Czech Republic Category:2014 in international relations Category:2014 controversies Category:Controversies in the Czech Republic Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in the Czech Republic Category:Building bombings in Europe Category:2010s murders in the Czech Republic Category:2014 murders in Europe Category:Attacks on warehouses Category:Russia–NATO relations