Czech intelligence chief warns Russia cannot hide sabotage or troop moves

At the Security Conference held in the Czech Chamber of Deputies, Jiří Koudelka, head of the Czech Security Information Service, warned that Russia can no longer hide behind claims of accidental navigation or training exercises after sabotage attacks with a clear Russian trace, such as the incident in Leipzig involving aid to Ukraine. He asserted that when Russian drones or missiles hit weapons warehouses in any European nation, Moscow will try to label the strike as a mistake, but the BIS knows it is part of a broader strategy.

Koudelka also highlighted the pattern of Russian forces massing near the borders of Baltic states and then describing the moves as drills, a narrative the Czech service finds untrustworthy. He emphasized the need for Europe to respond on all fronts, including updating security legislation, because Russian and former Soviet intelligence services closely monitor Western democracies, exploit societal vulnerabilities, and are prepared to strike where they are most exposed. Finally, Koudelka urged that Czech and regional policies keep pace with neighboring security standards to prevent exploitation by Russian operatives.