Another explosion has rocked a military facility in the Czech Republic, injuring at least one person and raising concerns across Europe. The blast occurred at the Synthesia chemical plant near Pardubice, where ammunition was being stored. Czech authorities have launched an investigation, but as details emerge, suspicion is turning toward a familiar actor: Russia.
This is not the first time an ammunition depot has exploded on Czech soil under suspicious circumstances. In 2014, a deadly blast at a facility in Vrbětice killed two people and led to years of inquiry. That investigation ultimately pointed to Russian military intelligence, specifically the notorious GRU Unit 29155—a covert operations team known for sabotage, poisonings, and hybrid warfare across Europe. Evidence later confirmed that agents from this unit were present in the country using false identities at the time of the 2014 explosion.
Now, in the context of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine and its increasingly aggressive stance toward European states supplying Kyiv, the possibility of another act of Russian sabotage cannot be dismissed.
While Czech officials have yet to publicly name a suspect in Sunday’s explosion, defense experts and regional observers are already warning of a pattern. Russia has a track record of targeting ammunition depots, arms manufacturers, and logistics hubs in countries assisting Ukraine’s defense effort.
The timing is notable: just days ago, Denmark announced a major state-backed guarantee to support defense cooperation with Ukraine, and Czechia has been one of the most vocal supporters of military aid to Kyiv.
If Russia is once again behind the blast, it would be further evidence that the Kremlin is willing to bring its war into the heart of Europe.