Slovakia Restores Military Ties with Russia Amid Espionage Concerns

• •Slovakia has sent two military officers to Russia, restoring military contacts.
• •Opposition warns of potential espionage and influence operations by Russia.
• •The Slovak government defends the move as a means of information gathering.

Slovakia has reinstated military contacts with Russia by sending two military officers to Moscow and preparing to receive a Russian military attache in Bratislava. This marks the first military-diplomatic representation since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Opposition politicians in Slovakia have criticized the move, suggesting it could enhance Russian intelligence operations and facilitate espionage. They recall a previous espionage scandal involving a Russian military attache in Slovakia. The Slovak government defends the arrangement as a means to gather information and maintain diplomatic ties. Concerns about the incoming Russian officer's potential for influence and disinformation operations have been raised. The Slovak Defense Ministry has not confirmed the arrival date of the Russian attache, Maxim Verezan.