Ukrainian Arrested in Dnipro Over Russia-Financed Czech, Slovak School Bomb Threats

A Ukrainian national was detained in Dnipro, Ukraine, in connection with a series of bomb threats targeting hundreds of schools across Slovakia and the Czech Republic in 2024, which caused widespread evacuations and emergency responses. The arrest was the result of a coordinated operation involving Slovak, Czech, and Ukrainian police, who also seized computer and mobile equipment during raids. Czech intelligence indicated the suspect's activities were likely financed by Russia, a detail that Slovak authorities initially omitted, causing tensions between the Czech and Slovak police forces over communication and credit for the investigation. The threats extended beyond Slovakia and Czechia to other European countries, highlighting concerns about hybrid tactics possibly originating from Russia. Slovak officials treated the threats as acts of terrorism, with potential life sentences under Slovak law, and have proposed increased school security measures. The case underscores ongoing regional security challenges and cooperation between European countries in countering cross-border cyber and terror threats.