Czechia Accidentally Destroys Secret Report on Explosions in Military Depots

The office of Czech President Miloš Zeman has accidentally destroyed a secret report regarding explosions in military depots in the village of Vrbětice, in which authorities suspect Russian special services were involved. This was reported by the presidential office.

It was highlighted that this fact came to light when the police requested the submission of a secret document for verification from the presidential office. The law enforcement authorities received a response stating that the report had been accidentally destroyed.

Representatives of the office assured that individuals without authorization to handle secret documents could not have accessed the report concerning Vrbětice. The police will investigate whether the president's office has violated Czech laws.

Relations between Russia and Czechia have sharply deteriorated since April 17, 2021, when Czech authorities accused Moscow of involvement in the explosions at the munitions depots in Vrbětice in 2014. Eighteen Russian diplomats, identified as operatives of Russian special services, were expelled from the country.

In response, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a strong protest to Czechia, labeling the accusations as fabricated. Additionally, 20 employees of the Czech Embassy in Moscow were declared persona non grata.

On June 28, 2021, it became known that Czechia had demanded 25.5 million euros in damages from Russia due to the explosions at the Vrbětice depots.