Key news to follow:
1. Fico rejects ban on Russian nuclear fuel as "the biggest danger" for the EU
2. President Pellegrini insists his country should participate in the 'drone wall'
Analysis: President Pellegrini unexpectedly advocated for Slovakia's participation in the drone wall project along the EU's eastern border, proposing to use Ukrainian drone defense experience instead of expensive Western technologies. This position sharply contrasts with Prime Minister Fico's rhetoric, highlighting the division within the Slovak leadership on security matters. Essentially, Pellegrini acknowledges what many European politicians prefer to ignore – Ukraine is defending not only its own borders but the security of Europe's entire eastern flank. The reason for such a political position could be the shifting political sentiment within Slovak society, which President Pellegrini might want to capitalize on.
Meanwhile, Robert Fico continues playing the role of the Kremlin's lobbyist in the EU, calling the energy independence plan "complete nonsense" and categorically refusing to even discuss abandoning Russian gas. This looks especially cynical against the backdrop of Bratislava simultaneously signing an agreement with the US to build a new reactor – turns out diversification for yourself is good, but for overall European security it's optional. We assess such double-dealing as once again direct betrayal of the EU's consolidated efforts to resist Moscow's energy blackmail.
Slovakia remains a battlefield between European pragmatism and pro-Russian populism. While the President tries to keep the country within the common security policy, real power lies with Fico, who methodically undermines European unity. Worst of all, the Slovak PM does this not out of naivety or misunderstanding, but quite deliberately, using energy dependence as a tool for political bargaining with Brussels.
Key news to follow:
1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine identified the media outlets that traveled to the Russian press tours in Avdiivka and Kurakhove: there are also Czech footprints
2. Babiš does not oppose sending weapons to Ukraine, but not from the Czech state budget
Analysis: Andrej Babiš again demonstrates populist acrobatics – formally not against supporting Ukraine, but not planning to give budget money. Supposedly, there are private weapons manufacturers; there's Prague's contribution to the overall EU budget, so what else is needed? This approach resembles the classic "having it both ways" strategy: before Western partners, Babiš doesn't look like a Putinist, while before his own electorate, he plays the thrifty manager who doesn't waste taxpayer money.
The scandal with Western journalists on Russia's press tour in occupied Avdiivka and Kurakhove turned out louder than expected. IESS suggests that the participation of AFP, Associated Press, and TF1 representatives shows how some media still don't understand the difference between journalism and complicity in war crimes. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry is right to call this a "list of shame" – when respectable agencies allow themselves to be used as instruments of Kremlin propaganda under the guise of "objective coverage," they legitimize occupation. That participants included representatives from Czechia and Slovakia only confirms the depth of Russian influence penetration in the region.
Czechia risks losing the reputation as Ukraine's reliable partner that the Fiala government worked so hard to build. If Babiš really does roll back the ammunition initiative or deprives it of real financing, Prague will transform from a support leader into another waverer who speaks beautifully but does nothing concrete. At the same time, the incident with journalists in occupied territories reminds us that information warfare has real consequences, and it's high time Western media learned to distinguish where professional journalism ends and propaganda begins.
Key news to follow:
1. Poland records increase in cyberattacks on critical infrastructure
2. New fake news about "Ukraine preparing attack" spreads in Poland
3. Russian information operations in Poland intensify
Analysis: Russian military intelligence has tripled resources for cyberattacks on Poland, and now not only water supply but also the energy sector is under fire. Warsaw records 2-4 thousand incidents daily, with about a thousand posing real threats. These aren't just hacker attacks for chaos – Moscow is methodically hitting critical infrastructure without which normal societal life is impossible. This looks especially dangerous on the eve of winter, when an attack on the energy system could have catastrophic consequences for millions of people.
Simultaneously, the Kremlin launches classic information operations – fakes about "Ukraine preparing an attack on Poland" and fabrications about "Polish mercenaries on drugs." According to the Center for Countering Disinformation, pro-Russian narratives are intensifying in Poland’s information space, with coordinated Facebook campaigns spreading claims that the West “provoked” Russia into war and calling to “not allow Poland to be dragged into the conflict.” The Center identified this as part of a large-scale Kremlin information operation aimed at undermining EU and NATO solidarity by pushing the narrative “do not let Ukraine drag us into the war,” while recycling classic propaganda messages about the “US-financed Maidan” and “legitimate Crimea referendum.“
Poland has become a major target of Russian hybrid aggression in Europe precisely because Warsaw is the one which consistently supports Kyiv within EU nations. The tripling of GRU resources for operations against Polish infrastructure and the large-scale information campaign show that Moscow understands Poland's key role as a logistical hub and political defender of Ukraine. Most dangerous is that cyberattacks and information operations go hand in hand – physical pressure on infrastructure is supplemented by psychological pressure through fakes and manipulations aimed at reducing public support for aid to Ukraine. IESS states this situation requires not only Warsaw's national response but coordinated EU and NATO action to defend the entire eastern flank.