The Czech Republic has uncovered a major Russian propaganda network

The group used the Prague-based news website Voice of Europe (The voice of Europe) and disseminated information aimed at dissuading the European Union from sending aid to Ukraine, which has been fighting a Russian invasion since February 2022.

Mr Fiala said that the Czech Security Intelligence Service (BIS) had determined that the pro-Russian network was carrying out activities that “would have a serious impact on the security of the Czech Republic and the EU”.

“This group sought to carry out operations and actions on the territory of the EU, directed against the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine,” P. Fiala told reporters.

“Group activities […] also seeks the European Parliament,” he said, refusing to reveal more details.

Czech authorities have fined some of those involved, but Voice of Europe continues to publish articles.

The BIS said the network was funded by Russia and operated on Czech territory.

“The BIS operation revealed how Russia exerts influence on the territory of EU member states and how it tries to influence political processes in our countries,” said a statement published on the X social network.

Mr. Fiala’s government has added Voice of Europe and two pro-Kremlin Ukrainian politicians, Viktor Medvedchuk and Artyom Marchevsky, to a sanctions list linked to the network’s activities.

The Denik N newspaper said the news site had published statements by politicians demanding that the EU suspend aid to Ukraine.

Some European politicians cooperating with the news site were paid by Russian funds, which in some cases financed their 2024 EU election campaign, the daily added.

The payments were made to politicians in Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands and Poland, Denik N reported, citing a source in the Czech Foreign Ministry.

He singled out Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

A. Marčevskis was responsible for the content of “Voice of Europe” and communication with politicians, the daily writes.

10.9 million The Czech Republic, a member of the EU and NATO with a large population, has provided significant humanitarian and military aid to Kyiv during the Russian invasion.