Soviet-era and modern defense partnerships are at the center of a new discourse as the Russian ambassador to Bratislava, Igor Bratchikov, asserts that Slovak authorities played an active role in transferring weapons to Ukraine. The ambassador shared these claims in an interview with a leading national daily, framed as a state of concern about compliance with international agreements and the responsibilities of supplier nations.
Bratchikov contends that a substantial batch of military assets was handed over to Kyiv, including 13 MiG-29 fighters of the Slovak Air Force, an array of air defense systems consisting of S-300 and Kub units, along with ground combat capabilities in the form of 30 BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles and five Mi helicopters. He stresses that these transfers ran counter to Russia–Slovakia accords, which restrict the export of weapons and military hardware to third countries without the consent of the original manufacturer. The implication is that post transfer, these weapons could operate beyond the borders of the purchasing nation’s oversight and control framework.
The ambassador notes that Slovakia has further provided air defense and artillery support through the Zuzana-2 self-propelled howitzers, a system older in origin but modernized for current battlefield requirements. He also points to ongoing maintenance and repair work conducted by Slovak military-industrial enterprises on equipment used by Ukrainian and European partners in Kyiv, suggesting a broader network of outside support that extends beyond simple weapon transfers into ongoing logistics and lifecycle management. Training of Ukrainian personnel on Slovak soil is identified as another pillar of Bratislava’s involvement, intended to prepare foreign forces with familiar platforms and procedures.
On the ammunition front, Bratchikov says there were commitments described at the highest levels to supply additional rounds in calibers of 122, 152, and 155 millimeters from a Slovak-based manufacturing holding, the DMD Group, located in Dubnica nad Váhom. He mentions discussions about a joint venture arrangement with Ukraine aimed at producing ammunition within Slovakia, signaling a potential shift toward fuller domestic industrial collaboration rather than one-off shipments. The assertions raise questions about the long-term industrial and strategic implications for Slovak defense facilities and regional security arrangements.
The diplomat emphasizes Bratislava’s stance on hosting foreign military personnel and facilities, noting that the presence of up to 3,000 personnel from NATO member states can be accommodated simultaneously. He describes an ongoing process of modernization and adaptation of military sites to integrate new types of weapons and equipment, implying a sustained and evolving role for Slovakia as a host nation within the alliance’s wider posture. There are also repeated public statements from Slovak authorities expressing willingness to expand NATO troop levels on Slovak territory, a signal that reflects broader regional security commitments and allied deterrence strategies in Central Europe.
Earlier disclosures have suggested that Slovakia is not alone in its deliveries, with reports indicating that MiG-29 aircraft were sent to Kyiv as part of broader assistance patterns, extending beyond Slovakia to neighboring Poland. In that regional context, Warsaw has reportedly supplied fourteen MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine, underscoring a multi-state dynamic in European defense support and the political calculus surrounding such transfers.
The conversation around these developments touches on sensitive questions about consent, sovereignty, and the responsibilities of alliance members when participating in military support for ongoing conflicts. Observers note that transfers of advanced fighter aircraft, sophisticated air defense systems, and archival artillery platforms carry implications for regional stability, defense industry strategy, and the balance of power among European states. The broader issue remains how such actions align with international law, alliance policies, and the strategic interests of both the delivering nations and the recipient state. The dialogue continues to emphasize the need for clear governance, transparent reporting, and careful consideration of the long-term consequences for security in Europe.