Alleged Russian link to Czech blast

Russia has expelled 20 Czech diplomats in a retaliatory move, a day after Prague sent home 18 Russian embassy staff suspected of involvement in an explosion at an arms depot in 2014 which killed two people


Apr 17, 2021: Czech authorities expel 18 Russian diplomats accused of being intelligence operatives and name two men wanted in connection with 2014 Vrbetice depot blast

Two men identified as Alexander Petrov (right) and Ruslan Boshirov (far right), apparent cover names for Alexander Mishkin and Anatoly Chepiga – believed to be officers in Russia’s GRU spy agency

Both men are also wanted in UK over 2018 Salisbury poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal

Arms stored at Vrbetice may have been destined for use against pro-Russian forces in Ukraine or Syria

Men linked to blast through 2014 email to depot owner, claiming to be from Tajikistan national guard and wanting two men to inspect site. Email had scans of passports with pictures matching those of men wanted for Skripal poisoning

       
Oct 11, 2014
Two men arrive in Prague using same cover identities they used in Salisbury

Oct 13: Pair move to Ostrava before returning to Moscow on Oct 16 – day of Vrbetice depot blast

80km 50 miles
POLAND
CZECH REPUBLIC
Vrbetice
GERMANY
AUSTRIA
SLOVAKIA
 

Source: BBC 
Pictures: Associated Press, Twitter 
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