Concerns are growing in Czechia over Russia’s attempts to interfere in the upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled for October 3–4. Czech intelligence warns that Moscow is actively using hybrid pressure methods, from cyberattacks to spreading disinformation, to destabilize the situation and undermine public trust in state institutions.
The director of the Czech Security and Information Service (BIS), Michal Koudelka, stated that Russia is the most serious threat to the country’s security. According to him, the Kremlin’s main goal is to weaken faith in democratic mechanisms, the rule of law, and Czechia’s membership in the EU and NATO.
In July 2025, the BIS recorded large-scale cyberattacks on government institutions and critical infrastructure. At the same time, Russian propaganda has been actively spreading fake news, supporting political forces opposed to European integration or aid to Ukraine.
Back in 2024, Czech intelligence uncovered the Voice of Europe network, through which Moscow financed pro-Russian politicians and broadcast anti-Ukrainian narratives. The activity of this network was officially shut down by a government decision.
The Kremlin uses similar schemes in Moldova, where elections are also scheduled for September 28. According to the Disinformation Counteraction Center, Russian authorities coordinate the actions of their officials with pro-Russian media and politicians, while simultaneously running information campaigns on social media. The goal of these operations is to derail the country’s European course and strengthen Moscow’s influence.
Previously, Romanian, Czech, and Hungarian intelligence agencies uncovered and dismantled a Belarus-linked espionage network operating in Europe. Additionally, the Czech government decided to expel one employee of the Belarusian embassy.
It is worth noting that in the upcoming Czech parliamentary elections in October, there is a high probability of victory for the populist ANO (“Yes”) party, led by billionaire and former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. If successful, he could once again assume the position of head of government.