(MENAFN- UkrinForm) The Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) has rejected allegations of involvement in unlawful activities in Slovakia.
The military intelligence agency said this in a facebook post responding to accusations made by Slovak authorities, Ukrinform reports.
On January 31, 2025, Slovak officials alleged during a press conference that soldiers from the so-called "Georgian National Legion," supposedly affiliated with HUR, were involved in organizing protests in Slovakia with the intent of preparing a coup.
HUR thoroughly examined the accusations, recognizing that hybrid and disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilizing European nations and sowing discord -- both within states and between partners -- pose a serious threat to Ukraine. Amid its fight against Russian aggression, Ukraine remains committed to working with the international community to counter such challenges.
HUR officially denies having any unit called the "Georgian National Legion" within its structure.
Regarding the HUR's International Legion, this is a multinational combat unit engaged in direct military operations against Russian forces at the most intense battlefronts. The unit does not engage in hybrid warfare or any activities on the territory of EU countries.
"As for the individual mentioned at the press conference [in Slovakia], they are not a member of the Ukrainian military, have no ties to Ukrainian intelligence, and receive no tasks or orders from HUR. Their contract with the HUR's International Legion ended in April 2023 and has not been renewed," the statement said.
Read also: Ukrainian Foreign Ministry summons Slovak ambassador over Fico's statements
HUR firmly rejects the false accusations of organizing unlawful activities in Slovakia. The agency emphasized its ongoing cooperation with NATO intelligence partners, upholding principles of integrity, security, and mutual trust to counter the challenges posed by Russia's full-scale war, including its disinformation operations.
"European politicians must take full responsibility for their statements, especially when making accusations against friendly nations, to avoid fueling hostile propaganda," HUR said.
The agency stressed that Russia remains the main actor attempting to sow discord among free nations, discredit European politicians, interfere in democratic elections, incite civil unrest, and even orchestrate political assassinations on European soil.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico recently accused the Georgian Legion and its leader, Mamuka Mamulashvili, of involvement in protests in Slovakia.
Fico claimed that members of the Georgian Legion had connections with both opposition politicians and non-political organizers of the "Peace for Ukraine" initiative protests.
During a press conference alongside Slovak Interior Minister Matus Sutaj-Estok and Slovak Information Service Director Pavol Gaspar, Fico alleged that the Georgian Legion is controlled by Ukrainian counterintelligence. He also announced that Mamulashvili has been blacklisted and banned from entering Slovakia. Additionally, Fico presented photographs purportedly showing links between the Georgian Legion, Mamulashvili, and the Slovak protests.
Meanwhile, Slovak authorities have detained a Ukrainian citizen, claiming they posed a national security threat and allegedly attempted to orchestrate a coup. Interior Minister Šutaj-Estok stated that the individual had applied for asylum but would remain in custody in a detention center in Secovce until their deportation.
The Georgian Legion has been fighting in Ukraine since 2014. Since February 24, 2016, it has been officially integrated into the Ukrainian Armed Forces, serving as part of the 25th "Kyivska Rus" Battalion of the 54th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Hetman Ivan Mazepa (3rd Company).
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