Vidim points to high Russian interest regarding radar site

A member of the lower house’s commission supervising military intelligence has pointed to strong Russian interest in the possible site for a US radar base in the Czech Republic. MP Jan Vidim made the statement on Friday, noting that of all diplomats accredited in the Czech Republic last year, more than half were Russian nationals. His statement echoes numbers recently revealed by Czech counter-intelligence, suggesting that a high number of Russian officials were in reality intelligence operatives. The service’s annual report also pointed to the suspicion that Russian intelligence has been funding Czech organisations opposed to the radar. One grass-roots group has denied the claim.

US and Czech officials are currently negotiating on a US radar base being deployed to the Czech Republic as part of a broader defense shield in Central Europe.