Thermal Imager Production of Ukrainian Company Archer Set on Fire in Czechia

In Pardubice, Czechia, on March 20, 2026, a fire deliberately set by masked pro-Palestinian activists destroyed the facility of Archer-LPP, a Ukrainian company's branch producing thermal imagers for military use. The fire mainly destroyed a warehouse hangar used for storage and an administrative building. Archer, which relocated production to Pardubice after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, suffered the loss of almost all products in production and finished goods. The group 'Earthquake Faction' claimed the attack, stating their target was weapons linked to Israel. Company representatives did not rule out a Russian connection to this sabotage. This attack follows a precedent in June 2025 when the private defense contractor OIP in Belgium was attacked by masked activists who caused approximately €1 million damage, delaying weapon deliveries to Ukraine. The incident highlights ongoing hybrid threats targeting Ukrainian defense production facilities abroad.