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Leaked Russian Letter Reveals Indian Interest in NATO-Linked Slovak Company
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Ukrainian cyber activists from Inform Napalm and Militant Intelligence have published documents that allegedly show correspondence between Russian defense entities and Slovakia’s state-owned aircraft repair company, Letecké Opravovne Trenčín (LOTN).
According to Inform Napalm’s Telegram post, the documents were obtained during a multi-level operation called OpsHackRussia’sDay (OHRD).
The leak includes a letter from Russia’s JSC National Helicopter Center, part of the Russian Helicopters holding, addressed to a deputy general director. It discusses an inquiry from Indian military attaché in Moscow, Sunil Kumar, regarding LOTN.
The letter states that Indian representatives, through the military office, contacted Russian officials with questions about LOTN—reportedly in the context of servicing Soviet- or Russian-made helicopters currently in use by the Indian military.
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India has reportedly maintained active contact with Russian entities regarding LOTN, a defense company fully owned by Slovakia’s Ministry of Defense. LOTN holds certifications including EASA Part‑145 and the NATO AQAP standard.
The internal correspondence raises concerns about potential risks to transatlantic defense cooperation. Given LOTN’s strategic role within NATO, any indirect or perceived engagement with Russian institutions could pose risks related to the leakage of sensitive information or technology.
Following the release of these documents, Slovak media and members of parliament have reportedly initiated efforts to investigate the circumstances surrounding these communications. Analysts note that any association with Russia, a state currently under EU and NATO sanctions, could have reputational, political, or even legal consequences.
In April 2025, LOTN signed a strategic agreement with Norway’s Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services to establish an F-16 maintenance center in Trenčín—considered a vital link in NATO’s regional defense infrastructure.
Martin Martis, editor-in-chief of Future Army magazine in Slovakia, told Militarnyi that LOTN has long been responsible for the repair and maintenance of Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters for the Slovak Armed Forces.
“In 2020, LOTN signed a cooperation agreement with the Russian company Russian Helicopters for the overhaul of Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopters. According to the leaked documents, LOTN offered India services for repairing its Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopters,” Martis said.
“In response, the Indian attaché contacted the Russian Helicopters holding to request recommendations about LOTN. At the same time, the leaked materials do not indicate that LOTN is currently conducting any business with Russia or circumventing sanctions,” he added.
Earlier, Reuters reported that India shipped $1.4 million worth of the military-grade explosive HMX to Russian defense firms, including Promsintez and High Technology Initiation Systems, despite repeated US warnings that such transfers could trigger sanctions.
