Slovak Ruling Party Official Linked to Pro-Kremlin Disinformation Outlet
A shadow of pro-Russian influence looms over Slovakia’s ruling Smer party as Dávid Šípoš, the district deputy chairman in Pezinok, finds himself entangled in a web of connections with TV OTV, a fringe online broadcaster notorious for disseminating Kremlin-aligned narratives and disinformation targeting Ukraine. This revelation, brought to light by the Slovak daily SME, unveils the intricate links between a prominent political figure and a media outlet actively promoting pro-Russian propaganda. The connection centers around Šípoš’s long-time partner, Eva Mazárová, who until recently held the position of editor-in-chief at TV OTV. This revelation raises serious concerns about the extent of pro-Kremlin influence within the ruling party and its potential implications for Slovakia’s political landscape.
The connection between Šípoš and TV OTV extends beyond Mazárová’s role. David Púchovský, founder of the disinformation-monitoring campaign “Hoaxes and Frauds” and aide to an opposition MP, reveals close personal ties between Šípoš and Mazárová with the Zlatev family, the owners and operators of TV OTV. These ties, which include shared vacations, suggest a deeper level of involvement and shared interests than previously suspected. Šípoš’s attendance at a Russian Embassy reception in Bratislava further fuels concerns about his alignment with pro-Russian interests. His presence at the event alongside other prominent Smer party members, including Deputy Defence Minister Igor Melicher and MP Zuzana Plevíková, raises questions about the party’s stance on Russia’s actions in Ukraine and the potential for further pro-Kremlin influence within its ranks.
TV OTV, helmed by Lenka Zlatevová and her husband Mitko, presents itself as an “information and analysis portal.” However, beneath this veneer of objectivity lies a well-documented history of disseminating pro-Kremlin propaganda and disinformation. While largely unknown to the general public, the outlet operates within the Slovak disinformation ecosystem, consistently pushing pro-Russian narratives while attacking Ukrainian leadership and Western institutions. The outlet’s content, widely circulated on social media platforms like YouTube, reaches a substantial audience, with videos regularly garnering hundreds of thousands of views. Despite this apparent reach, the financial underpinnings of TV OTV remain shrouded in mystery, lacking any visible revenue streams such as paywalls, merchandise sales, or donations. This opacity raises concerns about the source of its funding and the potential involvement of external actors.
The timing of Mazárová’s removal as editor-in-chief from the TV OTV website coincides with increased scrutiny of the outlet’s activities last year. Analysts suggest this move was a deliberate attempt to obscure the link to the ruling Smer party and mitigate potential political fallout. The removal, however, does little to diminish the evidence of a close relationship between Šípoš and the Zlatev family, raising questions about the extent to which the ruling party is aware of and potentially condoning the spread of pro-Russian disinformation.
Further deepening the web of intrigue, TV OTV has been linked to a coordinated international disinformation network spanning nine countries. This network, suspected of operating from the Czech Republic, disseminates identical propaganda content simultaneously across multiple platforms, amplifying its reach and impact. The outlet’s frequent interviews with Russian politicians, including Duma member Andrei Alshevskikh, and Zlatevová’s advocacy for Russian-style “foreign agent” legislation in Slovakia further solidify its ties to the Kremlin. Her attendance at events at the Russian Embassy in Bratislava underscores the close relationship between TV OTV and Russian officials.
Adding another layer of concern is the involvement of Konstantin Dzultaev, a regular collaborator with TV OTV who also works for the Russian media outlet Octagon. Dzultaev has been denied journalistic accreditation in Slovakia twice due to security concerns, raising red flags about his potential role in disseminating disinformation and promoting pro-Kremlin narratives. The public support expressed by Smer’s Pezinok chapter and other party figures for TV OTV’s content on social media raises further concerns about the ruling party’s complicity in the spread of pro-Russian disinformation. This explicit endorsement not only legitimizes the outlet’s propaganda but also potentially exposes a wider network of influence within the ruling party. The implications of these revelations extend beyond the immediate political sphere, potentially undermining public trust in institutions and eroding democratic values. The ongoing investigation into these connections will be crucial in determining the extent of pro-Russian influence within Slovakia’s political landscape and its potential impact on the country’s future.