Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico is currently fighting for his life in the hospital after being shot five times in an assassination attempt. The attack, which took place in the central Slovak town of Handlova, was described as politically motivated by Slovakian officials. Fico underwent a three and a half-hour surgery and his medical state is described as complex. The government is hoping for his recovery.

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The shooting occurred after an off-site government meeting in Handlova. Fico was on the street outside the cultural center where the meeting took place when he was shot. Footage from the scene shows the injured prime minister being quickly placed into a vehicle by his staff. He was then taken to a local hospital and transferred to a major trauma center.

Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová condemned the attack on Fico, calling it a "brutal and reckless" act. She described the incident as an attack on democracy itself. Čaputová stated that the suspected gunman has been detained by the police and urged the public not to spread unconfirmed rumors.

World leaders have expressed their condemnation of the assault on Prime Minister Fico. Russian ambassador to Slovakia Igor Bratcikov called for the perpetrators to be punished. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that acts of violence have no place in society and undermine democracy. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban expressed shock and called for prayers for Fico's health and quick recovery. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed solidarity with the people of Slovakia, while US President Joe Biden called the attack a "horrific act of violence" and expressed his prayers for Fico's recovery.