Czechs continue to apply for permission to serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In total, Pavel has received 181 such requests.
Czech President Petr Pavel
Czech President Petr Pavel has currently allowed 60 Czech citizens to fight on Ukraine's side, citing Český rozhlas.
“Overall, the president granted 60 requests,” the head of state’s press secretary, Filip Platos, told reporters.
It is noted that Czechs continue to submit requests for permission to serve in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In total, Pavel has received 181 such requests. Before the requests reach the president’s desk, they are reviewed by three ministries: defense, interior, and foreign affairs.
According to the laws of the Czech Republic, its citizens cannot participate in military or paramilitary formations abroad without permission from the country’s president. However, there are also those who have not received permission fighting on the side of Ukraine, so it is impossible to name the exact number of Czechs helping to defend the country from the aggressor.
Before Pavel became president, his predecessor, Milos Zeman, approved several applications.
Two Czechs are known to have died defending Ukraine.
- Vladimir Zelensky recently signed a law changing the military service in Ukraine for foreigners. The law allows the recruitment of foreigners “not only as soldiers and sergeants, but also as officers.”
- Earlier, the Ministry of Defense developed an algorithm for remotely opening accounts for the families of foreign soldiers fighting for Ukraine. To process all payments, applicants should contact the Ukrainian embassy and complete the relevant documents.