Czech president approves 40 citizens to fight in Ukrainian Armed Forces in 2024, including three women

President of Czechia Petr Pavel has approved 40 applications to participate in combat operations in Ukraine in 2024, twice as many as the previous year.

Source: iROZHLAS, a Czech media outlet, citing Filip Platoš, spokesperson for the Office of the Czech President, as reported by European Pravda

Details: In total, 109 Czech citizens requested authorisation to fight on Ukraine's side in 2024, with the president granting every third application.

The most prevalent causes for refusals were negative recommendations from Czechia's Ministries of Defence, Interior, and Foreign Affairs.

Platoš said that this year's applications included three women, who all obtained authorisation from President Pavel.

Quote: "As of now President Petr Pavel has received applications for service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine from 181 citizens of the Czech Republic. In total, he approved 60 applications, having received positive recommendations from all three ministries." 

More details: It is unclear how many Czechs, with or without permission, eventually travel to fight in Ukraine. Anyone who joins the Ukrainian Armed Forces or any other force outside NATO without official authorisation faces prosecution in Czechia.

According to official reports, four Czech volunteers fighting for Ukraine were killed in action. Among them was Karel Kučera, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Heroism by President Petr Pavel on Czech Independence Day. Kučera travelled to Ukraine without official permission after his request was denied by then-President Miloš Zeman.

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