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Chief of the General Staff Karel Řehka confirmed President Petr Pavel’s statement that providing four L-159 aircraft to Ukraine would not endanger the Czech Republic’s security and that the army is prepared for such a step. He noted that a potential transfer of the aircraft is not decided by the military, with the final decision resting with the government.

Řehka said that he wanted to clarify possible misunderstandings regarding the military’s earlier recommendations. When Ukraine requested the jets in August last year, the army said it could provide up to four aircraft, while warning of issues related to their service life and the availability of spare parts. He said that given the urgency of the present day situation, the jets could be transferred, if Ukraine accepted their limitations.

According to Řehka, the president and other politicians were informed of these positions. He said he had not discussed the matter with the prime minister or the current defence minister.

Three-time Olympic champion Ester Ledecká won the parallel giant slalom World Cup race in Simonhöhe in her first snowboard start of the season, claiming her 30th career victory in the series.

She recorded her 26th World Cup win on a snowboard, having added four victories on skis. Zuzana Maděrová finished third at the Austrian venue.

It was the first time in history that two Czech snowboarders stood on the podium at a World Cup event. For Ledecká, who will be aiming for a third consecutive Olympic gold medal in snowboarding in February, the race was her first snowboard competition since the world championships in March.

Karolína Muchová defeated Poland’s Magda Linette 6–1, 6–1 at the Australian Open to advance to the round of 16 in Melbourne.

The 19th seed will next face world number three Coco Gauff of the United States, a two-time Grand Slam champion.

Muchová will play in the fourth round at the Australian Open for the first time since 2021, when she reached the semifinals. She has faced Gauff four times so far and has not won a set.

Six other Czech players will compete for places in the singles round of 16 on Saturday.

Czech defense company Czechoslovak Group (CSG), owned by entrepreneur Michal Strnad, entered the main market of the Amsterdam stock exchange on Wednesday. Its shares rose by about 30 percent in early trading, climbing above 32 euros.

Following the surge, the company’s market capitalization exceeded that of energy utility ČEZ by more than 100 billion crowns, making CSG the company with the largest market capitalization in the Czech Republic.

CSG is offering shares worth approximately 80 billion crowns on the Amsterdam exchange.