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If Ukraine were to express interest in L-39 Skyfox aircraft, the first planes could be delivered at the start of next year, Viktor Sotona, president of aircraft manufacturer Aero Vodochody, told ČTK. The multi-role Skyfox jets could be supplied instead of four L-159 aircraft from the Czech military, which Ukraine had previously sought. Defence Minister Jaromír Zůna of the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party has said such a sale would not be advantageous for Czechia. Sotona said the company is analysing production capacity and possible adjustments to ensure a rapid response should Ukraine formally request the aircraft.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza has been confirmed in a dead swan found at Lake Most near the city of Most. Tests identified the H5N1 virus, which has appeared in recent years in both large and small poultry holdings in Czechia, the local authority said on its website. The swan was found on 20 January and examined by the State Veterinary Institute in Prague. The State Veterinary Administration has urged breeders in Most and the surrounding area to increase biosecurity measures and report any unusual bird deaths or symptoms immediately.

Czechia received nearly CZK 78 billion more from the European Union budget and funds than it paid in contributions last year, the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic said. Of the net balance, about CZK 47 billion came from the EU recovery programme NextGeneration EU, with the rest from structural funds and the common agricultural policy. The net position fell year on year from CZK 84.5 billion. Finance Minister Alena Schillerová said the decline underlines the need to closely monitor the pace of drawing EU funds.

Road maintenance crews in Prague have deployed all available equipment and manual cleaning staff due to snowfall, according to the city-owned company Technická správa komunikací. The company said gritters and cleaning teams are working continuously, with further steps depending on the intensity of snowfall. Some public transport services may face delays, especially trams and buses, while several suburban bus routes have been cancelled or suspended. Road maintenance for the city is carried out by Pražské služby and contracted firms, which have around 200 vehicles and nearly 300 workers available for winter operations.