News

Dozens of people gathered at the entrance to Prague’s Charles Bridge today to mark Ukraine’s Unity Day. Before crossing the bridge with a large Ukrainian flag, participants listened to the Ukrainian and Czech national anthems and observed a minute of silence for all those killed in the war.

Ukraine’s ambassador to the Czech Republic, Vasyl Zvarych, thanked Czechs for their solidarity and highlighted recent fundraising efforts that have raised millions of crowns for generators, as Ukraine continues to face attacks on its critical infrastructure.

Ukraine marks Unity Day on January 22, commemorating the 1919 declaration that united the Ukrainian People’s Republic and the West Ukrainian People’s Republic.

Only Jakub Menšík advanced from the six Czech players competing in the third round of the Australian Open. The 16th seed defeated American Ethan Quinn 6–2, 7–6, 7–6 and will face ten-time champion Novak Djokovic in the last 16. Djokovic earlier recorded a record 400th Grand Slam match win.

Karolína Plíšková was eliminated in the third round by reigning champion Madison Keys of the United States, losing 6–3, 6–3. The tournament also ended for Tomáš Macháč, top-ranked Czech player Linda Nosková, 19-year-old Nikola Bartůňková and 18-year-old Tereza Valentová.

The women’s Alpine skiing World Cup event in Špindlerův Mlýn in the Krkonoše Mountains opened on Saturday with a giant slalom victory for Sweden’s Sara Hector and concludes on Sunday.

The Olympic champion confirmed her first-run lead and won by 0.18 seconds ahead of American Paula Moltzan. Overall World Cup leader Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States finished third, a further 0.05 seconds back, returning to the giant slalom podium for the first time in two years.

The Czech representatives Adriana Jelínková and Tereza Koutná both failed to qualify for the second run.

The Špindlerův Mlýn races are the final technical World Cup events before the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Jelínková is the only Czech skier entered in both Saturday’s giant slalom and Sunday’s slalom.

Because of the World Cup races, the black slope in the Svatý Petr area is closed, while other slopes remain open to recreational skiers.

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.