What are the benefits and costs for the Czech Republic of aid and support for Ukraine?
At present, this is clearly the most significant and sensitive topic of foreign policy and the overall orientation of the Czech Republic. It is also significantly reflected in the election campaign before the parliamentary elections, which will take place on 3 and 4 October 2025.
There are a number of mistakes, distortions and a number of lies around the issue of Czech support for Ukraine and Ukrainians. At the same time, many facts are not easy to describe, because these are non-public data, partly also classified, but especially unknown and difficult to access or quantify. For example, information on the costs associated with the arrival of refugees in connection with Russian aggression from 2022 could only be quantified gradually and with a considerable time lag on the part of the state.
The value of direct military aid from the property of the Czech Republic is very significantly misinterpreted, even in two opposite directions. The first is its artificial and purposeful increase through the book value of donated equipment and material. The book value may or may not correspond to the real market price (in the case of a newer and fully usable technology), even radically (in the case of a generationally obsolete technology) – its fair value would often correspond to the price of scrap. The opposite misinterpretation criticizes the fact that the Czech Republic is handing over such valuable material to Ukraine – which, however, is in fact largely discarded and destined for disposal due to its obsolescence.
The haze and ambiguity, whether intentional or unintentional, of individual expenditure items is in some cases clearly harmful and contributes to the growing dislike of the Czech public towards the continuation of overall support for Ukraine and Ukrainian citizens on our territory. Specifically, we can mention an unclear form of social support for Ukrainian families, where even employees of labour offices or social departments of municipal offices sometimes provide contradictory data on the current amount and scope of support.
Cost: Direct aid to Ukraine as a state
Military aidMilitary aid means the direct transfer of military equipment from the property of the Czech Republic, or material that the Czech Republic has purchased and transferred to Ukraine through government expenditure.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Defence from the end of 2024, the material from its own warehouses was worth CZK 7.3 billion. According to data from the Kiel Institute from the end of September 2025, aggregated as part of the Ukraine Support Tracker, the Czech Republic spent about 8.19 billion crowns on its own military aid. These figures differ slightly due to the time difference, and both may be realistic.
In the case of already owned material, it was equipment that was either introduced into the armament of the Army of the Czech Republic and stored in warehouses, or it was equipment that had already been decommissioned, but still stored in warehouses, in various states of operability. In general, these were equipment that had no long-term potential for further use, and which had already been declared obsolete before the outbreak of the war, technically and morally outdated, or indeed had been decommissioned for a long time and intended directly for disposal or export (at the cost of scrap).
Here are the T-72 and T-72M1 tanks, as well as BVP-1 infantry fighting vehicles, the Model 77 DANA cannon howitzers and the Model 70 rocket launchers. According to current data from 2025, this equipment was handed over in previous years, and there are currently no more releaseable stocks. The T-72 was 62, the BVP-1 was 131, the Dana cannon howitzers were 13 and the Model 70 rocket launchers were 12 units.
An absolutely crucial fact is that the Army of the Czech Republic has not handed over to Ukraine any equipment that would currently be included in the armament of organic units and is currently used by the army. These were mostly types of equipment that had already been phased out or were intended to be soon replaced by generationally more modern types. This applies, for example, to the T-72M4CZ tanks, which from the beginning of the 21st century until recently formed the core of the tank army - not a single machine has been handed over to the Ukrainian army. The same applies to the BVP-2s, which are included in the 7th Mechanical Brigade until they are replaced by CV90 vehicles. Thus, there was demonstrably no threat to the defence capability of the Czech Republic.
Another important item is infantry weapons. These are a necessary condition for action in an armed conflict, but they do not have any major impact on the outcome or success in it. In particular, the legendary Czechoslovak submachine guns vz. 58, Skorpion vz. 61 submachine guns, machine guns vz. 59, various types of pistols (mainly vz. 82) and ammunition for them were supplied. Again, it should be emphasized that the massive Czechoslovak stockpiles of these small arms were gradually "dissolved" at least twenty years before the start of the Russian aggression, and the supplies to Ukraine did not fundamentally affect the previously drastically reduced numbers of infantry weapons.
The Mi-24V attack helicopters, which were handed over in the number of six pieces, cannot be omitted. To this day, reports on four machines can be found, but professional databases record a total of six machines. These are always helicopters manufactured in 2002-2005, which were delivered to the Czech Republic by the Russian Federation as new in 17 as part of the unblocking of the Russian debt. These helicopters replaced all older machines from the 1980s, which had gradually reached the end of their service life before the war. In service with the Czech Army, they had two eight-year operating cycles and underwent the necessary overhaul before flying to Ukraine. When the Mi-24 was retired in 2023, statements were made regretting that the type was never deployed in the operations for which it was intended. This cannot be logically evaluated in any other way than that it is the deployment in the war in Ukraine that compensates for and erases this deficit of Czech Mi-24s with complete dignity, at the end of the moral life of the type.
The Czech Republic has also already handed over 16 pieces of the 2K12 KUB air defense system, including missiles, to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The number obviously indicates the launcher, that is, 4 fire batteries. Given that the KUB system has not yet been phased out of the armament of our armed forces and, as of the end of summer 2025, is still used by the Czech Army until it is replaced by the SPYDER system, it is probably a different equipment than that included in the 25th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment.
The second circle of military supplies is material that does not come from stocks owned by the Czech Republic and that is purchased on the world market. Since the Czech Republic has not joined the donors who directly buy weapons for Ukraine, it is practically large-caliber, i.e. artillery ammunition, which is procured as part of the so-called ammunition initiative. The financial contribution of the Czech Republic is only a partial source in addition to the contributions of Canada, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands and others. The initiative works in such a way that the participating countries pay for the individual volumes of ammunition offered, purchased through Czech trading companies around the world. The Czech contribution is not one of the high ones compared to the countries mentioned, as indicated by the total expenditure on military aid. The Czech Republic's investment lies mainly in the ability of the state and companies to identify, negotiate and organize the supply of ammunition, which cannot be completely transparent, as the suppliers do not want to be easily identified.
In total, the initiative managed to deliver 2.5 million pieces of large-caliber artillery ammunition to Ukraine between 2024 and 2025. For the period from the beginning of 2025 to mid-August, it was about 1 million units. As a result, it was possible to reduce Russia's ammunition superiority over Ukraine from 10:1 to about 2:1. This corresponds to the ability to fire on the front line, and it plays a significant role in a situation where even the supply of the Russian army shows various shortages and, for some supplies, an extreme rate of failure (this allegedly applies to ammunition from the DPRK).
The training of its soldiers in the Czech Republic has also become a significant help for the Ukrainian army. In the Libavá military area in the Olomouc region, approximately 4,500 Ukrainian soldiers were trained in 2023-2024 under the guidance of Czech army instructors. By the end of 2025, the state-owned enterprise LOM PRAHA will train 8 Ukrainian military pilots on F-16 fighter simulators and L-39 training machines.
Civilian assistanceThe Czech Republic also provides Ukraine with other assistance in the form of supplies of materials and services, which are paid for by state funds. These include, for example, supplies of medical supplies and equipment, durable food, protective work equipment and aids, power generators and various technological elements for the renewal and maintenance of critical infrastructure, especially energy and transport, such as temporary bridges.
Equipment for other security and rescue forces (typically firefighters) in Ukraine is also important. The support for fire brigades was implemented as part of state humanitarian aid and included, for example, the supply of power generators or high-altitude equipment.
It is certain that a significant part of these deliveries was carried out through the State Material Reserves Administration. Again, in analogy with military supplies, it should be emphasized that a large part of this material had been stored in state material reserves for a long time and was subject to the need for the prescribed periodic replacement. In any case, this material would sooner or later be sold for a residual (i.e. minimal) value or even disposed of for a fee. Instead of this old material, handed over to Ukraine and used there, new and modern property is then acquired for the state material reserves of the Czech Republic.
As part of the Ukraine government program, a two-year training project for Ukrainian civilian pilots took place in 2024-2025. As part of it, 18 pilots received European pilot licenses corresponding to EU standards.
Costs: Assistance and support for migrants from Ukraine on the territory of the Czech Republic
This includes the costs associated with refugees from Ukraine. There are currently 400 thousand Ukrainians living in the Czech Republic with temporary protection. The total total state expenditure for 2022-2024 is CZK 62.5 billion and revenues are CZK 55.5 billion. However, there was a turnaround in 2024 and the Czech Republic's revenues have already exceeded expenditures.
In the first phases, it was mainly about the costs associated with their admission, accommodation, and meals. Gradually, this individual assistance has passed into the form of the so-called humanitarian benefit for economically inactive immigrants, which is a comprehensive contribution to ensuring the basic needs of life related to housingand meals, typically for the elderly, mothers with children and children. To illustrate, it is appropriate to state the amount of this benefit as it is set from 1.7.2025. For persons with a stay of up to 150 days , the basic amount for adults is the benefit of CZK 4860 per month, for a child aged 6-10 years the benefit is CZK 4188. For a stay of more than 150 days, it is CZK 3130 for an adult, and CZK 4188 for a child aged 6-10. For vulnerable people, it is CZK 3,490 for children and CZK 4,860 for adults. Furthermore, this benefit is specified for persons with disabilities (PWD), where in level 1 it is CZK 3490 for a child, CZK 4188 for a child aged 6-10 years and CZK 4860 for an adult. In grades 2, 3, 4 and 5, the allowance increases only in grade 5 it amounts to CZK 11,866 for a child and CZK 11,664 for an adult.
At the same time as the humanitarian benefit, immigrants are entitled to a housing allowance, namely CZK 6,000 for a vulnerable person and CZK 4,000 for an invulnerable person, where this amount is added to each person's humanitarian benefit.
Like Czech citizens, low-income Ukrainian refugees who are entitled to a humanitarian benefit in the Czech Republic are entitled to an emergency immediate assistance (ILO) benefit from the Labour Office. It is intended to enable persons with temporary protection to deal with a number of difficult life situations on the principle of the so-called last safety net and is intended for people who, taking into account their social and financial situation and income, cannot cope with a difficult situation on their own.
There are also costs for regions and municipalities of all types with the integration of Ukrainians, specifically mainly with ensuring school attendance for all Ukrainian children, and related services (teaching assistants). In this context, it can be noted that in March 2025, a total of 46,806 Ukrainian refugee pupils attended primary and secondary schools in the Czech Republic, of which 39,797 are in primary schools and 7009 in secondary schools. This number represents 3.1% of the total number of pupils in these levels of education and constitutes the largest group of foreigners in the Czech regional education system.
It can be added that although this is a cost on the part of the state, it also provides an opportunity for the founders of these schools, i.e. mainly municipalities and regions, to keep school facilities at full capacity in a situation where many municipalities are beginning to have problems filling their schools optimally.
Costs: Reorientation in the import part of certain energy raw materials
As part of objectivity, the primary cost items should include the increased expenditure of the state and its established companies, private companies, as well as households, which arose from the gradual abolition of the gas and oil supply system from Russia. The price for leaving energy raw materials from Russia cannot be quantified either easily or objectively, because the price level of gas, in particular, was already undergoing sharp fluctuations before the decision to phase out the consumption. However, the new gas contracts for Czech distribution at least meant the need to invest in new transit infrastructure – which is an objective economic burden.
The negative impacts of the end of gas consumption from Russia are obviously much lower than is believed in the public space. This is evidenced by the price level of gas supplies to customers in Slovakia, where Russian gas is imported. Prices for primary raw materials are lower in Slovakia, but after adding regulated services, the resulting prices are almost comparable to the Czech Republic.
It is even more complicated for oil, where the alternative route has existed for many years and was also used long before the deterioration of relations with Russia, even its necessary capacity increase (the TAL-PLUS project, completed in spring 2025) is an additional cost for Czech customers. This route supplies a mix of oil from various sources, most often Azerbaijan, Libya and the USA.
At the same time, it is likely that even part of the oil imported through the TAL pipeline actually comes from Russian production. Critics of the cancellation of oil purchases from Russia are partly right in that it may be the same oil, only imported at noticeably higher prices due to a complicated chain of traders and with significantly worse environmental impacts (tankers versus pipelines).
Revenues: Economic Benefits from the Arrival of Labour and Especially Future Labour to the Czech Economy
The arrival and integration of tens to hundreds of thousands of people on the Czech labour market is the first area where the state funds are returned, and relatively quickly. Given the current state of unemployment and its structure, the entry of Ukrainians is a blessing for many fields, and even a necessary condition for the sustainability of service provision – this applies to very large sectors of retail, social and health services, construction, cleaning services, etc.
There are currently 400 thousand Ukrainians living in the country with temporary protection. The contributions of working Ukrainians to the state budget are constantly increasing. Last year, for the first time, Ukrainian refugees brought more money to the Czech state budget than they themselves received. Income was eight billion crowns higher than expenditures.
Based on data from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, in 2022, expenditure on Ukrainian refugees amounted to 25 billion crowns and revenues amounted to 12.6 billion. In 2024, the balance was more or less balanced, with expenditures estimated by the ministry at CZK 21.6 billion and revenues at CZK 21 billion. 2024 was the first year when the balance of income and expenditure went into the black. Refugees with temporary protection brought the Czech Republic eight billion crowns more than it spent on their support.
For 2025, data for the second quarter are available, which show that modelled revenues are roughly double the expenditures, so the budget ended up in a plus of approximately CZK 3.8 billion. In July, almost 170,000 employment relationships between refugees and entities registered in the Czech Republic were registered.
Revenues: Demographic contribution from the arrival of Ukrainian citizens, families and children in the Czech environment
In the long term, the most significant benefit – the arrival of a large number of middle-aged people, young people and families with children – largely compensates or "smooths out" the worst future declines in the demographic structure of the Czech population that have occurred in recent years. This benefit will be a benefit for the Czech Republic for many decades if properly captured and so far trouble-free absorption, high adaptability and a clear tendency to assimilate Ukrainian immigrants.
Theoretical hypotheses of the relationship between population growth and prosperity usually emphasize that a growing population is a necessary but not sufficient condition for the growth of the economy. Countries with growing populations are much more likely to follow the trajectory of economic growth than countries with stagnant and ageing populations, subject to other conditions.
Of the total number of 1.1 million foreigners living in the Czech Republic, Ukrainians make up 581 thousand, i.e. the largest ethnic minority. Of these, 380,000 enjoy temporary protection status. According to a study by the Boston Consulting Group, about 260,000 of them could have stayed in the Czech Republic permanently.
However, this benefit depends to a large extent on the future policy of the Czech Republic towards the continuation of immigrants on its territory. The forced departure of people back to Ukraine could significantly jeopardize this benefit, which is absolutely essential for the Czech Republic and its demographic development.
Revenues: Economic benefit from exports of goods and services to Ukraine, including defence equipment
This sphere is by far the most tangible and extensive benefit that the Czech Republic implements as part of its support for the defending country.
We export the entire spectrum of defence technologies – from small arms and ammunition to ground combat equipment of originally Soviet provenance, to completely contemporary products of the Czech defence industry – cannon howitzers and rocket launchers. Then there are radars, electronic warfare systems, as well as drones, which have become a clear symbol and the most significant technological trend of this war conflict.
Czech companies are among the largest exporters of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine. According to a qualified estimate by the AOBP CR, exports in 2024 reached a volume of CZK 63 billion. In addition to the fact that it contributes to the defense of Ukraine against Russian aggression, it also has positive effects on the economy, security and international position of the Czech Republic. From an economic point of view, it stimulates the development of the defence industry, creates an opportunity for its growth and modernization. From a security point of view, it can then affect national defence capabilities. It also contributes to increasing the weight and authority of the Czech Republic within NATO and the EU.
The Czech Republic's active position in helping Ukraine may also have a positive impact on the participation of Czech companies in its post-war reconstruction. Czech companies are already active in Ukraine. They are significantly involved in the renewal of the energy system, supplying water treatment plants to the Dnipropetrovsk region or medical equipment for hospitals in Lviv, Kiev and Kharkiv. In the coming years, Czech companies will receive support from the EU's "Instruments for Ukraine" program in the amount of €188 million (about CZK 4.7 billion) for projects in the field of critical infrastructure and for the modernization of six selected Ukrainian hospitals.
Revenues: Benefits from military-technological cooperation in projects to arm Ukraine
Czech industry not only realizes sales and profits associated with the export of its production, but also provides production capacities for cooperation with Ukrainian companies. As part of this cooperation, know-how and probably some innovative technologies are transferred. Today, Ukraine's defense industry exhibits an extreme innovation capacity, typical and historically of some warring economies.
In addition, Czech manufacturers who supply their products to the Ukrainian army have access to knowledge and data on the combat use of their products in the hands of soldiers. As a result, there is an intensive process of modernization, shortening of development phases, implementation of experience and feedback. This transfer of experience from the Ukrainian battlefield directly to Czech development workplaces and factories is a benefit that increases the competitiveness of the Czech defence industry.
Of course, the extremely preferred and monitored category of drones and anti-drone defence, as well as electronic warfare and communication and information systems, cryptography, as well as combat vehicles, ballistic protection equipment, other advanced materials, etc., can be highlighted from the individual sub-fields.
Returns: International political contribution within its own allied structures
With its help towards Ukraine, the Czech Republic is also implementing a specific policy of communication, self-promotion and reassurance within its own alliance ties. With its unequivocal stance and activity, it declares firmness and determination, where the recipient of this message or signal is primarily the circle of its own allies in NATO and the EU. Ukraine is more of an object than an actor in this negotiation on the part of the Czech Republic and its political representation.
Technically speaking, this is a utilitarian act, where the Czech Republic, as a medium-sized state, declares its determination to invest more in a certain important moment than it can earn in direct response. The benefits that are expected for the Czech Republic are primarily the strengthening of allied ties, the identification in the circle of tough supporters of the defending country and actors who are ready to act as open opponents of Russia as an aggressor. It is thus a reaction to a certain way and content of self-presentation and influencing one's own image – analogous to the creation of the so-called goodwill (good name, reliability, clarity of attitude) of the actor.
The results also came in terms of material compensation, when the US offered to expand and supplement the armament project of acquiring combat helicopters for the Czech Army, which had been launched earlier, under relatively favorable conditions. The ordered 12 Venom and Viper helicopters will be supplemented by a donation of another eight for a total of 20 units, although with the need for financially demanding modernization and bohemization (adaptation and installation of some of its own systems necessary for use in the Czech Army).
Similarly, Germany's offer to hand over Leopard 2A4 tanks was used, which, apart from the concept and plan, completely changed the development of the tank army of the Czech Armed Forces. A single tank battalion with 30 only partially operational T-72M4CZ machines was very quickly transferred to Western equipment - first with 14 donated Leopards, then 14 purchased and another 14 again in the form of a gift. In addition, these 42 older tanks (42 combat and 3 recovery) predetermined and accelerated the decision to acquire the Leopard 2A8, which represents the absolute world leader, as the future main type of the Czech Army.
Returns: Long-term cultural, value and historical benefit from taking the "right position"
This contribution has a long-term aspect and is a projection of previous international political contribution into the distant future. Specifically, it is implemented by the fact that the Czech Republic, as a medium-sized state, declares itself to a clear position and actively supports Ukraine as a victim of pure aggression by Russia at considerable cost, and for simplification without further conditions.
It can be safely assumed that this activity and the official and real positions of the Czech Republic in 2022-2025 will be recorded and reflected by future generations of the domestic public and political representations of allied and other states around the world.
The overall image of the Czech Republic, which provides unambiguous and effective support for a state that has been attacked by brutal aggression, does not need to be supplemented with any ballast about democracy and freedom. On the contrary – in this long-term aspect, it is completely irrelevant whether or not problematic characteristics can be found in the victim. It is right to help the attacked country even if it is not a democratic and free state. This principle often remains completely misunderstood in the Czech public debate.
It will be an analogy to the image that Sweden has built, for example, by its unequivocal and determined support for Finland in defending itself against the aggression of the Soviet Union. Conversely, the Czech Republic will avoid the position of a problematic actor, such as that won by e.g. Ireland with its "neutral" friendliness towards Hitler's Germany during World War II. In relation to the Ukrainian-Russian war, the complicated legacy will undoubtedly be attributed to Hungary. These images – both clearly positive and contradictory – gradually fade, but the advantage in the case of even a time-limited positive upsurge is the almost permanent fixation of the associated good name.
Conclusion
The benefits that result from the decision of the Czech Republic and a large part of Czech society to stand up for the invaded Ukraine are very diverse, but in many aspects and in the short term difficult to quantify and define. In contrast, there are also significant costs.
Nevertheless, it is clear that there is still a consensus between the political representation and the majority of the citizens of the Czech Republic on the correctness of such a shared position. With the ongoing war and growing apathy, the negative impacts of the conflict are also entering public discourse in the Czech Republic, and it is therefore appropriate to deepen the discussion about both the causes of the crisis and other necessary and effective steps. Otherwise, the Czech involvement in the Ukrainian drama may become an unnecessarily distorted and distorted political system, abused for the benefit of some groups in the domestic, domestic political arena.
It can be said that the unambiguous position of the Czech Republic and the associated range of policies, programmes and individual activities in support of Ukraine has been the most significant act of the Czech Republic in international politics and world affairs since the fall of communism, accession to NATO and the European Union. This position and actions have their quality and quantity and are inscribed in the long-term consciousness of Czech society and the international community.
Libor Stejskal