Czechia actively supports the SkyShield initiative. On Europe Day, 9 May, a demonstration in support of the “European Sky Shield for Ukraine” took place in Prague. The event was organized by the Czech groups Občanský rozcestník, Pulse of Europe, and Voice of Ukraine.
About 40 participants marched through the city center carrying flags and banners.
In May of this year, an open letter was also prepared calling on Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala to support the SkyShield initiative. The letter was signed by 34 prominent public and political figures.
“There is no better way to celebrate Europe Day than by standing with those Europeans who are confronting brutal aggression — the Ukrainians — and supporting the Sky Shield operation.”
Tomas Pešinský, co-organizer of the event, told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
In September, a protest took place in Prague in support of the “Sky Shield for Ukraine” plan. Activists spoke out against the insufficient response of European politicians to the threat of drone attacks and called for a more active European role in establishing a joint air defense system.
At the “Angel” metro station (formerly “Moscow”), Czech activists displayed a large banner depicting a swarm of drones with a slogan supporting the SkyShield initiative, partially covering the word “Moscow.” The action drew attention to the growing threat of drone and missile attacks and highlighted the need for a joint European-Ukrainian air defense system under SkyShield.
During the event, a sound installation played, simulating the noise of Russian Shahed drones in flight.
“We partially covered the Moscow–Prague sculpture to show our support for the Sky Shield project, which has already been backed by over 50,000 signatures in France. The project aims for the EU to start intercepting drones and missiles over Ukrainian territory. We want our president and other leaders to know about it and support it. The benefits are clear: we will gain experience in stopping drones and missiles, and most importantly, we will support Ukraine, which acts as our shield. A joint Sky Shield project with Ukraine would make all of us safer. We shouldn’t wait until the drones reach Prague.”
Míchal Maizner, one of the organizers, told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
We sincerely thank the event organizers, the activist group Kaputin and the initiative Občanský rozcestník, for their active support of Ukraine and the Sky Shield initiative.
