Fuel shortage in Ukraine [RUS]

Soon after the Russian invasion was launched, there was a serious fuel shortage in Ukraine. Many kilometres queues began to form at petrol stations across the country. For more information regarding this topic, see our article.

Ukrainian grain export crisis [RUS]

One of the very serious economic problems associated with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which can affect literally the whole world, is the de facto Ukrainian grain exports cut-off.

Perhaps, people will keep helping refugees, humanitarian workers hope [CZ]

Three months ago, Vladimir Putin started a war that, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, forced several million people to leave Ukraine. The refugees have received a wave of solidarity in the Czech Republic. The extraordinary material and financial support is unprecedented in the Czech history.

Ukraine shuts down some pro-Russian channels, including Yevheniy Murayev's NASH TV [CZ]

The National Security Council of Ukraine (NSCU) has imposed sanctions on some Ukrainian TV channels, including TV NASH of ex-deputy and founder of the same name political party Yevheniy Murayev. The Council's secretary, Oleksiy Danilov, made the announcement on 11 February 2022, just after the Council's meeting in Kharkiv. The sanctions imposed provide for the suspension of terrestrial and satellite broadcasting of the sanctioned stations for five years. The channels broadcast pro-Russian propaganda, some of them including Russian programmes that are banned in Ukraine. Murayev's NASH channel has previously been fined by Ukraine's National Council for Television and Radio Broadcasting for spreading hate and anti-Ukrainian speech. Moreover, the sanctions come shortly after Muraev was identified by British intelligence as a possible future puppet president in the service of Moscow.

Information for Ukrainian and Czech citizens in the Czech Republic regarding the conflict in Ukraine

In our post you will find a clear summary of specific ways of helping Ukrainian refugees and links to useful information for incoming Ukrainian citizens.

Czech Compatriots in Ukraine and the Bolsheviks - Part I. [CZ]

Czech compatriots were the second largest expatriate community in the Russian Empire before the outbreak of World War I. Read more about its functioning and organization in the early 19th century in our article.

Ukraine and the "Great Construction" project [RUS]

The "Great Construction" project (in Ukrainian "Велике будівництво") is one of the key and image-making projects for President Zelensky and his team. In this context, a very controversial decision was made by the authorities in 2020. 35 billion hryvnias from the COVID-19 fund was redirected to road construction. Read more in our article.

Record wheat harvest in Ukraine and the price of bread is rising [RUS]

The price of bread in Ukraine rises despite the record wheat crop. Why is that? Read our article.

Pension reform in Ukraine [RU]

Since 1st July, pensions have increased in Ukraine. The government announced that the lives of retirees will improve now. However, the generally positive statements exclude the information that the average pension will increase by only 54 Ukrainian hryvnia (i.e. less than 2 euros).

Coronavirus and vaccination in Ukraine [RU]

Another strong wave of coronavirus will likely hit Ukraine. Experts warn that immediate action is needed, otherwise, the number of cases may increase sharply before the beginning of this autumn. Moreover, there is an urgent lack of vaccines in the country.

Czechs in the urban environment of southern Ukraine - part II [CZ]

The article continues exploring the presence of the Czech minority in Odessa in the 19th century. Besides the sphere of high culture, the brewing industry and education were other fields wherein Czechs in Odessa attracted attention of their contemporaries. Antonín Mikuláš Číla, a promoter of the “Sokol” movement and later a legionnaire commander, is highlighted as an example of an important Czech educator. The "Czecho-Slavic Tsarist Factory" owned by the Czech entrepreneur Josef Šediva, was a famous producer of musical instruments. During the Soviet era, the organized Czech compatriot life was interrupted, only to be restored in the 1990s in the already independent Ukraine. The history of the Czech minority in Odessa practically ended in 2015, when a collective migration of a significant part of Odessa Czechs to the Czech Republic (organized by the Czech state) took place.

Czechs in the urban environment of southern Ukraine - part I. [CZ]

Most 19th century Czech migrants to today’s Ukraine settled in the agriculturally potent western and southern regions. However, a large number of these migrants found employment also in the then developing urban centres. Odessa, now a port metropolis located in the southwestern part of Ukraine, was one of such cities wherein communities of Czech compatriots gradually established. The article considers the presence of the Czech minority in the city of Odessa, emphasizing a its communal and social life. The study also recalls probably the most important figure of Czech origin in the field of culture, the long-time chief conductor of the local city theatre orchestra and composer Josef Přibík.

Historical Reflections on Ukrainian Migration [CZ]

Migration is an important social phenomenon in Ukraine affecting the economy, interpersonal relations, science, and art. The article summarizes its history and describes four major waves of migration from the 19th century to the present. The text was largely based on the lecture of «Ukrainian Emigration» presented by Dr. Tereza Chlaňová, who works at the Faculty of Arts at Charles University in Prague.

Returns of Czech compatriots from Ukraine [CZ]

The text is based on field research provided by the author in the village of Bohemka and captures the history, life, and customs of Czech compatriots in this Ukrainian village. It contains the description of the “Bohemian” culture, which is influenced by both Czech traditions and the Ukrainian environment. The text clarifies the importance and role of expatriate associations in a foreign environment.