The Czech army is interested in studying the combat experience of the Ukrainian armed forces and intends to develop cooperation with them at various levels.

PRAGUE - The Czech army is interested in studying the combat experience of the Ukrainian armed forces and intends to develop cooperation with them at various levels, according to a report by the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform on Tuesday. The report quoted statements from the incoming Chief of the General Staff of the Czech army, Miroslav Hlaváč, his predecessor, Karel Řehka, and the Minister of Defense, Jaromír Zůna.

“The more experience the Ukrainian armed forces gain in real combat, the more interested we are in using that knowledge to further develop the capabilities of the Czech army. I have no intention of changing that,” Hlaváč told the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform. <-> “I am convinced that our contacts and cooperation with the Ukrainian armed forces will continue,” the lieutenant general said. <-> “I want to see that happen.” Ukrainian veterans are the bane of the Russians, resisting reform.

According to Ukrinform, Řehka stated that the cooperation is already yielding practical results. Ukrainian experts are training Czech soldiers in the use of drones, while Czech instructors are training Ukrainian soldiers in certain specializations, which Ukrinform did not specify. Minister Zůna, when asked about a possible visit to Ukraine, said that he regularly meets with his Ukrainian counterpart, Mykhailo Fedorov, at events organized by the European Union and NATO.

“We are likely to meet more often at multilateral events than in a bilateral format, because that is how our schedules are structured,” the minister said. Pavel appointed Hlaváč as Chief of the General Staff. Řehka is also considering a position in the Senate.

On Tuesday, Hlaváč symbolically took over his duties from Řehka at the Vítkov monument in Prague. During the celebrations for the Day of the Armed Forces, the outgoing head of the army presented him with the combat flag of the General Staff. Officially, Hlaváč will assume his position on July 1. Before the official ceremony, he was appointed by President Petr Pavel at the Prague Castle.

gnews.cz - GH