Thousands gather in Prague to mark anniversary of Ukraine invasion

An estimated 8,000 people filled Prague's Old Town Square on Saturday to mark the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion. The demonstration was one of a number of events taking place in the Czech capital this week on the eve of the war anniversary.

The Prague event, which focused on the human cost of the conflict and the need for continued Czech solidarity, concluded with a march to the monument of Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko in the city's Smíchov neighborhood.

President Petr Pavel opened the event, organized by major Czech NGOs including People in Need and Memory of the Nation. While the atmosphere was one of remembrance, several speakers used the platform to address the shifting political landscape and the Czech Republic's future role in supporting Kyiv.

The most poignant moments of the afternoon came from the families of Czech volunteers who lost their lives fighting in Ukraine. Ivana Krejčová, the mother of fallen volunteer Martin Krejčí, told the crowd that her son felt a duty to defend Ukraine despite the physical and mental toll of the front lines.

"Martin had the light of humanity burning brightly within him," she said, adding that it remains up to every individual to decide how they choose to act in the face of conflict.

Bohdan Raichynets of the European Congress of Ukrainians noted that thousands of Ukrainians now work across the Czech Republic in social services and construction, contributing directly to the country's economic growth.

Alina Kravchuková, a refugee currently working in social services in Litomyšl, shared her testimony of building a new life in East Bohemia while awaiting peace.

While praising the government’s ongoing ammunition initiative, Šimon Pánek of People in Need urged Czech officials to reconsider potential cuts to the foreign aid budget. He argued that such aid is not only a moral necessity but is economically beneficial to the Czech state in the long term.

Polish film director Agnieszka Holland echoed this sentiment via video, warning that "we cannot allow Munich to repeat itself," referring to the dangers of weakening Ukraine's position through political hesitation.