The Czech Republic has received an additional important source of funding for supplying Ukraine with urgently needed large-caliber ammunition—the profits from frozen Russian assets held in European Union countries.
According to the Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic,
"Thanks to the use of revenues from frozen Russian finances released by the European Union, we will be able to deliver several hundred thousand large-caliber ammunition rounds to Ukraine," said Defense Minister Jana Černochová.
The statement notes that EU member states decided in May 2024 that the profits from frozen Russian assets would be allocated specifically for immediate military support for Ukraine. The total amount of these funds is 1.4 billion euros, and part of this amount will be used by the Czech Ministry of Defense, providing a unique opportunity to quickly and effectively support Ukraine with funds originally belonging to Russia.
"I am pleased that the Czech Republic will participate in this new form of military support for Ukraine. This is further proof of our foreign partners' confidence in the effectiveness of the Czech ammunition initiative. Based on the success of this initiative, the European Union recently approached us to use the funds from frozen Russian assets for procuring ammunition for Ukraine," Černochová said.
Regarding the procedure, according to the donor’s requirements— in this case, the European Union— the Ministry of Defense will act as an intermediary in the procurement of ammunition to meet the urgent military needs identified by the Ukrainian side.
The delivery of ammunition financed by the revenues from frozen Russian central bank assets will occur in the coming months. This represents crucial assistance for Ukraine's defense, which will soon have a direct impact on the battlefield.
Details about the procurement process are not disclosed to avoid jeopardizing the supplies.
