Czechia profited from sending weapons to Ukraine, according to outgoing Prime Minister Petr Fiala. He revealed that total state income from related activities exceeded the expenses by 12.7 billion Czech crowns (CZK) or $607 million, as reported by Novinky.cz.
This comes as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues. Recently elected Andrej Babiš is set to take office as Prime Minister on 1 December 2025. His upcoming leadership has raised concerns that Czechia could halt its support for Ukraine, including the Prague-led ammunition initiative—an effort to procure artillery shells for Ukraine from third countries, funded by European allies.
Czechia gave Ukraine old weapons worth $723 mn—and got $1+ bn in return
According to Novinky, Fiala said on 27 November that total expenditures by all Czech ministries and government agencies related to helping Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 amounted to 91.3 billion crowns or $4.36 billion. But state revenues linked to this support reached 104 billion crowns ($4.97 billion). This includes $3.77 billion from taxes and social and health insurance contributions, and $1.19 billion in reimbursements for military aid.
"The Czech state certainly did not lose money by helping Ukraine. Quite the opposite," Fiala told reporters, "We must not overlook the question of justice and the righteous struggle of the Ukrainians, the security considerations, and everything else — but the numbers are absolutely clear."
He thanked all who contributed to the effort since Russia’s invasion began in 2022.
Czechia has sent Ukraine military support worth $832 million, mainly older equipment from its own stocks. Fiala said the country received $1.19 billion in return. The donated matériel included surplus supplies and covered training for Ukrainian troops.
Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová later clarified that out of this, $276 million came from donating unneeded military material.
Artillery ammunition
Fiala added that by the end of September, the government had secured 3.7 million rounds of large-caliber artillery ammunition for Ukraine. This year alone, 1.3 million rounds had already been provided, with the aim of reaching 1.8 million before year’s end.
As part of the joint ammunition initiative, Czechia spent $81.3 million on purchases, while international donors covered $4.46 billion.
In total, Fiala said, over 260 billion crowns or $12.43 billion flowed through the Czech economy due to the Ukraine-related support, much of it funded by foreign partners.
