Attacks on Ukrainians in Czechia Are on the Rise – Balkan Insight

The Czech Republic, after opening its doors to Ukrainians following Russia’s invasion, now hosts over 300,000 refugees. However, there has been a concerning rise in attacks on Ukrainians. This surge in violence is believed to be fueled by radical political forces, disinformation campaigns, and possibly Russian intelligence. A notable incident involved a Czech man assaulting two Ukrainian women in front of their children. Despite the majority of the Czech population showing solidarity towards Ukraine, there have been numerous incidents of intimidation and violence against Ukrainian refugees during the summer. Reports from the legal organization In Iustitia indicate that hate crimes against Ukrainians are “significantly increasing.”

Populist and radical political forces have been actively inciting anger, especially since the end of COVID-19 restrictions. The influx of refugees, combined with the cost-of-living crisis and the war in Ukraine, has created a tense environment. The government’s support for Kyiv is criticized by some as neglecting local citizens. Data shows that while 75% of Czechs were supportive of accepting Ukrainian refugees in spring 2022, this number dropped to 56% a year later. Disinformation campaigns have further exacerbated the situation, leading to pro-Russian sentiments and protests.

There have been misleading claims about Ukrainian refugees, such as them having higher crime rates. However, according to In Iustitia, only 0.4% of Ukrainians in Czechia committed a crime in 2022, while they were the target of 22% of all hate crimes in the first half of 2023. The Roma community, traditionally a common victim of hate crimes in Czechia, has also been influenced by extremist narratives against Ukrainians. This is believed to be due to economic competition and fears of reduced state support.

Russian involvement in spreading disinformation in Czechia has been confirmed by the Security Information Service (BIS). The agency believes that Moscow has been in contact with key figures of anti-government demonstrations and has paid significant amounts to Czech personalities to propagate the Russian narrative.