As the war in Ukraine grinds on, Czech authorities are gearing up for a new and complex challenge: the arrival of Ukrainian combat veterans seeking to reunite with their families already living in the country. With over 380,000 Ukrainian refugees—primarily women and children—settled in Czechia, officials anticipate a growing wave of former soldiers, either on leave or after the war concludes.
Behind the scenes, security services are sounding the alarm. The Czech Security Information Service (BIS) has flagged potential risks, warning that many returning veterans could carry deep psychological scars, and in some cases, become targets for recruitment by organized crime groups. Citing lessons from the post-Yugoslav conflicts, BIS spokesperson Ladislav Šticha cautioned that the aftermath of war often brings not just trauma, but a spike in illicit activity—especially in the arms trade. “We need to be ready for a flood of illegal weapons hitting the black market,” he said.
The Ministry of the Interior isn’t taking the issue lightly. According to ministry spokesperson Hana Malá, officials have been quietly working on the problem since 2023, partnering with the International Organisation for Migration. Their joint efforts have culminated in a project called the “Support Ecosystem for Individuals Exposed to Combat Experience in Ukraine,” aimed at tackling both security risks and integration hurdles.
The strategy focuses not just on veterans, but also on their families, who may be deeply impacted by the return of loved ones changed by war. Field data collection, system assessments, and stakeholder consultations are ongoing, Malá noted, with the goal of shaping both policy and practical support systems.
Meanwhile, Czech scientists are joining forces with Ukrainian researchers to address the deeper psychological toll. At Charles University in Prague, psychiatrist Jiří Horáček is leading a team exploring the use of psychedelic-assisted therapy to treat war trauma and PTSD. The project, still in its early stages, reflects a growing recognition that mental health will be a critical part of any long-term solution.
With the shadow of war stretching well beyond the battlefield, Czechia is trying to stay one step ahead—balancing compassion with caution as it braces for a new phase of the Ukrainian refugee crisis.
