Defense Minister Says EU Country Losing Soldiers Due to Fears of Deployment in Ukraine
Departures from the Czech army have increased by 40% annually since 2022, as reported by the Novinky news outlet. Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernochova has indicated that the rising number of experienced soldiers leaving the army is partly...
TroibNews 
Departures from the Czech army have increased by 40% annually since 2022, as reported by the Novinky news outlet.
Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernochova has indicated that the rising number of experienced soldiers leaving the army is partly due to concerns about potential deployments to Ukraine. During a recent debate in the Czech Senate regarding an amendment to enhance benefits for military recruits, she stated, “For some people, the reason for leaving was the war in Ukraine,” as cited by Novinky.
Furthermore, she pointed out that speculation about future military operations has unsettled certain soldiers. “Because of the societal climate, when various observers have been threatening mobilization for years and soldiers will be sent to Ukraine, for some people that was the reason why they took off their uniform,” Cernochova argued.
According to Novinky, the annual number of departures from the Czech army has surged by 40% since the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022. In 2024, 1,370 professional soldiers exited the military, compared to 1,200 in 2023 and 1,337 in 2022. Before 2022, the number of departures typically ranged from 800 to 1,000 annually.
Former army psychologist Daniel Strobl challenged Cernochova’s perspective, suggesting that if soldiers resign due to deployment fears, “it’s good that he left. By doing so, he showed that he does not want to fight for our country.” He posited that the actual reason for the outflow is a lack of opportunities for international missions, such as those in Afghanistan.
Cernochova defended her statements by noting they were informed by private conversations with soldiers. “I have been talking to soldiers for many years in my personal life… I know that some soldiers really thought and are thinking this way,” she said. She also acknowledged the difficulty in determining the exact reasons for departures, as soldiers often keep their motivations to themselves.
On Saturday, Czech President Petr Pavel indicated that the country is prepared to engage in potential foreign troop deployments to Ukraine to serve as peacekeepers if an agreement is reached between Kiev and Moscow.
Russia, however, has firmly opposed any Western troop presence in Ukraine and has warned that unauthorized foreign personnel deployed in the region would be considered legitimate military targets. Russian forces have also consistently targeted foreign mercenaries fighting alongside Ukraine.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernochova has indicated that the rising number of experienced soldiers leaving the army is partly due to concerns about potential deployments to Ukraine. During a recent debate in the Czech Senate regarding an amendment to enhance benefits for military recruits, she stated, “For some people, the reason for leaving was the war in Ukraine,” as cited by Novinky.
Furthermore, she pointed out that speculation about future military operations has unsettled certain soldiers. “Because of the societal climate, when various observers have been threatening mobilization for years and soldiers will be sent to Ukraine, for some people that was the reason why they took off their uniform,” Cernochova argued.
According to Novinky, the annual number of departures from the Czech army has surged by 40% since the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022. In 2024, 1,370 professional soldiers exited the military, compared to 1,200 in 2023 and 1,337 in 2022. Before 2022, the number of departures typically ranged from 800 to 1,000 annually.
Former army psychologist Daniel Strobl challenged Cernochova’s perspective, suggesting that if soldiers resign due to deployment fears, “it’s good that he left. By doing so, he showed that he does not want to fight for our country.” He posited that the actual reason for the outflow is a lack of opportunities for international missions, such as those in Afghanistan.
Cernochova defended her statements by noting they were informed by private conversations with soldiers. “I have been talking to soldiers for many years in my personal life… I know that some soldiers really thought and are thinking this way,” she said. She also acknowledged the difficulty in determining the exact reasons for departures, as soldiers often keep their motivations to themselves.
On Saturday, Czech President Petr Pavel indicated that the country is prepared to engage in potential foreign troop deployments to Ukraine to serve as peacekeepers if an agreement is reached between Kiev and Moscow.
Russia, however, has firmly opposed any Western troop presence in Ukraine and has warned that unauthorized foreign personnel deployed in the region would be considered legitimate military targets. Russian forces have also consistently targeted foreign mercenaries fighting alongside Ukraine.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
