Czech news in brief for February 22: Sunday’s top morning headlines

At a Prague demonstration marking four years since Russia’s invasion, President Petr Pavel urged continued Czech government support for Ukraine until peace is secured, warning the outcome will shape Europe’s future. Speaking at Old Town Square, he praised public solidarity and the ongoing ammunition initiative. Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Zvarych said Ukraine’s defence also depends on Czech backing.

The Czech fundraising initiative A Gift for Putin (Dárek pro Putina) has installed life-size replicas of Russian Shahed drones in 17 cities to mark the anniversary of Russia’s Feb. 24, 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The models are on display in locations including Kinský Square in Prague and Freedom Square in Brno. Organizers say the aim is to show the public the scale and destructive power of weapons used against Ukrainian cities.

The Czech-Slovak documentary If Pigeons Turned to Gold by director Pepa Lubojacki has won the Caligari Award in the Forum section at the Berlinale International Film Festival. The mobile phone-shot film explores homelessness and addiction within the filmmaker’s family. It is the first Czech or Slovak film to receive the prize, presented by an independent jury since 1986.

Industry Minister Karel Havlíček said the state must help energy-intensive sectors hit by high power prices and carbon permit costs, confirming the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic will expand compensation for indirect emission costs this year. The scheme, introduced in 2021, aims to prevent “carbon leakage” and will grow from 14 to 36 sectors, including glass, chemicals and metallurgy, as part of the government’s new economic strategy.

An avalanche warning in the Krkonoše Mountains has risen to level two on the five-point international scale, indicating moderate risk. Snow depth on the ridges ranges from 50 to 80 centimeters after fresh snowfall and strong winds. Gusts on Sněžka reached around 100 km/h, temporarily halting the upper section of the cable car. Authorities warn of wind-drifted snow on leeward slopes, though large spontaneous avalanches are not expected.