Czech President Petr Pavel posthumously awarded Czech volunteer Karel Kučera, who defended Ukraine from Russian invaders in the ranks of the International Legion and was killed near Bakhmut.

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On the country’s Independence Day, Petr Pavel awarded Karel Kučera with the Medal for Heroism.

This is a state award of the Czech Republic, given for military exploits and other deeds involving risk to life to save people or large material assets.

His father Martin shared that on the night of February 24, his son woke him up to tell him urgently about the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

At first, Karel Kučera donated to the needs of the Ukrainian army, but a few months later, he decided to go to Ukraine as a volunteer and at first did not admit where he was actually going.

He never received official permission from the then Czech President Miloš Zeman to participate in the defense of Ukraine against Russian aggression.

He motivated his actions by the fact that if the Russian invaders captured Ukraine, other European countries would have to fight Russia in some time.

He returned to the Czech Republic twice for a short time but immediately wanted to go back, explaining that he was worried about his comrades.

Karel was killed in March 2023 during the battle for Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. The life of the Ukrainian defender and talented photographer was cut short three months before his 23rd birthday.

Ukrainian distinction

In October of this year, the Czech volunteer was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage, III grade, in Ukraine. It was presented to the deceased’s parents.

On the first day of the Russian invasion, February 24, 2022, Ukraine announced the creation of the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine as part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and invited foreign citizens to join. Volunteers from more than 50 countries also serve in the International Legion of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.