Rise in Anti‑Ukrainian Hate in the Czech Republic

Ukrainian activist Anastasia Sihnaievska warned on July 29, 2026 that hostility toward Ukrainians in the Czech Republic is growing, with verbal attacks potentially escalating to physical violence. She blamed far‑right politicians, notably Tomio Okamura of the SPD, for fanning the flames and called on media platforms to moderate online discussions and remove hate‑filled comments.

The Association of Independent Media also highlighted the surge in anti‑Ukrainian sentiment, noting that Czech citizens are physically assaulting Ukrainians despite the country’s support for refugees. Sihnaievska cited a recent rise in hate‑crime reports in neighboring Poland—180 incidents in the first half of 2026, a 30 % increase over the previous year—as an alarming indicator of what could happen in the Czech Republic if the trend continues.