Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2026, Vol. XXXV. (LXVII.)

Operations Planning as Part of the Officers´ Career Training

Richard Saibert, Vlastimil Drápela

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2026, Vol. XXXV. (LXVII.): 3-18 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.35.2026.01.003-018

The article examines the possibilities of developing the competencies of the Czech Armed Forces (CAF) officers in the field of operations planning within the framework of career training. The main learning competencies for operations planning at the operational level are formulated based on a comparison of curricula of professional military education programmes and interviews with experts. These are together with the proposed assessment methods, validated in a real learning process. Different approaches to assessing learning outcomes are discussed in comparison with the current approaches applied in Czech career education, which highlights the...

Sino-Russian Military Cooperation since the War in Ukraine

Zdeněk Rod, Martin Růžička

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2026, Vol. XXXV. (LXVII.): 19-35 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.35.2026.01.019-035

The presented study seeks to illuminate the nature and scope of Sino-Russian military cooperation following the onset of the war in Ukraine in 2022. The research question guiding this study is: In which military dimensions – such as technological collaboration, joint military exercises, or the provision of ammunition – does Sino-Russian cooperation manifest, and what underlying factors drive this engagement. The study revealed that the military cooperation between the two countries is very close and has been developing and deepening for a long time. The war in Ukraine has played a role in partially changing the nature of cooperation,...

Transformative Role of Emerging Technologies in Enhancing Military Operations: Insights from the War in Ukraine

Dumitriu Cătălin-Costel

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2026, Vol. XXXV. (LXVII.): 36-52 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.35.2026.01.036-052

The objective of this study is to analyze how emerging technologies affect the operational effectiveness and resilience of the Ukrainian Armed Forces during the ongoing conflict. To achieve this, the article develops and applies a five-dimensional analytical framework covering command and control, intelligence and situational awareness, decision-making speed, operational agility, and resilience. The methodology is qualitative and exploratory, relying on literature review, comparative analysis, and indirect observation of open-source intelligence. Findings show that the integration of artificial intelligence, unmanned aircraft systems, advanced...

Effectiveness of Instructional Activities in Military English Courses: Teacher and Student Perspectives

Stanislava Jonáková, Jana Rozsypálková

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2026, Vol. XXXV. (LXVII.): 53-71 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.35.2026.01.053-071

This study examines the perceived effectiveness of instructional activities in elementary-level military English courses from both teacher and student perspectives. Data were collected through a self-report questionnaire completed by 52 English teachers affiliated to the University of Defence Language Centre and 173 learners enrolled in Level 1 courses. Descriptive statistical analysis indicated broad agreement between teachers and learners regarding the usefulness of classroom activities. The results further suggest that teacher corrective feedback during interactive tasks substantially influences learners’ motivation and perceptions of...

In the Beginning Was the Word: The Role of Language and Culture in Peace Operations

Nadia Gergało-Dąbek

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2026, Vol. XXXV. (LXVII.): 72-86 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.35.2026.01.072-086

The article examines proposals for post-war peacekeeping in Ukraine, emphasizing that future missions must integrate linguistic and cultural competence as strategic assets rather than auxiliary skills. Drawing on experiences from NATO and UN operations, it argues that knowledge of the local language markedly improves trust, intelligence gathering, and operational safety. Because Russia’s war is fundamentally an identity-driven, imperial conflict aimed at erasing Ukrainian nationhood, relying on Russian language or Russocentric expertise would reproduce “imperial knowledge” and undermine mission legitimacy. The study contends...

Threat Proximity and Defense Response:
A Comparative Analysis of Military Spending Transformation in Seven Eastern European NATO States

Cezar Vasilescu

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2026, Vol. XXXV. (LXVII.): 87-100 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.35.2026.01.087-100

This research examines post-2022 defence transformation among seven Eastern European NATO members, identifying patterns that nuance existing burden-sharing theories and refine understanding of regional security dynamics. Through a systematic comparative analysis incorporating quantitative spending data, procurement classifications, and geographic threat assessments (2021-2025), the study tests whether increased military expenditure translates into credible deterrence. The investigation analyzes spending-capability correlations and geographic proximity effects on response intensity, revealing that unprecedented defense budget expansion coexists...

Compensation of Active Reserve: Does the Current System Motivate Frequent Training?

Jan Kofroň, Jan Matuach

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2026, Vol. XXXV. (LXVII.): 101-117 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.35.2026.01.101-117

The Active Reserve currently represents, in effect, the only organized reserve force of the Czech Armed Forces. Given this, it is necessary to ensure that members of the Active Reserve have both the opportunity and motivation to train sufficiently often. Financial compensation is, of course, among the key motivational factors—both for joining the (voluntary) reserves and for active participation in training. Our text analyzes the current remuneration system for members of the Active Reserve and highlights several problematic aspects that may reduce the willingness of reservists to train for more than 14–21 days per year. Based on...

Achievability of Personnel Goals of the Czech Armed Forces: A comparative view of recruitment strategies in Europe

Tomáš Kučera

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2026, Vol. XXXV. (LXVII.): 118-141 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.35.2026.01.118-141

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has renewed the emphasis on personnel readiness of European armed forces. The Czech Armed Forces aims to reach 37,500 professional soldiers and 15,000 reservists, yet it remains uncertain whether this is achievable within an all-volunteer system. The article compares the recruitment approaches of Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland, which recorded the fastest personnel growth in the past decade. Using the Military Participation Ratio, it combines quantitative and qualitative analysis of recruitment policies. The findings show that meeting Czech targets is possible but requires a reform of the recruitment system....

Systemic Challenges in the Pre-Hospital Medical Reporting Framework: A NATO-Aligned Concept Development and Experimentation Study

Veronika Šedivcová, Hana Střítecká, Vanda Boštíková, Daniel Petriľák, Petr Král, Hynek Schvach

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2026, Vol. XXXV. (LXVII.): 156-179 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.35.2026.01.156-179

Pre-hospital medical reporting is critical for MEDEVAC activation and Medical C2. However, NATO exercises frequently reveal data inconsistencies and information loss. This study evaluates information flow within a Czech Army mechanized battalion and verifies a new Pre-Hospital Care (PHC) concept designed to address these friction points. A Table-Top Exercise (TTX) involving forty participants was conducted to test the concept. Results revealed significant deviations from NATO standards (9-liner, MIST), with critical information loss occurring between company and battalion levels. Conversely, the PHC concept demonstrated improved structure,...

Infiltration and Influence Targeting of the Czech Armed Forces’ Active Reserves: An Overview of Non-Conventional Risks to Critical Infrastructure Protection

Ondřej Vozňák

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2026, Vol. XXXV. (LXVII.): 142-155 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.35.2026.01.142-155

The article examines infiltration and influence operations targeting members of the Active Reserves of the Czech Armed Forces as a specific non-conventional risk factor for critical infrastructure protection. As a bridge between civilian and military spheres, the Active Reserve is exposed to psychological and informational pressures affecting loyalty and operational readiness. The paper summarizes theoretical approaches to the insider threat phenomenon, identifies human-factor vulnerabilities, and compares the Czech framework with selected NATO, EU, and U.S. models. It concludes with recommendations for preventive measures focused on education,...

Current Status and Some Future Challenges of Information Environment Defense in the Czech Republic and Abroad

Šárka Tesařová, Radomír Ščurek

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2026, Vol. XXXV. (LXVII.): 180-199 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.35.2026.01.180-199

The article addresses the issue of information environment defence in the current security context, with a special focus on cognitive warfare as one of the key and rapidly developing challenges of recent years. The aim of this overview article is to place this phenomenon within a broader security-strategic framework of information environment defence and to describe how this area is conceptually and institutionally approached in the Czech Republic and in selected NATO Allies – specifically in the United Kingdom, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, and Slovakia. The article is primarily based on publicly available strategic and conceptual documents...

The Impact of Recent Legal Regulation of Armed Conflict in the Context of the War in Ukraine

Leopold Skoruša, Karel Marek, Ondřej Horák, Radim Vičar

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2026, Vol. XXXV. (LXVII.): 200-220 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.35.2026.01.200-220

This article analyses the current state of international humanitarian law (IHL) considering the armed conflict in Ukraine. It explores the theoretical framework of IHL, the typology of the conflict, recent legal developments, and their practical impacts. Special attention is given to the failures of international law in protecting civilians, the limitations of legal enforcement, and proposals for improving the system's effectiveness. The aim is to contribute to scholarly debate on the future of legal regulation in armed conflicts.

Ján Spišák Passed Away

Redakce

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2026, Vol. XXXV. (LXVII.): 221