PRAGUE: Foreign donors have provided 93.3 billion crowns ($4.5 billion) to a Czech-led initiative to find and deliver large-calibre ammunition to Ukraine, and the Czech Republic has contributed 1.7 billion crowns, Defense Minister Jana Cernochova said on Wednesday.
Increased ammunition supplies in 2024 and 2025 have helped reduce Ukraine’s disadvantage compared with Russia on the frontline, although it is unclear whether the Czech action will continue under the next government.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala said at a news conference with Cernochova that the Czech Republic has arranged supplies of 3.7 million artillery rounds to Ukraine, including 1.3 million so far this year.
Funding for the supplies has come from the initiative, as well as the yield on frozen Russian assets, bilateral cooperation and direct Ukrainian purchases, he said.
Fiala said this year’s supplies should reach 1.8 million shells.
The program matches Czech arms producers and traders with potential sellers who often prefer to remain unnamed, and foreign donors.
Andrej Babis, whose ANO party won a parliamentary election on October 3-4 and is in talks to form a cabinet with two fringe parties, has criticized the initiative.
Before the election, Babis said he would bring it to an end, but he has been less clear since his victory and after President Petr Pavel called on parties to keep the program running.
Babis has, without giving any details, called the initiative non-transparent and overpriced, and said arms traders have made too much profit on it, while the outgoing government has said it is transparent to the donors providing the funding.
Babis said after the election that he would also stop any Czech budget-paid military aid to Ukraine.
The government said on Wednesday that total Czech military aid to Ukraine has reached 17.4 billion crowns, combining donations of 390 pieces of old equipment including tanks or helicopters, contributions to international funding schemes, the ammunition initiative and purchases of new equipment.
In return, the Czechs have received funds and equipment worth 25 billion crowns in back-fill schemes which included US helicopters and Leopard 2A4 tanks from Germany.
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Donors have given $4.5 billion to Czech ammunition scheme for Ukraine, minister says
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Donors have given $4.5 billion to Czech ammunition scheme for Ukraine, minister says
- Increased ammunition supplies in 2024 and 2025 have helped reduce Ukraine’s disadvantage compared with Russia on the frontline
- Fiala said this year’s supplies should reach 1.8 million shells
Rob Reiner and his wife found dead with stab wounds in Los Angeles home, AP source says
- Reiner, known for directing films like “This is Spinal Tap” and “A Few Good Men,” was 78
- He was married to Michele since 1989, and they have three children together
LOS ANGELES: Director-actor Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were the two people found dead Sunday at a Los Angeles home owned by Reiner, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation.
The official could not publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Investigators believe they suffered stab wounds and a family member is being questioned by investigators, the official said.
The Los Angeles Fire Department said it responded to a medical aid request shortly after 3:30 p.m. and found a 78-year-old man and 68-year-old woman dead inside.
Detectives with the Robbery Homicide Division were investigating an “apparent homicide” at Reiner’s home, said Capt. Mike Bland with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Los Angeles authorities have not confirmed the identities of the people found dead at the residence in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood on the city’s west side that’s home to many celebrities.
Reiner was long one of the most prolific directors in Hollywood, and his work included some of the most memorable movies of the 1980s and ‘90s, including “This is Spinal Tap,” “A Few Good Men,” “When Harry Met Sally” and “The Princess Bride.”
His role as Meathead in the 1970s TV classic “All in the Family” alongside Carol O’Connor’s Archie Bunker catapulted him to fame and won him two Emmy Awards.
Reiner turned 78 in March.
Messages to his representatives were not immediately returned Sunday night.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called Reiner’s death a devastating loss for the city.
“Rob Reiner’s contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice,” Bass said in a statement. “An acclaimed actor, director, producer, writer, and engaged political activist, he always used his gifts in service of others.”
The son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, Rob Reiner was married to photographer Michele Singer Reiner since 1989. The two met while he was directing “When Harry Met Sally” and have three children together.
Reiner was previously married to actor-director Penny Marshall from 1971 to 1981. He adopted her daughter, Tracy Reiner. Carl Reiner died in 2020 at age 98 and Marshall died in 2018.
The official could not publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Investigators believe they suffered stab wounds and a family member is being questioned by investigators, the official said.
The Los Angeles Fire Department said it responded to a medical aid request shortly after 3:30 p.m. and found a 78-year-old man and 68-year-old woman dead inside.
Detectives with the Robbery Homicide Division were investigating an “apparent homicide” at Reiner’s home, said Capt. Mike Bland with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Los Angeles authorities have not confirmed the identities of the people found dead at the residence in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood on the city’s west side that’s home to many celebrities.
Reiner was long one of the most prolific directors in Hollywood, and his work included some of the most memorable movies of the 1980s and ‘90s, including “This is Spinal Tap,” “A Few Good Men,” “When Harry Met Sally” and “The Princess Bride.”
His role as Meathead in the 1970s TV classic “All in the Family” alongside Carol O’Connor’s Archie Bunker catapulted him to fame and won him two Emmy Awards.
Reiner turned 78 in March.
Messages to his representatives were not immediately returned Sunday night.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called Reiner’s death a devastating loss for the city.
“Rob Reiner’s contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice,” Bass said in a statement. “An acclaimed actor, director, producer, writer, and engaged political activist, he always used his gifts in service of others.”
The son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, Rob Reiner was married to photographer Michele Singer Reiner since 1989. The two met while he was directing “When Harry Met Sally” and have three children together.
Reiner was previously married to actor-director Penny Marshall from 1971 to 1981. He adopted her daughter, Tracy Reiner. Carl Reiner died in 2020 at age 98 and Marshall died in 2018.
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