The rectors of universities in the Czech Republic, members of the Czech Rectors' Board, are deeply shocked and outraged by Russia's missile attack on universities in Mykolaiv, Ukraine. Yesterday's attack on the two largest universities in this Ukrainian city is yet another in a series of war crimes committed by Russia on the territory of a sovereign and independent neighbouring state. After the attacks on theatres, hospitals, churches and shopping centres, it is now up to universities.
The smokescreen of constant Russian lies, manipulations and fabrications cannot hide the true nature of reality, which is the senseless, unjustifiable and criminal Russian aggression against independent Ukraine and the brutal and bloody war of aggression waged against the entire Ukrainian society and its democratic establishment.
Russia with its current aggressive war policy cannot be considered a civilized state. Russia has not only been systematically committing war crimes in Ukraine for many months now, but has also been fulfilling the characteristics of state terrorism with its barbaric attacks on civilian targets and civilians. Yesterday's attack on Ukrainian universities is another such act, which only further confirms Russia's disrespect for any civilisational values and its deep hatred of freedom.
In this context, the Czech Rectors' Board calls on all members of the political representation of the Czech Republic, together with European partners and allies, to continue to work systematically to ensure that similar crimes committed by Russia do not go unanswered and that support and assistance to Ukraine continues, including support and assistance to staff and students of Ukrainian universities who may be affected or threatened in any way.
In Brno , 15 July 2022
For Czech Board of Rectores
Prof. MUDr. Martin Bareš, Ph.D.
chairman