In combat mode

When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, there was no instruction manual on what to do. Tomáš Kopečný was serving as Deputy Minister of Defence at the time – and within a few days, he found himself at the centre of an effort that went far beyond his job description and the usual workings of government administration. Czechia became one of the first European countries to launch large-scale weapon deliveries to Ukraine. Supported by political leadership and driven by the extraordinary dedication of people across the country, they managed to forge new paths where none existed: connecting Ukraine's needs with the Czech defence industry, sourcing military equipment and ammunition worldwide, and building the system that later evolved into the Czech ammunition initiative. Tomáš Kopečný was right in the thick of it. He takes us behind the scenes of negotiations hidden from public view, showing how high-ranking officials, diplomacy, and international relations work, and why a small country can sometimes act faster than superpowers. This incredibly fascinating insight into the first years of the war is also a story of improvisation, trust, friendship, and the courage to take responsibility. It shows what the Czech state can achieve when political will meets people who, instead of finding reasons why something is impossible, find a way to get it done.