The article deals with the place of the Prague Spring as a historical event in the consciousness of modern Czech society. Attracting data from public opinion polls in recent years, the author notes that interest does not fall, but there is an increase in interest. At the same time, Czech public attention is increasingly focused not on reforms but the invasion of the ATS troops on the territory of Czechoslovakia. The author also examines the position of the USSR/Russia regarding the introduction of troops into the territory of the country in August 1968. Based on the analysis of official documents of the Soviet (Russian) side, it is noted that the official position of Moscow formulated in the late 80 s – early 90 s regarding the introduction of troops in August 1968 remains relevant at the present time. The decision to send Allied troops into Czechoslovakia was recognized as unjustified interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state. The withdrawal of troops from Czechoslovakia, the signing in August 1993 of the Treaty of Friendly Relations and Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Czech Republic, recorded the desire of the parties to put an end to the totalitarian past. And use of force against Czechoslovakia in 1968 was recognized as unacceptable, seemed to draw a line in this dramatic page of Russian-Czech relations. Recently, however, there have been attempts to deviated from the clear position that has been formed. In this regard, the author analyzes the failed initiative of the Deputies of the State Duma from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation to give the status of combat veterans to the participants of the entry of Soviet troops into Czechoslovakia in 1968 (Operation Danube) (2016), as well as an article published on November 22, 2017 on the official website of the Zvezda TV channel by journalist L. Maslovsky. In conclusion, the author examines the opinion of Russians regarding these events.
USSR; Russia; Czechoslovakia; the introduction of troops; 1968; «Prague Spring».