The White House yesterday announced that they estimate Russia’s military have suffered 100,000 casualties in the last five months in fighting against Ukraine in the Bakhmut region.
National security spokesperson John Kirby called out the figure, based on U.S. intelligence estimates, included more than 20,000 dead, half of them from the Wagner mercenary group, which includes convicts released from prison to join the fighting. Their leader has recently threatened to pull out of Bakhmut if the Russian military command fail to deliver more regular ammunition supplies.
„Russia’s attempt at an offensive in the Donbas largely through Bakhmut has failed,” Kirby said. „Russia has been unable to seize any real strategic and significant territory.”
He said the Russians have made some incremental gains in Bakhmut but that this has come at a terrible cost and that Ukraine’s defences in the region remain strong. Kirby also hinted that another U.S. weapons package for Ukraine would be officially announced soon.
(Reuters)
Poland has been a member of the European Union since May 1 2004, under the Accession Treaty signed in Athens on April 16, 2003, entering the bloc along with Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
In a statement delivered yesterday in the gardens of the Presidential Palace, the President described the anniversary as „a day of joy and reflection for the future.”
He described the way in which he feels the Polish people are proudly full participants in the “great European freedom”. He added that amongst many other benefits, trips within the community take place without passports, and in many ways now, Poland is not much different from even the wealthiest nations of the European Union. “If we look back, this is the result of our hard work, we are very grateful to everyone for that.”
Prime Minister Morawiecki also addressed the nation, and emphasized the point concerning the conservation of nation state sovereignty whilst being inside the EU framework. He noted that if not for the individual convictions of the USA, Great Britain and Poland, there would probably not be an independent Ukraine today. And so the role of nation states cannot be overestimated.
(PAP / Radio Gdańsk)
Over the holiday weekend just passed, the third season of the ekoKayak campaign began in Gdańsk. As part of it, enthusiasts of water sport recreation will be able to rent a city kayak, boat or pedalo for free – provided that during the trip you fish out a full bag of garbage from the Motława River. The scheme will last until the end of September.
Some kayakers of the two previous editions of the scheme had to return to the marina several times with full bags during trips of just two hours, and in total the participants from the first two ekoKayak seasons pulled out almost 1,400 kilograms of waste from the water.
The scheme is intended for adults or younger people with guardians. The Gdańsk Sports Centre provides participants with garbage bags, gloves and grippers.
Registration is carried out via forms on the Gdańsk Sports Centre website, which should be sent to the email address ekokajak@sportgdansk.pl. In response to the application, the action participant will receive a map and all the necessary information.
More information can be obtained by calling 517 806 565.
(Radio Gdańsk)
The weather
Today will be warmer than yesterday but with periods of both rain showers and sunshine. The temperature is set to fall sharply as we move into the evening. A moderate breeze will come in from the north west. Daytime temperatures will see a high of 17°C or 63°F, with expected lows of 3°C or 37°F overnight. Tomorrow’s weather will be sunny and slightly cooler, but with less chance of rain.
Tom Rado/aKa
