Latest news with #Lukowski
Russia Today
26-03-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Poland only has ammo for two weeks of war
Poland has ammunition to hold the line for up to two weeks in the event of war, until allied forces arrive, the head of the country's National Security Bureau has said. Dariusz Lukowski told local broadcaster Polsat News on Wednesday that Poland has been increasing arms production to build sufficient capacity to resist a potential Russian attack. The NATO member shares a 144-mile border with Russia's Kaliningrad exclave. Moscow has consistently denied having aggressive intentions toward NATO countries and insists that the Ukraine conflict was triggered by the military bloc's expansion toward Russia's borders. Asked whether Poland's reserves might only last for five days of war, Lukowski said that was 'possible in many areas and types of ammunition,' though not across all categories of munitions. 'I believe that depending on how the fighting unfolds, we could maintain defensive operations for a week or two with the current level of stockpiles,' he said. Read more Poland to mine borders with banned weapons According to Lukowski, the situation is most critical when it comes to ammunition for older weapons systems, for which production has already ceased. Lukowski said Poland has been draining its stockpiles to supply weapons to Ukraine, but emphasized 'this is being done very cautiously,' and added that 'at this stage, we are replenishing those stockpiles.' He also said that as long as the Ukraine conflict continues, 'we are gaining time to rebuild our [military] potential – the capacity to produce and replenish those stockpiles.' Poland is among several NATO members who argue that Russia poses a threat. Warsaw has launched a $2.6 billion 'Eastern Shield' project to beef up its eastern border, with officials indicating that anti-personnel landmines could play a key role. Moscow has repeatedly ridiculed Western claims that it intends to attack NATO or EU states, and Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed such statements as 'nonsense.' Putin has also suggested that the supposed threat of a Russian attack is being used by European politicians to scare their citizens to extract more resources from them and justify increased military spending. Russian officials have also blasted the EU's increasing military build up as reckless and escalatory. The Kremlin says the bloc's confrontational rhetoric and plans could hamper the chances of finding a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Poland can withstand invasion for 2 weeks before NATO steps in, security chief says
The Polish military has enough supplies to resist an enemy attack for up to two weeks before NATO reinforcements arrive, Dariusz Lukowski, head of Poland's National Security Bureau, told Polsat News on March 26. "I think, depending on how this fight goes, this defense can be carried out for a week or two at today's inventory levels," Lukowski said in response to a question on how long Poland could fight on its own before the allies step in. Lukowski acknowledged that Poland's Armed Forces still operate a mix of modern and outdated equipment, with ammunition shortages primarily affecting older systems. He also noted that newly acquired combat vehicles and platforms are being supplied with appropriate munitions. The Polish political opposition has denounced the state of the country's defense production, claiming that Poland would have enough ammunition for only five days of war. When asked whether Poland really has only five days' worth of stocks, Lukowski said it depends on the type of equipment and munitions. Poland, which shares borders with Belarus and Russia's heavily militarized Kaliningrad exclave, sits on NATO's eastern flank and would likely be among the first targets in a potential NATO-Russia confrontation. The country has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, supplying tanks, heavy equipment, and ammunition. Amid growing concerns over Russia's aggressive posture, Polish President Andrzej Duda called for the U.S. to deploy nuclear weapons in Poland as a deterrent. On Jan. 15, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also urged NATO allies to increase defense spending, arguing that if all European members matched Poland's budget, NATO's military expenditures would be 10 times greater than Russia's. Tensions between NATO and Russia have risen following Moscow's all-out attack against Ukraine. Western leaders and intelligence agencies have warned of a potential large-scale war in Europe within the next five years. Read also: 'There is talk of Nord Stream' — Lavrov eyes Russia-US energy cooperation We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
BBC News
01-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Invictus Games glory for Marine after car crash
"Life does go on, there's always a light at the end of the tunnel for you," says former Royal Marine Ben Lukowski. The 42-year-old served several tours of Iraq and Afghanistan but suffered a brain injury in a car crash near his home in was a love of sport that aided his rehabilitation and helped him triumph at the Invictus Games in Canada in February, winning two gold medals."I can't describe it in words but to have my family there cheering me on with my two girls watching was amazing," said the dad-of-two, from Hucknall. His wife Claire Lukowski said her husband went to pick their daughter up from a party when the crash happened in July noticed he had been out a long time and thought he had gone to the shops on the way home. It was not long after she received a phone call from her husband that he had been involved in a car crash."I was in total in shock," she said. "He told me where it was and it was close to my parents' house, where I was at the time. "I started running towards where it happened and found him sitting up against a garden wall... the driver's side was completely smashed in."Mrs Lukowski explained a few days later he could not remember conversations with her, he forgot information and his speech was not added: "It's now the standing joke, everyone says it... he's been shot at, bombed and it was a car that got him. People still can't believe it." After heading to hospital days after the crash, the father-of-two was told he had suffered a brain injury. It led to his medical discharge from the Royal Marines which left him "devastated".The injury affected his speech, his memory and mobility on one side of his spent the next two years in rehabilitation centres in Leicestershire and Lukowski said: "The world for the first three or four months was really tough trying to understand that my brain works differently."It would have been easy for me to sit back and do nothing, but I threw myself into sport."While he was at the Royal Navy Recovery Centre, he was urged to apply for selection for the Invictus Games."I saw how good it had been for the other guys who had been injured so I went for it and was buzzing when they told me I'd been picked," he said."The whole preparation has helped me massively, not only is the injury life-changing, you don't really know what is happening - with a complex brain injury you're constantly trying to readjust." Mr Lukowski said the support of his family during his recovery and his time in Vancouver "meant the world to him". He has competed in various sports during his time in the forces but never in front of his won two golds for indoor rowing, and his team came fourth in sitting volleyball. He said: "I don't know if it's how my brain works but it still doesn't feel real at all. "To have my daughter with me was so special - that was the biggest thing for me."Mrs Lukowski added: "I'm extremely proud of him, me and the girls can't put it into words how much so."I tell him every day that I'm proud of him but he forgets, bless him."Mr Lukowski is now on a Paralympics pathway to try and break into the Team GB squad for the Los Angles games in 2028. Since his medical discharge, Mr Lukowski has come second in the Ultimate Champion at the Wounded Warriors Trials in America, alongside US Marine Corps personnel in recovery in that year, he took part in the Australian Trilogy, organised by charity 65 Degrees North, which supports wounded and injured service personnel. It saw Mr Lukowski and his teammates parachute from 15,000 feet on to Noosa Beach, before cycling 1,000 miles into the outback, scaling Mount Kosciuszko and finishing at Sydney Opera the crash, Ben instructed military injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help him access the support, therapies and rehabilitation.
