Latest news with #Poles
The Australian
3 hours ago
- The Australian
'This is no vacation': young Poles do summer army bootcamp
Sweating and out of breath, young Poles throw grenades and practise evacuating the wounded at a training ground outside Warsaw. Instead of relaxing at the beach, they have chosen to do army drills over the summer holidays. Nearly 10,000 men and women have volunteered for the month-long, paid "Vacation with the Army" programme, which the defence ministry launched to promote military service among young people as Poland beefs up its security. The EU and NATO member -- which borders Belarus, Russia and Ukraine -- has been strengthening its defensive assets since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 out of fear that it could be next. "The training includes shooting and tactics classes, field studies, and general air defence," said lieutenant Patrycja Adamska, spokeswoman for the army's 10th Car Regiment, one of the units involved in the programme. "The recruits have an opportunity to experience the discipline of soldier life," she told AFP. The participants, most of them 18 to 20 years old, spend 27 days in a unit, after which they are awarded a rank and can continue service or become part of the reserve personnel. Michal Piekut, a master's student in international security, was surprised by the rigour of the drills. Sporting camouflage paint and in full uniform, the 29-year-old was barely standing from the exertion. "This is no vacation, it's intensive military training. I thought I wouldn't make it," he told AFP after dragging a heavy munition chest across many metres of sandy terrain. "Nobody fainted yet, but the day is young," he deadpanned. Lieutenant Michal Gelej from the army recruitment office said the programme "constitutes a wonderful alternative to summer jobs", as a payout of 1,400 euros awaits those who complete it. Goran Meredith, a 19-year-old American studies student at the University of Warsaw, said the money and summer timing allowed him to participate, otherwise he "wouldn't have time to be here". The ongoing war in Ukraine was another incentive. Piekut said he was considering a future military career: "I want to become a reserve soldier, and if need be, serve my homeland." - Learning from Ukraine - Just after Russia's Ukraine invasion, Poland adopted a homeland security law that included the goal of "enlarging military personnel". It also updated its voluntary conscription programme in 2022 with an eye towards increasing the army reserve. It drew nearly 90,000 candidates over the years 2023 and 2024. The defence ministry launched the "Vacation with the Army" programme last year, along with exercises in schools and weekend boot camps for civilians, promoted by a large-scale social media campaign. "The Ukrainian example teaches us that the professional army gets used up in about a year" if it cannot draw on adequate reserves, said Bartosz Marczuk, a Sobieski Institute expert who co-authored a report on the idea of introducing mandatory military training in Poland. "We are the largest country on NATO's eastern flank, and its keystone of security," he added. Marczuk said that any reintroduction of mandatory army service -- which Poland ended in 2009 -- would need to be preceded by voluntary programs. "That's why all initiatives of this sort have to be supported," he told AFP. In March, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that by 2027, Poland will expand its voluntary military training program to accommodate 100,000 recruits per year, in order to create "an army of reservists". Piekut doubted whether his compatriots were up to the task. "Most adults could not handle it. There are very high requirements, physically, psychologically, and in terms of discipline," he said. Meredith agreed: "We're in our first week and 10 people have quit already, so it speaks for itself". str/amj/gv Breaking News Gaza famine warning as Israel resists ceasefire calls Breaking News Cambodia-Thailand truce broadly holds despite shaky start
Toronto Sun
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
'THIS IS NO VACATION': Young Poles do summer army bootcamp
Published Jul 29, 2025 • 3 minute read Poland launched a volunteer military training scheme to promote army service among young people as Poland beefs up its security Photo by Wojtek RADWANSKI / AFP Warsaw (AFP) — Sweating and out of breath, young Poles throw grenades and practise evacuating the wounded at a training ground outside Warsaw. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Instead of relaxing at the beach, they have chosen to do army drills over the summer holidays. Nearly 10,000 men and women have volunteered for the month-long, paid 'Vacation with the Army' programme, which the defence ministry launched to promote military service among young people as Poland beefs up its security. The EU and NATO member — which borders Belarus, Russia and Ukraine — has been strengthening its defensive assets since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 out of fear that it could be next. 'The training includes shooting and tactics classes, field studies, and general air defence,' said lieutenant Patrycja Adamska, spokeswoman for the army's 10th Car Regiment, one of the units involved in the programme. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The recruits have an opportunity to experience the discipline of soldier life,' she told AFP. The participants, most of them 18 to 20 years old, spend 27 days in a unit, after which they are awarded a rank and can continue service or become part of the reserve personnel. Michal Piekut, a master's student in international security, was surprised by the rigour of the drills. Sporting camouflage paint and in full uniform, the 29-year-old was barely standing from the exertion. 'This is no vacation, it's intensive military training. I thought I wouldn't make it,' he told AFP after dragging a heavy munition chest across many metres of sandy terrain. 'Nobody fainted yet, but the day is young,' he deadpanned. Lieutenant Michal Gelej from the army recruitment office said the programme 'constitutes a wonderful alternative to summer jobs', as a payout of 1,400 euros awaits those who complete it. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Goran Meredith, a 19-year-old American studies student at the University of Warsaw, said the money and summer timing allowed him to participate, otherwise he 'wouldn't have time to be here'. The ongoing war in Ukraine was another incentive. Nearly 10,000 men and women have volunteered for the month-long, paid 'Vacation with the Army' programme. (Wojtek RADWANSKI/AFP) Photo by Wojtek RADWANSKI / AFP Piekut said he was considering a future military career: 'I want to become a reserve soldier, and if need be, serve my homeland.' Learning from Ukraine Just after Russia's Ukraine invasion, Poland adopted a homeland security law that included the goal of 'enlarging military personnel'. It also updated its voluntary conscription programme in 2022 with an eye towards increasing the army reserve. It drew nearly 90,000 candidates over the years 2023 and 2024. The defence ministry launched the 'Vacation with the Army' programme last year, along with exercises in schools and weekend boot camps for civilians, promoted by a large-scale social media campaign. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The Ukrainian example teaches us that the professional army gets used up in about a year' if it cannot draw on adequate reserves, said Bartosz Marczuk, a Sobieski Institute expert who co-authored a report on the idea of introducing mandatory military training in Poland. A military instructor keeps an eye on volunteers during a military training that is part of the 'Vacation with the Army' project. (Wojtek RADWANSKI/AFP) Photo by Wojtek RADWANSKI / AFP 'We are the largest country on NATO's eastern flank, and its keystone of security,' he added. Marczuk said that any reintroduction of mandatory army service — which Poland ended in 2009 — would need to be preceded by voluntary programs. 'That's why all initiatives of this sort have to be supported,' he told AFP. In March, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that by 2027, Poland will expand its voluntary military training program to accommodate 100,000 recruits per year, in order to create 'an army of reservists'. Piekut doubted whether his compatriots were up to the task. 'Most adults could not handle it. There are very high requirements, physically, psychologically, and in terms of discipline,' he said. Meredith agreed: 'We're in our first week and 10 people have quit already, so it speaks for itself'. MLB Sunshine Girls Opinion Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA
Euronews
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Poland says Russia's secret service hired Colombian for arson attacks
Authorities in Poland charged a Colombian national with terror offences on Tuesday for his role in two arson attacks, allegedly carried out on behalf of Russia. "Officers of the Internal Security Agency (ABW) have determined that a 27-year-old Colombian man who acted on behalf of Russian intelligence was behind two arson attacks that occurred in Poland in May 2024," spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration, Jacek Dobrzyński, said during a press conference. ABW said the 27-year-old suspect, who entered Poland from Spain, set fire to two construction supply depots in May last year, following orders from Moscow as part of a hybrid warfare campaign. Dobrzyński said the man had been taught how to prepare incendiary materials, construct Molotov cocktails and document the effects of sabotage actions by Russia's secret services. According to a communiqué issued by the ABW, the suspect's actions fit with previous incidents identified in many Central and Eastern European countries. "It has been confirmed that Russian services, using Telegram, systematically and on a large scale recruited persons of Latin American origin, with military experience, to carry out reconnaissance of the locations indicated to them and then to set fire to the selected objects and to document the destruction," the ABW statement stated. Russian secret services allegedly encourage citizens of South American countries coming to EU countries under the visa-free regime to commit crimes, offering them an easy way to make money. Fires in Warsaw and Radom The first incident occurred in Warsaw on 23 May last year, when a building supply depot was torched. A week later, on 30 May a similar facility went up in flames in Radom. "Thanks to the immediate action of the firefighters, the fires were quickly extinguished," Dobrzyński said. As the ABW explained, Russian-language media used both fires for propaganda purposes and in particular the Radom fire was falsely said to be a "logistics centre with military aid for Ukraine." The Colombian man had already been sentenced to eight years in prison by a Czech court in June this year for setting fire to a bus depot in Prague and preparing to set fire to a local shopping mall. The suspect has partially admitted his guilt and could face up to life imprisonment. Not the first such case Jacek Dobrzyński stressed that "in addition to these acts, disinformation used by the Russian services is also incredibly dangerous." "Russian services are trying to disinform, they are trying to divide Poles, they are trying to split Poles from the European Union or from NATO members," he said. Poland and some other countries in the region were the victims of a series of acts of sabotage last year, among them a a fire that completely destroyed the largest shopping centre in Warsaw. In May, Poland said it was closing the Russian consulate in Kraków in response to evidence that Moscow was behind that fire. And in October last year, Poland's Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski ordered Moscow to shutter its consulate in Poznań and declared its staff persona non grata in response to a string of sabotage and cyberattacks. Authorities have blamed Russia of carrying out a campaign of hybrid warfare, particularly targeting countries that support Ukraine, and say Moscow often recruits Ukrainian and Belarusian immigrants to carry out the attacks.
Al Jazeera
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Poland – At a crossroads of ideologies
Pinch Point Poland is increasingly seen as the gateway between eastern and western Europe. Post-war Poland has enjoyed proper independence now for little more than 35 years. And it wants to keep it that way. But there are external pressures which Poles believe put them under very real threat. Video Duration 04 minutes 56 seconds 04:56 Video Duration 04 minutes 45 seconds 04:45 Video Duration 00 minutes 43 seconds 00:43 Video Duration 05 minutes 59 seconds 05:59 Video Duration 05 minutes 30 seconds 05:30 Video Duration 05 minutes 58 seconds 05:58 Video Duration 05 minutes 27 seconds 05:27
Int'l Business Times
16 hours ago
- Int'l Business Times
'This Is No Vacation': Young Poles Do Summer Army Bootcamp
Sweating and out of breath, young Poles throw grenades and practise evacuating the wounded at a training ground outside Warsaw. Instead of relaxing at the beach, they have chosen to do army drills over the summer holidays. Nearly 10,000 men and women have volunteered for the month-long, paid "Vacation with the Army" programme, which the defence ministry launched to promote military service among young people as Poland beefs up its security. The EU and NATO member -- which borders Belarus, Russia and Ukraine -- has been strengthening its defensive assets since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 out of fear that it could be next. "The training includes shooting and tactics classes, field studies, and general air defence," said lieutenant Patrycja Adamska, spokeswoman for the army's 10th Car Regiment, one of the units involved in the programme. "The recruits have an opportunity to experience the discipline of soldier life," she told AFP. The participants, most of them 18 to 20 years old, spend 27 days in a unit, after which they are awarded a rank and can continue service or become part of the reserve personnel. Michal Piekut, a master's student in international security, was surprised by the rigour of the drills. Sporting camouflage paint and in full uniform, the 29-year-old was barely standing from the exertion. "This is no vacation, it's intensive military training. I thought I wouldn't make it," he told AFP after dragging a heavy munition chest across many metres of sandy terrain. "Nobody fainted yet, but the day is young," he deadpanned. Lieutenant Michal Gelej from the army recruitment office said the programme "constitutes a wonderful alternative to summer jobs", as a payout of 1,400 euros awaits those who complete it. Goran Meredith, a 19-year-old American studies student at the University of Warsaw, said the money and summer timing allowed him to participate, otherwise he "wouldn't have time to be here". The ongoing war in Ukraine was another incentive. Piekut said he was considering a future military career: "I want to become a reserve soldier, and if need be, serve my homeland." Just after Russia's Ukraine invasion, Poland adopted a homeland security law that included the goal of "enlarging military personnel". It also updated its voluntary conscription programme in 2022 with an eye towards increasing the army reserve. It drew nearly 90,000 candidates over the years 2023 and 2024. The defence ministry launched the "Vacation with the Army" programme last year, along with exercises in schools and weekend boot camps for civilians, promoted by a large-scale social media campaign. "The Ukrainian example teaches us that the professional army gets used up in about a year" if it cannot draw on adequate reserves, said Bartosz Marczuk, a Sobieski Institute expert who co-authored a report on the idea of introducing mandatory military training in Poland. "We are the largest country on NATO's eastern flank, and its keystone of security," he added. Marczuk said that any reintroduction of mandatory army service -- which Poland ended in 2009 -- would need to be preceded by voluntary programs. "That's why all initiatives of this sort have to be supported," he told AFP. In March, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that by 2027, Poland will expand its voluntary military training program to accommodate 100,000 recruits per year, in order to create "an army of reservists". Piekut doubted whether his compatriots were up to the task. "Most adults could not handle it. There are very high requirements, physically, psychologically, and in terms of discipline," he said. Meredith agreed: "We're in our first week and 10 people have quit already, so it speaks for itself". Nearly 10,000 men and women have volunteered for the month-long, paid 'Vacation with the Army' programme AFP A military instructor keeps an eye on volunteers during a military training that is part of the "Vacation with the Army" project AFP
