Today, Friday, the Ukrainian army announced that the death toll of Russian soldiers has risen to about 193,210 since the start of the military operation on February 24 of last year.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated, according to the Ukrainian news agency (Ukrinform), that during this period, “Russia also lost 3,710 tanks, 7,224 armored vehicles, 2,978 artillery systems, 550 multiple rocket launcher systems, and 304 missile systems.” Air defense, 308 combat aircraft, 294 helicopters, 18 warships, as well as 5,916 vehicles and fuel tanks, in addition to 370 special equipment, 2,540 drones, and 947 cruise missiles were shot down.
On February 24 of last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the start of a special military operation in Ukraine, noting that this operation came in response to a request for help from the presidents of the Donbass republics.
Putin stressed that Moscow had no plans to occupy Ukrainian lands, but aimed at disarmament, and the United States and its allies responded by imposing tough sanctions and increasing arms supplies to Ukraine.
Poland: 27,000 Ukrainian refugees arrive within 24 hours
Today, Friday, the Polish Border Guard Agency announced the arrival of 27,000 refugees from Ukraine during the past 24 hours. This brings the total number of Ukrainians fleeing to Poland since February 24, 2022, to 11.62 million refugees.
And the agency stated – according to Radio “Poland” in its English-language bulletin – that about 19,200 people left Poland yesterday, Thursday, to return to Ukraine again, noting that the total number of Ukrainians returning to their country amounted to 9.84 million people.
It is noteworthy that Poland had passed in March 2022 a draft law that provides a support package for Ukrainian refugees fleeing their country, grants them legal residence, and guarantees them the right to access education, health care and social services.