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Poland to supply weapons to Ukraine’s frontline forces: interior minister

26.06.2023 19:30
Poland is launching deliveries of weapons and ammunition to Ukrainian law enforcers fighting on the frontlines against Russia's invasion, the Polish interior minister has said. 
Polands Interior Minister Mariusz Kamiński and Ukraines Ihor Klymenko meet in the southeastern Polish city of Rzeszów on Monday, June 26, 2023.
Poland's Interior Minister Mariusz Kamiński and Ukraine's Ihor Klymenko meet in the southeastern Polish city of Rzeszów on Monday, June 26, 2023.Twitter/Mariusz Kamiński

Mariusz Kamiński announced the new programme of weapons supplies on Monday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

Kamiński held a press briefing in the southeastern city of Rzeszów near the border with Ukraine after talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Ihor Klymenko

The Polish interior minister told reporters that Ukrainian forces fighting Russia included not only army soldiers, but also various law enforcement agencies overseen by the interior ministry in Kyiv, such as National Guard soldiers, police officers and Border Guard personnel.

Thousands of machine guns, millions of bullets for Ukraine

Kamiński said: “Poland will be providing these agencies with very concrete assistance. At the moment, weapons are of paramount importance. We are soon launching deliveries of weapons to Ukraine’s National Guard, and to ... Ukrainian police and Border Guard officers.”

He declared: “Poland will deliver thousands of machine guns and millions of bullets that will enable the defenders of Ukraine, who are also defending Europe’s freedom, to fight efficiently.”

Medical help for Ukrainian soldiers

Moreover, Ukrainian soldiers will be treated at hospitals run by the Polish interior ministry, Kamiński added.

He further stated: “Poland will also supply medical equipment to hospitals affiliated with Ukraine’s interior ministry, especially those located near the front line, in the northeastern city of Kharkiv and in Kherson in southern Ukraine.”

Kamiński pledged that Poland would “build and stock field hospitals for battle-injured members of Ukraine’s National Guard, police and Border Guard.”

Ukrainian interior minister thanks Poland for support

Meanwhile, Ukraine's Klymenko thanked “Poland and all Polish people” for helping his country amid Russian aggression, and “welcoming refugees from day one of the war.”

Klymenko said he was grateful to Poland for its assistance in the aftermath of the Kakhovka dam's destruction in Ukraine's southern Kherson region.

He said the Polish government "promptly transferred transport vehicles, cisterns and automatic water pumps that helped pump flood water out of houses and provided thousands of local residents with drinking water.”

Ukraine’s interior minister also thanked Poland for helping ensure "a constant flow of humanitarian aid."

Klymenko said: “The enemy is powerful and only by working together will we be able to take action that will lead not just to the liberation of Ukraine, but also to ensuring the security of all of Europe.”

After the news conference, Klymenko decorated Polish police officers, firefighters and Border Guard officials with medals for helping his country, the PAP news agency reported.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.

Monday is day 488 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

(pm/gs)

Source: PAP, Polsat News