This is outlined in the draft action plan for implementing the Lithuanian government’s programme Authorities plan to upgrade the 113-kilometer road linking Vilnius as part of efforts to develop the so-called Alternative Suwalki Corridor “This corridor provides an alternative route to Western Europe via Poland if the Via Baltica corridor is blocked or needed for other purposes in a crisis,” Transport Ministry spokesman Lukas Paškevičius told BNS Lithuanian Transport Minister Eugenijus Sabutis and Polish Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak agreed in Warsaw in January to jointly apply to the European Commission for funding to adapt the Augustow-Vilnius route for military mobility needs The Suwalki Gap is a land strip of around 100 kilometres on the Lithuanian-Polish border wedged between the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad on the west and Belarus on the east Politico has described it as “the most dangerous place in the world” Kiryl Kazakou — editor-in-chief of the Minski Kurier (Minsk Courier) newspaper — has suggested seizing Polish territory He voiced his ideas during a program hosted by another propagandist Kazakou remarked that the pearl of the Hrodna region is the Augustów Canal which leads to the city of Augustów on Polish territory “This area lies within the so-called Suwałki Corridor I don’t understand why the jewel of our region is called the Augustów Canal while the city of Augustów is not in friendly relations with the Hrodna region,” he complained The propagandist proposed incorporating either Augustów or Białystok into Belarus — the latter being the city where the annexation of Western Belarus into the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (BSSR) was proclaimed And overall — Biała Wieża… Biała Wieża is Belarusian territory,” Kazakou declared Lukashenka’s propagandists — and Lukashenka himself — often claim that Poland seeks to seize part of Belarus it seems the dreams of territorial conquest are coming from the other side of the border Become a journalist!Report topic! Support usDonate Investigators are working to establish the cause of the blaze which scorched some 450 hectares of protected wetland and forest in the country’s northeast which ignited near the village of Kopytkowo affected an area where Augustów and Mońki counties meet in the Podlaskie region While firefighters say the situation is now under control full extinguishing could take several days the flames reached underground peat layers Ogień w Biebrzańskim Parku Narodowym. Straż podała najnowsze informacje#PAPinformacje https://t.co/CtxYWBNXmr Police in the town of Augustów have launched a criminal investigation into what the penal code describes as "causing direct danger through fire to the life and health of many people or to property of large scale." The local prosecutor’s office was expected to formally open the investigation on Wednesday urged anyone with information to come forward "All persons with knowledge about the circumstances of the fire are asked to contact their nearest police station or call the emergency number," she said "Information can also be shared anonymously Prosecutors are particularly interested in locating people who were in the area during the Easter holiday We hope someone who was out for an Easter walk or trip noticed something,” said Sebastian Piekarski head of the District Prosecutor’s Office in Augustów He added that they are especially looking for anyone who may have seen suspicious behaviour including individuals moving through the park’s reed beds This spring’s fire is the largest in the region so far this year and brings back memories of a devastating blaze five years ago in a nearby part of the park destroyed 5,300 hectares of marshland and forest Investigators at the time explored both intentional and accidental causes Experts concluded that the blaze showed signs of being deliberately set in multiple locations Although that earlier investigation was extensive and included cash rewards offered by local officials it was eventually closed after nine months due to a lack of suspects The Biebrza National Park is one of Poland’s most ecologically valuable areas home to unique wetland habitats and numerous protected species Fires in such locations threaten human safety and property and can cause long-term damage to plant and animal life reducing the natural value of protected sites Source: IAR, PAP Contact us Careers BAT’s Global Graduate Programme is well respected industry-wide offering graduates a full-time role from day one and a chance to make an immediate impact on our business We aim to attract the brightest and best to BAT offering world-class development and training to grads as they set off on their career journeys Whether joining the BAT graduate programme in Operations exciting journey that will stretch and test them The ultimate aim is for them to be propelled into a management role within 12 months To spread the word about how their Operations graduates can succeed the team at the Augustow factory in Poland put together a fantastic video Manufacturing Development Manager at Augustow said: “With this video we wanted to show what a great place Augustow is to work and offer encouragement to our next generation of leaders as we help support BAT’s transformation journey.” Find out more about BAT’s Global Graduate Programme – and where you could fit in across our business – by visiting our dedicated careers website, careers.bat.com Lithuania is strengthening its military presence along the Suwałki Gap a weak spot in Europe that could face a Russian threat Working with Poland, the country plans to improve important roads and border defenses. These upgrades aim to secure a key connection between Western Europe and the Baltic states by 2028 The Suwałki Gap is a 100-kilometer stretch of land between Poland and Lithuania It lies between Russia’s Kaliningrad region and Belarus This gap is the only land route that connects NATO’s Baltic countries to the rest of the alliance Military experts see it as a likely target if Russia attacks the EU or NATO “This corridor is critical to us from a security and defense perspective,” said Lithuanian Deputy Defense Minister Tomas Godliauskas “They’ve always been part of our civil-military planning as key ground routes for allied support during a crisis.” Two main roads run through the Suwałki Gap which links Kaunas in Lithuania to Warsaw in Poland Lithuania and Poland now plan to upgrade the Vilnius–Augustów road so it can handle both civilian and military traffic during emergencies “It’s just one more option to ensure better logistics in times of need,” Godliauskas explained Via Baltica and the high-speed Rail Baltica are already key routes for moving military forces Improving the Vilnius–Augustów road will give NATO more options for moving troops and gear and for carrying out evacuations if needed Lithuania and Poland plan to rebuild 113 kilometers of road and repair eight bridges as part of their joint project Lithuania’s Deputy Transport Minister Roderikas Žiobakas said that they aim to finish by 2028 Godliauskas admitted that the deadline could slip but added that common security goals and Poland’s resources may help keep things on schedule (Image courtesy of Jon Worth via Wikimedia Commons) Lithuania is also looking at ways to strengthen border security near Kaliningrad and Belarus Plans include adding road checkpoints and concrete barriers to slow down enemy forces if a conflict breaks out “We’re discussing how to address GPS spoofing and jamming from Russia which is already affecting our civil aviation and navigation systems,” Godliauskas said While the project supports EU and NATO defense goals it is not part of any official programs from either group Lithuania and Poland are funding it through a direct agreement Lithuania will cover the cost of upgrades on its side of the border and has asked Poland to handle the work on its side of the Augustów road “We’ll be lobbying the EU — together with Poland and Latvia — to ensure these projects are prioritized” in the bloc’s upcoming budget Lithuania’s efforts to strengthen its borders and improve military roads send a clear message: more security and more oversight As NATO increases its presence in the Suwałki Gap travelers crossing this key route between the Baltics and the rest of the EU may face stricter checks and short delays especially during military drills or times of tension but land crossings between Lithuania and Poland will likely see more surveillance These changes could support the European Union’s upcoming European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) ETIAS will require non-EU travelers to get electronic approval before entering Schengen countries Lithuania’s upgrades—like dual-use checkpoints and better border technology—could help manage this new system by improving how travelers are screened and tracked especially those coming from Belarus or Russia—legally or not—may find fewer easy paths across the border crossing without permission will become riskier and more difficult this could push migration toward less-protected parts of the EU putting more pressure on other border countries Lithuania’s investment in physical infrastructure does more than strengthen its defense—it also changes how borders are seen today immigration and national security are becoming more connected By upgrading roads and adding military-level surveillance Lithuania is making it clear: managing borders is not just about controlling who enters This view could shape how other countries handle asylum Governments might use security concerns to justify stricter rules or collecting more personal data like fingerprints and facial scans The systems being built now—both physical and digital—are setting the tone for future borders: stronger Lithuania’s actions support growing demands for shared funding and coordinated control of outer borders As Estonia and Poland join Lithuania in pushing for this support the EU may face pressure to treat immigration more as a security issue This could make it harder to build more welcoming and unified systems for newcomers especially in countries still divided over past migration challenges (Image courtesy of jo.sau via Wikimedia Commons) Lithuania’s effort to upgrade its military infrastructure sends a clear message to both its allies and rivals By making the Suwałki Gap easier to defend and move through Lithuania strengthens NATO’s northeastern border and shows it’s ready to face threats from Russia and Belarus—including cyber attacks and other non-traditional tactics They show the Baltic states’ commitment to staying strong and prepared Lithuania’s approach could guide how other European countries protect their borders preparing for conflict is part of how the region works toward peace Terms of Use|Privacy Policy images or other representation of this site is prohibited and copyright violators will be pursued legally to the full extent of the law Por un futuro en el que los humanos vivan en armonía con la naturaleza WWF® and ©1986 Panda Symbol are owned by WWF You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience Lithuania is set to upgrade and fortify a second route through the Suwałki Gap — a crucial choke point along the border with Poland that's seen as one of likeliest areas for any future Russian attack on the European Union and NATO “These roads [are] critical to us from a security and defense perspective,” Lithuanian Deputy Defense Minister Tomas Godliauskas told POLITICO in a telephone interview The Suwałki Gap is a sparsely populated 100-kilometer-wide stretch of forested flat land connecting Poland and Lithuania and bordered by Kremlin ally Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave It's considered one of NATO’s most vulnerable points serving as a vital land corridor linking the Baltic states to the rest of the alliance Lithuania has currently two main roads crossing the gap: one running from Kaunas in Lithuania to Warsaw — part of the Via Baltica military corridor — and the ordinary route between the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius and the Polish city of Augustów Lithuania is now moving to expand its military infrastructure network beyond Via Baltica — which is the country’s primary route for allied reinforcements — by upgrading the Vilnius-Augustów road to dual-use standards for both civilian and military needs Via Baltica and the Rail Baltica line — a project to build a high-speed rail link from the Baltics to Poland — currently serve as the primary channels for military mobility and support potential civilian evacuations in the event of war “It's just one more option to ensure better logistics in times of need,” Godliauskas said The effort is part of a broader European push to invest in dual-use infrastructure — projects designed to meet both civilian and military needs. Countries such as Spain, Belgium and Slovakia are pursuing similar upgrades. EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius has said that the bloc will need to spend at least €70 billion to urgently adapt its rail the Suwałki project may also include new border security measures there are talks about new protections along the borders with Kaliningrad and Belarus,” Godliauskas said mentioning discussions around placing counter-mobility elements near or on borders such as road control points and blocking systems like cement barriers Godliauskas also said that ensuring freedom of movement for troops and goods along the two roads is a priority and added that such border protection operations are likely to be closely monitored by Russia as "sensitive and vital" information He also added that security measures extend beyond the physical domain which is already affecting our civil aviation and navigation systems.” The full scope of the project includes reconstructing 113 kilometers of road and renovating eight bridges Lithuania’s Deputy Transport Minister Roderikas Žiobakas told POLITICO recently that the work is expected to be completed by 2028 “But we hope that the geopolitical situation our interest and Poland's capabilities will allow us to reach that timeline.” Lithuania hopes to secure EU funding for the project and Latvia — to ensure these projects are prioritized" in the bloc's next multiyear budget Although aligned with EU and NATO military mobility goals the road project is not officially part of either organization’s programs it is being funded as a bilateral initiative between the Polish and Lithuanian transport and defense ministries “We’ll invest in the section up to the Lithuanian border and we’re asking Poland to upgrade their side of the Augustów road to meet military mobility standards,” Godliauskas said Polish officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment Europe has built its war-fighting plans on speeding American reinforcements to the front lines The prospect of that not happening is throwing military mobility plans into disarray either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content Poland is creating a new military engineering battalion close to the contentious Suwałki Gap after Belarus' leader, Alexander Lukashenko, said Wagner Group mercenaries were itching to move into Warsaw's territory "A sapper battalion will soon be created in Augustów," a town close to Poland's border with Belarus Lithuania and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak said on Sunday "This is another military unit built by us from scratch and I assure you that it will not be the last one," he said in a post to Twitter, adding: "We care about the security of the eastern flank!" NATO nation Poland, one of Ukraine's most vocal supporters, has expressed concerns over a Minsk-brokered deal that allowed Wagner mercenary fighters and the group's leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin The agreement followed the aborted Wagner Group mutiny and advance on Moscow that shook the Kremlin in late June which considers an attack on a member as an attack on all other member states Poland said it was redeploying 1,000 soldiers over concerns about the presence of the Wagner Group in Belarus said Warsaw was transferring 500 police officers to the border with Belarus because of the "tense situation." which monitors military activity in Belarus said at least 3,500 Wagner mercenaries had arrived in the country a spokesperson for Ukraine's State Border Guard Service said around 5,000 mercenaries had now crossed into Belarus Video footage published by Wagner channels last week also indicated Prigozhin's presence in a military camp in the Moscow-aligned country Dbamy o bezpieczeństwo wschodniej flanki! W Augustowie wkrótce powstanie batalion saperów. To kolejna budowana przez nas od podstaw jednostka wojskowa i zapewniam, że nie ostatnia. Wkrótce będę informował o nowych inwestycjach. Koalicja PO-PSL likwidowała jednostki wojskowe. Rząd… pic.twitter.com/F8GtXLHuiI On Thursday, Belarus' defense ministry said Wagner Group fighters would train Belarusian troops and would be based in Brest, just three miles from the Polish border. In remarks to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, Lukashenko said Wagner fighters close to the Polish border were "insisting on going westward" into Warsaw's territory Wagner mercenaries "will go to see the sights of Warsaw and Rzeszów," Lukashenko said during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in remarks reported by Belarus' state news agency The Wagner troops "hold a grudge against Rzeszów," Lukashenko said referring to the southeastern Polish city as a source for military hardware that Ukraine has used against them the Belarusian leadership is keeping Wagner fighters within Minsk's territory as agreed "I would not like to redeploy them there," he added Putin said Polish lawmakers "dream of the Belarusian lands," adding that Moscow would respond to aggression against Belarus "with all the means at our disposal." Belarus and Russia form part of the Union State an agreement tying Minsk and Moscow together "Aggression against Belarus will be like an attack on Russia," Lukashenko said on Sunday Newsweek has reached out to the Polish Defense Ministry and the Belarusian Foreign Ministry for comment via email Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground Newsletters in your inbox See all You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience. Text description provided by the architects. IntroductionThe canoeing base in Augustów was established in 2019 as the implementation of the winning concept of the architectural competition settled in 2016 The competition task was to create a concept for a water sports center - a canoeist base - and the overall development of the neighboring recreational areas The investment has been divided into several stages the new development of Błonie on the Netta River is still to be built playground and places for citizens and tourists to get some rest LocationThe resort is located in the central part of Augustów, on the west boulevard of the Netta River. The facility is located in a picturesque bend of the river, which is a part of the historical Augustów Canal. Around the structure, there are public leisure areas eagerly visited by locals and tourists. © Bartosz DworskiFunctionThe base building is a place for training and meetings of the local canoe club, as well as a place to organize competitions and sporting events. The base building contains a training facility; cloakrooms; a gym with panoramic water views; club room; sports equipment warehouse and the public toilet. The water hangar building has two platforms for water equipment, a roof stand and a storage space for motorboats. The horizontal arrangement of boards emphasizes the dynamics of solid and the natural colors help it to enter the surrounding landscapes The roof of the canoeing base building was made as an extensive You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email The Minister of Climate and the Environment with the support of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management informs about the conclusion of a contract for co-financing the project “Augustów Forest and tree-bee-keeping- the chance to save the last anchor of the Augustów native bees The project beneficiary is Augustów Forestry (Państwowe Gospodarstwo Leśne Lasy Państwowe Nadleśnictwo Augustów) The project received funding in the call for proposals for Implementation of ecosystem management plans under the Environment Energy and Climate Change Program in the area of Natural environment and ecosystems The total cost of the project is approximately EUR 650 thousand (approximately PLN 2.8 million) and the requested amount of co-financing is approximately EUR 550 thousand (PLN 2.4 million) It is co-financed in 85% by the Environment Energy and Climate Change Program of the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism (of which 85% comes from the EEA Financial Mechanism and 15% from the national budget) The project is a continuation of activities undertaken in 2014 - 2016 and is being implemented in 5 forest districts of the Augustów Forest: Augustów remixed - orchards will be established and ponds and new beehives will be made This will increase biodiversity among plants and animals The planned activities will contribute to improving the bee habitat and increasing the forest ecosystem's resilience to negative phenomena associated with climate change The project is extended by educational and promotional tasks such as the Barciowisko The agreement for the project's co-financing was signed on 8th October 2021 and the planned completion date is April 2024 Link to project website The celebrations were attended by the head of the Polish government and took place in Giby where a monument dedicated to the victims of the roundup was erected in 1991 The Augustów Roundup was the greatest crime committed against Poles after the end of World War II assisted by Polish communist collaborators The exact number of people who lost their lives in 1945 due to this event is not known Initial estimates suggested that at least 600 people were murdered A conclusive explanation of the Augustów crime is still pending The Prime Minister announced that we will not rest until the graves of the roundup victims are found supported by the Department of Security and the Citizens' Militia carried out a pacification operation in and around the Augustów Forest Even 2,000 people may not have returned home The graves of the victims of the Augustów massacre have not been found to this day "The Augustów massacre is an unhealed Polish wound A wound that cries out for an explanation," emphasised the Prime Minister "The communist perpetrators attempted to murder our heroes from the Home Army and those who helped them twice The head of the Polish government drew attention to the measures undertaken to preserve the memory of the victims of this event: "Today The Pilecki Institute will create a Museum of the August Roundup in the repurchased ‘Turk's House’ This place will remind the next generation about the truth and the events of 77 years ago All this aims to ensure that the memory of our heroes is not lost we have been celebrating the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Augustów Roundup since 2015 This allows us to draw attention to the merits of those who were murdered at that time.” "It was the seed of freedom that the victims from the time of the Second World War and from the time of the Augustow Roundup and this Augustów massacre It was their endeavours that later became the seed of freedom and solidarity which was so important for the restoration of Polish independence," emphasised the Prime Minister The brave people who stood up to Soviet domination after the war set the moral compass that guides the contemporary rulers of our homeland These events also serve as a reminder of the importance of ensuring Poland's security we place a strong emphasis on strengthening the security of Podlasie guarded by the Polish military and supported by the most powerful military pact in the history of the world – the North Atlantic Alliance Security is permanent and constantly reinforced "We have to do this so that the Russkiy mir never reigns on these lands again The Russkiy mir that now gives Ukraine a bad name and which means violence crimes and domination," emphasised the head of the Polish government "That is why we will never let a Russian soldier set foot on Polish soil Sejny or Suwałki – unless this Russian soldier wants to kneel before one of these crosses.” Log in and download the free e-publication of the latest A&B The printed version is available for sale online in our store and press salons throughout Poland unique e-mail [will also be used as login in the portal] Only name - check the correctness of the data Only the last name - check the correctness of the data password must be at least 8 characters long * fields required for registration; data can be completed in account settings after logging in ** establishment of a student account follows verification of the validity of the student ID card Please try later or let us know: contact Technology: aitnet.pl Ⓒ AiB Publishing House 2025 Lithuanian Minister of Transport and Communications Eugenijus Sabutis emphasizes the need to strengthen transport resilience in response to current challenges He advocates for securing additional European funding for military mobility projects while reducing bureaucratic barriers and procedures between the European Union (EU) and NATO During the informal meeting of EU transport ministers in Warsaw Minister Sabutis also proposed measures to ensure the seamless movement of both civilian and allied transport it is essential to enhance cooperation between the EU and NATO There is potential to reduce bureaucracy and streamline procedures enabling our allies to benefit from a more efficient logistics system that meets their needs and aligns with NATO standards Strengthening military mobility links and their security is critical We propose the development of various transport and telecommunications infrastructure projects that will facilitate the seamless movement of people and allied forces across the Baltic States and Poland,” said Lithuanian Minister of Transport and Communications Eugenijus Sabutis Sabutis emphasizes the crucial role of transport links – particularly the Via Baltica motorway and the European gauge railway  Rail Baltica – in enhancing connectivity and national security for the Baltic States He stated that Lithuania will actively collaborate with its neighbors to ensure these projects receive sufficient funding in the upcoming EU multiannual financial framework it is particularly important to develop the North-South transport corridor The new TEN-T network already includes a European rail link to Klaipėda the shortest route between Lithuania and Ukraine as well as new military mobility connections from Białystok through Augustów during a meeting between the Lithuanian Deputy Minister Julijus Glebovas and his Polish counterpart it was agreed to explore the possibility of launching an additional train between Vilnius and Warsaw next year It is expected that the travel time between the two capitals could be halved by 2027 The estimated cost for dual-purpose projects in Lithuania designed to meet both civil and military transport needs Lithuania requires an extra €4 billion to complete the Rail Baltica project by 2030 the Lithuania and Poland applied to the European Commission for funding to adapt the Augustów-Vilnius road to meet military mobility requirements The construction of the Rail Baltica railway from Kaunas to the Latvian border will extend to 114 km by the end of this year Construction of the 46.3 km section of the main line embankment and civil engineering works is currently underway between Kaunas and Panevėžys Three of the four sections of the 40 km long Via Baltica section in Lithuania (from Marijampolė to Poland) have already been completed with 28.5 km of the trunk road finally modernised The last section will be completed this year A subscription to The Baltic Times is a cost-effective way of staying in touch with the latest Baltic news and views enabling you full access from anywhere with an Internet connection. Subscribe Now! 2025 © The Baltic Times /Cookies Policy Privacy Policy Klimczak (by the Polish Ministry of Infrastructure) Gawkowski (by the Polish Ministry of Digitalisation) Lithuanian Minister of Transport and Communications Eugenijus Sabutis met with Polish Minister of Infrastructure Dariusz Klimczak in Warsaw on Thursday to discuss ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in the transport and logistics sector To improve transport links and military mobility Lithuania and Poland agreed to jointly apply to the European Commission for European funding to make the Augustów-Vilnius route suitable for military mobility needs “Poland is an exceptionally important neighbour and strategic partner of Lithuania We want to build on the good experience of our neighbour in creating and developing the Road fund in our country Both countries are also seeking increased European funding for projects that improve transport and logistics across Central and Eastern Europe and contribute to the development of transport links with Ukraine With the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union we see a lot of potential for a breakthrough in this area,” said Minister of Transport and Communications Mr Sabutis The ministerial meeting focused on the implementation of Via Baltica Rail Baltica and other transport projects fundamental to military mobility emphasising the need to secure long-term financial support from the European Union (EU) Mr Sabutis highlighted that the current geopolitical situation dictates the need for new alternative transport corridors and infrastructure links between Lithuania and Poland One such option is the development of the Alternative Suwalki Corridor through Augustów which would strengthen logistics chains and military mobility Mr Sabutis and his Polish colleague have agreed to submit a joint application for EU financial support for this this extremely important dual-use road connection as Lithuania and Poland will send a joint letter to the European Commission It was also noted that the reconstruction of Via Baltica one of Lithuania’s most important traffic arteries from Marijampolė to the Lithuanian-Polish border is now in its final stage more than 28 km of the new motorway has been completed in Lithuania Reconstruction works of the final 12 km section at the Polish border are due to be completed this year design works are already underway on another section from Kaunas to the border with Latvia The Lithuanian and Polish transport ministers also discussed cooperation in the implementation of the Rail Baltica project the reconstruction of Lithuanian-Polish cross-border roads and other topical issues in the transport sector They discussed the possibility of launching a direct passenger train service between Kaunas and Warsaw as of 2028 Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Digitalisation Mr Sabutis discussed the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union and further cooperation in the telecommunications sector Particular attention was paid to the protection of cables and communications infrastructure In order to implement the international 5G corridor Lithuania is working closely with Poland to ensure high quality 5G connectivity on the road and rail corridors of the European network (Via Baltica and Rail Baltica).  5G connectivity should cover international land transport corridors and other highways at a ceremony at the Christ the Saviour cathedral in central Moscow The Guard is often referred to as Putin’s private army was once Putin’s bodyguard."},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Zolotov said that the century-old icon would enable Russia’s army to advance further into Ukrainian territory “Not everything is going as fast as we would like,” he admitted yesterday “This icon will protect the Russian army and accelerate our victory.”"},"children":[]}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"ca59a37e-d753-4c62-ae71-9003374836a8","display":"primary","caption":"Viktor Zolotov is head of the National Guard the head of"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":225})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"An aide of President Putin and a member of the Kremlin’s security council has admitted that the war in Ukraine has not gone as quickly as hoped."},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Viktor Zolotov pictures and video","id":"a4275cce-9a5d-11ec-931c-643306e9125f","label":"WAR IN UKRAINE","publicationName":"TIMES","publishedTime":"2022-07-12T14:55:00.000Z","updatedTime":"2022-07-12T17:11:01.000Z","section":"news","shortIdentifier":"c8wdtfq98","shortHeadline":"Russia-Ukraine war: latest maps pictures and video","seoDescription":"Cruising high above dense Ukrainian forest the combat drone spotted the long 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through"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":160})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"His lined face squinting into the wind Sergey Plaksia trudged through the snow towards the barn where he keeps his golden wheat stocks through the winter."},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"For"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":175})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"His lined face squinting into the wind Sergey Plaksia trudged through the snow towards the barn where he keeps his golden wheat stocks through the winter."},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"For the past 30"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":225})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"His lined face squinting into the wind Sergey Plaksia trudged through the snow towards the barn where he keeps his golden wheat stocks through the winter."},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"For the past 30 years says Kremlin bossForeign StaffMonday March 14 2022 The TimesThe Augustow Mother of God icon depicts the reported appearance of the Virgin Mary to Russian soldiers during the First World War Patriarch Kirill presented it to Viktor ZolotovForeign StaffMonday March 14 2022 The TimesThe head of the National Guard of Russia has said that a religious icon presented to him by the Russian Orthodox Church will bless President Putin’s war machine and speed its victory in Ukraine Viktor Zolotov was given the Augustow Mother of God icon by Patriarch Kirill Zolotov said that the century-old icon would enable Russia’s army to advance further into Ukrainian territory “This icon will protect the Russian army and accelerate our victory.” Viktor Zolotov is head of the National Guard seen as Putin’s private armyROSGUARDIA PRESS SERVICE VIA APThe icon Lithuania intends to modernize and strengthen the second route through the Suwałki Gap. It is considered one of the most likely areas for a possible Russian attack on the EU and NATO, according to Politico "These roads [are] critical to us from a security and defense perspective They've always been part of our civil-military planning as key ground routes for allied support during a crisis," said Lithuanian Deputy Defense Minister Tomas Godliauskas in a phone interview with the media autlet The Suwałki Gap is a sparsely populated stretch of forested plain 100 km wide connecting Poland and Lithuania and bordering Kremlin ally Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad It is considered one of NATO’s most vulnerable points serving as a vital land gap linking the Baltic states with the rest of the alliance two main roads pass through Lithuania: one runs from Kaunas in Lithuania to Warsaw and is part of the Via Baltica military corridor and the other is a regular route between the Lithuanian capital Vilnius and the Polish city of Augustów is taking steps to expand its military infrastructure beyond the Via Baltica which is the main route for moving allied reinforcements to the country by modernizing the Vilnius–Augustów road to dual-use standards for civilian and military needs Via Baltica and the Rail Baltica line – a project to build a high-speed rail connection from the Baltics to Poland – currently serve as the main channels for military mobility and support the potential evacuation of civilians in the event of war "It's just one more option to ensure better logistics in times of need," said Godliauskas These efforts are part of a broader European push to invest in dual-use infrastructure – projects designed to meet both civilian and military needs and Slovakia are carrying out similar modernizations EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius stated that the EU will need to spend at least 70 billion euros on urgently adapting its rail there are talks about new protections along the borders with Kaliningrad and Belarus," said Godliauskas mentioning discussions on placing anti-mobility elements near or on the borders such as road checkpoints and blocking systems like concrete barriers Godliauskas also stated that ensuring freedom of movement of troops and goods along the two roads is a priority adding that such border protection operations will likely be closely monitored by Russia as "sensitive and vital" information He also added that the security measures go beyond the physical realm "We’re discussing how to address GPS spoofing and jamming from Russia which is already affecting our civil aviation and navigation systems," he added The full scope of the project involves reconstructing 113 km of roads and upgrading eight bridges Lithuanian Deputy Minister of Transport Roderikas Žiobakas recently told the media autlet that the work is expected to be completed by 2028 Godliauskas was more cautious with the timelines But we hope that the geopolitical situation our interest and Poland's capabilities will allow us to reach that timeline," he said Lithuania hopes to receive EU funding for this project "We’ll be lobbying the EU — together with Poland and Latvia — to ensure these projects are prioritized," said Godliauskas Although the road project aligns with the EU and NATO military mobility goals it is officially not part of any program of these organizations and is instead funded as a bilateral initiative between the Polish and Lithuanian ministries of transport and defense "We’ll invest in the section up to the Lithuanian border and we’re asking Poland to upgrade their side of the Augustów road to meet military mobility standards," said Godliauskas the Suwałki Gap – the strategic stretch between Belarus and Kaliningrad – could become the Kremlin’s first target The Times reported that Russia is theoretically capable of seizing this gap and cutting off the Baltic states from their allies in just two hours mentioned the Suwałki Gap in a conversation and hurled accusations at Warsaw and Vilnius One of the main tourist brands of our country - the Augustow Canal - impresses with the unsurpassed beauty of natural landscapes It has become a real attraction zone for tourists It is hard to believe that even 19 years ago these places were abandoned and deserted when the Head of State signed the Decree "On the organization of work on the reconstruction of a part of the Augustow Canal" became a breath of fresh air for the desolated facility eventful and unforgettable holiday for visitors catamaran and bicycle rentals are available and boat trips "Neman" and "Olga Solomova" are organized The infrastructure is constantly being improved The pearl of the Prynemansky region has turned into a real territory of holidays sporting events and all kinds of festivals One day will not be enough to enjoy the splendor of the Augustow Canal This is known to everyone who has ever visited the water artery It is not surprising that much attention is paid to the development of transport and tourism infrastructure here adherents of outdoor recreation can set up tents on the banks of the canal There are several ways to explore the surroundings of the water area: by choosing a boat trip it is possible to get acquainted with the features of a hydraulic facility see nearby sights - fortifications from the war the palace and park complex in Svyatsk or the Radzivilki manor and park complex close attention is paid to the issues of patriotic education of young people in the country The Augustow Canal is a unique object in this respect The former 4th border outpost of the 86th August border detachment in the village of Dorgun forts of the Grodno fortress during the First World War are examples that contribute to the education of patriotic feelings remind us of the terrible times of military hard times and that why peace is so important deputy head of the sports and tourism department of the Grodno regional executive committee - The Grodno regional executive committee has developed a tourist route to places of military glory with an animation program The plans include the restoration of pedestrian routes No excursions to the Volovichi palace and park ensemble in Svyatsk the Svyatsk Gursky estate and park complex and the Belarusian Towel Museum in Zarechanka will give positive impressions to tourists - The caretaker's house at the Kurkul lock the museum of the history of the Augustow Canal located in the caretaker's house at the Dombrovka lock A kind of entrance gate to the Augustow Canal is Sopotskin A tourist information center has been opened in the town where you can find out interesting details about each attraction and they will prompt you with the necessary information about all tour routes The Augustow Canal is a popular place with vacationers and tourists Various cultural events and sports competitions help to maintain interest in him and add variety to his “life” Many of them have become traditional and have already fallen in love with the guests The current tourist season promises to be full of exciting and colorful events the planned marathon of events was launched on May 27 It will start its bright holiday of folk art "August Canal invites friends." No less expected for the residents and guests of the Grodno region for several years in a row is the “Sea Festival” the swim “On anything” are the signature features of the festival where everyone can find entertainment to their liking Visitors also like such mass holidays as “Kupalye” because they are always filled with positive the branded event "August Canal in the Culture of Three Nations" will delight representatives of creative teams from the Grodno region demonstrate the national flavor of Belarusian It became a canal and a venue for sporting events The Susedzі cycling marathon will be held here cycling enthusiasts and masters will be united by the Gran Fondo road cycling race and others the Augustow Canal will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the start of construction grodnonews.by September 11, 2002JPEG Poland’s Rospuda Valley is home to a peat bog—a wetland area that collects dead plant material Although peat bogs were once common in cool temperate climates like Northern Europe’s few have survived the changes people have made to the landscape for agriculture and other development The peat bog in Rospuda Valley is one of Europe’s last pristine wetlands Located in northeastern Poland near the Lithuania and Belarus borders Rospuda Valley is part of a protected wilderness area known as the Augustów Primeval Forest NASA’s Landsat 7 satellite captured this image of Rospuda Valley on September 11 This true-color image shows a patchwork of peat bog and agricultural fields In contrast to the nearly uniform deep-green wetlands the fields appear as close-knit rectangles of varied shades of green and beige Rospuda River meanders between cultivated fields in the northwest and wetland territory in the southeast Numerous other lakes and ponds appear north and east of Lake Necko some of them overlapping agricultural areas Road construction in the area became controversial in 2007 The wetland lies in a region that sees frequent truck traffic to and from Lithuania A plan to alleviate the volume of truck traffic through local towns by building a road through the Rospuda Valley was fought by environmental groups who cited the rarity of peat bogs in industrialized Europe and the importance of preserving rare plant and animal species living in the valley the European Commission sought a court order to halt construction of a viaduct that would intersect part of Rospuda Valley Poland determined a different route for the roadway to spare this reserve NASA image created by Jesse Allen, using Landsat data provided by the United States Geological Survey. Caption by Michon Scott View this area in EO Explorer Rospuda Valley is home to one of Europe’s last pristine wetlands A Landsat 7 image shows the patchwork of peat bog and agricultural fields around Rospuda Valley Geysers are a rare natural phenomena found only in a few places the United States (Yellowstone National Park) and on Russia’s far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula one of these rare geyser fields was severely damaged when a landslide rolled through Russia’s Valley of the Geysers and boulders—tore a scar on the land and buried a number of geysers causing a new thermal lake to pool upstream Naked summits alternate with forested lowlands in Yosemite Valley in this image acquired on August 18 The Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenka has signed a new decree on a 10-days visa-free entry regime for foreigners on  December 26 after the successful 5-days visa-free entry regime of last year to the Augustow zone in the Hrodna region The decree will allow tourists from 80 countries of the planet to visit and experience Belarus for ten days in a row The measures are expected to increase the flow of foreign tourists to Belarus According to the Deputy Chairman of Brest Oblast Executive Committee the extension of visa-free stay program in Belarus’ regions will primarily interest tourists from Western Europe and especially the neighbor Polish citizens The Belarusian authorities expect the new decree 2018 to affect small and medium-sized businesses in order to develop more actively and thus generate new jobs for Belarusian residents The new regulations will be adopted in these parts of Belarus: Most of the tourists in Belarus wish to visit the Augustow Canal or the Brest tourism and recreation zone foreign visitors shall carry with them a valid travel document and also posses a document granting them a right to visit the relevant territory more than 79,200 foreign tourists have taken advantage of the 5-fay visa-free entry to Belarus while the number of tourists extending the period of stay is insignificant Antigua and Barbuda took advantage of the visa free-entry most of the visa-free tourists were coming from countries like Germany – with 12,700 tourists Ministry of Sports and Belarusian Customs had voted for 30-day visa-free entrance for tourists but the concerns of certain state institutions prevent the establishment of a longer citizens of the United Arab Emirates are the only ones that already benefit from a visa-free entry programme in Belarus which allows them to stay for up to 30 days in this country Read more about Belarus Visa Requirements. The award ceremony took place on October 13 during The International Nature Documentary Festival Wildscreen in Bristol. The ceremony, transmitted by BBC, was opened by Sir David Attenborrough, world famous nature documentary host and BBC Earth star. “The Honey hunters” won the award in the People and Nature category. Jury, in a written justification described the film as captivating in its uniqueness: “The Honey Hunters” is a wonderful humane film, which stems from film tradition different from many other films about nature and ecology”. The Panda Awards are awarded in 20 categories, a/o for Best Cinematography, Script, Campaign, Presenter, People and Nature (“The Honey Hunters was awarded in this category), and Golden Panda – for the best Picture of the Festival. Each category consists of approximately 5 nominated films and programmes, chosen from 900 that were sent from all around the world, mainly from Great Britain and English-speaking countries. Never in the history of the festival has the Polish film been among nominees. The Wildscreen Festival has been held since 1982 and is one of the most important events in the word connected with media industry connected with nature. -      Our aim is to enable the best photographers, filmmakers and creative professionals to meet with the most dedicated nature protection activists, so that they could create convincing stories about natural environment. Stories that would inspire wide audience to experience and protect nature, and to feel as a part of it – say organizers of the festival.    Among festival sponsors are: BBC EARTH, Disneynature, Nat Geo Wild, ORF, RED. Sir David Attenborough is Wildscreen Festival Patron. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mister Polski (@misterpolski)