Joe Biden signed a bill under which the United States will allocate almost $61 billion to an aid package for Ukraine. Minister of Culture Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz resigned. The deputy defense minister was arrested in Russia. Here are six things to know on Thursday, April 25.
1. Biden signed a key bill for Ukraine
US President Joe Biden announced that signed the bill, under which the United States will allocate almost $61 billion to an aid package for Ukraine. He announced that “literally within a few hours” the US will start sending equipment to Ukraine. The first package will include various types of missiles and armored vehicles.
The US Department of State confirmed that the United States back in March provided missiles to Ukraine long-range ATACMS version with a range of up to 300 kilometers. According to two American officials cited by the AP agency, the missiles were used, among others, in the attack on a military airport in Crimea, which took place in mid-April.
2. Shoigu's “right hand” arrested
On Wednesday, a Russian court arrested Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov for two months and accused him of profiting from hiring contractors for the ministry where he oversaw construction activities. According to the investigators' statement, the deputy head of the Ministry of Defense faces up to 15 years in prison.
Treason. This is the real reason for the arrest of Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov, independent Russian media reported. As The Moscow Times writes, Ivanov was the “right hand” of Minister Sergei Shoigu, and this case is a “powerful blow” to the head of the Ministry of Defense.
3. Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz resigned
Minister of Culture Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz resigned. The decision is related to his run for the European Parliament. Sienkiewicz was approved as number one on the Civic Coalition's list in constituency no. 10, covering the Lesser Poland and Świętokrzyskie voivodeships.
– I liked this ministry very much, I experienced a lot of emotional moments there, but it is well-organized and I hope that my successor will feel even better there – said Sienkiewicz in an interview with a TVN24 reporter.
Bartłomiej SienkiewiczLeszek Szymański/PAP/EPA
4. Bodnar about Pegasus in the Sejm
Prosecutor General Adam Bodnar presented information to the Sejm about operational control in Poland, including using Pegasus.
He said he found the public testimony of people who were under surveillance “shocking and depressing.” He added that this is “an issue that strikes at the very heart of democracy.” After his speech, a debate took place.
5. The case of the prosecutor walking around naked returns
The disciplinary spokesman is to once again take up the case of the prosecutor who walked naked on the streets of Świdnica in Lower Silesia. The disciplinary court accepted the appeal of Prosecutor General Adam Bodnar against the discontinuation of the case.
The incident took place in September 2021, and the matter was first reported by the Świdnica24 portal. According to the portal, a naked man was walking around the Zarzecze housing estate in Świdnica, he was seen on several streets and in one of the shops.
READ ALSO: The prosecutor walked around naked. It will be dealt with again by the disciplinary spokesman
Main photo source: Leszek Szymański/PAP/EPA