Government told: Use additional revenue wisely

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

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Greater San Fernando Chamber of Commerce president Kiran Singh. –

GREATER San Fernando Chamber of Commerce president Kiran Singh and Greater Chaguanas Chamber of Commerce president Richie Sookhai on Friday welcomed the news that TT received more revenue than expected for fiscal 2022. He urged Government to ensure that this revenue is used wisely.

In a statement on Thursday, the ministry said when Finance Minister Colm Imbert presented the 2022/2023 budget in Parliament on September 26, the revenue figures for fiscal 2022 were based on actual figures from October 1, 2021-August 31, 2022 and estimated figures for September 2022.

However, the Board of Inland Revenue has since finalised the actual revenue figures for fiscal 2022 and it has been determined that the total revenue in fiscal 2022 was $54.21 billion, which is $2.57 billion more than the revised estimate announced in September 2022, and $10.88 billion more than the original revenue estimate of $43.33 billion for fiscal 2022, made in October 2021.”

The ministry said, “With total expenditure for fiscal 2022 now estimated at $54.54 billion, the fiscal deficit for 2022 is now estimated at $329 million, which is less than 0.2 per cent of GDP (Gross Domestic Product), well below the international benchmark for fiscal deficits of three per cent of GDP.”

The ministry added,”In essence, we have achieved an almost balanced national budget in Fiscal 2022, something that has not occurred in TT since 2008, 14 years ago.”

Singh said, “The economy has not experienced positive growth for several years.”

He added, “The emergent fact of an almost balanced budget, not seen for several years, sends the right economic signals to local, regional and international investors.”

Singh said it appears that Imbert may have his sights set on a balanced budget next year and ending fiscal 2023 with a surplus.

He attributed the higher revenue in fiscal 2022 mainly to the ongoing war in Ukraine which increased global energy prices and TT benefitted from that.

Singh suggested this additional revenue be carefully dispensed throughout the economy.

Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce president Richie Sookhai. –

“The war (in Ukraine) will not last forever and the world will find alternative energy sources to survive these tumultuous times.”

Singh believed the four per cent wage increase being offered by the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO) to public sector workers could come under renewed pressure from the trade union movement as a result of the additional revenue for fiscal 2022

“The argument that salaries have not increased but the cost of living is on an escalating path is worrying to the wider public.” Singh said a consensus must be reached between Government and labour on this matter “or we may witness further falls in productivity levels from the public sector.”

Singh also suggested that strategies to provide a more comprehensive and efficient nationwide transport system be looked at with respect to the challenges the public are experiencing with respect to increased fuel prices.

Sookhai said the $329 million deficit for fiscal 2022 “is the lowest seen in over ten years.” He viewed the additional revenue as another affirmation of TT’s economic performance hinging on global energy prices and TT’s constant reliance on hydrocarbon exports.

Sookhai opined that had Government not taken steps to lower the fuel subsidy, the deficit could have been higher than the $329 million figure.

He suggested an assessment be done to determine whether the redirecting of funds from the subsidy to other projects had the desired benefit as opposed to not lowering the subsidy and maintaining cheaper fuel prices.

On public sector wage negotiations, Sookhai said, “While it is apparent that we will earn higher fiscal revenues once energy prices remain high, there is some breathing room for a wage increase. But a balance must be struck.”

He added it was important that increased wages to public sector workers must be accompanied by an increase in public sector productivity as a whole.

Singh said this would be achieved through a combination of improved worker performance and accompanying systems to accomplish simple tasks.

On Thursday, Minister in the Ministry of Finance Brian Manning said the increased revenue will not cause Government to make any radical departures from any of the measures announced in the budget by Imbert on September 26.

“No. We are cautiously optimistic and believe that the measures implemented are the most prudent at this time.”

On September 26, Imbert said Government will not be deviating from the four per cent wage increase offered by the CPO to public sector workers.

“We are firm in our view that our current offer of 4.0 per cent over the period 2014-2019 for the mainstream public service, although it will be a challenge to raise the required funds, is practical and equitable.”

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Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle kick-started with $1.5M from President

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
President Dr Irfaan Ali making the first contribution of $1.5M to the Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle

President Dr Irfaan Ali said the art of giving must not be seasonal but must be a way of life as he appealed to Guyanese to contribute to the Salvation Army’s Annual Kettle.

During the launch of the event on Friday at the Georgetown Club, President Ali led by example and made the first contribution of $1.5 million.

“Giving is about moving someone positively. So, it is not based only on material things… and that is what is good about the work of the Salvation Army; it is not only about the Christmas Kettle; it is a way of life; it is giving every single day in different ways; it is lifting humanity in different ways, and that is why giving is an art and giving is a way of life.”

BRIDGING THE GAPS

The President noted that a small contribution can be a big help to people who are in need.

“What you do here today is not a simplistic thing as just putting a donation into the kettle… what you do is an important part in bridging the gaps that exist in our society. What you do today requires a societal approach.”

Organisations like the Salvation Army, the President added, help to bring the “societal approach” to the way things are done. He said that stakeholders, including the Government; corporate entities, religious and civil societies; communities and families have to play their part in bridging the gaps.

The annual Christmas Appeal helps to meet the needs of the less fortunate through the provision of food, shelter, rehabilitation and much more.

Joining the President were representatives from the Salvation Army, including the Chair of its Advisory Board, Mr Edward Boyer, as well as students from several high schools.

The Christmas Kettle is a traditional initiative to raise funds to keep the Salvation Army’s humanitarian work going. It is done annually throughout the world at Christmas, having first started in 1891 to assist those in need.

Divisional Commander of the Salvation Army, Major Matignol Saint-Lot expressed that the Christmas Appeal is even more needed at this time, having seen an increasing demand to help people. This has been a result of the COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in grave economic hardship across the world.

“After the severe hit of COVID-19 in the past two years, the demand to help others has been rising daily. The Salvation Army is seeing an increased demand from people in need due to the scars of COVID-19 and the rise of the cost of living in the whole world. The Christmas Kettle Appeal 2022 is now more important,” the Divisional Commander relayed.

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$900M revolving fund set up to boost forestry sector

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
Operators in the forestry sector at Friday’s stakeholder engagement

With assistance from Demerara Bank Limited, the Guyana Government has set up a $900 million revolving fund to increase the production of the forestry sector.

President Dr Irfaan Ali made this announcement while delivering brief remarks at a Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) stakeholders’ engagement at the GFC Kingston office on Friday.

The President said that with the funds, the Government and the commission will place more emphasis on the development and expansion of small and medium-scale loggers and community loggers associations.

“We are now going to unleash $900m for the market to step up production, so that we can meet the demand, especially for the value-added product, and to push the sector, to give this sector a real boost because we are very concerned about the production level and where it should be to meet our national demand in the markets that we’re building.”

The partnership between the Government and Demerara Bank, once completed, will see the latter contributing $600m and the Government $300m.

These funds, the President added, will attract an “unbelievable” interest rate of 4%.

The Head of State explained that the Government will work along with the bank to prequalify persons based on recommendations from the GFC. After which, a system will be put in place to give access to “bridge financing” in order to increase cash flow toward production.

He emphasised that his Government is committed to supporting small, medium and community-based loggers but that there must be “clarity, good governance, transparency, accountability and a system that works”.

The Government would also continue to invest in infrastructure and encourage loggers to do their part in “accelerating the sector”. This, he said, is aimed at increasing production because he “is not happy with the production that we’re having now”.

During the meeting, President Ali also met with staff from the GFC, listened to their concerns and provided on-the-spot solutions.

One of the issues raised related to the late payment of salaries. To remedy this, the President said, a $100m advance will be given to the GFC to ensure that all of their staff are paid on time.

The Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat and other government officials were also at the meeting.

Minister Bharrat along with the Board of Directors and Senior Management of the GFC met with small and large forest concession holders, sawmillers, small loggers and value-added forest producers to discuss opportunities within the forest sector and ways to increase production.

Stakeholders within the forest sector are being urged by the Minister of Natural Resources to increase production, while the Government will continue to enhance access to forest concessions through improved infrastructure and investment incentives.

When the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration took office in August 2020, it inherited a “grossly mismanaged” forestry sector that was on the “verge of collapse. However, through various interventions and initiatives implemented by the Government, this industry has made a turnaround.

Strategies aimed at boosting the financial performance and management capabilities of the GFC were undertaken and in in 2021, the forestry sector was able to make a positive turnover and manage on its own.

In fact, the GFC’s monthly revenue collection was increased from $70 million in 2019 to over $90 million in 2021 while over 100 new concessions were issued to small loggers.

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“We are root cause of much problems in society; time now to be solution” – Pres Ali as ‘Men on Mission’ launches

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
The mostly male-packed gathering at Friday’s launch of the Men on Mission initiative

Guyanese men are on a mission to reposition the role of the male population in society by tackling issues such as violence against women and children, and taking on a more responsible role.

The ‘Men on Mission’ (MOM) initiative was launched on Friday evening by President Dr Irfaan Ali in the presence of hundreds of men from various section of society who will be leading this movement.

According to the Head of State, men have dropped the ball in families and societies but through the MOM initiative, Guyanese males are going to pick up that ball to support women and equally shoulder responsibilities.

“That is what mission is about, it is about shouldering that responsibility. It is about demonstrating a collective will to act. It is about demonstrating a collective understanding of the problem and it’s about demonstrating a collective idea or creating a new system – an institution that supports a modern society…” the Head of State said to the men gathered at the Guyana Defence Force Sports Ground, Camp Ayanganna.

“We are the root cause of much problems in society. It is now our time to be the root of solution, to be the root of positivity, to be the root that makes a difference, to be a root that builds a support system. Men on Mission will be the foundation to remove violence against women and children. This is not the responsibility for women, this is the responsibility for us to work with each other. We must make the change. We must drive the change. We must lead the movement of respect, we must lead the movement of dignity, we must lead the movement of pride,” he asserted.

Reversing societal failure

President Ali pointed out that MOM will focus on reversing the societal failure to confront critical issues affecting the male population and finding permanent solutions that will lay the foundation for better men in communities.

President Dr Irfaan Ali

These complexities that this movement is seeking to address include the high school dropout rates among boys. Globally, more than half of the out of school youth population are boys.

In Guyana, the President disclosed that males also account for the largest cohort of school dropouts from the nursery to secondary levels.

Moreover, he pointed to the alarming figures at the University of Guyana, where over the past five years, only a mere 16,294 of the over 45,000 student population are males.According to the Guyanese Leader, while Guyana is basking in its achievement of being placed 35 out of 146 countries in the recently published Global Gender Gap Report 2022, these trends involving the country’s male population are showing that something is wrong.

“We as men will be failing our societies and failing our communities if we believe that education is not important, if we believe that we don’t have a responsibility to educate ourselves… We need to address this as an urgent matter… That is why an important part of Men on Mission is to work with boys all across the country – and girls also – to ensure that we do coaching, mentoring, motivation to get back our boys and girls but especially our boys in school, in a learning environment and build back tehir positivity towards education and learning,” he contended.

Life expectancy

The Head of State went onto share that the life expectancy of men in Guyana, as well as around the world, is decreasing and this is solely due to their reckless actions and irresponsible lifestyle.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has pegged the male life expectancy rate in Guyana as 65 years. In fact, global data shows that men mortality rate is four times greater due to external factors such as homicide. The male species also have a 75 per cent probability of dying from cardiac diseases.

Further, men worldwide account for approximately 73 per cent of the over one million people to die each year of traffic accidents. Similar trends are observed in Guyana where accidents are mostly caused by men and they too account for the highest road fatalities here. This is reflected in recent data gathered from the new electronic ticketing system set up along the Mandela Avenue Highway, which shows that some 95 per cent of the daily traffic offences were committed by male drivers.

With data showing that some 36 per cent of deaths among the male population being preventable, the Men on Mission will place emphasis on having this cohort adopt a more responsible and healthier lifestyle.

“If we all want to live at least 10 years beyond 60, we have to take action now. If you want to you’re your grandchildren grow up, you need to take action now. If you want to see the beauty and transformation of Guyana, you need to live to see it. We need to take action [and] we need to address this,” the president stressed.

He went onto highlight that men globally are more likely to die by suicide but still many males are not willing to accept that that they suffer from serious mental health issues. To this end, President Ali noted that the MOM movement is radical in its approach and will touch every male across Guyana.

“We are building a network that will reach you. We are mobilising from every field. We using the institutional structure of the regions – the health system, the army, the police, the Fire and Prisons Services, the religious community, civil society, the school system – all of these institutions will be unleased to match the systemic approach in addressing this issues,” the Guyanese Leader stated.

Forefront of changes

According to the Head of State, men need to be on the forefront of making these changes in society and through the MOM movement, he is hoping that Guyana becomes a global example in coming together to end injustices to women and be more responsible members of the community.

“We can postpone this problem to next generation or we can take the responsibility now. We can deny our sisters and mothers and wife and women in society, young girls, the opportunity of seeing a change now by our inaction or we can let them live and see these changes by our positive action. It is all up to us… We can only pave the way with good examples, good systems and if we do what is right. Today is our chance to do what is right, our chance to assume our role individually and collectively… Let us make our mark in creating a different Guyana…,” President Ali posited.

This Men on Mission initiative will involve one thousand men from various segment of society including the Joint Services, the sport fraternity, the entertainment industry, community workers, the religious fraternity, the business sector, etc.

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GPHC now offering free CT scanning

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana

Persons needing to undergo computerised tomography (CT) scans at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) will no longer be required to pay for this service.

This was announced on Friday by GPHC’s Chief Executive Officer (ag), Robbie Rambarran, after meeting with the Board of Directors the previous day.

This change in policy will take effect as of November 1, 2022.

In a statement on Friday, the GPHC explained that cost of a scan varies and the hospital’s management realised that this places a heavy financial strain on patients.

With the introduction of the free CT scans, patients will now be saving as much as between $15,000 to $52,000 for this service. Moreover, the public hospital noted that this fee removal will also assist in expediting the treatment and care of the patients at the GPHC.

“Patients will no longer have to worry about arranging financial transaction in order to foot the bill. So this move will eliminate any financial difficulty. Management is cognisant of the cost of living and do empathize with anyone suffering from any illness,” the GPHC said.

This move by the GPHC comes on the heels of the New Amsterdam Public Hospital (NAPH) in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) offering CT scans free of cost after installing a brand-new equipment in October 2020.

Prior to this installation, residents in nearby areas were previously forced to travel elsewhere to seek this type of radio technology service.

Since the installation two years ago, more than 1600 CT imaging were done free of charge, including CT with contrast. The CT is linked to the GPHC through a PAC system, permitting teleradiology service with specialists from GPHC. With this technology, referrals to GPHC have been severely reduced.

RAD-AID International, in 2016, had handed over the new CT scanner, valued at approximately US$200,000, to the then Ministry of Public Health, but the equipment was never installed and operationalised.

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WHO: Tuberculosis Deaths & Disease Increase During COVID-19 Pandemic – St. Lucia Times News

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

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An estimated 10.6 million people fell ill with tuberculosis (TB) in 2021, an increase of 4.5% from 2020, and 1.6 million people died from TB (including 187 000 among HIV positive people), according to the World Health Organization’s 2022 Global TB report.

The burden of drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) also increased by 3% between 2020 and 2021, with 450 000 new cases of rifampicin-resistant TB (RR-TB) in 2021.

This is the first time in many years an increase has been reported in the number of people falling ill with TB and drug resistant TB.

TB services are among many others disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, but its impact on the TB response has been particularly severe.

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Ongoing conflicts across Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East have further exacerbated the situation for vulnerable populations.

“If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that with solidarity, determination, innovation and the equitable use of tools, we can overcome severe health threats. Let’s apply those lessons to tuberculosis. It is time to put a stop to this long-time killer. Working together, we can end TB,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

Continued challenges with providing and accessing essential TB services have meant that many people with TB were not diagnosed and treated.

The reported number of people newly diagnosed with TB fell from 7.1 million in 2019 to 5.8 million in 2020. There was a partial recovery to 6.4 million in 2021, but this was still well below pre-pandemic levels.

SOURCE: Pan American Health Organization

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22 days to go: The 2022 FIFA World Cup -Team Poland Loop Barbados

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Barbados News

T-22; 22nd Edition of the FIFA World Cup.

Poland finished second in Group I of their World Cup qualifying group, behind England and earned a place in the UEFA playoffs versus Russia, who were suspended from this fixture due to the war on Ukraine.

Poland celebrating their qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup

Poland progressed onto the next knockout phase versus Sweden and dismissed them 2-0, courtesy of goals from captain Robert Lewandowski and Piotr Zielinski.

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By Renaldo Gilkes

If Poland are to replicate their glory days of the 70’s and 80’s, where they won a gold medal at the 1972 Olympics, a third-place finish at World Cup 1974 and 1982, they will need their captain to be in good health and great form against the experience duo of Argentina and Mexico.

Poland captain and Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski

The Polish have only achieved three victories in their last three World Cup appearances (2002, 2006, 2018); one win in each and that may not be enough to get them beyond the group stage of what seems to be a very interesting group.

Country: Poland

Capital: Warsaw

Population: 37.8 million

Confederation: UEFA (Europe

Group: C

Professional League: PKO Ekstraklasa

World Cup appearances: 9

Qualification status: Winners of play-off match versus Sweden

Key players: Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona, Spain), Krzysztof Piatek (US Salernitana, Italy/Hertha Berlin, Germany), Nicola Zalewski (Roma, Italy), Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus, Italy)

Coach: Czeslaw Michniewicz (Polish)

Group mates: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico

Prediction: Judging from their most recent, previous World Cup campaigns, the Polish may miss out on a place in the last 16.

However, if Robert Lewandowski can produce his goal scoring heroics, especially against Mexico, they can create an interesting situation in Group C, which may go down to the final preliminary match day.

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Para start voetbalcompetitie voor vrouwen

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: De Ware Tijd Online

Door Marinio Balsemhof  PARAMARIBO — Para start dit weekend met een vrouwenvoetbalcompetitie. Het gaat om een open klasse voor voetbalsters

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‘Vrystaat Kunstefees’ versterkt woordkunstgevoel dichteres Anyra Hamat

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: De Ware Tijd Online

‘We hebben het recht onze stem te laten horen’ “Hoe kan je met artistieke kunsten iets bereiken om toch elke

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Des combats d’artillerie embrasent le front Sud en Ukraine

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Martinique FranceAntilles

Tout excités par la précision de leur frappe d’artillerie, les combattants ukrainiens de Kobzartsi, dernier village avant la ligne de front avec les forces russes dans le Sud de l’Ukraine, doivent bien vite…

Tout excités par la précision de leur frappe d’artillerie, les combattants ukrainiens de Kobzartsi, dernier village avant la ligne de front avec les forces russes dans le Sud de l’Ukraine, doivent bien vite retourner s’abriter dans les décombres d’une école.

De l’autre côté du champ, des volutes de fumée indiquent l’endroit où la frappe a touché les Russes, dans un paysage plat et déserté. Un drone planant quelque part à l’horizon où le soleil se couche envoie des images qui laissent penser que deux Russes ont été tués.

La nouvelle est saluée par les  soldats ukrainiens qui ont conduit rapidement en terrain ouvert leur énorme obusier.

Mais le feu nourri tout au long de cette journée qui s’achève menace de s’intensifier au coucher du soleil et les hommes se replient dans ce qui reste d’une école.

Deux ambulanciers stationnés avec leur unité échangent des regards avertis et reculent dans les ruines protectrices d’un gymnase voisin.

“Ils ne nous laissent pas oublier qu’ils sont toujours là”, observe Andriï, 24 ans, soudeur avant la guerre.

“Ca peut mal tourner par là”, renchérit son camarade Oleskiï, à peine plus âgé.

Ils cachent leur identité complète pour des raisons de sécurité militaire, comme tous ceux qui servent dans les forces armées ukrainiennes.

“Mais nous savons qu’ils souffrent bien plus de leur côté que du nôtre”, ajoute Oleksiï avec une ébauche de sourire.

Le moral des troupes pourrait se révéler vital au moment où l’Ukraine tente de maintenir dans les perfides steppes du Sud l’enthousiasme de la contre-offensive menée dans le Nord.

L’objectif ultime est Kherson, ville clé pour l’accès entre la Crimée, annexée par la Russie depuis 2014, et le rivage de la mer d’Azov.

Six semaines

Kerson, qui comptait quelque 288.000 habitants avant-guerre, a été la première ville d’importance prise par les forces russes au début de leur offensive lancée le 24 février.

L’administration d’occupation russe a juré d’en faire une “forteresse” pour résister à l’offensive ukrainienne dans cette région dont le Kremlin revendique l’annexion.

Les Ukrainiens disposent d’environ six semaines avant que les gelées hivernales n’entravent toute nouvelle avancée. Mais les Russes s’accrochent. 

Selon un conseiller du président ukrainien Volodymyr Zelensky, Moscou a envoyé de nouveaux renforts et dispose actuellement de trente bataillons tactiques autour de Kherson.

Chacune de ces unités bien équipées compte jusqu’à 800 soldats et contrôle une partie spécifique du front.

“C’est une énorme force militaire qu’il sera difficile de briser”, a averti cette semaine le conseiller présidentiel Oleksiï Arestovitch.

Les combats d’artillerie dans les zones situées juste au nord de Kherson sont menés par des chars et autres gros canons sur des terrains ouverts où ne subsistent quasiment que des ruines.

Kobzartsi est l’une des nombreuses localités figurant sur la carte de l’Ukraine mais qui n’existe désormais pratiquement plus.

Toujours cachés

Ses deux rues principales sont bordées par les squelettes de maisons rurales et des monceaux de décombres là où se dressaient naguère des immeubles.

Selon les soldats, quelques dizaines d’habitants se cachent toujours dans leurs caves. Peu s’aventurent beaucoup dehors, à cause des bombardements mais aussi des engins non explosés qui parsèment les routes et les potagers.

“Ils se cachent presque tout le temps”, note l’ambulancier Oleksiï. “Nous essayons de les aider et des volontaires livrent parfois des provisions. Mais on ne peut pas faire grand chose de plus”.

Le commandant de l’unité d’artillerie est un homme de 47 ans au visage buriné qui a pris pour nom de guerre “Anaconda”. Il a baptisé son chien “Javelina”, en référence aux missiles anticharges américains Javelin qui ont joué un rôle crucial pour repousser l’assaut russe sur Kiev durant le premier mois de guerre.

Anaconda reconnaît qu’il ne savait pas vraiment comment utiliser une quelconque arme moderne quand il a été mobilisé et a quitté son travail dans les douanes au moment de l’invasion russe.

“Tu te sens mal si tu tires et que tu rates. Tu t’en veux vraiment”, dit-il avec un rire d’autodérision. “Mais nous essayons vraiment de faire de notre mieux”.

“Nous apprenons au fur et à mesure. Nous progressons de jour en jour.”

zak/bur/lcm/lch/pz

Des membres d’une unité d’artillerie ukrainienne se préparent à tirer vers Kherson, le 28 octobre 2022
• BULENT KILIC

Des soldats ukrainiens préparent un tir vers Kherson, le 28 octobre 2022
• BULENT KILIC

Des membres d’une unité d’artillerie ukrainienne tirent vers Kherson, le 28 octobre 2022
• BULENT KILIC

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