March 31, 2022
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 31.03.2022, 13:55
UKRAINE – Ukraine is preparing to fend off a new wave of Russian attacks, president Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier today. The authorities expect Russian attacks in Eastern Ukraine, after the Russian army failed to penetrate Kyiv, as they had originally planned. President Zelensky mentioned a new Russian military build-up in Donbas. In nearly five weeks since the start of the invasion, the Russian army failed to capture any major city, despite sieges and massive shelling, Reuters reports. Moreover, the Russian side has sustained significant losses of troops and equipment. According to the British intelligence, which monitors communications, some Russian soldiers refused to carry out orders, sabotaged their own equipment and accidentally shot down one of their aircraft. Russia is regrouping in order to “liberate” Donbas, a region partially occupied by the two separatist republics that Moscow officially recognized a few days before launching the invasion. Donbas also hosts Mariupol, a city that has seen the most brutal Russian siege in this war. The port city on the Azov Sea has been massively bombed, and practically lies in ruins. Over 5,000 civilians are estimated to have been killed here. 170,000 people are still trapped in the city, with no access to utilities and running short on food and medicine. The Russian invasion has displaced nearly a quarter of Ukraines total population, with four million people reportedly seeking refuge abroad.
REFUGEES – Over 8,600 Ukrainian citizens entered Romania on Wednesday, up by 4.7% compared to the previous day, the Border Police Inspectorate reports. Since the start of the war, nearly 600,000 Ukrainian citizens arrived in Romania until March 30. Most of these are en route to Western Europe. At present, inspections at every border checkpoint is carried out with the observance of national and international legislation. All stations are working at full capacity.
VISIT – EU Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, is paying a two-day visit to Romania. According to the European Commissions Office in Bucharest, during his visit the EU official will express the EUs solidarity with Romania as regards the assistance the latter provides to Ukrainian refugees. Nicolas Schmit will also discuss social reforms and investments stipulated in Romanias Recovery and Resilience Plan, as well as our countrys action plan aimed at implementing the European Child Guarantee. Commissioner Schmit will meet with members of the Government, Parliament, representatives of NGOs and civil society and will visit the venues of two social projects. Nicolas Schmit will also attend a joint meeting of Parliaments Labor and Social Protection Committee and European Affairs Committee.
EXERCISES – Romanias Naval Forces are taking part in the “Tomis 22” exercise in the Black Sea, aimed at boosting rapid response capabilities in combating mine threats. “Tomis 22” is held at the same time with “Danube Protector 22”, which is carried out on the Danube. Three maritime watercraft, six river gunboats, four auxiliary navy vessels, two mobile coastal battery systems, a Puma naval gunship, a special combat divers unit and a marine infantry regiment are taking part in the two drills, jointly with other structures of the Land Forces. For nine days, over 950 military will coordinate as part of a simulation to repel a naval attack on the Danube river mouths and on Romanias coastal area.
UNEMPLOYMENT – The unemployment rate in Romania stood at 5.7% in February, while youth unemployment remains high, tantamount to 22%, according to the latest figures published by the National Statistics Institute today. Male unemployment is slightly higher than female unemployment, standing at 6.1% and 5.1% respectively. The total number of unemployed stood at 468 thousand in February. The rate of unemployment for people aged 25-74 stood at 4.6% in February, accounting for 76.6% of the total population.
CHANGES – Education Minister Sorin Cîmpeanu announced several changes to be operated to the structure of the school year. Therefore, starting this autumn, the two semesters will be replaced by 5 modules separated by breaks. Classes are due to start earlier, on September 5, and will end on June 16. The minister gave assurances that the decision was taken at the end of consultations with experts, representatives of teachers, parents and pupils. Minister Cîmpeanu also said the pre-university regulations will also be reviewed with the aim of eliminating mid-term exams.
COVID-19 – The WHO has released an updated forecast on the evolution of COVID-19, presenting three possible scenarios. Most likely, the virus will continue to evolve, although the severity of the disease will wane in time, as a result of vaccination. In Romania, over 3,500 new cases of Covid infection were confirmed on Wednesday, in addition to 36 related deaths. Over 2,500 people are treated for COVID-19 in hospitals across Romania, of whom 395 in intensive care. So far, over 8 million Romanians have completed the full anti-Covid vaccination scheme. Health Minister Alexandru Rafila said normal activity will gradually resume in Covid hospitals as the number of infections is expected to drop starting next week. We recall all health safety regulations were lifted in Romania on March 9. (VP)
