Russia launched over 100 cruise missiles and drones at cities across Ukraine Thursday, including the capital of Kyiv in central Ukraine, Kharkiv in the east, and Lviv in the west.
According to Mikhail Podolyak, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, “more than 120” Russian missiles struck Ukrainian cities and infrastructure yesterday as air raid sirens sounded across the country.
Following the attack, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on Telegram that 40 percent of the capital’s residents were without electricity.
Two Russian missiles reportedly hit infrastructure facilities in Lviv, leaving 90 percent of the city temporarily without power, causing problems with public transportation and the provision of water and heating.
As of this morning, Lviv officials report that water and heat have been restored “to all apartments,” with electricity provision back on the regular rotating conservation schedule. Public transport has also been restored, with 96% of traffic lights operational.
A night drone attack on Kyiv and other regions was successfully repelled early this morning, according to officials, who have warned of additional attacks approaching the New Year’s holiday.
Today is day 310 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Source: Radio Gdańsk, Radio Poland, PAP
The world is saying goodbye to Brazilian football legend “Pelé,” who passed away yesterday at the age of 82 after a two-year battle with bowel cancer.
His passing was announced yesterday by São Paulo’s Albert Einstein Hospital, where he had been undergoing palliative care.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki praised the three-time World Cup champion and football icon in a post on social media, calling him “a role model to young athletes and the spirit of world football.”
Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pelé overcame abject poverty to become football’s first global superstar and the only footballer to amass three World Cup wins: in 1958, 1962, and 1970. He scored 77 goals in 92 matches between 1957-71, a record only recently matched by fellow Brazilian Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, who scored his 77th goal at the recent World Cup in Qatar.
Referred to by many as “the best player in history,” Pelé was named Athlete of the Century in 1999 by the International Olympic Committee and Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics in 2000. TIME magazine also included him in its list of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century, alongside Lech Wałęsa and Pope John Paul II.
Source: Radio Gdańsk, Radio Poland, PAP, time.com
The “Metropolia jest Okey” concert series comes full circle tonight as Radio Gdańsk hosts the upcoming jazz legends the Jakub Hajdun Trio in the Janusz Hajdun studio.
The three-person jazz trio from Tri-City features Roman Ślefarski on drums, Janusz Mackiewicz on double bass, and Jakub Hajdun on the piano.
Drawing on the influences of Barry Harris, Thelonious Monk, and Dizzy Gillespie, the be-bop-inspired trio will perform works from their album “Utwory Własne,” which was released in April of this year and features original compositions by the 31-year-old Hajdun.
The concert studio at Radio Gdańsk is named after Janusz Hajdun, a musician and composer associated with the music editorial office of Radio Gdańsk for over 40 years and the father of the trio’s namesake.
The concert will begin at 20:00 tonight and will be broadcast live on air and on the Facebook profile of Radio Gdańsk and the “Metropolia Jest Okey” profile of Nadbałtyckie Centrum Kultury.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
The City of Sopot is asking for last-minute donations for its holiday transport to the sister city of Bilhorod-Dnistrovs’kyi (Białogród nad Dniestrem) in southwestern Ukraine.
The transport is scheduled to depart from Sopot on January 1 to arrive in time for Orthodox Christmas in Ukraine on January 6.
Volunteers are asking for food products, such as pasta, rice, groats, and canned goods; general hygiene and basic medical products, such as bandages and painkillers; and products for children, including ready meals, powdered milk, diapers in various sizes, and wet wipes.
Gently-used blankets and sleeping bags are also welcome, as are sweets for children to help celebrate the Christmas holiday.
According to Sopot mayor Jacek Karnowski, donations can be dropped off “around the clock” at a special collection point in Sopot City Hall at ul. Kosciuszko 25/27.
The collection will last until tomorrow, December 31.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
Weather
Today will be partly cloudy with very little chance of rain throughout the day and a gentle breeze coming in from the southwest. Temperatures will peak at a high of 7°C, or 45°F, dropping to a low of 3°C or 37°F overnight. Much warmer weather is expected tomorrow, with a chance for scattered rain showers throughout the day.ers throughout the day.
Elizabeth Peck/am