Western intelligence sources claim Russia is amassing planes and helicopters near the Ukrainian border, indicating it is preparing to use them to support its stalling ground offensive.
A recent Financial Times article cited two officials on the matter, claiming that relevant intel had already been shared with other allied countries. Fear of an impending air war in Ukraine has prompted allies to prioritize rapid deliveries of air defense equipment and artillery ammunition to Kyiv to respond to Moscow’s shift in strategy.
During a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Groupon on Tuesday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reportedly emphasized the threat posed by Russia’s remaining air force. “He made it very clear that we have a short time window to help the Ukrainians prepare for the offensive and that they have some fairly specific needs,” said one senior US administration official.
Speaking in Brussels at the start of a two-day meeting of NATO defense ministers, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg urged members of the Western military alliance to ensure that Ukraine “gets the advanced and modern systems” it needs to win the war with Russia.
Stoltenberg emphasized that Russian President Vladimir Putin was “not preparing for peace” but instead „preparing for more war.”
Source: Radio Gdańsk, PAP, Polskie Radio
Poland’s interior minister has warned that if Belarus “continues to take repressive measures” against Poles living in that country, Poland will respond with “further action.”
Poland closed a key border checkpoint with Belarus last Friday, a move the Belarusian government called “irrational and dangerous,” according to reports in Reuters.
The closure of Bobrowniki came after a court in Belarus sentenced Polish-Belarusian journalist and activist Andrzej Poczobut to eight years in “a maximum security penal colony” in what was widely seen as a politically motivated case.
Poczobut was found guilty of “fomenting hatred” and “acting to the detriment of Belarus,” news outlets reported.
In an interview with state-run news channel TVP Info, Interior Minister Mariusz Kamiński condemned Poczobut’s sentence, claiming “members of the Polish minority are being treated by Lukashenko as hostages.”
Kamiński said in the interview that the closing of border crossings “sends a clear message to the Belarusian regime” that it can’t “persecute Poles with impunity,” adding that he planned to appeal for more people connected with Lukashenko to be added to sanctions lists.
Source: Polskie Radio, Reuters
The Polish navy officially launched a new Komoran II-class minehunting vessel yesterday during a celebration in Gdynia.
The ceremonial raising of the flag and official incorporation of the ORP Mewa into service was attended by representatives of state authorities and the Polish defense forces, along with local government officials and residents.
Polish President Andrzej Duda and Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak both issued official letters to mark the vessel’s launch, which were read out loud during the ceremony.
In his letter, Błaszczak pointed to „Russia’s aggression against Ukraine” as highlighting “the importance of the security of the Polish coast, critical infrastructure, and freedom of navigation”
Kormoran II-type ships like the ORP Mewa are designed to offer anti-mine reconnaissance and protection for other vessels in Polish waters and serve as part of tactical groups in the Baltic and North Seas. The ships can also plant their own mines, the PAP news agency reported.
Like its two predecessors, the ORP Albatros and ORP Kormoran II, the ORP Mewa will join the 13th Minesweeper Squadron of the 8th Coastal Defense Flotilla.
Last year, Poland ordered the construction of three additional minehunters, which are slated for delivery in 2026-2027.
Source: Radio Gdańsk, Polskie Radio
In celebration of Fat Thursday tomorrow, Radio Gdańsk will be visiting shopping centers around Trójmiasto to give away donuts and report live on Tłusty Czwartek festivities.
An estimated 100 million pączki (donuts) will be consumed across Poland tomorrow in celebration of Tłusty Czwartek (Fat Thursday), one of the last opportunities for feasting before the Catholic fasting period of Lent begins next Wednesday.
Radio Gdansk will give away 300 pączki tomorrow, starting at 9:00 at the Madison Shopping Center in Gdańsk city center, moving to Galeria Bałtycka at 11:00, and finishing at Gdynia’s Batory Shopping Center at 13:00.
Americans will celebrate their own version of Tłusty Czwartek next week on Fat Tuesday, the same day residents of the UK celebrate Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day.
Source: Radio Gdańsk, culture.pl
Weather
Today will be mostly cloudy, with very little chance of rain, and a light breeze coming in from the southwest. Temperatures will be slightly warmer than yesterday, with a high of 6°C or 42°F dropping to a low of -1°C, or 31°F overnight. Similar weather is expected tomorrow, with a chance for some rain Thursday evening and again on Friday.
Listen to the broadcast:
Elizabeth Peck/ol
