Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has taken action to enhance security at the country’s border with Belarus in response to the presence of Russian paramilitary group Wagner fighters.

After Wagner’s brief, aborted mutiny against Moscow, the Russian mercenaries have been offered refuge in Belarus by the country’s leader Alexander Lukashenko, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky, who was informed of the situation in Belarus by Ukrainian intelligence service GUR, foreign intelligence services, and border guards, ordered the reinforcement of the northern direction at the border

Meanwhile, in an interview with the Financial Times, the head of Poland’s National Security Bureau, said Wagner fighters relocated to neighbouring Belarus could use migrants from Africa and other countries where the paramilitary group operates, to destabilise the region.

Lukashenko, who has supported Putin in the war against Ukraine and allowed Russian troops to be stationed in Belarus, although his own forces have not directly participated in the conflict, said that his army would benefit from the combat experience of Wagner commanders.

Source: PAP

An ice hockey player from one of Poland’s major leagues has been charged with spying for Russia. The man, a Russian citizen, was arrested on 11 June in Silesia, southern Poland, and is believed to be part of a Russian spy ring.

Poland’s Internal Security Agency (the ABW) has so far detained 14 people suspected of being part of the group. It says all of them are citizens of countries to the east of Poland, not necessarily just Russia.

The decades-long spy conflict between Russia and the West has intensified since Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February of last year.

In a statement, Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro has revealed that the arrested ice hockey player was competing in a club from the country’ s Ligue 1 – the second-highest division.

„A spy who acted under the guise of an athlete was caught,” the minister said. He did not name the detained player, but several media outlets have identified the suspect as Maksim S. He is now being held in pre-trial detention. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison.

Source: BBC / Dziennik Gazeta Prawna

From now until the end of August, Orlen and BP have introduced holiday fuel promotions, and from Monday, July 3rd, Shell will join them. At Circle K petrol stations, discounts also apply but only on holiday weekends.

In the case of Orlen stations, over a maximum of four times in each of the two months it will be possible to refuel up to 50 litres of petrol or diesel with a discount of 30 groszy in relation to current prices. For holders of the Large Family Card, the discount will increase to 40 groszy. The promotion does not apply to LPG.

BP’s promotion is the same, but also includes a discount of 10 groszy for LPG fuel.

Shell’s promotion allows unlimited uses of the station over the holiday months and the discounted price can be used for up to 60 litres at a time.

As for Circle K’s promotion, only on holiday weekends (so Fridays to Sundays), until September 3rd, members of their Extra loyalty program can refuel for 35 groszy cheaper per litre of any fuel. The discount allows for a maximum of 85 litres per transaction.

Source: PAP

Weather

Today will see all of sunshine, cloud and rain showers during the course of the day. There may even be outbreaks of thunderstorms in some areas of the region. A moderate wind will approach from the west.

Daytime temperatures will see a high of 22°C or 72°F, with expected lows of 13°C or 55°F overnight. The weather and temperature is set to remain similar tomorrow, with less rain expected from Tuesday.

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Tom Rado/ol