A road-and-rail bridge to Russian-occupied Crimea, a key route for military supplies for the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine, was reportedly hit by an explosion and damaged on Monday morning.
Russian officials said two people were killed and one person injured as a result of the so-called Ukrainian “terrorist act,” which happened before dawn and damaged the road-and-rail bridge linking Russia to occupied Crimean across the Kerch Strait.
It was not immediately clear if the incident was a deliberate attack, and Ukrainian authorities did not directly claim responsibility. A spokesperson for the Ukrainian military, Natalia Humeniuk, later said the attack could have been an act of provocation by Russia itself.
Today is day 510 of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Source: Polskie Radio, Reuters
Five people were killed and eight others injured after a Cessna plane crashed into an airfield hangar in central Poland last night.
A pilot and two passengers were on board when the small aircraft crashed into a hangar full of people in the village of Chrcynno, some 50 km (31 miles) north of Warsaw, shortly after 19:30 on Monday.
Nearly a dozen people were in the building at the time of the accident. The pilot and four other people died on the scene, according to police, and two of the injured were „in a serious condition” as of Tuesday morning.
The cause of the crash was not immediately known, but weather may have been a contributing factor, state news agency PAP reported.
Source: Polskie Radio
Polish and Ukrainian officials recently unveiled a plaque commemorating the historic meeting between Polish leader Marshal Józef Piłsudski and Ukrainian leader Ataman Petliura.
The original meeting occurred over 100 years ago, on May 5, 1920, at the railway station in Berdychiv. Prior to this meeting, on April 21, 1920, the Republic of Poland and the Ukrainian People’s Republic concluded the Pilsudski-Petlura Pact, a political agreement that defined a common border and laid down the principles for future cooperation between the two countries.
For Poland, the pact was an opportunity to build a regional organization of allies, and for Ukraine, it was a chance to win independence. In May 1920, the armies of both countries liberated Kyiv from Russian Bolshevik occupation, a notable victory in the Polish-Soviet War.
Last Saturday’s unveiling ceremony was attended by Polish diplomats, local authorities from Berdychiv and Częstochowa, and representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Source: Radio Gdańsk, PAP
The Polish women’s volleyball team won its first medal at a world tournament in 55 years after a thrilling victory over the United States last weekend.
The Poles, managed by Italian coach Stefano Lavarini, defeated the American Olympic champions 3-2 in the Women’s Volleyball Nations League bronze medal match on Sunday.
After the match, star opposite Magdalena Stysiak told reporters she was “really happy and proud” to have made the podium for the first time at the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) tournament. While congratulating the Americans on their performance, Stysiak said the match results “showed today that when we play as a team, we can beat anyone.”
Source: Polskie Radio, volleyballworld.com
The XXI International Accordion Festival kicked off in the town of Sulęczyno in Kartuzy over the weekend, featuring an eclectic mix of klezmer, Balkan, French, and Kashubian music.
From the 16 to 22 July, the sound of accordion music will fill the open air, churches, and local restaurants of Sulęczyno as part of the festival. Featured artists include popular Polish groups such as the Krystyna Stańko quartet and Quarteto Re!Tango, along with international guests such as Ridnij Kraj of Ukraine and the Concertino Accordion Band from Moldova.
Admission to all events is free, and the full program is available at: https://akordeony.net/szczegolowy-plan-imprezy/
Source: Radio Gdańsk
Weather
Today will be a mix of sun and clouds with a slight chance of rain showers midday and again overnight, accompanied by a strong breeze from the west. Temperatures will be on the cooler side with a daytime high of 21°C or 70°F, dropping to a low of 14°C or 58°F overnight. Similar weather is expected tomorrow with a chance for some rain throughout the day.
Elizabeth Peck/pb
