In the early morning hours of December 26, Ukrainian missiles successfully struck the Russian landing ship the Novocherkassk, which was docked in Russian-occupied Crimea.
Russia has confirmed the strike but claims the vessel was only “damaged,” contrary to Ukrainian reports that it had been “destroyed.”
According to a Telegram post from Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk, Russia’s fleet “is getting smaller and smaller,” as evidenced by yesterday’s strikes against “the large landing ship Novocherkassk.”
Commander Oleshchuk went on to thank “the Air Force pilots and everyone involved” for the success of the strikes, with Reuters claiming Ukraine’s efforts “could hinder any Russian attempt to seize more Ukrainian territory along the Black Sea coast.”
Today is day 672 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Source: Radio Poland, Reuters
Religious leaders in Europe have called for peace this holiday season, with some highlighting that Bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of Jesus, is located at the heart of the current conflict in the West Bank.
On Christmas day, during his midday “Urbi et Orb’ blessing from the Vatican, Pope Francis called for peace in the world, especially in the Middle East, the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury and leader of the Anglican Church, echoed the Pope’s words, lamenting that “the skies of Bethlehem are full of fear rather than angels and glory.”
Despite the conflicts besetting the region, Pope Francis emphasized that the “birth of the Savior there and the proclamation of the angel gives us great hope…”
Source: Radio Poland
The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMWM) has issued a first-degree warning for strong winds across Pomerania over the next several days.
Dangerous weather phenomena are forecast in all districts of the region, with a first-degree warning of strong wind in effect for Pomerania from Tuesday at 16:00 to 6:00 Friday morning.
Forecasters warn that winds with average speeds of up to 55 km, or 35 miles per hour, can be expected in the next 24-48 hours, with gusts reaching up to 85 km or over 50 miles per hour.
Similar warnings were issued across most of Poland, except for parts of southern Silesia and the Małopolskie and Podkarpackie provinces.
Source: Radio Gdańsk, PAP
After dominating women’s tennis in 2023, Iga Świątek announced on social media that she had set her sights on winning every Grand Slam event in 2024.
Świątek’s comments came after a hard-fought loss to World No. 2 and arch-rival Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus. Świątek lost 4-6 to Sabalenka last Saturday in a special demonstration match held as part of the World Tennis League in the United Arab Emirates.
Despite the recent loss, 2023 still belongs to Świątek, who remains the World No. 1 in women’s tennis.
Source: Radio Poland
For the next three days, listeners have a chance to take home a calendar from the Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway (PKM) or CDs of the band Kombii from an acoustic concert recorded in the Radio Gdańsk studio.
From December 27-29, listeners will have two daily chances to answer questions broadcast on-air between 7:00-8:00 in the morning and 15:00-16:00 in the afternoon as part of the latest competition from Radio Gdańsk.
Answers should be sent to the studio via SMS to the number 603 06 06 06. More information on this and other competitions and events, including tickets to the next “Metropolia Jest Okej” series concert, can be found on our website.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
Weather
Today will be partly cloudy, with almost no chance of rain or snow and high winds from the west and later south. Temperatures will be similar to yesterday, with a high of 4°C, or 40°F, dropping to just below freezing with an overnight low of -1°C or 31°F. Slightly warmer weather is expected tomorrow, with a chance for some rain heading into the weekend.
Elizabeth Peck/kł
