A prominent US think tank claims the presence of Russian Wagner PMC forces in Belarus poses no military threat to Poland unless the fighters are provided with mechanized equipment.
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko “dismissed the Polish government for overreacting” to news that Wagner had deployed close to the Polish border and claimed that Wagner forces were “in Grodno and Brest rather than near the international border.”
Polish officials said on Tuesday that two Belarusian helicopters entered Polish airspace and announced an increased troop presence at the Polish-Belarusian border in response.
In its latest report, ISW analysts say Lukashenko “may have signaled his intent to use the Wagner Group to create a foundation for an unspecified Belarusian’’contract army,’” but emphasize that “Wagner forces in Belarus pose no military threat to Poland (or Ukraine, for that matter) until and unless they are re-equipped with mechanized equipment.”
Source: Radio Poland
Russia attacked several Ukrainian ports in the early hours of Wednesday morning in an apparent attempt to use force to block future grain exports.
No casualties were reported, but Ukraine’s defense ministry said a grain silo was damaged in the inland port of Izmail on the Danube River in the southern Odesa region.
Analysts speculate the most recent bombing attempt may be in retribution for a trio of international cargo ships – from Israel, Greece, Georgia, and Turkey – which broke the naval blockade last Sunday, openly sailing through the Black Sea to Izmail, the Ukrainian port across the Danube from NATO-member Romania.
Russia last month refused to extend an agreement brokered by the United Nations and Turkey to enable Ukraine to export millions of tons of grain through the Black Sea. It has since relentlessly attacked Ukrainian agricultural and port infrastructure, according to news reports. Last Sunday,
Last Sunday, Pope Francis appealed to “my brothers, the authorities of the Russian Federation,” to resume the grain deal and allow the transport of food and grain upon which millions of people around the world rely.
Today is day 526 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Source: Polskie Radio, Reuters, Forbes.com
President Andrzej Duda has approved changes to a new law that establishes a state commission to investigate Russian influence in Polish politics.
The new law, which entered into force on May 31, establishes a state commission for the examination of Russian interference in the internal security of Poland from 2007 to 2022.
It was enacted as an initiative by Poland’s ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party.
On June 2, Duda proposed a series of modifications to the law in response to domestic and international criticism that the law would be used to stifle dissent and go after political opponents.
According to Duda, the new commission of inquiry should not include lawmakers or have the power to ban anyone from holding public office.
Source: Polskie Radio
Polish football champions Raków Częstochowa have advanced to the third round of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers after eliminating Azerbaijani team Qarabag Agdam.
Raków drew with Qarabag 1-1 in Baku last night to end the second leg of their Champions League round two qualifiers.
The Polish champions will now face the Cypriot team Aris Limassol in the third round of the Champions League qualifiers, currently set for next Wednesday, August 9.
Raków needs to eliminate Aris Limassol and one other rival to qualify for the Champions League group stage or face relegation to the lower Europa Conference League.
Source: Polskie Radio, uefa.com
Local officials remind beachgoers to be prepared and check swimming conditions before heading out to their favorite swimming spot.
As of this morning, all bathing areas in Pomerania were open and free of blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria blooms. Daily updates are provided on the Radio Gdańsk website, with up-to-date information available on the website of the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate.
Radio Gdańsk also features a weekly broadcast on the topic of water safety every Monday at 16:35.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
Weather
Today will start off mostly cloudy with a chance for rain storms during the day and a strong breeze coming from the southwest. Temperatures will be similar to yesterday, with a daytime high of 23°C or 73°F, dropping to a low of 16°C or 61°F overnight. Similar temperatures are expected tomorrow, with a chance of more rain showers returning tomorrow afternoon.
Listen to the broadcast:
Elizabeth Peck
