It’s Day 33 of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the current military situation is relatively unchanged. Ukrainian units have successfully repelled Russian attacks in the Donbas region as well as areas around Kharkiv, the regions of Hulapol and Zaporizhia, and along key roads and towns surrounding the capital of Kyiv.

According to intelligence information from Ukraine, the morale and psychological condition of Russian troops is low and Russian forces are reportedly having problems replenishing supplies. Fuel and food supplies have been sold or exchanged for alcohol along military convoy routes through Belarus, and combat equipment is reportedly arriving in poor technical condition due to the frequent theft of optical devices and electronics.

In southern Ukraine, the efforts of Ukrainian troops are focused on defending areas around Kryvyi Rih, Zaporizhia, and Mykolaiv, maintaining coastal access, and protecting critical infrastructure and facilities.

According to a recent BBC report, researchers at the Kyiv School of Economics have estimated that the war has already caused over USD 63 billion in damage to Ukraine’s infrastructure.

Source: Radio Gdańsk, BBC

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and its local partners have launched a new refugee reception center in Warsaw which can process up to 2,500 people a day.

Jan Egeland, the NRC’s Secretary-General, praised „the generosity of the Polish people” as „an example to the rest of Europe.” He went on to point out that such generosity „has left Poland stretched and overwhelmed, as volunteers, local authorities and aid groups work night and day to meet the needs of those crossing the border.”

Egeland joined representatives of other aid organizations in calling for more funding to directly support organizations on the frontlines of the response in Poland and other neighboring countries, as well as in Ukraine itself.

Together with the City of Warsaw and other local partners, the new NRC-sponsored center at Warszawa Wschodnia railway station will provide meals, medical services, and psychosocial support to 1,500 refugees expected to be staying there at any given time.

As of Sunday evening, roughly 2.3 million people had crossed into Poland from Ukraine since February 24, according to reports from the Polish Border Guard.

Source: Radio Poland, Straż Graniczna

Volunteers, charity organizations, and local musicians gathered yesterday near the Old Armory in central Gdańsk to show their support for Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees.

The gathering was attended by several hundred people, including long-time residents of Gdańsk and refugees from Ukraine. Many of those in attendance brought Ukrainian flags and banners expressing their opposition to Russian aggression.

The rally was organized by Maksym Volynets, an Ukrainian who has lived in Gdańsk for eight years and works with the organizations „Szczyra Sprawa” and „Fundacja Opora.”

In his comments, Volynets stressed „how important it is to act together. Sometimes we knock on different doors and they don’t open them for us. There is a problem with that. We know that we are a small organization, but sometimes small organizations have more opportunities than large ones.”

Several Ukrainian and Belarusian musicians performed songs at the event, including the Ukrainian national anthem, the patriotic Ukrainian song „Czerwona Kalyna,” and a version of „Ode to Joy,” the national anthem of the European Union, sung in Ukrainian.

Source: Radio Gdańsk

Gdańsk authorities have announced that refugees from Ukraine will continue to be able to use public transport free of charge until the end of April.

According to officials, free transit will make it easier for refugees to reach information points and access other forms of public assistance.

Those wishing to take advantage of the offer for free transit must show some proof of identity or refugee status, such as a passport with an entry stamp after February 24, 2022, a refugee residence card, or a temporary identity document.

Source: Radio Gdańsk

As of today, it is no longer a requirement to wear masks in enclosed public spaces in Poland.

The decision was announced by the Polish Health Minister last week and comes in response to declining rates of deaths and hospitalizations related to COVID-19.

On Sunday, the Ministry of Health reported 3,494 new cases and an additional seven deaths due to COVID-19. In Pomerania, 239 new cases were diagnosed during the same period, with no additional deaths reported.

Source: Radio Gdańsk

Weather

Today will be mostly sunny and warm, with very little chance of rain and light winds coming from the west. Temperatures will be similar to yesterday, with a high around 13°C, or 56°F, dropping to an overnight low of 4°C or 39°F. Slightly cooler weather is expected tomorrow, with a chance for more clouds and rain as the week progresses.

Posłuchaj:

Elizabeth Peck/MarWer