Air raid sirens sounded across Ukraine last night as powerful explosions were heard in the capital of Kyiv and in the cities of Kherson in the south, Kharkiv in the northeast, and Ivano-Frankivsk in the west.

The increased shelling is thought to be a reaction to the sinking of the Russian flagship “Moskva.” Ukrainian officials claim the ship sank due to damage from a missile strike, while Russia claims it was due to a fire on board. International media have been unable to verify either claim.

Electricity was also restored in 35 formerly-occupied settlements near Kyiv. According to Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko, it is still too early to return to the region due to the threat of rocket fire and the presence of mines.

According to reports by Ukrinform and the mayor of Bucha, over 400 bodies have been found in the formerly occupied city. The vast majority (85%) show evidence of gunshot wounds, indicating a deliberate killing of civilians by Russian troops.

Source: Radio Gdańsk, PAP, Reuters

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced plans yesterday for Poland to stop importing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from Russia by the end of 2022.

At a media briefing in Warsaw on Thursday, Morawiecki told reporters that Poland had prepared “the most radical plan for shaking off Russian hydrocarbons: oil, gas and coal” in response to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Morawiecki specifically stated that LPG, “which is used by more than 3 million car users in Poland and also to heat houses,” would no longer be bought from Russia under the plan.

According to the Polish Liquid Gas Organisation (POGP), Poland imported some 1.3 million metric tons of LPG from Russia in 2020, accounting for more than half of domestic consumption.

On Wednesday, Poland’s parliament gave final approval to a sanctions bill that includes an import embargo on coal from Russia and Belarus as well as an assets freeze against Kremlin-linked individuals and businesses subject to EU sanctions.

The legislation now heads to President Andrzej Duda for his signature.

Source: Radio Gdańsk, Radio Poland

A free intensive Polish language course is being offered in Gdańsk for teachers from Ukraine living in the Pomeranian Voivodeship.

The 380-hour course will teach language skills and provide an introduction to the Polish education system. The organizers hope to help Ukrainian teachers get jobs and facilitate their work in Polish schools.

Most classes will take place at the Teachers’ Education Center (Centrum Edukacji Nauczycieli w Gdańsku – CEN) in Gdańsk, where teachers will be provided with food, accommodation, and teaching materials.

For more information on the course or how to register, visit https://www.cen.gda.pl/informacje/intensywny-kurs-jezyka-polskiego-dla-nauczycieli-z-ukrainy,a,11403

Source: Radio Gdańsk

Poland and Slovenia will jointly host the men’s world volleyball championships this summer after Russia was stripped of its hosting rights.

According to Sports Minister Kamil Bortniczuk, two round-of-16 matches, two quarterfinals, two semifinals, the bronze-medal match, and the final will be played in Poland.

The championships are scheduled to be held between August 26 and September 11. The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) stripped Russia of its right to host the event following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and protests by member states such as Poland.

Poland’s national volleyball team won the bronze at the 2021 Men’s European Volleyball Championship and is currently the defending world champion after winning titles in 2018 and 2014.

Source: Radio Poland, PAP

Top-ranked Ukrainian team Shakhtar Donetsk defeated Lechia Gdańsk 3-2 last night during their charity football match in Gdańsk.

The highlight of the “Match for Peace” was undoubtedly the final goal, which was scored by Dmitro Keda, a disabled boy from Mariupol.

Speaking at a press conference before the event, Lechia’s vice-president Michał Hałaczkiewicz highlighted the historical symbolism of the match. “Lechia was founded in 1945 in a city that was completely destroyed during the war,” he explained. “The result in this match is a secondary matter, but its message is important – a firm 'no’ to war and 'yes’ to peace.”

Last night’s match was the second game played by Shakhtar as part of the “Football for Peace. Stop the war in Ukraine” series. The team will face off against Fenerbahçe in Istanbul next Tuesday (April 19) before traveling to Split, Croatia, to play against Hajduk on May 1.

Souce: Radio Gdańsk, PAP

Weather

Today will be overcast with a chance for rain showers in the morning and strong winds blowing in from the north. Temperatures will be much cooler than yesterday, with a high around 9°C, or 48°F, dropping to an overnight low of 3°C or 37°F. Tomorrow will be colder, with a chance for some sun later in the day.

Elizabeth Peck