Russian forces renewed attacks on the Azovstal plant in Mariupol yesterday, dashing hopes to evacuate additional civilians from the besieged city.

Ukrainian forces and hundreds of civilians have been sheltering in the encircled Azovstal steelworks, Ukraine’s last holdout in the strategic port city.

While a significant number of evacuees managed to leave under UN and Red Cross auspices over the weekend, hundreds of civilians remain trapped beneath the sprawling site. According to reports by Reuters, the first civilians fleeing the plant managed to reach Ukraine-controlled Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday.

The siege of Mariupol, in which Russian and Ukrainian forces have pummelled each other for nearly two months, has turned the port city into a wasteland and left thousands trying to survive without water, sanitation, or food.

Meanwhile, the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, which had remained largely unscathed by the war, was hit by Russian strikes on Tuesday, according to reports by the city’s mayor. The latest airstrikes reportedly damaged power stations, cutting off electricity in several districts.

Source: Radio Poland, Reuters

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a virtual address to the Ukrainian Parliament yesterday, declaring Ukraine will defeat Russia and once again be a free country.

„This is Ukraine’s finest hour, that will be remembered and recounted for generations to come” Johnson told Ukrainian lawmakers, echoing a speech delivered by Winston Churchill to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom in 1940.

He finished by declaring his firm conviction that „Ukraine will win, Ukraine will be free.”

Johnson’s comments followed earlier announcements that the UK would provide an additional GBP 300 million (EUR 356 million) of military aid to Ukraine, including electronic warfare equipment and a counter-battery radar system.

The British PM is the first Western leader to address Ukraine’s Parliament since the start of the Russian invasion.

Source: Radio Poland, Reuters

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to announce new sanctions against Moscow today, including a highly-contested ban on Russian oil imports.

According to reports by Euractiv, EU officials have handed over a draft plan to member states on a new package of sanctions to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

Polish officials previously expressed hopes that the European Union’s oil embargo against Russia would take effect by the end of the year and that EU countries using rubles to pay for Russian gas would be penalized.

In previous comments to Reuters, Polish Climate Minister Anna Moskwa outlined Poland’s position on the proposed sanctions, calling for a clear cessation date when member states will have to stop importing Russian oil.

EU Member states blocking tougher sanctions include Austria, Germany, and Hungary. However, Germany appears to be modifying its position, with Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck claiming „Germany is not against an oil ban on Russia” in comments made to EU Ministers on Monday.

According to reports cited by Reuters, EU countries have paid more than 47 billion euros ($47.43 billion) to Russia for gas and oil since the invasion of Ukraine began on February 24.

Source: Radio Gdańsk, PAP, Euractiv, Reuters

Over 22,000 students from the Pomeranian Voivodeship will begin the annual matura exam today, joining some 300,000 Polish students nationwide.

Aspiring graduates of general secondary schools, technical secondary schools, and second-cycle industry schools started the compulsory Polish language exam at 9:00 this morning. Elective exams in Latin and ancient culture will be held this afternoon.

The matura exams are a rite of passage in Poland and determine teenagers’ future to a large degree. Polish high school graduates must pass three obligatory written exams in Polish, mathematics, and a foreign language at the basic level.

Similar to last year, students are still exempt from an additional advanced exam on the subject of their choice, as well as the oral examinations in Polish and a foreign language.

Source: Radio Gdańsk

Weather

Today will be a mix of sun and clouds with a gentle breeze coming in from the east and very little chance of rain. Temperatures will be similar to yesterday, with a high around 14°C, or 57°F, dropping to an overnight low of 5°C or 41°F. Clouds and warmer weather will return tomorrow, accompanied by an increasing chance of rain in the afternoon.

Posłuchaj:

Elizabeth Peck/MarWer