Today marks the 100th day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Russian military has reportedly limited its focus and goals for the war in Ukraine as Russian artillery continues to destroy civilian infrastructure across the Donbas region and Ukrainian forces fight to maintain control of Severodonetsk.
According to military analysts, Ukrainians are now fighting against „enemy fatigue.” Analysts warn that the outcome of the conflict may be determined by the resources of both sides, the morale of the defenders, and the timely arrival of heavy equipment from the West.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
In a video address to the parliament of Luxembourg yesterday, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky claimed Russia now occupies an estimated 20% of Ukraine.
The front line with Russia, he continued, now stretches across over 1000 km or over 600 miles.
Zelensky expressed his gratitude for all the help received but emphasized that military support must increase if Ukraine is to defeat Russia.
Source: Radio Poland
Author and Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Wrocław, the highest academic distinction the university can bestow.
In her acceptance speech, Tokarczuk emphasized that the war in Ukraine is also „our war,” one that is being fought not only for humanity, but for freedom, for a sense of security, and for the right of all Ukrainians to joy and a life of dignity.
She went on to pay tribute to the courage of the Ukrainian people, reminding listeners that „we must not forget how bravely and heroically the Ukrainian people are defending themselves against the inhumane actions of the Russian army.”
Tokarczuk was awarded the 2018 Nobel Prize for Literature, and she and translator Jennifer Croft also won the 2018 Man Booker International Prize for the novel Bieguni (Flights). Her other well-known works include Primeval and Other Times, Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead, and The Books of Jacob.
Source: Radio Poland, PAP, www.wroclaw.pl
Britain on Thursday kicked off four days of festivities to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s unprecedented 70 years on the throne. On February 6, Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to celebrate seven decades of wearing the crown, making her the third-longest reigning monarch in world history.
Her historic Platinum Jubilee will bring thousands of Brits together in celebration, particularly on Sunday, when millions of people in the UK and abroad will participate in „The Big Jubilee Lunch.”
More information can be found on the official website at platinumjubilee.gov.uk.
Source: PAP, Radio Poland
Ukrainian football fans are celebrating after a surprise 3-1 win over Scotland in the World Cup qualifiers on Wednesday. Ukraine is now one match away from qualifying for its second World Cup ever, a significant morale boost for a country ravaged by four months of brutal warfare and occupation.
„We want to go to the World Cup to give these incredible emotions to the people,” explained midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko. „Ukrainians deserve it so much at this moment.”
Ukraine’s next match in the qualifiers will be against Wales on Sunday, June 5, at 18:00.
Source: PAP, Reuters, nytimes.com
Tennis phenom Iga Świątek is one match away from winning the French Open after advancing to the finals with a 6-2, 6-1 win yesterday against Daria Kasatkina of Russia.
The Polish world No. 1, who celebrated her 21st birthday earlier this week, extended her winning streak this season to 34 matches. According to reports in Reuters, Świątek played the match with a ribbon in the colors of the Ukrainian flag pinned to her trademark white baseball cap. She will face off against American Coco Gauff in the championship match tomorrow at 18:00.
Source: Radio Poland, wtatennis.com
The Georgiy Maiboroda National Honored Bandura Band of Ukraine continues its charity concert tour in Poland with a stop in Gdańsk tonight.The traditional folk ensemble has concerts planned in some 19 Polish cities to raise funds to support Ukrainian culture.
The bandura is a traditional Ukrainian folk instrument, similar to string instruments like the zither and the lute.
Tonight’s concert will be held at Saint Bartholemew’s Church in Stare Miasto (Old Town) Gdańsk starting at 6 p.m. Admission to the concert is free. Charitable donations will be collected during the performance.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
Weather
Today will be partly cloudy and warm, with very little chance of rain showers and a light breeze coming in from the west. Temperatures will peak around a high of 20°C, or 68°F, dropping to an overnight low of 8°C or 47°F. Slightly cooler weather is expected for tomorrow, with a chance for sunny skies and warmer weather on Sunday.
Posłuchaj:
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