Ukraine is appealing to its allies to replace Soviet-era artillery with systems that use NATO ammunition, as updated weaponry continues to arrive too slowly to meet Ukraine’s needs.
Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the National Security Council of Ukraine, said on Thursday that the help of Western partners is still not enough for the Ukrainian army to be on a par with the Russians in terms of heavy weapons.
As Vadim Skibitsky, deputy head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, explained: “Ukraine has one artillery piece to 10 to 15 Russian artillery pieces…we are losing in terms of artillery. Everything now
depends on what the West gives us.” Complicating the issue is the fact that NATO and Soviet-era artillery use different calibers of shells that are not interchangeable.
Lack of sufficient weaponry and artillery was at the top of the list as the heads of the armed forces of Ukraine met on Thursday to discuss the situation on the eastern front in Donbas. According to officials, the most difficult situation is in Łysyczańsk, where the Russian army is trying to encircle the Ukrainian forces in order to take complete control of the Luhansk region.
Source: Radio Gdańsk, Radio Poland
The Polish Foreign Ministry recently reiterated its advice against travel to Belarus after Minsk announced it would lift visa requirements for Polish citizens as of July 1.
On Thursday, a spokesman for the Polish Foreign Ministry warned that statements by Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko should be treated “with huge caution” in light of Lukashenko’s “long-running and continued policy towards Poland and the Polish people.”
Authorities in Belarus claim the change in policy reflects Lukashenko’s desire “to maintain good neighborly relations.” In response, Polish officials have pointed to “a rise in vandalism” against hundreds of Polish memorial sites in Belarus, along with “an anti-Polish smear campaign” in the Belarusian media.
Source: Radio Poland
Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko lost to Jule Niemeier of Germany yesterday in three hard-fought sets (4-6, 6-3, 4-6), ending hopes of a Ukrainian rally at Wimbledon.
On the Polish side, Magdalena Fręch and her Brazilian doubles partner Beatriz Haddad Maia triumphed yesterday in the doubles competition (6-4, 5-7, 6-3) against the Slovak and Dutch team of Viktória Kužmová and Arantxa Rus.
Fręch will face off against Simona Halep of Romania today at 15:15 in the women’s singles competition, followed by Iga Świątek against Alizé Cornet of France at 16:00.
Source: Radio Poland, wtatennis.com
The popular Open’er festival in Gdynia had to temporarily cancel concerts and evacuate attendees Friday evening due to extreme weather in the region.
Across Pomerania, firefighters were called out some 800 times to assist with downed trees and damaged structures due to last night’s storms, which also knocked out electricity for some 40,000 residents.
In the village of Wolność near Chojnice, firefighters rescued two women and three children trapped in a car by a fallen tree, and hundreds of scouts at camps in the districts of Bytów and Puck were also evacuated.
In Słupsk, a storm broke the spire on the tower of Kościół św. Jacka and badly damaged the roof.
According to officials from the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW), up to 30 liters (8 gallons) of water fell in Pomerania yesterday afternoon, with winds in Chojnice and Łeba reaching speeds of over 110 km or 70 miles per hour.
No serious injuries have yet been reported, and the Open’er festival was able to resume operations around 22:30 last night.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
Aspiring or current cycling enthusiasts are invited to a series of workshops and lectures on bicycle road safety this weekend, courtesy of the Na Rowerze Foundation and the Pomeranian Road Traffic Center.
The free outdoor lectures are addressed to all road users, not just cyclists, and include practical trips and training for scooter enthusiasts, pedestrians, and vehicle drivers.
The casual, picnic-style lectures and workshops are being offered today from 11:00-15:00 in Oruński Park and again tomorrow in Park Jelitkowski.
More information on the event is available >>>HERE<<<<.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
Weather
Today will be a mix of sun and clouds, with a good chance of rain in the early morning followed by sunny skies and a gentle breeze coming in from the northwest. Temperatures will peak around a high of 23°C, or 73°F, dropping to an overnight low of 12°C or 53°F. Warm, sunny weather is expected for tomorrow, with a chance for rain returning on Monday.
Elizabeth Peck/aKa
