Poland’s state-run power company, PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna, has offered to help rebuild parts of Ukraine’s energy system damaged by recent Russian airstrikes.
CEO Wojciech Dąbrowski was quoted yesterday on the energetyka24.com website saying that PGE employees were ready to provide “full cooperation in restoring reliable electricity supplies” to Ukrainian households and businesses after the war.
The announcement follows similar promises of assistance made by Lithuania.
Over the weekend, Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas announced that Lithuanian energy companies “have already sent EUR 3 million worth of support for the reconstruction of Ukraine’s energy sector” and were now sending an additional EUR 2 million.
Anušauskas wrote in a tweet on Sunday that “six trucks with 114 transformers were sent from Lithuania to Ukraine” in recent days, with the goal of providing 252 transformers to help repair energy infrastructure damaged by Russian missile and drone attacks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Sunday that Russia was planning additional attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, appealing to defense forces and citizens to be prepared to endure a new wave of air strikes and the potential loss of power, heating, and water.
Today is day 279 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Source: Radio Poland, PAP
The Polish Navy has officially welcomed its second modern minehunting vessel, the ORP Albatros, built in Stocznia Gdańsk as part of the Kormoran II program.
The official flag-raising ceremony at the Naval Port in Gdynia on Monday coincided with the 104th anniversary of the founding of the Polish Navy.
Jacek Siewiera, head of the National Security Bureau, described the ceremony as a testament to the revitalization of the Navy’s position in a changing world and the increasing importance of the Baltic Sea in providing access to natural resources and critical infrastructure, including ports.
The Kormoran II-type ships are used to seek, identify, and combat sea mines, helping to ensure safe passage for other ships. The minesweepers typically conduct operations in the Polish economic zone but also engage in missions as part of tactical groups in the Baltic and North Seas.
The ORP Albatros is the second vessel constructed under the Kormoran II program. The ORP Kormoran entered service in 2017, and an additional ship, the ORP Mewa, is expected to enter service in the middle of next year.
Source: Radio Gdańsk, PAP
The Support Center for Ukraine (Centrum Wsparcia Ukrainy) in Sopot is currently seeking donations of warm winter clothes and shoes for children and adults.
Anna Sobota, head of Centrum Wsparcia Ukrainy, says the support center plans to use the donations to open a “store” where refugees can “shop” for necessary clothing. As many refugees are growing children, the shop will also allow refugees to exchange unneeded clothing items for something more suitable.
Sopot is currently home to some 2,500 Ukrainians, according to Deputy Mayor Magdalena Czarzyńska-Jachim, who thanked Sopot residents “for their openness and their help” and “for the fact that refugees from Ukraine, despite the trauma of war, feel good here.”
New or gently used clothing items can be dropped off on weekdays between 10:00-15:00 at the University of Gdańsk student dormitory no. 8, located at ul. 1 Maja 12.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
The group stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup is coming to an end, with France, Brazil, and Portugal already through to the knockout stage based on their performance.
Sixteen national teams will say goodbye to Qatar over the next few days, while the remaining sixteen will continue to fight for the most valued trophy in European football.
The Netherlands is expected to dominate Qatar in today’s matches from Group A, while Ecuador and Senegal are more evenly matched. Ecuador is slightly ahead in points after managing to tie the Netherlands and beat Qatar last week.
In Group B, England will vie for its chance to advance to the round of 16 when it faces local rival Wales today, with the United States also set to confront Iran in a match already heavily overshadowed by geopolitics.
Both Group A matches are set for 16:00 today, with Group B matches set for 20:00.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
Weather
Today will be cloudy and cold, with very little chance of rain or snow and a light breeze coming in from the southeast. Temperatures will be slightly colder than yesterday, with a high of 2°C, or 36°F, dropping to a low of -1°C or 31°F overnight. Even colder weather is expected tomorrow, with temperatures remaining at or below freezing into next week.
Elizabeth Peck/pb
