Poland has insufficient numbers of F-16 jets to give to Ukraine in war support

Speaking at the Council of Europe summit in Reykjavik, Andrzej Duda added that Poland would, however, continue to provide military support for its eastern neighbour. Poland has about 48 F-16s although not all are combat ready.

At the summit the prime ministers of the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, Rishi Sunak and Mark Rutte, agreed to build an international coalition to purchase F-16 combat aircraft for Ukraine. President Duda was asked by journalists whether Poland would join such a coalition, if it was formed. Duda responded by clarifying that the number of F-16 aircraft at Poland’s disposal is insufficient to transfer to Ukraine.

At the same time he stressed that Poland is ready to train Ukrainian pilots.

Poland has already transferred eight Mig-29 fighter aircraft to Ukraine, and is ready to donate a further six.

Today is day 449 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

(Polskie Radio / PAP)

Polish government adopts bill abolishing tolls for state-managed motorways

The abolition of tolls on motorways managed by the government assumes the draft amendment to the Act on toll motorways and the National Road Fund adopted by the Council of Ministers, said the Minister of Infrastructure Andrzej Adamczyk at a press conference yesterday.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki also present, explained that as long as highways were a luxury good, they would not be accessible to everyone. It is his view that motorway tolls are one of the major barriers to mobility. In an example used: by increasing mobility, we increase the chances of entrepreneurs to find good employees and the chances of employees to get the best jobs possible.

The aim of the proposed change is to stop collecting tolls for motorway use by motor vehicles with a maximum permissible weight not exceeding 3.5 tonnes – in other words passenger cars and motorcycles. The current tolls in question for change are found on the A2 and the A4 motorways and these could be toll free from July 1st.

(Radio Gdańsk / PAP)

Local soldiers from Słupsk leave for Iraq peacekeeping force in 14th rotational contingent

The Military Contingent in Iraq is replaced every six months. The fourteenth rotation consists of 250 soldiers, mainly from the 7th Coastal Defence Brigade in Słupsk.

Missionary taskforce responsibilities include: advising and training Iraqi security forces, patrolling assigned areas, protection of Polish posts in the area of operation, as well as participation in the construction and maintenance of roads, airports and protective structures.

The soldiers all undergo standard military training, but have also trained at the Police School in Słupsk, where instructors have instilled procedures and techniques in moving around within urbanized areas whilst escorting VIPs, as well as techniques of evacuating people from an endangered area.

(Radio Gdańsk)

Polish stage of European Rally Championship will be held in the Masurian lake district this weekend

Mikołajki in the picturesque Masurian lake district has been Rally Poland’s base since 2005. This year’s rally will be the 79th incarnation, currently sponsored by Orlen.

The Rally of Poland is a motorsport event that was first established in 1921. It is third-oldest rally in the world, preceded only by the Austrian Alpine Rally and Monte Carlo.

Last year’s winner of the rally was actually a Pole who hails from Łódź originally, Mikołaj Marczyk, who drives for Team Orlen in a Skoda Fabia R5 EVO. He will be racing again this weekend in this year’s event with co-driver Szymon Gospodarczyk.

(FIAERC)

The weather

Today will see periods of both cloud cover and sunshine. A light wind will come in from the north east. Cloud cover is expected to be around 70%, with sunset expected at 8:48pm. Daytime temperatures will see a high of 15°C or 59°F, with expected lows of 6°C or 43°F overnight. The forecast is due to remain the same tomorrow – and as we move into the weekend temperatures should only get warmer.