Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has characterized the potential coup by Wagner forces as evidence of the “total chaos” and lack of control that exists in Russia.

In a video statement released late on Saturday, Zelensky called the aborted coup attempt proof that “Russia’s rulers do not control anything – absolutely nothing,” suggesting that despite their ability to employ terror tactics, the ruling government has failed to establish even a fraction of legitimate control or stability.

According to Zelensky, the Russian government has inadvertently demonstrated to „Russian bandits, mercenaries, oligarchs, and everyone else” how easily Russian cities can be occupied, given a substantial arsenal of weapons.

Source: Polskie Radio

Ukrainian forces reported shooting down thirteen enemy air targets over Ukraine last night, including two Kalibr missiles and seven Shahed drones.

A statement released this morning by the Ukrainian Air Force claims that air defense forces destroyed two Kalibr cruise missiles in the south of the country, along with seven Shahed drones and four more unidentified strike drones in central Ukraine.

Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine Hanna Malar also announced on Monday that Ukraine had recaptured 130 square miles of territory in the south since the beginning of the counter-offensive. She went on to claim that “enemy fatalities were eight times greater than our own” during the last week of fighting.

Today is day 488 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Source: Radio Gdańsk, PAP, Polskie Radio

Fitch, one of the world’s leading credit rating agencies, has affirmed Poland’s „A-” credit rating, citing the outlook as stable.

The agency highlighted Poland’s “diversified economy,” EU-anchored macroeconomic framework, and lower public debt level than its peers.

While the Fitch report expects Polish GDP growth to slow to 0.7 percent in 2023 due to weak domestic consumption, the agency noted stronger-than-expected momentum in private investment and export performance in Q1 2023, indicating a potential bottoming out of the economic slowdown.

According to the state-run statistics agency GUS, the Polish economy contracted 0.3 percent in the first quarter of this year.

The Fitch report anticipates more robust growth in the second half of 2023, supported by falling inflation and improved external conditions, though it predicts “employment prospects will weaken compared with previous years.”

The recently revised Polish budget for 2023 projected economic growth at 0.9 percent instead of the original 1.7 percent estimate. Inflation targets were also revised upward to 12 percent from a previous estimate of 9.8 percent.

Source: Polskie Radio

Police are advising drivers to exercise additional caution after a series of deadly auto accidents in Pomerania over the start of the holiday weekend.

A car crash near Puck last night resulted in the death of the driver after his car struck a tree and burst into flames. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, which firefighters described as “horrifying.” A pile of scrap metal was all that was left of the car, which investigators think may have been a Porsche.

This marks the second fatal accident in the same area, with a Passat crashing into a tree earlier on Sunday, claiming the life of a 19-year-old driver. The night before, a 73-year-old man was also killed after crashing his car into a tree in the vicinity of Kolbudy.

Police suspect excessive speed and reckless driving as contributing factors in all three accidents and urge motorists to exercise caution and employ common sense while driving.

Source: Radio Gdańsk

Parents of children ages 7-10 have until June 30 to apply for the free “History on Holiday” program offered by the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) in Gdańsk.

According to IPN organizer Artur Chomicz, the 5-day program will feature outdoor games and activities, classes with educators, art workshops, competitions, and visits to local historical monuments like Westerplatte and institutions like the Museum of the Second World War.

Participants will have a chance to follow in the footsteps of local heroes like Danuta “Inka” Czekakówna, explore the birthplace of the Solidarity movement, and win prizes in city games designed to test their ability to find and photograph places of historical significance.

The workshops will take place July 24-28, 2023 at Primary School No. 39 (Szkoła Podstawowa nr 39) in Gdańsk, located at Obywatelska 1 near Garnizon in Wrzeszcz.

Places in the program are open on a first-come, first-served basis. Those interested in participating should download and fill out an application from the IPN website and send or scan a photo of the original application to educaton.gdansk@ipn.gov.pl.

Questions can be directed to Artur Chomicz at artur.chomicz@ipn.gov.pl or +48 694 156 947.

Source: Radio Gdańsk

Weather

Today will be mostly sunny, with very little chance of rain until late evening and a light breeze coming in from the northeast. Temperatures will be warmer than yesterday, with a daytime high of 26°C or 79°F, dropping to a low of 16°C or 60°F overnight. Significantly cooler weather is expected tomorrow with clouds and rain moving in overnight.

Listen to the broadcast:

Elizabeth Peck/ol