Russia launched rocket attacks on Ukraine’s southern port of Odesa for the third night in a row, with additional strikes reported in the neighboring city of Mykolaiv and across Ukraine.
On Wednesday night, Kalibr cruise missiles fired from the Black Sea struck Odesa’s grain and oil terminal, damaging tanks and loading equipment and causing a fire to break out, according to Ukrainian state broadcaster Suspilne.
An explosive wave also damaged several apartment buildings in Odesa, and at least six residents, including a nine-year-old boy, reportedly sought medical assistance after being struck by shards of glass or other objects.
Elsewhere in the Odesa region, Russian missiles hit two warehouses and an industrial facility, wounding one employee.
Early this morning, Suspilne reported that Russia had shelled the city of Mykolaiv with missiles overnight, striking the city center and injuring dozens. Rescue efforts were underway this morning, with over a dozen injuries reported, including nine victims sent to hospital, of which 5 were children.
Today is day 512 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Source: Radio Gdańsk, Polskie Radio, Reuters
The United States on Wednesday announced a new USD 1.3 billion defense package for Ukraine, which will include four NASAMS air defense systems, demining equipment, and an undisclosed number of drones.
According to a statement by the US Department of Defense, the new security assistance package will include “critical air defense capabilities and munitions” to help Ukraine “defend its territory and deter Russian aggression over the mid and long term.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked US President Joe Biden for the additional aid, writing in a tweet that “NASAMS anti-aircraft missile systems with ammunition, artillery shells, mine clearance equipment, and other much-needed assistance will save Ukrainian lives and bring our common victory closer.”
Earlier in the week, USAID head Samantha Power announced additional humanitarian aid for Ukraine. During a meeting on Tuesday with local officials, farmers, and volunteers in Odesa, Power announced an additional $500 million in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, with $250 million allocated “to support Ukraine’s embattled agriculture sector.”
Source: Polskie Radio, usaid.gov
On Tuesday, interior minister Mariusz Kamiński announced that Poland would send firefighters to help contain “enormous fires” currently raging in Greece.
In a post on Twitter, Kamiński wrote that Poland is “coming to the rescue” to “ help put out fires in southern Europe, just like two years ago.”
Grecja znowu dotknięta ogromnymi pożarami. Ruszamy na pomoc! 🚒 W porozumieniu z premierem @MorawieckiM poleciłem komendantowi @ABartkowiak_PSP przygotowanie do wyjazdu naszych strażaków, by jak dwa lata temu pomogli w gaszeniu pożarów na południu Europy.#MisjaGrecja 🇵🇱 🤝 🇬🇷
— Mariusz Kamiński (@Kaminski_M_) July 18, 2023
According to State Fire Service chief Andrzej Bartkowiak, Greece asked Poland for vehicles to assist in firefighting efforts, and fire service units from Poznań and Kraków were already on their way.
Since Tuesday morning, eastern Greece, Athens, parts of the Peloponnese, and the islands on the Aegean Sea have been on high fire alert, according to officials, with residents from some seaside towns close to Athens already being evacuated.
As of yesterday, two separate wildfires were raging in the region, including one in the Saronida area south of Athens, where over 200 firefighters, with 68 vehicles, seven aircraft, and six helicopters, are battling to contain the blaze.
A second fire also broke out near the seaside resort of Loutraki, some 80 kilometers to the west of Athens, where 20 fire service units were in action, according to PAP news agency.
Extremely hot weather and strong winds continue to fuel both fires, with Greek media sources reporting that the blazes tore through 12 kilometers of land in just two hours earlier this week.
Source: Polskie Radio
Officials from ZUS announced yesterday that benefit payments for this year’s “Dobry Start” program for families with schoolchildren should start arriving this week.
Parents of school-age children across Poland can submit applications for the „Good Start” program for grants of PLN 300 to help offset costs related to schooling.
The grant is available irrespective of family income for children up to the age of 20, or 24 in the case of children with disabilities.
Applications are open from July 1 to November 30 and can be submitted via most electronic banking apps and web portals, through the PUE ZUS platform, and also through the Emp@tia portal on the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy website.
The “Good Start” financial assistance program was launched in 2018, with approximately 4.4 million children benefitting from the program each year, according to data from the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy.
The total amount of support in the previous five years of the program (2018-2022) was approximately PLN 6.65 billion.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
Weather
Today will start off overcast with a good chance of rain showers before clearing off in the afternoon, thanks to a strong breeze from the northwest. Temperatures will be similar to yesterday, with a daytime high of 19°C or 67°F, dropping to a low of 12°C or 54°F overnight. Slightly warmer weather is expected tomorrow, with a chance for rain returning Friday evening.
Listen to the broadcast:
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