(WARSAW) – Poland has reaffirmed its interest in joining NATO’s nuclear sharing programme, hours after a deputy defence minister appeared to rule out hosting nuclear warheads on Polish soil.
Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated on Friday that Warsaw remains committed to participating in the alliance’s nuclear sharing arrangements. The clarification came after Deputy Defence Minister Paweł Zalewski told TVP World that “Poland does not want to have nuclear warheads on its territory.”
Under NATO’s nuclear sharing framework, several European allies store American nuclear warheads on their territories, while others contribute logistics and infrastructure for dispersed operational bases. This allows participating nations to be ready to temporarily host nuclear warheads in the event of a threat on NATO’s eastern flank.
Zalewski later clarified on social media that Poland seeks participation in the Dual Capable Aircraft programme, which would enable its newly acquired F-35 fighter jets to carry American nuclear weapons stored in other European countries. “The Polish government has just gained the opportunity to participate in the DCA programme, which is a stepping stone to nuclear sharing, but that does not mean storing nuclear weapons in Poland,” he said.
Experts have argued that details of nuclear cooperation should not be discussed openly. “It’s a mistake because Russia of course not only observes what’s going on in Polish public domain. The Polish government should be consistent in such communication in this matter,” one analyst told TVP World.
TVP World has contacted the defence ministry for further clarification but has yet to receive comment. Poland has also expressed interest in a nuclear umbrella cooperation with France, with both Warsaw and Paris confirming the project is moving forward.
Ukraine Strikes Russian Logistics Targets
Ukraine reportedly conducted a series of drone strikes across Russia’s southern regions overnight Friday into Saturday. Unverified social media footage claims to show drone strikes and explosions in the Rostov area.
The Kyiv Independent reports that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck a logistics centre belonging to online retail giant Ozon in the city of Rostov-on-Don. Citing Telegram channels, the news outlet says a warehouse belonging to an electronics appliance chain was hit in the town of Aksai, and a supermarket chain warehouse was struck in a nearby village.
The local governor reported that seven people were injured in the strikes.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said production of specialised interceptors would be significantly accelerated to counter constant attacks on Ukrainian cities. Kyiv has set a goal to increase the number of long range drone strikes on Russia from 300 to over 1,000 per day.
“The main focus is on our defence against cruise missiles and on making our precision strikes against Russia even more frequent. The goal is 1,000 drones per day for long range strikes against Russia. Currently, we’re averaging 300 plus long range strikes. That number must increase. We have a very specific goal and we will accomplish this task,” Zelensky said.
Lukashenko Arrives in Russia for Talks
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko arrived in Russia on Friday for talks with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. The meeting follows CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s visit to Moscow, amid reports that the Kremlin could test NATO’s resolve through a limited attack on one of the Baltic states.
Roland Freudenstein, co-founder of the Brussels Freedom Hub, told TVP World that Belarus has served as an important logistical area from which Russia can send drones and attack Ukraine. “Belarus plays an important role. It’s an important link in the chain of Russian military production, especially drones, missiles, and other equipment,” he said.
Freudenstein added that while Lukashenko has repeatedly ruled out direct participation of Belarusian troops in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, there is ongoing speculation that Belarus might be instrumental in a so-called false flag attack.
Wikipedia Briefly Blocked in Russia
Russian internet users were reportedly unable to access Wikipedia for much of Friday before access was eventually restored. Citing media monitoring groups, The Moscow Times reports that users in major cities including Moscow, St Petersburg and Novocherkassk were unable to log into the online encyclopedia.
Russian authorities have repeatedly fined Wikipedia over information about the war in Ukraine. Moscow has attempted to launch an alternative information source using amended Wikipedia articles, but without success. Access to English and Russian language versions of the site was restored after eight hours.
Japan Partners with Ukraine on Drone Defence
Ukrainian defence forces face mass drone attacks almost every night, with Russia’s inexpensive Iranian-made Shahed drones wreaking havoc on civilian targets. Advanced missile interceptors such as the US-made Patriot Defence Systems are scarce and costly, prompting Ukrainian defence companies to seek alternatives.
Japanese drone maker Terra Drone has partnered with Ukrainian startup Amazing Drones to produce a cheaper alternative. “Characteristic of Shahed is very commoditised. It’s very cheap. The price is about 30K and is just one way kamikaze drone,” Terra Drone CEO Toru Tokushika said.
The Terra A1, priced around 2,300 dollars (£1,790) per drone, can fly as high as 5,000 metres, reaching speeds of over 300 kilometres per hour.
Polish Olympic Committee Head Detained
A court in Katowice has ordered the three-month detention of the head of the Polish Olympic Committee, who was charged earlier this week with influence peddling and fraudulent preference. The Polish Olympic Committee president was detained as part of an investigation into Zonda Crypto, a virtual currency exchange accused of fraud and money laundering.
According to Polish media, he accepted a watch worth approximately 40,000 euros (£33,900) from Zonda Crypto’s CEO. Various holidays, hotel stays and entertainment tickets are reportedly also part of the investigation. He has previously denied having any connection to the Zonda Crypto case.
Iceland Holds EU Referendum
Icelanders cast their ballots in the country’s EU referendum on Friday, with polls suggesting the result is too close to call and may be decided by a few hundred votes. Pro-EU voters argue closer European ties could help stabilise Iceland’s volatile currency and soaring costs of living. Opponents fear EU bureaucracy will infringe on Iceland’s sovereignty and control over fishing waters.
Iceland’s prime minister pledged to hold a referendum by 2027 following her government’s victory in 2024. The vote was brought forward following US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats and designs on Greenland. The ballot is not a membership vote, and any deal with the EU would require Iceland to hold a second referendum on whether to join the bloc.
Germany Records Negative Migration with Poland
For the first time in history, Germany recorded a negative net migration balance with Poland. According to the Polish Economic Institute, data from 2025 shows 13,600 more Poles left Germany than arrived there.
Analysts point to Poland’s dynamic economic growth, steadily rising wages and stable labour market as the main drivers of returns. The slowdown in economic growth and rising costs of living in Western European countries are causing traditional destinations for economic migration to lose their appeal. In 2024, the number of Polish residents temporarily residing abroad for at least 12 months decreased from 1.7 million in 2017 to approximately 1.5 million.
Poland to Address G20 Meeting
Poland’s Minister of Finance Andrzej Domański is the keynote speaker for the upcoming G20 meeting featuring finance ministers and central bank governors. Domański will speak at the session on economic growth. Poland is already discussing his participation for the next two years.
The meeting of senior representatives from G20 countries is set to begin on Monday in Asheville, North Carolina. Poland’s participation in the G20’s formal meetings was made possible by an invitation from Washington, which is chairing the group’s work this year. Domański pointed out that Poland can share its experiences with other developing countries on deregulation, building a resilient economy, taking a pragmatic approach to energy transition and developing a diversified export base.
Nepal Flood Death Toll Rises
The death toll in the Nepalese floods has risen to more than 600, while the number of people known to be missing has jumped to 2,000. Poor weather has hampered rescue efforts in Nepal and Tibet following Wednesday’s disaster, but the search for survivors has resumed. With roads and bridges washed away, helicopters are making repeated trips transporting the injured to safety.
The United Nations says tens of thousands of families require food and freshwater supplies. “Despite the damaged roads and landslides that continue to block access, we’re starting to get a better sense of the immense needs of the population,” a UN representative said. Partners working on food security estimate at least 20,000 households across the Nuwakot and Rasuwa districts may need food assistance. Over 50,000 people require emergency water, sanitation and hygiene support.
Exhibition Highlights Female Samurai Warriors
The story of the samurai has traditionally focused on men, but women also played an important role. A new exhibition at Kraków’s Manga Museum brings their stories to the forefront.
Archaeological research carried out on the sites of major battles showed that 30 percent of the remains were those of women. Known as Onna-musha, these female warriors fought alongside men in feudal Japan. “In short, they were a very real force,” exhibition organisers said.
Their weapons were suited to their physique and fighting style. Above all, these women were masters of the naginata, a practical, lightweight weapon. They were exceptionally skilled with it and were also excellent archers. They fought with knives and short swords. Paradoxically, they also wore the same armour as men because it could be adjusted to fit the wearer. The exhibition runs until mid-November this year.
Norway’s King Harald V Dies
King Harald V of Norway died early on Friday after more than 10 days in hospital. He has been immediately succeeded by his son, known until now as Crown Prince Haakon. Live images from Oslo showed the Royal Palace a day after the monarch’s death.
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