Future programmers get acquainted with Poltava history

My dear readers,

Currently I am working as a teacher of programming in Poltava Teachers Training College. So as you can see my passion for the military history is pretty far from my principal activity. Nevertheless I am always very glad to be able to share my knowledge about the battle of Poltava and about the city itself with my students. On the picture you can see a few future programmers and teachers of informatics near the oldest church in Poltava (Vår Frälsares kyrka) that witnessed the decisive battle of the Great Northern War. In spite of chilly weather they happened to know many interesting about the city they live in. The guided tour ended in a small but cosy café where our friendly chat has been supplemented with flavored coffee and cakes.

Defense Ministry to receive two upgraded Su-25M1 planes

KYIV, November 23, 2011 (UKRINFORM). Two Su-25M1 planes, which were modernized at the state-owned MiGremont enterprise, will be transferred to the Ukrainian Air Force, the press service of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry has reported. The permanent place of the deployment of the aircraft will be the 299th Assault Aviation Brigade of the Ukrainian Air Force, which received two Su-25M1s and a Su-25UBM1 in 2010.

Poltava libraries have received 15 sets of computer equipment with full software

KYIV, November 12, 2011 (UKRINFORM). Librarians from Ukraine's central Poltava region have been named the winners of the Bibliomist Program initiated by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as part of the Global Libraries program. "Thanks to the victory the city libraries have received 15 sets of computer equipment with full software. Poltava residents will also be provided with unlimited free internet access in our libraries," said the director of Poltava Central Library System Tamila Duzenko.

This is not the first victory of the Poltava librarians. Since the early year, international grants in Poltava region were extended to 10 centralized library systems. The Bibliomost program operates in Ukraine since 2009. Until 2013 the grantors plan to earmark 25 million dollars to purchase the latest equipment for Ukrainian libraries and ensure their transformation into modern data centers.

KYIV, November 10, 2011 (UKRINFORM). Ukraine regards with understanding the construction of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, which should ensure the transit of additional volumes of gas produced in northern Russia, Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Minister Yuriy Boiko has said.

"We regard with understanding the construction of Nord Stream, realizing that additional volumes of gas that will be produced at the Shtokman field and on the Yamal Peninsula require additional transit flows," he said.

At the same time, Boiko said that the Ukrainian gas transport system would remain the most economically attractive route for Russian gas transit to Europe.

"Our national interests correspond to the position that our gas transport system should be operated at full capacity. And we are demonstrating the reliability of our gas transport system, as well as its potential and economic attractiveness, to all of our European partners and Russian colleagues," Boiko said.

As reported, on November 8, the leaders of Germany, Russia, France and the Netherlands launched the first line of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, which was completed in June 2011. This line is expected to transport 27.5 billion cubic meters of gas per year. The second section of the pipeline, which is almost 70% finished, is to be commissioned next autumn.

Ukraine is the largest supplier of Russian gas to Europe. Gazprom's plan on gas transit through Ukraine this year is 102.7 billion cubic meters, of which over 99 billion cubic meters will be supplied to Europe.

UK will assist Ukraine in reforming its armed forces.

October 28, 2011 (Interfax-Ukraine) UK Ambassador to Ukraine Leigh Turner (on the photo) said that his country will continue to assist Ukraine in reforming its armed forces. "The Armed Forces of Ukraine face many challenges, and Britain is ready to support you in these reforms," he said addressing the graduates of the institute of state military administration of the National University of Defense of Ukraine in Kyiv on Friday. The British ambassador said that his country would continue sharing its experience with Ukraine in the defense sector. According to him, the British servicemen will continue to play an active role in NATO projects aimed at training of the Ukrainian military and reform of the Ukrainian army.