A Ukrainian soldier walks past the shell of a burnt military vehicle, on a street in Kiev. AP
A Ukrainian soldier walks past the shell of a burnt military vehicle, on a street in Kiev. AP
A screengrab from CCTV footage shows a missile hitting a residential building in Kiev. Reuters
A screengrab from CCTV footage shows a missile hitting a residential building in Kiev. Reuters
A man inspects a broken window, after shelling carried out by Russian troops in the Ukrainian capital. Reuters
A man inspects a broken window, after shelling carried out by Russian troops in the Ukrainian capital. Reuters
Ukrainian soldiers take positions outside a military centre as two cars burn on a street in Kiev. AP
Ukrainian soldiers take positions outside a military centre as two cars burn on a street in Kiev. AP
Medical specialists transport a woman, who was wounded in the shelling of an apartment building, to an ambulance, as her husband looks on. Reuters
Medical specialists transport a woman, who was wounded in the shelling of an apartment building, to an ambulance, as her husband looks on. Reuters
A woman outside her apartment building after it was damaged by a rocket, in Kiev. AP
A woman outside her apartment building after it was damaged by a rocket, in Kiev. AP
A Ukrainian police officer detains a driver on a street in Kiev. AP
A Ukrainian police officer detains a driver on a street in Kiev. AP
A soldier's helmet with a bullet hole on a street in the Ukrainian capital. AP
A soldier's helmet with a bullet hole on a street in the Ukrainian capital. AP
Ukrainian soldiers walk by a damaged vehicle, at the site of fighting with Russian troops, in Kiev. Reuters
Ukrainian soldiers walk by a damaged vehicle, at the site of fighting with Russian troops, in Kiev. Reuters
Ukrainian policemen move parrots to safety after a high-rise apartment block was damaged by shelling in Kiev. EPA
Ukrainian policemen move parrots to safety after a high-rise apartment block was damaged by shelling in Kiev. EPA
A screengrab from a video shows rescue workers carrying a person at the site of a damaged multi-storey residential building, south-west of the Ukrainian capital. Reuters
A screengrab from a video shows rescue workers carrying a person at the site of a damaged multi-storey residential building, south-west of the Ukrainian capital. Reuters
A building damaged by shelling carried out by Russian troops in Kiev. EPA
A building damaged by shelling carried out by Russian troops in Kiev. EPA
Helga Tarasova comforts her daughter Kira Shapovalova as they wait in an underground shelter during a bombing alert in Kiev. AFP
Helga Tarasova comforts her daughter Kira Shapovalova as they wait in an underground shelter during a bombing alert in Kiev. AFP
A man walks past a building damaged by a rocket attack in the Ukrainian capital. AP
A man walks past a building damaged by a rocket attack in the Ukrainian capital. AP
Emergency services workers near an apartment building damaged by shelling in Kiev. Reuters
Emergency services workers near an apartment building damaged by shelling in Kiev. Reuters
Ukrainian soldiers collect unexploded shells in the capital. AFP
Ukrainian soldiers collect unexploded shells in the capital. AFP
An apartment building damaged by shelling in Kiev. Reuters
An apartment building damaged by shelling in Kiev. Reuters
Debris of a burnt military truck on a street in Kiev. AP
Debris of a burnt military truck on a street in Kiev. AP
Natali Sevriukova stands next to her home after a rocket attack in Kiev, Ukraine. AP
Natali Sevriukova stands next to her home after a rocket attack in Kiev, Ukraine. AP
People on foot and in cars move to cross from Ukraine to Poland at the Korczowa-Krakovets border crossing following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. AFP
People on foot and in cars move to cross from Ukraine to Poland at the Korczowa-Krakovets border crossing following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. AFP
Servicemen from the Ukrainian National Guard in central Kiev. Reuters
Servicemen from the Ukrainian National Guard in central Kiev. Reuters
Ukrainian soldiers in downtown Kiev after Russian troops reached the outskirts of the capital. AP Photo
Ukrainian soldiers in downtown Kiev after Russian troops reached the outskirts of the capital. AP Photo
Police officers detain demonstrators in St. Petersburg, Russia. Hundreds of people gathered in Moscow and St. Petersburg on Thursday, protesting against Russia's attack on Ukraine. Similar protests took place in other Russian cities, and activists were also arrested. AP Photo
Police officers detain demonstrators in St. Petersburg, Russia. Hundreds of people gathered in Moscow and St. Petersburg on Thursday, protesting against Russia's attack on Ukraine. Similar protests took place in other Russian cities, and activists were also arrested. AP Photo
Hungarian troops in Vasarosnameny, close to the border with Ukraine, prepare to help refugees. AP Photo
Hungarian troops in Vasarosnameny, close to the border with Ukraine, prepare to help refugees. AP Photo
Wrecked Russian army rocket launchers in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Reuters
Wrecked Russian army rocket launchers in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Reuters
The aftermath of a rocket attack in Kiev. AP Photo
The aftermath of a rocket attack in Kiev. AP Photo
A US Air Force jet refuels over Poland. Reuters
A US Air Force jet refuels over Poland. Reuters
Devastation after shelling in Ukraine's Luhansk enclave. Reuters
Devastation after shelling in Ukraine's Luhansk enclave. Reuters
The Royal Welsh Battlegroup from the UK makes its way to Estonia. Reuters
The Royal Welsh Battlegroup from the UK makes its way to Estonia. Reuters
Firefighters tackle a blaze in a building in Kiev. AFP
Firefighters tackle a blaze in a building in Kiev. AFP
The wreckage of an unidentified aircraft in a residential area in Kiev. Reuters
The wreckage of an unidentified aircraft in a residential area in Kiev. Reuters
Smoke rises near the Ukrainian Defence Ministry in Kiev. Reuters
Smoke rises near the Ukrainian Defence Ministry in Kiev. Reuters
Russian military helicopters fly over the Ukrainian capital. AP
Russian military helicopters fly over the Ukrainian capital. AP
An anxious wait to board a train to leave Kiev as the attack loomed. AP Photo
An anxious wait to board a train to leave Kiev as the attack loomed. AP Photo
Ukrainian servicemen on tanks in the Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine. AP Photo
Ukrainian servicemen on tanks in the Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine. AP Photo
Ukraine troops said this destroyed armoured vehicle outside Kharkiv belonged to the Russian army. Reuters
Ukraine troops said this destroyed armoured vehicle outside Kharkiv belonged to the Russian army. Reuters
Rescuers at the crash site after a Ukraine armed forces Antonov aircraft was shot down in Kiev, according to the Ukrainian authorities. Reuters
Rescuers at the crash site after a Ukraine armed forces Antonov aircraft was shot down in Kiev, according to the Ukrainian authorities. Reuters
Ukrainian tanks that aim to repel an attack by the Russian military in the Luhansk enclave of Ukraine. AFP
Ukrainian tanks that aim to repel an attack by the Russian military in the Luhansk enclave of Ukraine. AFP
A Ukrainian State Border Guard Service base is ablaze after heavy shelling near Kiev. Reuters
A Ukrainian State Border Guard Service base is ablaze after heavy shelling near Kiev. Reuters
Damaged radar at a Ukrainian military plant outside Mariupol. Officials in Kiev say Russian troops have rolled into the country from the north, east and south. AP Photo
Damaged radar at a Ukrainian military plant outside Mariupol. Officials in Kiev say Russian troops have rolled into the country from the north, east and south. AP Photo
Firefighters attend a blaze after bombing in the eastern Ukrainian town of Chuguiv, as Russian armed forces appeared to be bombarding Ukraine from several directions. AFP
Firefighters attend a blaze after bombing in the eastern Ukrainian town of Chuguiv, as Russian armed forces appeared to be bombarding Ukraine from several directions. AFP
A traffic jam in Kiev, with many Ukrainians leaving their capital after Russian troops entered. EPA
A traffic jam in Kiev, with many Ukrainians leaving their capital after Russian troops entered. EPA
The Border Service of Ukraine released CCTV footage purporting to show Russian military vehicles passing a checkpoint to drive into Crimea. AP
The Border Service of Ukraine released CCTV footage purporting to show Russian military vehicles passing a checkpoint to drive into Crimea. AP
A man picks up fragments of military materiel on the street after an apparent Russian strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AP
A man picks up fragments of military materiel on the street after an apparent Russian strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AP
Workers load the debris of a rocket on to a lorry in the aftermath of Russian shelling in Kiev. AP
Workers load the debris of a rocket on to a lorry in the aftermath of Russian shelling in Kiev. AP
Emergency staff treat an injured man after bombing in Chuguiv. AFP
Emergency staff treat an injured man after bombing in Chuguiv. AFP
An American woman in distress after crossing the border to flee the violence in Ukraine, in Medyka, Poland. Reuters
An American woman in distress after crossing the border to flee the violence in Ukraine, in Medyka, Poland. Reuters
People take shelter in a Kiev subway station, after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised a military operation in eastern Ukraine. Reuters
People take shelter in a Kiev subway station, after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised a military operation in eastern Ukraine. Reuters
People in a rush near Kiev-Pasazhyrskyi railway station in the Ukrainian capital. AFP
People in a rush near Kiev-Pasazhyrskyi railway station in the Ukrainian capital. AFP
A Flightradar24.com screengrab shows a dearth of civilian aircraft in Ukrainian airspace after the Russian invasion. AP
A Flightradar24.com screengrab shows a dearth of civilian aircraft in Ukrainian airspace after the Russian invasion. AP
The aftermath of bombing in Chuguiv. AFP
The aftermath of bombing in Chuguiv. AFP
A Ukrainian rocket launcher vehicle prepares for action. Reuters
A Ukrainian rocket launcher vehicle prepares for action. Reuters
Cars are driven across a field to leave the city of Kharkiv. Reuters
Cars are driven across a field to leave the city of Kharkiv. Reuters
People chant, carry placards and wave Ukrainian flags as they gather in Sydney, to demonstrate against Russian attacks on its neighbour. AP
People chant, carry placards and wave Ukrainian flags as they gather in Sydney, to demonstrate against Russian attacks on its neighbour. AP
People with many of their belongings packed take shelter in a Metro station in Kiev. AFP
People with many of their belongings packed take shelter in a Metro station in Kiev. AFP
Emergency services at the scene of an explosion at a military unit building in Kiev. EPA
Emergency services at the scene of an explosion at a military unit building in Kiev. EPA
A Kiev resident sweeps up debris after Russian shelling. AP
A Kiev resident sweeps up debris after Russian shelling. AP
The first 40 soldiers of the 173rd US Army Airborne Brigade step off a military plane in Latvia. EPA
The first 40 soldiers of the 173rd US Army Airborne Brigade step off a military plane in Latvia. EPA
More damage from shelling in Kiev. AP
More damage from shelling in Kiev. AP
People wait at a bus station to travel to western parts of Ukraine, after violence in the east. Reuters
People wait at a bus station to travel to western parts of Ukraine, after violence in the east. Reuters
A woman carries her cats in a quest for a safe haven. AFP
A woman carries her cats in a quest for a safe haven. AFP
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy holds an urgent government meeting in Kiev to discuss the next step. AFP
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy holds an urgent government meeting in Kiev to discuss the next step. AFP
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and foreign policy chief Josep Borrell give a joint statement in Brussels, updating the press about the situation in Ukraine. EPA
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and foreign policy chief Josep Borrell give a joint statement in Brussels, updating the press about the situation in Ukraine. EPA
People survey the damage after bombing in Chuguiv. AFP
People survey the damage after bombing in Chuguiv. AFP
A building on fire in Chuguiv. AFP
A building on fire in Chuguiv. AFP

World

Indian students trapped in Ukraine say hopes of evacuation 'slimming'

Airspace over Ukraine is closed and the Indian government is looking for new ways to repatriate its citizens

Taniya Dutta
Taniya Dutta
New Delhi

February 25, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Live updates: follow the latest news on Russia-Ukraine

While the threat of war has loomed over Ukraine for weeks, Akanksha Katiyar did not believe Russia would actually invade. But a barrage of bombs near Kharkiv city early on Thursday changed that, as she scrambled to safety.

The 20-year-old medical student from northern Kanpur in India rushed to pack some food and her passport before taking shelter in a nearby underground metro station as temperatures hovered around minus 3ºC.

Kharkiv was the first Ukrainian city to be bombed by Russian warplanes as Moscow began an invasion of its western neighbour.

“It was 5am and I heard at least 15 to 20 explosions … the sound was so loud that the windows were shaking,” Ms Katiyar told The National.

“My heart almost skipped a beat … I never felt this scared in my life before."

Read more

Former Abu Dhabi student speaks from Ukraine shelter as explosions draw closer

Ms Katiyar is one of almost 16,000 Indians, including hundreds of students, who are stranded in Ukraine after Russian forces attacked via land, air and sea early on Thursday.

India started special flights earlier this week to repatriate its citizens from the country, but the onslaught by the Russian military means the airspace is now shut and no evacuation flights can fly into Ukraine.

With the situation worsening by the minute, New Delhi is considering an overland evacuation to move all its citizens, with the assistance of neighbouring countries Poland, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia.

On Thursday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressed concerns about the safety of Indian citizens in Ukraine, especially students, and conveyed that “India attaches the highest priority to their safe exit and return to India”.

The Indian government has identified safe routes that it plans to use to move citizens and will operate two flights on Saturday at midnight to airlift Indian citizens from Ukraine via Bucharest in Romania.

"The safe routes have been identified. By road, if you go from Kiev, you would reach Poland in nine hours and Romania in nearly 12 hours. The road has been mapped out," India’s Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said.

But for Ms Katiyar and her cousin, Arpit Katiyar, 22, also a medical student, anxiety is becoming desperation – they say they are yet to hear a word from the Indian embassy.

The map shows the locations of known Russian military strikes in Ukraine on February 24 after Russia announced a military invasion of its western neighbour. AP
The map shows the locations of known Russian military strikes in Ukraine on February 24 after Russia announced a military invasion of its western neighbour. AP

The cousins are nearly 1,400 kilometres from Poland or other European countries that New Delhi plans to use as a launch-pad for evacuations.

“There is no means of transport to reach the border areas. We are stranded here and our hopes for a safe evacuation are slimming,” Arpit Katiyar told The National.

The second-year medical student accused New Delhi of failing to alert its citizens in time, saying the Indian government showed “irresponsible behaviour”.

“The embassy never clearly informed us about the real situation. They had first asked those to leave the country whose stay is not essential.

“They started the special flights when things started getting tense. We couldn’t book flights as they were full and tickets were expensive,” Mr Katiyar said.

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Guns N’ Roses’s last gig before Abu Dhabi was in Hong Kong on November 21. We were there – and here’s what they played, and in what order. You were warned.

  • It’s So Easy
  • Mr Brownstone
  • Chinese Democracy
  • Welcome to the Jungle
  • Double Talkin’ Jive
  • Better
  • Estranged
  • Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
  • Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
  • Rocket Queen
  • You Could Be Mine
  • Shadow of Your Love
  • Attitude (Misfits cover)
  • Civil War
  • Coma
  • Love Theme from The Godfather (movie cover)
  • Sweet Child O’ Mine
  • Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb cover)
  • Wish You Were Here (instrumental Pink Floyd cover)
  • November Rain
  • Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
  • Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
  • Nightrain

Encore:

  • Patience
  • Don’t Cry
  • The Seeker (The Who cover)
  • Paradise City
Cryopreservation: A timeline
  1. Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
  2. Ovarian tissue surgically removed
  3. Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
  4. Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
  5. Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
While you're here
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
On Women's Day

IF YOU GO
 
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
 
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info

 Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.5-litre%204-cylinder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20101hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20135Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Six-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh79%2C900%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

On sale: Now

While you're here
Spider-Man: No Way Home

Director: Jon Watts

Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon 

Rating:*****

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

On Women's Day
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Floward%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERiyadh%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdulaziz%20Al%20Loughani%20and%20Mohamed%20Al%20Arifi%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EE-commerce%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbout%20%24200%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAljazira%20Capital%2C%20Rainwater%20Partners%2C%20STV%20and%20Impact46%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C200%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
At a glance

Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.

 

Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year

 

Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month

 

Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30 

 

Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse

 

Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth

 

Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances

Traits of Chinese zodiac animals

Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent   

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

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Know before you go
  • Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
  • If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
  • By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
  • Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
  • Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

 

Updated: February 25, 2022, 1:59 PM`
UkraineRussia