Live updates: follow the latest news on Russia-Ukraine
Russia scored an early point in the “battle for the Donbas” by capturing the city of Kreminna hours after the major offensive was launched, amid a warning from the Kremlin to western nations that arming Ukraine risked prolonging the war.
Sergei Shoigu, the Russian defence minister, said forces were “methodically carrying out” orders to “liberate” the two breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.
Hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the beginning of the offensive in an overnight video address, the regional governor of Luhansk said Kreminna had fallen. The city, 660 kilometres east of Kyiv had a pre-war population of more than 18,000.
“Kreminna is under the control of the 'Orcs' [Russians]. They have entered the city,” Sergiy Gaiday, the governor of the Luhansk region, told a briefing. “Our defenders had to withdraw. They have entrenched themselves in new positions and continue to fight the Russian army.”
He did not specify exactly when the Russians wrested control of the city from Ukrainian forces but said they had attacked “from all sides".
“It is impossible to calculate the number of dead among the civilian population. We have official statistics — about 200 dead — but in reality there are many more,” he said, without saying what period the estimated death toll covered.
The Donbas region has been a focal point of Russia’s campaign to destabilise Ukraine since 2014, when the Kremlin began using proxies to set up separatist “people's republics” in Luhansk and Donetsk.
Mr Shoigu warned Ukraine’s allies against sending further weapons supplies to the former Soviet nation before a virtual meeting between the leaders of the G7, Nato and the EU. The videoconference called by US President Joe Biden scheduled for Tuesday afternoon is expected to focus on sending heavy weapons to try to boost Kyiv’s chances of defeating the Russians.
“The plan to liberate the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics is being methodically carried out,” Mr Shoigu was quoted by the RIA news agency as saying, at a meeting of defence officials.
Western countries have given Ukraine military equipment worth billions of dollars, with the US alone offering aid worth more than $2.5 billion (£1.9 billion).
“The United States and western countries it controls are doing everything to drag out the special military operation as much as possible,” Mr Shoigu said. “The increasing volume of foreign arms supplies clearly demonstrates their intentions to provoke the Kyiv regime to fight to the last Ukrainian standing.”
Moscow refers to the war in Ukraine as a “special military operation” designed to demilitarise the neighbouring country and remove what it calls dangerous nationalists.
Kyiv and its western allies reject that as a false pretext for an unprovoked attack that has forced almost 5 million people to flee abroad and internally displaced about 7 million.
On Tuesday, day 55 of the invasion, French finance minister Bruno Le Maire said a ban on Russian oil imports was needed “more than ever”. There has been heated debate within the energy-dependent bloc about the merits of restricting flows.
Mr Le Maire told Europe 1 radio that France hoped to convince EU partners “in coming weeks” to stop oil imports from Russia and said such a move should be prioritised over a ban on gas.
However, a full and immediate ban on Russian oil could push the price of crude to $185 a barrel, JP Morgan said in a report.
Mr Le Maire acknowledged that not all of the EU’s 27 member states seemed to be in favour of an oil ban.
“We are trying to convince our European partners to stop importing oil from Russia. What has been the primary source of currency for Vladimir Putin for several years? It is not gas. It is oil,” he said.
European leaders in March distanced themselves from US efforts to ban Russian oil imports. Days later President Biden issued an executive order banning the import of oil, gas and other energy products from Russia.
The UK on Tuesday moved to further hamper the Russian economy, following several rounds of sanctions against individuals, banks and businesses.
Its tax authority, HM Revenue and Customs, announced plans to revoke the Moscow Stock Exchange’s status as a recognised stock exchange in response to the invasion.
The move would remove some tax relief for investors.
“Revoking Moscow Stock Exchange’s recognised status sends a clear message — there is no case for new investments in Russia,” said Lucy Frazer, the UK's Financial Secretary to the Treasury.
A senior national security official gave UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his cabinet an update on the situation in Ukraine, a spokesman for Mr Johnson said on Tuesday.
The offensive in the Donbas was likely to be prolonged and bloody, the spokesman said.
“The next phase of the war was likely to be an attritional conflict that could last several months,” he said.
“Russia would aim to exploit its troop number advantage, but Ukraine had already shown that this was unlikely to be decisive on its own.
“There were some signs that Russia had not learnt lessons from previous setbacks in northern Ukraine, and there was evidence of troops being committed to the fight in a piecemeal fashion.”
Russia announced a string of retaliatory measures against European nations on Tuesday, banning 15 diplomats from its territory. The announcement came after several European nations expelled Russia’s representatives.
The Russian foreign ministry declared 15 diplomats from the Netherlands “persona non grata”, giving them two weeks to leave, and gave the same deadline to Belgium's embassy staff.
Brussels in March expelled 21 Russian envoys and Moscow said at the time it would retaliate by following the “principle of reciprocity”. However, it did not make clear how many Belgian staff it was expelling.
The Russian government also gave four Austrian diplomats until Sunday to leave Russia. Moscow's announcement came a week after Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer became the first European leader to visit Mr Putin since he ordered his troops into Ukraine.
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Other must-tries
Tomato and walnut salad
A lesson in simple, seasonal eating. Wedges of tomato, chunks of cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, coriander or parsley leaves, and perhaps some fresh dill are drizzled with a crushed walnut and garlic dressing. Do consider yourself warned: if you eat this salad in Georgia during the summer months, the tomatoes will be so ripe and flavourful that every tomato you eat from that day forth will taste lacklustre in comparison.
Badrijani nigvzit
A delicious vegetarian snack or starter. It consists of thinly sliced, fried then cooled aubergine smothered with a thick and creamy walnut sauce and folded or rolled. Take note, even though it seems like you should be able to pick these morsels up with your hands, they’re not as durable as they look. A knife and fork is the way to go.
Pkhali
This healthy little dish (a nice antidote to the khachapuri) is usually made with steamed then chopped cabbage, spinach, beetroot or green beans, combined with walnuts, garlic and herbs to make a vegetable pâté or paste. The mix is then often formed into rounds, chilled in the fridge and topped with pomegranate seeds before being served.
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5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
RESULTS
1.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner AF Almomayaz, Hugo Lebouc (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer)
2pm Handicap (TB) Dh 84,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Karaginsky, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
2.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Sadeedd, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard.
3pm Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner Blue Sovereign, Clement Lecoeuvre, Erwan Charpy.
3.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
4pm Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Bladesmith, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
4.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh 68,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner Shanaghai City, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly.
ASHES FIXTURES
1st Test: Brisbane, Nov 23-27
2nd Test: Adelaide, Dec 2-6
3rd Test: Perth, Dec 14-18
4th Test: Melbourne, Dec 26-30
5th Test: Sydney, Jan 4-8
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
