A Ukrainian special operations unit sits in the back of a pick-up truck after a combat operation in the country's east. AP
A Ukrainian special operations unit sits in the back of a pick-up truck after a combat operation in the country's east. AP
A Ukrainian special operations unit sits in the back of a pick-up truck after a combat operation in the country's east. AP
A Ukrainian special operations unit sits in the back of a pick-up truck after a combat operation in the country's east. AP

World

Europe

Stoltenberg says Nato members 'stepping up' amid push to send more weapons to Ukraine

Russia agrees to establish a humanitarian corridor to evacuate civilians from a Severodonetsk chemical plant

Laura O'Callaghan
Laura O'Callaghan

June 15, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg is set to rally the defence alliance’s members to provide more artillery to Ukraine, saying fighters “need to be prepped for the long haul”.

His push comes at a time when Russia hinted that it would be open to a possible negotiation on the fate of two British men sentenced to death for fighting alongside the Ukrainians.

Further weapons packages, as requested by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will be discussed during a meeting at Nato’s headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday, Mr Stoltenberg said.

“Ukraine should have more heavy weapons,” Mr Stoltenberg told reporters at The Hague. “And Nato allies and partners have provided heavy weapons for a long time, but they are also stepping up.”

The alliance’s secretary general said the defenders of Ukraine, who include soldiers and civilians, must be given the means to fight effectively.

“[Ukrainians] need to be prepped for the long haul, as there is no way to predict how and when this war will end,” he said.

In other developments related to the Ukraine war:

· Russia has said it will establish a humanitarian corridor to evacuate civilians holed up in the Azot chemical plant in the flashpoint city of Severodonetsk in eastern Ukraine. Forty children are among 500 civilians trapped in the plant, the regional mayor said.

· Mr Zelenskyy has expressed regret over “the restrained behaviour of some leaders”, which had “slowed down arms supplies very much”. Ukraine has received only 10 per cent of the arms it had requested from the West, Kyiv's deputy defence minister said.

A Ukrainian flag is placed on the grave of military medic Yevhen Khrapko, who was killed during the evacuation of wounded servicemen from a fighting zone. He was buried at a cemetery in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. EPA
A Ukrainian flag is placed on the grave of military medic Yevhen Khrapko, who was killed during the evacuation of wounded servicemen from a fighting zone. He was buried at a cemetery in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. EPA

A UN official has said that Ukrainian children should not be adopted in Russia, where several thousand young people are believed to have been relocated to since the invasion began.

· Ukrainian MP Alona Shkrum has praised Ireland’s generosity towards the 35,000 Ukrainian refugees it has taken in, telling reporters during a visit to Dublin that the hospitality “will never be forgotten”.

'Everything will depend on appeals from UK'

Meanwhile the fates of two Britons sentenced to death by firing squad for fighting in Ukraine continue to hang in the balance.

Aiden Aslin, 28, and Shaun Pinner, 48, both signed-up members of Ukraine's 36th Marine Brigade, were detained by Russian forces during the battle for Mariupol.

They were convicted by a court in the Ukrainian breakaway enclave of Donetsk of being “mercenaries” and conducting “terrorist activities” after the fought alongside Ukrainian troops.

A Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, on Monday suggested Moscow would be willing to listen to London regarding the cases.

However, neither Moscow nor the pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine who passed the sentence have heard from authorities in Britain on the issue.

“You need to apply … to the authorities of the country whose court passed the verdict, and that is not the Russian Federation,” Mr Peskov said, according to an Associated Press report.

“But, of course, everything will depend on appeals from London. And I am sure that the Russian side will be ready to listen.”

Ms Truss said she had spoken to her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba about the Britons’ cases, amid suggestions a prisoner swap could be negotiated.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron visit Irpin, outside Kyiv, and survey damage following Russia's invasion. AP
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron visit Irpin, outside Kyiv, and survey damage following Russia's invasion. AP
Ukrainian troops fire with a French self-propelled Caesar howitzer towards Russian positions at a front line in the eastern region of Donbas. AFP
Ukrainian troops fire with a French self-propelled Caesar howitzer towards Russian positions at a front line in the eastern region of Donbas. AFP
Workers pour molten steel into a mould at a foundry in Berdyansk, Zaporizhzhia region, in an area under Russian military control. AP
Workers pour molten steel into a mould at a foundry in Berdyansk, Zaporizhzhia region, in an area under Russian military control. AP
Russian soldiers guard an area next to a field of wheat in the Zaporizhzhia region. AP
Russian soldiers guard an area next to a field of wheat in the Zaporizhzhia region. AP
A US Marine Corps Harrier fighter jet is parked on board the assault ship USS Kearsarge, during the Baltops 22 exercise in the Baltic Sea. Reuters
A US Marine Corps Harrier fighter jet is parked on board the assault ship USS Kearsarge, during the Baltops 22 exercise in the Baltic Sea. Reuters
A man picks up debris after his house was destroyed by shelling in the city of Dobropillia, Donbas region. AFP
A man picks up debris after his house was destroyed by shelling in the city of Dobropillia, Donbas region. AFP
Smoke rises after shelling in Ukraine's breakaway enclave of Donetsk. AFP
Smoke rises after shelling in Ukraine's breakaway enclave of Donetsk. AFP
A mascot is wrapped in the colours of the Ukrainian flag before the country's Uefa Nations League football match against the Republic of Ireland in Lodz, Poland. Reuters
A mascot is wrapped in the colours of the Ukrainian flag before the country's Uefa Nations League football match against the Republic of Ireland in Lodz, Poland. Reuters
Russian soldiers walk near a monument at the entrance of Mariupol, which has been painted in the colours of the Russian flag. AFP
Russian soldiers walk near a monument at the entrance of Mariupol, which has been painted in the colours of the Russian flag. AFP
French troops at an air base in Constanta, Romania. French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to visit the base in a show of support for Nato and European allies following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. AP
French troops at an air base in Constanta, Romania. French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to visit the base in a show of support for Nato and European allies following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. AP
Svitlana Nazarenko, sister of Mykhailo Tereshchenko, is comforted by her son during her brother's funeral in Kyiv. The Ukrainian soldier was killed in the Donbas region. Getty
Svitlana Nazarenko, sister of Mykhailo Tereshchenko, is comforted by her son during her brother's funeral in Kyiv. The Ukrainian soldier was killed in the Donbas region. Getty
Russian troops demine the bay and beach of Mariupol, Ukraine. AFP
Russian troops demine the bay and beach of Mariupol, Ukraine. AFP
A Russian soldier inspects the Azovstal steel plant, in Mariupol, in territory which is under control of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic. AP
A Russian soldier inspects the Azovstal steel plant, in Mariupol, in territory which is under control of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic. AP
A house heavily damaged by Russian shelling is seen through a broken window, in the town of Bakhmut, Donetsk region. AP
A house heavily damaged by Russian shelling is seen through a broken window, in the town of Bakhmut, Donetsk region. AP
Maryna Golovnia sits in a van with her children as they leave their home in Bakhmut, amid fighting. Getty Images
Maryna Golovnia sits in a van with her children as they leave their home in Bakhmut, amid fighting. Getty Images
Ballet dancer Mykyta Sukhorukov rehearses before the evening Gala Concert of the Ukrainian National Ballet, in Kosice, Slovakia. Getty Images
Ballet dancer Mykyta Sukhorukov rehearses before the evening Gala Concert of the Ukrainian National Ballet, in Kosice, Slovakia. Getty Images
A Ukrainian soldier looks on from inside a tank at a position in the breakaway Donetsk enclave, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues. Reuters
A Ukrainian soldier looks on from inside a tank at a position in the breakaway Donetsk enclave, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues. Reuters
Boys play on top of a damaged Russian tank in Kyiv. EPA
Boys play on top of a damaged Russian tank in Kyiv. EPA
An Orthodox priest blesses Ukrainian soldiers during a service at a church in the Eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. EPA
An Orthodox priest blesses Ukrainian soldiers during a service at a church in the Eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. EPA
A damaged Ukrainian navy ship, the 'Donbas', lies partially submerged near the pier in the port city of Mariupol. EPA
A damaged Ukrainian navy ship, the 'Donbas', lies partially submerged near the pier in the port city of Mariupol. EPA
Ukrainian soldiers load a projectile into a tank near the small city of Svitlodarsk, in the breakaway Ukrainian enclave of Donetsk. EPA
Ukrainian soldiers load a projectile into a tank near the small city of Svitlodarsk, in the breakaway Ukrainian enclave of Donetsk. EPA
Smoke rises after the Russian military struck a compound at the Azot Chemical Plant in Lysychansk, Ukraine. Reuters
Smoke rises after the Russian military struck a compound at the Azot Chemical Plant in Lysychansk, Ukraine. Reuters
A Russian serviceman on patrol outside the Ukrainian town of Schastia. AFP
A Russian serviceman on patrol outside the Ukrainian town of Schastia. AFP
Mourners gather during the funeral of Ukrainian serviceman Ruslan Skalskyi in Lviv. AFP
Mourners gather during the funeral of Ukrainian serviceman Ruslan Skalskyi in Lviv. AFP
Civilians are evacuated from Lysychansk, in the eastern Donbas region of Ukraine. AFP
Civilians are evacuated from Lysychansk, in the eastern Donbas region of Ukraine. AFP
A man passes two destroyed military lorries in Lysychansk. AFP
A man passes two destroyed military lorries in Lysychansk. AFP
Ukrainian soldiers run for cover during clashes with Russian troops in Lysychansk. AFP
Ukrainian soldiers run for cover during clashes with Russian troops in Lysychansk. AFP
An elderly woman reacts as Ukrainian soldiers lead her to safety during a battle with Russian troops in Lysychansk. AFP
An elderly woman reacts as Ukrainian soldiers lead her to safety during a battle with Russian troops in Lysychansk. AFP
A wounded woman is assisted by Ukrainian soldiers in Lysychansk. AFP
A wounded woman is assisted by Ukrainian soldiers in Lysychansk. AFP
A house burns after being shelled in Lysychansk. AFP
A house burns after being shelled in Lysychansk. AFP
A Ukrainian serviceman speaks on a radio at a front line in the Donbas region. AFP
A Ukrainian serviceman speaks on a radio at a front line in the Donbas region. AFP
A man walks next to a damaged building in Lysychansk. Reuters
A man walks next to a damaged building in Lysychansk. Reuters
A man with children rides a bicycle along an empty street, as smoke rises after Russian shelling in Lysychansk. Reuters
A man with children rides a bicycle along an empty street, as smoke rises after Russian shelling in Lysychansk. Reuters
An unexploded shell is stuck in the ground in Lysychansk. euters
An unexploded shell is stuck in the ground in Lysychansk. euters
An elderly woman, who was evacuated from the Lysychansk area, cries moments before travelling by train to western Ukraine from Pokrovsk railway station. AP
An elderly woman, who was evacuated from the Lysychansk area, cries moments before travelling by train to western Ukraine from Pokrovsk railway station. AP

“I will do whatever is necessary to secure their release,” she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Tuesday.

As Kyiv continues to push for EU accession, the French government has laid out its proposal for a “European Political Community,” an idea first floated by President Emmanuel Macron as a middle ground membership for Ukraine in May.

The plan was detailed in a memo EU ambassadors are due to discuss at a meeting on Wednesday.

As fears of an escalation of the war in Ukraine ratchet up among Nato’s ranks, a military historian has expressed doubted over whether the alliance would be able to repel Russian attacks on Baltic states.

Sonke Neitzel, who has written extensively about the Second World War, suggested in an interview with German daily newspaper Welt that Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia remain highly vulnerable to Russian aggression.

Ukraine's farming industry has suffered damage worth $4.3 billion (£3.5 billion) to farmland, machinery and livestock as a result of Russia’s invasion, the Kyiv School of Economics has said.

About half of the “already immense” destruction from the war comes from pollution caused by mines and unharvested crops, according to a report from the institute. About a quarter of the total — $926 million (£764 million) — accounts for damage to farm machinery due to military activity and occupation.

Russia is using food security as an economic weapon, said Tymofiy Mylovanov, a former minister and president of the Kyiv School of Economics.

“They are trying to take over farmland for people to collaborate,” he said in an interview. “They are moving crops away. They are taking food which otherwise would have been consumed in those areas and they are moving it to Russian areas.”

China repeats backing for Russian 'sovereignty and security'

Chinese President Xi Jinping held a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday and told him Beijing would keep backing Moscow on “sovereignty and security”, according to state media.

China is “willing to continue to support [Russia] on issues concerning core interests and major concerns such as sovereignty and security,” Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported Mr Xi as saying.

It was the second reported call between the two leaders since the invasion of Ukraine began on February 24.

China has refused to condemn Moscow's war and has been accused of providing diplomatic cover for Russia by blasting western sanctions and the supply of arms to Kyiv.

After weeks of bombardment and street clashes, Russian forces now control the majority of Severodonetsk, one of the last Ukrainian strongholds in the Luhansk region, British intelligence suggests.

The UK's Ministry of Defence on Wednesday said it is “highly unlikely” that Mr Putin's forces had expected such stiff resistance from the Ukrainians defending the city.

“After more than a month of heavy fighting, Russian forces now control the majority of Severodonetsk,” the ministry said in an update on Twitter.

“Russia’s urban warfare tactics, which are reliant on heavy use of artillery, have generated extensive collateral damage throughout the city.”

The ministry said elements of “Ukrainian Armed Forces, along with several hundred civilians” had taken shelter in underground bunkers at the Azot Chemical Plant, in the city’s industrial zone.

“Russian forces will likely be fixed in and around Azot while Ukrainian fighters can survive underground. This will likely temporarily prevent Russia from re-tasking these units for missions elsewhere,” the ministry said.

“It is highly unlikely that Russia anticipated such robust opposition or such slow, attritional conflict during its original planning for the invasion.”

On Women's Day
The%20specs%3A%20Taycan%20Turbo%20GT
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDual%20synchronous%20electric%20motors%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C108hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C340Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20automatic%20(front%20axle)%3B%20two-speed%20transmission%20(rear%20axle)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E488-560km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh928%2C400%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOrders%20open%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20WallyGPT%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2014%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESaeid%20and%20Sami%20Hejazi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20raised%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%247.1%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%20round%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

The Bio

Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village

What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft

Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans

Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface

Profile

Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari

Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.

Number of employees: Over 50

Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised

Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital 

Sector of operation: Transport

Whiile you're here
While you're here
On Women's Day
MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg
Real Madrid (2) v Bayern Munich (1)
Where: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
When: 10.45pm, Tuesday
Watch Live: beIN Sports HD

What is the definition of an SME?

SMEs in the UAE are defined by the number of employees, annual turnover and sector. For example, a “small company” in the services industry has six to 50 employees with a turnover of more than Dh2 million up to Dh20m, while in the manufacturing industry the requirements are 10 to 100 employees with a turnover of more than Dh3m up to Dh50m, according to Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economic Development.

A “medium-sized company” can either have staff of 51 to 200 employees or 101 to 250 employees, and a turnover less than or equal to Dh200m or Dh250m, again depending on whether the business is in the trading, manufacturing or services sectors. 

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Khaldoon%20Bushnaq%20and%20Tariq%20Seksek%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Global%20Market%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20HealthTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20100%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20to%20date%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2415%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
Long read

Mageed Yahia, director of WFP in UAE: Coronavirus knows no borders, and neither should the response

BlacKkKlansman

Director: Spike Lee

Starring: John David Washington; Adam Driver 

Five stars

While you're here
ENGLAND TEAM

England (15-1)
George Furbank; Jonny May, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell (capt), Elliot Daly; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Courtney Lawes; Charlie Ewels, Maro Itoje; Kyle Sinckler, Jamie George, Joe Marler
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, George Kruis, Lewis Ludlam, Willi Heinz, Ollie Devoto, Jonathan Joseph

Liverpool’s fixtures until end of 2019

Saturday, November 30, Brighton (h)

Wednesday, December 4, Everton (h)

Saturday, December 7, Bournemouth (a)

Tuesday, December 10, Salzburg (a) CL

Saturday, December 14, Watford (h)

Tuesday, December 17, Aston Villa (a) League Cup

Wednesday, December 18, Club World Cup in Qatar

Saturday, December 21, Club World Cup in Qatar

Thursday, December 26, Leicester (a)

Sunday, December 29, Wolves (h)

While you're here
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

The Vile

Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah

Director: Majid Al Ansari

Rating: 4/5

Skoda Superb Specs

Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol

Power: 190hp

Torque: 320Nm

Price: From Dh147,000

Available: Now

While you're here
Bugatti Chiron Super Sport - the specs:

Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16 

Transmission: 7-speed DSG auto 

Power: 1,600hp

Torque: 1,600Nm

0-100kph in 2.4seconds

0-200kph in 5.8 seconds

0-300kph in 12.1 seconds

Top speed: 440kph

Price: Dh13,200,000

Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport - the specs:

Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16 

Transmission: 7-speed DSG auto 

Power: 1,500hp

Torque: 1,600Nm

0-100kph in 2.3 seconds

0-200kph in 5.5 seconds

0-300kph in 11.8 seconds

Top speed: 350kph

Price: Dh13,600,000

How tumultuous protests grew
  • A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
  • Unlike previous French demonstrations there was no trade union or organised movement involved 
  • Demonstrators responded to online petitions and flooded squares to block traffic
  • At its height there were almost 300,000 on the streets in support
  • Named after the high visibility jackets that drivers must keep in cars 
  • Clashes soon turned violent as thousands fought with police at cordons
  • An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital 
Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier

ICC Academy, November 22-28

UAE fixtures
Nov 22, v Malaysia
Nov 23, v Hong Kong
Nov 25, v Bhutan
Nov 26, v Kuwait
Nov 28, v Nepal

ICC T20I rankings
14. Nepal
17. UAE
25. Hong Kong
34. Kuwait
35. Malaysia
44. Bhutan 

UAE squad
Chaya Mughal (captain), Natasha Cherriath, Samaira Dharnidharka, Kavisha Egodage, Mahika Gaur, Priyanjali Jain, Suraksha Kotte, Vaishnave Mahesh, Judit Peter, Esha Rohit, Theertha Satish, Chamani Seneviratne, Khushi Sharma, Subha Venkataraman

The specs

Common to all models unless otherwise stated

Engine: 4-cylinder 2-litre T-GDi

0-100kph: 5.3 seconds (Elantra); 5.5 seconds (Kona); 6.1 seconds (Veloster)

Power: 276hp

Torque: 392Nm

Transmission: 6-Speed Manual/ 8-Speed Dual Clutch FWD

Price: TBC

The specs

Engine: 5.0-litre V8

Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm

Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: L/100km

Price: Dh306,495

On sale: now

MATCH INFO

Who: UAE v USA
What: first T20 international
When: Friday, 2pm
Where: ICC Academy in Dubai

Fireball

Moscow claimed it hit the largest military fuel storage facility in Ukraine, triggering a huge fireball at the site.

A plume of black smoke rose from a fuel storage facility in the village of Kalynivka outside Kyiv on Friday after Russia said it had destroyed the military site with Kalibr cruise missiles.

"On the evening of March 24, Kalibr high-precision sea-based cruise missiles attacked a fuel base in the village of Kalynivka near Kyiv," the Russian defence ministry said in a statement.

Ukraine confirmed the strike, saying the village some 40 kilometres south-west of Kyiv was targeted.

hall of shame

SUNDERLAND 2002-03

No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.

SUNDERLAND 2005-06

Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.

HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19

Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.

ASTON VILLA 2015-16

Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.

FULHAM 2018-19

Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.

LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.

BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66

The biog

Favourite book: Men are from Mars Women are from Venus

Favourite travel destination: Ooty, a hill station in South India

Hobbies: Cooking. Biryani, pepper crab are her signature dishes

Favourite place in UAE: Marjan Island

The other virus: bigotry
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Pandemic Parenting
'Panga'

Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari

Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta

Rating: 3.5/5

You might also like
Related
Recommended
MORE FROM CON COUGHLIN

Motori Profile

Date started: March 2020

Co-founder/CEO: Ahmed Eissa

Based: UAE, Abu Dhabi

Sector: Insurance Sector

Size: 50 full-time employees (Inside and Outside UAE)

Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing 

Investors: Safe City Group

 

Company: Instabug

Founded: 2013

Based: Egypt, Cairo

Sector: IT

Employees: 100

Stage: Series A

Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors

more from Janine di Giovanni
While you're here
Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

WORLD'S%2010%20HIGHEST%20MOUNTAINS
%3Cp%3E1.%09Everest%0D%3Cbr%3E2.%09K2%0D%3Cbr%3E3.%09Kangchenjunga%0D%3Cbr%3E4.%09Lhotse%0D%3Cbr%3E5.%09Makalu%0D%3Cbr%3E6.%09Cho%20Oyu%0D%3Cbr%3E7.%09Dhaulagiri%0D%3Cbr%3E8.%09Manaslu%0D%3Cbr%3E9.%09Nanga%20Parbat%0D%3Cbr%3E10.%09Annapurna%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
PAKISTAN SQUAD

Abid Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali (test captain), Babar Azam (T20 captain), Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmad, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Imran Khan, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Sohail Khan, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz, Imad Wasim, Kashif Bhatti, Shadab Khan and Yasir Shah. 

Updated: June 15, 2022, 5:50 PM
UkraineRussiaNatoEU