A woman rushes past a building in Mykolaiv after Russian shelling. Reuters
A woman rushes past a building in Mykolaiv after Russian shelling. Reuters
A woman rushes past a building in Mykolaiv after Russian shelling. Reuters
A woman rushes past a building in Mykolaiv after Russian shelling. Reuters

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Europe

Russian strikes on power facilities cause blackouts for 1 million Ukrainians

Moscow has admitted targeting Ukraine's energy supply network

Laura O'Callaghan
Laura O'Callaghan

October 23, 2022

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Russian strikes have caused mass blackouts in various regions of Ukraine, with more than a million people affected.

Officials in multiple areas on Saturday reported attacks on energy facilities and outages as engineers struggled to restore the network. Residents were advised by governors to stock up on water.

Moscow has since October 10 pummelled Ukraine's energy infrastructure, hitting at least half of the country’s thermal power generation and up to 40 per cent of the entire system.

Read more

Former Israeli PM Netanyahu calls on Vladimir Putin to end Ukraine war

Moscow has acknowledged targeting energy infrastructure but denies targeting civilians.

The latest round of missile attacks cut off power for more than a million people, presidential adviser Kyrylo Tymoshenko said.

Parts of Kyiv suffered power cuts into the evening, and a city official warned strikes could leave the capital without power and heat for “several days or weeks”.

As the war threatens to push into its ninth month, with winter fast approaching, there are fears people in Ukraine could freeze to death if energy supplies are severed.

In his nightly address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Russian attacks had struck on a “very wide” scale. He pledged his military would improve on an already good record of downing missiles with help from its partners.

Moscow fears 'dirty bomb'

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu spoke with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday for the second time in three days and held a flurry of calls with three other counterparts from Nato countries.

Moscow provided no details on the conversation with Mr Austin, which came after the two men spoke on Friday for the first time since May. According to a Pentagon readout, the call came at the request of Mr Shoigu.

"Secretary Austin rejected any pretext for Russian escalation and reaffirmed the value of continued communication amid Russia’s unlawful and unjustified war against Ukraine,” the Pentagon said.

Mr Austin spoke with Mr Shoigu on Friday to "emphasize" the need for "maintaining lines of communication amid the ongoing war against Ukraine," the Pentagon said in a release.

The Russian defence ministry said of Mr Shoigu's call with French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu: "They discussed the situation in Ukraine which is rapidly deteriorating".

"It is trending towards further uncontrolled escalation," it said.

Mr Lecornu also said he spoke to Mr Shoigu on Sunday. Mr Shoigu told him of the Kremlin’s fears that Ukraine may use a “dirty bomb” on Russian territory.

He said he told Mr Shoigu that France will not get drawn into any form of escalation in Ukraine, especially regarding nuclear options. He said France is keen to see a peaceful resolution to the war and he plans to hold talks with his Ukrainian counterpart soon.

Previous Russian assertions that Ukraine might resort to using banned weapons such as biological arms have stirred concerns in the West that Moscow might be preparing to stage "false flag" attacks and blame them on Kyiv.

Mr Shoigu also spoke to Turkey's defence minister Hulusi Akar and the UK's defence minister Ben Wallace.

Britain said Mr Wallace had "refuted" claims by Mr Shoigu that Western countries were facilitating a plan by Kyiv to escalate the conflict.

A girl sits between pet carriers as civilians are evacuated from the Russian-controlled city of Kherson. Reuters
A girl sits between pet carriers as civilians are evacuated from the Russian-controlled city of Kherson. Reuters

Kherson residents told 'hang in there'

Civilians on Sunday continued to flee the Russian-occupied city of Kherson.

Footage filmed secretly showed people carrying bags preparing to board a passenger boat on the Dnipro river.

Russian-installed authorities in the area have urged people to leave the city.

In a message posted on Telegram, occupation authorities said “due to the tense situation at the front, the increased danger of massive shelling of the city and the threat of terrorist attacks, all civilians must immediately leave the city and cross to the [east] bank of the Dnipro!”

Residents have been arriving in the town of Oleshky on the opposite side of the river, laden down with boxes, bags and pets.

One woman said she “really didn't want to” leave Kherson where she had been working, but said the situation had changed her mind.

“We wanted to stay here in the region, but now we don't know,” she added.

The Ukrainian military said it was continuing to make gains on the battlefield, as its troops moved south through the Kherson region. The army said it had retaken at least two villages it claimed had been abandoned by Russian soldiers.

Kherson links Ukraine to the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014.

Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on Telegram: “Kherson region! Just a little bit more. Hang in there. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are at work.”

Russian fighter jet crashes

A Russian military jet crashed into a residential building in the Siberian city of Irkutsk on Sunday, killing the two pilots, officials said.

It was the second such fatal incident in six days involving a Sukhoi fighter plane.

In a post on Telegram, Irkutsk governor Igor Kobzev said the plane crashed into a two-storey house in the city. He published a video showing firefighters clambering over the wreckage and directing jets of water at the still smouldering rubble.

No one on the ground was hurt, the governor said.

Officials said the plane was a Sukhoi Su-30 fighter on a test flight. Last Monday, a Sukhoi Su-34 crashed into an apartment block in the southern city of Yeysk, near Ukraine, and at least 15 people were killed.

Videos of Sunday's incident shared on social media showed the plane dived almost vertically before crashing in a fireball, sending dense black smoke into the sky.

Russia's state Investigative Committee said it had launched a criminal investigation into violations of air safety rules.

Ukraine war latest — in pictures

Smoke rises on the outskirts of the city during a Russian missile attack in Kyiv. Reuters
Smoke rises on the outskirts of the city during a Russian missile attack in Kyiv. Reuters
Workers surround the Monument to the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred with sandbags against damage from shelling in Mykolaiv. EPA
Workers surround the Monument to the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred with sandbags against damage from shelling in Mykolaiv. EPA
Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomes Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev for talks before a meeting between the Russian president and the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi, Russia. AFP
Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomes Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev for talks before a meeting between the Russian president and the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi, Russia. AFP
People take water from a water pump in Kyiv. EPA
People take water from a water pump in Kyiv. EPA
A woman walks past a damaged building in the town of Nova Kakhovka. Reuters
A woman walks past a damaged building in the town of Nova Kakhovka. Reuters
A woman outside her home, which was destroyed during battles at the start of the conflict, in Yahidne, Chernihiv. Getty Images
A woman outside her home, which was destroyed during battles at the start of the conflict, in Yahidne, Chernihiv. Getty Images
People shelter inside a subway station during a Russian missile attack in Kyiv. Reuters
People shelter inside a subway station during a Russian missile attack in Kyiv. Reuters
Firefighters at the site of a drone attack in Kyiv, Ukraine. AP
Firefighters at the site of a drone attack in Kyiv, Ukraine. AP
A woman walks past the site of a Russian missile strike in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv. Reuters
A woman walks past the site of a Russian missile strike in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv. Reuters
Rescuer workers at a building destroyed in an attack in Mykolaiv. Reuters
Rescuer workers at a building destroyed in an attack in Mykolaiv. Reuters
Parts of a drone lie on a street in Kyiv. Reuters
Parts of a drone lie on a street in Kyiv. Reuters
A drone flies over the Ukrainian capital during an attack. AFP
A drone flies over the Ukrainian capital during an attack. AFP
Ukrainian servicemen tow a captured Russian armoured vehicle in Rudneve village, Kharkiv. EPA
Ukrainian servicemen tow a captured Russian armoured vehicle in Rudneve village, Kharkiv. EPA
A partially destroyed residential building in Saltivka, in Kharkiv. AP
A partially destroyed residential building in Saltivka, in Kharkiv. AP
Ukrainian servicemen fire a captured Russian howitzer on a front line near Kupyansk city, Kharkiv. EPA
Ukrainian servicemen fire a captured Russian howitzer on a front line near Kupyansk city, Kharkiv. EPA
Ukrainian servicemen near the recently retaken town of Lyman in Donetsk region. AFP
Ukrainian servicemen near the recently retaken town of Lyman in Donetsk region. AFP
An officer from a Ukrainian national police emergency demining team prepares to detonate collected anti-tank mines and explosives near Lyman, in the Donetsk region. AFP
An officer from a Ukrainian national police emergency demining team prepares to detonate collected anti-tank mines and explosives near Lyman, in the Donetsk region. AFP
A boy playing on a destroyed Russian tank on display in Kyiv. AFP
A boy playing on a destroyed Russian tank on display in Kyiv. AFP
A young couple hiding underground during an air alert in Zaporizhzhia. AFP
A young couple hiding underground during an air alert in Zaporizhzhia. AFP
Ukrainian firefighters looking for survivors after a strike in Zaporizhzhia. AFP
Ukrainian firefighters looking for survivors after a strike in Zaporizhzhia. AFP
Workers fix a banner reading 'Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson - Russia!' to the State Historical Museum near Red Square in Moscow. AFP
Workers fix a banner reading 'Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson - Russia!' to the State Historical Museum near Red Square in Moscow. AFP
Residents try to cross a destroyed bridge in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. AFP
Residents try to cross a destroyed bridge in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. AFP
Alyona Kishinskaya helps to clean up a shop as it prepares to reopen in Balakiya, Ukraine, after a six-month Russian occupation. Getty Images
Alyona Kishinskaya helps to clean up a shop as it prepares to reopen in Balakiya, Ukraine, after a six-month Russian occupation. Getty Images
Alla, 12, has a swinging time in Balakiya, Ukraine, as life goes on despite the war. Getty Images
Alla, 12, has a swinging time in Balakiya, Ukraine, as life goes on despite the war. Getty Images
Ukrainian flags in the town square in Balakiya. Getty Images
Ukrainian flags in the town square in Balakiya. Getty Images
A destroyed Russian command centre in Izium, Ukraine. Getty Images
A destroyed Russian command centre in Izium, Ukraine. Getty Images
In what may be a final farewell, young Russian recruits - escorted by their wives - walk to a train station in Volgograd before being sent to war in Ukraine. AP
In what may be a final farewell, young Russian recruits - escorted by their wives - walk to a train station in Volgograd before being sent to war in Ukraine. AP
Russian recruits board the train to Ukraine in Volgograd. AP
Russian recruits board the train to Ukraine in Volgograd. AP
Ukrainian soliders drive a tank at the recently retaken eastern side of the Oskil River in Kharkiv region, Ukraine. AFP
Ukrainian soliders drive a tank at the recently retaken eastern side of the Oskil River in Kharkiv region, Ukraine. AFP
Volunteers pass boxes of food aid on a destroyed bridge over the Oskil River. AFP
Volunteers pass boxes of food aid on a destroyed bridge over the Oskil River. AFP
Ukrainian soliders rest on an armoured personnel carrier. AFP
Ukrainian soliders rest on an armoured personnel carrier. AFP
A sign warns of landmines in Izyum, eastern Ukraine. AFP
A sign warns of landmines in Izyum, eastern Ukraine. AFP
This crater was left after a missile strike in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. AFP
This crater was left after a missile strike in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. AFP
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Three ways to limit your social media use

Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.

1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.

2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information. 

3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.

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Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster who has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others.

Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.

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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

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

Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

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The alternatives

• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.

• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.

• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.

• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.

• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases -  but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.

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Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

Jigra
Director: Vasan Bala
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Rated: 3.5/5
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Scotland 59 (Tries: Hastings (2), G Horne (3), Turner, Seymour, Barclay, Kinghorn, McInally; Cons: Hastings 8)

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Updated: October 23, 2022, 7:33 PM`
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