Firefighters at residential building in Kyiv hit by a Russian missile strike. Reuters
Firefighters at residential building in Kyiv hit by a Russian missile strike. Reuters
Firefighters at residential building in Kyiv hit by a Russian missile strike. Reuters
Firefighters at residential building in Kyiv hit by a Russian missile strike. Reuters

Russia launches new strikes on Ukrainian gas production and missile factories


Gillian Duncan
  • English
  • Arabic

Russia pounded Ukraine's energy facilities again on Thursday as the first snow of the season fell in Kyiv.

Explosions were heard in several parts of the country, including the southern port of Odesa, the capital Kyiv and the central city of Dnipro, and civilians were urged to take shelter as air raid warnings sounded.

Targets included the huge Pivdenmash missile factory in Dnipro, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said.

"Missiles are flying over Kyiv right now," he said early on Thursday, according to Interfax Ukraine news agency. "Now they are bombing our gas production [facilities], they are bombing our enterprises in Dnipro and Pivdenmash."

Light snow on Thursday dusted the capital, where the temperature fell below freezing.

The city’s military administration said air defences had shot down at least two cruise missiles and five Iranian-made exploding drones.

At least four people were killed and more than two dozen wounded in the drone and missile strikes, including one that hit a residential building, authorities said.

The attacks came as Ukrainian investigators in the recently liberated Kherson region uncovered dozens of bodies displaying signs of torture, the country’s Interior Minister said.

Sixty-three bodies were discovered with signs of abuse after Russian soldiers retreated, Denys Monastyrsky told national TV networks in Ukraine.

More than 430 instances of war crimes had been detected during Russia's occupation, he said. Eleven places of detention had been discovered, including four where torture had been used.

"Now, 63 bodies have been discovered in Kherson region, but we must understand that the search has only just started so many more dungeons and burial places will be uncovered,” Mr Monastyrsky said.

"Investigators are currently examining them and setting down every instance of torture. Exhumations are also taking place of the bodies of those who were killed.”

Andriy Kovalenko, a prosecutor in the Kherson regional prosecutor's office, told The New York Times that testimony had been gathered on 800 detentions by Russians in the region.

Forms of abuse included electric shocks, beatings with plastic or rubber nightsticks and suffocation by pinching the breathing hose on a gas mask placed over a prisoner's head.

Ukrainian and international investigators say Russian troops have been committing war crimes in occupied areas since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February.

Russia denies that its soldiers target civilians or have committed atrocities.

But mass burial sites have been found in other areas previously occupied by Russian troops, including some with civilian bodies showing signs of torture.

Russian forces left parts of Kherson region last week. The area was one of the first areas seized by Russia.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a nightly video address said investigators had uncovered more than 400 crimes in Kherson.

He said the Russian Army had left behind corpses, broken infrastructure and landmines in what he described as "the same savagery it did in other regions".

Mr Zelenskyy has rebuffed the conclusion of preliminary investigations into the blast on Tuesday at a grain plant in Poland near the Ukrainian border, which suggested it was caused by a Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile.

"From the information that we and our allies have, it was an S-300 rocket made in the Soviet Union, an old rocket, and there is no evidence that it was launched by the Russian side," Polish President Andrzej Duda said.

Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said "it is highly likely that it was fired by Ukrainian anti-aircraft defence".

The old type was being used by both Russia and Ukraine.

The Nato chief said Russia, not Ukraine, was to blame for starting the war by invading in February and launching scores of missiles on Tuesday that triggered Ukrainian defences.

"I have no doubt that it was not our missile", Mr Zelenskyy told Ukrainian media on Wednesday.

He said he based his conclusion on reports from Ukraine's military which he "cannot but trust".

The incident occurred during Russia's barrage of missiles unleashed on cities across Ukraine, targeting its energy grid and prolonging power blackouts for millions, in what Ukraine called the most intense bombardment of the nine-month war.

Mr Zelenskyy said late on Wednesday that technicians had worked non-stop to restore electricity to households.

"We are talking about millions of customers," Mr Zelenskyy said. "We are doing everything we can to bring back power. Both generation and supply."

Speaking on Radio 4's Today show on Thursday morning, Oleksandra Azarkhina, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, said 40 per cent of the country's energy infrastructure had been destroyed by Russia.

"So we are trying to repair everything, replace everything but more and more capabilities are being targeted," she said.

"It’s impossible if we are alone here. But if we are acting together, it’s possible to re-establish normality as soon as possible."

She said the issue over the missile strike on Poland would soon be resolved.

"We do have communication with our allies," she said. "I am sure we will find the common ground and find out what the truth is. We are still waiting for the outcome of the investigation, so we will see. But of course we are relying on our army and the communication they are providing."

Ukraine has said that its air defences have knocked out many of the missiles and drones fired in the past few weeks.

"This morning Russia launched another missile barrage at Ukraine’s critical infrastructure," Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said.

"[Russian President Vladimir] Putin wants to deprive millions of people of electricity and heating, amid freezing temperatures. Send Ukraine more air and missile defence systems to avert this tragedy. Delays cost lives."

Elsewhere, Ukraine’s Infrastructure Ministry on Thursday confirmed a Black Sea grain project would be extended for 120 days.

The UN-backed agreement on July 22 allowed grain shipments to resume from certain Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea, leading to about 10 million tonnes being transported to rein in world food prices.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Quick facts on cancer
  • Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases 
  •  About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime 
  • By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million 
  • 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries 
  • This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030 
  • At least one third of common cancers are preventable 
  • Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers 
  • Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
    strategies 
  • The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion

   

Get stories like this one in your inbox each morning.

Sign up for our daily newsletter here

The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
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

Breast cancer in men: the facts

1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.

2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash. 

3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible. 

4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key. 

5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor

 

MATCH INFO

New Zealand 176-8 (20 ovs)

England 155 (19.5 ovs)

New Zealand win by 21 runs

Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

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

City's slump

L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin

Director: Shawn Levy

Rating: 3/5

THREE
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Nayla%20Al%20Khaja%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Jefferson%20Hall%2C%20Faten%20Ahmed%2C%20Noura%20Alabed%2C%20Saud%20Alzarooni%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Race 3

Produced: Salman Khan Films and Tips Films
Director: Remo D’Souza
Cast: Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Bobby Deol, Daisy Shah, Saqib Salem
Rating: 2.5 stars

Your Guide to the Home
  • Level 1 has a valet service if you choose not to park in the basement level. This level houses all the kitchenware, including covetable brand French Bull, along with a wide array of outdoor furnishings, lamps and lighting solutions, textiles like curtains, towels, cushions and bedding, and plenty of other home accessories.
  • Level 2 features curated inspiration zones and solutions for bedrooms, living rooms and dining spaces. This is also where you’d go to customise your sofas and beds, and pick and choose from more than a dozen mattress options.
  • Level 3 features The Home’s “man cave” set-up and a display of industrial and rustic furnishings. This level also has a mother’s room, a play area for children with staff to watch over the kids, furniture for nurseries and children’s rooms, and the store’s design studio.
     
The specs: 2019 Haval H6

Price, base: Dh69,900

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km

Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

Fixtures and results:

Wed, Aug 29:

  • Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
  • Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
  • UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs

Thu, Aug 30: UAE v Nepal; Hong Kong v Singapore; Malaysia v Oman

Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal

Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore

Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong

Thu, Sep 6: Final

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)

The Internet
Hive Mind
four stars

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.

The biog

Name: Abeer Al Shahi

Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan

Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.

Favourite activities: Bungee jumping

Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

The%20Sandman
%3Cp%3ECreators%3A%20Neil%20Gaiman%2C%20David%20Goyer%2C%20Allan%20Heinberg%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Tom%20Sturridge%2C%20Boyd%20Holbrook%2C%20Jenna%20Coleman%20and%20Gwendoline%20Christie%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS
%3Cp%3ECreator%3A%20Tima%20Shomali%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%C2%A0Tara%20Abboud%2C%C2%A0Kira%20Yaghnam%2C%20Tara%20Atalla%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

Key developments

All times UTC 4

The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

Updated: November 17, 2022, 3:09 PM`