Three civilians were killed in a missile attack on eastern Ukraine on Saturday, Ukrainian officials said, as they push for ever greater military support from the West.
The attack by Russia on Kostyantynivka hit a residential area and damaged four high-rise buildings, a hotel, garages and private cars, said Donetsk regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko. He said two other people were injured.
It came as Ukraine warned of a possible Russian offensive timed with the February 24 anniversary of the invasion.
Anton Geraschchenko, an aide at Ukraine's interior ministry, said Russia had "intensified attacks" on the holdout town of Vuhledar in Donetsk.
Western governments preparing to send their main battle tanks to Ukraine have been urged to provide them as quickly as possible to thwart a renewed advance by Russian troops.
"They are preparing for maximum activation ... they believe that by the anniversary they should have some achievements," Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine's national security and defence council, told local radio.
Ukraine is poised to get dozens of German-made Leopard tanks after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz relented to massive pressure and lifted his veto this week. The US has promised 31 of its Abrams tanks.
Weapons and drones supplied to Ukraine - in pictures
But Ukraine is already turning its attention to its next demand, western fighter jets, with an air force spokesman saying this should start with two squadrons of 12 jets.
These would ideally be American F-16 jets, Yuriy Ihnat was quoted as saying by Spanish newspaper El Pais. Western powers have so far played down the prospect of sending their aircraft.
Mr Scholz on Saturday defended his cautious stance and said he would continue to carefully weigh up support for Ukraine against the risks of escalation.
"Many citizens are very worried. They want peace in Europe and do not want the war to come closer. They want their government and chancellor to hold their nerve. That is exactly my promise," he said.
"Trust the government, and trust me. We always make decisions that are carefully considered and internationally co-ordinated."
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, who will be in Kyiv for an EU-Ukraine summit next week, said on Saturday that Ukraine had the bloc's unconditional support.
"We stand by Ukraine's side without any ifs and buts," she told a meeting of German conservatives.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
NYBL PROFILE
Company name: Nybl
Date started: November 2018
Founder: Noor Alnahhas, Michael LeTan, Hafsa Yazdni, Sufyaan Abdul Haseeb, Waleed Rifaat, Mohammed Shono
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Software Technology / Artificial Intelligence
Initial investment: $500,000
Funding round: Series B (raising $5m)
Partners/Incubators: Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 4, Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 6, AI Venture Labs Cohort 1, Microsoft Scale-up
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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Top New Zealand cop on policing the virtual world
New Zealand police began closer scrutiny of social media and online communities after the attacks on two mosques in March, the country's top officer said.
The killing of 51 people in Christchurch and wounding of more than 40 others shocked the world. Brenton Tarrant, a suspected white supremacist, was accused of the killings. His trial is ongoing and he denies the charges.
Mike Bush, commissioner of New Zealand Police, said officers looked closely at how they monitored social media in the wake of the tragedy to see if lessons could be learned.
“We decided that it was fit for purpose but we need to deepen it in terms of community relationships, extending them not only with the traditional community but the virtual one as well," he told The National.
"We want to get ahead of attacks like we suffered in New Zealand so we have to challenge ourselves to be better."
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
