A Russian Army grouping charged with defending Moscow has been partially destroyed and could take years to rebuild after withdrawing from action during a recent Ukrainian counter-offensive in the Kharkiv region, British intelligence has claimed.
The 1st Guards Tank Army suffered “heavy casualties” in the initial phase of the invasion, the UK's Ministry of Defence said.
The unit — one of the most elite in Russia's armed forces — has been charged with leading counter-attacks in the case of a war with Nato.
Now that it has been “severely degraded”, Russia’s conventional force designed to counter the western alliance is badly weakened, the British defence ministry said.
The revelation comes after Ukraine recaptured a large part of north-eastern territory from Russia in recent days, which the ministry estimates to be at least twice the size of Greater London.
Ukraine has sustained its lightning advance because its forces are highly motivated and its operation is well planned, Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar said on Tuesday.
“The aim is to liberate the Kharkiv region and beyond — all the territories occupied by the Russian Federation. Fighting is continuing [in Kharkiv region]. It is still early to say full [Ukrainian] control has been established over Kharkiv region,” Ms Malyar said.
A senior US military official said Russia had pulled many of its troops back over the border. That means potentially abandoning the sole railway line that had sustained its operations in Ukraine's north-east.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on the West to speed up deliveries of weapons systems as his country's troops move to consolidate control over the north-east.
Washington and its allies have provided Ukraine with billions of dollars in weapons that Kyiv says have helped to limit Russian gains.
In a video address late on Monday, Mr Zelenskyy said Ukraine and the West should “strengthen co-operation to defeat Russian terror”.
“Above all, speed up supplies of anti-aircraft systems,” he said.
Washington announced its latest weapons programme for Ukraine last week, including Himars anti-rocket systems, having previously sent Nasmas surface-to-air missile systems capable of shooting down aircraft.
Mr Zelenskyy said Ukraine had recaptured about 6,000 square kilometres of territory, a sliver of Ukraine's overall land mass of about 600,000 square km. The recaptured land is about the same size as the combined area of the West Bank and Gaza.
Russia took control of about a fifth of Ukraine since February 24, when its troops invaded.
The retreat did not stop Russia from pounding Ukrainian positions, however. Early on Tuesday, it shelled the city of Lozova in the Kharkiv region, killing three people and wounding nine, said regional governor Oleh Syniehubov.
The Nikopol area, which is across the Dnieper River from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, was shelled six times during the night but no casualties were immediately reported, said regional governor Valentyn Reznichenko.
Continued shelling has left Europe’s largest nuclear station in a precarious position.
Mr Zelenskyy specifically criticised Russia for taking aim at energy infrastructure in its attacks over the past days, saying that hundreds of Ukrainians had been left without power.
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Ashes 2019 schedule
August 1-5: First Test, Edgbaston
August 14-18: Second Test, Lord's
August 22-26: Third Test, Headingley
September 4-8: Fourth Test, Old Trafford
September 12-16: Fifth Test, Oval
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Dhadak
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana
Stars: 3
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Vaccine Progress in the Middle East
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Thanksgiving meals to try
World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.
Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.
The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.
Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
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