Russia has unleashed new offensive into east Ukraine, says Zelensky

1 / 3
A view of a block of apartments buildings damaged by shelling in Kramatorsk, Ukraine, on April 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Andriy Andriyenko)
Short Url
Updated 19 April 2022
Follow

Russia has unleashed new offensive into east Ukraine, says Zelensky

  • Russia’s Donbas offensive advances with fall of Kreminna after three days of fighting
  • A very large part of the entire Russian army is now focused on its new offensive in eastern Ukraine, says Zelensky

NOVODRUZHESK, Ukraine: Russia has launched a major offensive into eastern Ukraine, Ukrainianian leaders said, opening a new phase of its invasion after being thwarted in efforts to capture the capital.

In recent weeks, Moscow’s military campaign has refocused on the eastern region of Donbas, which pro-Kremlin separatists have partly controlled since 2014.

“We can now confirm that Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas, which they have been preparing for a long time,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Telegram late Monday.

“No matter how many Russian soldiers are brought here, we will fight. We will defend ourselves.”

Ahead of the widely anticipated advance, Ukrainian authorities had urged people in Donbas to flee west to escape.

“The second phase of the war has started,” Kyiv’s presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak said.

Control of Donbas would allow Moscow to create a southern corridor to the occupied Crimean peninsula.

In the south of the region, Russia continued its push to capture the besieged port city of Mariupol, where the last remaining Ukrainian forces have taken a final stand.

But despite the desperate situation in the city, a senior US Defense Department official said Mariupol “is still contested.”

Russia has also added 11 battalion tactical groups — consisting of, among other things, artillery, helicopters, and logistical support — to its forces in east Ukraine, the official added, bringing the total to 76 in the country.

Monday also saw the first shipments of a new US military aid package arrive at Ukraine’s borders to be handed over in its fight against the Russian invasion.

The United States on April 13 unveiled an $800-million tranche of equipment for Ukraine, including helicopters, howitzers and armored personnel carriers.

Moscow’s forces on Monday pounded targets across the country, killing at least seven people in the far western city of Lviv.

Lviv has largely been spared bombardment since Russia invaded on February 24, and the city and its surroundings had become a haven for those seeking safety from the war zone.

But “today we understood clearly that we don’t have any safe places in Ukraine. It’s very dangerous,” a bank employee who gave her name as Natalia told AFP after the strikes.

Russia’s defense ministry said Monday it had hit 16 military targets across Ukraine.

Among the sites struck was a depot near Lviv that Moscow said held weapons recently delivered to Ukraine from the United States and Europe.

Shortly before Zelensky’s address, the regional governor of the Lugansk region Sergiy Gaiday also announced the beginning of Russia’s much-anticipated attack.

“It’s hell. The offensive has begun, the one we’ve been talking about for weeks. There’s constant fighting in Rubizhne and Popasna, fighting in other peaceful cities,” he said on Facebook.

Russian shelling killed at least eight civilians in eastern Ukraine, according to local authorities.

Gaiday said four people died as they tried to flee the city of Kreminna in Lugansk as Russian troops moved in.




A crater and a destroyed home are pictured in the village of Yatskivka, eastern Ukraine on April 16, 2022. (AFP)

“The Russian army has already entered there, with a huge amount of military hardware... Our defenders have retreated to new positions,” Gaiday said in a statement on social media.

But Ukrainian presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovich said Russian forces had not conquered the city.

Ukrainian officials on Monday halted the evacuation of civilians from frontline towns and cities in the east for a second day, accusing Russian forces of having blocked and shelled escape routes.

Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk urged Moscow to open humanitarian corridors from Mariupol to Berdyansk and from the Azovstal metallurgical industrial zone — a holdout for Ukrainian fighters.

“Your refusal to open these humanitarian corridors will, in the future, be grounds for prosecuting all those involved in war crimes,” she said on Telegram.

The Mariupol city council said Monday there are over 1,000 civilians trapped in shelters under the Azovstal steel plant, where Ukrainian forces are waging a desperate last stand against the Russians.

“(They are) mostly women with children and the elderly,” they said on Telegram.

President Vladimir Putin has said he launched the military operation on February 24 to save Russian speakers in Ukraine from a “genocide” carried out by a “neo-Nazi” regime.

He recognized the independence of two self-proclaimed separatist republics in Donetsk and Lugansk shortly before the invasion began.

On Monday, Putin lauded the 64th Motor Rifle Brigade — which is accused of committing atrocities near Kyiv — bestowing battle honors on them for “heroism and valour, tenacity and courage.”

Ukraine has alleged the brigade is guilty of war crimes while occupying the suburb of Bucha on the outskirts of Kyiv, where residents were shot dead, some with their hands bound.

The European Union condemned Russia’s “indiscriminate” bombing of Ukrainian civilians following the strikes on Lviv.

Its foreign policy chief Josep Borrell pointed to “particularly heavy attacks” in eastern and southern Ukraine and an offensive against second city Kharkiv, where officials said Russian shelling killed three people.

“Attacks on Lviv and other cities in western Ukraine show that no part of the country is spared from the Kremlin’s senseless onslaught,” Borrell added.

Seeking to strengthen ties and accelerate admission to the 27-nation bloc, Zelensky said that Ukraine hoped to receive EU candidate country status within weeks.

On Monday, he handed the EU’s envoy to Kyiv a two-volume response to a membership questionnaire brought by European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen in March.

 


Palestine’s Red Crescent chief tells UK’s Prince William of humanitarian crisis in Gaza

Updated 11 min 57 sec ago
Follow

Palestine’s Red Crescent chief tells UK’s Prince William of humanitarian crisis in Gaza

  • The prince meets representatives of the organization and the British Red Cross to discuss the challenges aid workers face in the territory
  • They tell of the worsening conditions in Gaza, increasingly urgent humanitarian requirements, and the need to protect medical teams

LONDON: Younis Al-Khatib, the president of the Palestine Red Crescent Society, held talks with the UK’s Prince William during an official visit to Kensington Palace in London on Monday.

William, the Prince of Wales, met Al-Khatib and other representatives of his organization, along with members of the British Red Cross, to discuss the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and explore ways in which international humanitarian efforts might be enhanced.

The prince’s guests described the worsening conditions in Gaza, the increasingly urgent humanitarian needs in the territory, the challenges faced by aid workers and the need to protect medical teams, the Palestine News Agency reported. They also reviewed the efforts being made to help those affected by ongoing Israeli attacks.

Al-Khatib said that more than 1,600 Palestine Red Crescent Society employees and volunteers continue to work under extremely hazardous conditions in Gaza to provide emergency medical services and distribute relief supplies. Since the war in Gaza began in late 2023, he added, 28 Red Crescent personnel have been killed amid the Israeli attacks or while performing their duties.

The meeting was part of ongoing coordinated efforts by the Red Crescent to highlight the escalating crisis in Gaza, where more than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed during the ongoing conflict, most of them women and children.


‘This is My City’: Fighter Abdulaziz bin Moammar eyes success in front of hometown fans in Riyadh

Updated 38 min 30 sec ago
Follow

‘This is My City’: Fighter Abdulaziz bin Moammar eyes success in front of hometown fans in Riyadh

  • The rising amateur star will face Hassan Ahmed of Egypt at PFL MENA 2 on July 4 at the Green Halls
  • The Saudi’s latest challenge follows a debut victory against Algerian Fares Hamdani at PFL MENA 1 in Jeddah in May

RIYADH: When Abdulaziz bin Moammar steps inside the world-famous Professional Fighters League SmartCage at PFL MENA 2 in Riyadh on July 4, it will not be just another fight for him.

The amateur standout will be competing in front of a hometown crowd for the first time and he is looking forward to the landmark experience.

“Fighting in Riyadh isn’t just another bout, it’s a responsibility,” he said of his clash with Hassan Ahmed of Egypt at the Green Halls. “This is my city, this is where I grew up, and my real fans are here.”

Bin Moammar expects to feed off the unique energy that will be generated by that hometown crowd on fight night.

“Competing in front of (local fans) gives me a different kind of energy, so there’s no room for hesitation or retreat,” he added.

A dangerous grappler with a background in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and combat sambo, the fighter used his elite ground game to emerge victorious against Fares Hamdani from Algeria at PFL MENA 1 in Jeddah in May. It marked a successful start to his amateur MMA career, and he said the debut win helped boost his confidence and determination.

“That fight in Jeddah was an important first step,” bin Moammar said. “It gave me confidence. The win sparked a deep drive in me to continue.”

With his maiden PFL win in the books he is now looking ahead to another tough test, his showdown on Friday with the dangerous Ahmed, who has a 3-1 amateur record.

Bin Moammar defeated Fares Hamdani at PFL MENA 1 in Jeddah in May. (PFL)

“Now, in Riyadh, the challenge is bigger and the expectations are higher,” bin Moammar said.

He revealed that to ensure he is at his fighting peak, he has had to make some difficult sacrifices for his training regimen.

“I’m in an intense local training camp in Riyadh, fully dedicating my time to preparation,” he said.

“It’s kept me away from my family and it hasn’t been easy, but I believe that every sacrifice I make today will pay off tomorrow. The camp is physically and mentally exhausting but I’m determined to show the best version of myself in the SmartCage.”

When the bout begins on fight night, bin Moammar guaranteed that he will be fighting backed by the strength of all the young fighters in the Kingdom with dreams of making it big one day on the global stage.

“I promise to fight with the spirit of every young Saudi who dreams of excelling in this sport,” he said. “The journey is long and going professional is no easy task but I’m ready to go all the way. Your support is my greatest weapon.”

Tickets for PFL MENA 2 are available now at webook.com.


Pakistan abolishes electricity duty in bills to ensure tariff transparency

Updated 43 min 15 sec ago
Follow

Pakistan abolishes electricity duty in bills to ensure tariff transparency

  • The move aims to simplify the billing structure, make it easier for consumers to manage power costs
  • It follows launch of a mobile app that allows power consumers to record, submit their meter readings

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has abolished electricity duty in power bills from the month of July, the country’s energy ministry said on Monday, in a bid to ensure transparency in tariff.
Power Minister Awais Leghari had written letters to chief executives of all provinces and informed them about the decision to discontinue the collection of electricity duty, according to the ministry.
He said high electricity tariffs were already a challenge and the additional burden of various levies further complicated the billing structure, making it difficult for consumers to manage their power costs.
“As part of this initiative, the Power Division has decided to discontinue the collection of electricity duty through electricity bills starting from July 2025,” Leghari was quoted as saying.
“We request provincial governments to explore alternative mechanisms for collecting provincial levies and duties, rather than relying on electricity bills as a collection channel.”
He said the federal government was making structural reforms to reduce tariffs such as renegotiating contracts with Independent Power Producer (IPP) and lowering the Return on Equity (ROE) for government-owned power plants, according to the energy ministry statement.
Leghari sought support from the provincial chief ministers in removing the complexity arising from multiple charges, taxes and duties being collected through consumer bills.
“He expressed the confidence that this will not only make electricity bills more transparent and easier to comprehend but also ensure that consumers are paying only for the cost of electricity, rather than a mix of other charges,” the statement read.
Pakistan has aggressively pursued reforms in its energy sector recently, which has long struggled with financial strain due to circular debt, power theft and transmission losses. These problems have led to blackouts and high electricity costs throughout the country, especially during the summers when demand peaks.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched a mobile application that allows power consumers to record and submit their meter readings themselves, with the government saying the initiative will lead to more transparency in the system and reduce overbilling.
Electricity bills are generated in Pakistan every month by readings obtained from power meters installed at homes and businesses. These readings show the number of electricity units consumed during a monthly cycle and are taken by meter readers employed by power companies.
Pakistani power consumers have frequently complained of overbilling and incorrect readings taken by meter readers.
“This app... is a revolutionary technological reform whose benefit will reach every consumer in every home,” Sharif said at the app’s launch. 


More than 15,000 Syrian refugees return home from Jordan in May

Updated 50 min 17 sec ago
Follow

More than 15,000 Syrian refugees return home from Jordan in May

  • UNHCR reported that the figure represents a 45 percent increase compared to April
  • Jordan has received about 628,000 Syrian refugees, according to UNHCR figures as of December 2024

LONDON: More than 15,000 Syrian refugees registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees have returned to their home country from Jordan since May.

The UNHCR reported that the figure represents a 45 percent increase compared to April, when nearly 10,500 Syrian refugees entered the country through Jordan’s Jaber border crossing.

Since the collapse of the Assad regime in December, 75,000 Syrian refugees have returned home from Jordan alone, which is more than one percent of the estimated six million Syrians who fled the country during the civil war that began in 2011.

As of March, the UN estimated that nearly 1.2 million Syrian refugees and internally displaced people have returned home following the change in power in Damascus.

The UNHCR announced the transfer of thousands of refugees from Jordanian communities and refugee camps to Syria in May, marking a significant increase from April, according to the SANA news agency.

Jordan has received about 628,000 Syrian refugees, according to UNHCR figures as of December 2024.


Week of heavy rains and floods across Pakistan kills 46 people

A boy pushes his cousin on wheelchair through a flooded road caused by heavy monsoon rains, in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, June 29
Updated 20 min 20 sec ago
Follow

Week of heavy rains and floods across Pakistan kills 46 people

  • The deaths from the past week include 13 tourists from a family of 17 who were swept away Friday
  • Other four family members were rescued from the flooded Swat River in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province

PESHAWAR: Nearly a week of heavy monsoon rains and flash floods across Pakistan has killed at least 46 people and injured dozens, officials said Monday.
The fatalities caused by abnormally strong downpours since Tuesday include 22 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 13 in eastern Punjab province, seven in southern Sindh, and four in southwestern Balochistan, the National Disaster Management Authority and provincial emergency officials said.
“We are expecting above-normal rains during the monsoon season and alerts have been issued to the concerned authorities to take precautionary measures,” said Irfan Virk, a Pakistan Meteorological Department deputy director.
Virk said that forecasters cannot rule out a repeat of extreme weather like the devastating floods in 2022. Rains inundated a third of the country, killing 1,737 people and causing widespread destruction.
The deaths from the past week include 13 tourists from a family of 17 who were swept away Friday. The other four family members were rescued from the flooded Swat River in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Rescuers found 12 bodies from the group and divers continued searching Monday for the remaining victim, said Bilal Faizi, a provincial emergency service spokesman.
The incident drew widespread condemnation online over what many called a slow response by emergency services.
On Sunday, the National Disaster Management Authority had warned of potential hazards and advised people against crossing rivers and streams.