UAE condemns alleged drone strike on Vladimir Putin's residence

The UAE has strongly condemned an alleged drone strike on a residence belonging to Russian President Vladimir Putin, which the Kremlin claims was carried out by Ukraine.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Ukraine had launched an overnight strike using 91 long-range unmanned aerial vehicles on Mr Putin's state residence in Russia's Novgorod region.

Mr Lavrov said the wave of drones were intercepted and destroyed by Russian air defence systems.

Putin upbeat after EU 'robbers' fail to agree frozen asset loan for Ukraine

Putin upbeat after EU 'robbers' fail to agree Russian asset loan

He said there were no reports of casualties or damage resulting from the incident.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denied the claims, which he described as a "complete fabrication intended to justify additional attacks against Ukraine".

"It is critical that the world doesn’t stay silent now. We cannot allow Russia to undermine the work on achieving a lasting peace," Mr Zelenskyy wrote on X.

UAE peace call

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the "deplorable attack", emphasising the threat it poses to security and stability.

The ministry repeated the UAE's solidarity with the Russian President and underlined its "unwavering rejection of all forms of violence aimed at undermining security and stability".

The UAE has supported efforts to secure a peaceful solution to the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has raged since February 2022.

The Emirates has served as a mediator to enable a series of prisoner exchanges between the warring nations since the start of the conflict.

A total of 4,641 Russian and Ukrainian prisoners had been freed in 17 exchanges brokered by the Emirates, as of August.

Explainer: Tanween Design Programme

Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.

The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.

It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.

The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.

Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”