Recruits line up at a regional military recruitment centre in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. AP
Recruits line up at a regional military recruitment centre in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. AP
Recruits line up at a regional military recruitment centre in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. AP
Recruits line up at a regional military recruitment centre in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. AP

'Serious crime' convicts to be drafted into Russian army


Holly Johnston
  • English
  • Arabic

Individuals convicted of "serious crimes" are to be drafted into the Russian army as Moscow struggles to make headway in Ukraine.

People with outstanding or unexpunged convictions can be mobilised, according to a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin on Friday.

Those convicted of sexual offences against minors, terrorism, hostage-taking and "illegal handling of nuclear materials", among others, are exempt, state media reported.

Mr Putin also said volunteer units have been created in a move to boost numbers after thousands fled the country following a call-up in September.

Nearly 200,00 people are said to have fled Russia, mainly to neighbouring Kazakhstan and Georgia, after a partial mobilisation was introduced, following Moscow's annexation of four Ukrainian regions.

Only 49,000 of the more than 300,000 drafted are in active combat, Mr Putin claimed on Friday, saying the majority are in training.

Soldiers sent to the front, however, have said they received little to no training and have been asked to buy their own equipment.

Some Russian media have reported a two-month waitlist for bulletproof vests, which have "skyrocketed" in price as conscripts scramble to secure their own gear.

People with Ukrainian flags walk towards Russian army trucks during a rally against the Russian occupation in Kherson, Ukraine. AP
People with Ukrainian flags walk towards Russian army trucks during a rally against the Russian occupation in Kherson, Ukraine. AP

Despite its large army, Russia has failed to make significant gains in its invasion of Ukraine.

Its forces are retreating from the annexed region of Kherson, western officials have said, with soldiers "critically low" on ammunition and low on morale.

Moscow is also recruiting US-trained Afghan elite forces for a foreign legion, commanders have told The Associated Press.

It wants to attract thousands of former elite commandos with offers of monthly salaries and promises of safe haven against a near-certain death under the Taliban at home.

The US has said Iran sent trainers to Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine to assist in deploying Iranian missiles on Kyiv.

Australia squads

ODI: Tim Paine (capt), Aaron Finch (vice-capt), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye.

T20: Aaron Finch (capt), Alex Carey (vice-capt), Ashton Agar, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth.

MATCH RESULT

Al Jazira 3 Persepolis 2
Jazira:
Mabkhout (52'), Romarinho (77'), Al Hammadi (90' 6)
Persepolis: Alipour (42'), Mensha (84')

Everything Now

Arcade Fire

(Columbia Records)

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

The specs: 2018 Audi RS5

Price, base: Dh359,200

Engine: 2.9L twin-turbo V6

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 450hp at 5,700rpm

Torque: 600Nm at 1,900rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km

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."
Going grey? A stylist's advice

If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”

Tenet

Director: Christopher Nolan

Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh 

Rating: 5/5

Pad Man

Dir: R Balki

Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte

Three-and-a-half stars

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

The biog

Name: Mariam Ketait

Emirate: Dubai

Hobbies: I enjoy travelling, experiencing new things, painting, reading, flying, and the French language

Favourite quote: "Be the change you wish to see" - unknown

Favourite activity: Connecting with different cultures

Updated: November 04, 2022, 1:55 PM