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USAirtours launches new long-haul website to drive leads to agents

Third parties to benefit from ‘Supporting Agents Supporting Us’ initiative

Trade-only operator USAirtours has launched a ‘Supporting Agents Supporting Us’ initiative to help agencies sell more long-haul holidays.

A new website features its expanded range of long-haul destinations, including North America, the Caribbean, Europe, Dubai, Indian Ocean and the Far East.

Consumers visiting the website are encouraged to complete an online form and the enquiry is passed to the nearest appointed travel agent.

Following a soft launch earlier this month, USAirtours has been passing an average of 35 sales leads a week to agents and it hopes to generate hundreds of leads every week.

The operator has also started working with several tourist boards and suppliers to “significantly increase” joint marketing activity to drive more sales to agents.

Next month, it will launch a digital marketing hub in which agents can access and personalise digital brochures, e-posters and content for their social media channels.

The operator said these initiatives are part of its “investment and commitment to help our agents not just recover but to benefit from consumer pent-up demand for holidays and the bookings rebound that will follow”.

Guy Novik, chief executive at USAirtours, admitted there had been some confusion among agents about cancellations during the early days of the pandemic in 2020.

Speaking at the Travel Weekly Future of Travel Spring Forum, he said USAirtours was one of the first tour operators to launch a flexible booking policy because of uncertainty over travel.

“Some customers wanted to cancel rather than wait to see whether they would or wouldn’t go on holiday in that summer,” he said.

“Under our flexible booking policy, rather than lose their money, we let them roll it onto another booking on the understanding that the booking still wasn’t available for a refund.”

He said there was some “flak” but most travel agents did understand why the policy was introduced.

“I accept that during the first couple of months of the pandemic, travel agents and ourselves, were getting a blizzard of information coming at us from tour operators, airlines and hotels, so accept that there was a lot of conflicting information around, but we did put it on our website, we did put it in the emails, and we did put it on their Facebook posts, so we were as transparent as we could.”

He said the operator explained the policy to Abta and has not seen any issues arising from it.

“We rely entirely on support from the trade and everything we try and do in this awful situation is to trade in a way where we can keep going,” he said.

Commenting on the new website, he said: “We intend to work with tourist boards and suppliers to really drive consumers to that site so we can really push leads, because – at the end of the day – we need to support agents who are supporting us.”

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Should I book a flight through an online travel agent (OTA)?

Why they exist, when i use them and the risks involved, article bookmarked.

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Travel and the internet are made for each other. The world wide web connects billions of travellers with millions of providers of airline seats, hotel beds and rental cars, allowing options to be evaluated and bookings made effortlessly.

Some online travel agents (OTAs) can offer excellent deals that are not available direct from the provider, especially for long-haul flights.

Conversely, though, internet users can be diverted unexpectedly to intermediaries that are uninterested in providing a decent service. Once online travel agents have your cash, they are usually unwilling to hand it back when things go wrong.

This is everything you need to know to help you make an informed choice for your next trip.

What is an online travel agent?

A web-based intermediary that can offer cost savings and convenience to travellers, and provides suppliers – including airlines, hotels, cruise lines and rental car firms – with wider access to consumers.

Many travellers speak highly of companies such as Travel Republic and Expedia , which offer good value and reasonable customer service. But others appear to be little more than get-rich-quick schemes that depend on travellers’ gullibility – and are responsible for more complaints to the travel desk of The Independent than any other part of the industry.

They typically acquire customers through paid online leads. When I tapped “ easyJet flights” into a search engine, the first two responses were both paid-for ads from online travel agents. The top one was from Kiwi.com, based in the Czech Republic; the second from Bravofly.com, a Swiss company.

“Cheap Ryanair flights”? That will lead to a paid ad from Esky.co.uk, whose internet address might lead you fondly to imagine is a British enterprise. In fact, the firm is based in Katowice in southern Poland.

“We are the travel planning experts,” Esky.co.uk claims. “Let us plan the perfect journey for you!”

No thanks. What each of these companies has in common is that they are offshore online travel agents which regard spending money on internet ads as well spent – because it diverts travellers from the airlines’ official sites.

I can get access to all those products myself online. What do OTAs have to offer that I can’t find direct?

Because they can offer suppliers high volumes of business, online travel agents can often negotiate lower rates and pass some of those savings on to travellers. In addition, many airlines like to use an intermediary to provide another sales channel.

Carriers want to be relevant in the intensely fare-sensitive part of the market. A good way to do that, without “cannibalising” direct bookings is to offer some extremely low fares through an OTA. Especially for long-haul flights, the very cheapest tickets are often to be found via such agents.

An example?

On my trip last month to North America, I flew outbound on Aer Lingus – but bought the ticket through Trip.com (based in Shanghai). At the time I booked the Dublin-Chicago flight, the difference between what the airline was charging direct (almost £700) and the fare quoted by the online agent (£450) was so wide that I took the agent route. Saving 35 per cent on what is an annoying expensive eight-hour flight was a reasonable move.

Coming home, though, I wanted to fly from Winnipeg via Toronto to London Heathrow. The Air Canada direct fare for the two-leg trip from Winnipeg was £626 – and the best deal offered by an OTA just £25 cheaper. I booked direct, because I believe a saving of just 4 per cent did not justify the potential downsides of booking a flight through an online agent.

What could possibly go wrong with booking through an OTA?

Where to start? While the base air fare may be lower than the airline offers, “ancillary” products from checked baggage to seat allocations can be sold at a preposterous margin.

Europe’s biggest budget airline, Ryanair, says some online travel agents are marking up charges on baggage by 60 per cent and on seats by 130 per cent.

The chief executive, Michael O’Leary gave the example of a €10 seat allocation fee at Ryanair.com which became €22 through Kiwi.com and €24 on eDreams (based in Barcelona). He said: “We are once again calling on the CMA [Competition and Markets Authority] to take action and end these anti-consumer practices.”

After booking, if anything goes wrong, from a cancelled flight to a misspelt name, resolving the problem can become difficult and/or expensive to resolve if an agent is involved.

In 2016, an elderly couple who bought budget flights online through CheapOair.co.uk for £143 each were charged an extra £2,000 – seven times the original fares – for twice changing their flight dates.

I have lost count of the number of upset travellers who are still waiting for a refund for early Covid pandemic cancellations because they booked through  OTAs. That includes me, still owed hundreds of pounds by Lastminute.com (based in Switzerland).

The airline says (correctly) the passenger’s contract is with the agent and they cannot deal direct. The OTA typically says: “We’re still waiting to hear back from the airline.” And the traveller remains in stressful financial limbo, until eventually giving up.

Are OTAs allowed to behave like that?

Evidently they believe they can behave as they like with impunity. Of course much of the time, they write small print that is overwhelmingly against the consumer.

For example, between London and Singapore on Qantas , departing on 1 October and returning two weeks later, Qantas has a fare of £1,125. On the same flights, TravelUp will sell you a ticket for £957 – a saving of £168, or 15 per cent on the price when you book direct. Many people will regard that as well worth grabbing.

But supposing there is a misspelling on you name. TravelUp insists: “It is not possible to change your name on an airline ticket. The ticket will have to be cancelled and a new ticket will need to be issued.”

This is nonsense. Qantas, for example, will allow reasonable changes (maiden to married name or vice versa, up to three characters misspelt, etc) and even if the ticket has been issued only a modest fee will be levied.

What’s the alternative – just paying a fortune?

No. Contact a good human travel agent. They have access to discount deals too, and can often provide them for almost no premium over the OTAs. So it is always worth calling the likes of Trailfinders and DialAFlight, or asking a local travel professional, to see what they can offer. It is always best to deal with a human travel agent: they will be on your side if things go wrong.

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40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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Russia could begin full mobilisation after 2024 presidential election, Kyiv official says – as it happened

Secretary of Ukraine’s national security and defence council says Russia has increasingly put its economy onto war footing. This live blog is now closed

• Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 635
• 20 Nov 2023 Closing summary
• 20 Nov 2023 At least 11,000 Ukrainian children are reportedly being detained at 43 re-education camps across Russia, says MoD
• 20 Nov 2023 Russia may begin full mobilisation after 2024 presidential election, says senior security official
• 20 Nov 2023 Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch meets Zelenskiy in Kyiv
• 20 Nov 2023 Ukraine sacks two high-ranking cyber defence officials, says government official
• 20 Nov 2023 US defense secretary vows support to Ukraine 'for the long haul' on surprise trip to Kyiv
• 20 Nov 2023 Morning summary
• 20 Nov 2023 Two killed by Russian shelling in Kherson, Ukrainian authorities say
• 20 Nov 2023 US defence secretary visits Kyiv
• 20 Nov 2023 Opening summary

Nato supports Bosnia’s territorial integrity and is concerned by “malign foreign interference,” including by Russia , in the volatile Balkans region that went through a devastating war in the 1990s, Nato’s secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg , has said.

Sarajevo is the first stop on Stoltenberg’s tour of western Balkan countries that will also include Kosovo, Serbia and North Macedonia, the Associated Press reports.

“The Allies strongly support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia-Herzegovina,” Stoltenberg told reporters. “We are concerned by the secessionist and divisive rhetoric as well as malign foreign interference, including Russia.”

There are widespread fears that Russia is trying to destabilise Bosnia and the rest of the region and shift at least some world attention from its war in Ukraine .

Morning summary

The US secretary of defence, Lloyd Austin, arrived in Kyiv on Monday for a visit. “I’m here today to deliver an important message: the United States will continue to stand with Ukraine in their fight for freedom against Russia’s aggression, both now and into the future.”

Two people were killed early on Monday after Russian forces shelled a parking lot in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, authorities said. Regional prosecutors opened a war crimes investigation into the artillery strike, which occurred at about 9am (7am GMT) and injured one other person, the regional prosecutor’s office reported.

A Ukrainian soldier and a woman have died after a grenade exploded in a Kyiv apartment, police in the Ukrainian capital have said, but the cause of the blast, which injured a second man, was not immediately clear. Explosives technicians and investigators were working at the scene of Sunday’s explosion in the Dniprovskiy district, Kyiv police said in a statement.

The Ukrainian army said it had pushed back Russian forces “three to eight kilometres” from the banks of the Dnipro River, which if confirmed would be the first meaningful advance by Kyiv’s forces months into a disappointing counteroffensive . Ukrainian and Russian forces have been entrenched on opposite sides of the vast waterway in the southern Kherson region for more than a year, after Russia withdrew its troops from the western bank last November.

A Ukrainian teenager who was taken to Russia from the occupied city of Mariupol during the war and prevented from leaving earlier this year has returned to Ukraine . Bohdan Yermokhin, who turned 18 on Sunday, appealed to Zelenskiy this month to help bring him back to Ukraine. “I believed I would be in Ukraine, but not on this day,” Yermokhin told Reuters while eating at a petrol station after crossing the border.

About 3,000 mostly Ukrainian trucks, including those carrying fuel and humanitarian aid, were stuck on the Polish side of the border on Sunday due to a more than 10-day blockade by Polish truckers, Ukrainian authorities said . Polish truckers earlier this month blocked roads to three border crossings with Ukraine to protest against what they see as government inaction over a loss of business to foreign competitors since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Air defence units in Moscow intercepted a drone targeting the city late Sunday, mayor Sergei Sobyanin said . Sobyanin, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said units in the Elektrostal district in the capital’s east had intercepted the drone. No casualties or damage were initially reported. Air defences had also thwarted a drone attack on the Russian capital overnight to Sunday, authorities said earlier.

Russia launched 20 Iranian-made Shahed drones targeting Kyiv and the Cherkasy and Poltava regions overnight into Sunday, the Ukrainian military said, of which 15 were shot down . The overnight strikes on Kyiv were the second attack on the Ukrainian capital in 48 hours, said the city’s military administration spokesperson, Serhii Popko.

Five people including a three-year-old girl were injured in Russian artillery shelling of Kherson on Sunday morning, the Ukrainian interior minister, Ihor Klymenko , said . “All of them sustained shrapnel wounds. The child and the grandmother were walking in the yard. Enemy artillery hit them near the entrance,” Klymenko said on the Telegram messaging app.

The pro-war Russian nationalist Igor Girkin , who is in custody awaiting trial for inciting extremism, said he wanted to run for president even though he understood the March election would be a “sham” with the winner already clear . Girkin, who is also known by the alias Igor Strelkov, has repeatedly said Russia faces revolution and even civil war unless President Vladimir Putin’s military top brass fight the war in Ukraine more effectively. A former Federal Security Service (FSB) officer who helped Russia to annex Crimea in 2014 and then to organise pro-Russian militias in eastern Ukraine, Girkin said before his arrest that he and his supporters were entering politics.

The Kremlin, facing the prospect of a European Union ban on imports of Russian diamonds, said on Monday that EU sanctions tended to have a “boomerang effect” on those who applied them, Reuters reports.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov was commenting on a proposed EU ban on diamond imports from Russia as part of a new sanctions package against Moscow over the conflict in Ukraine .

Russia is the world’s biggest producer of rough diamonds by volume. Peskov told reporters such a move had been anticipated for a long time, but was likely to backfire.

“As a rule, it turns out that a boomerang effect is partially triggered: the interests of the Europeans themselves suffer. So far, we have been able to find ways to minimise the negative consequences of sanctions,” he said.

EU diplomatic sources said last week the proposal under discussion was to ban direct diamond imports from Russia from 1 January and from March to implement a traceability mechanism that would prevent imports of Russian gems processed in third countries.

The Kremlin said on Monday that president Vladimir Putin will set out Russia’s view of what it sees as the “deeply unstable world situation” when he addresses an upcoming virtual G20 summit.

Russian state TV presenter Pavel Zarubin said on his Telegram channel on Sunday that it would be the “first event in a long time” including both Putin and western leaders.

According to the state RIA news agency, the G20 virtual summit will be held on Wednesday.

The Kremlin said on Monday it regretted Finland’s decision to shut crossings on its border with Russia , saying it reflected Helsinki’s adoption of an anti-Russian stance, Reuters reports.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov , speaking at a regular news briefing, also rejected Finland’s accusation that Russia is deliberately pushing illegal migrants towards the border and said that Russian border guards were following all instructions.

Finland, a member of the European Union and – from this year – also of the Nato military alliance, closed four crossings on its border with Russia on Saturday as Helsinki seeks to halt a flow of asylum seekers it says was instigated by Moscow.

The US secretary of defence, Lloyd Austin, arrives in Kyiv on Monday morning.

Two killed by Russian shelling in Kherson, Ukrainian authorities say

Reuters reports that two people were killed early on Monday after Russian forces shelled a parking lot in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, authorities said.

Regional prosecutors opened a war crimes investigation into the artillery strike, which occurred at about 9am (7am GMT) and injured one other person, the regional prosecutor’s office reported.

The Kherson governor, Oleksandr Prokudin, said the two dead were drivers for a private transport business.

Images posted on Telegram showed firefighters dousing cars that had been blasted apart, one day after a separate strike on the city wounded five people, including a three-year-old girl.

Russian forces have regularly shelled Kherson from across the Dnipro River since the regional capital was reoccupied by Ukrainian troops last November.

Ukraine said last week it had secured a foothold on the eastern bank of the Dnipro and that its troops were trying to push Russian forces further back.

US defence secretary visits Kyiv

The US secretary of defence, Lloyd Austin, arrived in Kyiv on Monday for a visit, he said on the X social media platform, Reuters reports.

“I’m here today to deliver an important message: the United States will continue to stand with Ukraine in their fight for freedom against Russia’s aggression, both now and into the future.”

The visit comes amid increasing division over Ukraine aid in the US legislature. A joint Ukraine-US military industry conference in Washington is due to take place next month.

That event, due to be held on 6-7 December, is intended to boost Ukraine’s domestic arms production as its fight against a full-scale Russian invasion nears the two-year mark.

Reuters reports that a Japanese delegation led by senior industry and foreign ministry officials and including business representatives is visiting Ukraine on Monday for talks ahead of a reconstruction conference that Japan will host, the industry ministry said.

Japan, which has been supporting Ukraine with funds and by accepting refugees since Russia invaded in February 2022, has also been promoting support for Ukraine at the level of the G7, which Japan chairs this year.

Kazuchika Iwata , the state minister of economy, trade and industry (METI), and the state minister for foreign affairs Kiyoto Tsuji , are visiting together with representatives of Japan companies, METI said in a statement.

In Kyiv, the delegation, which includes members of Keidanren, Japan’s biggest business lobby, in charge of a committee on Ukraine’s reconstruction, plans talks with the prime minister, Denys Shmyhal , government officials and companies.

Shmyhal said this month Ukraine would need budget support of about $42bn this year and next year to plug a massive deficit and aid reconstruction from the devastation caused by Russia’s invasion.

METI said the visit was an opportunity to hear about Ukraine’s needs and to discuss specific projects and accelerate public and private efforts to help.

The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy – who visited Japan in May during a G7 summit – and the Japanese prime minister, Fumio Kishida, agreed this month to hold a Japan-Ukraine Conference for promotion of Economic Reconstruction in Tokyo on 19 February.

Opening summary

Hello and welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of the war in Ukraine .

A Ukrainian soldier and a woman have died after a grenade exploded in a Kyiv apartment, police in the Ukrainian capital have said, but the cause of the blast, which injured a second man, was not immediately clear.

Explosives technicians and investigators were working at the scene of Sunday’s explosion in the Dniprovskiy district, Kyiv police said in a statement.

“A citizen contacted the police with a report that an explosion rang out in a neighbouring apartment,” they added.

The news came as Volodymyr Zelenskiy dismissed the commander of the military’s medical forces , Maj Gen Tetiana Ostashchenko, and said “new priorities had been set” in the operations of Ukraine’s military after a meeting with the defence minister, Rustem Umerov.

“There is little time left to wait for results. Quick action is needed for forthcoming changes,” the Ukrainian president said in his evening video address.

In other key developments:

Russia launched 20 Iranian-made Sha hed drones targeting Kyiv and the Cherkasy and Poltava regions overnight into Sunday, the Ukrainian military said, of which 15 were shot down . The overnight strikes on Kyiv were the second attack on the Ukrainian capital in 48 hours, said the city’s military administration spokesperson, Serhii Popko.

Five people including a three-year-old girl were injured in Russian artillery shelling of Kherson on Sunday morning, the Ukrainian interior minister, Ihor Klymenko, said . “All of them sustained shrapnel wounds. The child and the grandmother were walking in the yard. Enemy artillery hit them near the entrance,” Klymenko said on the Telegram messaging app.

The pro-war Russian nationalist Igor Girkin, who is in custody awaiting trial for inciting extremism, said he wanted to run for president even though he understood the March election would be a “sham” with the winner already clear . Girkin, who is also known by the alias Igor Strelkov, has repeatedly said Russia faces revolution and even civil war unless President Vladimir Putin’s military top brass fight the war in Ukraine more effectively. A former Federal Security Service (FSB) officer who helped Russia to annex Crimea in 2014 and then to organise pro-Russian militias in eastern Ukraine, Girkin said before his arrest that he and his supporters were entering politics.

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