For months, Oleksandr Kamyshin led Ukraine’s push to increase its production of drones, one of its most important weapons in the fight against Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
Used to strike Moscow’s forces across Ukraine – and into Russia – Mr Kamyshin, 40, was at the forefront of upping the supply of drones in his role as minister for strategic industries and so strengthening Kyiv’s arsenal.
Now, as the president of Ukraine’s chess federation, he faces a different battleground – trying to stop Moscow lift its ban from the world chess community, while also advising Volodymyr Zelensky.
After Moscow’s forces barrelled into Ukraine in February 2022, Russia and its ally, Belarus, were ejected from many international organisations including Fide, the International Chess Federation, the body governing and promoting the game and overseeing the most prestigious competitions.
Although Russian and Belarusian players are allowed to compete in events organised by Fide, the anthems of their countries are not played and they must use the Fide flag instead of their respective nations’ banners. That has been a humiliating setback for Russia, which has always prided itself on its prominent role in the world of chess. Now Moscow plans to regain membership of the body at its general assembly conference in the Hungarian capital Budapest on Sunday The former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan, regarded by Ukraine as a pawn of Mr Putin, initiated Moscow’s comeback gambit by placing a motion to lift all sanctions against Russia on the conference agenda.
Denne historien er fra September 20, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 20, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
'Sometimes tears come out, you have to be an animal'
Whether you want him to or not, 40-year-old heavyweight Derek Chisora isn’t ready to stop yet
Legacy of 'transcendent' Senna finds another gear
There’s something about sport, and the global fandom the lead protagonists generate, which triggers a propensity to heroworship.
Misfiring Madrid struggling to find European safety net
After beating the team 20th in the Premier League, Liverpool defeated the side 24th in the Champions League. The similarities may end there: it is scarcely a surprise Southampton occupy that station in England. But Real Madrid, the reigning champions of Europe, find themselves 24th after five rounds.
Hojlund brace secures win in chaotic performance
The banner in the Stretford End was written in Ruben Amorim’s native Portuguese. “Bem vindo a casa,” it read. Welcome home.
Insurance 'mega merger' is no great deal for consumers
The City loves a deal. Consumers, not so much. For them, a tieup between insurance giants Aviva and Direct Line, at a time when car insurance prices are at historic highs, is a far from enticing prospect.
Is the British car industry on the skids once more?
As Vauxhall plans to close its Luton plant putting 1,100 jobs at risk, Howard Mustoe asks if government policy is to blame
Brat girl's down and dirty
Charli XCX starts her victory lap in Manchester with a live show that’s as brazen as it is brilliant
Obsession and darkness at centre of Hitchcock classic
The 1964 psychodrama Marnie’ was blighted by its director’s behaviour towards the lead star Tippi Hedren, resulting in dramatic results on and off screen
CARDINAL SINS
The twisty, Oscar-tipped Conclave’ needed more than shock and awe, writes Clarisse Loughrey, while the beautiful loneliness of All We Imagine as Light’ will speak to your soul
MasterChef host faces the heat away from the kitchen
Gregg Wallace is stepping back from the long-running BBC show while claims of misconduct are probed. Nick Hilton looks at the story of the greengrocer-turned-TV presenter