themoscowtimes--2020-07-20--Russia's Elite Vaccinated for Coronavirus Since April – Bloomberg

“ Several hundred ” billionaires , executives and government officials took the experimental shots developed by the state-run Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology , a researcher familiar with the effort told the outlet .
Members of Russia ’ s ruling elite have been given access to an experimental coronavirus vaccine as early as April , Bloomberg reported Monday , citing unnamed sources .
The four-month experiment is “ legal but kept under wraps to avoid a crush of potential participants , ” the researcher was cited as saying .
“ It ’ s not clear how participants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the official studies , though they are monitored and their results logged by the institute , ” Bloomberg wrote .
Some participants reported experiencing fever and muscle aches after receiving the shots , while one top executive said he had no side effects .
Some executives told Bloomberg they declined the vaccine because it was not yet confirmed to be safe .
Bloomberg said it has confirmed the identities of dozens of people who volunteered to get vaccinated , all of whom declined to be named .
The Gamaleya center ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was unaware of business tycoons testing the candidate vaccine .
An assistant to Russia ’ health minister said the shot has not yet entered “ civilian circulation.
” Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) chief Kirill Dmitriyev , which funds the vaccine research , has said he and his family have taken the experimental vaccine .
Last week , Dmitriyev said he expects Phase III trials of Gamaleya ’ s vaccine involving several thousand people to begin after a 100-person Phase II trial ends Aug. 3 .
Russia has the world ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States , Brazil and India .
The Kremlin has said the nation ’ s scientists are working on almost 50 different vaccine projects .
The United States , Britain and Canada last week accused Russian-linked hackers of targeting labs in their countries that carried out coronavirus vaccine research , claims that Russia said made “ no sense .
”

“Several hundred” billionaires, executives and government officials took the experimental shots developed by the state-run Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, a researcher familiar with the effort told the outlet.
Members of Russia’s ruling elite have been given access to an experimental coronavirus vaccine as early as April, Bloomberg reported Monday, citing unnamed sources.
The four-month experiment is “legal but kept under wraps to avoid a crush of potential participants,” the researcher was cited as saying.
“It’s not clear how participants are selected and they aren’t part of the official studies, though they are monitored and their results logged by the institute,” Bloomberg wrote.
Some participants reported experiencing fever and muscle aches after receiving the shots, while one top executive said he had no side effects. Some executives told Bloomberg they declined the vaccine because it was not yet confirmed to be safe.
Bloomberg said it has confirmed the identities of dozens of people who volunteered to get vaccinated, all of whom declined to be named.
The Gamaleya center’s head Alexander Gintsburg told Interfax he was unaware of business tycoons testing the candidate vaccine. An assistant to Russia’ health minister said the shot has not yet entered “civilian circulation.”
Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) chief Kirill Dmitriyev, which funds the vaccine research, has said he and his family have taken the experimental vaccine.
Last week, Dmitriyev said he expects Phase III trials of Gamaleya’s vaccine involving several thousand people to begin after a 100-person Phase II trial ends Aug. 3.
Russia has the world’s fourth-highest number of coronavirus infections after the United States, Brazil and India. The Kremlin has said the nation’s scientists are working on almost 50 different vaccine projects.
The United States, Britain and Canada last week accused Russian-linked hackers of targeting labs in their countries that carried out coronavirus vaccine research, claims that Russia said made “no sense.”


themoscowtimes--2020-07-20--Russia's Coronavirus Cases Approach 780K as New Infections Lowest Since Late April

The last time Russia reported fewer than 6,000 cases was on April 29 .
The highest number of new cases were in Moscow , the western Siberian region of Khanty-Mansiysk and Sverdlovsk in the Urals .
Monday 's daily fatality figure was the lowest since May 4 .
Russia 's fatality rate has remained low compared to other badly-hit countries , raising speculation that Moscow could be underreporting figures .
Russian authorities began easing anti-virus measures in June ahead of a massive World War II military parade in Moscow and a nationwide vote on constitutional reforms that now allow President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2036 .
Both events were initially postponed due the epidemic .
Moscow plans to open cinemas and theaters on Aug. 1 .
In the capital , masks are mandatory in stores and on public transport but not in the streets .
Several institutes in Russia are working on a coronavirus vaccine .
Last week the Russian Defense Ministry said it had developed a `` safe '' vaccine following clinical trials on a group of volunteers .
The trials are ongoing , and the Defense Ministry expects clinical trials to be fully completed in @ @ @ @

The highest number of new cases were in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Russia's fatality rate has remained low compared to other badly-hit countries, raising speculation that Moscow could be underreporting figures.
Russian authorities began easing anti-virus measures in June ahead of a massive World War II military parade in Moscow and a nationwide vote on constitutional reforms that now allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in power until 2036.
Both events were initially postponed due the epidemic.
Moscow opened cinemas and theaters on Aug. 1. In the capital, masks are mandatory in stores and on public transport but not in the streets.
Several institutes in Russia are working on a coronavirus vaccine.
The Russian Defense Ministry has said it developed a "safe" vaccine following clinical trials on a group of volunteers.
The trials are ongoing, and the Defense Ministry expects clinical trials to be fully completed in the coming weeks.
AFP contributed reporting to this article.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-20--In Belarus, 3 Women Unite to Fight Strongman Lukashenko

Their campaign comes as the rights group Amnesty International on Friday released a report condemning the ex-Soviet country 's discriminatory treatment of women opposition activists , citing threats of sexual violence and taking their children into care .
Three women have teamed up to fight presidential polls in Belarus , pitting `` female solidarity '' against strongman Alexander Lukashenko , who insists the country is not ready for a woman president .
Lukashenko is standing for a sixth term in Aug. 9 polls in the authoritarian country bordering Russia and the European Union .
The vote 's result is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous elections , not recognized as free or fair by Western observers .
Law enforcement forces detained hundreds at opposition protests this week and three prominent opposition figures are in custody .
But the contest has been shaken up by the decision of one woman , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , to stand for president in place of her husband , a popular opposition YouTube blogger , after the authorities prevented him from submitting his candidacy by detaining him .
In a surprise move , the central electoral commission registered Tikhanovskaya as a candidate on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she has no gift for public speaking and never thought the authorities would register her .
`` Everyone knows how I ended up here : out of love for my husband , '' she told a news conference in Minsk on Friday .
However , analysts reacted with skepticism , saying the opposition was too divided to make an impact after the central electoral commission dropped two stronger opposition candidates .
These were Viktor Babaryko , an ex-banker seen as Lukashenko 's strongest rival who has been detained on suspicion of financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ popular opposition figure .
Then on Thursday the campaign teams of Tikhanovskaya , Babaryko and Tsepkalo announced they were joining forces .
Tikhanovskaya posed for a campaign photo with Maria Kolesnikova , Babaryko 's campaign chief , and Veronika Tsepkalo , the wife of the former diplomat turned opposition politician .
Tikhanovskaya defiantly punched the air , Tsepkalo made a V sign and Kolesnikova linked her fingers in a heart shape .
The picture quickly went viral with Belarussians posting memes .
`` The main item on yesterday 's news was a photograph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' wrote political analyst Alexander Feduta on the website of Warsaw-based Belsat opposition television channel .
`` It seems all of society was waiting right now for this union . ''
The women repeated the gestures in Minsk on Friday as Tsepkalo urged Belarussians to `` vote for Svetlana ! ''
`` We decided to unite and show what female solidarity is , '' she said .
`` We 're not second-class , we 're equal to men and we believe we 'll win . ''
At the same time , Tikhanovskaya acknowledged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rid of my fear , '' saying she is `` very worried '' about her husband .
Investigators searching his country home turned up $ 900,000 allegedly hidden in a sofa .
Previously stocky , he appeared much thinner when he spoke via video link at a hearing .

Their campaign comes as the rights group Amnesty International on Friday released a report condemning the ex-Soviet country's discriminatory treatment of women opposition activists, citing threats of sexual violence and taking their children into care.
Three women have teamed up to fight presidential polls in Belarus, pitting "female solidarity" against strongman Alexander Lukashenko, who insists the country is not ready for a woman president.
Lukashenko is standing for a sixth term in Aug. 9 polls in the authoritarian country bordering Russia and the European Union.
The vote's result is in little doubt given his total dominance of previous elections, not recognized as free or fair by Western observers.
Law enforcement forces detained hundreds at opposition protests this week and three prominent opposition figures are in custody.
'Out of love'
But the contest has been shaken up by the decision of one woman, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, to stand for president in place of her husband, a popular opposition YouTube blogger, after the authorities prevented him from submitting his candidacy by detaining him.
In a surprise move, the central electoral commission registered Tikhanovskaya as a candidate on Tuesday.
The 37-year-old languages teacher has said she has no gift for public speaking and never thought the authorities would register her.
"Everyone knows how I ended up here: out of love for my husband," she told a news conference in Minsk on Friday.
It's a story Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta called "pure Hollywood."
However, analysts reacted with skepticism, saying the opposition was too divided to make an impact after the central electoral commission dropped two stronger opposition candidates.
These were Viktor Babaryko, an ex-banker seen as Lukashenko's strongest rival who has been detained on suspicion of financial crimes, and Valery Tsepkalo, a popular opposition figure.
Then on Thursday the campaign teams of Tikhanovskaya, Babaryko and Tsepkalo announced they were joining forces.
Tikhanovskaya posed for a campaign photo with Maria Kolesnikova, Babaryko's campaign chief, and Veronika Tsepkalo, the wife of the former diplomat turned opposition politician.
Tikhanovskaya defiantly punched the air, Tsepkalo made a V sign and Kolesnikova linked her fingers in a heart shape. The picture quickly went viral with Belarussians posting memes.
"The main item on yesterday's news was a photograph with three beautiful Belarussian women together," wrote political analyst Alexander Feduta on the website of Warsaw-based Belsat opposition television channel.
"It seems all of society was waiting right now for this union."
'Not second-class'
The women repeated the gestures in Minsk on Friday as Tsepkalo urged Belarussians to "vote for Svetlana!"
"We decided to unite and show what female solidarity is," she said.
"We're not second-class, we're equal to men and we believe we'll win."
At the same time, Tikhanovskaya acknowledged: "I still haven't got rid of my fear," saying she is "very worried" about her husband.
Sergei Tikhanovsky faces a criminal charge over organizing protests.
Investigators searching his country home turned up $900,000 allegedly hidden in a sofa.
Previously stocky, he appeared much thinner when he spoke via video link at a hearing.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-20--Investigators Re-Confirm Last Russian Royal Family’s Remains

Authorities had relaunched the probe into the July 17 , 1918 , execution of Nicholas II , his wife and their five children in 2015 .
On the 100th anniversary of their killing in 2018 , the Investigative Committee said genetic tests showed that seven of the 11 remains discovered near Yekaterinburg belonged to the Romanov family .
Russian investigators have reiterated their conclusion that human remains found in central Russia belong to Tsar Nicholas II and his family , who were killed by revolutionaries over a century ago .
Its latest findings are based on 37 evaluations by forensic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Investigative Committee said in a statement Friday .
The evaluations have allowed investigators to rule out claims that 11 people and their executioners could not have fit into the small room where the Romanovs were shot and to establish that their bodies were not mutilated with sulphuric acid .
The Investigative Committee said the investigation was still looking into how the Romanov family and their four attendants , including a family physician , were killed .
Although the Russian Orthodox Church still does not accept that the remains found are those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to rest with honors in 1998 in St. Petersburg ’ s Peter and Paul Cathedral , where most of the Russian monarchs since Peter the Great are entombed .
In 2000 , the Russian Orthodox Church canonized the family as passion bearers for the `` humbleness , patience and meekness '' with which they accepted their deaths .
The Russian Orthodox Church has also declared July 17 a day of remembrance for Nicholas II and his family .
More than 10,000 worshippers took part in the Church 's memorial procession in Yekaterinburg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .
Public polls conducted in recent years have shown that a majority of Russian respondents believed that the execution of the Romanov family was “ heinous and unjustified .
”

Authorities had relaunched the probe into the July 17, 1918, execution of Nicholas II, his wife and their five children in 2015. On the 100th anniversary of their killing in 2018, the Investigative Committee said genetic tests showed that seven of the 11 remains discovered near Yekaterinburg belonged to the Romanov family.
Russian investigators have reiterated their conclusion that human remains found in central Russia belong to Tsar Nicholas II and his family, who were killed by revolutionaries over a century ago.
Its latest findings are based on 37 evaluations by forensic, molecular, genetic and handwriting experts, the Investigative Committee said in a statement Friday.
The evaluations have allowed investigators to rule out claims that 11 people and their executioners could not have fit into the small room where the Romanovs were shot and to establish that their bodies were not mutilated with sulphuric acid.
The Investigative Committee said the investigation was still looking into how the Romanov family and their four attendants, including a family physician, were killed.
Although the Russian Orthodox Church still does not accept that the remains found are those of the Romanov family, it laid them to rest with honors in 1998 in St. Petersburg’s Peter and Paul Cathedral, where most of the Russian monarchs since Peter the Great are entombed.
In 2000, the Russian Orthodox Church canonized the family as passion bearers for the "humbleness, patience and meekness" with which they accepted their deaths.
The Russian Orthodox Church has also declared July 17 a day of remembrance for Nicholas II and his family. More than 10,000 worshippers took part in the Church's memorial procession in Yekaterinburg on Friday despite the threat of the coronavirus pandemic.
Public polls conducted in recent years have shown that a majority of Russian respondents believed that the execution of the Romanov family was “heinous and unjustified.”


themoscowtimes--2020-07-20--News From Russia: What You Missed Over the Weekend

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Russia 's Far East in a rare show of defiance against the Kremlin as they protested the arrest of their region 's popular governor .
The protests in Khabarovsk , a city of some 600,000 people , began a week ago following the sudden arrest of governor Sergei Furgal in a murder probe .
Smaller rallies also took place in nearby cities and towns including Komsomolsk-on-Amur and Amursk as well as the Pacific port of Vladivostok in the neighboring Primorye region .
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK and its allies that Russia targeted labs conducting coronavirus research , branding the behavior `` outrageous and reprehensible . ''
Moscow quickly rejected the accusations as `` groundless , '' and its ambassador to London said in a British television interview Sunday the claims made `` no sense.
” More than 30 people were detained outside Russia ’ s lower house of parliament in Moscow and St. Petersburg for staging solo pickets against legislation that would outlaw gay and transgender marriage and adoptions .
Lawmakers submitted the draft bill to ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Code two weeks after voters approved constitutional amendments that include a provision defining marriage as a “ union between a man and a woman .
”

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Russia's Far East in a rare show of defiance against the Kremlin as they protested the arrest of their region's popular governor.
The protests in Khabarovsk, a city of some 600,000 people, began a week ago following the sudden arrest of governor Sergei Furgal in a murder probe. Smaller rallies also took place in nearby cities and towns including Komsomolsk-on-Amur and Amursk as well as the Pacific port of Vladivostok in the neighboring Primorye region.
Vaccine clash
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said he was "absolutely confident" in allegations by the UK and its allies that Russia targeted labs conducting coronavirus research, branding the behavior "outrageous and reprehensible."
Moscow quickly rejected the accusations as "groundless," and its ambassador to London said in a British television interview Sunday the claims made "no sense.”
LGBT rights
More than 30 people were detained outside Russia’s lower house of parliament in Moscow and St. Petersburg for staging solo pickets against legislation that would outlaw gay and transgender marriage and adoptions.
Lawmakers submitted the draft bill to ban same-sex marriage in Russia’s Family Code two weeks after voters approved constitutional amendments that include a provision defining marriage as a “union between a man and a woman.”


themoscowtimes--2020-07-20--Creator of 1980 Moscow Olympic Bear Mascot Dies at 84

The children 's book illustrator came up with the cuddly bear to represent the controversial Games , boycotted by countries including the United States .
Viktor Chizhikov , the Russian illustrator behind the memorable Mishka bear mascot of the 1980 Moscow Olympics , died on Monday aged 84 , his publisher said .
The publisher AST Deti announced his death on Facebook , calling him the `` brightest representative of the post-war generation of book illustrators . ''
Chizhikov won a contest among Soviet artists to draw the mascot .
The bear Mishka wore a belt featuring the Olympic rings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ badges to china figurines that have now become highly collectable .
At the closing ceremony , a giant balloon figure of the bear was carried into the center of a Moscow stadium .
At the same time , people sitting in the stands held up flash cards to create a composite image of the bear shedding a tear .
Finally , the helium-filled figure flew off as Soviet stars performed a song with the lyrics : `` Goodbye , our affectionate Mishka , go back to your fairytale forest . ''
`` When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stadium was crying , '' then-chief coach of the U.S.S.R. ski team Leonid Tyagachev told RT television on Monday .
`` Everyone remembered that , not just the U.S.S.R. team members but the whole world and the viewers were blown away . ''
`` Usually I do n't like my drawings , '' Chizhikov said at a talk at Moscow International Book Fair in 2019 , adding he usually spotted things he wished he could change .
`` I 've been looking at the Olympic Mishka for 40 years .
I ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had scant regard for copyright and Chizhikov did not own the rights to the image , losing a court case against NTV television channel in 2010 , the Sports.ru website reported .
He commented at the time that he was not surprised since he had seen T-shirts with the image on sale at souvenir stands for 30 years and `` they have n't paid me a ruble . ''
Born in Moscow to architect parents , Chizhikov started out as a cartoonist whose work appeared in the satirical magazine Krokodil , aimed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children 's publications with print-runs of millions .
`` My debut in print was on 23 February , 1952 , '' he recalled , saying he used the fee for a cartoon in a newspaper for municipal workers to buy his mother a bottle of perfume and go to the cinema .
`` No one could have been happier , '' he said .
At the time , drawing for magazines was the route to becoming a book illustrator , he said .
He went on to illustrate popular children 's books including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illustrated a Soviet version of Hugh Lofting 's `` Doctor Dolittle '' as well as the Soviet versions of A.A. Milne 's Winnie the Pooh books .
He also worked with Sergei Mikhalkov , the author of the Soviet anthem praising Josef Stalin .

The children's book illustrator came up with the cuddly bear to represent the controversial Games, boycotted by countries including the United States.
Viktor Chizhikov, the Russian illustrator behind the memorable Mishka bear mascot of the 1980 Moscow Olympics, died on Monday aged 84, his publisher said.
The publisher AST Deti announced his death on Facebook, calling him the "brightest representative of the post-war generation of book illustrators."
Chizhikov won a contest among Soviet artists to draw the mascot.
The bear Mishka wore a belt featuring the Olympic rings. He was reproduced in merchandise from badges to china figurines that have now become highly collectable.
At the closing ceremony, a giant balloon figure of the bear was carried into the center of a Moscow stadium.
At the same time, people sitting in the stands held up flash cards to create a composite image of the bear shedding a tear.
Finally, the helium-filled figure flew off as Soviet stars performed a song with the lyrics: "Goodbye, our affectionate Mishka, go back to your fairytale forest."
"When the bear flew off, half the stadium was crying," then-chief coach of the U.S.S.R. ski team Leonid Tyagachev told RT television on Monday.
"Everyone remembered that, not just the U.S.S.R. team members but the whole world and the viewers were blown away."
"Usually I don't like my drawings," Chizhikov said at a talk at Moscow International Book Fair in 2019, adding he usually spotted things he wished he could change.
"I've been looking at the Olympic Mishka for 40 years. I can't see any flaws."
The U.S.S.R. had scant regard for copyright and Chizhikov did not own the rights to the image, losing a court case against NTV television channel in 2010, the Sports.ru website reported.
He commented at the time that he was not surprised since he had seen T-shirts with the image on sale at souvenir stands for 30 years and "they haven't paid me a ruble."
Born in Moscow to architect parents, Chizhikov started out as a cartoonist whose work appeared in the satirical magazine Krokodil, aimed at adults, as well as in numerous children's publications with print-runs of millions.
"My debut in print was on 23 February, 1952," he recalled, saying he used the fee for a cartoon in a newspaper for municipal workers to buy his mother a bottle of perfume and go to the cinema.
"No one could have been happier," he said.
At the time, drawing for magazines was the route to becoming a book illustrator, he said.
He went on to illustrate popular children's books including Soviet reworkings of Western classics.
He illustrated a Soviet version of Hugh Lofting's "Doctor Dolittle" as well as the Soviet versions of A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh books.
He also worked with Sergei Mikhalkov, the author of the Soviet anthem praising Josef Stalin.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-20--U.S. Blacklists Chechen Leader for Rights Abuses

The department said Kadyrov , his spouse Medni Kadyrova , and his daughters Aishat Kadyrova and Karina Kadyrova , were designated under its Section 7031 ( c ) sanctions , which bans them from traveling to the United States .
The U.S. State Department placed Chechen Republic leader Ramzan Kadyrov on its blacklist of human rights violators Monday for alleged torture , extrajudicial killings and other violations it said go back more than a decade .
`` This designation is due to Kadyrov 's involvement in gross violations of human rights in the Chechen Republic , '' said Secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The designation `` serves to notify Mr. Kadyrov that his involvement in gross violations of human rights has consequences , both for him and his family , '' said Pompeo .
In response Kadyrov posted a picture of himself on his Telegram account wielding two machine guns with a taunt : `` Pompeo , we accept the fight !
From now it 's going to get more interesting ! ''
Separately on the social media platform VKontakte , he questioned why the new sanctions were applied to his wife and children .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what rights have they violated ? ''
he said , calling the United States `` schemers , liars and global provocateurs . ''
The U.S. move came two weeks after two Russians from Chechnya were arrested in Austria over the fatal shooting of a Chechen dissident blogger , Mamikhan Umarov , in Linz .
Kadyrov blamed the murder on unspecified `` foreign security services '' who sought to make him look culpable .
In January 2020 Chechen opposition leader Imran Aliev was found dead in a hotel room in the northern French city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In February Tumso Abdurakhmanov , a blogger critical of Kadyrov , was attacked with a hammer in Sweden .
Two Russian citizens were arrested for attempted murder .
A loyal ally of President Vladimir Putin , Kadyrov has led Chechnya since 2007 and is widely seen as having carte blanche from Moscow to use heavy-handed tactics .
He is accused by rights activists of crushing freedom of speech and overseeing harsh reprisals against opponents and the LGBT community .
Kadyrov and several associates are already under economic sanctions set by the U.S. Treasury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned that Kadyrov `` is now using the excuse of the coronavirus pandemic to inflict further human rights abuses on the people of the Chechen Republic . ''
In Moscow a government spokesperson told local news agencies that Russia would react to Washington 's action .
`` It will be difficult to mirror the move but we will think of something , '' she said .

The department said Kadyrov, his spouse Medni Kadyrova, and his daughters Aishat Kadyrova and Karina Kadyrova, were designated under its Section 7031(c) sanctions, which bans them from traveling to the United States.
The U.S. State Department placed Chechen Republic leader Ramzan Kadyrov on its blacklist of human rights violators Monday for alleged torture, extrajudicial killings and other violations it said go back more than a decade.
"This designation is due to Kadyrov's involvement in gross violations of human rights in the Chechen Republic," said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a statement.
The designation "serves to notify Mr. Kadyrov that his involvement in gross violations of human rights has consequences, both for him and his family," said Pompeo.
In response Kadyrov posted a picture of himself on his Telegram account wielding two machine guns with a taunt: "Pompeo, we accept the fight! From now it's going to get more interesting!"
Separately on the social media platform VKontakte, he questioned why the new sanctions were applied to his wife and children.
"What crimes have they committed, and what rights have they violated?" he said, calling the United States "schemers, liars and global provocateurs."
The U.S. move came two weeks after two Russians from Chechnya were arrested in Austria over the fatal shooting of a Chechen dissident blogger, Mamikhan Umarov, in Linz.
Kadyrov blamed the murder on unspecified "foreign security services" who sought to make him look culpable.
In January 2020 Chechen opposition leader Imran Aliev was found dead in a hotel room in the northern French city of Lille, stabbed 135 times.
In February Tumso Abdurakhmanov, a blogger critical of Kadyrov, was attacked with a hammer in Sweden. Two Russian citizens were arrested for attempted murder.
A loyal ally of President Vladimir Putin, Kadyrov has led Chechnya since 2007 and is widely seen as having carte blanche from Moscow to use heavy-handed tactics.
He is accused by rights activists of crushing freedom of speech and overseeing harsh reprisals against opponents and the LGBT community.
Kadyrov and several associates are already under economic sanctions set by the U.S. Treasury.
The State Department said they are concerned that Kadyrov "is now using the excuse of the coronavirus pandemic to inflict further human rights abuses on the people of the Chechen Republic."
In Moscow a government spokesperson told local news agencies that Russia would react to Washington's action.
"It will be difficult to mirror the move but we will think of something," she said.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-20--Russian Arctic Mayor Resigns After Virus 'Cover-Up' Claim

Rinat Akhmetchin , mayor of the Siberian city located 300 kilometers ( 186 miles ) north of the Arctic Circle , announced his departure during a briefing .
The mayor of the Russian Arctic city of Norilsk on Monday announced his resignation after accusing regional officials of massively underreporting coronavirus figures .
His resignation came as President Vladimir Putin on Monday boasted that Russia 's virus situation is improving and numbers of cases and deaths are far lower than in many European countries .
Akhmetchin last week sent a letter to regional officials accusing the regional health ministry of `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those ill from federal agencies , '' Siberian news site Tayga.Info reported .
He claimed that there had been 832 confirmed cases in Norilsk while the regional health ministry gave the figure of 293 .
He also complained hospitals lacked staff and patients were waiting for hours in corridors , the Siberian news site reported .
Akhmetchin said Monday that he resigned after regional officials at a meeting put the blame on him for failings .
`` I did n't lie and I never wanted to lie , all the information I gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 55-year-old who has headed the city since 2017 .
The regional health ministry said Monday that there have been 436 cases of coronavirus confirmed by testing in Norilsk .
It said the situation in Norilsk `` had stabilized '' in the last week and there were enough hospital beds .
Built on permafrost , Norilsk is one of the northernmost cities in the world .
For more than a month each year , the sun never rises .
It had many Gulag prison camps in the Soviet era .
Lockdown measures have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole of the Krasnoyarsk region , one of the worst-hit .
It has confirmed 11,528 cases and 260 deaths .
The Norilsk mayor was already under pressure as he faces a criminal charge of negligence over a fuel spill near the city last month that saw thousands of tonnes of diesel leak into soil and waterways .
He faces up to six months in prison if convicted over the spill , which environmentalists say is the largest to have ever hit the Arctic region .
Norilsk is a highly polluted city and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a subsidiary of Norilsk Nickel metals giant .

Rinat Akhmetchin, mayor of the Siberian city located 300 kilometers (186 miles) north of the Arctic Circle, announced his departure during a briefing.
The mayor of the Russian Arctic city of Norilsk on Monday announced his resignation after accusing regional officials of massively underreporting coronavirus figures.
His resignation came as President Vladimir Putin on Monday boasted that Russia's virus situation is improving and numbers of cases and deaths are far lower than in many European countries.
Akhmetchin last week sent a letter to regional officials accusing the regional health ministry of "concealing real information about the numbers of those ill from federal agencies," Siberian news site Tayga.Info reported.
He claimed that there had been 832 confirmed cases in Norilsk while the regional health ministry gave the figure of 293.
He also complained hospitals lacked staff and patients were waiting for hours in corridors, the Siberian news site reported.
Akhmetchin said Monday that he resigned after regional officials at a meeting put the blame on him for failings.
"I didn't lie and I never wanted to lie, all the information I gave came from official sources," said the 55-year-old who has headed the city since 2017.
The regional health ministry said Monday that there have been 436 cases of coronavirus confirmed by testing in Norilsk.
It said the situation in Norilsk "had stabilized" in the last week and there were enough hospital beds.
Built on permafrost, Norilsk is one of the northernmost cities in the world. For more than a month each year, the sun never rises. It had many Gulag prison camps in the Soviet era.
Lockdown measures have been extended till Aug. 9 over the whole of the Krasnoyarsk region, one of the worst-hit.
It has confirmed 11,528 cases and 260 deaths.
The Norilsk mayor was already under pressure as he faces a criminal charge of negligence over a fuel spill near the city last month that saw thousands of tonnes of diesel leak into soil and waterways.
He faces up to six months in prison if convicted over the spill, which environmentalists say is the largest to have ever hit the Arctic region.
Norilsk is a highly polluted city and the leak was from a power plant owned by a subsidiary of Norilsk Nickel metals giant.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-20--Putin Inaugurates New Warships, Hails Russia's Virus Response in Crimea Visit

Putin in recent years has called improving the Russian Navy 's combat capabilities a priority .
Speaking at the Zaliv shipyard in the city of Kerch , Putin said Russia will continue to develop its naval force , with the share of modern ships to exceed 70 % of its fleet by 2027 .
President Vladimir Putin on Monday boasted of Russia ’ s naval capabilities and hailed the country ’ s response to the coronavirus during a keel-laying ceremony for new warships in Moscow-annexed Crimea .
During Monday 's ceremony , two Project 23900 amphibious assault ships were laid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Admiral Grigorovich-class stealth frigates were laid down at a shipyard in St. Petersburg ; and two Yasen M-class nuclear submarines were laid down at a shipyard in the Arkhangelsk region .
`` Today , [ the Navy ] plays an extremely important role in ensuring the security of Russia , defending its national interests and providing strategic balance and stability in the world , '' Putin said .
Addressing hard-hatted workers at the Zaliv shipyard , Putin added that Russia has come through the coronavirus pandemic with far fewer infections and deaths than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Putin were not wearing facemasks .
`` So far we are managing to turn this difficult page with minimal losses , '' Putin told hard-hatted workers at a shipyard in the city of Kerch .
`` The situation is improving , '' he said , while noting other countries are seeing a `` flare-up '' in cases .
The strongman has only rarely been seen wearing protective equipment , but his spokesman has said those who meet him , at least at the Kremlin and his country residence , have to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Only around 0.5 % of Russia 's population of more than 140 million have been infected , Putin said .
The death rate among those infected is `` 1.5 % , '' Putin said , while in `` rich European countries '' it reaches over 15 % .

President Vladimir Putin on Monday boasted of Russia’s naval capabilities and hailed the country’s response to the coronavirus during a keel-laying ceremony for new warships in Moscow-annexed Crimea. Putin in recent years has called improving the Russian Navy's combat capabilities a priority. Speaking at the Zaliv shipyard in the city of Kerch, Putin said Russia will continue to develop its naval force, with the share of modern ships to exceed 70% of its fleet by 2027.
During Monday's ceremony, two Project 23900 amphibious assault ships were laid down at the Zaliv shipyard; two Admiral Grigorovich-class stealth frigates were laid down at a shipyard in St. Petersburg; and two Yasen M-class nuclear submarines were laid down at a shipyard in the Arkhangelsk region. "Today, [the Navy] plays an extremely important role in ensuring the security of Russia, defending its national interests and providing strategic balance and stability in the world," Putin said. Addressing hard-hatted workers at the Zaliv shipyard, Putin added that Russia has come through the coronavirus pandemic with far fewer infections and deaths than many other European countries. The workers and Putin were not wearing facemasks. "So far we are managing to turn this difficult page with minimal losses," Putin told hard-hatted workers at a shipyard in the city of Kerch. "The situation is improving," he said, while noting other countries are seeing a "flare-up" in cases. The strongman has only rarely been seen wearing protective equipment, but his spokesman has said those who meet him, at least at the Kremlin and his country residence, have to take virus tests and get sprayed with disinfectant. Only around 0.5% of Russia's population of more than 140 million have been infected, Putin said. The death rate among those infected is "1.5%," Putin said, while in "rich European countries" it reaches over 15%.
news Naval Chiefs at Russian Submarine Ceremony Ignore Coronavirus Safety Rules Read more


themoscowtimes--2020-07-20--Putin Names New Governor to Far East Region Hit by Protests

Putin officially sacked Sergei Furgal , who was detained this month on murder charges , and named LDPR lawmaker Mikhail Degtyarev to replace him .
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday named a new leader of the Far Eastern region of Khabarovsk from the nationalist LDPR party after the arrest of its popular governor brought thousands to the streets .
The arrest of 50-year-old Furgal , who defeated a candidate from the ruling United Russia party to win the governorship in 2018 , has sparked daily demonstrations in Khabarovsk , a city of 600,000 on the border with China .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturdays drew tens of thousands , with some estimates putting the crowds at more than 50,000 .
Critics say the charges are politically motivated and have demanded that Furgal , who was flown to Moscow to stand trial , face the charges in Khabarovsk .
Putin named Degtyarev , 39 , as acting governor during a televised video link-up , saying he faced `` a very demanding , very important '' job in the region .
Putin did not mention the protests in Khabarovsk but said Degtyarev needed to focus on helping the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' residents .
`` We have to look to the future and not forget about the strategic plans for developing this huge and very important region , '' Putin said .
Degtyarev , who unlike Furgal is from central Russia and not the Far East , said he was ready to head to the region immediately .
He said he would aim to ensure the `` stable work '' of the regional government and the fight against the coronavirus epidemic .
According to a decree released by the Kremlin , Degtyarev will serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be held next year .
Furgal 's arrest sparked an outcry from members of the LDPR , a Kremlin-friendly party that has been led for decades by nationalist firebrand Vladimir Zhirinovsky .

Putin officially sacked Sergei Furgal, who was detained this month on murder charges, and named LDPR lawmaker Mikhail Degtyarev to replace him.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday named a new leader of the Far Eastern region of Khabarovsk from the nationalist LDPR party after the arrest of its popular governor brought thousands to the streets.
The arrest of 50-year-old Furgal, who defeated a candidate from the ruling United Russia party to win the governorship in 2018, has sparked daily demonstrations in Khabarovsk, a city of 600,000 on the border with China.
The biggest demonstrations on the last two Saturdays drew tens of thousands, with some estimates putting the crowds at more than 50,000.
Critics say the charges are politically motivated and have demanded that Furgal, who was flown to Moscow to stand trial, face the charges in Khabarovsk.
Putin named Degtyarev, 39, as acting governor during a televised video link-up, saying he faced "a very demanding, very important" job in the region.
Putin did not mention the protests in Khabarovsk but said Degtyarev needed to focus on helping the region's "very talented and active" residents.
"We have to look to the future and not forget about the strategic plans for developing this huge and very important region," Putin said.
Degtyarev, who unlike Furgal is from central Russia and not the Far East, said he was ready to head to the region immediately.
He said he would aim to ensure the "stable work" of the regional government and the fight against the coronavirus epidemic.
According to a decree released by the Kremlin, Degtyarev will serve as acting governor until an election can be held next year.
Furgal's arrest sparked an outcry from members of the LDPR, a Kremlin-friendly party that has been led for decades by nationalist firebrand Vladimir Zhirinovsky.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-20--Kremlin Critic Navalny Dissolves Anti-Corruption Foundation After ‘Putin’s Chef’ Lawsuit

Prominent Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny is closing his foundation that has produced several high-profile investigations into alleged corruption among top government officials , he announced Monday .
The Anti-Corruption Foundation ( FBK ) has faced a number of lawsuits over its video investigations targeting figures ranging from former Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Oleg Deripaska .
The Russian courts have sided with the plaintiffs and ordered the FBK to pay large fines for what they ruled to be false or defamatory information .
One of the lawsuits , filed by a school-lunch provider believed to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is seeking 88 million rubles ( $ 1.2 million ) from the FBK , Navalny and his ally Lyubov Sobol .
“ It ’ s a giant sum and I don ’ t even see the point in collecting it , ” Navalny wrote in a statement on his website announcing FBK ’ s closure .
Prigozhin is widely known as “ Putin ’ s chef ” for organizing President Vladimir Putin ’ s dinners with foreign dignitaries .
He has also been linked to a private Russian military contractor widely reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Libya and eastern Ukraine , as well as to `` troll farms '' accused of stoking online division during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign .
Sobol has previously pursued legal action against Prigozhin over school meals linked to his catering business that she alleges caused a dysentery outbreak among dozens of children in Moscow in late 2018 .
The FBK will continue its anti-corruption investigations under a different legal name , Navalny said .
“ Let Putin and Prigozhin choke on that , ” he said .
The Justice Ministry blacklisted the FBK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign agent ” law that imposes crippling auditing and reporting requirements on the listed groups .
The authorities , riled by the group 's embarrassing video investigations , also froze bank accounts linked to Navalny and raided his nationwide political network as part of a money laundering investigation that he says is trumped up .

Prominent Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny is closing his foundation that has produced several high-profile investigations into alleged corruption among top government officials, he announced Monday. The Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) has faced a number of lawsuits over its video investigations targeting figures ranging from former Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Oleg Deripaska. The Russian courts have sided with the plaintiffs and ordered the FBK to pay large fines for what they ruled to be false or defamatory information.
One of the lawsuits, filed by a school-lunch provider believed to be owned by Kremlin-linked catering magnate Yevgeny Prigozhin, is seeking 88 million rubles ($1.2 million) from the FBK, Navalny and his ally Lyubov Sobol. “It’s a giant sum and I don’t even see the point in collecting it,” Navalny wrote in a statement on his website announcing FBK’s closure. Prigozhin is widely known as “Putin’s chef” for organizing President Vladimir Putin’s dinners with foreign dignitaries. He has also been linked to a private Russian military contractor widely reported to have sent fighters to Syria, Libya and eastern Ukraine, as well as to "troll farms" accused of stoking online division during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-21--Armed Man Takes 'Around 20' Hostages on Bus in Ukraine

An armed man carrying explosives has taken around 20 passengers hostage on a bus in the western Ukrainian city of Lutsk , police said Tuesday .
The head of the local police service said shots were heard at the scene but no injuries have been reported so far .
Law enforcement has cordoned off the center of Lutsk , a city in western Ukraine some 400 kilometers ( 250 miles ) from the capital Kiev , and advised residents not to leave their homes or places of work .
Police said the SBU security services had surrounded the minibus after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement .
`` The attacker threw a grenade from the bus , which , fortunately , did not detonate , '' a statement said , adding that the attacker was believed to have undergone psychiatric treatment .
Video footage and pictures published by local media showed heavily armed police in Lutsk surrounding a blue and white minivan with several windows shattered and its curtains drawn .
The hostage-taker made contact with the police and identified himself as Maksym Plokhoy , deputy interior minister Anton Gerashchenko said .
Gerashchenko later identified the suspect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukrainian citizen originally from Russia 's Orenburg region who uses Maksym Plokhoy as a pseudonym .
According to Gerashchenko , Krivosh has served two separate prison sentences in Lutsk for crimes including robbery , fraud , extortion and illegal weapons possession .

Ukrainian police freed 13 hostages and arrested an armed man who held them on a bus for more than 12 hours on Tuesday, after the country's president agreed to his demand to post a movie recommendation on social media. The SBU security service said a joint operation had resulted in all the hostages being released unharmed after a police stand-off in the western city Lutsk with the man, who threatened to detonate an explosive device unless his strange requests were met. The tense hostage situation seemed to be resolved swiftly after the man spoke on the phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who then recorded a short video, apparently meeting one of the man's demands. Three hostages were quickly let go, followed by the rest about an hour later.
With all hostages free and the hostage-taker in custody, President Zelensky has deleted the Facebook video of himself complying with the armed man's demand to promote the 2005 film Earthlings featuring narration by Joaquin Phoenix. But here it is for posterity. pic.twitter.com/lPcHB8XD3H — Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) July 21, 2020
Footage published by Ukrainian officials showed police escorting people as armed special forces stood over a man lying face down on the pavement near the bus with his hands behind his back. The hostage-taker had earlier fired shots and thrown an explosive package into the street in the center of Lutsk, a city of over 200,000 some 400 kilometers (250 miles) from capital Kiev. 'He convinced him' The man initially made contact with the police identifying himself as Maksym Plokhoy, a pseudonym which translates to "Bad Maxim," police said. He was identified as Maksym Kryvosh, 44, who had previously spent around 10 years in prison on various charges. An account which was later suspended by Twitter had posts under Kryvosh's name claiming he was armed, including with bombs, and demanding top Ukrainian personalities convey anti-establishment messages on social media.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-21--UK Govt Criticized for 'Lack of Curiosity' About Russian 'Meddling'

British lawmakers on Tuesday slammed the government for failing to look into any Russian meddling into UK politics , despite evidence of the country posing a credible threat .
Parliament 's Intelligence and Security Committee 's ( ISC 's ) long-awaited report had been expected to shed light on whether the Kremlin interfered in the landmark 2016 Brexit referendum .
But MPs said they were unable to come to any firm conclusions as the current government or its predecessor had not ordered any investigation due to an apparent `` lack of curiosity . ''
`` There has been no assessment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' lawmakers said after the report was finally published , nearly 15 months after it was completed .
`` Nobody wanted to touch this issue with a 10-foot pole .
This is in stark contrast to the U.S. response of reports of interference in the 2016 US presidential election .
`` No matter how politically awkward or potentially embarrassing , there should have been an assessment ... and there must now be one , and the public must be told the results . ''
In response , the government said it had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the EU referendum '' and denied acting too slowly to the threat .
The publication of the report was being keenly watched because of the divisive Brexit campaign and result , which saw 52 % of Britons vote to leave the European Union .
The issue has dominated British politics ever since , leading to years of parliamentary deadlock that was finally broken by Boris Johnson 's huge election win in December last year .
But after Britain formally left the EU in January , the prime minister and his government have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heightening already tense diplomatic ties .
Last week , Britain said Russian hackers tried to meddle in the 2019 election , and were trying to steal coronavirus vaccine research from UK , U.S. and Canadian labs .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected claims of Russian meddling in UK politics as `` groundless '' and said the report contained only `` ephemeral accusations . ''
`` Russia has never interfered in the electoral process of any country in the world , not in the United States , not in Great Britain , nor in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We do n't do it ourselves and we do n't stand for it when other countries try to interfere in our political affairs . ''
MPs made clear their frustration with being unable to make firmer conclusions , describing themselves as `` shocked '' and `` baffled '' that the government failed to recognize the threat .
That could further fuel claims from Johnson 's opponents about a lack of political will at the heart of government to reveal the extent of Russian involvement and influence in Britain .
Critics have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to publish the report was because it could lay bare donations from wealthy Russians to his ruling Conservative party .
The report said there was `` credible open source commentary '' suggesting Russia tried to influence campaigns in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum .
And it said it should have been a priority to `` mitigate the risk '' for the Brexit vote .
The government `` took its eye off the ball '' and `` badly under-estimated '' its response to the threat .
The report said Russian influence in Britain was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wealthy oligarchs close to President Vladimir Putin accepted and well-integrated in UK business and society .
`` This level of integration ... means that any measures now being taken by the government are not preventative but rather constitute damage limitation , '' it added .
Johnson took over last July from Theresa May , who stepped down after failing to secure parliamentary backing for her Brexit divorce deal with Brussels .
The ISC 's investigation began in November 2017 after concerns that Russia may have tried to influence the Brexit vote in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
At the time of the referendum , May accused Russia of `` planting fake stories '' to `` sow discord in the West and undermine our institutions . ''
ISC member Kevan Jones said that `` ultimately , the prime minister is responsible '' for not looking further into any Russian involvement .
`` The buck has to stop somewhere , '' he said .

British lawmakers on Tuesday slammed the government for failing to look into any Russian meddling into UK politics, despite evidence of the country posing a credible threat.
Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee's (ISC's) long-awaited report had been expected to shed light on whether the Kremlin interfered in the landmark 2016 Brexit referendum.
But MPs said they were unable to come to any firm conclusions as the current government or its predecessor had not ordered any investigation due to an apparent "lack of curiosity."
"There has been no assessment of Russian interference in the EU referendum," lawmakers said after the report was finally published, nearly 15 months after it was completed.
"Nobody wanted to touch this issue with a 10-foot pole. This is in stark contrast to the U.S. response of reports of interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
"No matter how politically awkward or potentially embarrassing, there should have been an assessment... and there must now be one, and the public must be told the results."
In response, the government said it had seen "no evidence of successful interference in the EU referendum" and denied acting too slowly to the threat.
Russia remains a "top national security priority," it added.
The publication of the report was being keenly watched because of the divisive Brexit campaign and result, which saw 52% of Britons vote to leave the European Union.
The issue has dominated British politics ever since, leading to years of parliamentary deadlock that was finally broken by Boris Johnson's huge election win in December last year.
But after Britain formally left the EU in January, the prime minister and his government have taken a stronger line on Russia, heightening already tense diplomatic ties.
Last week, Britain said Russian hackers tried to meddle in the 2019 election, and were trying to steal coronavirus vaccine research from UK, U.S. and Canadian labs.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected claims of Russian meddling in UK politics as "groundless" and said the report contained only "ephemeral accusations."
"Russia has never interfered in the electoral process of any country in the world, not in the United States, not in Great Britain, nor in other countries," he told reporters.
"We don't do it ourselves and we don't stand for it when other countries try to interfere in our political affairs."
'Lack of curiosity'
MPs made clear their frustration with being unable to make firmer conclusions, describing themselves as "shocked" and "baffled" that the government failed to recognize the threat.
That could further fuel claims from Johnson's opponents about a lack of political will at the heart of government to reveal the extent of Russian involvement and influence in Britain.
Critics have said the prime minister's apparent reluctance to publish the report was because it could lay bare donations from wealthy Russians to his ruling Conservative party.
The report said there was "credible open source commentary" suggesting Russia tried to influence campaigns in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.
And it said it should have been a priority to "mitigate the risk" for the Brexit vote.
The government "took its eye off the ball" and "badly under-estimated" its response to the threat.
The report said Russian influence in Britain was "the new normal," with wealthy oligarchs close to President Vladimir Putin accepted and well-integrated in UK business and society.
"This level of integration... means that any measures now being taken by the government are not preventative but rather constitute damage limitation," it added.
Johnson took over last July from Theresa May, who stepped down after failing to secure parliamentary backing for her Brexit divorce deal with Brussels.
The ISC's investigation began in November 2017 after concerns that Russia may have tried to influence the Brexit vote in the same way as the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
At the time of the referendum, May accused Russia of "planting fake stories" to "sow discord in the West and undermine our institutions."
ISC member Kevan Jones said that "ultimately, the prime minister is responsible" for not looking further into any Russian involvement.
"The buck has to stop somewhere," he said.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-21--Russia’s Coronavirus Vaccine ‘Ready,’ Military Says

The Defense Ministry , which says it has worked with government researchers to develop the vector vaccine , on Monday released the last group of volunteer soldiers testing the experimental shot in its Phase I trials .
First Deputy Defense Minister Ruslan Tsalikov told the Argumenty i Fakty newspaper that military experts and the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology scientists have made “ final assessments.
” The Russian military has said its experimental coronavirus vaccine which has not yet completed Phase II trials and is yet to begin Phase III is “ ready.
” “ At the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received immunity from the coronavirus , ” he was quoted as saying Tuesday .
“ Thus , the first domestic vaccine against the novel coronavirus infection is ready , ” Tsalikov said .
Russia ’ s Health Ministry disputed the deputy defense minister ’ s characterization , saying the vaccine 's trials have not yet ended .
Alexei Kuznetsov , assistant to the health minister , said the ministry plans to work on the candidate vaccine ’ s state registration process after Phase II of the trials .
Kirill Dmitriyev , whose Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trials , has said he expects the 100-person Phase II trial to end Aug. 3 .
Dmitriyev said he hopes to produce 200 million doses of coronavirus vaccine with foreign partners by the end of 2020 .
He said Turkey , the United Arab Emirates and other countries would be involved in Phase III trials .
`` Immediately after that we are planning to begin mass production , '' Dmitriyev said in a statement on Russia 's state anti-coronavirus portal .
The vaccine is based on human adenovirus , a common cold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been developed since the 1980s and are generally safe .
Russia has the world ’ s fourth-highest number of coronavirus infections after the United States , Brazil and India .
The Kremlin has said the nation ’ s scientists were working on almost 50 different vaccine projects .
Last week Britain , the United States and Canada said a hacking group `` almost certainly '' linked to Russian intelligence had carried out attacks aimed at stealing vaccine research , a claim denied by Moscow .

The Defense Ministry, which says it has worked with government researchers to develop the vector vaccine, on Monday released the last group of volunteer soldiers testing the experimental shot in its Phase I trials. First Deputy Defense Minister Ruslan Tsalikov told the Argumenty i Fakty newspaper that military experts and the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology scientists have made “final assessments.”
The Russian military has said its experimental coronavirus vaccine which has not yet completed Phase II trials and is yet to begin Phase III is “ready.”
“At the time of discharge, all volunteers without exception received immunity from the coronavirus,” he was quoted as saying Tuesday.
“Thus, the first domestic vaccine against the novel coronavirus infection is ready,” Tsalikov said.
Russia’s Health Ministry disputed the deputy defense minister’s characterization, saying the vaccine's trials have not yet ended.
Alexei Kuznetsov, assistant to the health minister, said the ministry plans to work on the candidate vaccine’s state registration process after Phase II of the trials.
Kirill Dmitriyev, whose Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) funds the trials, has said he expects the 100-person Phase II trial to end Aug. 3.
Dmitriyev said he hopes to produce 200 million doses of coronavirus vaccine with foreign partners by the end of 2020. He said Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and other countries would be involved in Phase III trials.
"Immediately after that we are planning to begin mass production," Dmitriyev said in a statement on Russia's state anti-coronavirus portal.
The vaccine is based on human adenovirus, a common cold. Dmitriyev said the adenoviral vector-based vaccines had been developed since the 1980s and are generally safe.
Russia has the world’s fourth-highest number of coronavirus infections after the United States, Brazil and India. The Kremlin has said the nation’s scientists were working on almost 50 different vaccine projects.
Last week Britain, the United States and Canada said a hacking group "almost certainly" linked to Russian intelligence had carried out attacks aimed at stealing vaccine research, a claim denied by Moscow.
AFP contributed reporting to this article.