themoscowtimes--2020-03-30--When Your Home Isn't a Safe Space. Russian Women Fear Rise in Domestic Violence as Coronavirus Quara

When Your Home Isn't a Safe Space. Russian Women Fear Rise in Domestic Violence as Coronavirus Quarantine Starts.

The beatings started for Angelina a few months after she married and only got worse as time went by .
Last Wednesday afternoon , she grabbed all she could carry and took a taxi with her two young sons to a relative ’ s cramped flat on the outskirts of Moscow .
Her husband , a postman , was out of the house on one of his last work shifts as the Russian capital prepared for a week-long paid holiday aimed at keeping people at home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
“ I just had to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down .
It was maybe my last chance to leave him , ” Angelina , 29 , told The Moscow Times by phone , asking for her last name to be left out .
In a country where domestic violence is decriminalized and an old saying goes “ If he beats you , he loves you , ” human rights groups and health workers worry that a strict lockdown put in place from Monday by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin will put vulnerable women like Angelina in danger .
“ As quarantine comes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a perfect storm of domestic violence , ” said Anna Rivina , head of the women ’ s right organization Nasiliyu.nyet ( “ No to Violence ” ) Center .
The exact scale of domestic violence in Russia is not known because of a lack of official data , but a 2012 joint study from Russia ’ s Federal Statistics Service and Health Ministry said that at least every fifth woman in Russia has experienced physical violence at the hands of her partner at some point during her life .
And in 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country ’ s conservative forces , notoriously decriminalized domestic violence , a move the nation ’ s top human rights official later admitted to have been “ a mistake.
” Calls to re-criminalize domestic violence in Russia have intensified after a series of high-profile abuse cases brought the issue to the forefront .
However , for many like Angelina , domestic abuse remains the daily norm .

The beatings started for Angelina a few months after she married and only got worse as time went by. Last Wednesday afternoon, she grabbed all she could carry and took a taxi with her two young sons to a relative’s cramped flat on the outskirts of Moscow. Her husband, a postman, was out of the house on one of his last work shifts as the Russian capital prepared for a week-long paid holiday aimed at keeping people at home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. “I just had to get out of there before the city closed down. It was maybe my last chance to leave him,” Angelina, 29, told The Moscow Times by phone, asking for her last name to be left out. In a country where domestic violence is decriminalized and an old saying goes “If he beats you, he loves you,” human rights groups and health workers worry that a strict lockdown put in place from Monday by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin will put vulnerable women like Angelina in danger. “As quarantine comes in, we are about to sail into a perfect storm of domestic violence,” said Anna Rivina, head of the women’s right organization Nasiliyu.nyet (“No to Violence”) Center. The exact scale of domestic violence in Russia is not known because of a lack of official data, but a 2012 joint study from Russia’s Federal Statistics Service and Health Ministry said that at least every fifth woman in Russia has experienced physical violence at the hands of her partner at some point during her life. And in 2017, President Vladimir Putin, backed by the country’s conservative forces, notoriously decriminalized domestic violence, a move the nation’s top human rights official later admitted to have been “a mistake.” Calls to re-criminalize domestic violence in Russia have intensified after a series of high-profile abuse cases brought the issue to the forefront. However, for many like Angelina, domestic abuse remains the daily norm.
news Moscow Orders Citywide Quarantine Starting March 30 Read more
Rivina believes women in abusive relationships are entering a dangerous period. “Men prone to abuse will be forced to stay at home all day in their small flats with their wives and children without work and an income. Tensions will rise that will transform into abuse.” She pointed to a UN report published earlier this month that studied the impact of the coronavirus on women. Human Rights Watch said that quarantine in China had led to a “greater incidence of domestic violence for reasons including increased stress, cramped and difficult living conditions, and breakdowns in community support mechanisms.” Nowhere to go, no one to call Quarantine threatens to damage the social networks the most vulnerable women rely on, cutting them off from their friends and family and leaving them more dependent on their spouse, said Mari Davtyan, a women’s rights researcher who co-wrote a bill to prevent domestic violence that activists are pushing Russia’s government to consider. “Based on our experience, women who have suffered from aggression usually find refuge with their family when their husband is at work. Now this simply will not be as easy to do,” Davtyan said. The few shelters and community centers in Russia that offered counseling for abused women have also had to shut their doors. One of them is the Independent Social Women's Center in Pskov, a city 700 km outside Moscow. The center’s director Yelena Yablochkina said it had closed despite a spike in requests for help last week. “Unfortunately, we now only have an online call center, but I worry that won’t be enough when we are most needed,” Yablochkina sighed.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-30--Russia's Coronavirus Cases Jump to 1,836 in New Record One-Day Rise

Russia ’ s officially reported numbers — which are still smaller than those in European countries — have sparked suspicion @ @ @ @ @ 's testing capacity is hampered by bureaucracy , while officials warn that the real number @ @ @ @ @ higher .
Most of the cases are in Moscow .
Last week , Moscow changed @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases , with patients considered coronavirus-positive upon a single positive test rather than having @ @ @ @ @ Novosibirsk for further verification .
Starting Monday , all of Moscow 's 12 million residents @ @ @ @ @ their homes with few exceptions .
Worldwide , the virus has infected over 720,000 people @ @ @ @ @ .

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--2020-03-30--News From Russia: What You Missed Over the Weekend

Moscow will enact an indefinite citywide quarantine starting Monday , Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said as the city 's number of @ @ @ @ @ the weekend .
The city ’ s 12 million inhabitants will only be allowed to @ @ @ @ @ emergency medical care , shop for food or medicine , go to work , walk @ @ @ @ @ garbage .
The mayor 's office said it will deploy `` smart monitoring '' to @ @ @ @ @ develop a special pass system for people to leave their homes .
Russia will close @ @ @ @ @ , the government announced , tightening restrictions after the country reported its biggest one-day rise @ @ @ @ @ A decree on the government 's website said Russia would `` temporarily restrict traffic '' @ @ @ @ @ and pedestrian checkpoints , as well as the country 's maritime borders , to prevent @ @ @

Virus lockdown
Moscow will enact an indefinite citywide quarantine starting Monday, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said as the city's number of coronavirus cases surpassed 1,000 over the weekend.
The city’s 12 million inhabitants will only be allowed to leave their homes to seek emergency medical care, shop for food or medicine, go to work, walk pets or take out the garbage. The mayor's office said it will deploy "smart monitoring" to enforce the new rules and develop a special pass system for people to leave their homes.
Border closure
Russia will close all border crossings starting Monday, the government announced, tightening restrictions after the country reported its biggest one-day rise in new coronavirus cases.
A decree on the government's website said Russia would "temporarily restrict traffic" across all vehicle, rail and pedestrian checkpoints, as well as the country's maritime borders, to prevent new infections.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-30--Moscow to Enforce Virus Lockdown With QR Code Passes – Meduza

The partial lockdown in the city of 12.7 million came into force Monday , allowing Muscovites to leave their homes only to seek emergency medical care , shop for food or medicine , go to work , walk pets or take out the garbage .
The mayor 's office will deploy `` smart monitoring '' to enforce the new rules and will develop a special pass system for residents to leave their houses , Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said .
Moscow authorities will enforce its citywide quarantine using QR codes assigned to residents as passes to leave their homes , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a source close to the Russian capital ’ s coronavirus crisis center .
Authorities will issue QR code passes to people who register with their home address on the mayor ’ s website , Meduza cited its unnamed source as saying .
Muscovites will be required to show these QR codes to police officers on demand .
Sobyanin ’ s announcement of the strict self-isolation rules allows movement around Moscow without special passes until the city administration issues a separate decree on what form these passes would take .
Sobyanin did not specify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Meduza cited its source as saying that these would likely take the form of administrative fines .
Moscow authorities are also considering deploying police officers to patrol the streets during the quarantine , Meduza cited its source as saying .
An overwhelming majority of Russia ’ s coronavirus cases have been registered in Moscow , with more than 1,000 out of 1,534 cases and nine out of 11 deaths recorded in the capital .
At least one lawmaker and several lawyers told Russian media that only President Vladimir Putin and Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrict freedom of movement via a state of emergency .
The Kremlin , meanwhile , said it approved of Sobyanin ’ s strict measures to stave off the deadly pandemic .
`` Gradually , but steadily , we will tighten the control necessary in this situation , '' Sobyanin said .

The partial lockdown in the city of 12.7 million came into force Monday, allowing Muscovites to leave their homes only to seek emergency medical care, shop for food or medicine, go to work, walk pets or take out the garbage. The mayor's office will deploy "smart monitoring" to enforce the new rules and will develop a special pass system for residents to leave their houses, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said.
Moscow authorities will enforce its citywide quarantine using QR codes assigned to residents as passes to leave their homes, the Meduza news website reported Sunday, citing a source close to the Russian capital’s coronavirus crisis center.
Authorities will issue QR code passes to people who register with their home address on the mayor’s website, Meduza cited its unnamed source as saying. Muscovites will be required to show these QR codes to police officers on demand.
Sobyanin’s announcement of the strict self-isolation rules allows movement around Moscow without special passes until the city administration issues a separate decree on what form these passes would take.
Sobyanin did not specify the punishments for violating the indefinite quarantine. Meduza cited its source as saying that these would likely take the form of administrative fines.
Moscow authorities are also considering deploying police officers to patrol the streets during the quarantine, Meduza cited its source as saying.
An overwhelming majority of Russia’s coronavirus cases have been registered in Moscow, with more than 1,000 out of 1,534 cases and nine out of 11 deaths recorded in the capital.
At least one lawmaker and several lawyers told Russian media that only President Vladimir Putin and Russia’s senate have the constitutional authority to restrict freedom of movement via a state of emergency. The Kremlin, meanwhile, said it approved of Sobyanin’s strict measures to stave off the deadly pandemic.
"Gradually, but steadily, we will tighten the control necessary in this situation," Sobyanin said.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-29--Moscow Orders Citywide Quarantine Starting March 30

People who leave their homes are ordered to maintain at least a 1.5-meter distance between themselves and others .
According to the decree , Moscow residents will only be allowed to leave their homes for : Moscow will enact an indefinite citywide quarantine starting Monday , Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said as the city 's number of coronavirus cases surpassed 1,000 over the weekend .
The Moscow mayor 's office will deploy a `` smart monitoring '' system to enforce the new rules , Sobyanin said , and the city will develop a special pass system for people to get permission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there will be no restrictions on entering or leaving the city .
Public transportation will also remain open .
`` The extremely negative turn of events that we are seeing in the largest cities in Europe and the United States has caused great concern for the lives and health of our citizens , '' Sobyanin wrote on his website .
Sobyanin did n't specify the punishments for violating the self-isolation order .
On Monday , the state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported that ordinary citizens could face fines up to 40,000 rubles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They can face fines up to 300,000 rubles ( $ 3,700 ) if they infect another person and cause their death by violating quarantine .
His decree also introduced measures to support those who lose their jobs as a result of the quarantine with unemployment benefits of 19,500 rubles ( $ 250 ) per month .
People with mild cases of coronavirus will be treated at home and will receive anti-viral medication for free .
Russia 's capital has confirmed 1,014 cases of the coronavirus so far , making it the epicenter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earlier on Sunday , Sobyanin had said the coronavirus situation in Moscow had entered a `` new phase . ''

People who leave their homes are ordered to maintain at least a 1.5-meter distance between themselves and others.
According to the decree, Moscow residents will only be allowed to leave their homes for:
Moscow will enact an indefinite citywide quarantine starting Monday, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said as the city's number of coronavirus cases surpassed 1,000 over the weekend.
The Moscow mayor's office will deploy a "smart monitoring" system to enforce the new rules, Sobyanin said, and the city will develop a special pass system for people to get permission to leave their homes. He stressed that there will be no restrictions on entering or leaving the city. Public transportation will also remain open.
"The extremely negative turn of events that we are seeing in the largest cities in Europe and the United States has caused great concern for the lives and health of our citizens," Sobyanin wrote on his website.
Sobyanin didn't specify the punishments for violating the self-isolation order. On Monday, the state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported that ordinary citizens could face fines up to 40,000 rubles ($500) for violating quarantine. They can face fines up to 300,000 rubles ($3,700) if they infect another person and cause their death by violating quarantine.
His decree also introduced measures to support those who lose their jobs as a result of the quarantine with unemployment benefits of 19,500 rubles ($250) per month. People with mild cases of coronavirus will be treated at home and will receive anti-viral medication for free.
Russia's capital has confirmed 1,014 cases of the coronavirus so far, making it the epicenter of the pandemic within the country. Earlier on Sunday, Sobyanin had said the coronavirus situation in Moscow had entered a "new phase."


themoscowtimes--2020-03-29--Head of Russia's Orthodox Church Tells Worshippers to Stay Home

Russia has been relatively lightly hit so far , with nine deaths and 1,534 cases , but it recorded 270 new infections in the last day and is stepping up containment measures .
The head of Russia 's Orthodox Church exhorted believers on Sunday to pray from their homes in the latest call from religious leaders around the world to avoid gatherings that could help the coronavirus ' spread .
`` Refrain from visiting churches , '' the state-rung RIA news agency cited Patriarch Kirill as saying on Sunday , even though Orthodox services went ahead , including one led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adhere strictly to authorities ' instructions `` before someone dies in our families . ''
About 60 % of Russia 's 144 million people consider themselves Orthodox Christians , but fewer were worshipping in churches on Sunday and some were wearing masks , according to media reports .
Russia has halted international flights , closed borders , announced a non-working week from this weekend , and closed shops and entertainment venues in Moscow and some other regions .
But Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Sunday many Muscovites were still going out even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 1,000 , were in the capital .
At least 52,000 people took walks in city parks on Saturday , and many elderly people made long trips on public transport , Sobyanin said on his website .
`` The situation with the spread of coronavirus has entered a new phase , '' Sobyanin wrote .
`` An example of miserable Italian and Spanish cities , even New York , where tens and hundreds of people die every day , is in front of everyone 's eyes . ''

Russia has been relatively lightly hit so far, with nine deaths and 1,534 cases, but it recorded 270 new infections in the last day and is stepping up containment measures.
The head of Russia's Orthodox Church exhorted believers on Sunday to pray from their homes in the latest call from religious leaders around the world to avoid gatherings that could help the coronavirus' spread.
"Refrain from visiting churches," the state-run RIA news agency cited Patriarch Kirill as saying on Sunday, even though Orthodox services went ahead, including one led by him.
He urged people to adhere strictly to authorities' instructions "before someone dies in our families."
About 60% of Russia's 144 million people consider themselves Orthodox Christians, but fewer were worshipping in churches on Sunday and some were wearing masks, according to media reports.
Russia has halted international flights, closed borders, announced a non-working week from this weekend, and closed shops and entertainment venues in Moscow and some other regions.
But Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Sunday many Muscovites were still going out even though the majority of infections, more than 1,000, were in the capital.
At least 52,000 people took walks in city parks on Saturday, and many elderly people made long trips on public transport, Sobyanin said on his website.
"The situation with the spread of coronavirus has entered a new phase," Sobyanin wrote. "An example of miserable Italian and Spanish cities, even New York, where tens and hundreds of people die every day, is in front of everyone's eyes."


themoscowtimes--2020-03-29--Moscow Mayor Says Coronavirus Outbreak Has Entered New Phase

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Sunday that the coronavirus outbreak had entered a new phase as the total number of cases in the Russian capital exceeded 1,000 with many Muscovites going out despite a plea to stay home .
Authorities in Moscow , Russia 's worst-affected area , shut shops and entertainment venues from Saturday and urged Muscovites to stay at home during the non-working week announced by President Vladimir Putin .
But at least 52,000 people took walks in the city parks on Saturday , and many elderly people made long trips on the city 's vast public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website .
`` The situation with the spread of coronavirus has entered a new phase .
More than 1,000 cases of the disease have already been recorded in Moscow .
Nobody is insured , '' Sobyanin wrote .
`` An example of miserable Italian and Spanish cities , even New York , where tens and hundreds of people die every day , is in front of everyone 's eyes . ''
The official tally of confirmed cases in Russia rose by 270 in 24 hours , bringing the total to 1,534 .
Nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven of which in Moscow .

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Sunday that the coronavirus outbreak had entered a new phase as the total number of cases in the Russian capital exceeded 1,000 with many Muscovites going out despite a plea to stay home.
Authorities in Moscow, Russia's worst-affected area, shut shops and entertainment venues from Saturday and urged Muscovites to stay at home during the non-working week announced by President Vladimir Putin.
But at least 52,000 people took walks in the city parks on Saturday, and many elderly people made long trips on the city's vast public transportation network, Sobyanin said on his website.
"The situation with the spread of coronavirus has entered a new phase. More than 1,000 cases of the disease have already been recorded in Moscow. Nobody is insured," Sobyanin wrote.
"An example of miserable Italian and Spanish cities, even New York, where tens and hundreds of people die every day, is in front of everyone's eyes."
The official tally of confirmed cases in Russia rose by 270 in 24 hours, bringing the total to 1,534. Nine people have died of the coronavirus, seven of which in Moscow.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-28--Russia to Close Borders to Curb Coronavirus

Moscow , Russia 's worst-affected area , has shut all cafes , restaurants and shops , apart from those selling food and medicine , until April 5 .
Russia has already grounded all international flights and declared next week a non-working week — which does not apply to workers from key businesses like pharmacies and supermarkets — in a bid to curb the spread of the virus .
The authorities said they so far had recorded 1,264 confirmed cases , an increase of 228 in 24 hours , and ordered that all vehicle , rail and pedestrian checkpoints , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , be closed from Monday .
Russia will close all border crossings on March 30 , the government said on Saturday , tightening restrictions after the country reported its biggest one-day rise in new coronavirus cases .
Sergei Sobyanin , the capital 's mayor , on Saturday urged residents to stay at home during the extended holiday that was announced by President Vladimir Putin last week .
In a letter to users of Moscow 's online portals , Sobyanin said the week-long holiday should not be treated lightly .
`` This is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measure in fighting the spread of the coronavirus , '' he wrote .
Sobyanin warned that the week off could only help contain the outbreak if Muscovites remained home , at their apartments or dachas , their out-of-town cottages , for the next nine days .
`` Do not invite guests and do n't be a guest yourself , '' he wrote .
`` Do not go to shops without the extreme need to do so . ''
He also called on Muscovites to refrain from taking walks or to make only short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The lives of many people depend on each of us , literally , '' Sobyanin said .
`` Please stay home . ''
Pictures circulating on social media on Saturday showed Russians stocking up on construction and gardening materials at hardware stores ahead of the week-long holiday as they prepared to retreat to their dachas .
Other countries have preferred locking down cities , with people only allowed out for food and medicine .

Moscow, Russia's worst-affected area, has shut all cafes, restaurants and shops, apart from those selling food and medicine, until April 5.
Russia has already grounded all international flights and declared next week a non-working week — which does not apply to workers from key businesses like pharmacies and supermarkets — in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.
The authorities said they so far had recorded 1,264 confirmed cases, an increase of 228 in 24 hours, and ordered that all vehicle, rail and pedestrian checkpoints, as well as the country's maritime borders, be closed from Monday.
Russia will close all border crossings on March 30, the government said on Saturday, tightening restrictions after the country reported its biggest one-day rise in new coronavirus cases.
Sergei Sobyanin, the capital's mayor, on Saturday urged residents to stay at home during the extended holiday that was announced by President Vladimir Putin last week.
In a letter to users of Moscow's online portals, Sobyanin said the week-long holiday should not be treated lightly.
"This is not an extra holiday, but a key measure in fighting the spread of the coronavirus," he wrote.
Sobyanin warned that the week off could only help contain the outbreak if Muscovites remained home, at their apartments or dachas, their out-of-town cottages, for the next nine days.
"Do not invite guests and don't be a guest yourself," he wrote. "Do not go to shops without the extreme need to do so."
He also called on Muscovites to refrain from taking walks or to make only short ones, and exclusively with family members.
"The lives of many people depend on each of us, literally," Sobyanin said. "Please stay home."
Pictures circulating on social media on Saturday showed Russians stocking up on construction and gardening materials at hardware stores ahead of the week-long holiday as they prepared to retreat to their dachas.
Other countries have preferred locking down cities, with people only allowed out for food and medicine.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-28--Dour Moscow Mayor Comes to Fore as 'PM for Coronavirus'

At a televised meeting with Vladimir Putin , Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin flatly told the president that official figures on coronavirus cases were far from the reality .
That 's because people are staying home sick and because there has not been enough testing , he said Tuesday , so `` no one knows the real picture . ''
After that reality check , the official narrative changed swiftly : Putin , who had called the situation `` under control , '' on Wednesday gave a grim-faced address to the nation .
`` Putin signed up to Sobyanin 's position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the popular Echo of Moscow radio station .
Sobyanin , mayor since 2010 of the capital of 12 million people , comes across as dour and uncharismatic in public appearances .
Yet the 61-year-old Siberian has become a frontline figure in the coronavirus crisis as head of a task force for the entire country .
He announced stricter measures for Muscovites while Putin held back from a nationwide lockdown .
Next week has now been declared work-free by Putin but he has given little guidance on how people should behave .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selling food and essentials to close in Moscow along with restaurants , cafes and parks .
He also recommended that Russians from other regions not visit the capital .
And he has ordered the construction of a huge virus hospital outside Moscow that he says will be completed in weeks .

At a televised meeting with Vladimir Putin, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin flatly told the president that official figures on coronavirus cases were far from the reality.
That's because people are staying home sick and because there has not been enough testing, he said Tuesday, so "no one knows the real picture."
After that reality check, the official narrative changed swiftly: Putin, who had called the situation "under control," on Wednesday gave a grim-faced address to the nation.
"Putin signed up to Sobyanin's position," opposition politician Vladimir Ryzhkov said on the popular Echo of Moscow radio station.
Sobyanin, mayor since 2010 of the capital of 12 million people, comes across as dour and uncharismatic in public appearances.
Yet the 61-year-old Siberian has become a frontline figure in the coronavirus crisis as head of a task force for the entire country.
He announced stricter measures for Muscovites while Putin held back from a nationwide lockdown.
Next week has now been declared work-free by Putin but he has given little guidance on how people should behave.
On Tuesday, Sobyanin ordered shops except those selling food and essentials to close in Moscow along with restaurants, cafes and parks. He also recommended that Russians from other regions not visit the capital.
And he has ordered the construction of a huge virus hospital outside Moscow that he says will be completed in weeks.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-27--Russia's Aeroflot Still Flying Limited International Routes Despite Virus Grounding Order

The government decree published Thursday orders aviation authorities to halt all regular and charter flights to and from other countries , with the exception of special flights evacuating Russian citizens from abroad .
Russia had already suspended most flights to coronavirus-hit countries in a bid to prevent the spread of the virus within its borders .
Russia ’ s state carrier Aeroflot is continuing to operate a limited number of flights abroad despite the Russian government ’ s order to ground all international flights that took effect at midnight Friday .
As of Friday , Aeroflot 's website says the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Moscow to major world capitals and cities including Amsterdam , Bangkok , Beijing , Berlin , Dublin , London , Paris , New York and Tokyo .
An employee at Aeroflot ’ s call center confirmed this information to The Moscow Times , adding that call center staffers haven ’ t received notification of the complete grounding of Aeroflot ’ s international fleet .
According to the Aeroflot staffer , these flights are mainly being used to “ evacuate ” Russian citizens from abroad if they need to come home .
Because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to non-EU citizens , these flights are mainly operated for EU citizens and residents seeking to return to their home countries .
Russian citizens and other foreigners will be unable book any of Aeroflot 's flights to Europe .
Moscow ’ s Sheremetyevo Airport , Aeroflot ’ s hub airport , also confirmed to The Moscow Times that it would continue to operate a limited number of international flights in the coming weeks .
Both the airport and Aeroflot urged travelers to regularly check their websites for updates because the “ situation may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airline Pobeda – a subsidiary of Aeroflot – has reportedly followed the government ’ s order and will suspend all international flights starting April 1 , the RBC news website said Friday , citing sources familiar with the matter .
Russia has seen a significant uptick in coronavirus infections over the past week , confirming a total of 1,036 cases so far .

The government decree published Thursday orders aviation authorities to halt all regular and charter flights to and from other countries, with the exception of special flights evacuating Russian citizens from abroad. Russia had already suspended most flights to coronavirus-hit countries in a bid to prevent the spread of the virus within its borders.
Russia’s state carrier Aeroflot is continuing to operate a limited number of flights abroad despite the Russian government’s order to ground all international flights that took effect at midnight Friday.
As of Friday, Aeroflot's website says the airline is continuing to operate limited flights from Moscow to major world capitals and cities including Amsterdam, Bangkok, Beijing, Berlin, Dublin, London, Paris, New York and Tokyo.
An employee at Aeroflot’s call center confirmed this information to The Moscow Times, adding that call center staffers haven’t received notification of the complete grounding of Aeroflot’s international fleet.
According to the Aeroflot staffer, these flights are mainly being used to “evacuate” Russian citizens from abroad if they need to come home. Because the European Union has closed its borders to non-EU citizens, these flights are mainly operated for EU citizens and residents seeking to return to their home countries. Russian citizens and other foreigners will be unable book any of Aeroflot's flights to Europe.
Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport, Aeroflot’s hub airport, also confirmed to The Moscow Times that it would continue to operate a limited number of international flights in the coming weeks.
Both the airport and Aeroflot urged travelers to regularly check their websites for updates because the “situation may change at any moment.”
Russian low-cost airline Pobeda – a subsidiary of Aeroflot – has reportedly followed the government’s order and will suspend all international flights starting April 1, the RBC news website said Friday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
Russia has seen a significant uptick in coronavirus infections over the past week, confirming a total of 1,036 cases so far.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-27--Thousands of Workers Stuck On Remote Arctic Construction Sites

Russian companies argue that work must go on , as they isolate several large industrial sites in the Arctic .
The result is that many thousands of workers are stranded on site , unable to get back to their homes in the central parts of the country .
Among the construction sites that have now been closed to the outside world is the Belokamenka project outside Murmansk .
Up to 9,000 workers are reported to be isolated on site by project developer Novatek in a measure aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus among workers .
According to MMK.News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ site can now be made only with special permission , and shift workers coming to the area are placed in quarantine in adjacent facilities for ten days .
The workers , most of them from other Russian regions , will work on site for up to two months before they are replaced by new people .
The new regulations have been imposed by regional authorities in Murmansk , MMK reports .
Until recently , a large number of Chinese workers were employed in the project .
However , most of them were sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Governor Andrey Chibis told SeverPost .
The Belokamenka project includes the building of a plant for construction of LNG production platforms .
Time limits are short and the plant is getting the first platform ready for operations in the Gulf of Ob by 2022 .
Similar isolation of industrial sites is occurring in other parts of the Arctic .
In Sabetta , the industrial hub of the Yamal Peninsula , more than 20,000 people are stuck as flight connections have been halted .
Judging from flight information and the local airport , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flights to and from the remote company town .
On social media , locals express great frustration that they can not make it off the desolate Arctic peninsula .
Regional Governor Dmitry Artyukhov confirms that a number of precautionary measures are being taken against the coronavirus .
Among them is the prolongation of the current work shifts for people working in the regional petroleum projects , newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta reports .
People in Gazprom Neft ’ s Novy Port oil project are being told to extend their work stays in the remote Yamal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all work stays in remote field sites are being extended to 60 days .
All flights to the area have been cancelled , news site muksun.fm reports .
The Novy Port is among the biggest oil fields in the Russian Arctic .
In 2019 , the field delivered 7.7 million tons of oil , according to Gazprom Neft .
The workers in Russia ’ s remote Arctic oil and gas projects come from all over the country and are flown in and out of the region on commuter basis .
The remote energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and provide a key share of export revenues .

Russian companies argue that work must go on, as they isolate several large industrial sites in the Arctic. The result is that many thousands of workers are stranded on site, unable to get back to their homes in the central parts of the country.
Among the construction sites that have now been closed to the outside world is the Belokamenka project outside Murmansk. Up to 9,000 workers are reported to be isolated on site by project developer Novatek in a measure aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus among workers.
According to MMK.News, entry and exit to the construction site can now be made only with special permission, and shift workers coming to the area are placed in quarantine in adjacent facilities for ten days.
The workers, most of them from other Russian regions, will work on site for up to two months before they are replaced by new people.
The new regulations have been imposed by regional authorities in Murmansk, MMK reports.
Until recently, a large number of Chinese workers were employed in the project. However, most of them were sent back to China early in the year, Governor Andrey Chibis told SeverPost.
The Belokamenka project includes the building of a plant for construction of LNG production platforms. Time limits are short and the plant is getting the first platform ready for operations in the Gulf of Ob by 2022.
Similar isolation of industrial sites is occurring in other parts of the Arctic. In Sabetta, the industrial hub of the Yamal Peninsula, more than 20,000 people are stuck as flight connections have been halted.
Judging from flight information and the local airport, there are no longer any regular commercial flights to and from the remote company town. On social media, locals express great frustration that they can not make it off the desolate Arctic peninsula.
Regional Governor Dmitry Artyukhov confirms that a number of precautionary measures are being taken against the coronavirus. Among them is the prolongation of the current work shifts for people working in the regional petroleum projects, newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta reports.
People in Gazprom Neft’s Novy Port oil project are being told to extend their work stays in the remote Yamal tundra. According to the company, all work stays in remote field sites are being extended to 60 days. All flights to the area have been cancelled, news site muksun.fm reports. The Novy Port is among the biggest oil fields in the Russian Arctic. In 2019, the field delivered 7.7 million tons of oil, according to Gazprom Neft.
The workers in Russia’s remote Arctic oil and gas projects come from all over the country and are flown in and out of the region on commuter basis. The remote energy fields are of crucial importance to Russia, and provide a key share of export revenues.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-27--Kremlin Confirms First Coronavirus Infection in Putin’s Administration

Putin ’ s spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the news to reporters a day after Russian media reported that at least two Kremlin officials may have tested positive for Covid-19 .
The Kremlin has confirmed the first known coronavirus case in the presidential administration Friday , saying that the official had no contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin .
“ I can confirm one case .
I don ’ t know about the second one , ” Peskov was quoted by Interfax as saying .
Peskov declined to identify the Kremlin official who tested positive for Covid-19 , citing Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news agency reported .
He did not say when or if the Kremlin ’ s first coronavirus patient had had contact with Putin .
TASS said unconfirmed reports suggested that the infected person may be a state awards staffer who attended Putin ’ s presidential awards ceremony in Crimea after she had returned from Spain .
Meanwhile , Peskov confirmed that he had attended the same star-studded birthday party two weeks ago as a renowned singer who tested positive for coronavirus this week .
Peskov said he did not see the singer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party and stressed that attendees barely shook hands there .
An official working under the Russian cabinet ’ s chief of staff has also tested positive for coronavirus and has since been quarantined , the Meduza news website reported Thursday .
Russia ’ s lower house of parliament , the 450-seat State Duma , said it will require all of its deputies to take coronavirus tests next Monday .
Russia 's number of coronavirus cases reached 1,036 on Friday as the country 's official tally jumped by a record daily amount for the @ @ @ @ @ @

Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the news to reporters a day after Russian media reported that at least two Kremlin officials may have tested positive for Covid-19.
The Kremlin has confirmed the first known coronavirus case in the presidential administration Friday, saying that the official had no contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I can confirm one case. I don’t know about the second one,” Peskov was quoted by Interfax as saying.
Peskov declined to identify the Kremlin official who tested positive for Covid-19, citing Russia’s privacy laws, the state-run TASS news agency reported. He did not say when or if the Kremlin’s first coronavirus patient had had contact with Putin.
TASS said unconfirmed reports suggested that the infected person may be a state awards staffer who attended Putin’s presidential awards ceremony in Crimea after she had returned from Spain.
Meanwhile, Peskov confirmed that he had attended the same star-studded birthday party two weeks ago as a renowned singer who tested positive for coronavirus this week. Peskov said he did not see the singer, the 78-year-old Lev Leshchenko, at the party and stressed that attendees barely shook hands there.
An official working under the Russian cabinet’s chief of staff has also tested positive for coronavirus and has since been quarantined, the Meduza news website reported Thursday.
Russia’s lower house of parliament, the 450-seat State Duma, said it will require all of its deputies to take coronavirus tests next Monday.
Russia's number of coronavirus cases reached 1,036 on Friday as the country's official tally jumped by a record daily amount for the third day in a row.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-27--With Sports On Hold, Russia's Gamblers Bet on Coronavirus

Major sporting events such as the UEFA Europa League and Champions League have been some of the first things to be shut down as world leaders worked to slow the spread of the highly contagious virus .
Russia has suspended all football , hockey and basketball games from March 17 to April 10 .
As the coronavirus pandemic has put sporting events around the world on hold , Russian bookkeepers and gambling enthusiasts have hinged their bets on something else : the coronavirus pandemic .
Russian bookmakers , facing a sharp decline in income , have kicked off betting on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Covid-19 vaccine , a Moscow lockdown or a buckwheat shortage in stores , the Mediazona news website reported this week .
At least two bookmaking websites , Betcity and PariMatch , have created new sections on their websites dedicated to betting on coronavirus-related events , Mediazona said .
One bookmaker stopped taking bets entirely until sports tournaments are resumed .
“ There are no matches , so bookmakers had to come up with something , ” Mediazona quoted Championat.com journalist Pyotr Kondakov , who covers betting topics , as saying .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s no getting around this.
” The betting section on Championat.com , one of the most popular Russian-language sports outlets , is now filled with non-sports forecasts including “ Will Pornhub open access to premium subscriptions for Russians ?
” “ Will Yury Dud make a film about coronavirus in 2020 ?
” and “ Will Russia face a shortage of buckwheat and toilet paper ?
” Anna Appolonova , a spokeswoman for the Betting League bookmaker , told Mediazona that the number of bets made on cyber-sports has also drastically increased since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to Appolonova , nearly 80 % of Betting League ’ s gamblers have started making bets on virtual football , an eightfold increase from this time last year .
In particular , the LaLiga Santander Challenge , an online football tournament that featured famous offline athletes , drew some 23,000 bets .
The only offline sport event to see a spike in interest is the Belarussian Premier League , the only still-active football championship in Europe , with the number of bets on these matches increasing fourteenfold compared to last year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listed as the most popular betting category across all the bookmakers Mediazona studied .

Major sporting events such as the UEFA Europa League and Champions League have been some of the first things to be shut down as world leaders worked to slow the spread of the highly contagious virus. Russia has suspended all football, hockey and basketball games from March 17 to April 10.
As the coronavirus pandemic has put sporting events around the world on hold, Russian bookkeepers and gambling enthusiasts have hinged their bets on something else: the coronavirus pandemic.
Russian bookmakers, facing a sharp decline in income, have kicked off betting on non-sport-related forecasts such as the likelihood of a Covid-19 vaccine, a Moscow lockdown or a buckwheat shortage in stores, the Mediazona news website reported this week.
At least two bookmaking websites, Betcity and PariMatch, have created new sections on their websites dedicated to betting on coronavirus-related events, Mediazona said. One bookmaker stopped taking bets entirely until sports tournaments are resumed.
“There are no matches, so bookmakers had to come up with something,” Mediazona quoted Championat.com journalist Pyotr Kondakov, who covers betting topics, as saying. “We had to adjust because there’s no getting around this.”
The betting section on Championat.com, one of the most popular Russian-language sports outlets, is now filled with non-sports forecasts including “Will Pornhub open access to premium subscriptions for Russians?” “Will Yury Dud make a film about coronavirus in 2020?” and “Will Russia face a shortage of buckwheat and toilet paper?”
Anna Appolonova, a spokeswoman for the Betting League bookmaker, told Mediazona that the number of bets made on cyber-sports has also drastically increased since the health crisis began to unfold.
According to Appolonova, nearly 80% of Betting League’s gamblers have started making bets on virtual football, an eightfold increase from this time last year. In particular, the LaLiga Santander Challenge, an online football tournament that featured famous offline athletes, drew some 23,000 bets.
The only offline sport event to see a spike in interest is the Belarussian Premier League, the only still-active football championship in Europe, with the number of bets on these matches increasing fourteenfold compared to last year, Appolonova said. Belarussian football is currently listed as the most popular betting category across all the bookmakers Mediazona studied.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-27--Russia Uncovers ‘Buckwheat Cartel’ Amid Virus Outbreak

Alongside toilet paper , buckwheat has been a staple of choice for Russian shoppers to stockpile as the number of Covid-19 cases has climbed , with sales of buckwheat jumping 66 % on March 9-15 compared to the same period last year .
The Federal Anti-Monopoly Service said it has received more than 600 complaints of price gouging on food products including buckwheat over the past week .
Russia ’ s antitrust agency said it has uncovered signs of price-fixing in the buckwheat market amid the country ’ s panic-buying spree fueled by the coronavirus pandemic , news agencies reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters Friday that his agency found signs of price-fixing among buckwheat producers following 11 unscheduled onsite inspections .
“ There are elements of complicity between manufacturers who tried to behave in bad faith , ” Artemyev was quoted by the state-run RIA Novosti news agency as saying .
If suspicions of price-fixing are proven , he said the buckwheat producers could face up to six years in jail .
The Russian Grain Union said it noticed a “ not entirely justified ” spike in buckwheat prices last week , its deputy chief Alexander @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia ’ s State Statistics Service said the average buckwheat price rose by 2.8 % last week .
Average wholesale prices for buckwheat jumped by 27 % in February and March compared with December and January , the Vedomosti business daily reported Saturday .
This follows an almost doubling in the price of the traditional staple between March 2019 and March 2020 , according to the outlet .

Alongside toilet paper, buckwheat has been a staple of choice for Russian shoppers to stockpile as the number of Covid-19 cases has climbed, with sales of buckwheat jumping 66% on March 9-15 compared to the same period last year. The Federal Anti-Monopoly Service said it has received more than 600 complaints of price gouging on food products including buckwheat over the past week.
Russia’s antitrust agency said it has uncovered signs of price-fixing in the buckwheat market amid the country’s panic-buying spree fueled by the coronavirus pandemic, news agencies reported Friday.
Its head Igor Artemyev told reporters Friday that his agency found signs of price-fixing among buckwheat producers following 11 unscheduled onsite inspections.
“There are elements of complicity between manufacturers who tried to behave in bad faith,” Artemyev was quoted by the state-run RIA Novosti news agency as saying.
If suspicions of price-fixing are proven, he said the buckwheat producers could face up to six years in jail.
The Russian Grain Union said it noticed a “not entirely justified” spike in buckwheat prices last week, its deputy chief Alexander Korbut told the pro-Kremlin Izvestia newspaper.
Russia’s State Statistics Service said the average buckwheat price rose by 2.8% last week.
Average wholesale prices for buckwheat jumped by 27% in February and March compared with December and January, the Vedomosti business daily reported Saturday. This follows an almost doubling in the price of the traditional staple between March 2019 and March 2020, according to the outlet.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-27--How is the Russian Military Fighting the Coronavirus?

Russia ’ s Armed Forces have announced steps to combat the spread of the deadly coronavirus pandemic as cases continue @ @ @ @ @ of the disease ’ s potentially “ explosive ” spread .
President Vladimir Putin has @ @ @ @ @ 25-28 into the troops ’ readiness for a mass infection .
The number of Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ over the past week , surpassing 1,000 as of Friday .
Here 's a look @ @ @ @ @ military has taken or plans to take in order to prepare for the epidemic : @ @ @ @ @ build 16 small medical centers spread across the country from the western exclave of Kaliningrad @ @ @ @ @ Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky by May 15 , Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said .
The government this week @ @ @ @ @ $ 140.5 million ) for their construction .

Russia’s Armed Forces have announced steps to combat the spread of the deadly coronavirus pandemic as cases continue to rise and medics warn of the disease’s potentially “explosive” spread.
President Vladimir Putin has ordered an inspection on March 25-28 into the troops’ readiness for a mass infection. The number of Covid-19 cases in Russia has quadrupled over the past week, surpassing 1,000 as of Friday.
Here's a look at the measures the Russian military has taken or plans to take in order to prepare for the epidemic:
— The military plans to build 16 small medical centers spread across the country from the western exclave of Kaliningrad to the Pacific port of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky by May 15, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said. The government this week pledged 8.8 billion rubles ($140.5 million) for their construction.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-27--Renowned Soviet Singer Lev Leshchenko Tests Positive for Coronavirus

Leshchenko , 78 , is one of the most high-profile Russian celebrities to test positive for the virus and is best-known for his rendition of `` Den Pobedy ( Victory Day ) '' and the closing ceremony song from the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics .
On Thursday , prominent Russian writer Boris Akunin , 63 , said he has also been infected with the “ fashionable disease.
” Renowned Soviet singer Lev Leshchenko has tested positive for the coronavirus , the head doctor at the Moscow hospital treating coronavirus patients confirmed Friday .
Leshchenko had given doctors permission to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the head physician at Moscow ’ s infectious diseases hospital in Kommunarka .
“ In the first day after he was admitted , the patient 's condition worsened : his shortness of breath increased and blood oxygen decreased .
We took him to the intensive care ward for treatment , ” Protsenko said .
The Soviet crooner ’ s condition has since stabilized and improved , Protsenko said .
“ They ’ re not letting me in there [ to visit him ] .
But the improvement is obvious , everything is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a friend of Leshchenko , told the RBC news website Friday .
Leshchenko and his wife were brought to the hospital at Kommunarka earlier this week and were later diagnosed with pneumonia , prompting media speculation that he could have the coronavirus .
On Friday , actor and Moscow City Duma deputy Nikolai Gubenko , 79 , was also hospitalized at the clinic in Kommunarka with pneumonia , his colleague in the city council told RBC .
Russia has confirmed 1,036 coronavirus cases as of Friday .
Earlier this week , Moscow ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a possible “ explosive ” development of the coronavirus crisis nationwide .

Leshchenko, 78, is one of the most high-profile Russian celebrities to test positive for the virus and is best-known for his rendition of " Den Pobedy (Victory Day)" and the closing ceremony song from the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics. On Thursday, prominent Russian writer Boris Akunin, 63, said he has also been infected with the “fashionable disease.”
Renowned Soviet singer Lev Leshchenko has tested positive for the coronavirus, the head doctor at the Moscow hospital treating coronavirus patients confirmed Friday.
Leshchenko had given doctors permission to make his diagnosis public, said Denis Protsenko, the head physician at Moscow’s infectious diseases hospital in Kommunarka.
“In the first day after he was admitted, the patient's condition worsened: his shortness of breath increased and blood oxygen decreased. We took him to the intensive care ward for treatment,” Protsenko said.
The Soviet crooner’s condition has since stabilized and improved, Protsenko said.
“They’re not letting me in there [to visit him]. But the improvement is obvious, everything is fine,” comedian Vladimir Vinokur, a friend of Leshchenko, told the RBC news website Friday.
Leshchenko and his wife were brought to the hospital at Kommunarka earlier this week and were later diagnosed with pneumonia, prompting media speculation that he could have the coronavirus.
On Friday, actor and Moscow City Duma deputy Nikolai Gubenko, 79, was also hospitalized at the clinic in Kommunarka with pneumonia, his colleague in the city council told RBC.
Russia has confirmed 1,036 coronavirus cases as of Friday. Earlier this week, Moscow’s top infectious diseases official warned of a possible “explosive” development of the coronavirus crisis nationwide.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-27--How Much of a Hit Will Russia’s Economy Take From the Coronavirus? It’s Anybody’s Guess.

Since the coronavirus outbreak was officially declared a pandemic , and as Russia walked away from the OPEC+ deal , sending energy and financial markets into a tailspin , two questions have dominated analysis about the state of the Russian — and global — economy .
How well prepared are we , and how bad will the damage be ?
As far as Russia goes , a tentative consensus has emerged on the country ’ s readiness for the onslaught that sees it as better shielded from a bout of global turmoil and low energy prices than it was five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Russia ’ s balance sheet is one of the world ’ s best , the pernicious influence of oil prices has been reduced and the economy is altogether more isolated .
But consumers are struggling , living standards are low and Russia is still a petro-heavy economy , as the 27 % crash in the value of the ruble this year has shown .
While this story of an economy more stable but less dynamic , slower moving but less exposed to a global crash comes through clearly from the macroeconomic data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how big the recession will be and what toll it will exert on Russia is much murkier .
Economists at Deutsche Bank highlighted the difficulties in assessing the current state of the world economy in a recent research note .
“ We can not stress enough the degree of uncertainty surrounding our projections .
These are truly unprecedented events with no adequate historical example , ” they said .
Moscow-based investment bank Renaissance Capital told The Moscow Times it didn ’ t even want to call its latest projection for the Russian economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would imply a level of certainty which the current environment prohibits .
The investment bank ’ s latest “ tentative scenario ” for 2020 is a 0.8 % fall in Russia ’ s GDP .
“ But that could only last a week , ” said the group ’ s chief economist Charlie Robertson in a conference call Thursday .
“ On growth , it ’ s a mug ’ s game to put out any proper numbers … Nobody ’ s got a clear idea of what ’ s happening today , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about what ’ s going to happen in three months , ” he added .
For those brave enough to put a number on the likely damage , the trend suggests Russia will fall into a recession this year .
Private modelling for the Kremlin warned a 10 % annual contraction could materialize in a worst-case scenario .
Other estimates range anywhere between stagnation — zero growth — and a 4 % decline .
But they are being revised downwards at an alarming rate .
As the economic picture deteriorates so rapidly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creative as they struggle to decipher what exactly is going on .
Traditional economic data is out , and new real-time , experimental and unproven information is in .
“ Standard macroeconomic data provides a backward-looking , lagging perspective on economic activity , ” VTB Capital explained on Thursday .
“ While the size of such a lag might be tolerable in normal times , when the situation is changing as fast as it is now , the need for more timely gauges becomes apparent.
” In recent weeks , economists usually focused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as monthly inflation , official unemployment readings and industrial production have turned to interpreting traffic data , public transport use , energy consumption , footfall in shopping centres and internet search data for terms related to job seeking or unemployment in a bid to get a handle on the looming economic shock .
VTB Capital this week shared a pilot economic indicator which aims to get at real-time retail activity by tracking foot traffic in more than 200 Russian shopping centres using Google Maps ’ “ popular times ” feature — the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how busy a specific place is compared to normal .
However , with Russia about to go on a week-long emergency holiday and Moscow set to close all shops , bars and restaurants , tracking how busy bellwether establishments are in an attempt to understand consumers ’ real-time behaviour in the age of the coronavirus is already a challenge .
Robertson says the idea of these real-term guides is “ interesting , ” but questioned how useful they can be in understanding the wider economy given the lack of historic data .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what happened to the number of internet searches for vacancies in previous periods of economic stress , it is tricky to assess the exact significance of a surge in online job hunters now .
Moscow ’ s Higher School of Economics has also tried to address the issue .
Last week the independent university launched a new “ daily economic stress index ” , which combines 15 indicators including Russian stock market readings , exchange rate spreads and freight volumes .
They chose indicators they could get old data for , and now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gauge for likelihood of a Russian recession .
The index currently stands at 43 on a zero-to-100 scale .
“ A high probability of recession , ” the economists explain .
In each of the last three downturns — 2015 , 2009 and 1998 — the index would ’ ve passed 80 at the point of maximum economic turmoil .
The struggle to get a more up-to-date reading on the Russian economy is more than just an academic challenge for economists and number crunchers .
Poor data on how the economy is dealing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortcomings in authorities ’ understanding of the extent of the virus itself , is potentially delaying a more meaningful response to the crisis from the Kremlin , economists suggest .
At a time when governments in Europe and the U.S. are unveiling huge stimulus programs , Russia ’ s package of measures , such as an increase in unemployment benefits and a boost in payments to families with young children , so far amounts to just 2 % of GDP , financial group ING calculated Thursday .
“ Keeping in mind past crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extra cautious , ” said Elina Ribakova of the Institute of International Finance .
“ On the monetary front , it is already an achievement that they did not have to hike interest rates .
On fiscal , indeed , the proposed package is very small and will likely need to be expanded.
” Economists say Putin , who has defined himself as a conservative manager of Russia ’ s public finances , could be playing for time , seeing how the coronavirus develops before signing up to a more expensive intervention .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sovereign wealth fund ready to be called upon if needed , Russia may not need to act as swiftly as larger , more developed economies .
“ Russia has the buffers to address any post-slowdown issues such as a loss of employment , and bankruptcies in certain service industries and among small and medium-sized businesses , ” Ribakova pointed out .
Chris Weafer of Macro Advisory said the government is still optimistic that its measures will limit the spread of the coronavirus , meaning it is stopping short of shutting down the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ At the moment , the numbers seem to be supporting them , but the picture could change rapidly over the next couple of weeks , ” he added .

Since the coronavirus outbreak was officially declared a pandemic, and as Russia walked away from the OPEC+ deal, sending energy and financial markets into a tailspin, two questions have dominated analysis about the state of the Russian — and global — economy. How well prepared are we, and how bad will the damage be? As far as Russia goes, a tentative consensus has emerged on the country’s readiness for the onslaught that sees it as better shielded from a bout of global turmoil and low energy prices than it was five years ago, but far from invincible. Russia’s balance sheet is one of the world’s best, the pernicious influence of oil prices has been reduced and the economy is altogether more isolated. But consumers are struggling, living standards are low and Russia is still a petro-heavy economy, as the 27% crash in the value of the ruble this year has shown. While this story of an economy more stable but less dynamic, slower moving but less exposed to a global crash comes through clearly from the macroeconomic data, the more pressing question of just how big the recession will be and what toll it will exert on Russia is much murkier. Economists at Deutsche Bank highlighted the difficulties in assessing the current state of the world economy in a recent research note. “We cannot stress enough the degree of uncertainty surrounding our projections. These are truly unprecedented events with no adequate historical example,” they said.
Moscow-based investment bank Renaissance Capital told The Moscow Times it didn’t even want to call its latest projection for the Russian economy a “forecast”, as that would imply a level of certainty which the current environment prohibits. The investment bank’s latest “tentative scenario” for 2020 is a 0.8% fall in Russia’s GDP. “But that could only last a week,” said the group’s chief economist Charlie Robertson in a conference call Thursday. “On growth, it’s a mug’s game to put out any proper numbers … Nobody’s got a clear idea of what’s happening today, let alone enough to make a forecast about what’s going to happen in three months,” he added. For those brave enough to put a number on the likely damage, the trend suggests Russia will fall into a recession this year. Private modelling for the Kremlin warned a 10% annual contraction could materialize in a worst-case scenario. Other estimates range anywhere between stagnation — zero growth — and a 4% decline. But they are being revised downwards at an alarming rate. As the economic picture deteriorates so rapidly, analysts are being forced to get more creative as they struggle to decipher what exactly is going on. Traditional economic data is out, and new real-time, experimental and unproven information is in. “Standard macroeconomic data provides a backward-looking, lagging perspective on economic activity,” VTB Capital explained on Thursday. “While the size of such a lag might be tolerable in normal times, when the situation is changing as fast as it is now, the need for more timely gauges becomes apparent.”
In recent weeks, economists usually focused on tried-and-tested barometers of economic health, such as monthly inflation, official unemployment readings and industrial production have turned to interpreting traffic data, public transport use, energy consumption, footfall in shopping centres and internet search data for terms related to job seeking or unemployment in a bid to get a handle on the looming economic shock. VTB Capital this week shared a pilot economic indicator which aims to get at real-time retail activity by tracking foot traffic in more than 200 Russian shopping centres using Google Maps’ “popular times” feature — the search giant’s widget that estimates how busy a specific place is compared to normal. However, with Russia about to go on a week-long emergency holiday and Moscow set to close all shops, bars and restaurants, tracking how busy bellwether establishments are in an attempt to understand consumers’ real-time behaviour in the age of the coronavirus is already a challenge. Robertson says the idea of these real-term guides is “interesting,” but questioned how useful they can be in understanding the wider economy given the lack of historic data. For instance, without being able to see what happened to the number of internet searches for vacancies in previous periods of economic stress, it is tricky to assess the exact significance of a surge in online job hunters now. Moscow’s Higher School of Economics has also tried to address the issue. Last week the independent university launched a new “daily economic stress index”, which combines 15 indicators including Russian stock market readings, exchange rate spreads and freight volumes. They chose indicators they could get old data for, and now present the daily readings as a real-time gauge for likelihood of a Russian recession. The index currently stands at 43 on a zero-to-100 scale. “A high probability of recession,” the economists explain. In each of the last three downturns — 2015, 2009 and 1998 — the index would’ve passed 80 at the point of maximum economic turmoil. The struggle to get a more up-to-date reading on the Russian economy is more than just an academic challenge for economists and number crunchers. Poor data on how the economy is dealing with the hit, along with acknowledged shortcomings in authorities’ understanding of the extent of the virus itself, is potentially delaying a more meaningful response to the crisis from the Kremlin, economists suggest.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-27--Russian Military Says Busloads of Troops Near Moscow ‘Routine’

Footage of a Moscow-bound bus convoy with men in military fatigues circulated widely online that day .
Coupled with Mayor Sergei Sobyanin ’ s closure of public gathering places for a week starting Saturday , the sighting prompted speculation that authorities could place the Russian capital under a full lockdown .
Russian National Guard troops have been deployed in Moscow as part of a planned action that should not cause panic , the military branch said Thursday .
“ This is a scheduled transportation of manpower and there ’ s no cause for concern , ” Ilya Krenzhel , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Moskva 24 news channel .
Witnesses have described seeing an estimated 200 buses with troops on a highway entering southwestern Moscow .
National Guard troops started patrolling Moscow on Thursday to urge elderly residents to comply with the mayor ’ s stay-at-home advisory .
Health experts say adults 65 years and older face a higher risk of severe illness from Covid-19 .
President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday introduced social and economic measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus , including a nationwide paid holiday from March 28 to April 5 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and avoid public places during this period .
Russia saw a spike in confirmed Covid-19 cases this week , reaching 840 cases and three coronavirus-related deaths as of Thursday as health experts have warned of an “ explosion ” in new infections .
The Kremlin said Thursday that “ there ’ s de facto no epidemic ” in Russia despite an exponential progression of coronavirus cases this week .

Footage of a Moscow-bound bus convoy with men in military fatigues circulated widely online that day. Coupled with Mayor Sergei Sobyanin’s closure of public gathering places for a week starting Saturday, the sighting prompted speculation that authorities could place the Russian capital under a full lockdown.
Russian National Guard troops have been deployed in Moscow as part of a planned action that should not cause panic, the military branch said Thursday.
“This is a scheduled transportation of manpower and there’s no cause for concern,” Ilya Krenzhel, a regional National Guard unit spokesman, told the Moskva 24 news channel.
Witnesses have described seeing an estimated 200 buses with troops on a highway entering southwestern Moscow.
National Guard troops started patrolling Moscow on Thursday to urge elderly residents to comply with the mayor’s stay-at-home advisory. Health experts say adults 65 years and older face a higher risk of severe illness from Covid-19.
President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday introduced social and economic measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus, including a nationwide paid holiday from March 28 to April 5. Sobyanin has urged residents to stay home and avoid public places during this period.
Russia saw a spike in confirmed Covid-19 cases this week, reaching 840 cases and three coronavirus-related deaths as of Thursday as health experts have warned of an “explosion” in new infections. The Kremlin said Thursday that “there’s de facto no epidemic” in Russia despite an exponential progression of coronavirus cases this week.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-27--Majority of Russians Doubt Official Coronavirus Data – Poll

Russia has reported 840 cases of coronavirus and three deaths , a number that has drawn widespread skepticism as numbers in neighboring Europe have soared .
This week , Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin , who is leading the national coronavirus taskforce , warned President Vladimir Putin that official figures were likely underestimating the spread of the disease .
A majority of Russians don ’ t believe their country ’ s official coronavirus data , according to a study published by the independent Levada Center pollster Thursday .
Fifty-nine percent of Russian respondents said they don ’ t believe the officially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they trust the authorities ’ information .
The number of Russians who are afraid of contracting the infection has significantly increased since February , Levada said .
Forty-four percent of Russians now worry that they ’ ll catch the virus compared to 30 % of respondents last month .
Almost half of respondents ( 48 % ) said they think it ’ s likely that Russia will see a nationwide coronavirus epidemic .
About the same percentage — 47 % — told the Levada Center that they think Russia ’ s healthcare system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , Moscow ’ s chief infectious diseases specialist said that Russian doctors are preparing for an “ explosive ” escalation of the coronavirus situation across the country .
The same day , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) ’ s representative to Russia said that the UN body has no reason to believe that the country is underreporting its data on the actual number of infections .
Levada conducted its survey among 1,624 respondents in 50 Russian regions from March 19-25 .

Russia has reported 840 cases of coronavirus and three deaths, a number that has drawn widespread skepticism as numbers in neighboring Europe have soared. This week, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, who is leading the national coronavirus taskforce, warned President Vladimir Putin that official figures were likely underestimating the spread of the disease.
A majority of Russians don’t believe their country’s official coronavirus data, according to a study published by the independent Levada Center pollster Thursday.
Fifty-nine percent of Russian respondents said they don’t believe the officially reported numbers, while 38% said they trust the authorities’ information.
The number of Russians who are afraid of contracting the infection has significantly increased since February, Levada said. Forty-four percent of Russians now worry that they’ll catch the virus compared to 30% of respondents last month.
Almost half of respondents (48%) said they think it’s likely that Russia will see a nationwide coronavirus epidemic. About the same percentage — 47% — told the Levada Center that they think Russia’s healthcare system can handle such an epidemic.
On Thursday, Moscow’s chief infectious diseases specialist said that Russian doctors are preparing for an “explosive” escalation of the coronavirus situation across the country. The same day, the World Health Organization (WHO)’s representative to Russia said that the UN body has no reason to believe that the country is underreporting its data on the actual number of infections.
Levada conducted its survey among 1,624 respondents in 50 Russian regions from March 19-25.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-26--Putin Calls for Sanctions 'Moratorium' at G20 Summit

The leader did not specify which countries should be earmarked for sanctions relief , speaking instead more broadly .
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday called for sanctions relief during the coronavirus pandemic , telling G20 leaders it was a matter `` of life and death . ''
`` Ideally we should introduce a ... joint moratorium on restrictions on essential goods as well as on financial transactions for their purchase , '' Putin said at a virtual meeting of G20 leaders Thursday .
`` I am talking about the countries that are suffering the most from this pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's a question of life and death , this is a purely humanitarian issue . ''
`` These matters should be freed of any politics , '' Putin added .
Russia has been chafing under numerous rounds of Western sanctions following the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its role in the Ukraine crisis .
It is also an ally of a number other countries sanctioned by the West , namely Iran and North Korea .
The Kremlin chief said it was important to establish `` green corridors free of trade wars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of medication , food , equipment and technology .
Putin also predicted the current crisis would be tougher than the financial crisis of 2008-2009 and trade conflicts and sanctions would only exacerbate it .
`` We undoubtedly can not afford to act on the principle 'every man for himself ' , '' the Russian president said , adding that countries needed to join forces in developing vaccines and drug treatments .
The coronavirus and a steep drop in oil prices have caused a two-pronged crisis for the Russian economy , challenging Putin 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standards .

The leader did not specify which countries should be earmarked for sanctions relief, speaking instead more broadly.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday called for sanctions relief during the coronavirus pandemic, telling G20 leaders it was a matter "of life and death."
"Ideally we should introduce a... joint moratorium on restrictions on essential goods as well as on financial transactions for their purchase," Putin said at a virtual meeting of G20 leaders Thursday.
"I am talking about the countries that are suffering the most from this pandemic. At the end of the day, it's a question of life and death, this is a purely humanitarian issue."
"These matters should be freed of any politics," Putin added.
Russia has been chafing under numerous rounds of Western sanctions following the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its role in the Ukraine crisis.
It is also an ally of a number other countries sanctioned by the West, namely Iran and North Korea.
The Kremlin chief said it was important to establish "green corridors free of trade wars and sanctions" that would ensure supplies of medication, food, equipment and technology.
Putin also predicted the current crisis would be tougher than the financial crisis of 2008-2009 and trade conflicts and sanctions would only exacerbate it.
"We undoubtedly cannot afford to act on the principle 'every man for himself'," the Russian president said, adding that countries needed to join forces in developing vaccines and drug treatments.
The coronavirus and a steep drop in oil prices have caused a two-pronged crisis for the Russian economy, challenging Putin's promises to boost growth and raise living standards.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-26--Russia Thanks 'Real Friend' Jack Ma for Gift of a Million Virus Masks

Calling Ma `` a real friend , '' the ministry said in a statement that the co-founder of Chinese e-commerce @ @ @ @ @ telephone to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and told him how touched he had been by @ @ @ @ @ China .
Russia has received more than a million masks and 200,000 coronavirus testing kits @ @ @ @ @ billionaire businessman Jack Ma , its Defense Ministry said on Thursday .
The foundations of @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday they had sent medical equipment to Russia .
The Russian Defense Ministry said Ma @ @ @ @ @ in a Russian Air Force plane which had flown from China .
President Vladimir Putin @ @ @ @ @ Russia would defeat coronavirus in two to three months if it imposed tough measures , @ @ @ @ @ , ordered most shops in Moscow to shut and halted some church services .
Russia @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases , its biggest one-day rise yet , bringing its official tally to 840 @

Calling Ma "a real friend," the ministry said in a statement that the co-founder of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba had spoken by telephone to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and told him how touched he had been by Moscow's own help for China.
Russia has received more than a million masks and 200,000 coronavirus testing kits as a gift from Chinese billionaire businessman Jack Ma, its Defense Ministry said on Thursday.
The foundations of Alibaba and Ma said on Wednesday they had sent medical equipment to Russia. The Russian Defense Ministry said Ma's gift had been delivered in a Russian Air Force plane which had flown from China.
President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he hoped Russia would defeat coronavirus in two to three months if it imposed tough measures, as authorities suspended international flights, ordered most shops in Moscow to shut and halted some church services.
Russia on Thursday reported 182 new coronavirus cases, its biggest one-day rise yet, bringing its official tally to 840.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-26--Russia Sees World’s Highest Pornhub Traffic Spike Amid Coronavirus Crisis

The large numbers coincide with BBC Russia ’ s report documenting a surge in condom and adult sex toy purchases from online retailers this month .
Russian internet users represented the world ’ s biggest increase in traffic to Pornhub over the past month as the coronavirus crisis has deepened , the adult website said in a study Wednesday .
Russia may not have called a national emergency because of coronavirus , but Russians ' Pornhub traffic has spiked more than anywhere in the world in the past month .
pic.twitter.com/zTOh6nxH0v “ I can say for sure that sex shops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Alexander Denisenko , the owner of Siberia ’ s Potselui sex shop , told the news website Thursday .
“ Because , like Netflix , they provide a sense of happiness , especially in a social distancing situation , ” Denisenko was quoted as saying .
Pornhub ’ s worldwide traffic spiked by 18.5 % on March 24 , when it made its premium content free to visitors for a month to encourage self-isolation amid the deadly coronavirus pandemic .
Russia ’ s Pornhub traffic for March 24 was triple the global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change over an average traffic period had never reached double digits on any other day in the past month .
Hong Kong saw the next-highest traffic surge at 42.5 % on March 24 , followed by Portugal ’ s 36.5 % , and Spain ’ s and Mexico ’ s 30 % .
The website ’ s traffic surge in the United States and Canada jumped by 17.8 % and 16 % respectively .

The large numbers coincide with BBC Russia’s report documenting a surge in condom and adult sex toy purchases from online retailers this month.
Russian internet users represented the world’s biggest increase in traffic to Pornhub over the past month as the coronavirus crisis has deepened, the adult website said in a study Wednesday.
Russia may not have called a national emergency because of coronavirus, but Russians' Pornhub traffic has spiked more than anywhere in the world in the past month. pic.twitter.com/zTOh6nxH0v
“I can say for sure that sex shops are in the black during crises,” Alexander Denisenko, the owner of Siberia’s Potselui sex shop, told the news website Thursday.
“Because, like Netflix, they provide a sense of happiness, especially in a social distancing situation,” Denisenko was quoted as saying.
Pornhub’s worldwide traffic spiked by 18.5% on March 24, when it made its premium content free to visitors for a month to encourage self-isolation amid the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
Russia’s Pornhub traffic for March 24 was triple the global average at 57.1%. Its percent change over an average traffic period had never reached double digits on any other day in the past month.
Hong Kong saw the next-highest traffic surge at 42.5% on March 24, followed by Portugal’s 36.5%, and Spain’s and Mexico’s 30%.
The website’s traffic surge in the United States and Canada jumped by 17.8% and 16% respectively.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-26--In Photos: Russia's New Coronavirus Reality

Russia saw a surge in coronavirus infections this week , with Wednesday and Thursday marking Russia ’ s largest one-day @ @ @ @ @ On Thursday , health officials confirmed 136 new infected patients in Moscow alone .
With @ @ @ @ @ that it will slow down in Russia , the virus is becoming part of everyday @ @ @ @ @ masks have become a near-ubiquitous fashion accessory and the streets are becoming increasingly empty .
@ @ @ @ @ Russia 's new reality amid the coronavirus pandemic :

In Photos: Russia's New Coronavirus Reality
Russia saw a surge in coronavirus infections this week, with Wednesday and Thursday marking Russia’s largest one-day increases in new cases.
On Thursday, health officials confirmed 136 new infected patients in Moscow alone.
With the pandemic showing little sign that it will slow down in Russia, the virus is becoming part of everyday life for Russians. Face masks have become a near-ubiquitous fashion accessory and the streets are becoming increasingly empty.
Here is a look at Russia's new reality amid the coronavirus pandemic:


themoscowtimes--2020-03-26--As Coronavirus Worries Rise, Can Foreigners Still Leave Russia and Return Home?

Russia saw a spike in confirmed coronavirus cases this week and health experts have warned of an “ explosion ” in new infections .
As of Thursday , Russia has reported 840 cases of coronavirus and three coronavirus-related deaths .
Starting March 27 , Russia will indefinitely ground all international flights in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus within its borders — but foreigners in Russia still have some available options to leave the country and return home , travel agencies told The Moscow Times .
According to travel agencies in Moscow and St. Petersburg , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia is to cross the border by car .
European Union citizens are able to leave Russia if they drive in a private vehicle , a Moscow-based tour agency representative told The Moscow Times .
However , there is no guarantee that EU countries will let their citizens cross their side of the border without “ difficulties ” such as a two-week quarantine , the travel agent said .
The EU has also barred non-EU citizens from entering its borders .
An employee from a St. Petersburg-based international transportation company confirmed that so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on foreigners seeking to return to their home countries by private vehicle .
Russian border guards won ’ t stop foreign travelers or expats from leaving the country if they go by car , the representative said .
He was unable , however , to give a recent example of a foreigner who successfully crossed the Russian-EU border in a private vehicle .
It 's not possible for citizens or foreigners to leave Russia by private jet , a senior employee at Moscow 's Vnukovo Airport told The Moscow Times .
The measure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was introduced almost a week after Russia announced the closure of its border to foreigners until May 1 and effectively closed its ground border until mid-April .
The only flights that will be permitted are planes bringing Russian citizens home from abroad as well as flights carried out by government order .
Russia has also halted its international railway routes with Europe and with other neighboring countries .
The country 's sea border is closed to all passengers until further notice and all ferries to Scandinavian countries have been canceled .
President Vladimir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop the spread of the coronavirus , including a nationwide paid holiday from March 28 to April 5 .
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has urged residents to stay home and avoid public places during this period .

Russia saw a spike in confirmed coronavirus cases this week and health experts have warned of an “explosion” in new infections. As of Thursday, Russia has reported 840 cases of coronavirus and three coronavirus-related deaths.
Starting March 27, Russia will indefinitely ground all international flights in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus within its borders — but foreigners in Russia still have some available options to leave the country and return home, travel agencies told The Moscow Times.
According to travel agencies in Moscow and St. Petersburg, the best bet for foreigners seeking to leave Russia is to cross the border by car.
European Union citizens are able to leave Russia if they drive in a private vehicle, a Moscow-based tour agency representative told The Moscow Times. However, there is no guarantee that EU countries will let their citizens cross their side of the border without “difficulties” such as a two-week quarantine, the travel agent said. The EU has also barred non-EU citizens from entering its borders.
An employee from a St. Petersburg-based international transportation company confirmed that so far there have been no restrictions imposed on foreigners seeking to return to their home countries by private vehicle.
Russian border guards won’t stop foreign travelers or expats from leaving the country if they go by car, the representative said. He was unable, however, to give a recent example of a foreigner who successfully crossed the Russian-EU border in a private vehicle.
It's not possible for citizens or foreigners to leave Russia by private jet, a senior employee at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport told The Moscow Times.
The measure to ground Russia’s international flights was introduced almost a week after Russia announced the closure of its border to foreigners until May 1 and effectively closed its ground border until mid-April. The only flights that will be permitted are planes bringing Russian citizens home from abroad as well as flights carried out by government order.
Russia has also halted its international railway routes with Europe and with other neighboring countries. The country's sea border is closed to all passengers until further notice and all ferries to Scandinavian countries have been canceled.
President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday introduced additional measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus, including a nationwide paid holiday from March 28 to April 5. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has urged residents to stay home and avoid public places during this period.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-26--Russia Orders Twitter, Facebook to Delete ‘Fake’ Coronavirus News

Russia ’ s state communications watchdog Roskomnadzor said it has asked Twitter and Facebook to delete “ fake ” stories surrounding the deadly coronavirus pandemic .
The takedown orders come amid public suspicion toward Russia ’ s officially reported coronavirus numbers , which jumped to 840 on Thursday .
Experts warn that Russia 's testing capacity is hampered by bureaucracy , while officials warn that the real number of cases is likely much higher .
Facebook complied with Roskomnadzor ’ s request Wednesday and deleted “ socially significant false information ” about the number of coronavirus cases in Russia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It also said it asked Twitter to take down a fake story about an alleged curfew being adopted in Moscow .
City officials have repeatedly denied reports that they plan to place the city under lockdown or impose a curfew .
The Russian capital ordered the closure of restaurants , parks , nightclubs and other establishments between March 28 and April 5 , a period that President Vladimir Putin declared a paid holiday .
Last week , Roskomnadzor ordered several Russian news outlets to take down unspecified information about the outbreak that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlets face administrative fines of up to 500,000 rubles ( $ 6,200 ) under a law imposing penalties for “ fake news ” that Putin signed last year .
At the time , Roskomnadzor called on VKontakte , Facebook and Instagram to monitor and remove any fake coronavirus information on their websites .
Putin said earlier in March that fake news reports about coronavirus were being sent from abroad to spread panic among the Russian public .

Russia’s state communications watchdog Roskomnadzor said it has asked Twitter and Facebook to delete “fake” stories surrounding the deadly coronavirus pandemic. The takedown orders come amid public suspicion toward Russia’s officially reported coronavirus numbers, which jumped to 840 on Thursday. Experts warn that Russia's testing capacity is hampered by bureaucracy, while officials warn that the real number of cases is likely much higher.
Facebook complied with Roskomnadzor’s request Wednesday and deleted “socially significant false information” about the number of coronavirus cases in Russia, the watchdog said in a statement Thursday. It also said it asked Twitter to take down a fake story about an alleged curfew being adopted in Moscow. City officials have repeatedly denied reports that they plan to place the city under lockdown or impose a curfew. The Russian capital ordered the closure of restaurants, parks, nightclubs and other establishments between March 28 and April 5, a period that President Vladimir Putin declared a paid holiday.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-26--Russia Overturns First Jehovah’s Witnesses Convictions

The court in Penza , some 550 kilometers southeast of Moscow , handed five adherents suspended two-year prison sentences in December .
The sixth worshipper , Vladimir Alushkin , was jailed for six years after an investigation had shown that he had continued to run the local Jehovah ’ s Witnesses branch despite the group being outlawed in Russia .
A Russian court has overturned the convictions of six Jehovah ’ s Witnesses accused of extremism , marking the first instance of the group 's worshippers having their verdicts overturned in Russia , the group announced Wednesday .
The Penza @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returned the case for a new trial , the Jehovah ’ s Witnesses in Russia organization said in a statement .
The decision was overturned because of a violation of Russia ’ s criminal procedure code , the court spokeswoman told the state-run TASS news agency .
She said Alushkin was released from detention .
Russia 's Supreme Court ruled in 2017 that the religious group was an `` extremist '' organization and ordered it to disband .
The ruling was followed by a crackdown that has seen dozens of adherents detained and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights activists have criticized the crackdown as a violation of religious freedom .
Jehovah 's Witnesses say Russia 's Constitution guarantees their right to exercise freedom of religion and deny wrongdoing .
The Jehovah 's Witnesses are a Christian denomination known for door-to-door preaching , close Bible study and rejection of military service and blood transfusions .
The group has about 170,000 followers in Russia and 8 million worldwide .
President Vladimir Putin in 2018 said he did not understand why authorities were pursuing the group and called for the matter to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that the group remains illegal under current legislation and declined to confirm whether the law will be changed or not .

The court in Penza, some 550 kilometers southeast of Moscow, handed five adherents suspended two-year prison sentences in December. The sixth worshipper, Vladimir Alushkin, was jailed for six years after an investigation had shown that he had continued to run the local Jehovah’s Witnesses branch despite the group being outlawed in Russia.
A Russian court has overturned the convictions of six Jehovah’s Witnesses accused of extremism, marking the first instance of the group's worshippers having their verdicts overturned in Russia, the group announced Wednesday.
The Penza regional court overturned the six convictions and returned the case for a new trial, the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia organization said in a statement.
The decision was overturned because of a violation of Russia’s criminal procedure code, the court spokeswoman told the state-run TASS news agency. She said Alushkin was released from detention.
Russia's Supreme Court ruled in 2017 that the religious group was an "extremist" organization and ordered it to disband. The ruling was followed by a crackdown that has seen dozens of adherents detained and hundreds hit with criminal charges.
Human rights activists have criticized the crackdown as a violation of religious freedom. Jehovah's Witnesses say Russia's Constitution guarantees their right to exercise freedom of religion and deny wrongdoing.
The Jehovah's Witnesses are a Christian denomination known for door-to-door preaching, close Bible study and rejection of military service and blood transfusions. The group has about 170,000 followers in Russia and 8 million worldwide.
President Vladimir Putin in 2018 said he did not understand why authorities were pursuing the group and called for the matter to be analyzed. But the Kremlin has since said that the group remains illegal under current legislation and declined to confirm whether the law will be changed or not.
Reuters contributed reporting to this article.