themoscowtimes--2020-06-22--N.Zealand Freezes Assets of Alleged Russian Cyber Criminal

Police said they acted after discovering funds belonging to Alexander Vinnik , who is in custody in France facing fraud charges , were being held in a New Zealand company .
New Zealand police revealed Monday they had frozen NZ $ 140 million ( US $ 90 million ) in assets linked to a Russian man accused of laundering money for organized crime using cyber currency .
`` These funds are likely to reflect the profit gained from the victimization of thousands , if not hundreds of thousands , of people globally as a result of cybercrime and organized crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vinnik operated digital currency exchange BTC-e until his arrest in 2017 in the northern Greek tourist resort of Halkidiki , prompting a three-way extradition tussle between the United States , France and Russia .
A U.S. indictment accused him of 21 charges ranging from identity theft and facilitating drug trafficking to money laundering .
French authorities accused him of defrauding more than 100 people in six cities , while he was wanted in Russia on lesser fraud charges totalling 9,500 euros ( US $ 10,600 ) .
Coster said New Zealand police had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Service on the case .
`` The global criminal community need to understand New Zealand 's financial system , and companies established here , are not the places to try to hide illicit income , '' he said .
Coster said the investigation was ongoing and that a court application had been lodged seeking forfeiture of the funds .

Police said they acted after discovering funds belonging to Alexander Vinnik, who is in custody in France facing fraud charges, were being held in a New Zealand company.
New Zealand police revealed Monday they had frozen NZ$140 million (US$90 million) in assets linked to a Russian man accused of laundering money for organized crime using cyber currency.
"These funds are likely to reflect the profit gained from the victimization of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of people globally as a result of cybercrime and organized crime," commissioner Andrew Coster said.
Vinnik operated digital currency exchange BTC-e until his arrest in 2017 in the northern Greek tourist resort of Halkidiki, prompting a three-way extradition tussle between the United States, France and Russia.
A U.S. indictment accused him of 21 charges ranging from identity theft and facilitating drug trafficking to money laundering.
French authorities accused him of defrauding more than 100 people in six cities, while he was wanted in Russia on lesser fraud charges totalling 9,500 euros (US$10,600).
Vinnik has previously denied the charges.
Coster said New Zealand police had worked closely with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service on the case.
"The global criminal community need to understand New Zealand's financial system, and companies established here, are not the places to try to hide illicit income," he said.
Coster said the investigation was ongoing and that a court application had been lodged seeking forfeiture of the funds.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-22--‘We’ll See’: Putin Says He’s Open to Seeking Fifth Term

President Vladimir Putin could seek another term in office if Russians vote next week in favor of constitutional amendments that would “ zero out ” his previous four terms , he said in a new interview ahead of the vote .
Putin ’ s changes to the country 's basic law , which he and Russia ’ s Constitutional Court approved in March , contain a provision allowing him to extend his rule until 2036 .
Voting for the amendments has been in full swing for the past two weeks and officially runs between this Thursday and July 1 as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worsening Russia ’ s coronavirus outbreak .
“ I do not rule out the possibility of running for office , if this comes up in the Constitution .
We ’ ll see , ” Putin said in the interview that aired Sunday .
“ I have not decided anything for myself yet , ” he told a weekly state television program that covers his activities .
Putin ’ s fourth overall term as president ends in 2024 and the current Constitution prohibits him from running again .
The proposed amendments would reset that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to run for two more six-year stints .
Polling has shown majority support for the amendments , which in addition to resetting Putin ’ s presidential terms include provisions enshrining social guarantees .
“ Experience tells me there will be searches at various levels of government for possible successors instead of normal rhythmic work in two years ” without the changes , Putin said in the interview .
“ We need to work , not look for successors , ” he said .

President Vladimir Putin could seek another term in office if Russians vote next week in favor of constitutional amendments that would “zero out” his previous four terms, he said in a new interview ahead of the vote. Putin’s changes to the country's basic law, which he and Russia’s Constitutional Court approved in March, contain a provision allowing him to extend his rule until 2036. Voting for the amendments has been in full swing for the past two weeks and officially runs between this Thursday and July 1 as authorities seek to hold the plebiscite without worsening Russia’s coronavirus outbreak.
“I do not rule out the possibility of running for office, if this comes up in the Constitution. We’ll see,” Putin said in the interview that aired Sunday. “I have not decided anything for myself yet,” he told a weekly state television program that covers his activities. Putin’s fourth overall term as president ends in 2024 and the current Constitution prohibits him from running again. The proposed amendments would reset that number back to zero, allowing Putin to run for two more six-year stints.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-22--Russia Passes 590K Coronavirus Cases Ahead of Victory Day Parade, Constitutional Vote

Moscow lifted restrictions including compulsory travel passes on June 8 , a move welcomed by residents who rushed out to enjoy the streets and parks .
Many other regions are lifting lockdown restrictions as Russia is preparing to hold a July 1 national vote despite the pandemic .
President Vladimir Putin is seeking public backing for constitutional amendments that would allow him to stay on at the Kremlin beyond his current term .
Critics have cast doubt on Russia 's low official mortality rate and accused authorities of under-reporting to play down the scale of the crisis .
Russia attributes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing which has identified many cases with mild or no coronavirus symptoms .
The Health Ministry is now adjusting how it reports numbers to include all deaths believed to be related to the virus even if the direct cause of death was another condition or the patient tested negative .
Former Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin , a liberal politician known for his outspoken comments , said Russia 's health system requires more funds and modernization in many regions .
`` Medicine is significantly underfunded even according to the current norms and also it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who heads the Audit Chamber that examines government spending , said in an interview with the state-run TASS state news agency .
`` We will carry out a check and show these figures , '' he added .
Nevertheless the economist said Russia `` is not doing a bad job with the pandemic , '' crediting the role of the military , which has built emergency facilities .

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--2020-06-22--Dynamo's Trip to Krasnodar Postponed After 3 Players Test Positive for Virus

The match is part of the already troubled first round of fixtures since the pandemic shut down the league for three months .
Dynamo Moscow 's Russian Premier League clash at Krasnodar has been pushed back almost a month after three of their players including former Tottenham forward Clinton Njie tested positive for coronavirus .
`` The match between Krasnodar and Dynamo Moscow will be played on July 19 , '' the Russian football federation said in a statement following a meeting of its executive committee .
The federation added that both clubs agreed with the decision to postpone the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Faso midfielder Charles Kabore and Poland international Sebastian Szymanski tested positive for Covid-19 , Dynamo said .
Dynamo said the three players had been placed in a two-week quarantine under medical supervision .
The rest of the squad , coaches and staff have been confined to Dynamo 's training center just outside Moscow since Saturday , the statement added .
On Friday fellow Russian Premier League Rostov outfit were thrashed 10-1 by Sochi after being forced to field a team of teenagers after six of their first-team squad tested positive for the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , had tried unsuccessfully to get the game postponed and Sochi were heavily criticized for insisting the match go ahead and then fielding a strong team against such inexperienced opponents .
Krasnodar currently sit third in Russia 's top flight , level on 41 points with Lokomotiv Moscow in second and 12 points behind leaders Zenit Saint Petersburg .
Dynamo are seventh in the 16-team league .
Russia has registered more than 8,000 fatalities and nearly 577,000 coronavirus infections , the third-largest infection number after the United States and Brazil .

The match is part of the already troubled first round of fixtures since the pandemic shut down the league for three months.
Dynamo Moscow's Russian Premier League clash at Krasnodar has been pushed back almost a month after three of their players including former Tottenham forward Clinton Njie tested positive for coronavirus.
"The match between Krasnodar and Dynamo Moscow will be played on July 19," the Russian football federation said in a statement following a meeting of its executive committee.
The federation added that both clubs agreed with the decision to postpone the match.
Cameroon international Njie, Burkino Faso midfielder Charles Kabore and Poland international Sebastian Szymanski tested positive for Covid-19, Dynamo said.
Dynamo said the three players had been placed in a two-week quarantine under medical supervision.
The rest of the squad, coaches and staff have been confined to Dynamo's training center just outside Moscow since Saturday, the statement added.
On Friday fellow Russian Premier League Rostov outfit were thrashed 10-1 by Sochi after being forced to field a team of teenagers after six of their first-team squad tested positive for the virus.
Rostov, fourth in the table, had tried unsuccessfully to get the game postponed and Sochi were heavily criticized for insisting the match go ahead and then fielding a strong team against such inexperienced opponents.
Krasnodar currently sit third in Russia's top flight, level on 41 points with Lokomotiv Moscow in second and 12 points behind leaders Zenit Saint Petersburg. Dynamo are seventh in the 16-team league.
Russia has registered more than 8,000 fatalities and nearly 577,000 coronavirus infections, the third-largest infection number after the United States and Brazil.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-22--News From Russia: What You Missed Over the Weekend

President Vladimir Putin could seek another term in office if Russians vote next week in favor of constitutional amendments that would “ zero out ” his previous four terms , he said in an interview .
“ I do not rule out the possibility of running for office , if this comes up in the Constitution .
We ’ ll see , ” Putin said as translated by Reuters .
“ I have not decided anything for myself yet.
” The town of Verkhoyansk in eastern Siberia has broken its all-time heat record with temperatures hitting 38 degrees Celsius and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any location above the Arctic Circle .
The town of around 1,300 residents holds the Guinness World Record for the highest recorded temperature range of 105 C , fluctuating from minus 68 C to 37 C. Anti-Kremlin activist Pyotr Verzilov has been questioned on charges of extremism and violence against the authorities in connection with last summer ’ s opposition protests in Moscow , he told the Mediazona news website which he publishes .
The outlet previously reported that unidentified men seized Verzilov , who is also a member of punk band and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down his apartment door early Sunday and held him for more than 12 hours .
France said it would charge four men in connection with violence blamed on Chechens in the eastern French city of Dijon , as local people marched calling for the resignation of the top local official .

President Vladimir Putin could seek another term in office if Russians vote next week in favor of constitutional amendments that would “zero out” his previous four terms, he said in an interview.
“I do not rule out the possibility of running for office, if this comes up in the Constitution. We’ll see,” Putin said as translated by Reuters. “I have not decided anything for myself yet.”
Arctic heat
The town of Verkhoyansk in eastern Siberia has broken its all-time heat record with temperatures hitting 38 degrees Celsius and may have set a new record for any location above the Arctic Circle.
The town of around 1,300 residents holds the Guinness World Record for the highest recorded temperature range of 105 C, fluctuating from minus 68 C to 37 C.
‘Extremist’ publisher
Anti-Kremlin activist Pyotr Verzilov has been questioned on charges of extremism and violence against the authorities in connection with last summer’s opposition protests in Moscow, he told the Mediazona news website which he publishes.
The outlet previously reported that unidentified men seized Verzilov, who is also a member of punk band and art collective Pussy Riot, after breaking down his apartment door early Sunday and held him for more than 12 hours.
Dijon unrest
France said it would charge four men in connection with violence blamed on Chechens in the eastern French city of Dijon, as local people marched calling for the resignation of the top local official.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-22--Defense Lawyers Want Wider Probe of MH17 Theories

Defense lawyers for a Russian suspect on trial over the downing of flight MH17 called Monday for more investigation of alternative theories including that a Ukrainian fighter jet was to blame .
Prosecutors in the trial in the Netherlands say the Malaysia Airlines plane , which was shot down in 2014 and all 298 people on board were killed , was hit by an air-to-ground missile fired from territory in eastern Ukraine held by pro-Russian separatists .
But lawyers for Oleg Pulatov , the only one of the four suspects on trial to have legal representation , said there should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lawyer Boudewijn van Eijck called for `` a different look at the case '' .
`` The case against our client is very far from ready for assessment in court , '' he said .
Another defense lawyer , Sabine ten Doesschate , said they wanted to speak to witnesses who claimed to have heard a Ukrainian fighter jet in the area at the time , and to see more radar data .
Russian officials have previously publicly supported similar theories that a Ukrainian jet downed MH17 in the immediate aftermath of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fighter jet theory , saying investigators examined radar data that showed no military aircraft in the area at the time .
They also said Russia had backed away from the theory after admitting that radar details appearing to show other planes nearby was in error .
Prosecutors argue the four men on trial were instrumental in bringing a BUK surface-to-air missile system to Ukraine from its original base in Russia , even if they did not pull the trigger .
Pulatov together with fellow Russians Igor Girkin and Sergei Dubinsky and Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dutch prosecutors with murder and causing the crash .

Defense lawyers for a Russian suspect on trial over the downing of flight MH17 called Monday for more investigation of alternative theories including that a Ukrainian fighter jet was to blame.
Prosecutors in the trial in the Netherlands say the Malaysia Airlines plane, which was shot down in 2014 and all 298 people on board were killed, was hit by an air-to-ground missile fired from territory in eastern Ukraine held by pro-Russian separatists.
But lawyers for Oleg Pulatov, the only one of the four suspects on trial to have legal representation, said there should be further inquiries into other theories.
Lawyer Boudewijn van Eijck called for "a different look at the case".
"The case against our client is very far from ready for assessment in court," he said.
Another defense lawyer, Sabine ten Doesschate, said they wanted to speak to witnesses who claimed to have heard a Ukrainian fighter jet in the area at the time, and to see more radar data.
Russian officials have previously publicly supported similar theories that a Ukrainian jet downed MH17 in the immediate aftermath of the crash.
Dutch prosecutors last week addressed the fighter jet theory, saying investigators examined radar data that showed no military aircraft in the area at the time.
They also said Russia had backed away from the theory after admitting that radar details appearing to show other planes nearby was in error.
Prosecutors argue the four men on trial were instrumental in bringing a BUK surface-to-air missile system to Ukraine from its original base in Russia, even if they did not pull the trigger.
Pulatov together with fellow Russians Igor Girkin and Sergei Dubinsky and Ukrainian citizen Leonid Kharchenko have been charged by Dutch prosecutors with murder and causing the crash.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-22--Anti-Kremlin Activist, Pussy Riot Member Jailed for 15 Days for ‘Public Swearing’

Verzilov disappeared early Sunday after unidentified men broke down his apartment door and arrested him .
He reappeared more than 12 hours later , saying he had been questioned by police on charges of extremism and violence against the authorities in connection with last summer ’ s opposition protests in Moscow .
Anti-Kremlin activist and Pussy Riot member Pyotr Verzilov has been sentenced to 15 days in jail on charges of public swearing after he was attacked outside a Moscow police station , the Mediazona news website , which he publishes , reported Monday .
While leaving the police station @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assailant .
Verzilov was then detained for “ repeatedly expressing obscene language in the presence of other citizens , ” his lawyer said , and spent the night in custody .
The Meshchansky District Court sentenced Verzilov to 15 days of administrative arrest for acts of minor hooliganism .
“ We witnessed a special operation , the target of which was not just me , but the entire civil society ahead of the Victory Day parade and voting day , ” Verzilov said in court , calling his arrest a “ Gogolian scenario @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absurd.
” A source close to Verzilov told BBC Russian that his interrogation on Sunday may have been connected to the activist ’ s plans to stage a protest at the Victory Day parade on June 24 .
Verzilov denies planning to protest at the parade .

Verzilov disappeared early Sunday after unidentified men broke down his apartment door and arrested him. He reappeared more than 12 hours later, saying he had been questioned by police on charges of extremism and violence against the authorities in connection with last summer’s opposition protests in Moscow.
Anti-Kremlin activist and Pussy Riot member Pyotr Verzilov has been sentenced to 15 days in jail on charges of public swearing after he was attacked outside a Moscow police station, the Mediazona news website, which he publishes, reported Monday.
While leaving the police station, Verzilov was attacked by an unknown assailant. Verzilov was then detained for “repeatedly expressing obscene language in the presence of other citizens,” his lawyer said, and spent the night in custody.
The Meshchansky District Court sentenced Verzilov to 15 days of administrative arrest for acts of minor hooliganism.
Verzilov denies the charges.
“We witnessed a special operation, the target of which was not just me, but the entire civil society ahead of the Victory Day parade and voting day,” Verzilov said in court, calling his arrest a “Gogolian scenario” and “the theater of the absurd.”
A source close to Verzilov told BBC Russian that his interrogation on Sunday may have been connected to the activist’s plans to stage a protest at the Victory Day parade on June 24. Verzilov denies planning to protest at the parade.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-22--Russia’s Coronavirus Recovery Plan Has No Space for Renewables

One of the first wind power stations in Russia sits on the Commander Islands — a group of scrubby , sparsely inhabited mountainous rocks 100 miles off the country 's eastern coast in the Bering Sea .
Started with a donation of two turbines from Denmark in the 1990s , the mini wind farm was designed to halve the 700 islanders ’ reliance on diesel to generate their electricity .
Given frequent storms and irregular travel connections , the dirty fuel can cost twice as much as on the mainland .
When Georgy Safanov , director of the Center for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Higher School of Economics recently visited the islands he noticed that only one of the four wind turbines was in operation .
The next day , the situation was the same — with a different turbine spinning but the other three switched off .
“ I asked the locals , ‘ Why aren ’ t you using them ?
They are here , that ’ s free energy for you , ’ ” Safanov told The Moscow Times .
The answer , he said , gives a blunt insight into Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ They replied , ‘ We could use them all , but we still have a diesel power generator .
And that ’ s owned by guys who are close to our village administration.
’ ” “ Russia has huge , huge potential for renewables , everywhere and in everything — solar , wind , hydro , geothermal , biofuels .
But the economics around the energy system are very traditional and corrupt , ” Safanov said , adding that he believes these problems are stunting Russia ’ s renewables industry .
Only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was generated from renewable sources in 2019 — not counting hydro or nuclear power — according to the BP statistical review of world energy .
The world average is more than 10 % , and in Europe it is around 20 % .
While Russia stands fourth in the world for overall electricity generation , it is ranked 109th for renewables .
Analysts and industry figures say the situation in Russia is unlikely to change as it comes out of the coronavirus pandemic , despite some of the world ’ s largest economies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change and accelerate decarbonization .
“ In Europe , crisis response plans have renewable energy and climate projects in first place .
In ours ... we don ’ t see any ambitious plans to restart the Russian economy using carbon-free technologies or by investing into carbon-free projects , ” said Alexey Zhikharev , director of the Association for the Development of Renewable Energy ( RREDA ) .
Despite a Kremlin target to generate 4.5 % of Russia ’ s electricity from renewable sources by 2024 , Zhikharev says even if every project currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best case scenario will be 1 % .
“ Medium-term plans for [ renewables ] capacity are at a very low level — even compared to our neighbors like Ukraine , Uzbekistan or Kazakhstan , without considering China or the U.S. , ” Zhikharev added , pointing out that China commissions 100 times more capacity per year in new renewable energy projects than Russia .
The Kremlin ’ s latest energy strategy , in force from June and running until 2035 , makes little mention of renewables or a transition to clean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researcher who focuses on Russia ’ s energy sector .
It even pencils in higher investment in coal projects — seen by many as the dirtiest kind of fossil fuel .
When Russia talks of energy diversification or an energy transition , it usually means balancing export markets for vital multi-billion dollar oil and gas exports , she added .
“ The strategy is definitely one , if not two steps behind what ’ s happening .
And the pandemic has compounded that and made it even worse , ” Shagina said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a world moving away from hydrocarbons and becoming more and more committed to tackling climate change , said Tatiana Mitrova , director of the Skolkovo Energy Center .
“ The Russian government is… very sceptical concerning the anthropogenic nature of climate change , ” she told The Moscow Times .
This leads to a passive , box-ticking approach to green initiatives — such as Russia ’ s belated ratification of the Paris Climate Accords , when the Kremlin eventually signed up , but chose a baseline emissions level so high that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mitrova is among those pushing the Russian government to incentivize renewables and make the economy more green .
“ We should use this period when the state will be launching stimulus packages to push economic growth , to use at least some part of it for green technologies.
” But a detailed package of green proposals put to the Russian government over the last few months wasn ’ t met with enthusiasm .
Analysts say the state ’ s capacity for supporting the energy industry is dominated by big ticket or geopolitical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breaks for Arctic oil or LNG projects and flagship pipelines like Nord Stream 2 to Europe and the Power of Siberia to China .
“ Goals like decarbonization or increasing the share of renewables are not a priority , ” says RREDA ’ s Zhikharev .
“ There is no ‘ unified position ’ within the government regarding whether or not to support the renewables industry.
” Some see it as a potential growth industry and source of highly skilled well-paid jobs , while others argue renewables will increase energy costs for consumers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fuel lobby is also holding back Russia ’ s potential renewables development , others say .
“ There are still very few incentives for change .
There are interest groups happy with the status quo … and there are a lot of Russian decision makers who still don ’ t believe the prospects for green energy ” said Igor Makarov , head of the world economy program at the Higher School of Economics .
“ The preference is given to orthodox energy monopolies — big markets should be assigned to big friends , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regions where there is lots of green energy potential , like Kamchatka , what you see is that Gazprom built a gas pipeline there , so everybody should use gas .
There are no plans for big green projects or huge tidal power plants which could be built there.
” Those hoping the coronavirus pandemic , a fall in energy use and volatility in oil and gas markets could trigger a rethink are likely to be disappointed .
“ Inside Russia , the coronavirus crisis is considered a temporary , short-term issue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a long-term thing .
So why should we change our model now ?
Climate change — the bigger , longer-term crisis — is not considered at all , ” said Safanov .
While a Europe-style green new deal may be firmly off the table , Russia could still come under pressure from decarbonization efforts in its largest trading partner .
The continued development of low-carbon energy sources in Europe , as well as the potential for carbon border taxes could significantly hit Russian energy exports — with analysts agreeing that any catalyst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to come from outside economic pressure , rather than domestic considerations or a desire to confront climate change .
Some big Russian corporations with exposure to western markets have woken up to the rising importance of Environment , Social and Governance ( ESG ) concerns .
“ Russian exporters are demonstrating more and more interest in the renewable energy sector , ” says Zhikharev .
“ They are looking for opportunities to conclude direct purchasing agreements with renewable energy generators .
Within the next three to five years this will be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to understand that the competitiveness of their products on the global market could be lost.
” Aluminium maker Rusal has rolled out various emissions-reductions programs and low-carbon products , while privately-owned oil major Lukoil has committed to becoming a net zero carbon emitter by 2050 .
However , as green energy advocates have found , this pressure has not reached a critical point yet .
“ It ’ s sufficient to start a discussion about green issues , climate change and renewable energy , but not to make some dramatic changes in Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Makarov .
Moreover , Russia is not as exposed to western trends like ESG , since the state or state-controlled banks are the main sources of investment , not foreign investors .
Looking to the future of Russia ’ s renewables industry , Safanov concluded : “ I don ’ t see any internal drivers for substantial change .
It ’ s a long story with tiny steps .
If we continue with our current approach to renewables , we ’ ll get to something like 40-50 % of our energy mix .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

One of the first wind power stations in Russia sits on the Commander Islands — a group of scrubby, sparsely inhabited mountainous rocks 100 miles off the country's eastern coast in the Bering Sea. Started with a donation of two turbines from Denmark in the 1990s, the mini wind farm was designed to halve the 700 islanders’ reliance on diesel to generate their electricity. Given frequent storms and irregular travel connections, the dirty fuel can cost twice as much as on the mainland. When Georgy Safonov, director of the Center for Environment and Natural Resource Economics at Moscow’s Higher School of Economics recently visited the islands he noticed that only one of the four wind turbines was in operation. The next day, the situation was the same — with a different turbine spinning but the other three switched off. “I asked the locals, ‘Why aren’t you using them? They are here, that’s free energy for you,’” Safonov told The Moscow Times. The answer, he said, gives a blunt insight into Russia’s approach to renewable energy. “They replied, ‘We could use them all, but we still have a diesel power generator. And that’s owned by guys who are close to our village administration.’” “Russia has huge, huge potential for renewables, everywhere and in everything — solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biofuels. But the economics around the energy system are very traditional and corrupt,” Safonov said, adding that he believes these problems are stunting Russia’s renewables industry. Unrealized potential Only 0.16% of Russia’s electricity was generated from renewable sources in 2019 — not counting hydro or nuclear power — according to the BP statistical review of world energy. The world average is more than 10%, and in Europe it is around 20%. While Russia stands fourth in the world for overall electricity generation, it is ranked 109th for renewables. Analysts and industry figures say the situation in Russia is unlikely to change as it comes out of the coronavirus pandemic, despite some of the world’s largest economies allocating substantial extra cash to fight climate change and accelerate decarbonization. “In Europe, crisis response plans have renewable energy and climate projects in first place. In ours ... we don’t see any ambitious plans to restart the Russian economy using carbon-free technologies or by investing into carbon-free projects,” said Alexey Zhikharev, director of the Association for the Development of Renewable Energy (RREDA). Despite a Kremlin target to generate 4.5% of Russia’s electricity from renewable sources by 2024, Zhikharev says even if every project currently in development comes online in time, the best case scenario will be 1%.
Russia lags not only world leaders like the EU in renewable energy sources, but also China, India, Brazil and Ukraine. Electricity generation by source. BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2019/MT
“Medium-term plans for [renewables] capacity are at a very low level — even compared to our neighbors like Ukraine, Uzbekistan or Kazakhstan, without considering China or the U.S.,” Zhikharev added, pointing out that China commissions 100 times more capacity per year in new renewable energy projects than Russia. The Kremlin’s latest energy strategy, in force from June and running until 2035, makes little mention of renewables or a transition to clean energy, said Maria Shagina, a researcher who focuses on Russia’s energy sector. It even pencils in higher investment in coal projects — seen by many as the dirtiest kind of fossil fuel. When Russia talks of energy diversification or an energy transition, it usually means balancing export markets for vital multi-billion dollar oil and gas exports, she added. “The strategy is definitely one, if not two steps behind what’s happening. And the pandemic has compounded that and made it even worse,” Shagina said. Completely unprepared Russia is “completely unprepared,” for a world moving away from hydrocarbons and becoming more and more committed to tackling climate change, said Tatiana Mitrova, director of the Skolkovo Energy Center. “The Russian government is… very sceptical concerning the anthropogenic nature of climate change,” she told The Moscow Times. This leads to a passive, box-ticking approach to green initiatives — such as Russia’s belated ratification of the Paris Climate Accords, when the Kremlin eventually signed up, but chose a baseline emissions level so high that it requires practically no effort to ensure compliance. Mitrova is among those pushing the Russian government to incentivize renewables and make the economy more green. “We should use this period when the state will be launching stimulus packages to push economic growth, to use at least some part of it for green technologies.” But a detailed package of green proposals put to the Russian government over the last few months wasn’t met with enthusiasm. Analysts say the state’s capacity for supporting the energy industry is dominated by big ticket or geopolitical projects like the OPEC+ agreement, tax breaks for Arctic oil or LNG projects and flagship pipelines like Nord Stream 2 to Europe and the Power of Siberia to China.
“Goals like decarbonization or increasing the share of renewables are not a priority,” says RREDA’s Zhikharev. “There is no ‘unified position’ within the government regarding whether or not to support the renewables industry.” Some see it as a potential growth industry and source of highly skilled well-paid jobs, while others argue renewables will increase energy costs for consumers, he said. The powerful fossil fuel lobby is also holding back Russia’s potential renewables development, others say. “There are still very few incentives for change. There are interest groups happy with the status quo … and there are a lot of Russian decision makers who still don’t believe the prospects for green energy” said Igor Makarov, head of the world economy program at the Higher School of Economics. “The preference is given to orthodox energy monopolies — big markets should be assigned to big friends,” Safonov explained. “Even in regions where there is lots of green energy potential, like Kamchatka, what you see is that Gazprom built a gas pipeline there, so everybody should use gas. There are no plans for big green projects or huge tidal power plants which could be built there.” Those hoping the coronavirus pandemic, a fall in energy use and volatility in oil and gas markets could trigger a rethink are likely to be disappointed. “Inside Russia, the coronavirus crisis is considered a temporary, short-term issue. It’s a few months, not a long-term thing. So why should we change our model now? Climate change — the bigger, longer-term crisis — is not considered at all,” said Safonov. External pressure While a Europe-style green new deal may be firmly off the table, Russia could still come under pressure from decarbonization efforts in its largest trading partner. The continued development of low-carbon energy sources in Europe, as well as the potential for carbon border taxes could significantly hit Russian energy exports — with analysts agreeing that any catalyst for a green change in Russia is likely to come from outside economic pressure, rather than domestic considerations or a desire to confront climate change. Some big Russian corporations with exposure to western markets have woken up to the rising importance of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) concerns.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-22--Moscow Braves a Summertime Flood

Moscow Braves a Summertime Flood

As if a global pandemic and months of quarantine were n't enough to drown our spirits , Moscow was hit @ @ @ @ @ over the weekend , leading to flash floods that flooded streets and passageways .
While @ @ @ @ @ have been hit by lightning during the storm , Muscovites nonetheless trudged through the weather @ @ @ @ @ social media .
Here 's a closer look at the Moscow monsoon : Moscow 's @ @ @ @ @ communal services Pyotr Biryukov attributed the flooding to heavy rains and foliage blocking the city @ @ @

As if a global pandemic and months of quarantine weren't enough to drown our spirits, Moscow was hit with heavy rains and hail over the weekend, leading to flash floods that flooded streets and passageways.
While two people are reported to have been hit by lightning during the storm, Muscovites nonetheless trudged through the weather and documented the sight on social media.
Here's a closer look at the Moscow monsoon:
Moscow's deputy mayor for housing and communal services Pyotr Biryukov attributed the flooding to heavy rains and foliage blocking the city's sewers.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-22--Wizz Air Opens First Russian Base With 5 European Routes

One of Europe ’ s largest low-cost carriers Wizz Air said it plans to open its first base in Russia with five European routes from St. Petersburg ’ s Pulkovo Airport starting this September .
Pulkovo this year became Russia ’ s first airport to permit “ seventh freedom flights , ” which allow international carriers to operate flights outside their country of registration .
Russia grounded international flights indefinitely in late March as its coronavirus outbreak accelerated .
Wizz Air has opened bookings for tickets from St. Petersburg to Oslo , Stockholm Skavsta , Copenhagen and Salzburg for 24.99 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Malta for 29.99 euros ( $ 33.50 ) starting Sept. 18 , the Hungarian airline said last Wednesday .
Its base in Pulkovo , the airline ’ s first in Russia and 32nd overall , will house one Airbus A320 .
“ Today ’ s announcement underlines Wizz Air ’ s commitment to create more and more low-fare travel opportunities for Russian travelers , ” said CEO József Váradi in a press release .
“ By adding five new routes in St. Petersburg and keeping ourselves to the highest standards of our sanitizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Air ’ s ultra-low fares will make travel affordable to ever more passengers , ” he added .
Leonid Sergeyev , the CEO of Pulkovo operator Northern Capital Gateway , made no mention of Russia 's continued grounding of international flights amid the Covid-19 outbreak but noted that Wizz Air ’ s launch will stimulate Russia ’ s ties with other countries “ as soon as the situation in the world stabilizes.
” In addition to Wizz Air , Ireland ’ s Ryanair and Britain ’ s EasyJet have applied to operate direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news emerged last year that the airport planned to operate “ seventh freedom ” flights for a five-year trial period .
Starting Jan. 1 , 2021 , St. Petersburg will offer simplified e-visas to tourists and businesspeople from 53 countries , excluding Britain and the United States .
The move is expected to attract 12 million tourists each year , up from 8.2 million in 2018 .
Wizz Air in January announced four routes from Pulkovo to Bratislava , Bucharest , Sofia and Vilnius .
Pulkovo ’ s website , however , currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wizz Air flights , with the first scheduled for July 14 .

One of Europe’s largest low-cost carriers Wizz Air said it plans to open its first base in Russia with five European routes from St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport starting this September. Pulkovo this year became Russia’s first airport to permit “seventh freedom flights,” which allow international carriers to operate flights outside their country of registration. Russia grounded international flights indefinitely in late March as its coronavirus outbreak accelerated.
Wizz Air has opened bookings for tickets from St. Petersburg to Oslo, Stockholm Skavsta, Copenhagen and Salzburg for 24.99 euros ($28) and to Malta for 29.99 euros ($33.50) starting Sept. 18, the Hungarian airline said last Wednesday. Its base in Pulkovo, the airline’s first in Russia and 32nd overall, will house one Airbus A320. “Today’s announcement underlines Wizz Air’s commitment to create more and more low-fare travel opportunities for Russian travelers,” said CEO József Váradi in a press release. “By adding five new routes in St. Petersburg and keeping ourselves to the highest standards of our sanitizing protocols, we are confident that Wizz Air’s ultra-low fares will make travel affordable to ever more passengers,” he added. Leonid Sergeyev, the CEO of Pulkovo operator Northern Capital Gateway, made no mention of Russia's continued grounding of international flights amid the Covid-19 outbreak but noted that Wizz Air’s launch will stimulate Russia’s ties with other countries “as soon as the situation in the world stabilizes.”


themoscowtimes--2020-06-23--Russia Will Raise Taxes on Top Earners, Putin Announces

Rumors of a possible tax hike first emerged last week , but were downplayed by Putin ’ s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov who insisted no decisions had been made .
Speaking on Friday , Central Bank governor Elvira Nabiullina said she had not been involved in the discussions and that the bank had not factored a potential tax hike into its forecasts or policymaking .
As of Jan. 1 2021 , Russians earning more than 5 million rubles ( $ 73,000 ) a year will pay 15 % tax on all income above that level .
In a lengthy address in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the coronavirus and hailed the success of the country ’ s health system in mobilizing for the epidemic , Putin announced the surprise move to scrap Russia ’ s flat 13 % income tax system from next year .
Russia will hike taxes for the country ’ s top earners from next year , President Vladimir Putin announced in a speech to the nation Tuesday afternoon .
The move will generate 60 billion rubles ( $ 875 million ) in extra revenue for the government , Putin said , proposing to ring-fence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and rare diseases .
The introduction of the flat income tax was one of Putin ’ s first flagship economic reforms , introduced in 2001 in a bid to reduce tax evasion and secure a more steady stream of income for the Russian budget .
The announcement comes one week before Russians head to the polls to vote in a nationwide referendum on controversial constitutional changes that would pave the way for Putin to stay in power until 2036 .
In the 50-minute address Putin also announced Russia will extend a number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been introduced since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic .
Families will receive a 10,000 ruble ( $ 145 ) payment in July for every child under the age of 16 , and another 100 billion rubles ( $ 1.5 billion ) will be dished out in government-backed cheap business loans for companies to pay employees — loans which can be written off if firms don ’ t cut employee numbers .
Russian IT companies will benefit from a new ultra-low tax regime , Putin announced , with a so-called “ tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on technology firms from 14 % to 7.6 % , and slash profits tax from 20 % to 3 % .
Shares in Yandex and Mail.Ru — Russia ’ s leading domestic technology companies — climbed higher on the news .
Nasdaq-listed Yandex was up more than 3 % , while rival Mail.Ru , which is listed in London , added another 2 % in afternoon trading .

Rumors of a possible tax hike first emerged last week, but were downplayed by Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov who insisted no decisions had been made. Speaking on Friday, Central Bank governor Elvira Nabiullina said she had not been involved in the discussions and that the bank had not factored a potential tax hike into its forecasts or policymaking.
As of Jan. 1 2021, Russians earning more than 5 million rubles ($73,000) a year will pay 15% tax on all income above that level.
In a lengthy address in which Putin discussed Russia’s fight with the coronavirus and hailed the success of the country’s health system in mobilizing for the epidemic, Putin announced the surprise move to scrap Russia’s flat 13% income tax system from next year.
Russia will hike taxes for the country’s top earners from next year, President Vladimir Putin announced in a speech to the nation Tuesday afternoon.
The move will generate 60 billion rubles ($875 million) in extra revenue for the government, Putin said, proposing to ring-fence the proceeds towards treating children with severe and rare diseases.
The introduction of the flat income tax was one of Putin’s first flagship economic reforms, introduced in 2001 in a bid to reduce tax evasion and secure a more steady stream of income for the Russian budget.
The announcement comes one week before Russians head to the polls to vote in a nationwide referendum on controversial constitutional changes that would pave the way for Putin to stay in power until 2036.
In the 50-minute address Putin also announced Russia will extend a number of other benefits for households and businesses which have been introduced since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
Families will receive a 10,000 ruble ($145) payment in July for every child under the age of 16, and another 100 billion rubles ($1.5 billion) will be dished out in government-backed cheap business loans for companies to pay employees — loans which can be written off if firms don’t cut employee numbers.
Russian IT companies will benefit from a new ultra-low tax regime, Putin announced, with a so-called “tax maneuver” to cut social security obligations on technology firms from 14% to 7.6%, and slash profits tax from 20% to 3%.
Shares in Yandex and Mail.Ru — Russia’s leading domestic technology companies — climbed higher on the news. Nasdaq-listed Yandex was up more than 3%, while rival Mail.Ru, which is listed in London, added another 2% in afternoon trading.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-23--Putin Declares Coronavirus Under Control Ahead of Constitutional Vote

Starting Thursday , Russians will begin to go to the polls to approve or reject the package of constitutional amendments that also add social guarantees to Russia ’ s basic law .
The amendments contain a provision that would `` zero out '' the number of presidential terms Putin has served , allowing him to run for two more six-year terms .
President Vladimir Putin hailed Russia ’ s progress on fighting the coronavirus pandemic and announced new economic and social support measures ahead of a vote on constitutional reforms that would allow him to extend his rule until 2036 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Putin said the constitutional amendments won ’ t come into force if Russians vote against them in the vote , which culminates in a nationwide poll July 1 .
The vote , which was originally planned for April , was postponed due to the coronavirus .
Russia has confirmed 599,075 coronavirus cases and 8,359 deaths as of Tuesday , making it the world ’ s third most-affected country by the pandemic .
The country has gradually lifted its lockdown measures in recent weeks as new case numbers have stabilized .
Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s spread before it reached the country saved “ tens of thousands ” of lives , Putin said in the address .
“ Human life is the most important thing .
This is what drove us in all our decisions , '' he added .
He announced additional support for Russians struggling financially due to the pandemic , with one-time payments for families with children under 16 years of age as well as increased benefits for families where both parents have lost their jobs .
Putin urged Russians to continue observing safety measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ develop a Covid-19 vaccine , stressing that the pandemic is still not over .
“ A vaccine is no cure-all ; we need to observe all available measures , ” he said .

Starting Thursday, Russians will begin to go to the polls to approve or reject the package of constitutional amendments that also add social guarantees to Russia’s basic law. The amendments contain a provision that would "zero out" the number of presidential terms Putin has served, allowing him to run for two more six-year terms.
President Vladimir Putin hailed Russia’s progress on fighting the coronavirus pandemic and announced new economic and social support measures ahead of a vote on constitutional reforms that would allow him to extend his rule until 2036.
Speaking in a televised address Tuesday, Putin said the constitutional amendments won’t come into force if Russians vote against them in the vote, which culminates in a nationwide poll July 1.
The vote, which was originally planned for April, was postponed due to the coronavirus. Russia has confirmed 599,075 coronavirus cases and 8,359 deaths as of Tuesday, making it the world’s third most-affected country by the pandemic. The country has gradually lifted its lockdown measures in recent weeks as new case numbers have stabilized.
Russia’s measures to fight the pandemic’s spread before it reached the country saved “tens of thousands” of lives, Putin said in the address.
“Human life is the most important thing. This is what drove us in all our decisions," he added.
He announced additional support for Russians struggling financially due to the pandemic, with one-time payments for families with children under 16 years of age as well as increased benefits for families where both parents have lost their jobs.
Putin urged Russians to continue observing safety measures for the next few months until scientists develop a Covid-19 vaccine, stressing that the pandemic is still not over. “A vaccine is no cure-all; we need to observe all available measures,” he said.