themoscowtimes--2020-07-24--Russia Registers 800K Coronavirus Cases

Russia Registers 800K Coronavirus Cases

The highest number of new cases were in Moscow , the western Siberian region of Khanty-Mansiysk and Sverdlovsk in the @ @ @ @ @ rate has remained low compared to other badly-hit countries , raising speculation that Moscow could @ @ @ @ @ authorities began easing anti-virus measures in June ahead of a massive World War II military @ @ @ @ @ nationwide vote on constitutional reforms that now allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in power @ @ @ @ @ were initially postponed due the epidemic .
Moscow plans to open cinemas and theaters on @ @ @ @ @ capital , masks are mandatory in stores and on public transport but not in the @ @ @ @ @ Russia are working on a coronavirus vaccine .
Last week the Russian Defense Ministry said @ @ @ @ @ safe '' vaccine following clinical trials on a group of volunteers .
The trials are @ @ @ @ @ Ministry expects clinical trials to be fully completed in the coming weeks .

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


themoscowtimes--2020-07-24--Belarus’ Lukashenko Threatens to Kick Out Foreign Press Over Protest Coverage

Lukashenko , 65 , faces what analysts call the toughest re-election campaign in his 26 years in power .
Three of his main election rivals have been either jailed or barred from running , prompting the opposition to rally around the wife of a detained candidate instead .
Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko has threatened to kick out foreign journalists he accuses of stirring up protests against him ahead of next month ’ s election .
At a government session Thursday , Lukashenko accused foreign journalists of “ calling for riots ” and hurling “ insult after insult.
” “ Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , singling out the BBC and the U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty ( RFE/RL ) news outlet , according to a Reuters translation .
“ There is no need to wait for any end of the electoral campaign .
Expel [ them ] from here if they do not comply with our laws and call people to the Maidans.
” Lukashenko ’ s threat referenced a wave of protests in neighboring Ukraine that forced out its Russian-backed president in 2014 .
Russian and Belarussian leaders , as well as U.S. President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have used the imagery of the Maidan violence to warn against protests .
Authorities in Belarus have cracked down on the opposition and detained more than 250 people at protests last week .
Instead of the protests , Lukashenko said foreign reporters should focus their coverage on the harvest “ where there is really a battle going on today.
” “ Tell us about these ordinary people — hard workers who feed the country .
They 'll all run to the shops tomorrow , these hacks , to buy a piece of bread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children .
”

Lukashenko, 65, faces what analysts call the toughest re-election campaign in his 26 years in power. Three of his main election rivals have been either jailed or barred from running, prompting the opposition to rally around the wife of a detained candidate instead.
Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko has threatened to kick out foreign journalists he accuses of stirring up protests against him ahead of next month’s election.
At a government session Thursday, Lukashenko accused foreign journalists of “calling for riots” and hurling “insult after insult.”
“Why do you tolerate this?” Lukashenko said, singling out the BBC and the U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) news outlet, according to a Reuters translation.
“There is no need to wait for any end of the electoral campaign. Expel [them] from here if they do not comply with our laws and call people to the Maidans.”
Lukashenko’s threat referenced a wave of protests in neighboring Ukraine that forced out its Russian-backed president in 2014. Russian and Belarussian leaders, as well as U.S. President Donald Trump’s campaign this week, have used the imagery of the Maidan violence to warn against protests.
Authorities in Belarus have cracked down on the opposition and detained more than 250 people at protests last week.
Instead of the protests, Lukashenko said foreign reporters should focus their coverage on the harvest “where there is really a battle going on today.”
“Take a picture of a combine harvester,” Lukashenko said.
“Tell us about these ordinary people — hard workers who feed the country. They'll all run to the shops tomorrow, these hacks, to buy a piece of bread for themselves, relatives, friends, children.”


themoscowtimes--2020-07-24--U.S. Accuses Russia of Firing Anti-Satellite Weapon in Space

U.S. Space Command said it `` has evidence '' that Moscow `` conducted a non-destructive test of a space-based anti-satellite weapon '' on July 15 .
The United States accused Russia on Thursday of test-firing an anti-satellite weapon in space , warning that the threat against Washington 's systems was `` real , serious and increasing . ''
`` Last week 's test is another example that the threats to U.S. and Allied space systems are real , serious and increasing , '' the statement continued .
`` Clearly this is unacceptable , '' tweeted U.S. nuclear disarmament negotiator Marshall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` major issue '' discussed next week in Vienna , where he is in talks on a successor to the New START treaty .
The treaty caps the nuclear warheads of the U.S. and Russia — the two Cold War-era superpowers .
Commenting Friday on the accusations , Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia supports `` full demilitarization of space and not basing any type of weapons in space . ''
The U.S. Space Command said the test consisted of Russia 's satellite called Cosmos 2543 injecting an object into orbit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been deployed by another satellite , Cosmos-2542 , which was launched on 25 of November 2019 by the Russian military .
The Defense Ministry said the satellite is meant to `` monitor the condition of Russian satellites , '' but state daily Rossiyskaya Gazeta said it has the ability to `` get information from somebody else 's satellites . ''
The system is the same one that Space Command raised concerns about earlier this year , when it maneuvered near a U.S. government satellite , said General Jay Raymond , head of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further evidence of Russia 's continuing efforts to develop and test space-based systems , and consistent with the Kremlin 's published military doctrine to employ weapons that hold U.S. and allied space assets at risk , '' Raymond said in a statement .
It is the latest example of Russian satellites behaving in a manner `` inconsistent with their stated mission , '' the Space Command statement added .
`` This event highlights Russia 's hypocritical advocacy of outer space arms control , '' said Christopher Ford , a U.S. assistant secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also came as China launched a rover to Mars on Thursday , a journey coinciding with a similar U.S. mission as the powers take their rivalry into deep space .

Moscow responded after the United States Space Command on Thursday accused Russia of test-firing an anti-satellite weapon in space and warned the threat against U.S. systems was "real, serious and increasing."
Russia on Friday dismissed accusations from the United States and Britain that it had tested an anti-satellite weapon in space as "propaganda."
The head of Britain's Space Directorate, Air Vice-Marshal Harvey Smyth, also reacted, tweeting that "actions of this kind threaten the peaceful use of space."
The Russian Foreign Ministry insisted on Moscow's "commitment to obligations on the non-discriminatory use and study of space with peaceful aims.
"We call on our U.S. and British colleagues to show professionalism and instead of some propagandistic information attacks, sit down for talks," the ministry said in a statement.
The U.S. said that Russia conducted a "non-destructive test of a space-based anti-satellite weapon."
"Clearly this is unacceptable," tweeted U.S. nuclear disarmament negotiator Marshall Billingslea, adding that it would be a "major issue" discussed next week in Vienna, where he is in talks on a successor to the New START treaty.
The treaty caps the nuclear warheads of the U.S. and Russia — the two Cold War-era superpowers.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said tests carried out by the country's defence ministry on July 15 "did not create a threat for other space equipment and most importantly, did not breach any norms or principles of international law."
It in turn accused the U.S. and Britain of moves to develop anti-satellite weaponry.
'Inspector satellites'
The U.S. and Britain "naturally keep silent about their own efforts," it said, claiming the countries had "programs on the possible use of 'inspector satellites' and 'repair satellites' as counter-satellite weapons."
Commenting earlier Friday on the accusations, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia supports "full demilitarization of space and not basing any type of weapons in space."
The U.S. Space Command said the test consisted of Russia's satellite called Cosmos 2543 injecting an object into orbit.
Russian state media reported in December that a satellite called Cosmos-2542, which was launched in November 2019 by the Russian military, ejected another smaller satellite once in space.
The Russian Defense Ministry said the inspector-satellite was meant to "monitor the condition of Russian satellites," but state daily Rossiiskaya Gazeta said it could also "get information from somebody else's satellites."
The system is the same one that Space Command raised concerns about earlier this year, when it manoeuvred near a U.S. government satellite, said General Jay Raymond, head of U.S. Space Command.
"This is further evidence of Russia's continuing efforts to develop and test space-based systems, and consistent with the Kremlin's published military doctrine to employ weapons that hold U.S. and allied space assets at risk," Raymond said in a statement.
It is the latest example of Russian satellites behaving in a manner "inconsistent with their stated mission," the Space Command statement added.
"This event highlights Russia's hypocritical advocacy of outer space arms control," said Christopher Ford, a U.S. assistant secretary of state for arms control.
The statement also came as China launched a rover to Mars on Thursday, a journey coinciding with a similar US mission as the powers take their rivalry into deep space.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-24--U.S. Says Photos Show Russian Arms Supplies to Libya Rebels

The Pentagon released satellite photographs that it said shows Wagner-supplied military equipment `` on the front lines '' of the Libyan conflict in Sirte .
Russia continues to supply a broad range of arms to Libyan rebels including fighter jets , air defense missiles , land mines , and armored vehicles through the state-backed mercenary Wagner Group , the U.S. Defense Department said Friday .
The photos show Russian cargo aircraft including IL-76s , fighter jets , SA-22 missile launch vehicles , heavy trucks and a mine-resistant armored vehicle , in Sirte and at the Al-Khadim airfield east of Benghazi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Command director of operations Major General Bradford Gering said the photographs are evidence that Moscow is building its presence in Libya on the side of eastern Libya strongman Khalifa Haftar , who is fighting to seize power from the UN-recognized Government of National Accord in Tripoli .
`` The type and volume of equipment demonstrates an intent toward sustained offensive combat action capabilities , not humanitarian relief , and indicates the Russian Ministry of Defense is supporting these operations , '' Gering said in a statement .
The Africa Command has documented Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of least 14 Mig-29 and Su-24 fighter jets to the Libya conflict .
Last week , Africom accused the group of laying land mines in and around Tripoli .
`` The Russian Federation continues to violate UN Security Council Resolution UNSCR 1970 by actively providing military equipment and fighters to the front lines of the conflict in Libya , '' Africom said in the statement .

The Pentagon released satellite photographs that it said shows Wagner-supplied military equipment "on the front lines" of the Libyan conflict in Sirte.
Russia continues to supply a broad range of arms to Libyan rebels including fighter jets, air defense missiles, land mines, and armored vehicles through the state-backed mercenary Wagner Group, the U.S. Defense Department said Friday.
The photos show Russian cargo aircraft including IL-76s, fighter jets, SA-22 missile launch vehicles, heavy trucks and a mine-resistant armored vehicle, in Sirte and at the Al-Khadim airfield east of Benghazi, the Pentagon said.
U.S. Africa Command director of operations Major General Bradford Gering said the photographs are evidence that Moscow is building its presence in Libya on the side of eastern Libya strongman Khalifa Haftar, who is fighting to seize power from the UN-recognized Government of National Accord in Tripoli.
"The type and volume of equipment demonstrates an intent toward sustained offensive combat action capabilities, not humanitarian relief, and indicates the Russian Ministry of Defense is supporting these operations," Gering said in a statement.
The Africa Command has documented Russia's provision, through the Wagner Group, of least 14 Mig-29 and Su-24 fighter jets to the Libya conflict.
Last week, Africom accused the group of laying land mines in and around Tripoli.
Washington says Russia's activities violate a UN arms embargo on Libya.
"The Russian Federation continues to violate UN Security Council Resolution UNSCR 1970 by actively providing military equipment and fighters to the front lines of the conflict in Libya," Africom said in the statement.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-24--Chechnya's Kadyrov 'Sanctions' Pompeo, Accuses Him of ‘Ordering’ George Floyd’s Killing

The head of Russia ’ s republic of Chechnya has declared “ all the sanctions ” in his region on U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , baselessly claiming that the U.S. official ordered the killing of African-American man George Floyd that sparked anti-racism protests in the United States .
Pompeo ’ s State Department placed Ramzan Kadyrov on its blacklist of human rights violators Monday for alleged torture , extrajudicial killings and other violations dating back more than a decade .
In response , Kadyrov posted a picture of himself wielding machine guns and invited Pompeo to visit his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what rights.
” “ I announce that all the sanctions we have in the republic be included , up to blocking [ Pompeo ’ s ] accounts , ” Kadyrov said in a televised meeting Thursday .
Kadyrov then rescinded his invitation , alleging that “ Ukraine ’ s security service informed us that Mr. Floyd was killed on [ Pompeo ’ s ] orders so that [ U.S. President ] Donald Trump lost the elections.
” He did not provide evidence for his claims that the Minneapolis police officer accused of killing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state secretary ’ s orders .
Kadyrov previously expressed “ horror ” over images of police violence during the widespread protests that broke out in the wake of Floyd ’ s killing .
The State Department 's latest sanctions also ban Kadyrov ’ s wife and two daughters from traveling to the U.S. Kadyrov and several associates are already under economic sanctions set by the U.S. Treasury .
A loyal ally of President Vladimir Putin , Kadyrov has led Chechnya since 2007 and is widely seen as having carte blanche from Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused by rights activists of crushing freedom of speech and overseeing harsh reprisals against opponents and the LGBT community .
Putin has promoted Kadyrov to the rank of major general , according to a plaque the Chechen leader posted on his social media after the State Department announced its designation .

The head of Russia’s republic of Chechnya has declared “all the sanctions” in his region on U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, baselessly claiming that the U.S. official ordered the killing of African-American man George Floyd that sparked anti-racism protests in the United States. Pompeo’s State Department placed Ramzan Kadyrov on its blacklist of human rights violators Monday for alleged torture, extrajudicial killings and other violations dating back more than a decade. In response, Kadyrov posted a picture of himself wielding machine guns and invited Pompeo to visit his home village and “see who violates what rights.”
“I announce that all the sanctions we have in the republic be included, up to blocking [Pompeo’s] accounts,” Kadyrov said in a televised meeting Thursday. Kadyrov then rescinded his invitation, alleging that “Ukraine’s security service informed us that Mr. Floyd was killed on [Pompeo’s] orders so that [U.S. President] Donald Trump lost the elections.” He did not provide evidence for his claims that the Minneapolis police officer accused of killing Floyd on May 25 had acted on the state secretary’s orders. Kadyrov previously expressed “horror” over images of police violence during the widespread protests that broke out in the wake of Floyd’s killing. The State Department's latest sanctions also ban Kadyrov’s wife and two daughters from traveling to the U.S. Kadyrov and several associates are already under economic sanctions set by the U.S. Treasury.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-24--Russia Rejects Space Weapon Claim as 'Propaganda'

Moscow responded after the United States Space Command on Thursday accused Russia of test-firing an anti-satellite weapon in space and warned the threat against U.S. systems was `` real , serious and increasing . ''
Russia on Friday dismissed accusations from the United States and Britain that it had tested an anti-satellite weapon in space as `` propaganda . ''
The head of Britain 's Space Directorate , Air Vice-Marshal Harvey Smyth , also reacted , tweeting that `` actions of this kind threaten the peaceful use of space . ''
The Russian Foreign Ministry insisted on Moscow 's `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and study of space with peaceful aims .
`` We call on our U.S. and British colleagues to show professionalism and instead of some propagandistic information attacks , sit down for talks , '' the ministry said in a statement .
The U.S. said that Russia conducted a `` non-destructive test of a space-based anti-satellite weapon . ''
`` Clearly this is unacceptable , '' tweeted U.S. nuclear disarmament negotiator Marshall Billingslea , adding that it would be a `` major issue '' discussed next week in Vienna , where he is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ START treaty .
The treaty caps the nuclear warheads of the U.S. and Russia — the two Cold War-era superpowers .
The Russian Foreign Ministry said tests carried out by the country 's defence ministry on July 15 `` did not create a threat for other space equipment and most importantly , did not breach any norms or principles of international law . ''
It in turn accused the U.S. and Britain of moves to develop anti-satellite weaponry .
The U.S. and Britain `` naturally keep silent about their own efforts , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` programs on the possible use of 'inspector satellites ' and 'repair satellites ' as counter-satellite weapons . ''
Commenting earlier Friday on the accusations , Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia supports `` full demilitarization of space and not basing any type of weapons in space . ''
The U.S. Space Command said the test consisted of Russia 's satellite called Cosmos 2543 injecting an object into orbit .
Russian state media reported in December that a satellite called Cosmos-2542 , which was launched in November 2019 by the Russian military , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Russian Defense Ministry said the inspector-satellite was meant to `` monitor the condition of Russian satellites , '' but state daily Rossiiskaya Gazeta said it could also `` get information from somebody else 's satellites . ''
The system is the same one that Space Command raised concerns about earlier this year , when it manoeuvred near a U.S. government satellite , said General Jay Raymond , head of U.S. Space Command .
`` This is further evidence of Russia 's continuing efforts to develop and test space-based systems , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctrine to employ weapons that hold U.S. and allied space assets at risk , '' Raymond said in a statement .
It is the latest example of Russian satellites behaving in a manner `` inconsistent with their stated mission , '' the Space Command statement added .
`` This event highlights Russia 's hypocritical advocacy of outer space arms control , '' said Christopher Ford , a U.S. assistant secretary of state for arms control .
The statement also came as China launched a rover to Mars on Thursday , a journey coinciding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powers take their rivalry into deep space .


themoscowtimes--2020-07-24--Russia to Vaccinate Medics for Coronavirus in August

Russia ’ s adenoviral vector-based vaccine developed by military and government researchers is in Phase II trials with plans to launch the next and final phase sometime after Aug. 3 .
The vaccine “ will be widely used in parallel with Phase III trials , ” Interfax quoted Murashko as saying to reporters .
Russia plans to administer its experimental coronavirus vaccine on healthcare professionals next month before its clinical trials are completed , Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said Thursday .
“ We are now looking at what categories [ will receive the vaccine first ] .
These are primarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sick people the most , so the risk categories will be offered a vaccine , ” Murashko said .
He added that groups at higher risk of getting infected with Covid-19 , like older people or those with health conditions , will also be prioritized for the vaccine .
The minister did not estimate when that would happen .
Dozens of civilian and military volunteers undergoing Phase I trials of the vaccine were released Monday .
The Health Ministry will decide whether the vaccine is effective based on the studies ' results , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will take part in Phase III trials .
“ In parallel , we ’ ll begin scaling and production , and the most at-risk groups will also be invited to vaccinate voluntarily , ” Interfax quoted him as saying .
“ As a result of all this , we ’ ll have large-scale production and large-scale application.
” Russia ’ s military on Tuesday said the vaccine was “ ready ” following the Phase I trials .
Health officials were more cautious , saying the trials are still ongoing and the state registration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 .
The head of Russia ’ s sovereign wealth fund that finances the trials has said he hopes to produce 200 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine with foreign partners by the end of 2020 .

Russia’s adenoviral vector-based vaccine developed by military and government researchers is in Phase II trials with plans to launch the next and final phase sometime after Aug. 3. The vaccine “will be widely used in parallel with Phase III trials,” Interfax quoted Murashko as saying to reporters.
Russia plans to administer its experimental coronavirus vaccine on healthcare professionals next month before its clinical trials are completed, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said Thursday.
“We are now looking at what categories [will receive the vaccine first]. These are primarily medical workers and those who deal with sick people the most, so the risk categories will be offered a vaccine,” Murashko said.
He added that groups at higher risk of getting infected with Covid-19, like older people or those with health conditions, will also be prioritized for the vaccine. The minister did not estimate when that would happen.
Dozens of civilian and military volunteers undergoing Phase I trials of the vaccine were released Monday. The Health Ministry will decide whether the vaccine is effective based on the studies' results, Interfax reported.
Murashko said 800 people will take part in Phase III trials.
“In parallel, we’ll begin scaling and production, and the most at-risk groups will also be invited to vaccinate voluntarily,” Interfax quoted him as saying.
“As a result of all this, we’ll have large-scale production and large-scale application.”
Russia’s military on Tuesday said the vaccine was “ready” following the Phase I trials. Health officials were more cautious, saying the trials are still ongoing and the state registration process is expected to begin after Aug. 3.
The head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund that finances the trials has said he hopes to produce 200 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine with foreign partners by the end of 2020.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-27--Hundreds Evacuated Over Fire in Moscow Women's Jail

Hundreds were evacuated after a fire broke out Monday at a pre-trial detention center for women in Moscow , Russian @ @ @ @ @ 850 people were evacuated '' after a fire broke out in the prison in southeastern @ @ @ @ @ news agency quoted the Moscow branch of the prison service as saying .
White smoke @ @ @ @ @ the building of the Pre-Trial Detention Center No.6 in footage shown on Ren TV channel @ @ @ @ @ said roads had been closed to allow fire engines to reach the building .
A @ @ @ @ @ told TASS that the prisoners had been evacuated to another area within the detention center @ @ @ @ @ on the ground floor at around 13:20 GMT , TASS quoted the emergencies ministry for @ @ @ @ @ Some reports said the fire broke out in a bakery .
Ren TV reported that @ @ @ @ @ fire .

Hundreds were evacuated after a fire broke out Monday at a pre-trial detention center for women in Moscow, Russian news agencies reported.
"850 people were evacuated" after a fire broke out in the prison in southeastern Moscow, the state-run TASS news agency quoted the Moscow branch of the prison service as saying.
White smoke rose from the back of the building of the Pre-Trial Detention Center No.6 in footage shown on Ren TV channel.
No casualties were reported.
The city transport department said roads had been closed to allow fire engines to reach the building.
A spokesman for the prison service told TASS that the prisoners had been evacuated to another area within the detention center.
The fire broke out on the ground floor at around 13:20 GMT, TASS quoted the emergencies ministry for the capital as saying.
Some reports said the fire broke out in a bakery. Ren TV reported that old blankets and rags caught fire.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-27--Well-Preserved Mammoth Discovered in Russian Arctic as Permafrost Thaws

The surprise archaeological find came during a historically hot summer in Siberia and the Russian Arctic , which is one @ @ @ @ @ fastest-warming regions .
Reindeer herders in northern Siberia have found a well-preserved wooly mammoth skeleton @ @ @ @ @ vast region ’ s permafrost layer at a rapid pace .
The skeleton , which @ @ @ @ @ of Pechevalavato Lake in the Yamalo-Nenets autonomous district last week , includes part of the @ @ @ @ @ lower jaw , several ribs and a foot fragment with some soft tissue still intact @ @ @ @ @ agency reported .
Archaeologists uncovered several other large bones and fragments and are now working @ @ @ @ @ the skeleton that may still be buried .
`` The lake bottom mud may hold @ @ @ @ @ skeleton , '' said Dmitry Frolov , the head of the Research Center for Arctic @ @ @ @ @ necessary to record the exact location of the remains for further studies , '' he @ @

The surprise archaeological find came during a historically hot summer in Siberia and the Russian Arctic, which is one of the world’s fastest-warming regions.
Reindeer herders in northern Siberia have found a well-preserved wooly mammoth skeleton as climate change thaws the vast region’s permafrost layer at a rapid pace.
The skeleton, which was discovered along the shore of Pechevalavato Lake in the Yamalo-Nenets autonomous district last week, includes part of the animal's skull, its lower jaw, several ribs and a foot fragment with some soft tissue still intact, the state-run TASS news agency reported.
Archaeologists uncovered several other large bones and fragments and are now working to find more remnants of the skeleton that may still be buried.
"The lake bottom mud may hold the rest of the mammoth skeleton," said Dmitry Frolov, the head of the Research Center for Arctic Studies.
"It is necessary to record the exact location of the remains for further studies," he added.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-27--Ukraine Accuses Separatists of Breaching New Ceasefire

The ceasefire came into force from midnight Sunday and had been agreed last week by negotiators from Ukraine , Russia and the international monitor group OSCE .
Moscow-backed separatists on Monday breached a tense ceasefire in eastern Ukraine just hours after it began , the Ukrainian army said , but the separatists denied the accusation .
The Ukrainian army said an order had been issued to comply with a `` full and comprehensive ceasefire . ''
Separatists violated the new truce shortly after it came into force , the Ukrainian army said , adding that there were no casualties despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and heavy machine guns .
But representatives of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People 's Republic ( DPR ) said Kiev claims were `` yet another act of information provocation by the Ukrainian side , aimed at destabilising the situation . ''
They said that the DPR was `` strictly following the commitments '' in the ceasefire .
Under the terms of the agreement , the use of any weapons , including small arms , is prohibited .
The commander of the Ukraine 's joint forces operation , Volodymyr Kravchenko , told journalists in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to keep silent . ''
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the new agreement `` a significant step towards strengthening mutual trust and defusing tensions . ''
`` It will be important for both parties to fully adhere to their obligations and agreements , '' Peskov told journalists .
Since the conflict broke out between Kiev forces and pro-Moscow separatists in 2014 , there have been numerous attempts to end the fighting but these ceasefires have never held long enough to pave the way for peace talks .
On Sunday , Ukrainian President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to discuss steps to end the war .
Putin stressed the importance of implementing a Western-mediated peace deal agreed in Minsk in 2015 , the Kremlin said .
Ukraine has been fighting separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions following Moscow 's annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014 .
More than 13,000 people have been killed in the conflict so far .
Kiev and its Western allies accuse Moscow of supporting the separatists with troops and arms , a claim the Kremlin has always denied .
Four-way talks between France , Germany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of heavy weapons , the restoration of Kiev 's control over its borders , wider autonomy for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions , and the holding of local elections .

The ceasefire came into force from midnight Sunday and had been agreed last week by negotiators from Ukraine, Russia and the international monitor group OSCE.
Moscow-backed separatists on Monday breached a tense ceasefire in eastern Ukraine just hours after it began, the Ukrainian army said, but the separatists denied the accusation.
The Ukrainian army said an order had been issued to comply with a "full and comprehensive ceasefire."
Separatists violated the new truce shortly after it came into force, the Ukrainian army said, adding that there were no casualties despite shelling with small arms, grenade launchers and heavy machine guns.
But representatives of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) said Kiev claims were "yet another act of information provocation by the Ukrainian side, aimed at destabilising the situation."
They said that the DPR was "strictly following the commitments" in the ceasefire.
Under the terms of the agreement, the use of any weapons, including small arms, is prohibited.
The commander of the Ukraine's joint forces operation, Volodymyr Kravchenko, told journalists in the breakaway Donetsk region that "our units continue to keep silent."
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the new agreement "a significant step towards strengthening mutual trust and defusing tensions."
"It will be important for both parties to fully adhere to their obligations and agreements," Peskov told journalists.
Since the conflict broke out between Kiev forces and pro-Moscow separatists in 2014, there have been numerous attempts to end the fighting but these ceasefires have never held long enough to pave the way for peace talks.
On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Russian leader Vladimir Putin to discuss steps to end the war.
Putin stressed the importance of implementing a Western-mediated peace deal agreed in Minsk in 2015, the Kremlin said.
Ukraine has been fighting separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions following Moscow's annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014.
More than 13,000 people have been killed in the conflict so far.
Kiev and its Western allies accuse Moscow of supporting the separatists with troops and arms, a claim the Kremlin has always denied.
Four-way talks between France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine seek the withdrawal of heavy weapons, the restoration of Kiev's control over its borders, wider autonomy for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and the holding of local elections.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-27--Russian Athletes Should Face 'Blanket Ban' in Tokyo, Says Whistleblower

The World Anti-Doping Agency in December banned Russia for four years from major global sporting events including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar over manipulated doping data .
Russia is appealing the ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport ( CAS ) .
Doping whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov says no Russian athletes should be allowed to take part in next year 's postponed Tokyo Olympics .
Some Russians will still be allowed to compete at next year 's Games in Japan as neutrals and only if they can demonstrate they were not part of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doping .
But Rodchenkov , the former head of Russia 's anti-doping agency , called in an interview with the BBC for a total ban .
`` It should be an absolute blanket ban without any excuses or admissions of athletes , '' he said .
`` The same personnel who were smuggling and swapping samples during Sochi ( the 2014 Winter Games ) , they were falsifying all documentation .
`` It was a progression in falsifying , day by day , of this data — an incredible fraud of unspeakable proportions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing . ''
Russia has repeatedly denied the allegations , and claimed the four-year sanction is politically motivated .
Its appeal will be heard by CAS in November .
Rodchenkov , who lives under a new identity in the United States , has written an autobiography that is being published this week .
It coincides with the original dates for the Tokyo Games , which were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` The Rodchenkov Affair '' includes a striking claim that the Soviet Union boycotted the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be exposed .
It has long been understood that the Soviet Union and its communist allies boycotted the Games in a tit-for-tat move for the West 's snub of the 1980 Moscow Olympics .

The World Anti-Doping Agency in December banned Russia for four years from major global sporting events including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar over manipulated doping data. Russia is appealing the ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Doping whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov says no Russian athletes should be allowed to take part in next year's postponed Tokyo Olympics.
Some Russians will still be allowed to compete at next year's Games in Japan as neutrals and only if they can demonstrate they were not part of what WADA believes was a state-sponsored system of doping.
But Rodchenkov, the former head of Russia's anti-doping agency, called in an interview with the BBC for a total ban.
"It should be an absolute blanket ban without any excuses or admissions of athletes," he said.
"The same personnel who were smuggling and swapping samples during Sochi (the 2014 Winter Games), they were falsifying all documentation.
"It was a progression in falsifying, day by day, of this data — an incredible fraud of unspeakable proportions. It shows the country learns absolutely nothing."
Russia has repeatedly denied the allegations, and claimed the four-year sanction is politically motivated. Its appeal will be heard by CAS in November.
Rodchenkov, who lives under a new identity in the United States, has written an autobiography that is being published this week.
It coincides with the original dates for the Tokyo Games, which were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"The Rodchenkov Affair" includes a striking claim that the Soviet Union boycotted the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles because Russian officials feared their doping would be exposed.
It has long been understood that the Soviet Union and its communist allies boycotted the Games in a tit-for-tat move for the West's snub of the 1980 Moscow Olympics.