themoscowtimes--2020-06-12--Russia's Coronavirus Cases Continue Steady Rise Past 500K as Country Emerges From Lockdown

Moscow lifted restrictions including compulsory travel passes on Tuesday , 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 its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
Moscow reported Wednesday that it saw 5,260 such deaths in May .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ norms and also it needs a serious overhaul , '' Kudrin , 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--2020-06-12--Twitter Removes Russian 'State-Linked' Accounts

Twitter on Friday said it had removed tens of thousands of `` state linked '' accounts used by China , @ @ @ @ @ their own propaganda , sow misinformation or attack critics .
By far the biggest network @ @ @ @ @ , the U.S. social media giant said , comprised of a `` highly engaged core @ @ @ @ @ was boosted by a further 150,000 `` amplifier '' accounts .
The Turkish network was @ @ @ @ @ while the Russian group was 1,152 strong .
All accounts and their content have been @ @ @ @ @ been placed on an archive database for researchers .
In its analysis Twitter said the @ @ @ @ @ early 2020 and was primarily aimed at boosting domestic support for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan @ @ @ @ @ The Russian accounts were involved in `` cross-posting and amplifying content in an inauthentic , @ @ @ @ @ '' including promoting the ruling United Russia and attacking political dissidents .

Twitter on Friday said it had removed tens of thousands of "state linked" accounts used by China, Russia and Turkey to push their own propaganda, sow misinformation or attack critics.
By far the biggest network uncovered was linked to China, the U.S. social media giant said, comprised of a "highly engaged core" of 23,750 accounts that was boosted by a further 150,000 "amplifier" accounts.
The Turkish network was made up of 7,340 accounts while the Russian group was 1,152 strong.
All accounts and their content have been removed from Twitter but have been placed on an archive database for researchers.
In its analysis Twitter said the Turkish network was detected in early 2020 and was primarily aimed at boosting domestic support for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling party.
The Russian accounts were involved in "cross-posting and amplifying content in an inauthentic, coordinated manner for political ends" including promoting the ruling United Russia and attacking political dissidents.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-12--Russia’s HIV Prevention Strategy Ignores Global Guidelines – Kommersant

Russia ’ s draft HIV prevention strategy doesn ’ t fully comply with World Health Organization ( WHO ) guidelines @ @ @ @ @ public discussion , the Kommersant business daily has reported .
More than 1 million people @ @ @ @ @ and a record 37,000 people died from HIV-related illnesses in the country in 2019 .
@ @ @ @ @ HIV prevention strategy differs little from the one that expires this year , experts told @ @ @ @ @ has been criticized for prioritizing “ moral values ” and urging the avoidance of bad @ @ @ @ @ being vaguely worded .
The new draft HIV prevention strategy aims to “ prevent the @ @ @ @ @ by permanently reducing the number of new infections… until it ’ s no longer a @ @ @ @ @ 2030 , ” according to Kommersant .

Russia’s draft HIV prevention strategy doesn’t fully comply with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and is not available for public discussion, the Kommersant business daily has reported.
More than 1 million people in Russia live with HIV and a record 37,000 people died from HIV-related illnesses in the country in 2019.
Russia’s new 10-year HIV prevention strategy differs little from the one that expires this year, experts told Kommersant. The current strategy has been criticized for prioritizing “moral values” and urging the avoidance of bad habits, as well as being vaguely worded.
The new draft HIV prevention strategy aims to “prevent the spread of HIV in Russia by permanently reducing the number of new infections… until it’s no longer a threat to public health by 2030,” according to Kommersant.


Russia Day 2020

On June 12 1990 Russia became an independent nation with the declaration of state sovereignty of the Russian Soviet Federative @ @ @ @ @ , over 145 million Russians have celebrated the day as National Russia Day , enjoying @ @ @ @ @ nation .
With 180 nationalities and 11 different timezones , Russia is truly one of @ @ @

On June 12 1990 Russia became an independent nation with the declaration of state sovereignty of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.
Since 1992, over 145 million Russians have celebrated the day as National Russia Day, enjoying festivities and concerts across the nation.
With 180 nationalities and 11 different timezones, Russia is truly one of a kind.
The Moscow Times wishes you a happy Russia day!


themoscowtimes--2020-06-12--Naval Chiefs at Russian Submarine Ceremony Ignore Coronavirus Safety Rules

Russian officials handing over a ballistic missile submarine to the Northern Fleet on Friday did not wear masks or practice @ @ @ @ @ ceremony taking place in the city with the highest number of coronavirus cases in the @ @ @ @ @ flag-raising ceremony for the Knyaz Vladimir ( Prince Vladimir ) took place in the Sevmash @ @ @ @ @ attended by the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy Admiral Nikolai Evmenov , the Commander of @ @ @ @ @ and other dignitaries .
Severodvinsk has reported 1,605 cases of Covid-19 , according to regional @ @ @ @ @ Of the infected , 1,163 work at the Sevmash and Zvezdochka naval shipyards , regional @ @ @ @ @ Friday .

Russian officials handing over a ballistic missile submarine to the Northern Fleet on Friday did not wear masks or practice social distancing, despite the ceremony taking place in the city with the highest number of coronavirus cases in the northern Arkhangelsk region.
The flag-raising ceremony for the Knyaz Vladimir (Prince Vladimir) took place in the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk and was attended by the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy Admiral Nikolai Evmenov, the Commander of the Northern Fleet Aleksandr Moiseev and other dignitaries.
Severodvinsk has reported 1,605 cases of Covid-19, according to regional health authorities in Arkhangelsk. Of the infected, 1,163 work at the Sevmash and Zvezdochka naval shipyards, regional news outlet 29.ru reported on Friday.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-12--Putin Says 'Majority' Back Plan to Change Russian Constitution

Putin greeted his compatriots at an open-air flag-raising ceremony in western Moscow to mark the Russia Day public holiday .
Russia , which has the world 's third-largest coronavirus caseload , this week lifted tight restrictions as Putin set the stage for a vote on July 1 that could extend his hold on power until 2036 .
President Vladimir Putin said Friday an `` absolute majority '' of Russians back his controversial plan to change the Constitution , as he made his first public appearance after weeks of lockdown .
Appearing without a mask and smiling in the bright sunshine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Russian people as well their traditions and culture .
He said it was only natural that Russians wanted to see these `` fundamental , basic premises '' reflected in the constitution .
`` I am sure that an absolute majority of our citizens share and support such a position , '' Putin said .
During the ceremony , he also bestowed labour awards on Roshal , popular Soviet-era actor Yury Solomin and other figures .
Putin , who has dominated Russia for two decades , in January unleashed a political storm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the first changes to the basic law since 1993 .
In a carefully-choreographed move , he later agreed for the amendments to include a provision that would reset the clock on his term limits to zero , meaning he could potentially stay in power until 2036 .
Even though infections have been declining in Russia , many doctors and Kremlin critics say lockdown restrictions have been lifted prematurely in Moscow , the epicentre of the Russian outbreak .
Critics accuse Putin of rushing to drum up support ahead of the vote as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independent pollsters .
On Friday evening , authorities will stage a concert on Red Square , adding however that those attending will respect social distancing rules .
On June 24 , Putin will also preside over a massive military parade to mark Soviet victory in World War II .
Both the vote and the parade had to be rescheduled due to the lockdown .
Over the past few weeks Putin has largely worked from his residence outside Moscow .

President Vladimir Putin said Friday an "absolute majority" of Russians back his controversial plan to change the Constitution, as he made his first public appearance after weeks of lockdown. Russia, which has the world's third-largest coronavirus caseload, this week lifted tight restrictions as Putin set the stage for a vote on July 1 that could extend his hold on power until 2036. Putin greeted his compatriots at an open-air flag-raising ceremony in western Moscow to mark the Russia Day public holiday. He was surrounded by allies, including prominent pediatrician Leonid Roshal.
Appearing without a mask and smiling in the bright sunshine, the 67-year-old leader praised the spirit of the Russian people as well their traditions and culture. He said it was only natural that Russians wanted to see these "fundamental, basic premises" reflected in the Constitution. "I am sure that an absolute majority of our citizens share and support such a position," Putin said. During the ceremony, he also bestowed labor awards on Roshal, popular Soviet-era actor Yury Solomin and other figures. Putin, who has dominated Russia for two decades, in January unleashed a political storm, proposing an overhaul of the Constitution, the first changes to the basic law since 1993. In a carefully choreographed move, he later agreed for the amendments to include a provision that would reset the clock on his term limits to zero, meaning he could potentially stay in power until 2036. Even though infections have been declining in Russia, many doctors and Kremlin critics say lockdown restrictions have been lifted prematurely in Moscow, the epicenter of the Russian outbreak. Critics accuse Putin of rushing to drum up support ahead of the vote as his approval ratings fall, according to independent pollsters. On Friday evening, authorities will stage a concert on Red Square, adding however that those attending will respect social distancing rules. On June 24, Putin will also preside over a massive military parade to mark Soviet victory in World War II. Both the vote and the parade had to be rescheduled due to the lockdown. Over the past few weeks Putin has largely worked from his residence outside Moscow.