themoscowtimes--2020-01-23--Syrian Army Retreats After Idlib Attack, Russia Says

Syrian state media said militants launched a major attack on government forces in Idlib on Thursday that Russia 's Defense Ministry said killed up to 40 Syrian soldiers , though the account was disputed by a rebel official and war monitor .
Idlib is the last rebel-held swathe of territory in the country and hundreds of thousands of people in the area have fled in recent weeks amid heavy air strikes by Russian and Syrian forces .
Russia 's Defense Ministry said that militants had seized two settlements in one of the offensives , which began on Wednesday , forcing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their positions in the southeast of the so-called Idlib de-escalation zone under rocket fire .
Syrian state media made no mention of army casualties but said an attack that included car bombs and heavy gunfire early on Thursday had forced some of its forces to re-deploy .
Naji al-Mustafa , spokesman for the National Liberation Front coalition of rebel groups , disputed the Syrian media and Russian government accounts and said no such assault had taken place on Wednesday or Thursday .
Mustafa said attacks had been carried out against government forces earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stepped up strikes against them in Idlib , but the area had seen no operations over the past 24 hours .
The Syrian Observatory war monitor also said there was no attack on government forces in Idlib on Thursday but that it had recorded about 400 Russian and Syrian airstrikes on the area since Wednesday , part of a stepped up assault since December .
Russia , which is helping President Bashar al-Assad 's forces , said Syrian government forces had killed up to 50 militants and wounded up to 90 .
Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including the Islamic Party of Turkestan and Tahrir al-Sham , the latest incarnation of the former Nusra Front that was part of al Qaeda until 2016 .
The militants were equipped with pickup trucks , armoured personnel carriers , tanks and heavy machine guns , it said .

Syrian state media said militants launched a major attack on government forces in Idlib on Thursday that Russia's Defense Ministry said killed up to 40 Syrian soldiers, though the account was disputed by a rebel official and war monitor.
Idlib is the last rebel-held swathe of territory in the country and hundreds of thousands of people in the area have fled in recent weeks amid heavy air strikes by Russian and Syrian forces.
Russia's Defense Ministry said that militants had seized two settlements in one of the offensives, which began on Wednesday, forcing Syrian army troops to abandon some of their positions in the southeast of the so-called Idlib de-escalation zone under rocket fire.
Syrian state media made no mention of army casualties but said an attack that included car bombs and heavy gunfire early on Thursday had forced some of its forces to re-deploy.
Naji al-Mustafa, spokesman for the National Liberation Front coalition of rebel groups, disputed the Syrian media and Russian government accounts and said no such assault had taken place on Wednesday or Thursday.
Mustafa said attacks had been carried out against government forces earlier in the week as a response to stepped up strikes against them in Idlib, but the area had seen no operations over the past 24 hours.
The Syrian Observatory war monitor also said there was no attack on government forces in Idlib on Thursday but that it had recorded about 400 Russian and Syrian airstrikes on the area since Wednesday, part of a stepped up assault since December.
Russia, which is helping President Bashar al-Assad's forces, said Syrian government forces had killed up to 50 militants and wounded up to 90.
Moscow said the attackers were from different groups, including the Islamic Party of Turkestan and Tahrir al-Sham, the latest incarnation of the former Nusra Front that was part of al Qaeda until 2016.
The militants were equipped with pickup trucks, armoured personnel carriers, tanks and heavy machine guns, it said.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-23--Putin Opens Leningrad Siege Memorial in Jerusalem

More than 800,000 people died during the Nazi encirclement of Leningrad — now called St. Petersburg — from starvation , disease and bombardment , making it one of the most devastating episodes of World War II .
An estimated 1,300 survivors of the 872-day siege currently live in Israel .
Russian President Vladimir Putin inaugurated a new monument in Jerusalem dedicated to the defenders and victims of the Siege of Leningrad on Thursday .
“ The monument we opened today is a symbol of our deep and mutual memory , ” Putin said at the opening ceremony of the Memorial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Joined by other Russian and Israeli leaders , the Russian president thanked Israel for honoring the Soviet role in defeating Nazism and said that the Siege of Leningrad , like the Holocaust , could not be compared to any other tragedies .
“ Here , as in Russia , people are concerned , troubled and outraged by attempts to deny the Holocaust , revise the results of World War II and whitewash murderers and criminals , ” he added .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier said that the role of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nazi killing machine ” should never be downplayed .
The new 8.5-meter Memorial Candle monument contains an urn of soil from St. Petersburg ’ s Piskaryovskoye Cemetery , a mass grave in which nearly half a million victims of the siege are believed to be buried .

Russian President Vladimir Putin inaugurated a new monument in Jerusalem dedicated to the defenders and victims of the Siege of Leningrad on Thursday. More than 800,000 people died during the Nazi encirclement of Leningrad — now called St. Petersburg — from starvation, disease and bombardment, making it one of the most devastating episodes of World War II. An estimated 1,300 survivors of the 872-day siege currently live in Israel.
Kremlin.ru
“The monument we opened today is a symbol of our deep and mutual memory,” Putin said at the opening ceremony of the Memorial Candle monument in Jerusalem's Sacher Park. Joined by other Russian and Israeli leaders, the Russian president thanked Israel for honoring the Soviet role in defeating Nazism and said that the Siege of Leningrad, like the Holocaust, could not be compared to any other tragedies. “Here, as in Russia, people are concerned, troubled and outraged by attempts to deny the Holocaust, revise the results of World War II and whitewash murderers and criminals,” he added. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier said that the role of the Soviet Union in defeating the “Nazi killing machine” should never be downplayed. The new 8.5-meter Memorial Candle monument contains an urn of soil from St. Petersburg’s Piskaryovskoye Cemetery, a mass grave in which nearly half a million victims of the siege are believed to be buried.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-23--Putin to Revive Russia’s ‘Great Wall’

Putin to Revive Russia’s ‘Great Wall’

A local archeologist had urged Putin to spearhead reconstruction of the Belgorod fortified line , which was built in the 17th century to protect Russia from southern invaders .
President Vladimir Putin has hinted that he could help reconstruct Russia 's version of the Great Wall of China during a stopover in the country ’ s central Lipetsk region , the Znak.com news website reported Wednesday .
The 16th-century Belgorod fortress was the main fortress along the 800-kilometer defensive line .
Parts of the 800-kilometer line ’ s ramparts , redoubts and ditches have been preserved , the archeologist , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Of course this [ reconstruction ] is in the president ’ s powers .
I know you support archeology and you support tourism , ” Znak.com quoted Bessudnov as saying .
“ This would be a great tourist route , ” the Lipetsk archeology organization leader added .
Putin said he ’ ll forward the request to state tourism agencies .
“ I ’ ll ask the relevant agencies that deal with domestic tourism before I gather the governors ; let 's go through them and see what can be done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Znak.com .

A local archeologist had urged Putin to spearhead reconstruction of the Belgorod fortified line, which was built in the 17th century to protect Russia from southern invaders.
President Vladimir Putin has hinted that he could help reconstruct Russia's version of the Great Wall of China during a stopover in the country’s central Lipetsk region, the Znak.com news website reported Wednesday.
The 16th-century Belgorod fortress was the main fortress along the 800-kilometer defensive line.
Parts of the 800-kilometer line’s ramparts, redoubts and ditches have been preserved, the archeologist, Alexander Bessudnov, was quoted as saying.
“Of course this [reconstruction] is in the president’s powers. I know you support archeology and you support tourism,” Znak.com quoted Bessudnov as saying.
“This would be a great tourist route,” the Lipetsk archeology organization leader added.
Putin said he’ll forward the request to state tourism agencies.
“I’ll ask the relevant agencies that deal with domestic tourism before I gather the governors; let's go through them and see what can be done,” Putin said, as quoted by Znak.com.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-23--New Russian PM’s Sister Owns $14M in Hidden Real Estate – BBC

Mishustin and his family were thrust into the spotlight after the former tax chief ’ s surprise appointment as head of Russia ’ s government last week .
Critics questioned how his wife came to earn $ 12.5 million without any known business interests , while news outlets reported that the couple may be hiding their own elite real estate .
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin ’ s sister owns luxury real estate in and outside Moscow currently valued at 900 million rubles ( $ 14.3 million ) , BBC Russia reported Thursday , citing a classified tax database .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the owner of an expensive apartment in a southwestern Moscow gated community called Knightsbridge Private Park , according to BBC Russia .
Its current asking price stands at 180 million rubles ( $ 2.8 million ) , which the outlet reports has barely changed since she purchased it in summer 2018 .
BBC Russia said it established Stenina ’ s ownership through an internal Federal Tax Service database provided by an unnamed source with access to Russians ’ personal data .
It noted that publicly available property documents show that the 170-square-meter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federation.
” Additionally , Stenina reportedly owns a two-story house in another gated community built by prominent businessman and President Vladimir Putin ally Aras Agalarov in the Moscow region ’ s prestigious Istra district .
The house ’ s current asking price , which she reportedly purchased in 2014 , stands at 370 million rubles ( $ 5.9 million ) .
Stenina ’ s third alleged property stands in another prestigious Moscow suburb of Rublyovka , where Russian media had located the Mishustins ’ own house .
The current asking price for Stenina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of land , according to BBC Russia , stands at 350 million rubles ( $ 5.6 million ) .
Stenina ’ s only known asset appears to be a building in central Moscow where a restaurant she co-owned stood before going out of business in 2019 , BBC Russia reported .
Her only work experience is a stint at Russia ’ s flagship airline Aeroflot in the early 2000s , the broadcaster cited its source as saying .
Stenina did not respond to BBC Russia ’ s requests for comment on social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond to requests for comment either .
Russia ’ s Supreme Court in 2017 allowed the Federal Registration Service , which Mishustin headed in 2004-2006 , to classify the names of property owners .

Mishustin and his family were thrust into the spotlight after the former tax chief’s surprise appointment as head of Russia’s government last week. Critics questioned how his wife came to earn $12.5 million without any known business interests, while news outlets reported that the couple may be hiding their own elite real estate.
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s sister owns luxury real estate in and outside Moscow currently valued at 900 million rubles ($14.3 million), BBC Russia reported Thursday, citing a classified tax database.
Natalya Stenina, 49, is listed as the owner of an expensive apartment in a southwestern Moscow gated community called Knightsbridge Private Park, according to BBC Russia. Its current asking price stands at 180 million rubles ($2.8 million), which the outlet reports has barely changed since she purchased it in summer 2018.
BBC Russia said it established Stenina’s ownership through an internal Federal Tax Service database provided by an unnamed source with access to Russians’ personal data. It noted that publicly available property documents show that the 170-square-meter apartment is owned by the “Russian Federation.”
Additionally, Stenina reportedly owns a two-story house in another gated community built by prominent businessman and President Vladimir Putin ally Aras Agalarov in the Moscow region’s prestigious Istra district. The house’s current asking price, which she reportedly purchased in 2014, stands at 370 million rubles ($5.9 million).
Stenina’s third alleged property stands in another prestigious Moscow suburb of Rublyovka, where Russian media had located the Mishustins’ own house. The current asking price for Stenina’s two houses occupying 1.3 hectares of land, according to BBC Russia, stands at 350 million rubles ($5.6 million).
Stenina’s only known asset appears to be a building in central Moscow where a restaurant she co-owned stood before going out of business in 2019, BBC Russia reported. Her only work experience is a stint at Russia’s flagship airline Aeroflot in the early 2000s, the broadcaster cited its source as saying.
Stenina did not respond to BBC Russia’s requests for comment on social media. The government press service did not respond to requests for comment either.
Russia’s Supreme Court in 2017 allowed the Federal Registration Service, which Mishustin headed in 2004-2006, to classify the names of property owners.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-23--Russians See Pollution as a Greater Threat Than Terrorism – Poll

Russia ’ s government says that climate change is heating the country faster than the rest of the world , predicting epidemics , drought and mass hunger if it ’ s left unchecked .
Levada conducted its poll in late 2019 , a year marked by devastating wildfires in Siberia , flash floods in Far East Russia and lack of traditional snow coverage in Moscow .
Russians believe that environmental pollution poses a greater threat to humanity than terrorism , according to the results of an independent Levada Center survey published Thursday .
When asked to identify humanity ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 48 % of Levada ’ s respondents named environmental pollution .
Forty-two percent of respondents pointed to terrorism , while 37 % named armed conflicts and wars as the main global threats .
Global warming ( 34 % ) and manmade disasters and accidents ( 31 % ) were also named among the world ’ s top five threats .
Two-thirds of respondents told Levada they believe that human activity causes global warming , while 25 % attributed it to natural processes .
Asked to specify which environmental issues affect Russia specifically , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % ) , waste disposal ( 17 % ) and nuclear waste ( 11 % ) .
Nationwide protests rocked Russia in 2019 over unpopular plans to build landfills in remote parts of the country to take in waste from more populous areas .
Air pollution was also the top answer in Levada ’ s 2010 poll , when 29 % of Russian respondents called it a country-specific threat , followed by water pollution ( 15 % ) and genetically modified products ( 9 % ) .
Levada conducted the survey among 1,608 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12-18 .

Russia’s government says that climate change is heating the country faster than the rest of the world, predicting epidemics, drought and mass hunger if it’s left unchecked. Levada conducted its poll in late 2019, a year marked by devastating wildfires in Siberia, flash floods in Far East Russia and lack of traditional snow coverage in Moscow.
Russians believe that environmental pollution poses a greater threat to humanity than terrorism, according to the results of an independent Levada Center survey published Thursday.
When asked to identify humanity’s greatest threats in the 21st century, 48% of Levada’s respondents named environmental pollution.
Forty-two percent of respondents pointed to terrorism, while 37% named armed conflicts and wars as the main global threats. Global warming (34%) and manmade disasters and accidents (31%) were also named among the world’s top five threats.
Two-thirds of respondents told Levada they believe that human activity causes global warming, while 25% attributed it to natural processes.
Asked to specify which environmental issues affect Russia specifically, most respondents named air pollution (26%), waste disposal (17%) and nuclear waste (11%). Nationwide protests rocked Russia in 2019 over unpopular plans to build landfills in remote parts of the country to take in waste from more populous areas.
Air pollution was also the top answer in Levada’s 2010 poll, when 29% of Russian respondents called it a country-specific threat, followed by water pollution (15%) and genetically modified products (9%).
Levada conducted the survey among 1,608 respondents in 50 Russian regions between Dec. 12-18.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-23--Popular Russian Stand-Up Comic Flees Russia After Police Probe

Update : Dolgopolov has fled Russia pending further information about the police probe , human rights lawyer Leonid Solovyov told @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We can ’ t say where he went yet , ” Solovyov said @ @ @ @ @ Dolgopolov warned his Instagram followers that his late Wednesday performance in Moscow was canceled .
@ @ @ @ @ out a request for information about a popular comic ’ s stand-up performance from a @ @ @ @ @ said Tuesday , prompting speculation that he could be targeted for jokes he made about @ @ @ @ @ It was not immediately clear what prompted the Orekhovo-Zuevo police department to send the request @ @ @ @ @ where Alexander Dolgopolov performed in February 2019 .
However , Russian media reported Wednesday that @ @ @ @ @ based on a viewer ’ s complaint that the comic insulted his religious feelings .

Update: Dolgopolov has fled Russia pending further information about the police probe, human rights lawyer Leonid Solovyov told the MBKh news website Thursday. “We can’t say where he went yet,” Solovyov said, citing security reasons.
Dolgopolov warned his Instagram followers that his late Wednesday performance in Moscow was canceled.
Police near Moscow have put out a request for information about a popular comic’s stand-up performance from a year ago, the comic said Tuesday, prompting speculation that he could be targeted for jokes he made about religion and the authorities.
It was not immediately clear what prompted the Orekhovo-Zuevo police department to send the request to the St. Petersburg venue where Alexander Dolgopolov performed in February 2019. However, Russian media reported Wednesday that authorities sought to interrogate Dolgopolov based on a viewer’s complaint that the comic insulted his religious feelings.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-23--Russia’s Sports Minister Assumes Office Despite Criminal Past

Matytsin , 55 , was one of several new faces named to Russia ’ s cabinet Tuesday following President Vladimir Putin ’ s shake-up of the political system last week .
Matytsin takes over the Sports Ministry as Russian athletics grapples with a long-running doping scandal that led to Russia being banned from this summer ’ s Olympics .
Russia ’ s new Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin was convicted for abuse of office as the head of a university a decade ago , according to past media reports that resurfaced following his appointment this week .
In March 2012 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exceeding his authorities by leasing out university land to a now-liquidated market in 2001-2006 , the RAPSI legal news agency had reported .
The new sports minister headed the Russian State University of Physical Culture , Sports and Tourism , whose graduates include legendary Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin , from 2001-2006 .
The Izmailovsky district court fined him 20,000 rubles ( $ 320 at the current exchange rate ) .
Investigators estimated damages at 120 million rubles ( $ 1.2 million at the current exchange rate ) .
Matytsin did not admit his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His defense maintained that leasing out land to the Izmailovsky market added to the Russian budget instead of straining it .
The Moscow City Court released Matytsin from punishment in July 2012 due to the statute of limitations , according to RAPSI .
Matytsin had been the president of the International University Sports Federation since 2015 .
It was not immediately clear what implication Matytsin ’ s past conviction would have on his current post .
Russia ’ s Sports Ministry and other government officials have not yet commented on Matytsin ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week to shift the power structure in Russia ’ s government was widely seen as an attempt to keep his grip on power after 20 years as Russia ’ s president or prime minister .

Matytsin, 55, was one of several new faces named to Russia’s cabinet Tuesday following President Vladimir Putin’s shake-up of the political system last week. Matytsin takes over the Sports Ministry as Russian athletics grapples with a long-running doping scandal that led to Russia being banned from this summer’s Olympics.
Russia’s new Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin was convicted for abuse of office as the head of a university a decade ago, according to past media reports that resurfaced following his appointment this week.
In March 2012, a Moscow court found Matytsin guilty of exceeding his authorities by leasing out university land to a now-liquidated market in 2001-2006, the RAPSI legal news agency had reported.
The new sports minister headed the Russian State University of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism, whose graduates include legendary Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin, from 2001-2006.
The Izmailovsky district court fined him 20,000 rubles ($320 at the current exchange rate). Investigators estimated damages at 120 million rubles ($1.2 million at the current exchange rate).
Matytsin did not admit his guilt, RAPSI reported at the time. His defense maintained that leasing out land to the Izmailovsky market added to the Russian budget instead of straining it.
The Moscow City Court released Matytsin from punishment in July 2012 due to the statute of limitations, according to RAPSI.
Matytsin had been the president of the International University Sports Federation since 2015.
It was not immediately clear what implication Matytsin’s past conviction would have on his current post. Russia’s Sports Ministry and other government officials have not yet commented on Matytsin’s past.
Putin’s proposals last week to shift the power structure in Russia’s government was widely seen as an attempt to keep his grip on power after 20 years as Russia’s president or prime minister.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-23--WADA Provisionally Suspends Moscow Anti-Doping Lab for 'Serious Violation'

The World Anti-Doping Agency ( WADA ) said on Wednesday it had provisionally suspended the status of Moscow 's anti-doping @ @ @ @ @ to analyze athlete biological passports ( ABP ) as Russia 's doping scandal continues .
@ @ @ @ @ than a month after WADA barred Russians from competing under their country 's flag at @ @ @ @ @ years as punishment for having provided it with doctored laboratory data .
Russia 's appeal @ @ @ @ @ also bar it from hosting or bidding for major events , will be heard by @ @ @ @ @ Sport ( CAS ) .
WADA said in a statement that the Moscow laboratory would @ @ @ @ @ out `` any work related to the analysis of blood samples in connection with the @ @ @ @ @ ) program '' pending disciplinary proceedings .

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said on Wednesday it had provisionally suspended the status of Moscow's anti-doping laboratory that had allowed it to analyze athlete biological passports (ABP) as Russia's doping scandal continues.
The move comes little more than a month after WADA barred Russians from competing under their country's flag at major international events for four years as punishment for having provided it with doctored laboratory data.
Russia's appeal against the sanctions, which also bar it from hosting or bidding for major events, will be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
WADA said in a statement that the Moscow laboratory would not be allowed to carry out "any work related to the analysis of blood samples in connection with the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) program" pending disciplinary proceedings.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-22--Putin Says Russia Has to be Strong Presidential Republic

Russia must remain a strong presidential republic , President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday when asked about a possible transitional @ @ @ @ @ in 2024 .
Last week Putin , who under the constitution can not run for @ @ @ @ @ constitutional changes that would give him scope to extend his grip on power after leaving @ @ @ @ @ include reducing the powers of the presidency and beefing up those of the prime minister @ @ @ @ @ might be eyeing a return to a job he held from 2008 to 2012 .
@ @ @ @ @ , has to be a strong presidential republic .
That 's the first thing .
@ @ @ @ @ so many ethnic groups , nationalities , ways of life , it is practically impossible @ @ @ @ @ of a parliamentary republic , '' Putin said , in comments which seemed to contradict @ @ @ @ @

Russia must remain a strong presidential republic, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday when asked about a possible transitional period once he steps down in 2024.
Last week Putin, who under the constitution cannot run for another presidential term, proposed constitutional changes that would give him scope to extend his grip on power after leaving the presidency.
The suggestions include reducing the powers of the presidency and beefing up those of the prime minister, prompting speculation that Putin might be eyeing a return to a job he held from 2008 to 2012.
"Our country, obviously, has to be a strong presidential republic. That's the first thing. And then, we have so many ethnic groups, nationalities, ways of life, it is practically impossible to integrate in the framework of a parliamentary republic," Putin said, in comments which seemed to contradict last week's message.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-22--Russia Rules Out Coronavirus After Medical Scare

Two patients hospitalized Wednesday with symptoms of the coronavirus were not found to be carrying the disease , Russia 's @ @ @ @ @ saying by the state-run TASS news agency .
The two men had sparked a medical @ @ @ @ @ Petersburg 's Pulkovo Airport on a flight from Shanghai with symptoms of the deadly virus @ @ @ @ @ up screenings of travelers from China after hundreds of people were infected in an outbreak @ @ @ @ @ 17 reported deaths .
Russia ’ s deputy health minister called the disease a biological @ @ @ @ @ this week .

Two patients hospitalized Wednesday with symptoms of the coronavirus were not found to be carrying the disease, Russia's Health Ministry was cited as saying by the state-run TASS news agency.
The two men had sparked a medical scare after arriving at St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Airport on a flight from Shanghai with symptoms of the deadly virus.
Russian airports have stepped up screenings of travelers from China after hundreds of people were infected in an outbreak of the virus, with 17 reported deaths. Russia’s deputy health minister called the disease a biological threat to the country earlier this week.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-22--Young Russian Tries to Sue Over Violent Lesbian ‘Exorcism’ in Chechnya

The latest incident comes after widespread reports of anti-gay abuse , including torture and killings , in the majority-Muslim region in recent years .
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has denied the existence of gay people in Chechnya , a claim that Russia has also submitted to the UN .
A young woman from Russia ’ s conservative republic of Chechnya is seeking criminal charges against her parents , one of their acquaintances and a psychiatric clinic for allegedly torturing her based on her sexual orientation , a Russian LGBT support group said Tuesday .
Aminat Lorsanova , 22 , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group ’ s help last year , alleges that she was illegally held at two Chechen clinics for a total of five months in 2018 .
While in detention , Lorsanova claims her parents ’ acquaintance beat her on several occasions with a stick while reading the Quran in a practice he called an Islamic “ exorcism.
” “ My mother and father observed the process but did not do anything even though I asked for help , ” Lorsanova said in a statement carried by the LGBT Network .
Her father also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six occasions in late 2018 , restraining her with handcuffs and adhesive tape to inject an antipsychotic drug , Lorsanova said .
“ He told me that he was going to treat me like an animal , like a sheep , ” the young woman said .
Russia ’ s Investigative Committee did not say whether it plans to open a criminal case into Lorsanova ’ s allegations .
LGBT Network ’ s Veronika Lapina said that the practice of “ exorcising ” LGBT people is prevalent both in Chechnya and among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women the group worked with have “ experienced this often sexualized form of inhuman treatment because of their sexual orientation , ” she added .
Russia banned `` propaganda of homosexuality toward minors '' in 2013 .
Same-sex sexual activity is not a crime in Russia , but rights advocates say that law has created fertile ground for homophobic attacks .

The latest incident comes after widespread reports of anti-gay abuse, including torture and killings , in the majority-Muslim region in recent years. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has denied the existence of gay people in Chechnya, a claim that Russia has also submitted to the UN.
A young woman from Russia’s conservative republic of Chechnya is seeking criminal charges against her parents, one of their acquaintances and a psychiatric clinic for allegedly torturing her based on her sexual orientation, a Russian LGBT support group said Tuesday.
Aminat Lorsanova, 22, who fled Russia with the LGBT Network support group’s help last year, alleges that she was illegally held at two Chechen clinics for a total of five months in 2018. While in detention, Lorsanova claims her parents’ acquaintance beat her on several occasions with a stick while reading the Quran in a practice he called an Islamic “exorcism.”
“My mother and father observed the process but did not do anything even though I asked for help,” Lorsanova said in a statement carried by the LGBT Network.
Her father also attempted to convert her to heterosexuality on six occasions in late 2018, restraining her with handcuffs and adhesive tape to inject an antipsychotic drug, Lorsanova said.
“He told me that he was going to treat me like an animal, like a sheep,” the young woman said.
Russia’s Investigative Committee did not say whether it plans to open a criminal case into Lorsanova’s allegations.
LGBT Network’s Veronika Lapina said that the practice of “exorcising” LGBT people is prevalent both in Chechnya and among the Chechen diaspora. More than 30 young women the group worked with have “experienced this often sexualized form of inhuman treatment because of their sexual orientation,” she added.
Russia banned "propaganda of homosexuality toward minors" in 2013. Same-sex sexual activity is not a crime in Russia, but rights advocates say that law has created fertile ground for homophobic attacks.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-22--Who Made It Into Russia’s New Cabinet?

Who Made It Into Russia’s New Cabinet?

Here ’ s a look at the main figures in Russia ’ s new government : Despite Putin describing the new government as a break with the past , many senior ministers held on to their positions .
President Vladimir Putin confirmed a new government Tuesday following last week ’ s shake-up of the political system which led to Dmitry Medvedev ’ s resignation as prime minister .
A day after Russia ’ s ex-prime minister Dmitry Medvedev announced his resignation , Putin and the State Duma confirmed Mishustin as the head of Russia ’ s government .
Before being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the head of the Federal Tax Service since April 2010 .
He was also a member of the Presidential Council for Financial Market Development in 2011-2018 .
Lyubimova , who was previously the director of the Culture Ministry ’ s cinematography department , replaces her predecessor Vladimir Medinsky as culture minister .
During her time in that position , the ministry for the first time published information on the amount of state funding it gives to filmmakers .
The data revealed that only 30 out of the 340 state-funded films released since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaves his post as governor of the Perm region , replacing Maxim Oreshkin as the head of the Economic Development Ministry .
He has also worked in the government of Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin as the capital ’ s head of economic policy .
Matytsin had been the president of the International University Sports Federation since 2015 .
In 1996-1999 Matytsin was a dean of the faculty of individual professional education at the Russian State University of Physical Culture , Sports and Tourism and in 2001-2006 he was its rector .
Chuychenko previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief of staff in Russia ’ s government .
He was also Medvedev ’ s classmate at Leningrad State University .
Lavrov remains the head of the Foreign Ministry — a position he has held since March 2004 .
Known as a tough diplomat , Lavrov is one of the longest-serving cabinet members .
Shoigu has served as defense minister and as chairman of the council of defense ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States ( CIS ) since 2012 .
A close Putin ally , he regularly ranks among the most popular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the same time , under his tenure , Russian soldiers annexed Crimea and have been accused by Ukraine and the West of fighting on the side of pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine .
Kolokoltsev has been Russia ’ s interior minister since 2012 .
Anton Siluanov will continue to serve as finance minister despite losing his position as first deputy prime minister .
Siluanov has been finance minister since 2011 .
Alexander Novak has been holding this position since 2012 .
Zinichev was appointed as emergency situations minister in 2018 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Here’s a look at the main figures in Russia’s new government:
Despite Putin describing the new government as a break with the past, many senior ministers held on to their positions.
President Vladimir Putin confirmed a new government Tuesday following last week’s shake-up of the political system which led to Dmitry Medvedev’s resignation as prime minister.
New appointments:
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin
A day after Russia’s ex-prime minister Dmitry Medvedev announced his resignation, Putin and the State Duma confirmed Mishustin as the head of Russia’s government.
Before being appointed prime minister, Mishustin had served as the head of the Federal Tax Service since April 2010. He was also a member of the Presidential Council for Financial Market Development in 2011-2018.
Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova
Lyubimova, who was previously the director of the Culture Ministry’s cinematography department, replaces her predecessor Vladimir Medinsky as culture minister.
During her time in that position, the ministry for the first time published information on the amount of state funding it gives to filmmakers. The data revealed that only 30 out of the 340 state-funded films released since 2015 have been commercially successful.
Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov
Reshetnikov leaves his post as governor of the Perm region, replacing Maxim Oreshkin as the head of the Economic Development Ministry. He has also worked in the government of Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin as the capital’s head of economic policy.
Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin
Matytsin had been the president of the International University Sports Federation since 2015.
In 1996-1999 Matytsin was a dean of the faculty of individual professional education at the Russian State University of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism and in 2001-2006 he was its rector.
Justice Minister Konstantin Chuychenko
Chuychenko previously served as a deputy prime minister and chief of staff in Russia’s government. He was also Medvedev’s classmate at Leningrad State University.
Returning ministers:
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
Lavrov remains the head of the Foreign Ministry — a position he has held since March 2004. Known as a tough diplomat, Lavrov is one of the longest-serving cabinet members.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu
Shoigu has served as defense minister and as chairman of the council of defense ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) since 2012. A close Putin ally, he regularly ranks among the most popular and well-trusted government officials in public polling. At the same time, under his tenure, Russian soldiers annexed Crimea and have been accused by Ukraine and the West of fighting on the side of pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev
Kolokoltsev has been Russia’s interior minister since 2012.
Finance Minister Anton Siluanov
Anton Siluanov will continue to serve as finance minister despite losing his position as first deputy prime minister. Siluanov has been finance minister since 2011.
Energy Minister Alexander Novak
Alexander Novak has been holding this position since 2012.
Emergency Situations Minister Yevgeny Zinichev
Zinichev was appointed as emergency situations minister in 2018, a post he has held since.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-24--Bulgaria Set to Expel Two Russian Diplomats Over Espionage

Bulgaria is likely to expel two Russian diplomats over spying allegations , Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva said on Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ letters from the prosecutors with the allegations , '' said Zaharieva .
`` We will @ @ @ @ @ are obliged to undertake and will most probably declare them 'persona non grata ' .
@ @ @ @ @ summon the Russian ambassador .
Prosecutors had said earlier that the Russians were engaged in @ @ @ @ @ charged due to diplomatic immunity .

Bulgaria is likely to expel two Russian diplomats over spying allegations, Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva said on Friday.
"We have received the letters from the prosecutors with the allegations," said Zaharieva. "We will undertake the actions that we are obliged to undertake and will most probably declare them 'persona non grata'."
Zaharieva said she would summon the Russian ambassador.
Prosecutors had said earlier that the Russians were engaged in espionage but could not be charged due to diplomatic immunity.
Bulgaria is likely to expel two Russian diplomats who prosecutors suspect were involved in spying in the Balkan country, its Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva said on Friday.
EU and NATO member Bulgaria, which traditionally keeps close links to Russia, expelled another diplomat over espionage allegations in October and declined to grant a visa to Russia's incoming defence attache.
"We have received letters from the prosecutors with the allegations," said Zaharieva. "We will undertake the action that we are obliged to undertake and will most probably declare them 'persona non grata'."
Zaharieva said she would summon the Russian ambassador to Sofia later on Friday over the matter.
In a separate statement, prosecutors said that a first secretary at the consular section of the Russian embassy had been involved in espionage since 2017, seeking information about the electoral process.
A second diplomat, serving at Russia's commercial representation office in Sofia, had been collecting information on energy and energy security since October 2018, some of which were state secrets, prosecutors said.
Bulgaria was Moscow's most reliable ally in the region during Soviet times. Despite periodic strains in their post-Soviet ties, however, Russia remains Bulgaria's biggest energy supplier.
The Balkan country declined to join its NATO and EU allies in expelling Russian diplomats over the poisoning of a former Russian spy, Sergei Skripal, in Britain in 2018.
But on Thursday, prosecutors charged three Russians with the attempted murder of an arms trader and two other Bulgarians whose poisoning is being investigated by Sofia for possible links with the 2018 nerve-agent attack on Skripal.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-24--Russia to Install ‘Spiritual’ Domestic Apps – Vedomosti

Russia ’ s competition watchdog has developed three criteria the government will follow in choosing the pre-installed Russian-made software , Vedomosti reported , citing a draft resolution it said it had obtained .
From July 1 , smartphones will be required to go on sale with pre-installed apps approved by the Russian government .
Supporters defend the law , which President Vladimir Putin signed last month , as protection for Russian consumers and Russian technology against Western competition .
Some electronic retailers accused the legislation ’ s authors of passing it without consulting with them .
Russian authorities will give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deciding which Russian-made apps should come pre-installed under a controversial law banning smartphone sales without domestic software , the Vedomosti newspaper reported Thursday .
Besides popularity and security , the Russian government will reportedly have to consider whether the software “ prioritizes traditional Russian spiritual and moral values.
” “ What will be installed is widely used domestic software that has social significance and provides security , ” the competition watchdog , Russia ’ s Federal Anti-Monopoly Service ( FAS ) , announced Wednesday .
It did not mention the values outlined in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be required to pre-install Russian-made antivirus , search engine , GPS , public service and payment apps , the FAS said in a press release .
Pre-installed Russian-made software for tablets will become mandatory on July 1 , 2021 , FAS said in a press release .
Similar rules will be phased in for personal computers on July 1 , 2022 , and July 1 , 2023 , for smart TV sets , it added .
Russia ’ s Association of Trading Companies and Manufacturers of Consumer Electronic and Computer Equipment forecasts that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list of applications no earlier than April , its spokesman Anton Guskov told Vedomosti .
The phone makers will need at least six months to test the apps , Guskov was cited as saying .

Russia’s competition watchdog has developed three criteria the government will follow in choosing the pre-installed Russian-made software, Vedomosti reported, citing a draft resolution it said it had obtained.
From July 1, smartphones will be required to go on sale with pre-installed apps approved by the Russian government. Supporters defend the law, which President Vladimir Putin signed last month, as protection for Russian consumers and Russian technology against Western competition. Some electronic retailers accused the legislation’s authors of passing it without consulting with them.
Russian authorities will give priority to “spiritual values” when deciding which Russian-made apps should come pre-installed under a controversial law banning smartphone sales without domestic software, the Vedomosti newspaper reported Thursday.
Besides popularity and security, the Russian government will reportedly have to consider whether the software “prioritizes traditional Russian spiritual and moral values.”
“What will be installed is widely used domestic software that has social significance and provides security,” the competition watchdog, Russia’s Federal Anti-Monopoly Service (FAS), announced Wednesday. It did not mention the values outlined in Vedomosti’s report.
Smartphones will be required to pre-install Russian-made antivirus, search engine, GPS, public service and payment apps, the FAS said in a press release.
Pre-installed Russian-made software for tablets will become mandatory on July 1, 2021, FAS said in a press release. Similar rules will be phased in for personal computers on July 1, 2022, and July 1, 2023, for smart TV sets, it added.
Russia’s Association of Trading Companies and Manufacturers of Consumer Electronic and Computer Equipment forecasts that the government will come up with a list of applications no earlier than April, its spokesman Anton Guskov told Vedomosti.
The phone makers will need at least six months to test the apps, Guskov was cited as saying.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-24--Activists Urge Russians to Vote Against Putin’s ‘Constitutional Coup’

A group of prominent activists and political figures has called on Russians to vote against President Vladimir Putin ’ s proposed constitutional changes , which they describe as a “ coup.
” “ We ’ re convinced that the goal of this coup is to keep Vladimir Putin and his corrupt regime in power for life , ” the activists wrote in an open letter they called a “ manifesto ” in Russia ’ s Novaya Gazeta newspaper Thursday .
“ If such a vote is set , we call on everyone to come and say ‘ no ’ to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power , ” they said .
Russia ’ s lower house of parliament , the State Duma , backed Putin ’ s changes in a unanimous first vote Thursday .
The proposals include curbing presidential powers and beefing up those of the prime minister in a move observers say would give Putin scope to extend his grip on power after his term ends in 2024 .
Lawmakers are still unclear on whether the public will vote on Putin ’ s constitutional amendments before or after he signs the bill into law .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which media reports say will be on April 12 , will have any effect on whether the amendments will be adopted .

A group of prominent activists and political figures has called on Russians to vote against President Vladimir Putin’s proposed constitutional changes, which they describe as a “coup.”
“We’re convinced that the goal of this coup is to keep Vladimir Putin and his corrupt regime in power for life,” the activists wrote in an open letter they called a “manifesto” in Russia’s Novaya Gazeta newspaper Thursday.
“If such a vote is set, we call on everyone to come and say ‘no’ to a constitutional coup and the usurpation of power,” they said.
Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, backed Putin’s changes in a unanimous first vote Thursday. The proposals include curbing presidential powers and beefing up those of the prime minister in a move observers say would give Putin scope to extend his grip on power after his term ends in 2024.
Lawmakers are still unclear on whether the public will vote on Putin’s constitutional amendments before or after he signs the bill into law. It is also unclear if the public vote, which media reports say will be on April 12, will have any effect on whether the amendments will be adopted.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-24--Flights to Moscow from China's Wuhan Suspended Over Coronavirus Fears

Flights to Moscow from the Chinese city of Wuhan have been suspended over fears about the spread of a previously @ @ @ @ @ news agency cited an unnamed source as saying on Friday .
The World Health Organisation @ @ @ @ @ declared the new coronavirus an emergency for China but stopped short of declaring the epidemic @ @ @ @ @ to the suspension , Russian airports stepped up screenings of travelers from China after hundreds @ @ @ @ @ an outbreak of the virus , with 17 reported deaths .
Russia ’ s deputy @ @ @ @ @ a biological threat to the country earlier this week .

Flights to Moscow from the Chinese city of Wuhan have been suspended over fears about the spread of a previously unknown coronavirus strain, Interfax news agency cited an unnamed source as saying on Friday.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday declared the new coronavirus an emergency for China but stopped short of declaring the epidemic of international concern.
Prior to the suspension, Russian airports stepped up screenings of travelers from China after hundreds of people were infected in an outbreak of the virus, with 17 reported deaths. Russia’s deputy health minister called the disease a biological threat to the country earlier this week.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-24--U.S. ‘Intercepted’ Russian General in Syria – State Dept

U.S. forces intercepted an unidentified Russian major general in northern Syria during deconfliction operations , the U.S. State Department ’ @ @ @ @ @ engagement and the anti-Islamic State coalition said Thursday .
James Jeffrey ’ s remarks follow @ @ @ @ @ blocking ” a Russian military patrol from accessing an oilfield in northeastern Syria ’ s @ @ @ @ @ .
The envoy ’ s revelations also come two years after U.S. airstrikes killed between @ @ @ @ @ attempting to take over an oil refinery in eastern Syria ’ s Deir Ezzor region @ @ @ @ @ experienced “ hiccups ” in their military deconfliction efforts in Syria , including around 14 @ @ @ @ @ toward the northern town of Manbij , Jeffrey said Thursday .
“ At one point @ @ @ @ @ major general who was driving towards the town of Manbij , ” the U.S. special @ @ @ @ @ briefing .
The interception “ was all dealt with in these military-to-military channels , ” @ @ @ @ @ did not identify the senior Russian major general .

U.S. forces intercepted an unidentified Russian major general in northern Syria during deconfliction operations, the U.S. State Department’s special envoy for Syrian engagement and the anti-Islamic State coalition said Thursday.
James Jeffrey’s remarks follow news of U.S. troops “blocking” a Russian military patrol from accessing an oilfield in northeastern Syria’s province of Hasakah on Saturday. The envoy’s revelations also come two years after U.S. airstrikes killed between five and 200 Russian mercenaries attempting to take over an oil refinery in eastern Syria’s Deir Ezzor region.
Russia and the U.S. experienced “hiccups” in their military deconfliction efforts in Syria, including around 14 months ago when Russia moved toward the northern town of Manbij, Jeffrey said Thursday.
“At one point, we intercepted a Russian major general who was driving towards the town of Manbij,” the U.S. special envoy said in a televised briefing.
The interception “was all dealt with in these military-to-military channels,” he told reporters.
Jeffrey did not identify the senior Russian major general.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-24--Russia Says It Missed UN Deadline to Repatriate North Korean Workers

Russia said on Thursday it had missed a United Nations deadline to repatriate North Korean workers due to what it @ @ @ @ @ said it was scrupulously complying with UN sanctions on Pyongyang .
A 2017 UN Security @ @ @ @ @ countries send home all North Korean workers by Dec. 22 last year to stop them @ @ @ @ @ Korea 's nuclear and ballistic missile programs .
The United States has estimated Pyongyang was @ @ @ @ @ million a year from nearly 100,000 workers abroad , of which some 50,000 were in @ @ @ @ @ .
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters on Thursday that Moscow had missed @ @ @ @ @ around 1,000 North Korean workers were still in Russia .
She said it had proved @ @ @ @ @ workers to leave by the deadline because of limited transport options .
There were only @ @ @ @ @ Russia and North Korea operated by one airline , she said , and limited train @ @ @ @ @ was rigorously complying with UN sanctions on North Korea nonetheless .

Russia said on Thursday it had missed a United Nations deadline to repatriate North Korean workers due to what it called objective difficulties, but said it was scrupulously complying with UN sanctions on Pyongyang.
A 2017 UN Security Council resolution demanded that all countries send home all North Korean workers by Dec. 22 last year to stop them earning foreign currency for North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
The United States has estimated Pyongyang was earning more than $500 million a year from nearly 100,000 workers abroad, of which some 50,000 were in China and 30,000 in Russia.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters on Thursday that Moscow had missed the UN deadline and that around 1,000 North Korean workers were still in Russia.
She said it had proved impossible for all of the workers to leave by the deadline because of limited transport options. There were only two flights a week between Russia and North Korea operated by one airline, she said, and limited train connections.
Zakharova said Moscow was rigorously complying with UN sanctions on North Korea nonetheless.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-24--Putin Appoints Former Economy Minister Maxim Oreshkin as Adviser

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday appointed former economy minister Maxim Oreshkin as his adviser following the resignation of his @ @ @ @ @ Kremlin decree said .
Oreshkin , 37 , was replaced as economy minister this week @ @ @ @ @ a former regional governor .
Putin also named Vladimir Medinsky , who was replaced as @ @ @ @ @ , as one of his advisers .

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday appointed former economy minister Maxim Oreshkin as his adviser following the resignation of his government last week, a Kremlin decree said.
Oreshkin, 37, was replaced as economy minister this week by 40-year-old Maxim Reshetnikov, a former regional governor. Putin also named Vladimir Medinsky, who was replaced as culture minister during the reshuffle, as one of his advisers.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-24--Russia-North Korea Trade Up Despite Sanctions, Reports Say

Russia and North Korea ramped up trade in 2019 despite international sanctions , the South Korean news network Arirang reported , citing data from the Geneva-based International Trade Center .
Pyongyang has been under UN sanctions since 2006 over its missile and nuclear programs , which the Security Council has unanimously strengthened over the years .
Despite that , North Korea imported more than $ 42 million in goods from Russia in January-November 2019 , Arirang reported Monday .
That ’ s 20 % higher than the $ 32 million in goods North Korea imported from Russia in 2018 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consisted mostly of petroleum products from Russia , followed by animal oil , food and medical products , according to South Korea ’ s Yonhap news agency .
Russia imported $ 2.3 million in goods from North Korea from January-November 2019 , up from $ 1.9 million in 2018 , Arirang reported .
Moscow admitted Thursday that it had missed a United Nations deadline to repatriate North Korean workers by Dec. 22 due to what it called “ objective difficulties.
” Additionally , Russian Interior Ministry statistics released Wednesday showed that the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia to North Koreans surged in 2019 .
Experts cited by Reuters suspect that many of those issued tourist visas are working illegally in Russia .
Moscow and Beijing pushed unsuccessfully in the United Nations in December for a raft of sanctions on North Korea to be lifted .

Russia and North Korea ramped up trade in 2019 despite international sanctions, the South Korean news network Arirang reported, citing data from the Geneva-based International Trade Center.
Pyongyang has been under UN sanctions since 2006 over its missile and nuclear programs, which the Security Council has unanimously strengthened over the years.
Despite that, North Korea imported more than $42 million in goods from Russia in January-November 2019, Arirang reported Monday.
That’s 20% higher than the $32 million in goods North Korea imported from Russia in 2018, it said.
Pyongyang’s imports consisted mostly of petroleum products from Russia, followed by animal oil, food and medical products, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.
Russia imported $2.3 million in goods from North Korea from January-November 2019, up from $1.9 million in 2018, Arirang reported.
Moscow admitted Thursday that it had missed a United Nations deadline to repatriate North Korean workers by Dec. 22 due to what it called “objective difficulties.”
Additionally, Russian Interior Ministry statistics released Wednesday showed that the number of tourist and student visas issued by Russia to North Koreans surged in 2019.
Experts cited by Reuters suspect that many of those issued tourist visas are working illegally in Russia.
Moscow and Beijing pushed unsuccessfully in the United Nations in December for a raft of sanctions on North Korea to be lifted.
Reuters contributed reporting to this article.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-24--Australian Wildlife Finds Sanctuary on Russian Migrant’s Farm

A Russian migrant who has lived in Australia for 30 years is documenting how surviving animals find sanctuary on his @ @ @ @ @ devastate their habitat .
The death toll from southeastern Australia 's bushfires stood at 33 @ @ @ @ @ have also killed millions of creatures , razed thousands of homes and destroyed an area @ @ @ @ @ of Germany since September , according to Reuters .
“ I deliver humanitarian aid to @ @ @ @ @ the animals that come to me , ” video blogger and tour operator Vladimir Balashov @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .

A Russian migrant who has lived in Australia for 30 years is documenting how surviving animals find sanctuary on his property as bushfires continue to devastate their habitat.
The death toll from southeastern Australia's bushfires stood at 33 people Friday. The fires have also killed millions of creatures, razed thousands of homes and destroyed an area about a third the size of Germany since September, according to Reuters.
“I deliver humanitarian aid to wombats, kangaroos and all the animals that come to me,” video blogger and tour operator Vladimir Balashov said in a Facebook post Thursday.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-25--Russia in Talks With China to Help its Citizens Leave Wuhan

Russia is consulting with China about possibly evacuating Russian citizens from the Chinese city of Wuhan and Hubei province , @ @ @ @ @ of a new flu-like virus , the RIA news agency cited the Russian embassy as @ @ @ @ @ are no Russians infected with the new coronavirus , RIA quoted the embassy 's press @ @ @ @ @ .
Flights to Moscow from the Chinese city of Wuhan had been suspended Friday over @ @ @ @ @ a previously unknown coronavirus strain , Interfax news agency cited an unnamed source as saying @ @ @ @ @ Health Organisation ( WHO ) on Thursday declared the new coronavirus an emergency for China @ @ @ @ @ the epidemic of international concern .

Russia is consulting with China about possibly evacuating Russian citizens from the Chinese city of Wuhan and Hubei province, the center of an outbreak of a new flu-like virus, the RIA news agency cited the Russian embassy as saying on Saturday.
There are no Russians infected with the new coronavirus, RIA quoted the embassy's press attache in China as saying.
Flights to Moscow from the Chinese city of Wuhan had been suspended Friday over fears about the spread of a previously unknown coronavirus strain, Interfax news agency cited an unnamed source as saying on Friday.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday declared the new coronavirus an emergency for China but stopped short of declaring the epidemic of international concern.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-25--Putin Orders Prosecutor General to Review Moscow Protester's Conviction

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the Prosecutor General to investigate if a guilty verdict for Moscow protester Konstantin Kotov @ @ @ @ @ said .
A Moscow court sentenced Kotov , a 34-year-old programmer , to four years @ @ @ @ @ `` repeated '' participation in unauthorized rallies , under a widely criticized law that has @ @ @ @ @ offence .
The court said Kotov `` disregarded basic constitutional principles '' because he continued @ @ @ @ @ protests after being found guilty of violating legislation on public gatherings .
Putin ordered an @ @ @ @ @ to establish if the verdict was lawful and justified , the Kremlin said on its @ @

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the Prosecutor General to investigate if a guilty verdict for Moscow protester Konstantin Kotov was lawful, the Kremlin said.
A Moscow court sentenced Kotov, a 34-year-old programmer, to four years in prison in September for "repeated" participation in unauthorized rallies, under a widely criticized law that has made non-violent protests a criminal offense.
The court said Kotov "disregarded basic constitutional principles" because he continued to take part in unauthorized protests after being found guilty of violating legislation on public gatherings.
Putin ordered an investigation into Kotov's conviction to establish if the verdict was lawful and justified, the Kremlin said on its website.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-26--Putin Decides Low-Growth Russia Could Use Some Help From Keynes

With time running out on his final term as president , Vladimir Putin evidently wants to end it with a boom .
Putin has been a cautious steward of Russia ’ s $ 1.7 trillion economy , partly to shield it against blowback from his more adventurous foreign policy .
For the last five years , he ’ s imposed some of the world ’ s toughest budget austerity .
Combined with high interest rates , that ’ s made Russia a favorite of carry-trade investors — but it ’ s left living standards mired at 2012 levels and economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the president is changing course — and channeling an economist whose pro-growth ideas are mainstream almost everywhere else : John Maynard Keynes .
Putin just appointed a new cabinet stacked with advocates for more government spending and investment , a Keynesian recipe .
And he ’ s told them to hurry up about it .
In power for 20 years , Putin gets credit at home for steadying an economy that suffered a decade of chaos and debt default after the Soviet Union collapsed .
But lately , stability has threatened to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government hasn ’ t rushed to the rescue .
It ’ s pared borrowing to a minimum in the last five years , and has been stashing any spare cash from Russia ’ s commodity exports into a massive rainy-day fund .
“ Russia ’ s first priority was to secure its borders to reduce its vulnerabilities , ” said Elina Ribakova , deputy chief economist at the Institute of International Finance in Washington .
“ At the time , it would ’ ve been wrong to lean on Keynesian theories .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that front that it ’ s time to start thinking about how to boost potential growth.
” Western sanctions and volatile oil prices have been a key reason for Putin ’ s “ fortress Russia ” approach , which aimed to make the economy self-sufficient .
But the turn to Keynesian stimulus shows that Russia isn ’ t walled off from wider currents of economic thinking .
There ’ s been a similar shift in other countries .
The U.S. has widened budget deficits even after a decade-long expansion , and the U.K. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from austerity .
India and Turkey are trying to boost growth via fiscal policy .
At the first meeting of Russia ’ s new government , Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said he wants to get the spending spree underway quickly .
Russians should “ feel the changes in their lives and surroundings in the near future , ” he said .
Mishustin has appointed former Kremlin adviser Andrey Belousov , who ’ s lobbied for more government borrowing and spending , as his deputy premier .
Evgeny Yasin , a director at Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the country ’ s most prominent economists , calls Belousov a “ Russian Keynesian.
” “ Russian political changes at this moment have one goal : to boost economic growth , ” Billionaire Oleg Deripaska , founder of aluminum producer United Co Rusal Plc , told Bloomberg Television in Davos .

With time running out on his final term as president, Vladimir Putin evidently wants to end it with a boom.
Putin has been a cautious steward of Russia’s $1.7 trillion economy, partly to shield it against blowback from his more adventurous foreign policy. For the last five years, he’s imposed some of the world’s toughest budget austerity. Combined with high interest rates, that’s made Russia a favorite of carry-trade investors — but it’s left living standards mired at 2012 levels and economic growth stuck below 2%.
Now, the president is changing course — and channeling an economist whose pro-growth ideas are mainstream almost everywhere else: John Maynard Keynes. Putin just appointed a new cabinet stacked with advocates for more government spending and investment, a Keynesian recipe. And he’s told them to hurry up about it.
In power for 20 years, Putin gets credit at home for steadying an economy that suffered a decade of chaos and debt default after the Soviet Union collapsed. But lately, stability has threatened to turn into stagnation.
Until now, the government hasn’t rushed to the rescue. It’s pared borrowing to a minimum in the last five years, and has been stashing any spare cash from Russia’s commodity exports into a massive rainy-day fund.
“Russia’s first priority was to secure its borders to reduce its vulnerabilities,” said Elina Ribakova, deputy chief economist at the Institute of International Finance in Washington. “At the time, it would’ve been wrong to lean on Keynesian theories. Now they’re so comfortable on that front that it’s time to start thinking about how to boost potential growth.”
‘ Feel the change’
Western sanctions and volatile oil prices have been a key reason for Putin’s “fortress Russia” approach, which aimed to make the economy self-sufficient. But the turn to Keynesian stimulus shows that Russia isn’t walled off from wider currents of economic thinking. There’s been a similar shift in other countries.
The U.S. has widened budget deficits even after a decade-long expansion, and the U.K. and Germany have begun to shift away from austerity. India and Turkey are trying to boost growth via fiscal policy.
At the first meeting of Russia’s new government, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said he wants to get the spending spree underway quickly. Russians should “feel the changes in their lives and surroundings in the near future,” he said.
Mishustin has appointed former Kremlin adviser Andrey Belousov, who’s lobbied for more government borrowing and spending, as his deputy premier. Evgeny Yasin, a director at Russia’s Higher School of Economics and one of the country’s most prominent economists, calls Belousov a “Russian Keynesian.”
“Russian political changes at this moment have one goal: to boost economic growth,” Billionaire Oleg Deripaska, founder of aluminum producer United Co Rusal Plc, told Bloomberg Television in Davos.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-26--Israeli Woman Jailed in Russia Asks for Pardon

Naama Issachar , a U.S.-Israeli woman jailed in Russia on drug charges , has asked for a pardon , Interfax @ @ @ @ @ by her lawyers .
Israel has called on Russia to release Issachar , who was @ @ @ @ @ to seven-and-a-half years in jail for drug offences in October .
The Kremlin said earlier @ @ @ @ @ Issachar to be granted a presidential pardon without her first formally requesting one .

Naama Issachar, a U.S.-Israeli woman jailed in Russia on drug charges, has asked for a pardon, Interfax reported, citing a statement by her lawyers.
Israel has called on Russia to release Issachar, who was sentenced by a Russian court to seven-and-a-half years in jail for drug offenses in October.
The Kremlin said earlier that it was impossible for Issachar to be granted a presidential pardon without her first formally requesting one.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-27--Japan Arrests Ex-SoftBank Staffer for Leaks to Russian ‘Spies’

Yutaka Araki , 48 , is accused of providing the phone-carrier information to two Russian officials whom Japanese police suspect of engaging in espionage , the Kyodo and Jiji news agencies reported .
SoftBank called the information allegedly stolen on Feb. 18 , 2019 , “ low in confidentiality.
” Authorities in Japan have arrested a former employee of the SoftBank telecoms and internet company on suspicion of leaking trade secrets , the corporation said Saturday .
“ I had thought that they might be spies , ” Araki was cited by the news agencies as saying to police .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to earn “ a little extra money , ” Japanese police were quoted as saying .
The trade secrets reportedly concerned manuals for mobile phone base stations and other communications facilities .
Japanese police asked Russia ’ s Embassy in Tokyo to hand over two Russian officials it suspects of espionage , according to the reports .
The diplomats , one of whom was said to have returned to Russia in 2017 , are believed to be members of Russia ’ s Foreign Intelligence Service ( SVR ) , Jiji and Kyodo reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of violating an agreed policy of fostering a “ positive ” bilateral atmosphere without confirming or denying the espionage claims .
“ We regret that Japan has subscribed to the fashionable anti-Russian speculation in the West on the worn-out topic of spying , ” it said on its Facebook page Saturday .
Russian-Japanese ties have been marred by a decades-old dispute over Pacific islands captured by the Soviet army toward the end of World War II .
To this day , Moscow and Tokyo have not signed a formal peace treaty to mark @ @ @ @ @ @

Update: Russia has expelled a Japanese journalist for trying to obtain secret information related to Russian military capabilities, the state-run RIA news agency reported Monday, in a tit-for-tat move following Japan's arrest of Araki on espionage suspicions.
The journalist, whom it didn't name, had been given 72 hours to leave Russia and had already left. Russia's Foreign Ministry has summoned a Japanese embassy official to make an official diplomatic protest over the incident, RIA reported.
"The Japanese citizen was detained by Russian law enforcement officers in Vladivostok on Dec. 25, 2019, trying to receive secret materials about Russia's military potential in the Far East," the ministry was quoted as saying.
A person familiar with Kyodo's thinking said Russia's announcement seemed to be "revenge for SoftBank."
Authorities in Japan have arrested a former employee of the SoftBank telecoms and internet company on suspicion of leaking trade secrets, the corporation said Saturday.
Yutaka Araki, 48, is accused of providing the phone-carrier information to two Russian officials whom Japanese police suspect of engaging in espionage, the Kyodo and Jiji news agencies reported. SoftBank called the information allegedly stolen on Feb. 18, 2019, “low in confidentiality.”


themoscowtimes--2020-01-27--Aeroflot, Sheremetyevo Under Fire For Cat Passengers' Deaths

Maxim Chumachenko and his three cats boarded Aeroflot flight SU10 in New York on Jan. 22 , with a short layover in Moscow before reaching their final destination of Sofia .
The cats were placed in the plane ’ s cargo hold .
Russia ’ s flagship carrier Aeroflot and Moscow ’ s Sheremetyevo Airport have come under fire after two cats were killed and another injured during a New York-Moscow flight .
Upon boarding his second flight , another passenger told Chumachenko that his cats had been “ thrown ” from the plane during cargo unloading , the cats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He added that he received no clear answers from Aeroflot representatives when he asked for information about his cats until two mangled pet carriers were presented to him at a service desk .
The third cat was moved to the second plane without being brought into the airport .
Chumachenko was allowed to bring the two cats into the plane cabin for his second flight to Sofia .
One of the cats died on the plane , and the other died later on a veterinarian ’ s table .
The two cats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be internal hemorrhaging resulting from trauma .
The third cat survived , but was diagnosed with frostbite .
While Aeroflot later confirmed the cats ’ deaths and publicly apologized to Chumachenko , they maintained that baggage handlers at Sheremetyevo were responsible for the incident .
The airline added that it plans to call for revised pet transport policies and technologies at all Russian airports .
Chumachenko has said he would seek criminal charges of animal cruelty against those responsible .

Russia’s flagship carrier Aeroflot and Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport have come under fire after two cats were killed and another injured during a New York-Moscow flight. Maxim Chumachenko and his three cats boarded Aeroflot flight SU10 in New York on Jan. 22, with a short layover in Moscow before reaching their final destination of Sofia. The cats were placed in the plane’s cargo hold.
Upon boarding his second flight, another passenger told Chumachenko that his cats had been “thrown” from the plane during cargo unloading, the cats’ owner told the Baza Telegram channel. He added that he received no clear answers from Aeroflot representatives when he asked for information about his cats until two mangled pet carriers were presented to him at a service desk. The third cat was moved to the second plane without being brought into the airport. Chumachenko was allowed to bring the two cats into the plane cabin for his second flight to Sofia. One of the cats died on the plane, and the other died later on a veterinarian’s table. The two cats’ cause of death was determined to be internal hemorrhaging resulting from trauma. The third cat survived, but was diagnosed with frostbite. While Aeroflot later confirmed the cats’ deaths and publicly apologized to Chumachenko, they maintained that baggage handlers at Sheremetyevo were responsible for the incident. The airline added that it plans to call for revised pet transport policies and technologies at all Russian airports. Chumachenko has said he would seek criminal charges of animal cruelty against those responsible.
This isn’t the first time Aeroflot has sparked backlash over its handling of feline passengers. In November, the company sparked criticism from animal lovers after stripping the airline miles from a passenger who snuck an overweight cat into the cabin as hand luggage. That cat owner said he did so out of concern that his cat would not survive the trip in the cargo hold.
Russian Twitter users reacted to the latest incident with outrage: “Remember that time Aeroflot stripped a guy’s miles for taking his fat cat into the cabin? Today, while being transported by the same company, two cats died and one was frostbitten. Aeroflot is a company that hates cats.”
https://twitter.com/GusevaOlyaa/status/1220725580947238918
“The Fat Cat Protection Fund is reopened. What the f***, Aeroflot?”
https://twitter.com/PolinaPars/status/1220773159659540482
“When the only tickets left are on Aeroflot — come on doggies, we’re leaving.”
https://twitter.com/Spellann/status/1221519240475353089
"Can someone please explain to me why Aeroflot prohibits pets on flights? They’re just going to spend the whole flight in a crate under your chair. And why doesn’t the same rule apply to children? Under 3 years old they’re much less intelligent than animals...and they behave much worse."


themoscowtimes--2020-01-27--How Mishustin Rose to the Top: Old Ties, Savvy and a Knack for Systems

Mikhail Mishustin was struggling .
Drenched in sweat and tripping over himself , he wasn ’ t a natural ice hockey player .
“ I don ’ t know whether he ’ d played before , but it was clearly very hard for him , ” Dimitri Elkin , CEO of Twelve Seas Investment Company , said of the man just named Russia ’ s new prime minister .
“ He ’ s not the most athletic guy ; he ’ s a bit on the heavy side .
But he just kept going , and I was like : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The year was 2009 .
Like Elkin , Mishustin , now 53 , was a managing partner at the Moscow-based investment group UFG Asset Management .
Two years earlier , Mishustin had also begun organizing exhibition hockey games that were attended by some of Russia ’ s most powerful people .
The games were a precursor to a more formalized league that President Vladimir Putin would create in 2011 : the Night Hockey League .
In ensuing years , it would become a fraternity for Russia ’ s elite , like golf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kolesnikov told AFP last week , the league has become “ like a masonic lodge.
” “ I have no doubt that him being there — being one of the boys — was a factor in him getting where he is now , ” said Elkin .
“ Mikhail is really good at knowing who the right people are.
” When Putin appointed Mishustin to head the Russian government earlier this month , after setting into motion what appears to be a succession plan with a raft of proposed changes to the Constitution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Having spent the past decade serving as Russia ’ s tax chief without voicing any greater political ambitions , Mishustin was quickly labeled a technocratic placeholder .
If Mishustin has aims beyond the role of prime minister , they have been difficult to tease out .
But interviews with nearly two dozen of his acquaintances , business associates , former classmates and colleagues paint a more nuanced picture : one of an ambitious figure who knows how to work the system and has always put himself in position to climb up the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the dust has settled in recent days , some political analysts are wondering if the little-known systems engineer might be in the running to be the successor to the man who has ruled Russia for the past two decades .
“ Mishustin is certainly not a placeholder prime minister , but a fully-fledged member of the cast of successors for the role of president , ” Alexander Baunov of the Carnegie Moscow Center wrote on Facebook .
“ His relative obscurity should not exclude him .
Vladimir Putin himself was a little-known official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appointed him to three high posts one after another.
” Born and raised just outside the Russian capital , Mishustin completed a degree in systems engineering at Moscow State Technological University in 1989 .
Former classmates remember him as gregarious , someone around whom social life would orbit .
“ He had many friends and always liked being in a group , ” said Andrei Morozov , a Moscow-based IT consultant who graduated the same year .
After staying on to complete a graduate degree in 1992 , Mishustin found work with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group of Soviet scientists in 1986 with the approval of the KGB , the non-profit organization was the first to bring Western technology to the Soviet Union .
When the Iron Curtain fell in 1991 , the floodgates opened .
“ Basically , it was a marketing operation designed to get Western computer companies to invest in Russia — which they did to very good effect , ” said Esther Dyson , a Swiss-born American investor who worked with the group at the time .
The main way the International Computer Club did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an annual three-day conference called Russkiy Den ’ , or Russia Day , held around the national holiday in mid-June .
Originally hosted in Moscow , it moved to the Black Sea resort of Sochi in the late ’ 90s , running annually until 2015 .
Photos from early gatherings show what looks like a typical industry convention anywhere at the time : waitresses in skimpy outfits , tables stacked with bottles , men singing karaoke .
The conference brought together around 150 leaders of Russia ’ s burgeoning tech industry .
Key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ founder of Yandex ; Anatoly Karachinsky , the founder of the IBS group , Russia ’ s largest computer company ; and Olga Dergunova , current Deputy President at state bank VTB , among others .
In addition to top business leaders , the conference attracted high-placed government officials .
“ It was a democratic space , ” said Yegor Yakovlev , founder of Tvigle , Russia ’ s first online streaming service .
“ We don ’ t really have that anymore.
” In the early ’ 90s , Mishustin became close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Boris Fyodorov , Russia ’ s first finance minister .
“ It ’ s no secret that he was tight with Boris Fyodorov , that he was his guy , ” said Sergei Aleksashenko , who served as Fyodorov ’ s deputy at the Finance Ministry from 1993 to 1994 .
In 1998 , Fyodorov , who by then had become Russia ’ s tax chief , handed Mishustin his first role in government as his aide in charge of information systems .
Although Mishustin left the private sector for the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ until 2012 , according to the International Computer Club ’ s website , and was a keynote speaker in later years .
He also invited more government officials , say regular attendees .
“ It was an opportunity to talk openly behind closed doors about what was affecting the industry , ” said Rustem Khayretdinov , deputy general director of InfoWatch , who attended the conferences regularly .
“ Problems like the over-reaching of the siloviki ” — officials with ties to law enforcement .
But if Fyodorov was an openly liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those years said he never discussed his politics .
“ We didn ’ t talk politics back then , ” said George Pachikov , founder and CEO of Cortona3D and a friend of Mishustin ’ s from the time .
“ We had defeated the main enemy , the communists , and we firmly believed we were on the path toward joining Europe and becoming part of civilization.
” Pachikov and Mishustin had grown close through another social group : GP Club , named using Pachikov ’ s initials .
A more informal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s who , the group met on Thursday evenings in an office in central Moscow and at members ’ houses on special occasions .
The group still retains a Facebook page , featuring photos of its events .
Mishustin , who has written several songs for popular Russian singer Grigory Leps , is pictured singing , dancing , playing the piano and draping his arms around friends .
“ It was a small group of progressive like-minded thinkers , ” said Marat Guriyev , former director of government relations for Samsung in Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Guriyev , who served for four years in Boris Yelstin ’ s presidential administration , described Mishustin as one of the group ’ s leaders and “ arguably the smartest of our crew.
” “ The mentality of the club was liberal , pro-Western , pro-open internet , ” Guriyev added .
“ That was the spirit of the time .
Those were the days of freedom.
” In 2008 , Mishustin ’ s key connection Fyodorov brought him into another new world : finance .
He offered Mishustin a role at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had co-founded with Charles Ryan , an American investor .
Mishustin didn ’ t immediately fit in .
He would “ curse like a sailor , ” one former colleague at the firm recalled , asking to remain anonymous .
And , according to Elkin , he sometimes wore a black shirt with a black suit , sticking out among the conventional investors .
Still , he played a key role .
“ He was quite helpful in making various introductions to Russian oligarchs , ” Elkin said .
“ He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2008 , Fyodorov , who was now living in London , died from a sudden stroke , but Mishustin was already forging out on his own .
A year earlier he had launched a hockey tournament that included members of the political establishment , including Sergei Naryshkin , now the director of Russia ’ s Foreign Intelligence Service .
Mishustin continued organizing the competition after he moved to UFG Asset Management in 2008 , and the firm became its official sponsor the next year .
With each year , the exhibition hockey games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game , in 2010 , included Russia ’ s Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu .
That year Mishustin was named Russia ’ s tax chief , stepping into his mentor ’ s shoes .
With several years in finance under his belt , he was counted as one of the top three richest Russian officials .
Over the following decade , Mishustin won plaudits for his transformation of Russia ’ s tax system .
Last year , the Financial Times published a glowing review of his work with the headline : “ Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the future.
” Mishustin also started to fashion himself after a Putin-era Russian official by aligning himself with the Orthodox Church .
In recent years he has gotten involved with his own local branch in the Moscow suburbs , where many members of Russia ’ s business and political establishments are based .
Last week , BBC Russian reported that , in 2017 , the church presented Mishustin with the Patriarchal medal for church construction .
BBC Russian also reported , however , that the money for the work was donated in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she owns up to 1 billion rubles ( $ 16.1 million ) in real estate .
Critics like opposition leader Alexei Navalny have seized on what they have taken to be hidden wealth , as they say is the case with many Putin officials .
Some of Mishustin ’ s early moves as prime minister have also riled Russian liberals .
Last week , he ordered that salaries of police officers in Moscow and St. Petersburg who maintain order during street protests should be doubled .
“ Effective manager , updated government ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter .
“ Actually just the same thievery , that hates its own people and despises laws.
” In interviews with The Moscow Times , members of Russia ’ s IT and business communities welcomed Mishustin ’ s appointment .
Pointing to his stance in the ’ 90s and early aughts , as well as his work as tax chief reforming an inefficient system , they hope he can do the same with a bigger platform .
The Mishustin of the ’ 90s may no longer exist , however , as his career @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia ’ s development since the fall of the Soviet Union .
If the zeitgeist of that time was an openness to the West , Mishustin might only have embodied that spirit as it was the status quo .
“ He didn ’ t have an internal doctrine to speak of , ” Ilya Ponamoryov , an entrepreneur turned exiled former opposition State Duma deputy , who was a member of GP Club , said by phone from Kiev .
And as Russia has grown increasingly isolationist , even developing a so-called “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ networks off from the rest of the world , observers may very well wonder what the prime minister , who has not laid out his political views since his appointment , now believes .
A clue could lie in what a former colleague at UFG , who asked not to be named , underscored : that Mishustin is a “ systems engineer in all senses of the phrase.
” “ Everything else about him is derived from this : He understands systems and how to work in them , ” the former colleague @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s main mandate will be to spur Russia ’ s sputtering economy .
Described by former colleagues in interviews with The Moscow Times as a “ tough guy ” who can be a strict manager when needed , a government source recently told the Financial Times that Mishustin has already axed unwanted officials from the previous government without even giving them time to collect their belongings .
That toughness has left old acquaintances curious as to how Mishustin will approach his new role .
“ One the one hand , he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ On the other hand , he ’ s not a lapdog .
It ’ s an interesting contradiction .
”

Mikhail Mishustin was struggling. Drenched in sweat and tripping over himself, he wasn’t a natural ice hockey player. “I don’t know whether he’d played before, but it was clearly very hard for him,” Dimitri Elkin, CEO of Twelve Seas Investment Company, said of the man just named Russia’s new prime minister. “He’s not the most athletic guy; he’s a bit on the heavy side. But he just kept going, and I was like: Wow, this guy has some willpower.” The year was 2009. Like Elkin, Mishustin, now 53, was a managing partner at the Moscow-based investment group UFG Asset Management. Two years earlier, Mishustin had also begun organizing exhibition hockey games that were attended by some of Russia’s most powerful people. The games were a precursor to a more formalized league that President Vladimir Putin would create in 2011: the Night Hockey League. In ensuing years, it would become a fraternity for Russia’s elite, like golf in the U.S. As political analyst Andrei Kolesnikov told AFP last week, the league has become “like a masonic lodge.” “I have no doubt that him being there — being one of the boys — was a factor in him getting where he is now,” said Elkin. “Mikhail is really good at knowing who the right people are.” When Putin appointed Mishustin to head the Russian government earlier this month, after setting into motion what appears to be a succession plan with a raft of proposed changes to the Constitution, the move came as a surprise. Having spent the past decade serving as Russia’s tax chief without voicing any greater political ambitions, Mishustin was quickly labeled a technocratic placeholder. If Mishustin has aims beyond the role of prime minister, they have been difficult to tease out. But interviews with nearly two dozen of his acquaintances, business associates, former classmates and colleagues paint a more nuanced picture: one of an ambitious figure who knows how to work the system and has always put himself in position to climb up the next rung on the ladder. As the dust has settled in recent days, some political analysts are wondering if the little-known systems engineer might be in the running to be the successor to the man who has ruled Russia for the past two decades. “Mishustin is certainly not a placeholder prime minister, but a fully-fledged member of the cast of successors for the role of president,” Alexander Baunov of the Carnegie Moscow Center wrote on Facebook. “His relative obscurity should not exclude him. Vladimir Putin himself was a little-known official until the moment [Boris] Yeltsin appointed him to three high posts one after another.”
Mishustin organized some of the first exhibition hockey games for Russia's elite. Valery Sharifulin / TASS
Natural networker Born and raised just outside the Russian capital, Mishustin completed a degree in systems engineering at Moscow State Technological University in 1989. Former classmates remember him as gregarious, someone around whom social life would orbit. “He had many friends and always liked being in a group,” said Andrei Morozov, a Moscow-based IT consultant who graduated the same year. After staying on to complete a graduate degree in 1992, Mishustin found work with the International Computer Club. Formed by a group of Soviet scientists in 1986 with the approval of the KGB, the non-profit organization was the first to bring Western technology to the Soviet Union. When the Iron Curtain fell in 1991, the floodgates opened. “Basically, it was a marketing operation designed to get Western computer companies to invest in Russia — which they did to very good effect,” said Esther Dyson, a Swiss-born American investor who worked with the group at the time. The main way the International Computer Club did this was by bringing professionals together through an annual three-day conference called Russkiy Den’, or Russia Day, held around the national holiday in mid-June. Originally hosted in Moscow, it moved to the Black Sea resort of Sochi in the late ’90s, running annually until 2015. Photos from early gatherings show what looks like a typical industry convention anywhere at the time: waitresses in skimpy outfits, tables stacked with bottles, men singing karaoke.
The conference brought together around 150 leaders of Russia’s burgeoning tech industry. Key players included Arkady Volozh, the billionaire founder of Yandex; Anatoly Karachinsky, the founder of the IBS group, Russia’s largest computer company; and Olga Dergunova, current Deputy President at state bank VTB, among others. In addition to top business leaders, the conference attracted high-placed government officials. “It was a democratic space,” said Yegor Yakovlev, founder of Tvigle, Russia’s first online streaming service. “We don’t really have that anymore.” Tight connections In the early ’90s, Mishustin became close with one high-placed government official in particular: Boris Fyodorov, Russia’s first finance minister. “It’s no secret that he was tight with Boris Fyodorov, that he was his guy,” said Sergei Aleksashenko, who served as Fyodorov’s deputy at the Finance Ministry from 1993 to 1994. In 1998, Fyodorov, who by then had become Russia’s tax chief, handed Mishustin his first role in government as his aide in charge of information systems. Although Mishustin left the private sector for the public sector, he continued attending Russkiy Den’ until 2012, according to the International Computer Club’s website, and was a keynote speaker in later years. He also invited more government officials, say regular attendees. “It was an opportunity to talk openly behind closed doors about what was affecting the industry,” said Rustem Khayretdinov, deputy general director of InfoWatch, who attended the conferences regularly. “Problems like the over-reaching of the siloviki” — officials with ties to law enforcement.
“He understands systems and how to work in them,” a former colleague said. facebook.com / GpClup
But if Fyodorov was an openly liberal reformer, those who knew Mishustin in those years said he never discussed his politics. “We didn’t talk politics back then,” said George Pachikov, founder and CEO of Cortona3D and a friend of Mishustin’s from the time. “We had defeated the main enemy, the communists, and we firmly believed we were on the path toward joining Europe and becoming part of civilization.” Pachikov and Mishustin had grown close through another social group: GP Club, named using Pachikov’s initials. A more informal gathering of the IT community who’s who, the group met on Thursday evenings in an office in central Moscow and at members’ houses on special occasions. The group still retains a Facebook page, featuring photos of its events. Mishustin, who has written several songs for popular Russian singer Grigory Leps, is pictured singing, dancing, playing the piano and draping his arms around friends. “It was a small group of progressive like-minded thinkers,” said Marat Guriyev, former director of government relations for Samsung in Russia, and a member of the club. Guriyev, who served for four years in Boris Yelstin’s presidential administration, described Mishustin as one of the group’s leaders and “arguably the smartest of our crew.” “The mentality of the club was liberal, pro-Western, pro-open internet,” Guriyev added. “That was the spirit of the time. Those were the days of freedom.”
Mishustin has penned several songs for the popular singer Grigory Leps. facebook.com / GpClup
Ruling staples In 2008, Mishustin’s key connection Fyodorov brought him into another new world: finance. He offered Mishustin a role at UFG Asset Management, a financial firm he had co-founded with Charles Ryan, an American investor. Mishustin didn’t immediately fit in. He would “curse like a sailor,” one former colleague at the firm recalled, asking to remain anonymous. And, according to Elkin, he sometimes wore a black shirt with a black suit, sticking out among the conventional investors. Still, he played a key role. “He was quite helpful in making various introductions to Russian oligarchs,” Elkin said. “He was more of a political figure.” In 2008, Fyodorov, who was now living in London, died from a sudden stroke, but Mishustin was already forging out on his own. A year earlier he had launched a hockey tournament that included members of the political establishment, including Sergei Naryshkin, now the director of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service. Mishustin continued organizing the competition after he moved to UFG Asset Management in 2008, and the firm became its official sponsor the next year. With each year, the exhibition hockey games attracted increasingly more powerful people. One game, in 2010, included Russia’s Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. That year Mishustin was named Russia’s tax chief, stepping into his mentor’s shoes. With several years in finance under his belt, he was counted as one of the top three richest Russian officials. Over the following decade, Mishustin won plaudits for his transformation of Russia’s tax system. Last year, the Financial Times published a glowing review of his work with the headline: “Russia’s role in producing the taxman of the future.”
Mishustin speaking at a Russkiy Den' conference in 2006. mkf.ru
Mishustin also started to fashion himself after a Putin-era Russian official by aligning himself with the Orthodox Church. In recent years he has gotten involved with his own local branch in the Moscow suburbs, where many members of Russia’s business and political establishments are based. Last week, BBC Russian reported that, in 2017, the church presented Mishustin with the Patriarchal medal for church construction. BBC Russian also reported, however, that the money for the work was donated in his sister’s name — and that she owns up to 1 billion rubles ($16.1 million) in real estate. Critics like opposition leader Alexei Navalny have seized on what they have taken to be hidden wealth, as they say is the case with many Putin officials. Some of Mishustin’s early moves as prime minister have also riled Russian liberals. Last week, he ordered that salaries of police officers in Moscow and St. Petersburg who maintain order during street protests should be doubled. “Effective manager, updated government?” Navalny ally Lyubov Sobol wrote on Twitter. “Actually just the same thievery, that hates its own people and despises laws.” Long live Putinism? In interviews with The Moscow Times, members of Russia’s IT and business communities welcomed Mishustin’s appointment. Pointing to his stance in the ’90s and early aughts, as well as his work as tax chief reforming an inefficient system, they hope he can do the same with a bigger platform. The Mishustin of the ’90s may no longer exist, however, as his career arc has in some ways hewed to Russia’s development since the fall of the Soviet Union. If the zeitgeist of that time was an openness to the West, Mishustin might only have embodied that spirit as it was the status quo. “He didn’t have an internal doctrine to speak of,” Ilya Ponamoryov, an entrepreneur turned exiled former opposition State Duma deputy, who was a member of GP Club, said by phone from Kiev.
Mishustin dancing with members of GP Club, an informal group of IT professionals. facebook.com / GpClup