themoscowtimes--2020-08-27--Russia's Coronavirus Cases Pass 975K

Russia's Coronavirus Cases Pass 975K

The highest number of new cases were in Moscow and St. Petersburg .
Russia 's fatality rate has remained low @ @ @ @ @ , raising speculation that Moscow could be underreporting figures .
Russian authorities began easing anti-virus @ @ @ @ @ a massive World War II military parade in Moscow and a nationwide vote on constitutional @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Putin to stay in power until 2036 .
Both events were initially postponed due @ @ @ @ @ cinemas and theaters on Aug. 1 .
In the capital , masks are mandatory in @ @ @ @ @ but not in the streets .
Several institutes in Russia are working on a coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ Ministry has said it developed a `` safe '' vaccine following clinical trials on a @ @ @ @ @ trials are ongoing , and the Defense Ministry expects clinical trials to be fully completed @ @ @ @ @

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


themoscowtimes--2020-08-27--Siberian Farmer Unearths Neolithic Burial

The unnamed man stumbled on the finding in May while digging his garden on the outskirts of Ulan-Ude , the capital of Russia ’ s republic of Buryatia some 5,600 kilometers east of Moscow .
Since then , scientists from the RAS institute of Mongolian , Buddhist and Tibetan studies have dated the burial to the Neolithic period .
A resident of Siberia has unearthed an ancient grave that could be part of a burial ground dating back 7,000 years , Russia ’ s Academy of Sciences ( RAS ) said Wednesday .
The skeletons of three individuals — two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laid in a similar pose , with the adults ’ knees bent and all three looking in the same direction .
One of the adults had a white stone ring on the skull and shell bracelets on the wrists .
“ They were of course entombed according to burial rites , ” the institute ’ s researchers Prokopyi Konovalov and Natalya Tsydenova told the RAS ’ Siberian publication .
The scientists determined the approximate age of the skeletons based on their ornaments and the positions in which they were buried .
Konovalov and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals ’ specific age and gender through carbon dating and other types of analysis .
The scientists said they ’ re also currently performing geophysical sounding of the area in hopes of finding new burials .

The unnamed man stumbled on the finding in May while digging his garden on the outskirts of Ulan-Ude, the capital of Russia’s republic of Buryatia some 5,600 kilometers east of Moscow. Since then, scientists from the RAS institute of Mongolian, Buddhist and Tibetan studies have dated the burial to the Neolithic period.
A resident of Siberia has unearthed an ancient grave that could be part of a burial ground dating back 7,000 years, Russia’s Academy of Sciences (RAS) said Wednesday.
The skeletons of three individuals — two adults and one child — were found laid in a similar pose, with the adults’ knees bent and all three looking in the same direction. One of the adults had a white stone ring on the skull and shell bracelets on the wrists.
“They were of course entombed according to burial rites,” the institute’s researchers Prokopyi Konovalov and Natalya Tsydenova told the RAS’ Siberian publication.
The scientists determined the approximate age of the skeletons based on their ornaments and the positions in which they were buried.
Konovalov and Tsydenova said they plan to identify the individuals’ specific age and gender through carbon dating and other types of analysis.
The scientists said they’re also currently performing geophysical sounding of the area in hopes of finding new burials.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-27--30 Babies Born to Surrogates Stranded in Russia

The children 's rights ombudswoman in the city Anna Mitianina said on her website that the authorities had received calls from several medical facilities caring for children born to surrogate mothers .
Thirty babies born to surrogate mothers are stranded in St. Petersburg , an official said on Wednesday , with foreign parents unable to travel to Russia 's second city due to coronavirus restrictions .
Most foreign parents are from China and are `` not able to pick up their children because of the pandemic , '' she said .
Mitianina added that she was dealing with the situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help resolve the problem in coordination with the Chinese consul general .
Russia closed its borders in March to slow the spread of the coronavirus and has registered the fourth-highest caseload in the world .
Surrogacy is legal in the country and has been a lucrative business for many years , but some in Russia are calling for an end to the practice for foreigners .
Eight Russians including several doctors and a mother were arrested and charged with human trafficking in the country 's first surrogacy probe in January this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported around 100 babies born to surrogate mothers were stranded because of the border closures .
After their plight was publicized , the government stepped in to help the parents obtain special permits to travel to the country to meet and collect their newborns .

The children's rights ombudswoman in the city Anna Mitianina said on her website that the authorities had received calls from several medical facilities caring for children born to surrogate mothers.
Thirty babies born to surrogate mothers are stranded in St. Petersburg, an official said on Wednesday, with foreign parents unable to travel to Russia's second city due to coronavirus restrictions.
Most foreign parents are from China and are "not able to pick up their children because of the pandemic," she said.
Mitianina added that she was dealing with the situation personally and had approached the regional governor to help resolve the problem in coordination with the Chinese consul general.
Russia closed its borders in March to slow the spread of the coronavirus and has registered the fourth-highest caseload in the world.
Surrogacy is legal in the country and has been a lucrative business for many years, but some in Russia are calling for an end to the practice for foreigners.
Eight Russians including several doctors and a mother were arrested and charged with human trafficking in the country's first surrogacy probe in January this year.
In May, Ukrainian authorities also reported around 100 babies born to surrogate mothers were stranded because of the border closures.
After their plight was publicized, the government stepped in to help the parents obtain special permits to travel to the country to meet and collect their newborns.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-26--Siberian Governor ‘Reinfected’ With Coronavirus

Sholban Kara-Ool , the governor of the republic of Tyva on the Mongolian border , was admitted to the hospital again this week three months after his first hospitalization .
He said doctors diagnosed him with pneumonia .
The head of a remote Siberian region has contracted the coronavirus a second time in what may be Russia ’ s first documented case of reinfection .
“ I almost believed that you could n't get sick with it twice , ” Kara-Ool said in an Instagram video he posted from the hospital Monday .
Kara-Ool , 54 , said his latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a shift from the chest pain he experienced three months ago .
He first contracted Covid-19 on May 24 and was discharged on June 4 .
In Hong Kong , scientists claimed to have discovered the world 's first case of reinfection when a 33-year-old resident tested positive at an airport screening earlier in August .
His reinfection came four and a half months after he recovered from Covid-19 and was assumed to have developed immunity .
European virologists have also confirmed two reinfections in the Netherlands and Belgium , the Radio @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Sholban Kara-Ool, the governor of the republic of Tyva on the Mongolian border, was admitted to the hospital again this week three months after his first hospitalization. He said doctors diagnosed him with pneumonia.
The head of a remote Siberian region has contracted the coronavirus a second time in what may be Russia’s first documented case of reinfection.
“I almost believed that you couldn't get sick with it twice,” Kara-Ool said in an Instagram video he posted from the hospital Monday.
“Maybe that’s why I got sick.”
Kara-Ool, 54, said his latest symptoms consisted mainly of a severe headache, a shift from the chest pain he experienced three months ago.
He first contracted Covid-19 on May 24 and was discharged on June 4.
In Hong Kong, scientists claimed to have discovered the world's first case of reinfection when a 33-year-old resident tested positive at an airport screening earlier in August. His reinfection came four and a half months after he recovered from Covid-19 and was assumed to have developed immunity.
European virologists have also confirmed two reinfections in the Netherlands and Belgium, the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty outlet reported Tuesday.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-26--Nobel Laureate Alexievich Refuses to Answer Belarus Investigators

Opponents of President Alexander Lukashenko formed a Coordination Council to oversee a peaceful transition of power after they rejected his claim to have won a sixth term in an Aug. 9 presidential vote .
Belarusian Nobel Prize-winning author Svetlana Alexievich said Wednesday she refused to answer investigators ' questions after she was summoned as a witness in a criminal probe into the opposition .
Lukashenko dispatched the security services to violently crack down on mass protests against his re-election and opened a criminal probe into the council , accusing its members of attempting to topple his government .
Alexievich was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidium but has not attended its sessions .
`` I am completely calm .
I do not feel guilty .
Everything we are doing is legal and necessary , '' Alexievich told AFP as she arrived at the Investigative Committee 's headquarters in Minsk with other members of the presidium .
She left shortly afterwards , saying she had refused to answer questions and that the council 's only goal was `` to unite society . ''
Alexievich , who won the Nobel Literature Prize in 2015 , is an outspoken critic of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Svetlana Tikhanovskaya who fled to neighboring Lithuania after claiming victory in the vote .
Another member of the council , former diplomat and culture minister Pavel Latushko , was questioned by investigators for several hours on Tuesday and signed an agreement barring him from discussing the meeting .
Two other members of the presidium were detained earlier this week and sentenced to 10 days in police detention for organizing unauthorized rallies .
The European Union has rejected the results of the election and said it will impose sanctions on between 15 and 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud and cracking down on peaceful protesters .

Opponents of President Alexander Lukashenko formed a Coordination Council to oversee a peaceful transition of power after they rejected his claim to have won a sixth term in an Aug. 9 presidential vote.
Belarusian Nobel Prize-winning author Svetlana Alexievich said Wednesday she refused to answer investigators' questions after she was summoned as a witness in a criminal probe into the opposition.
Lukashenko dispatched the security services to violently crack down on mass protests against his re-election and opened a criminal probe into the council, accusing its members of attempting to topple his government.
Alexievich was named a member of the council's presidium but has not attended its sessions.
"I am completely calm. I do not feel guilty. Everything we are doing is legal and necessary," Alexievich told AFP as she arrived at the Investigative Committee's headquarters in Minsk with other members of the presidium.
She left shortly afterwards, saying she had refused to answer questions and that the council's only goal was "to unite society."
Alexievich, who won the Nobel Literature Prize in 2015, is an outspoken critic of Lukashenko and has supported leading opposition figure Svetlana Tikhanovskaya who fled to neighboring Lithuania after claiming victory in the vote.
Another member of the council, former diplomat and culture minister Pavel Latushko, was questioned by investigators for several hours on Tuesday and signed an agreement barring him from discussing the meeting.
Two other members of the presidium were detained earlier this week and sentenced to 10 days in police detention for organizing unauthorized rallies.
The European Union has rejected the results of the election and said it will impose sanctions on between 15 and 20 people it believes are responsible for election fraud and cracking down on peaceful protesters.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-26--Russia's Per-Capita Pollution Hits 155 Kilograms – Analysis

In total , the two sources of emissions released 22.7 million tons of pollutants into the atmosphere last year , RBC cited the Finexpertiza consulting firm as saying .
Russia ’ s per-capita pollution emissions hit 155 kilograms in 2019 due to transportation and industrial activity , according to an analysis cited by the RBC news website Wednesday .
Transportation including personal vehicles accounts for one-quarter of Russia ’ s total emissions while industry accounts for three-quarters of emissions , according to the analysis .
Broken down by regions , Russia ’ s most polluted federal subjects are those whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas and mining companies .
The Krasnoyarsk region , Russia ’ s most polluted subject according to Finexpertiza , houses the Nornickel mining giant and the Rusal aluminum producer .
The next two most-polluted regions , the Khanty-Mansiisk autonomous district and the Kemerovo region , are major oil and coal production areas .
“ The distribution of emissions fairly accurately represents the concentration of the largest producers of non-ferrous metals , petrochemical products and thermal power generation , ” said Maxim Khudalov , the head of sustainable development risk assessment at Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its data on companies ’ individual emissions reports and transportation emissions reports from the Federal Inspection Service for Natural Resources Use .

In total, the two sources of emissions released 22.7 million tons of pollutants into the atmosphere last year, RBC cited the Finexpertiza consulting firm as saying.
Russia’s per-capita pollution emissions hit 155 kilograms in 2019 due to transportation and industrial activity, according to an analysis cited by the RBC news website Wednesday.
Transportation including personal vehicles accounts for one-quarter of Russia’s total emissions while industry accounts for three-quarters of emissions, according to the analysis.
Broken down by regions, Russia’s most polluted federal subjects are those whose economies are dominated by major oil and gas and mining companies.
The Krasnoyarsk region, Russia’s most polluted subject according to Finexpertiza, houses the Nornickel mining giant and the Rusal aluminum producer. The next two most-polluted regions, the Khanty-Mansiisk autonomous district and the Kemerovo region, are major oil and coal production areas.
“The distribution of emissions fairly accurately represents the concentration of the largest producers of non-ferrous metals, petrochemical products and thermal power generation,” said Maxim Khudalov, the head of sustainable development risk assessment at Russia’s ACRA credit agency.
Finexpertiza based its data on companies’ individual emissions reports and transportation emissions reports from the Federal Inspection Service for Natural Resources Use.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-26--Which Countries Have Signed Up for Russia’s Coronavirus Vaccine?

More than 20 countries have made requests to purchase over 1 billion doses of Russia ’ s Sputnik V coronavirus candidate vaccine despite safety concerns , according to Russia ’ s sovereign wealth fund which is bankrolling the project .
Presidents of several countries , including Moldova , Mexico , the Philippines and Serbia , have volunteered to receive the shots themselves .
Here ’ s a look at four countries that have recently struck deals to conduct trials on or produce Sputnik V : Kazakhstan signed a deal with Russia ’ s sovereign wealth fund to secure “ a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after it passes all trials , ” the Kazakh government said Wednesday .
Russia ’ s state-run Gamaleya research institute , which developed the potential vaccine , will produce more than 2 million doses of the vaccine for Kazakhstan .
President Vladimir Putin , according to Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko ’ s office , promised his Belarusian counterpart the first export batch of Russia ’ s coronavirus vaccine in a Monday phone call .
Putin and Lukashenko also agreed that Belarusians will “ voluntarily participate ” in the third stage of testing for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday amid mass anti-government protests in Belarus .
Mexico will receive at least 2,000 doses of Russia ’ s candidate coronavirus vaccine as part of the injection 's Phase 3 clinical trials , Mexico ’ s foreign minister said last Thursday .
The Philippines will begin large-scale human testing of Russia 's coronavirus vaccine in October but without President Rodrigo Duterte , according to the country ’ s presidential office .
The Philippines ’ food and drug administration is expected to approve the Sputnik V vaccine in April .
The Philippines has also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the vaccine 's production .

More than 20 countries have made requests to purchase over 1 billion doses of Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus candidate vaccine despite safety concerns , according to Russia’s sovereign wealth fund which is bankrolling the project.
Presidents of several countries, including Moldova, Mexico, the Philippines and Serbia, have volunteered to receive the shots themselves.
Here’s a look at four countries that have recently struck deals to conduct trials on or produce Sputnik V:
— Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan signed a deal with Russia’s sovereign wealth fund to secure “a guaranteed amount of the Sputnik V vaccine after it passes all trials,” the Kazakh government said Wednesday.
Russia’s state-run Gamaleya research institute, which developed the potential vaccine, will produce more than 2 million doses of the vaccine for Kazakhstan.
— Belarus
President Vladimir Putin, according to Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko’s office, promised his Belarusian counterpart the first export batch of Russia’s coronavirus vaccine in a Monday phone call.
Putin and Lukashenko also agreed that Belarusians will “voluntarily participate” in the third stage of testing for Sputnik V, the presidential office said Monday amid mass anti-government protests in Belarus.
— Mexico
Mexico will receive at least 2,000 doses of Russia’s candidate coronavirus vaccine as part of the injection's Phase 3 clinical trials, Mexico’s foreign minister said last Thursday.
— Philippines
The Philippines will begin large-scale human testing of Russia's coronavirus vaccine in October but without President Rodrigo Duterte, according to the country’s presidential office.
The Philippines’ food and drug administration is expected to approve the Sputnik V vaccine in April. The Philippines has also accepted Russia’s offer to participate in the vaccine's production.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-26--Sweden Bolsters Baltic Military Presence in Show of Force Toward Russia

Sweden said Tuesday that it lifted its military readiness for the first time since 1991 in reaction to levels of Russian and Western activity not seen in the Baltic Sea since the Cold War .
The national daily Dagens Nyheter reported that the move was triggered by a Russian landing ship 's passing near Sweden ’ s strategic island of Gotland earlier that day .
Sweden has strengthened its military presence in the Baltic Sea , marking an unprecedented show of force directed at Russia over Moscow 's maneuvers in the region .
“ Overall , the situation is more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the Swedish armed forces said in a statement on its website , adding that the foreign exercises have grown in complexity and rapidity .
It did not disclose the number of troops or equipment involved .
Swedish military analyst Johan Wiktorin told The Financial Times that fighter jets and tanks have been deployed to Gotland and four corvettes were conducting exercises nearby with a Finnish minesweeper .
A U.S. special forces aircraft landed on Gotland over the weekend , he added , while Norway ’ s fighter jets patrolled the Arctic with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its annual Ocean Shield drills involving more than 30 warships in the Baltic Sea earlier in August .
The Swedish military 's statement pointed to ongoing anti-government protests in Belarus , saying “ the unpredictable security situation in our neighboring region places high demands on accessibility and preparedness.
” Swedish foreign minister Ann Linde told FT that the deployment was not related to the unrest in Belarus .
“ When Russia is doing a big exercise we have an interest in showing that we have a very strong military in Sweden and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a heightened security situation in our area , ” Linde said .
Sweden , a historically neutral country that slashed its military spending at the end of the Cold War , reopened a garrison on Gotland in January 2018 amid concerns about Russia 's intentions in Europe and the Baltic .

Sweden said Tuesday that it lifted its military readiness for the first time since 1991 in reaction to levels of Russian and Western activity not seen in the Baltic Sea since the Cold War. The national daily Dagens Nyheter reported that the move was triggered by a Russian landing ship's passing near Sweden’s strategic island of Gotland earlier that day.
Sweden has strengthened its military presence in the Baltic Sea, marking an unprecedented show of force directed at Russia over Moscow's maneuvers in the region.
“Overall, the situation is more unstable and more difficult to predict,” the Swedish armed forces said in a statement on its website, adding that the foreign exercises have grown in complexity and rapidity.
It did not disclose the number of troops or equipment involved.
Swedish military analyst Johan Wiktorin told The Financial Times that fighter jets and tanks have been deployed to Gotland and four corvettes were conducting exercises nearby with a Finnish minesweeper. A U.S. special forces aircraft landed on Gotland over the weekend, he added, while Norway’s fighter jets patrolled the Arctic with U.S. bombers.
The Russian Navy held its annual Ocean Shield drills involving more than 30 warships in the Baltic Sea earlier in August.
The Swedish military's statement pointed to ongoing anti-government protests in Belarus, saying “the unpredictable security situation in our neighboring region places high demands on accessibility and preparedness.”
Swedish foreign minister Ann Linde told FT that the deployment was not related to the unrest in Belarus.
“When Russia is doing a big exercise we have an interest in showing that we have a very strong military in Sweden and that we’re of course prepared for a heightened security situation in our area,” Linde said.
Sweden, a historically neutral country that slashed its military spending at the end of the Cold War, reopened a garrison on Gotland in January 2018 amid concerns about Russia's intentions in Europe and the Baltic.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-26--Kremlin-Linked Businessman Prigozhin Vows to Ruin Navalny

Prigozhin is nicknamed `` President Vladimir Putin 's chef '' because his company Concord has done catering for the Kremlin .
The Kremlin-linked businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin has vowed to ruin Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny , who is in a coma in a Berlin hospital , with a court-ordered penalty of around $ 1.2 million .
Media reports have said he funds Wagner , a private army of mercenaries , which he denies .
Navalny , a 44-year-old lawyer and anti-corruption campaigner who is one of Putin 's fiercest opponents , is being treated at Berlin 's Charite hospital after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Tests by German medics indicated poisoning by cholinesterase inhibitors , which are found in nerve agents .
Concord 's press service in a statement on social media on Tuesday evening quoted Prigozhin as saying he intended to enforce a court decision last year that Navalny and his associates must pay him almost 88 million rubles ( $ 1.2 million at the current exchange rate ) in damages over a video report .
`` I intend to strip this group of unscrupulous people of their clothes and shoes , '' Prigozhin was quoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directly named in the court case , meaning the payment would go to him directly .
Prigozhin said that `` if comrade Navalny kicks the bucket , I personally do n't intend to persecute him in this world .
`` I 'll put this off for an indefinite time and then I 'll compensate myself to my pleasure . ''
If Navalny survives , Prigozhin said he would be liable `` according to the full severity of Russian law . ''
A court in October last year ordered that Navalny , his associate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ founded must jointly pay almost 88 million rubles to the Moskovsky Shkolnik ( Moscow schoolboy ) company that makes school dinners .

Prigozhin is nicknamed "President Vladimir Putin's chef" because his company Concord has done catering for the Kremlin.
The Kremlin-linked businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin has vowed to ruin Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who is in a coma in a Berlin hospital, with a court-ordered penalty of around $1.2 million.
Media reports have said he funds Wagner, a private army of mercenaries, which he denies.
Navalny, a 44-year-old lawyer and anti-corruption campaigner who is one of Putin's fiercest opponents, is being treated at Berlin's Charite hospital after falling ill on a flight in Siberia. Tests by German medics indicated poisoning by cholinesterase inhibitors, which are found in nerve agents.
Concord's press service in a statement on social media on Tuesday evening quoted Prigozhin as saying he intended to enforce a court decision last year that Navalny and his associates must pay him almost 88 million rubles ($1.2 million at the current exchange rate) in damages over a video report.
"I intend to strip this group of unscrupulous people of their clothes and shoes," Prigozhin was quoted as saying after paying off the company directly named in the court case, meaning the payment would go to him directly.
Prigozhin said that "if comrade Navalny kicks the bucket, I personally don't intend to persecute him in this world.
"I'll put this off for an indefinite time and then I'll compensate myself to my pleasure."
If Navalny survives, Prigozhin said he would be liable "according to the full severity of Russian law."
A court in October last year ordered that Navalny, his associate Lyubov Sobol and the Anti-Corruption Foundation he founded must jointly pay almost 88 million rubles to the Moskovsky Shkolnik (Moscow schoolboy) company that makes school dinners.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-26--Russian State Duma to Probe Navalny’s Poisoning for Foreign Interference

State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said Monday that German Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell ’ s statements urging investigations into the apparent poisoning “ point to the underlying cause of what happened.
” A top Russian lawmaker has ordered a probe into whether prominent Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny ’ s suspected poisoning was a “ provocation ” by foreign countries aimed at fueling tensions inside Russia .
“ Merkel and Borrel ’ s subsequent statements make us look at this situation in a different light and wonder whether this is a German or another EU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our country of something new , ” Volodin said .
Volodin said he ’ ll instruct the Duma ’ s security committee to “ analyze what happened to understand whether this was an attempt by foreign states to harm the health of a Russian citizen in order to create tensions within Russia.
” The Duma is scheduled to return from summer recess on Sept. 14 .
Navalny , a fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin , fell suddenly ill on a Tomsk-Moscow flight last Thursday , forcing an emergency landing in the Siberian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they found no signs of poisoning and diagnosed Navalny with metabolic disease .
The German hospital where Navalny was evacuated Saturday said its tests indicated that Russia ’ s de facto opposition leader was poisoned .
A senior Omsk doctor has suggested that the Berlin hospital ’ s diagnosis may be “ disinformation.
” Following calls from Navalny ’ s aides and Western countries to open a criminal probe into Navalny ’ s apparent poisoning , the Kremlin said there was no need to launch an investigation until the poisoning was “ proven @ @ @ @

State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said Monday that German Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell’s statements urging investigations into the apparent poisoning “point to the underlying cause of what happened.”
A top Russian lawmaker has ordered a probe into whether prominent Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny’s suspected poisoning was a “provocation” by foreign countries aimed at fueling tensions inside Russia.
“Merkel and Borrel’s subsequent statements make us look at this situation in a different light and wonder whether this is a German or another EU country’s provocation designed to accuse our country of something new,” Volodin said.
Volodin said he’ll instruct the Duma’s security committee to “analyze what happened to understand whether this was an attempt by foreign states to harm the health of a Russian citizen in order to create tensions within Russia.”
The Duma is scheduled to return from summer recess on Sept. 14.
Navalny, a fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin, fell suddenly ill on a Tomsk-Moscow flight last Thursday, forcing an emergency landing in the Siberian city of Omsk.
Doctors there said they found no signs of poisoning and diagnosed Navalny with metabolic disease. The German hospital where Navalny was evacuated Saturday said its tests indicated that Russia’s de facto opposition leader was poisoned.
A senior Omsk doctor has suggested that the Berlin hospital’s diagnosis may be “disinformation.”
Following calls from Navalny’s aides and Western countries to open a criminal probe into Navalny’s apparent poisoning, the Kremlin said there was no need to launch an investigation until the poisoning was “proven as fact.”


themoscowtimes--2020-08-25--In Memoriam: Moscow's Trolleybus System 1933-2020

Moscow 's trolleybuses , a staple of city-dwellers ' commutes for nearly a century , have taken their final journey @ @ @ @ @ Russian capital announced Tuesday that it will be retiring all its trolleybuses and replacing them @ @ @ @ @ buses .
`` The decision to gradually abandon the trolleybus service was not easy for @ @ @ @ @ that this is a step forward .
The future belongs to innovative electric transport , @ @ @ @ @ , the city 's transit agency , told the state-run TASS news agency .
Before @ @ @ @ @ trusty trolleybus forever , here 's a look at different trolleybus models from decades past @

In Memoriam: Moscow's Trolleybus System 1933-2020
Moscow's trolleybuses, a staple of city-dwellers' commutes for nearly a century, have taken their final journey into the sunset.
The Russian capital announced Tuesday that it will be retiring all its trolleybuses and replacing them with regular buses and electric buses.
"The decision to gradually abandon the trolleybus service was not easy for us, but we understand that this is a step forward. The future belongs to innovative electric transport," the head of Mosgortrans, the city's transit agency, told the state-run TASS news agency.
Before we say goodbye to the trusty trolleybus forever, here's a look at different trolleybus models from decades past:


themoscowtimes--2020-08-28--Russia Fires Outspoken Head of Embattled Anti-Doping Body

The decision to remove the director general `` was taken unanimously , '' the president of Russia 's Olympic Committee Stanislav Pozdnyakov said at a press conference , according to an AFP journalist .
The outspoken head of Russia 's Anti-Doping Agency ( RUSADA ) Yury Ganus was fired from his position on Friday after accusing the country 's sporting leadership of failing to fight widespread drug use .
Ganus , 56 , was forced from his role after the Russian Olympic Committee in July published an audit of RUSADA that exposed alleged financial violations .
On Aug. 5 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Olympic and Paralympic Committees consider dismissing Ganus .
Pozdnyakov said Friday the decision to remove Ganus was taken after `` carefully considering '' the arguments laid out by the supervisory board .
Russia has been embroiled in sporting scandal since 2016 when widespread state-sponsored doping was revealed in an independent report by sports lawyer Richard McLaren .
The World Anti-Doping Agency ( WADA ) in December banned Russia for four years from major global sporting events including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar .
The appointment of Ganus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supposed to help Russia clean up its image .
Ganus sharply criticized the actions of Russia 's sports leadership and described a ban on its athletes competing worldwide as justified by Moscow 's failure to acknowledge wrongdoing and implement real reforms .
Ganus , who was fully expecting the move , told AFP his removal would damage Russian sports since RUSADA `` had become a bridge for restoring confidence '' between Russia and international sporting bodies .
Mikhail Bukhanov , the agency 's lawyer , has been appointed acting general director .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six months .
A trained lawyer with a career in business , Ganus took the helm of RUSADA without any special knowledge of sports or science .
He was chosen as a candidate who could inspire confidence in a renewed RUSADA and was untarnished by its central role in the doping scandal .

The decision to remove the director general "was taken unanimously," the president of Russia's Olympic Committee Stanislav Pozdnyakov said at a press conference, according to an AFP journalist.
The outspoken head of Russia's Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) Yury Ganus was fired from his position on Friday after accusing the country's sporting leadership of failing to fight widespread drug use.
Ganus, 56, was forced from his role after the Russian Olympic Committee in July published an audit of RUSADA that exposed alleged financial violations.
On Aug. 5, the supervisory board of RUSADA recommended the Olympic and Paralympic Committees consider dismissing Ganus.
Pozdnyakov said Friday the decision to remove Ganus was taken after "carefully considering" the arguments laid out by the supervisory board.
Russia has been embroiled in sporting scandal since 2016 when widespread state-sponsored doping was revealed in an independent report by sports lawyer Richard McLaren.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in December banned Russia for four years from major global sporting events including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The appointment of Ganus as head of RUSADA in 2017 was supposed to help Russia clean up its image.
Ganus sharply criticized the actions of Russia's sports leadership and described a ban on its athletes competing worldwide as justified by Moscow's failure to acknowledge wrongdoing and implement real reforms.
Ganus, who was fully expecting the move, told AFP his removal would damage Russian sports since RUSADA "had become a bridge for restoring confidence" between Russia and international sporting bodies.
Mikhail Bukhanov, the agency's lawyer, has been appointed acting general director. His successor will be decided through elections within six months.
A trained lawyer with a career in business, Ganus took the helm of RUSADA without any special knowledge of sports or science.
He was chosen as a candidate who could inspire confidence in a renewed RUSADA and was untarnished by its central role in the doping scandal.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-28--Russian Troops Take Part in Belarus War Games

The exercises are part of the 10-day international army games that Belarus hosts at an army base in Brest on the Polish border amid ongoing protests against the re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko .
A unit from outside Moscow represents a team of Russian reconnaissance soldiers at the games .
Russian and Belarusian recon troops conducted joint assault exercises Thursday , the day that Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the formation of a “ law enforcement reserve ” standing by in case anti-government protests escalate in Belarus .
“ Russian and Belarusian scouts conducted an ‘ assault on the building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult exercises , ” Russia ’ s Defense Ministry said on its website .
The Belarusian Defense Ministry said the participating teams faced the task of clearing the building that had more than 10 targets randomly scattered in hallways and rooms .
“ They had to destroy the targets as quickly as possible , with two shots to the target , ” it said .
Putin said Thursday that he created the reserve of Russian personnel from unknown units at Lukashenko 's request .
Lukashenko has refused calls to step down or hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sustained street demonstrations , instead accusing the opposition of attempting to “ seize power ” and ordering multiple war games .
On Friday , Lukashenko said that Belarus and Russia could activate a “ joint grouping of armed forces ” against foreign troops .
The 65-year-old strongman has accused NATO of mobilizing troops in countries neighboring Belarus in the wake of the demonstrations and ordered his military into high alert .

The exercises are part of the 10-day international army games that Belarus hosts at an army base in Brest on the Polish border amid ongoing protests against the re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko. A unit from outside Moscow represents a team of Russian reconnaissance soldiers at the games.
Russian and Belarusian recon troops conducted joint assault exercises Thursday, the day that Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the formation of a “law enforcement reserve” standing by in case anti-government protests escalate in Belarus.
“Russian and Belarusian scouts conducted an ‘assault on the building’ today, one of the most difficult exercises,” Russia’s Defense Ministry said on its website.
The Belarusian Defense Ministry said the participating teams faced the task of clearing the building that had more than 10 targets randomly scattered in hallways and rooms.
“They had to destroy the targets as quickly as possible, with two shots to the target,” it said.
Putin said Thursday that he created the reserve of Russian personnel from unknown units at Lukashenko's request.
Lukashenko has refused calls to step down or hold new elections despite more than two weeks of sustained street demonstrations, instead accusing the opposition of attempting to “seize power” and ordering multiple war games.
On Friday, Lukashenko said that Belarus and Russia could activate a “joint grouping of armed forces” against foreign troops.
The 65-year-old strongman has accused NATO of mobilizing troops in countries neighboring Belarus in the wake of the demonstrations and ordered his military into high alert.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-28--Forbes Russia Editor Resigns Over Deleted Article

Forbes reported earlier this week that Anastasia Shuvalova , the daughter of VEB.RF chairman Igor Shuvalov , was accepted into Moscow State University ’ s allotted free education spots despite scoring significantly lower than other accepted students .
MSU later explained that her name appeared on the list as a mistake .
The website editor of the Russian edition of Forbes magazine has resigned after his publication deleted an article about the daughter of a state development corporation head receiving student financial aid despite not qualifying for it .
“ The company ’ s management decided to delete the publication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Motorin said in a statement Thursday .
“ I understand this decision , but think that what follows afterward isn ’ t journalism but something else , and that ’ s why I ’ m leaving , ” Motorin wrote on his Facebook .
An article that replaced the original story on Wednesday reported that Shuvalova was accepted at MSU as a paying student .
VEB.RF has sent out requests to a number of Russian media organizations to take down the articles on Shuvalov ’ s daughter .
It appears that Forbes Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the request .
Forbes Russia is one of several independent publications in Russia to face censorship scandals in recent years .
In 2018 , the magazine ’ s then-editor was fired and the editorial team was locked out of the website after posting an article about a jailed Russian billionaire that had been mysteriously removed from the print issue .
An earlier version of this story identified Vladimir Motorin as editor-in-chief of Forbes Russia .
It has been corrected to say he is website editor .

Forbes reported earlier this week that Anastasia Shuvalova, the daughter of VEB.RF chairman Igor Shuvalov, was accepted into Moscow State University’s allotted free education spots despite scoring significantly lower than other accepted students. MSU later explained that her name appeared on the list as a mistake.
The website editor of the Russian edition of Forbes magazine has resigned after his publication deleted an article about the daughter of a state development corporation head receiving student financial aid despite not qualifying for it.
“The company’s management decided to delete the publication,” Forbes Russia website editor Vladimir Motorin said in a statement Thursday.
“I understand this decision, but think that what follows afterward isn’t journalism but something else, and that’s why I’m leaving,” Motorin wrote on his Facebook.
An article that replaced the original story on Wednesday reported that Shuvalova was accepted at MSU as a paying student.
VEB.RF has sent out requests to a number of Russian media organizations to take down the articles on Shuvalov’s daughter.
It appears that Forbes Russia was the only publication to comply with the request.
Forbes Russia is one of several independent publications in Russia to face censorship scandals in recent years. In 2018, the magazine’s then-editor was fired and the editorial team was locked out of the website after posting an article about a jailed Russian billionaire that had been mysteriously removed from the print issue.
An earlier version of this story identified Vladimir Motorin as editor-in-chief of Forbes Russia. It has been corrected to say he is website editor.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-28--Kremlin Hails Abe's 'Invaluable Contribution' To Relations

Russia 's relationship with Japan has been overshadowed by a decades-long territorial dispute over Tokyo 's claim to a chain of islands seized by the Soviet Union in the final days of World War II .
The Kremlin on Friday hailed Shinzo Abe 's contribution to bilateral ties between Moscow and Tokyo after the Japanese Prime Minister announced his resignation for health reasons .
`` Shinzo Abe really made an invaluable contribution to the development of bilateral Russian-Japanese relations , '' President Vladimir Putin 's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told news agencies .
Putin and Abe met many times to try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the Kuril islands , known in Japan as the Northern Territories .
But a flurry of diplomatic activity last year failed to bring about a formal peace treaty between Tokyo and Moscow to end World War II hostilities .
Peskov said Russia hopes Abe 's successor `` will be equally committed to further developing Russian-Japanese relations . ''
Talks had been stalled for decades due to Japan 's claim to four strategic islands , which have a population of around 20,000 .
Russia has had military bases on the archipelago since World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the islands .
`` Of course , we wish Shinzo Abe a speedy recovery from all the health problems he mentioned , '' Peskov said .

Russia's relationship with Japan has been overshadowed by a decades-long territorial dispute over Tokyo's claim to a chain of islands seized by the Soviet Union in the final days of World War II.
The Kremlin on Friday hailed Shinzo Abe's contribution to bilateral ties between Moscow and Tokyo after the Japanese Prime Minister announced his resignation for health reasons.
"Shinzo Abe really made an invaluable contribution to the development of bilateral Russian-Japanese relations," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told news agencies.
Putin and Abe met many times to try to find a solution to the impasse over the Kuril islands, known in Japan as the Northern Territories.
But a flurry of diplomatic activity last year failed to bring about a formal peace treaty between Tokyo and Moscow to end World War II hostilities.
Peskov said Russia hopes Abe's successor "will be equally committed to further developing Russian-Japanese relations."
Talks had been stalled for decades due to Japan's claim to four strategic islands, which have a population of around 20,000.
Russia has had military bases on the archipelago since World War II and has deployed missile systems on the islands.
"Of course, we wish Shinzo Abe a speedy recovery from all the health problems he mentioned," Peskov said.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-28--Russia Expels Norwegian Diplomat in Spy Affair

The Russian ministry said that `` as a retaliatory measure '' a senior diplomat at the Norwegian embassy was declared persona non grata and must leave within three days .
The Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday said it had expelled a senior Norwegian diplomat in retaliation after Oslo expelled a Russian diplomat following the arrest of a suspected spy .
Russia accused Norway of taking a `` destructive course '' that would `` inevitably negatively affect the atmosphere of bilateral relations . ''
Norwegian foreign ministry spokeswoman Guri Solberg called the diplomat 's expulsion `` totally without foundation '' in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ named the diplomat as Jan Flaete .
It came after Norway announced the expulsion of a Russian diplomat on Aug. 19 , days after arresting a Norwegian man suspected of passing sensitive information to Moscow .
Oslo accused the Russian diplomat , who worked in the trade section , of acts `` not compatible with his status as a diplomat . ''
The diplomat was with the Norwegian man at the time of his arrest at an Oslo restaurant .
The Norwegian , identified by court documents as Harsharn Singh Tathgar , risks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found guilty of espionage .
He worked for DNV GL , a company that provides certification for oil and gas industries .
The 50-year-old man told investigators he had handed over information in exchange for `` not insignificant sums in cash , '' but insisted the information was not harmful to Norway 's interests .
In recent decades several spy cases have marred ties between NATO member Norway and Russia , which share a border in the Arctic Circle .

The Russian ministry said that "as a retaliatory measure" a senior diplomat at the Norwegian embassy was declared persona non grata and must leave within three days.
The Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday said it had expelled a senior Norwegian diplomat in retaliation after Oslo expelled a Russian diplomat following the arrest of a suspected spy.
Russia accused Norway of taking a "destructive course" that would "inevitably negatively affect the atmosphere of bilateral relations."
Norwegian foreign ministry spokeswoman Guri Solberg called the diplomat's expulsion "totally without foundation" in a statement sent to AFP. Norway named the diplomat as Jan Flaete.
It came after Norway announced the expulsion of a Russian diplomat on Aug. 19, days after arresting a Norwegian man suspected of passing sensitive information to Moscow.
Oslo accused the Russian diplomat, who worked in the trade section, of acts "not compatible with his status as a diplomat."
The diplomat was with the Norwegian man at the time of his arrest at an Oslo restaurant.
The Norwegian, identified by court documents as Harsharn Singh Tathgar, risks up to 15 years in prison if found guilty of espionage.
He worked for DNV GL, a company that provides certification for oil and gas industries.
The 50-year-old man told investigators he had handed over information in exchange for "not insignificant sums in cash," but insisted the information was not harmful to Norway's interests.
In recent decades several spy cases have marred ties between NATO member Norway and Russia, which share a border in the Arctic Circle.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-28--Belarus Detains 300 Protesters and Journalists Amid Ongoing Protests

Belarusians have taken to the streets every day since the Aug. 9 vote in which President Alexander Lukashenko claimed a landslide victory .
The days immediately following the vote saw a violent police crackdown with hundreds of demonstrators injured .
Authorities in Belarus detained at least 260 protesters and 17 journalists Thursday evening , human rights activists said as opposition rallies continued more than two weeks after the country 's disputed election .
Belarus ’ Vesna human rights group listed at least 263 names on its website of protesters who were detained on Thursday while taking part in demonstrations in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17 journalists , including four from international news agencies Reuters and The Associated Press , who had planned to cover the scheduled protests .
AFP reported that they were taken to a police station for “ identity checks.
” “ They began releasing the journalists after 9 p.m. after forcing them to delete photos on their phones and cameras .
Those who refuse are being kept at the station , ” Vesna said .
BBC Moscow correspondent Steve Rosenberg said in a tweet that he and his crew were also detained for “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A clear attempt to interfere with coverage of events in Belarus , ” Rosenberg tweeted .
The arrests came hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin said he had formed a reserve group of law enforcement officers ready to be deployed in Belarus if “ the situation gets out of control.
” Following Putin 's statement , NATO urged Russia to stay out of the crisis , while Belarus ’ western neighbor Poland said Russian intervention would breach international law .
The Belarusian opposition ’ s coordination council , which was created to oversee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , said it was unacceptable to form military units outside Belarus for use inside the country .
“ Previously , the current president has repeatedly stated that foreign interference in Belarusian affairs was unacceptable , ” it said in a statement .

Belarusians have taken to the streets every day since the Aug. 9 vote in which President Alexander Lukashenko claimed a landslide victory. The days immediately following the vote saw a violent police crackdown with hundreds of demonstrators injured.
Authorities in Belarus detained at least 260 protesters and 17 journalists Thursday evening, human rights activists said as opposition rallies continued more than two weeks after the country's disputed election.
Belarus’ Vesna human rights group listed at least 263 names on its website of protesters who were detained on Thursday while taking part in demonstrations in central Minsk.
A separate list names 17 journalists, including four from international news agencies Reuters and The Associated Press, who had planned to cover the scheduled protests. AFP reported that they were taken to a police station for “identity checks.”
“They began releasing the journalists after 9 p.m. after forcing them to delete photos on their phones and cameras. Those who refuse are being kept at the station,” Vesna said.
BBC Moscow correspondent Steve Rosenberg said in a tweet that he and his crew were also detained for “document checks” Thursday evening.
“A clear attempt to interfere with coverage of events in Belarus,” Rosenberg tweeted.
The arrests came hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin said he had formed a reserve group of law enforcement officers ready to be deployed in Belarus if “the situation gets out of control.”
Following Putin's statement, NATO urged Russia to stay out of the crisis, while Belarus’ western neighbor Poland said Russian intervention would breach international law.
The Belarusian opposition’s coordination council, which was created to oversee the peaceful transition of power to opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, said it was unacceptable to form military units outside Belarus for use inside the country.
“Previously, the current president has repeatedly stated that foreign interference in Belarusian affairs was unacceptable,” it said in a statement.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-28--Russian Nuclear Sub Surfaces Off Alaska During War Games

Russia ’ s Defense Ministry announced Thursday that its nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine Omsk and missile cruiser Varyag fired at targets in the Bering Sea as part of its “ Ocean Shield 2020 ” drills .
Alaskan media reported that local pollock fishermen had a close encounter with the Russian vessels .
A Russian nuclear submarine has surfaced near Alaska during navy exercises , spooking American commercial fishing vessels in the area , the U.S. military said early Friday .
The U.S. Northern Command said that it and the North American Aerospace Defense Command were closely tracking the Russian submarine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility .
“ The current Russian maritime activity is taking place in international waters well outside the U.S. territorial sea , ” the U.S. Northern Command said in a tweet .
“ We have not received any requests for assistance from the Russian Navy or other mariners in the area .
We always stand ready to assist those in distress , ” it added .
Alaskan fishermen apparently learned of the Russian Pacific Fleet war games from the Coast Guard on Wednesday , which itself learned about the drills from the Northern Command @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alaska Public Media .
Photos of the fishermen ’ s encounters with the Russian vessels reportedly spread on social media .
“ They are telling American fishing vessels to move out of the way , ” Brent Paine , executive director at the industry trade group United Catcher Boats , told Alaska Public Media .
“ If you ’ ve got a net in the water and a submarine ’ s coming through , you ’ re going to lose the battle , ” Paine said .

Russia’s Defense Ministry announced Thursday that its nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine Omsk and missile cruiser Varyag fired at targets in the Bering Sea as part of its “Ocean Shield 2020” drills. Alaskan media reported that local pollock fishermen had a close encounter with the Russian vessels.
A Russian nuclear submarine has surfaced near Alaska during navy exercises, spooking American commercial fishing vessels in the area, the U.S. military said early Friday.
The U.S. Northern Command said that it and the North American Aerospace Defense Command were closely tracking the Russian submarine and other vessels in its area of responsibility.
“The current Russian maritime activity is taking place in international waters well outside the U.S. territorial sea,” the U.S. Northern Command said in a tweet.
“We have not received any requests for assistance from the Russian Navy or other mariners in the area. We always stand ready to assist those in distress,” it added.
Alaskan fishermen apparently learned of the Russian Pacific Fleet war games from the Coast Guard on Wednesday, which itself learned about the drills from the Northern Command’s Alaska Command, according to Alaska Public Media.
Photos of the fishermen’s encounters with the Russian vessels reportedly spread on social media.
“They are telling American fishing vessels to move out of the way,” Brent Paine, executive director at the industry trade group United Catcher Boats, told Alaska Public Media.
“If you’ve got a net in the water and a submarine’s coming through, you’re going to lose the battle,” Paine said.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-28--Russia's Coronavirus Cases Pass 980K

Russia's Coronavirus Cases Pass 980K

The highest number of new cases were in Moscow and St. Petersburg .
Russia 's fatality rate has remained low @ @ @ @ @ , raising speculation that Moscow could be underreporting figures .
Russian authorities began easing anti-virus @ @ @ @ @ a massive World War II military parade in Moscow and a nationwide vote on constitutional @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Putin to stay in power until 2036 .
Both events were initially postponed due @ @ @ @ @ cinemas and theaters on Aug. 1 .
In the capital , masks are mandatory in @ @ @ @ @ but not in the streets .
Several institutes in Russia are working on a coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ Ministry has said it developed a `` safe '' vaccine following clinical trials on a @ @ @ @ @ trials are ongoing , and the Defense Ministry expects clinical trials to be fully completed @ @ @ @ @

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