themoscowtimes--2020-06-16--Russia's Coronavirus Cases Rise Past 545K

Moscow lifted restrictions including compulsory travel passes on Tuesday , a move welcomed by residents who rushed out to enjoy the streets and parks .
Many other regions are lifting lockdown restrictions as Russia is preparing to hold a July 1 national vote despite the pandemic .
President Vladimir Putin is seeking public backing for constitutional amendments that would allow him to stay on at the Kremlin beyond his current term .
Critics have cast doubt on Russia 's low official mortality rate and accused authorities of under-reporting to play down the scale of the crisis .
Russia attributes its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has identified many cases with mild or no coronavirus symptoms .
The Health Ministry is now adjusting how it reports numbers to include all deaths believed to be related to the virus even if the direct cause of death was another condition or the patient tested negative .
Moscow reported Wednesday that it saw 5,260 such deaths in May .
Former Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin , a liberal politician known for his outspoken comments , said Russia 's health system requires more funds and modernization in many regions .
`` Medicine is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ norms and also it needs a serious overhaul , '' Kudrin , who heads the Audit Chamber that examines government spending , said in an interview with the state-run TASS state news agency .
`` We will carry out a check and show these figures , '' he added .
Nevertheless the economist said Russia `` is not doing a bad job with the pandemic , '' crediting the role of the military , which has built emergency facilities .

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


themoscowtimes--2020-06-16--St. Petersburg Leads Russia’s Coronavirus Mortality – Analysis

St. Petersburg recorded 200 deaths where Covid-19 was a direct cause or “ had a significant impact ” on the person ’ s death in April , state statistics agency Rosstat said Saturday .
Russia ’ s second-largest city St. Petersburg had the highest coronavirus mortality rate among all Russian cities in the month of April , according to a new analysis of official data .
St. Petersburg ’ s Covid-19 mortality rate of 4.7 % that month was double those of both Moscow and Russia overall , making it the highest in the country , the Open Media news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6.5 times higher than the city ’ s officially reported mortality for April .
“ St .
Petersburg ’ s increased mortality rate may be due to a lack of strict self-isolation measures relative to the Moscow mayor ’ s office , or failure to register cases , ” Open Media reported , citing experts .
St. Petersburg has 10 times fewer Covid-19 infections than the Russian capital with around half of its population .
In May , St. Petersburg saw 6,427 deaths , about 28 % more than the average May total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official data said earlier this month .
The figures suggest that more people may have died from Covid-19 last month than the city 's 171 officially reported deaths .
Russia has reported more than 537,000 coronavirus cases , the world ’ s third-highest number of infections , since the global pandemic reached the country in March .
Rosstat ’ s figures also doubled Russia ’ s official coronavirus death toll for April to 2,712 after changing how it classifies fatalities .

St. Petersburg recorded 200 deaths where Covid-19 was a direct cause or “had a significant impact” on the person’s death in April, state statistics agency Rosstat said Saturday.
Russia’s second-largest city St. Petersburg had the highest coronavirus mortality rate among all Russian cities in the month of April, according to a new analysis of official data.
St. Petersburg’s Covid-19 mortality rate of 4.7% that month was double those of both Moscow and Russia overall, making it the highest in the country, the Open Media news website reported Monday.
It was also 6.5 times higher than the city’s officially reported mortality for April.
“St. Petersburg’s increased mortality rate may be due to a lack of strict self-isolation measures relative to the Moscow mayor’s office, or failure to register cases,” Open Media reported, citing experts.
St. Petersburg has 10 times fewer Covid-19 infections than the Russian capital with around half of its population.
In May, St. Petersburg saw 6,427 deaths, about 28% more than the average May total of 5,027 over the past decade, official data said earlier this month. The figures suggest that more people may have died from Covid-19 last month than the city's 171 officially reported deaths.
Russia has reported more than 537,000 coronavirus cases, the world’s third-highest number of infections, since the global pandemic reached the country in March.
Rosstat’s figures also doubled Russia’s official coronavirus death toll for April to 2,712 after changing how it classifies fatalities.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-16--Russian Bookstores Sell New Constitution Ahead of Vote on Putin's Reforms

The constitutional amendments , in addition to adding social guarantees to Russia 's basic law , reset Putin 's four previous terms as president , allowing him two additional six-year terms from 2024-2036 .
Public polls have said that close to a majority of Russians plans to vote in favor of the amendments .
Russian bookstores have already started selling copies of the country ’ s amended Constitution even though a public vote to approve it won ’ t happen until July 1 , the RBC news website reported Tuesday .
Russia ’ s vote on constitutional changes is two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already selling editions of the constitution updated with the new clauses , which Putin signed into law in March & give him the option to rule till 2036 .
And people wonder what the vote is for ... pic.twitter.com/XHlMclorNX The Chitai-Gorod and Biblio-Globus bookstore chains have both started selling copies of the Constitution that include Putin ’ s amendments , RBC reported .
Social media users also posted photos of the copies of the amended Constitution on Moscow bookstore shelves .
A spokesperson for Chitai-Gorod told RBC that there are “ no bans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , calling it “ common practice ” and a way for citizens to familiarize themselves with their content .
The spokesperson told RBC that the bookstore would stop selling the new Constitution if voters don ’ t support the amendments on July 1 .

The constitutional amendments, in addition to adding social guarantees to Russia's basic law, reset Putin's four previous terms as president, allowing him two additional six-year terms from 2024-2036. Public polls have said that close to a majority of Russians plans to vote in favor of the amendments.
Russian bookstores have already started selling copies of the country’s amended Constitution even though a public vote to approve it won’t happen until July 1, the RBC news website reported Tuesday.
Russia’s vote on constitutional changes is two weeks away but bookshops in Moscow are already selling editions of the constitution updated with the new clauses, which Putin signed into law in March & give him the option to rule till 2036. And people wonder what the vote is for... pic.twitter.com/XHlMclorNX
The Chitai-Gorod and Biblio-Globus bookstore chains have both started selling copies of the Constitution that include Putin’s amendments, RBC reported.
Social media users also posted photos of the copies of the amended Constitution on Moscow bookstore shelves.
A spokesperson for Chitai-Gorod told RBC that there are “no bans or restrictions” on distributing draft legislation, calling it “common practice” and a way for citizens to familiarize themselves with their content.
The spokesperson told RBC that the bookstore would stop selling the new Constitution if voters don’t support the amendments on July 1.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-16--Key Witness in Serebrennikov’s Fraud Trial Claims ‘Severe Pressure’ From Investigators

Serebrennikov is suspected of embezzling 133 million rubles ( $ 1.9 million ) in a case that his supporters have criticized as politically motivated .
The artistic director of Moscow ’ s Gogol Center theater and two other suspects were released on bail in 2019 after a year and a half under house arrest .
A key witness in a multimillion-dollar criminal fraud case involving prominent theater director Kirill Serebrennikov has claimed that investigators obtained her testimony under duress , the Kommersant business daily reported Monday .
Eleonora Filimonova , a former assistant accountant to another suspect in the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim in 2017 that Serebrennikov ’ s studio ran “ slush funds.
” Filimonova told the judge Monday that investigators had called her a “ criminal ” and threatened to jail her if she didn ’ t sign the needed papers , according to Kommersant .
“ They exerted severe pressure on me .
… They made me sign a statement that I knew everything and that there was criminal activity , ” Filimonova testified .
“ I no longer had the strength to resist what they were saying , ” she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is at least the fourth witness to claim providing testimony to investigators under duress .
One of the three earlier witnesses , all Russian Culture Ministry employees , claimed that investigators threatened that “ you ’ re either the prosecution ’ s witness or a defendant.
” While in home confinement , Serebrennikov lived through the premieres of his ballet at the Bolshoi Theater and his film at the Cannes Film Festival , as well as the loss of his mother .

Serebrennikov is suspected of embezzling 133 million rubles ($1.9 million) in a case that his supporters have criticized as politically motivated. The artistic director of Moscow’s Gogol Center theater and two other suspects were released on bail in 2019 after a year and a half under house arrest.
A key witness in a multimillion-dollar criminal fraud case involving prominent theater director Kirill Serebrennikov has claimed that investigators obtained her testimony under duress, the Kommersant business daily reported Monday.
Eleonora Filimonova, a former assistant accountant to another suspect in the case, was one of two employees to claim in 2017 that Serebrennikov’s studio ran “slush funds.”
Filimonova told the judge Monday that investigators had called her a “criminal” and threatened to jail her if she didn’t sign the needed papers, according to Kommersant.
“They exerted severe pressure on me. … They made me sign a statement that I knew everything and that there was criminal activity,” Filimonova testified.
“I no longer had the strength to resist what they were saying,” she was quoted by Kommersant as saying.
Filimonova is at least the fourth witness to claim providing testimony to investigators under duress.
One of the three earlier witnesses, all Russian Culture Ministry employees, claimed that investigators threatened that “you’re either the prosecution’s witness or a defendant.”
While in home confinement, Serebrennikov lived through the premieres of his ballet at the Bolshoi Theater and his film at the Cannes Film Festival, as well as the loss of his mother.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-16--Azerbaijanis Blocked in Russia After Virus Clash With Police

Hundreds of Azerbaijanis who have been unable to cross the Russian border to go home because of the coronavirus have blocked a highway and clashed with police , investigators said Tuesday .
Russia 's Investigative Committee said about 400 people `` used violence '' against police and border guards as they were `` displeased with the organization of their crossing '' into Azerbaijan from the southern Dagestan region .
They tried to block a major highway and threw stones at law enforcement officers who tried to stop them .
Seven Russian policemen were lightly injured and several cars damaged , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detained , investigators added in a statement .
Around 700 Azerbaijanis have been stranded outside the village of Kullar on the Caspian Sea near the border between Russia and Azerbaijan .
They have been living in a makeshift tent camp — some for almost two months — since both countries closed their borders to fight the coronavirus epidemic .
They have complained about the conditions and what they see as indifference from the Azeri government .
One of the men living in the tent camp said on condition of anonymity that the clashes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were designated to cross the border .
`` Only half of the people who have been at the border for a long time got on that list , '' the man told AFP , adding that had made many `` angry . ''
He said some started walking toward the border and were stopped by police , with clashes ensuing and police using tear gas .
`` About 50 Azerbaijanis were injured and about 100-120 were detained , '' the man said .
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev discussed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as more people arrived .
Only around 100 people are allowed to cross each week , some of the stranded men told AFP .
After the clashes an Aliev aide called on his compatriots not to break the law and `` be understanding . ''
The elderly , women , children and families are given preferential treatment , Hikmet Gadzhiyev told local media .
Rich in hydrocarbons , former Soviet republic Azerbaijan has been led by the Aliev family since 1991 .
Many in the country travel to Russia for work .

Russia's Investigative Committee said about 400 people "used violence" against police and border guards as they were "displeased with the organization of their crossing" into Azerbaijan from the southern Dagestan region.
Hundreds of Azerbaijanis who have been unable to cross the Russian border to go home because of the coronavirus have blocked a highway and clashed with police, investigators said Tuesday.
Around 700 Azerbaijanis have been stranded outside the village of Kullar on the Caspian Sea near the border between Russia and Azerbaijan.
The perpetrators have been detained, investigators added in a statement.
Seven Russian policemen were lightly injured and several cars damaged, investigators said.
They tried to block a major highway and threw stones at law enforcement officers who tried to stop them.
They have been living in a makeshift tent camp — some for almost two months — since both countries closed their borders to fight the coronavirus epidemic.
They have complained about the conditions and what they see as indifference from the Azeri government.
One of the men living in the tent camp said on condition of anonymity that the clashes were triggered after a group of people were designated to cross the border.
"Only half of the people who have been at the border for a long time got on that list," the man told AFP, adding that had made many "angry."
He said some started walking toward the border and were stopped by police, with clashes ensuing and police using tear gas.
"About 50 Azerbaijanis were injured and about 100-120 were detained," the man said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev discussed the situation last month but in vain as more people arrived.
Only around 100 people are allowed to cross each week, some of the stranded men told AFP.
After the clashes an Aliev aide called on his compatriots not to break the law and "be understanding."
The elderly, women, children and families are given preferential treatment, Hikmet Gadzhiyev told local media.
Rich in hydrocarbons, former Soviet republic Azerbaijan has been led by the Aliev family since 1991. Many in the country travel to Russia for work.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-16--Russia to Install ‘Orwell’ Facial Recognition Tech in Every School – Vedomosti

More than 43,000 Russian schools will be equipped with facial recognition cameras ominously named “ Orwell , ” the Vedomosti business daily reported Tuesday .
The state technology firm Rusnano ’ s Orwell platform is described as a image-recognition monitoring system that uses computer vision algorithms .
It will be integrated with face recognition developed by NTechLab , a subsidiary of Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s close associate Sergei Chemezov ’ s Rostec conglomerate .
The contracts signed between another Rostec subsidiary and regional education departments total 2 billion rubles ( $ 25.4 million ) , Vedomosti reported .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety by monitoring their movements and identifying outsiders on the premises , said Yevgeny Lapshev , a spokesman for Rusnano ’ s subsidiary Elvees Neotech .
Lapshev assured that the school databases would be stored locally to avoid leaks and stressed that parents and children won ’ t be added without their consent .
In the future , the surveillance technology could be used to take attendance , monitor teachers ’ working hours and be used for distance learning , an NTechLab spokesperson told Vedomosti .
So far , Vedomosti reports that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 1,608 schools in 12 Russian regions .
Elvees Neotech , which developed the Orwell surveillance platform , provided more than 28,000 cameras at 10,000 rubles ( $ 140 ) per unit for the pilot project .
A single school needs around 20 cameras to provide security for the entire premises .
Vedomosti did not report when the rest of the schools would be fitted with the surveillance systems .
The $ 25.4 million project is part of Putin ’ s ambitious “ digitalization ” program that envisions spending $ 25 billion on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it to make up 5.1 % of its GDP .
NTechLab has already deployed facial recognition technology in Moscow to identify criminal suspects across a network of almost 200,000 surveillance cameras .
Critics have accused the technology of violating citizens ' privacy and have staged protests against the system by painting their faces .

More than 43,000 Russian schools will be equipped with facial recognition cameras ominously named “Orwell,” the Vedomosti business daily reported Tuesday. The state technology firm Rusnano’s Orwell platform is described as a image-recognition monitoring system that uses computer vision algorithms. It will be integrated with face recognition developed by NTechLab, a subsidiary of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s close associate Sergei Chemezov’s Rostec conglomerate.
The contracts signed between another Rostec subsidiary and regional education departments total 2 billion rubles ($25.4 million), Vedomosti reported. The technology will ensure children’s safety by monitoring their movements and identifying outsiders on the premises, said Yevgeny Lapshev, a spokesman for Rusnano’s subsidiary Elvees Neotech. Lapshev assured that the school databases would be stored locally to avoid leaks and stressed that parents and children won’t be added without their consent. In the future, the surveillance technology could be used to take attendance, monitor teachers’ working hours and be used for distance learning, an NTechLab spokesperson told Vedomosti. So far, Vedomosti reports that “Orwell” has been installed at more than 1,608 schools in 12 Russian regions.
news Moscow Activists Protest Widespread Facial Recognition With Face Paint Read more


themoscowtimes--2020-06-17--Russia Welcomes China-India Contacts Aimed at De-Escalation

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday Moscow welcomed contacts between its close allies India and China after a deadly border confrontation .
President Vladimir Putin has close ties with both Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian premier Narendra Modi , who has talked of a `` special chemistry '' with the Russian strongman .
Lavrov said at a press conference that `` it 's already been announced that military representatives of India and China have been in contact , they are discussing the situation , discussing measures for its de-escalation .
We welcome that . ''
China and India @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brawl that left at least 20 Indian soldiers dead , with China refusing to confirm so far whether there were any casualties on its side .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists : `` Both China and India are very close partners for us , allies . ''
`` We are paying close attention to what is happening on the China-India border , '' he said , calling reports on the clashes `` very concerning . ''
He said that Russia nonetheless believes China and India `` are capable by themselves of taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen again ... and so that this region is safe for the peoples of China and India . ''

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday Moscow welcomed contacts between its close allies India and China after a deadly border confrontation.
President Vladimir Putin has close ties with both Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian premier Narendra Modi, who has talked of a "special chemistry" with the Russian strongman.
Lavrov said at a press conference that "it's already been announced that military representatives of India and China have been in contact, they are discussing the situation, discussing measures for its de-escalation. We welcome that."
China and India have traded blame for Monday's high-altitude brawl that left at least 20 Indian soldiers dead, with China refusing to confirm so far whether there were any casualties on its side.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists: "Both China and India are very close partners for us, allies."
"We are paying close attention to what is happening on the China-India border," he said, calling reports on the clashes "very concerning."
He said that Russia nonetheless believes China and India "are capable by themselves of taking steps so that such situations do not happen again... and so that this region is safe for the peoples of China and India."


themoscowtimes--2020-06-17--‘Disinfection Tunnel’ Protects Putin From Coronavirus

A number of figures in Putin ’ s circle of contacts have been diagnosed with Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic , including Peskov and the chief doctor of Moscow 's main coronavirus hospital who shook hands with the president shortly before testing positive .
Peskov has said that everyone meeting Putin has been tested for Covid-19 .
Special disinfection tunnels have been installed at President Vladimir Putin ’ s residence outside Moscow and at the Kremlin to protect him from the coronavirus , his spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Wednesday .
The disinfection tunnels dispense a “ water mist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s clothes and exposed parts of the body , according to the state-run RIA Novosti news agency .
The tunnel ’ s maker is a company based in the city of Penza southeast of Moscow that began manufacturing it in May 2020 .
“ The Russian president ’ s residence contacted managers at the MIZOTTY plant , ” the Penza region ’ s website cited the plant ’ s director Olga Izranova as saying .
“ We had to deliver and install the equipment under a tight deadline , and the Penza @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faster and better than counterparts from abroad , ” Izranova said .
Putin made his first public appearance for Russia Day , a public holiday , last Friday after more than two months of coronavirus lockdown .
Guests at an awards ceremony that day were tested for Covid-19 and had to spend 12 days in self-isolation as a “ precautionary measure.
” The Russian president is known for his aversion to germs and intense cautiousness regarding his health .
Reports suggested that Kremlin officials would be required to go back to the office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this Monday .
Russia has reported more than 550,000 coronavirus cases as of Wednesday , the world ’ s third-highest caseload , with around 8,500 new daily infections reported in recent weeks .

A number of figures in Putin’s circle of contacts have been diagnosed with Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic, including Peskov and the chief doctor of Moscow's main coronavirus hospital who shook hands with the president shortly before testing positive. Peskov has said that everyone meeting Putin has been tested for Covid-19.
Special disinfection tunnels have been installed at President Vladimir Putin’s residence outside Moscow and at the Kremlin to protect him from the coronavirus, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Wednesday.
The disinfection tunnels dispense a “water mist” of antibacterial solution over a person’s clothes and exposed parts of the body, according to the state-run RIA Novosti news agency.
The tunnel’s maker is a company based in the city of Penza southeast of Moscow that began manufacturing it in May 2020.
“The Russian president’s residence contacted managers at the MIZOTTY plant,” the Penza region’s website cited the plant’s director Olga Izranova as saying.
“We had to deliver and install the equipment under a tight deadline, and the Penza company was able to do to so faster and better than counterparts from abroad,” Izranova said.
Putin made his first public appearance for Russia Day, a public holiday, last Friday after more than two months of coronavirus lockdown. Guests at an awards ceremony that day were tested for Covid-19 and had to spend 12 days in self-isolation as a “precautionary measure.”
The Russian president is known for his aversion to germs and intense cautiousness regarding his health.
Reports suggested that Kremlin officials would be required to go back to the office after working remotely during the lockdown starting this Monday.
Russia has reported more than 550,000 coronavirus cases as of Wednesday, the world’s third-highest caseload, with around 8,500 new daily infections reported in recent weeks.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-17--Coronavirus Is Just Getting Started in Some Russian Regions. Their WWII Parades Are Going Ahead.

During a Monday morning meeting , Alexander Ostrov , the governor of the Zabaykalsky Krai region in Russia ’ s Far East , gave a grim forecast for the coronavirus pandemic .
“ The situation is getting worse , ” he said .
“ The number of infected people is growing.
” On Sunday , Zabaykalsky Krai had reached a high for new daily infections of 89 .
Then , on Tuesday , it hit another new record of 93 .
This is after the region had managed to keep new daily cases mostly in the teens in April and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May .
Rospotrebnadzor , Russia ’ s health watchdog , has deemed the region not yet ready to lift its lockdown restrictions .
Yet despite all of this , Zabaykalsky Krai is still planning a triumphant parade on June 24 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union ’ s World War II victory over the Nazis .
The annual parades in cities across Russia , which were postponed from their usual date of May 9 due to the virus , mark the country ’ s most revered national holiday .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representing a chance for President Vladimir Putin to boost patriotic sentiment heading into a July 1 vote on constitutional amendments that could see him remain in office until 2036 .
That has placed regional officials in a difficult position , having to balance supporting the political plans of Russia ’ s longtime leader with the health of their constituents .
As of Wednesday , 20 cities had canceled or delayed their parades , citing the risk factor of bringing together masses of people while caseloads remain high .
Not all regions , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caution — even those that are only now beginning to approach the peak of their outbreaks .
In addition to Zabaykalsky Krai , the southern region of Voronezh has also seen increases in daily infections in recent days .
Underscoring the severity of its growing outbreak , the region is rushing to open a new coronavirus hospital this week , while also reviving the practice of mass disinfection of public places seen at the start of the pandemic in March .
It has also extended its quarantine until June 21 and is set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead with its parade by the end of this week .
Zabaykalsky Krai and Voronezh are not the only regions seeing increased growth only now .
Another is Primorsky Krai in the Far East , where average new daily cases abruptly doubled last week , and have increased by the low-to-mid 200s every day since .
The region is nonetheless set to hold a parade in its biggest city of Vladivostok .
“ We ’ ve had an influx of patients lately , ” said a doctor at Vladivostok ’ s Clinical Hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ My team has been working without days off for a month now .
We are very tired — we want a break.
” “ It ’ s a terrible idea to hold the parade now .
We are all terrified , ” the doctor added .
“ I understand that the parade is very important , but it is better to do it in the fall.
” On Wednesday , a Primorsky Krai regional government representative told the state-run RIA Novosti news agency that spectators would be limited at Vladivostok ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a later date .
Voronezh and the Zabaykalsky Krai city of Chita , however , are still going ahead with crowds .
Then there are Russia ’ s two main cities — Moscow and St. Petersburg — which host the showcase parades .
Although the cities have seen their new daily cases decrease in recent weeks , they still remain high .
Over the past week , Moscow has recorded 1,594 new cases daily on average , while St. Petersburg , which saw the country ’ s worst mortality rate in April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have taken measures to lower the chances of mass infections .
Yevgeny Kuvayshev , the governor of the Urals region of Sverdlovsk , has said that veterans — a high risk group — will not be allowed to attend the parade , while Moscow ’ s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has urged Muscovites to stay at home , saying , “ It ’ s better to watch it on TV.
” Critics worry that the suggestions to stay home will fall on deaf ears — and that people gathering to watch the parades could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , Rospotrebnadzor head Anna Popova did not help Sobyanin ’ s case , announcing that veterans will be able to watch the Moscow parade on Red Square without masks , seated in every other chair to maintain distance .
“ The parade could make the already deplorable situation in our city absolutely disastrous , ” said a surgeon treating coronavirus patients at St. George ’ s hospital in St. Petersburg who asked to remain anonymous .
“ Our pandemic is not over yet — it ’ s naive to think otherwise.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so much about the virus , ” the surgeon added .
One of the main reasons the parades were delayed in the first place was that , in April , nearly 400 cadets and officers training for the processions became infected with the coronavirus , according to the investigative Proekt outlet .
At the time , Proekt reported that anti-virus measures like wearing masks or gloves were voluntary , contributing to the virus ’ spread .
Cadets who are preparing to participate in the main Moscow parade this time around told The Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures .
Five cadets training at the Alabino military training center outside Moscow , where the main parade is being practiced , said that they are being tested for the virus once every two days and that they are given masks , gloves and antiseptic gels daily .
Several , though , said it has been difficult to maintain distance from each other .
Photos published by the Defense Ministry show the cadets wearing masks during the training sessions , though in pictures posted by the cadets they are grouped together without masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the masks during training has posed some difficulties , cadets said .
Last week Moscow saw its first summer heatwave , which caused some cadets to faint , one of them told The Moscow Times .
But the conditions have not dampened the mood .
“ It ’ s hard , of course , but it ’ s better than getting sick , ” said Vladislav Novikov , a 20-year-old cadet from Moscow .
And by going through with the parade , he added , “ We can prove to other countries that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ army in the world.
” Others pointed to the fact that Moscow has lifted most of its quarantine restrictions as evidence that the parade should go ahead .
“ Holding it is the correct decision because restrictions are falling away , ” said Daniil Titov , a 21-year-old cadet from Kostroma , a city in western Russia .
“ This is a chance for us to start rehabilitating life in the country a little bit.
” The sentiment was echoed by parents — even those living in virus hotspots .
Marina Shu , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mother of a cadet currently training at Alabino .
She believes that if Moscow has decided the virus is behind it , then there should be nothing to worry about .
“ At first we were shocked .
All around was quarantine and they announced there will be a parade , ” she said .
“ But if Moscow is no longer under quarantine , that means we are calmer .
”

During a Monday morning meeting, Alexander Ostrov, the governor of the Zabaykalsky Krai region in Russia’s Far East, gave a grim forecast for the coronavirus pandemic. “The situation is getting worse,” he said. “The number of infected people is growing.” On Sunday, Zabaykalsky Krai had reached a high for new daily infections of 89. Then, on Tuesday, it hit another new record of 93. This is after the region had managed to keep new daily cases mostly in the teens in April and the 30s and 40s throughout most of May. Rospotrebnadzor, Russia’s health watchdog, has deemed the region not yet ready to lift its lockdown restrictions. Yet despite all of this, Zabaykalsky Krai is still planning a triumphant parade on June 24 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s World War II victory over the Nazis. The annual parades in cities across Russia, which were postponed from their usual date of May 9 due to the virus, mark the country’s most revered national holiday. This year they took on increased importance, representing a chance for President Vladimir Putin to boost patriotic sentiment heading into a July 1 vote on constitutional amendments that could see him remain in office until 2036. That has placed regional officials in a difficult position, having to balance supporting the political plans of Russia’s longtime leader with the health of their constituents. As of Wednesday, 20 cities had canceled or delayed their parades, citing the risk factor of bringing together masses of people while caseloads remain high.
Not all regions, however, have erred on the side of caution — even those that are only now beginning to approach the peak of their outbreaks. In addition to Zabaykalsky Krai, the southern region of Voronezh has also seen increases in daily infections in recent days. Underscoring the severity of its growing outbreak, the region is rushing to open a new coronavirus hospital this week, while also reviving the practice of mass disinfection of public places seen at the start of the pandemic in March. It has also extended its quarantine until June 21 and is set to decide whether or not to go ahead with its parade by the end of this week. Zabaykalsky Krai and Voronezh are not the only regions seeing increased growth only now. Another is Primorsky Krai in the Far East, where average new daily cases abruptly doubled last week, and have increased by the low-to-mid 200s every day since. The region is nonetheless set to hold a parade in its biggest city of Vladivostok. “We’ve had an influx of patients lately,” said a doctor at Vladivostok’s Clinical Hospital no. 4, asking for anonymity. “My team has been working without days off for a month now. We are very tired — we want a break.” “It’s a terrible idea to hold the parade now. We are all terrified,” the doctor added. “I understand that the parade is very important, but it is better to do it in the fall.”
One cadet told The Moscow Times that, by going through with the parade, “we can prove to other countries that we have the strongest and most mobilized army in the world.” Defense Ministry
On Wednesday, a Primorsky Krai regional government representative told the state-run RIA Novosti news agency that spectators would be limited at Vladivostok’s event, though specifics will come at a later date. Voronezh and the Zabaykalsky Krai city of Chita, however, are still going ahead with crowds. Then there are Russia’s two main cities — Moscow and St. Petersburg — which host the showcase parades. Although the cities have seen their new daily cases decrease in recent weeks, they still remain high. Over the past week, Moscow has recorded 1,594 new cases daily on average, while St. Petersburg, which saw the country’s worst mortality rate in April, has recorded 267. Some officials have taken measures to lower the chances of mass infections. Yevgeny Kuvayshev, the governor of the Urals region of Sverdlovsk, has said that veterans — a high risk group — will not be allowed to attend the parade, while Moscow’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has urged Muscovites to stay at home, saying, “It’s better to watch it on TV.” Critics worry that the suggestions to stay home will fall on deaf ears — and that people gathering to watch the parades could become vectors for renewed outbreaks. On Tuesday, Rospotrebnadzor head Anna Popova did not help Sobyanin’s case, announcing that veterans will be able to watch the Moscow parade on Red Square without masks, seated in every other chair to maintain distance. “The parade could make the already deplorable situation in our city absolutely disastrous,” said a surgeon treating coronavirus patients at St. George’s hospital in St. Petersburg who asked to remain anonymous. “Our pandemic is not over yet — it’s naive to think otherwise.” “The government doesn’t care so much about the virus,” the surgeon added. Parade preparations One of the main reasons the parades were delayed in the first place was that, in April, nearly 400 cadets and officers training for the processions became infected with the coronavirus, according to the investigative Proekt outlet. At the time, Proekt reported that anti-virus measures like wearing masks or gloves were voluntary, contributing to the virus’ spread. Cadets who are preparing to participate in the main Moscow parade this time around told The Moscow Times that they have encountered strict anti-spread measures. Five cadets training at the Alabino military training center outside Moscow, where the main parade is being practiced, said that they are being tested for the virus once every two days and that they are given masks, gloves and antiseptic gels daily. Several, though, said it has been difficult to maintain distance from each other. Photos published by the Defense Ministry show the cadets wearing masks during the training sessions, though in pictures posted by the cadets they are grouped together without masks while not training. Indeed, wearing the masks during training has posed some difficulties, cadets said. Last week Moscow saw its first summer heatwave, which caused some cadets to faint, one of them told The Moscow Times.