themoscowtimes--2020-04-27--News From Russia: What You Missed Over the Weekend

President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump issued a rare joint statement commemorating the 75th anniversary of the meeting of Soviet and American forces during World War II .
Putin and Trump said the meeting at the Elbe river in Germany on April 25 , 1945 , a milestone that foreshadowed the defeat of the Nazis , exemplified how their countries can “ build trust and cooperate.
” Russia , the world 's largest wheat exporter , is suspending grain exports , including wheat , rye , barley and corn until July 1 , the Agriculture Ministry said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government introduced export quotas for certain grains until the end of June but these were `` fully exhausted '' by Sunday , the ministry said in a statement .
At least 874 Russian troops tested positive for Covid-19 between March and April 26 , 19 of whom are in critical or serious condition , the Defense Ministry said .
More than 1,200 cadets , instructors and civilians within the Russian Armed Forces have been infected , the ministry said in a statement .
As many as one in 10 residents of Moscow and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population of 20 million — may have been infected with Covid-19 , Reuters cited a government project as saying .
Out of 1,000 people who sought tests for the presence of antibodies in people with no flu-like symptoms , 9-10 % had coronavirus antibodies .
Moscow and the Moscow region are two of Russia ’ s hardest-hit areas with 51,550 officially reported cases , suggesting a 0.2 % rate of infection .
The Russian Orthodox Church urged women to avoid reprimanding their husbands during the nationwide coronavirus lockdown measures to avoid falling victim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the head of the church ’ s department for charity , later explained that “ it ’ s equally important for husbands to stop admonishing their wives .
”

Meeting at the Elbe
President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump issued a rare joint statement commemorating the 75th anniversary of the meeting of Soviet and American forces during World War II.
Putin and Trump said the meeting at the Elbe river in Germany on April 25, 1945, a milestone that foreshadowed the defeat of the Nazis, exemplified how their countries can “build trust and cooperate.”
Export ban
Russia, the world's largest wheat exporter, is suspending grain exports, including wheat, rye, barley and corn until July 1, the Agriculture Ministry said Sunday.
In early April, the government introduced export quotas for certain grains until the end of June but these were "fully exhausted" by Sunday, the ministry said in a statement.
MIA
At least 874 Russian troops tested positive for Covid-19 between March and April 26, 19 of whom are in critical or serious condition, the Defense Ministry said.
More than 1,200 cadets, instructors and civilians within the Russian Armed Forces have been infected, the ministry said in a statement.
Hidden figures
As many as one in 10 residents of Moscow and the Moscow region — with a combined population of 20 million — may have been infected with Covid-19, Reuters cited a government project as saying.
Out of 1,000 people who sought tests for the presence of antibodies in people with no flu-like symptoms, 9-10% had coronavirus antibodies. Moscow and the Moscow region are two of Russia’s hardest-hit areas with 51,550 officially reported cases, suggesting a 0.2% rate of infection.
Nagging advice
The Russian Orthodox Church urged women to avoid reprimanding their husbands during the nationwide coronavirus lockdown measures to avoid falling victim to domestic violence.
Bishop Panteleimon, the head of the church’s department for charity, later explained that “it’s equally important for husbands to stop admonishing their wives.”
Includes reporting from AFP.


themoscowtimes--2020-04-26--Belarussian Football Wins Fans Abroad as Locals Boycott Matches

As Belarus resists imposing a lockdown to combat the coronavirus , its football league has stumbled into the international limelight as Europe 's only remaining top-flight competition .
But players are worried about the health risks and only diehard fans are braving matches .
FC Slutsk fan Yahor Khavanski , 26 , is `` a bit afraid '' but could not imagine quitting his weekend football fix .
On Sunday he intends to don a surgical mask and an FC Slutsk scarf and `` try not to touch anything '' at a clash against rivals Belshina Bobruisk .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 300 came to the last match .
You can sit anywhere you want and keep your distance , '' he told AFP by phone .
Khavanski says he will keep attending matches , regardless of the risk .
In his view , he faces `` the same odds of being infected on public transport or in shops . ''
Life has continued as normal in Belarus , whose authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko has dismissed World Health Organization recommendations to impose a virus lockdown .
With a population of nearly 10 million , Belarus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine , with four times the population , has registered fewer cases .
The Belarussian Football Federation ( BFF ) has followed the government 's lead , saying it will not stop matches under the current guidelines .
The BFF even announced this week its women 's league will kick off on April 30 following a two-week delay over fears players had come into contact with people infected with the virus .
On paper , the decision to allow matches is a huge boon to a struggling league .
Russia 's largest sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in March , a move followed by 11 other countries including India and Israel .

As Belarus resists imposing a lockdown to combat the coronavirus, its football league has stumbled into the international limelight as Europe's only remaining top-flight competition.
But players are worried about the health risks and only diehard fans are braving matches.
FC Slutsk fan Yahor Khavanski, 26, is "a bit afraid" but could not imagine quitting his weekend football fix.
On Sunday he intends to don a surgical mask and an FC Slutsk scarf and "try not to touch anything" at a clash against rivals Belshina Bobruisk.
"The stadium holds 2,000 people, but only 300 came to the last match. You can sit anywhere you want and keep your distance," he told AFP by phone.
Khavanski says he will keep attending matches, regardless of the risk. In his view, he faces "the same odds of being infected on public transport or in shops."
Life has continued as normal in Belarus, whose authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko has dismissed World Health Organization recommendations to impose a virus lockdown.
With a population of nearly 10 million, Belarus has registered 9,590 coronavirus cases. Neighboring Ukraine, with four times the population, has registered fewer cases.
The Belarussian Football Federation (BFF) has followed the government's lead, saying it will not stop matches under the current guidelines.
The BFF even announced this week its women's league will kick off on April 30 following a two-week delay over fears players had come into contact with people infected with the virus.
International exhibition
On paper, the decision to allow matches is a huge boon to a struggling league.
Russia's largest sports network bought the rights to air matches in March, a move followed by 11 other countries including India and Israel.


themoscowtimes--2020-04-27--6-Time Short-Track Olympic Champion Viktor Ahn Retires

Ahn , 34 , was born in South Korea but became a naturalized Russian before the 2014 Sochi Olympics where he won three gold medals .
In a letter published by the state-run RIA Novosti news agency , he said permanent knee pain and other injuries were behind his decision stop competing .
`` It has become harder and harder to stay in shape , which is why I decided that it was time to stop the sport . ''
Ahn is the most successful competitor in the discipline .
Competing for South Korea as Ahn Hyun-Soo , he won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2006 and bronze in the 500m .
Ahn was unable to participate at the 2010 Vancouver Games undergoing several knee operations , and , following disagreements with his team , became a naturalized Russian .
His success on the rink and camaraderie with Russian President Vladimir Putin meant he was one of the faces of the Sochi Games in 2014 .
Ahn was not named on a list of athletes eligible to compete at the 2018 Pyongyang Games , after the World Anti-Doping Agency alleged a state-sponsored doping program in Russia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' saying there was `` no concrete reason '' that he not be allowed to compete in his native country .

Ahn, 34, was born in South Korea but became a naturalized Russian before the 2014 Sochi Olympics where he won three gold medals.
In a letter published by the state-run RIA Novosti news agency, he said permanent knee pain and other injuries were behind his decision stop competing.
"It has become harder and harder to stay in shape, which is why I decided that it was time to stop the sport."
Ahn is the most successful competitor in the discipline.
Competing for South Korea as Ahn Hyun-Soo, he won three gold medals at the Turin Olympics in 2006 and bronze in the 500m.
Ahn was unable to participate at the 2010 Vancouver Games undergoing several knee operations, and, following disagreements with his team, became a naturalized Russian.
His success on the rink and camaraderie with Russian President Vladimir Putin meant he was one of the faces of the Sochi Games in 2014.
Ahn was not named on a list of athletes eligible to compete at the 2018 Pyongyang Games, after the World Anti-Doping Agency alleged a state-sponsored doping program in Russia.
He described his exclusion as "scandalous," saying there was "no concrete reason" that he not be allowed to compete in his native country.


themoscowtimes--2020-04-27--Prague Mayor Confirms He Is Under Police Protection Following Russian Poisoning Plot Report

Zdenek Hrib confirmed the news in a Monday interview with the independent Ekho Moskvy radio station .
On Sunday , the Czech news website Respekt , citing anonymous intelligence sources , reported that an individual carrying Russian diplomatic documents and the lethal poison ricin had arrived in Prague three weeks ago on a mission to assassinate Hrib and another prominent Czech politician .
The mayor of Prague has said he is under heightened police protection the day after Czech media reported on an alleged Russian plot to poison him .
Hrib told Ekho Moskvy that Czech law enforcement officials had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two weeks ago after detecting a threat that posed a “ risk ” to his life .
He declined to comment on the specific nature of the threat or whether the threat was Russian .
“ First of all I should say that it is very important for me to stand by my belief although it means a risk for my life , ” Hrib , 38 , said .
“ The police protection was simply given to me by the Czech police .
By their decision , I am not able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have not confirmed the information in Respekt ’ s report .
“ We don ’ t know anything at all about this investigation , ” Peskov said Monday .
“ We don ’ t know who did the investigation .
It looks like yet another canard.
” Earlier this month , Czech officials removed a statue of a Soviet-era general in Prague to make way for a World War II memorial , sparking protest from Moscow .
In February , authorities in Prague renamed the square where Russia 's embassy is located after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was murdered steps from the Kremlin in 2015 .
Both Hrib and Ondrej Kolar — the other Czech politician allegedly targeted in the poisoning plot — have been outspoken on these issues .
Kolar , the mayor of the Prague 6 municipality , campaigned in support of the removal of the Soviet-era statue of Marshal Ivan Konev , while Hrib supported the renaming of the square after Nemtsov .

Zdenek Hrib confirmed the news in a Monday interview with the independent Ekho Moskvy radio station. On Sunday, the Czech news website Respekt, citing anonymous intelligence sources, reported that an individual carrying Russian diplomatic documents and the lethal poison ricin had arrived in Prague three weeks ago on a mission to assassinate Hrib and another prominent Czech politician.
The mayor of Prague has said he is under heightened police protection the day after Czech media reported on an alleged Russian plot to poison him.
Hrib told Ekho Moskvy that Czech law enforcement officials had placed him under special protection more than two weeks ago after detecting a threat that posed a “risk” to his life. He declined to comment on the specific nature of the threat or whether the threat was Russian.
“First of all I should say that it is very important for me to stand by my belief although it means a risk for my life,” Hrib, 38, said. “The police protection was simply given to me by the Czech police. By their decision, I am not able to comment on the reasons.”
Czech authorities have not confirmed the information in Respekt’s report.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the report “a fake.”
“We don’t know anything at all about this investigation,” Peskov said Monday. “We don’t know who did the investigation. It looks like yet another canard.”
Earlier this month, Czech officials removed a statue of a Soviet-era general in Prague to make way for a World War II memorial, sparking protest from Moscow. In February, authorities in Prague renamed the square where Russia's embassy is located after Boris Nemtsov, the opposition politician who was murdered steps from the Kremlin in 2015.
Both Hrib and Ondrej Kolar — the other Czech politician allegedly targeted in the poisoning plot — have been outspoken on these issues. Kolar, the mayor of the Prague 6 municipality, campaigned in support of the removal of the Soviet-era statue of Marshal Ivan Konev, while Hrib supported the renaming of the square after Nemtsov.


themoscowtimes--2020-04-27--Russian Doctors Count Their Own Dead From Coronavirus

At least 69 Russian doctors have died from coronavirus-related complications as of Monday afternoon , according to the unofficial tally .
The news comes as a growing number of hospitals across Russia have reported Covid-19 outbreaks among doctors and patients in recent weeks .
Russian doctors mistrustful of official coronavirus data have launched an unofficial list of their colleagues who have died from the virus .
“ Some have been infected during work , others haven ’ t , ” anesthesiologist and ICU physician Vladimir Budyansky wrote Friday in a Facebook group he moderates called Medical Emergencies .
“ Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own ?
Very simple : they don ’ t trust statistics , ” the MBKh Media news website quoted neurosurgeon Alexei Kashcheyev as saying Sunday .
“ They know what [ Covid-19 ] looks like , so they won ’ t believe what the ministries tell them .
They ’ ll maintain the list themselves , ” Kashcheyev was quoted as saying .
The list names 22 Moscow doctors and 12 Moscow region medical professionals who have succumbed to the virus .
The Russian capital and its surrounding region , with a combined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are the two Russian territories hit hardest by Covid-19 , with 55,059 total cases as of Monday .
Eight doctors have died in St. Petersburg , Russia ’ s third most-affected territory with 3,238 cases .
Five doctors have died in the republic of Dagestan , the country ’ s fifth most-affected region with 994 coronavirus cases .
Russia has officially confirmed 794 deaths from the virus nationwide .
It has reported 87,147 coronavirus infections as of Monday , surpassing China to become the world 's ninth most-affected country amid the pandemic .

At least 69 doctors in the two countries have died from coronavirus-related complications as of Monday afternoon, according to the unofficial tally .
The news comes as a growing number of hospitals across Russia have reported Covid-19 outbreaks among doctors and patients in recent weeks.
Russian and Belarussian doctors mistrustful of official coronavirus data have launched an unofficial list of their colleagues who have died from the virus.
“Some have been infected during work, others haven’t,” anesthesiologist and ICU physician Vladimir Budyansky wrote Friday in a Facebook group he moderates called Medical Emergencies.
“Why should doctors keep a list of their own? Very simple: they don’t trust statistics,” the MBKh Media news website quoted neurosurgeon Alexei Kashcheyev as saying Sunday.
“They know what [Covid-19] looks like, so they won’t believe what the ministries tell them. They’ll maintain the list themselves,” Kashcheyev was quoted as saying.
The list names 22 Moscow doctors and 12 Moscow region medical professionals who have succumbed to the virus. The Russian capital and its surrounding region, with a combined population of more than 20 million, are the two Russian territories hit hardest by Covid-19, with 55,059 total cases as of Monday.
Eight doctors have died in St. Petersburg, Russia’s third most-affected territory with 3,238 cases. Five doctors have died in the republic of Dagestan, the country’s fifth most-affected region with 994 coronavirus cases.
Russia has officially confirmed 794 deaths from the virus nationwide. It has reported 87,147 coronavirus infections as of Monday, surpassing China to become the world's ninth most-affected country amid the pandemic.


themoscowtimes--2020-04-27--Putin’s Business Tsar Attacks Economic Lockdown

Boris Titov , the president ’ s business ombudsman , announced Monday he will organize an online protest Friday calling for businesses to be reopened , as frustration at the government ’ s economic response to the coronavirus grows throughout Russia ’ s business community .
President Vladimir Putin ’ s “ business tsar ” has called for the government to end the economic lockdown and reopen the economy .
“ Yes , the coronavirus is a problem .
But poverty and starvation are no less a misfortune .
What are we going to live on in a week ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Facebook page .
“ I am convinced that it is time to reweigh everything .
It is time to assess the danger as soberly as possible and allow those who observe sanitary conditions to work … There are many of us , and the authorities will hear us.
” The call follows a number of digital protests last week against the government ’ s response to the coronavirus .
In the southern city of Vladikavkaz , hundreds took to the streets against the self-isolation regime .
The country has been on partial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with that order set to expire in a few days , unless Putin announces an extension .
Russia has reported more than 87,000 official cases of coronavirus .
Authorities believe the peak of new cases could be reached in the middle of May .
Despite the spread of the virus accelerating across Russia , observance of stay-at-home orders has been patchy and the government ’ s support for shuttered businesses and people who have lost their jobs is significantly lower than in other heavily affected countries .

Boris Titov, the president’s business ombudsman, announced Monday he will organize an online protest Friday calling for businesses to be reopened, as frustration at the government’s economic response to the coronavirus grows throughout Russia’s business community.
President Vladimir Putin’s “business tsar” has called for the government to end the economic lockdown and reopen the economy.
“Yes, the coronavirus is a problem. But poverty and starvation are no less a misfortune. What are we going to live on in a week? A month?” Titov posted on his Facebook page.
“I am convinced that it is time to reweigh everything. It is time to assess the danger as soberly as possible and allow those who observe sanitary conditions to work … There are many of us, and the authorities will hear us.”
The call follows a number of digital protests last week against the government’s response to the coronavirus. In the southern city of Vladikavkaz, hundreds took to the streets against the self-isolation regime.
The country has been on partial economic lockdown since the end of March, with that order set to expire in a few days, unless Putin announces an extension.
Russia has reported more than 87,000 official cases of coronavirus. Authorities believe the peak of new cases could be reached in the middle of May. Despite the spread of the virus accelerating across Russia, observance of stay-at-home orders has been patchy and the government’s support for shuttered businesses and people who have lost their jobs is significantly lower than in other heavily affected countries.


themoscowtimes--2020-04-27--Nurses Quit En Masse From Russia’s Top Coronavirus Hospital: Reports

Nurses have quit en masse from Russia ’ s top coronavirus hospital in Moscow over poor working conditions and low wages , the investigative news website Open Media reported Monday .
A former nurse who said she quit the Kommunarka hospital after almost two months told the outlet that more than a dozen nursing staff had left in that period .
They reportedly quit because they were denied clean protective gear , food and adequate accommodations , and were not paid bonuses promised by President Vladimir Putin .
“ Management said : since Putin promised it to you , call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quoted the former nurse as saying .
A similar quote with an identical account of mass walkouts , low pay and poor working conditions appears in online communications ( presumably between nurses and the hospital ’ s management ) shared by Russian journalist Natalia Andreyeva on Saturday .
Both Andreyeva and Open Media noted that the nurses who walked out had been employed through the outsourcing medical company Arni .
“ The company ’ s management has a lot of connections among [ Moscow ’ s ] health department officials , that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work , ” Open Media quoted an unnamed Arni employee as saying .
Kommunarka ’ s chief doctor Denis Protsenko denied the reported claims and said that the hospital has “ fulfilled its financial contractual obligations ” to Arni .
“ Although the hospital can ’ t control third-party organizations ’ labor relations , I met with the company ’ s representatives and together we ’ ll make every effort to solve this problem , ” Protsenko said .
The Kremlin admitted that equipment shortages at individual hospitals “ can ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they do not reflect the overall state of Russia ’ s healthcare system .
Putin promised 10 billion rubles ( $ 132 million ) toward monthly bonuses for healthcare staff nationwide earlier in April .
He said doctors treating coronavirus patients would receive an additional 80,000 rubles ( $ 1,059 ) per month , while nurses , ambulance medics and drivers would get from 25,000 ( $ 336 ) to 50,000 rubles ( $ 674 ) .
Moscow has reported a total of 45,351 coronavirus cases — making up more than half of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the outbreak began .
Kommunarka is currently treating 644 patients , according to Protsenko .

Nurses have quit en masse from Russia’s top coronavirus hospital in Moscow over poor working conditions and low wages, the investigative news website Open Media reported Monday. A former nurse who said she quit the Kommunarka hospital after almost two months told the outlet that more than a dozen nursing staff had left in that period. They reportedly quit because they were denied clean protective gear, food and adequate accommodations, and were not paid bonuses promised by President Vladimir Putin.
“Management said: since Putin promised it to you, call and write him,” Open Media quoted the former nurse as saying. A similar quote with an identical account of mass walkouts, low pay and poor working conditions appears in online communications (presumably between nurses and the hospital’s management) shared by Russian journalist Natalia Andreyeva on Saturday. Both Andreyeva and Open Media noted that the nurses who walked out had been employed through the outsourcing medical company Arni.


themoscowtimes--2020-04-27--Russian Paratroopers Jump at 10K Meters Over Arctic Base

Russian paratroopers in the Arctic have carried out a test landing from an altitude of 10,000 meters in what officials say is a historic exercise .
“ Today , for the first time in world history , we conducted a group landing of personnel with special parachute systems in Arctic conditions from a height of 10,000 meters using oxygen equipment followed by combat training missions , ” said Deputy Defense Minister Lieutenant General Yunus-bek Yevkurov .
The paratroopers , who jumped from an Il-76 aircraft over the remote archipelago of Franz Josef Land in the Russian Arctic , tested new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oxygen masks , navigation , parachute systems and white camouflage uniforms .
“ Nobody has done such a thing before , ” he added .
In comparison , most skydiving jumps by civilians are made from an altitude of around 3,000 to 4,000 meters ( 10,000 to 13,500 feet ) .
The soldiers ’ gear was dropped with larger parachutes from the same aircraft .
The jump took place over Alexandra Land , the westernmost island in the Franz Josef Land archipelago .
Here , at 80 degrees north , Russia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complex with a new 2,500-meter-long runway and huge building infrastructure .
The Nagurskoye base is equipped with the latest gear for Arctic warfare .
That includes snowmobiles , military trucks , helicopters , radar systems and anti-aircraft missile systems , like the S-300 , which are aimed at strengthening control over Arctic airspace .
As previously reported by the Barents Observer , Russia 's Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces , Valery Gerasimov , has confirmed that the new Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile can be deployed to Arctic airports like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new runway , bombers like the MiG-31K will be able to use the airport .
So can large transport planes .
The airport is built about 3 kilometers west of the runway Russia abandoned after the end of the Cold War .
A video released by the state-run RIA Novosti news agency shows the paratroopers as they jump out of the plane , land and conduct combat training on the ground .
After landing on the snow , the paratroopers began the main stage of the tactical and special exercise .
Several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at destroying the conditional enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group , a press release from the Defense Ministry said .
Searching for the enemy , the soldiers used a UAV .
The exercise continued for three days along the northern shores of Alexandra Land , around Cape Nimrod , close the eastern edge of the largest glacier on the island .
In the end , the soldiers advanced to the collection point and returned to the Nagurskoye base .

Russian paratroopers in the Arctic have carried out a test landing from an altitude of 10,000 meters in what officials say is a historic exercise. “Today, for the first time in world history, we conducted a group landing of personnel with special parachute systems in Arctic conditions from a height of 10,000 meters using oxygen equipment followed by combat training missions,” said Deputy Defense Minister Lieutenant General Yunus-bek Yevkurov. The paratroopers, who jumped from an Il-76 aircraft over the remote archipelago of Franz Josef Land in the Russian Arctic, tested new equipment developed for extreme Arctic conditions like oxygen masks, navigation, parachute systems and white camouflage uniforms. “Nobody has done such a thing before,” he added. In comparison, most skydiving jumps by civilians are made from an altitude of around 3,000 to 4,000 meters (10,000 to 13,500 feet).
Видео первого в истории прыжка российских десантников с высоты десяти тысяч метров в Арктике, в районе архипелага Земля Франца Иосифа. pic.twitter.com/CrJKJ7h1xB — Specnazopedia (@specnazopedia) April 26, 2020
The soldiers’ gear was dropped with larger parachutes from the same aircraft. The jump took place over Alexandra Land, the westernmost island in the Franz Josef Land archipelago. Here, at 80 degrees north, Russia’s Arctic forces have built its northernmost military complex with a new 2,500-meter-long runway and huge building infrastructure. The Nagurskoye base is equipped with the latest gear for Arctic warfare. That includes snowmobiles, military trucks, helicopters, radar systems and anti-aircraft missile systems, like the S-300, which are aimed at strengthening control over Arctic airspace. As previously reported by the Barents Observer, Russia's Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, has confirmed that the new Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile can be deployed to Arctic airports like the one at Alexandra Land. With the new runway, bombers like the MiG-31K will be able to use the airport. So can large transport planes. The airport is built about 3 kilometers west of the runway Russia abandoned after the end of the Cold War. A video released by the state-run RIA Novosti news agency shows the paratroopers as they jump out of the plane, land and conduct combat training on the ground.
After landing on the snow, the paratroopers began the main stage of the tactical and special exercise. Several dozen of them conducted search-and-reconaissance operations aimed at destroying the conditional enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group, a press release from the Defense Ministry said. Searching for the enemy, the soldiers used a UAV. The exercise continued for three days along the northern shores of Alexandra Land, around Cape Nimrod, close the eastern edge of the largest glacier on the island. In the end, the soldiers advanced to the collection point and returned to the Nagurskoye base.


themoscowtimes--2020-04-28--‘Are We Pigs?’: Gazprom Pipeline Workers Protest Conditions Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Footage from the Gazprom energy giant ’ s Chayanda field , which supplies China with natural gas through the recently launched Power of Siberia pipeline , showed laborers crowded outside their barracks in violation of social distancing guidelines .
Authorities quarantined Chayanda in mid-April after at least seven workers tested positive for Covid-19 , a figure that surpassed 50 by Tuesday .
Gas workers in Russia ’ s Far East staged a mass rally to demand better working conditions and more transparency amid a reported coronavirus outbreak at their gas field , local media reported Tuesday .
Hundreds of workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rallied y'day to protest their living conditions .
They say insufficient steps are being taken to protect them despite the complex becoming a Covid-19 hotbed .
Dozens of workers have tested +ve https : //t.co/d8IiEkIbfy “ They ’ re feeding us animal feed .
We ’ re being held like pigs , are we pigs ?
” the workers can be heard saying in a profanity-laced address , according to a video published by the Yakutia.info news website .
“ Where ’ s the quarantine ?
Where are the masks ?
There ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into dorms , we ’ re carrying all kinds of infections , ” the workers continue .
The Russian republic of Sakha ’ s crisis center took samples from all 10,500 Chayanda field workers and is awaiting coronavirus test results , according to Yakutia.info .
“ There are a lot of infected people , according to preliminary data , ” the crisis center was quoted as saying .
In an open letter quoted by Yakutia.info , the workers complained of being kept in the dark about their results for almost a week ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carried out last Wednesday , April 22 ) while living in cramped conditions .
“ Avoiding physical contact is absolutely impossible in such living conditions .
We eat from the same dishes , wash in communal baths and showers and change the same bed linens , ” they wrote .
“ Together with these circumstances , the simple lack of information about people ’ s fates , about the fate of infected people , can lead to irreparable consequences.
” Sakha governor Aysen Nikolayev later vowed to return the workers to their home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placed in observation and infected patients hospitalized , the crisis center said .
Federal officials have ordered the Emergency Situations Ministry to start constructing a field hospital near Chayanda on Thursday , Nikolayev added .
Regional prosecutors said they ’ re inspecting compliance with health and labor codes at the gas field , the state-run TASS news agency reported .
The republic of Sakha has reported 166 coronavirus cases as of Tuesday .
Russia ’ s nationwide total rose to 93,558 that day , placing it eighth among the countries most-affected by the @ @

Footage from the Gazprom energy giant’s Chayanda field, which supplies China with natural gas through the recently launched Power of Siberia pipeline, showed laborers crowded outside their barracks in violation of social distancing guidelines. Authorities quarantined Chayanda in mid-April after at least seven workers tested positive for Covid-19, a figure that surpassed 50 by Tuesday.
Gas workers in Russia’s Far East staged a mass rally to demand better working conditions and more transparency amid a reported coronavirus outbreak at their gas field, local media reported Tuesday.
Hundreds of workers at Gazprom's Chanyanda field in Yakutia rallied y'day to protest their living conditions. They say insufficient steps are being taken to protect them despite the complex becoming a Covid-19 hotbed. Dozens of workers have tested +ve https://t.co/d8IiEkIbfy
“They’re feeding us animal feed. We’re being held like pigs, are we pigs?” the workers can be heard saying in a profanity-laced address, according to a video published by the Yakutia.info news website.
“Where’s the quarantine? Where are the masks? There’s nothing! They drove us all into dorms, we’re carrying all kinds of infections,” the workers continue.
The Russian republic of Sakha’s crisis center took samples from all 10,500 Chayanda field workers and is awaiting coronavirus test results, according to Yakutia.info. “There are a lot of infected people, according to preliminary data,” the crisis center was quoted as saying.
In an open letter quoted by Yakutia.info, the workers complained of being kept in the dark about their results for almost a week (the tests were said to have been carried out last Wednesday, April 22) while living in cramped conditions.
“Avoiding physical contact is absolutely impossible in such living conditions. We eat from the same dishes, wash in communal baths and showers and change the same bed linens,” they wrote.
“Together with these circumstances, the simple lack of information about people’s fates, about the fate of infected people, can lead to irreparable consequences.”
Sakha governor Aysen Nikolayev later vowed to return the workers to their home regions, where healthy workers will be placed in observation and infected patients hospitalized, the crisis center said. Federal officials have ordered the Emergency Situations Ministry to start constructing a field hospital near Chayanda on Thursday, Nikolayev added.
Regional prosecutors said they’re inspecting compliance with health and labor codes at the gas field, the state-run TASS news agency reported.
The republic of Sakha has reported 166 coronavirus cases as of Tuesday. Russia’s nationwide total rose to 93,558 that day, placing it eighth among the countries most-affected by the pandemic.


themoscowtimes--2020-04-28--Russian Footballer Faces Punishment for Criticizing Putin’s Virus Response

Goalkeeper Yevgeny Frolov , 32 , made the comments in a Sunday interview with sports journalist Sergei Yegorov .
He described the Russian authorities ’ response toward the coronavirus crisis as inconsistent and accused Putin of making “ nonsense ” statements and empty promises .
A Russian football player for FC Krylia Sovetov in the city of Samara faces punishment from his team after he harshly criticizied President Vladimir Putin and other Russian authorities over their response to the coronavirus pandemic .
In a statement Monday , FC Krylia Sovetov said Frolov had violated the terms of his contract by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the team ’ s interests as a result .
The Russian Premier League club added that it does not share Frolov ’ s opinion and that the goalkeeper “ will be punished according to the club 's policy.
” The sports news website Championat.com reported that Frolov could be fined over his comments .
In his interview with Yegorov , Frolov said that Putin has failed to take tangible action to support businesses and the population amid the health crisis .
“ What the president says on television is all nonsense .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to real businessmen , one can learn that banks will never issue soft loans and will not give a [ loan ] delay .
Credit holidays ?
They ’ re not here .
The president said ‘ you must , ’ but no one listens to him , ” the football player said .
He also accused some institutions , especially in Moscow , of working only “ for themselves , for those who are in power , '' saying that `` ordinary people ” can only expect “ fines and penalties.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , and there is no help from the state , ” he said .
“ Yes , and we are being fined [ for going out ] .
People have no money , and the average fine is 5,000 [ rubles ] .
People are going a second month in a row without a salary .
This is not the case in Europe .
And we see how our police work : They just twist people ’ s hands or hit them in face and take them away.
” '' As in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no rights or freedoms , ” he added .
“ You are a slave .
At the same time , no lawmaker in the State Duma has offered to cut their own salaries , '' he said .
As of Tuesday , the Samara region has confirmed 272 cases of the infection and five coronavirus-related deaths .
Nationwide , Russia has reported 93,558 coronavirus infections and 867 deaths .

Goalkeeper Yevgeny Frolov, 32, made the comments in a Sunday interview with sports journalist Sergei Yegorov. He described the Russian authorities’ response toward the coronavirus crisis as inconsistent and accused Putin of making “nonsense” statements and empty promises.
A Russian football player for FC Krylia Sovetov in the city of Samara faces punishment from his team after he harshly criticizied President Vladimir Putin and other Russian authorities over their response to the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement Monday, FC Krylia Sovetov said Frolov had violated the terms of his contract by giving an unauthorized interview and had damaged the team’s interests as a result.
The Russian Premier League club added that it does not share Frolov’s opinion and that the goalkeeper “will be punished according to the club's policy.” The sports news website Championat.com reported that Frolov could be fined over his comments.
In his interview with Yegorov, Frolov said that Putin has failed to take tangible action to support businesses and the population amid the health crisis.
“What the president says on television is all nonsense. There are no real actions. When talking to real businessmen, one can learn that banks will never issue soft loans and will not give a [loan] delay. Credit holidays? They’re not here. The president said ‘you must,’ but no one listens to him,” the football player said.
He also accused some institutions, especially in Moscow, of working only “for themselves, for those who are in power," saying that "ordinary people” can only expect “fines and penalties.”
“We are forced to stay at home, and there is no help from the state,” he said. “Yes, and we are being fined [for going out]. People have no money, and the average fine is 5,000 [rubles]. People are going a second month in a row without a salary. This is not the case in Europe. And we see how our police work: They just twist people’s hands or hit them in face and take them away.”
"As in the days of serfdom, one has no rights or freedoms,” he added. “You are a slave. At the same time, no lawmaker in the State Duma has offered to cut their own salaries," he said.
As of Tuesday, the Samara region has confirmed 272 cases of the infection and five coronavirus-related deaths. Nationwide, Russia has reported 93,558 coronavirus infections and 867 deaths.


themoscowtimes--2020-04-28--Russia Reacts to Strongman Commander Haftar Pulling Out of Libyan Deal

Russia has been accused of propping up Haftar ’ s forces in their offensive against Libya 's UN-backed government with the use of private military contractors .
Moscow has repeatedly denied sending troops to the war-torn country .
Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar said Monday he had `` a popular mandate '' to govern the country , declaring a key 2015 political deal over and vowing to press his assault to seize Tripoli , drawing concerned reactions from Moscow .
Here is a brief overview of how Russian officials reacted to Haftar ’ s announcement : “ I believe Haftar ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declare that him and his army are the only legitimate force.
” “ [ Haftar ’ s statements aim to ] once again refute the legitimacy of any party opposed to him , in particular the [ UN-backed Fayez ] Sarraj government in the political and especially information space.
” “ [ Haftar wants to show that ] the others — both the [ UN-backed ] Government of National Accord and Fayez Sarraj ’ s forces , as well as the forces that support this government from the outside — are all outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is possible through only mutual concessions and compromises that lead to the restoration of national accord .
This was spelled out in the 2015 agreement , to which I personally don ’ t see an alternative.
” “ This is surprising .
There are the Berlin summit decisions , primarily UN Security Council resolution 2510 , that need to be complied with , primarily by the Libyans themselves with the help of the international community and the UN secretary-general.
” “ We advocate continued inclusive inter-Libyan dialogue within the political process .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conflict .
”

Russia has been accused of propping up Haftar’s forces in their offensive against Libya's UN-backed government with the use of private military contractors. Moscow has repeatedly denied sending troops to the war-torn country.
Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar said Monday he had "a popular mandate" to govern the country, declaring a key 2015 political deal over and vowing to press his assault to seize Tripoli, drawing concerned reactions from Moscow.
Here is a brief overview of how Russian officials reacted to Haftar’s announcement:
— Leonid Slutsky, head of the lower-house State Duma’s international affairs committee:
“I believe Haftar’s statement is an attempt to publicly declare that him and his army are the only legitimate force.”
“[Haftar’s statements aim to] once again refute the legitimacy of any party opposed to him, in particular the [UN-backed Fayez] Sarraj government in the political and especially information space.”
“[Haftar wants to show that] the others — both the [UN-backed] Government of National Accord and Fayez Sarraj’s forces, as well as the forces that support this government from the outside — are all outside the law.”
— Konstantin Kosachev, head of the upper-house Federation Council’s foreign affairs committee:
“Overcoming this crisis is possible through only mutual concessions and compromises that lead to the restoration of national accord. This was spelled out in the 2015 agreement, to which I personally don’t see an alternative.”
— unnamed Russian Foreign Ministry source:
“This is surprising. There are the Berlin summit decisions, primarily UN Security Council resolution 2510, that need to be complied with, primarily by the Libyans themselves with the help of the international community and the UN secretary-general.”
“We advocate continued inclusive inter-Libyan dialogue within the political process. There’s no military solution to the conflict.”