themoscowtimes--2020-08-25--Russia's Coronavirus Cases Approach 970K

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--2020-08-25--Putin Pledges First Coronavirus Vaccine Exports to Belarus – Minsk

Putin and Lukashenko spoke by phone the day after Sunday 's unprecedented protests against the Belarusian strongman ’ s contested re-election earlier this month .
Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping were among the first to congratulate Lukashenko for what Minsk says was a landslide victory , while Western leaders condemned the violent crackdown on demonstrators and the European Union rejected the results .
President Vladimir Putin has promised Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko the first export batch of Russia ’ s candidate coronavirus vaccine , Minsk said Monday .
Putin and Lukashenko ’ s phone conversation was at least their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They “ discussed the situation both inside [ Belarus ] and on its outer periphery , especially in the western direction , ” Lukashenko ’ s office said after the Belarusian leader stepped up his accusations of NATO threatening his country 's border .
On coronavirus , Putin and Lukashenko agreed that Belarusians will “ voluntarily participate ” in the third stage of testing for Russia ’ s much-vaunted Sputnik V vaccine .
Putin said earlier this month that Russia is the world ’ s first country to register a coronavirus vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its safety or effectiveness .
Phase 3 trials of Sputnik V , according to its website , were set to begin Monday .
“ Belarus will also be the first country to receive this vaccine , ” Lukashenko ’ s office said following phone talks with Putin .
Lukashenko , who dismissed the global coronavirus pandemic during its outbreak earlier this year , said Monday that “ the friction on our streets ” has kept the number of cases high .
Belarus has officially confirmed a total of 70,645 Covid-19 cases since March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conversation makes no mention of Putin ’ s vaccine promise , noting only that he and Lukashenko “ discussed bilateral cooperation with regard to preventing the spread of Covid-19 .
”

Putin and Lukashenko spoke by phone the day after Sunday's unprecedented protests against the Belarusian strongman’s contested re-election earlier this month. Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping were among the first to congratulate Lukashenko for what Minsk says was a landslide victory, while Western leaders condemned the violent crackdown on demonstrators and the European Union rejected the results.
President Vladimir Putin has promised Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko the first export batch of Russia’s candidate coronavirus vaccine, Minsk said Monday.
Putin and Lukashenko’s phone conversation was at least their fourth since Belarus’ Aug. 9 polls.
They “discussed the situation both inside [Belarus] and on its outer periphery, especially in the western direction,” Lukashenko’s office said after the Belarusian leader stepped up his accusations of NATO threatening his country's border.
On coronavirus, Putin and Lukashenko agreed that Belarusians will “voluntarily participate” in the third stage of testing for Russia’s much-vaunted Sputnik V vaccine.
Putin said earlier this month that Russia is the world’s first country to register a coronavirus vaccine, though without large-scale trials to prove its safety or effectiveness. Phase 3 trials of Sputnik V, according to its website, were set to begin Monday.
“Belarus will also be the first country to receive this vaccine,” Lukashenko’s office said following phone talks with Putin.
Lukashenko, who dismissed the global coronavirus pandemic during its outbreak earlier this year, said Monday that “the friction on our streets” has kept the number of cases high. Belarus has officially confirmed a total of 70,645 Covid-19 cases since March.
The Kremlin’s readout of the conversation makes no mention of Putin’s vaccine promise, noting only that he and Lukashenko “discussed bilateral cooperation with regard to preventing the spread of Covid-19.”


themoscowtimes--2020-08-27--Russia Seeks Proof of Navalny’s Poisoning From Germany

The Russian Prosecutor General ’ s Office said in a statement Thursday that Russia had opened a preliminary inquiry on the day of Navalny ’ s sudden illness last week .
The de facto Russian opposition leader was flown to Berlin ’ s Charité hospital after Russian doctors ruled out poisoning as the cause of his illness .
Russian prosecutors have asked their German colleagues to provide their evidence that allowed doctors in Berlin to diagnose prominent Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny with poisoning .
“ Despite the preliminary inquiry that began on Aug. 20 , nothing has indicated deliberate criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident under criminal law , ” the prosecutor ’ s office said .
On Monday , the Charité hospital said its tests indicated that Navalny had been poisoned with an unknown substance belonging to a class of chemicals that affect the nervous system .
“ Particularly , the German side is requested to provide the Russian agencies with explanations , information and evidence of their preliminary diagnoses , ” the statement reads .
Prosecutors also asked for Navalny ’ s medical documents and examinations during his flight to Germany and treatment at Charité @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that it was ready to provide Germany with examinations and analysis performed on Navalny in Russia before his transfer .

The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office said in a statement Thursday that Russia had opened a preliminary inquiry on the day of Navalny’s sudden illness last week. The de facto Russian opposition leader was flown to Berlin’s Charité hospital after Russian doctors ruled out poisoning as the cause of his illness.
Russian prosecutors have asked their German colleagues to provide their evidence that allowed doctors in Berlin to diagnose prominent Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny with poisoning.
“Despite the preliminary inquiry that began on Aug. 20, nothing has indicated deliberate criminal actions against Navalny that would qualify this incident under criminal law,” the prosecutor’s office said.
On Monday, the Charité hospital said its tests indicated that Navalny had been poisoned with an unknown substance belonging to a class of chemicals that affect the nervous system.
“Particularly, the German side is requested to provide the Russian agencies with explanations, information and evidence of their preliminary diagnoses,” the statement reads.
Prosecutors also asked for Navalny’s medical documents and examinations during his flight to Germany and treatment at Charité.
The Russian prosecutor’s office added that it was ready to provide Germany with examinations and analysis performed on Navalny in Russia before his transfer.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-27--U.S.-Ukrainian Spies Lured Russian 'Mercenaries' to Belarus, Putin Says

Belarus has accused the men of seeking to destabilize the country by colluding with opposition leaders to orchestrate mass disorder .
Belarus returned 32 of the detained Russians weeks later as Belarusians took to the streets to protest the results of the Aug. 9 vote in which President Alexander Lukashenko claimed victory .
The detention of 33 Russians described as members of the Wagner mercenary group on the eve of a disputed presidential election in Belarus was a joint U.S.-Ukrainian operation , President Vladimir Putin said Thursday .
“ This operation was carried out jointly by Ukrainian and U.S. special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ televised interview without providing evidence .
“ It ’ s a known fact now and some participants of the process , or those who are well-informed , aren ’ t even hiding it.
” Putin said in the interview that the detained Russians were tricked into traveling to Belarus with forged documents “ for absolutely legal work in Latin America and the Middle East.
” “ In reality , they were dragged into Belarus and presented as a quote-unquote ‘ strike force ’ to destabilize the situation during the presidential campaign , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Our border agents , by the way , wouldn ’ t have let them out of the country , ” he said .
On Aug. 6 , Russia 's Komsomolskaya Pravda tabloid reported that Ukrainian intelligence had lured the 33 Russian mercenaries — some of whom are Donbass war veterans — to Belarus in order to detain them , but the mission reportedly failed due to a leak .
Kiev called the report `` disinformation . ''

Belarus has accused the men of seeking to destabilize the country by colluding with opposition leaders to orchestrate mass disorder. Belarus returned 32 of the detained Russians weeks later as Belarusians took to the streets to protest the results of the Aug. 9 vote in which President Alexander Lukashenko claimed victory.
The detention of 33 Russians described as members of the Wagner mercenary group on the eve of a disputed presidential election in Belarus was a joint U.S.-Ukrainian operation, President Vladimir Putin said Thursday.
“This operation was carried out jointly by Ukrainian and U.S. special services,” Putin said in a televised interview without providing evidence.
“It’s a known fact now and some participants of the process, or those who are well-informed, aren’t even hiding it.”
Putin said in the interview that the detained Russians were tricked into traveling to Belarus with forged documents “for absolutely legal work in Latin America and the Middle East.”
“In reality, they were dragged into Belarus and presented as a quote-unquote ‘strike force’ to destabilize the situation during the presidential campaign,” Putin told the Rossia 24 state broadcaster.
“Our border agents, by the way, wouldn’t have let them out of the country,” he said.
On Aug. 6, Russia's Komsomolskaya Pravda tabloid reported that Ukrainian intelligence had lured the 33 Russian mercenaries — some of whom are Donbass war veterans — to Belarus in order to detain them, but the mission reportedly failed due to a leak. Kiev called the report "disinformation."


themoscowtimes--2020-08-27--In Wake of Suspected Poisoning, Navalny’s Allies Vow to Soldier On

While Russia ’ s most prominent opposition politician Alexei Navalny lies in a coma in a Berlin hospital after suffering an apparent poisoning last week , the pressure on his activities continues back home .
On Wednesday , Yevgeny Prigozhin , a catering magnate nicknamed “ Putin ’ s chef , ” bought the 88 million rubles ( $ 1.2 million ) in debt Navalny , his ally Lyubov Sobol and the Anti-Corruption Foundation the Kremlin critic founded were court-ordered to jointly pay to a catering company linked to Prigozhin over a video investigation into tainted school lunches .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directly to Prigozhin .
“ I intend to strip this group of unscrupulous people of their clothes and shoes , ” Prigozhin said in a press statement .
Then , later Wednesday , a Moscow court inflated the sum Navalny owes by more than 3.3 million rubles ( $ 43,709 ) in a separate defamation lawsuit over another video report into a different company .
“ I don ’ t remember a year when the authorities did not pressure the Anti-Corruption Foundation , ” Sobol , a lawyer with the group since its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times in an interview Wednesday .
She brushed off the developments as just another day at the office .
“ Putin feels his impunity , so he believes that he can continue doing this , ” she added , pointing to the Russian president as the key figure behind all of the actions taken against Navalny .
“ He is clearly scared of the Anti-Corruption Foundation and Alexei Navalny as his main opponent.
” Over the years , Navalny and his group have published video investigations into figures ranging from former Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposing what they see as the corruption they believe is the primary feature of Vladimir Putin ’ s government .
Navalny and his allies have also run for office and periodically rally people to street protests .
In addition to that work , the political movement since last year has made its primary goal an election strategy Navalny dubbed Smart Voting .
The plan advises voters to cast their ballots for the candidates who have the best chance of unseating representatives of the ruling United Russia party in elections at all levels across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put a target on Navalny ’ s back .
In 2017 , pro-Kremlin activists threw a chemical in his face that left him partially blind in one eye .
During one of the opposition politician ’ s many stints behind bars over the years in 2019 , he had an acute allergic reaction his personal doctor said was the result of a poisoning .
The pressure has also landed on the Anti-Corruption Foundation , which faces regular raids on its offices and saw one of its key investigators kidnapped and reportedly forced into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Navalny ’ s immediate family has also been affected .
His brother spent 3.5 years in prison on embezzlement charges Navalny ’ s supporters believe were politically motivated .
But the pressure was ratcheted up to a new degree last Thursday when Navalny suffered an apparent poisoning so serious in Siberia that he was eventually evacuated to Berlin .
His German doctors have said they found evidence indicating Navalny was poisoned and are worried about possible long-term damage to his nervous system .
This week the Kremlin said it believes the German @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it does not see a need to investigate the apparent poisoning .
On Thursday , however , police in Siberia launched a preliminary inquiry .
“ Taking part in politics outside of the artificial system managed by the Kremlin is becoming a health hazard , leaving Putin ’ s opponents few options other than emigration , ” wrote Tatiana Stanovaya , founder of the R.Politik political analysis project .
Yet in interviews this week , Navalny ’ s allies said they were more determined than ever to continue their work .
“ Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of pressure and of course we have to come up with something , ” said Ivan Zhdanov , director of the Anti-Corruption Foundation .
“ But does it mean we will stop our investigations ?
Of course not .
Smart Voting will also go on .
These projects can go on temporarily without Alexei.
” Up next on the team ’ s radar are regional elections on Sept. 13 , when it will be deploying its Smart Voting strategy .
The elections are the reason Navalny was in Siberia in the first place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates his group has chosen to support .
“ Navalny ’ s role was for the most part raising awareness as he is the main media resource , ” Zhdanov said , referring to the millions of subscribers who follow Navalny on his social media channels .
“ Without him it ’ ll be harder , but we ’ ll keep working how we can.
” For her part , Sobol believes Navalny ’ s most visible associates , who she named as herself , Zhdanov and Leonid Volkov , who coordinates the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set up to continue the political movement no matter Navalny ’ s health status .
“ He has spent more than a year in prison in total over recent years and the Anti-Corruption Foundation always continues its work , ” she said .
“ We have a lot of people who are experienced and have an understanding of how to continue the battle for the democratization of Russia.
” But while politicians like Sobol and Zhdanov have previously rallied people to the streets , as they did last summer in protests over fair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared to Navalny , said Konstantin Kalachev , head of the Political Expert Group think tank .
“ Navalny is a middleweight on his way to becoming a heavyweight politician , ” Kalachev said , continuing the boxing analogy .
“ Every other opposition politician in Russia is a lightweight.
” Sobol , however , said she believes the ongoing protest movements in Russia ’ s Far East over the arrest of the Khabarovsk region ’ s overwhelmingly popular governor , and in neighboring Belarus over President Alexander Lukashenko ’ s re-election that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that calls for change can happen without opposition leaders .
“ The people are coming out for themselves , not because a leader told them to , ” Sobol said .
“ I think further protest in Russia will happen this way too , not because someone said let ’ s go , but because people are forced to do so by an understanding that they can no longer keep living with how things are.
” As for the risks that Navalny ’ s allies could incur in his place , Sobol pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 , her husband was stabbed in the thigh with a psychotropic substance , causing him to convulse and lose consciousness .
The investigative Novaya Gazeta newspaper later reported that the hit was ordered by Prigozhin , who has been linked , in claims he denies , to alleged U.S. presidential election meddling and proxy wars in Ukraine and Syria .
Sobol pointed to him and the Federal Security Service ( FSB ) as the two institutions who could have poisoned Navalny .
She said both of them would have had to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ All I ’ m thinking about right now is wanting to work more effectively , ” Sobol continued .
“ I want to make sure that all these casualties were not in vain .
”

While Russia’s most prominent opposition politician Alexei Navalny lies in a coma in a Berlin hospital after suffering an apparent poisoning last week, the pressure on his activities continues back home. On Wednesday, Yevgeny Prigozhin, a catering magnate nicknamed “Putin’s chef,” bought the 88 million rubles ($1.2 million) in debt Navalny, his ally Lyubov Sobol and the Anti-Corruption Foundation the Kremlin critic founded were court-ordered to jointly pay to a catering company linked to Prigozhin over a video investigation into tainted school lunches. That means the payment now has to go directly to Prigozhin. “I intend to strip this group of unscrupulous people of their clothes and shoes,” Prigozhin said in a press statement. Then, later Wednesday, a Moscow court inflated the sum Navalny owes by more than 3.3 million rubles ($43,709) in a separate defamation lawsuit over another video report into a different company. “I don’t remember a year when the authorities did not pressure the Anti-Corruption Foundation,” Sobol, a lawyer with the group since its founding in 2011, told The Moscow Times in an interview Wednesday. She brushed off the developments as just another day at the office. “Putin feels his impunity, so he believes that he can continue doing this,” she added, pointing to the Russian president as the key figure behind all of the actions taken against Navalny. “He is clearly scared of the Anti-Corruption Foundation and Alexei Navalny as his main opponent.”
Yet in interviews this week, Navalny’s allies said they were more determined than ever to continue their work. “Of course it’s a new level of pressure and of course we have to come up with something,” said Ivan Zhdanov, director of the Anti-Corruption Foundation. “But does it mean we will stop our investigations? Of course not. Smart Voting will also go on. These projects can go on temporarily without Alexei.” Up next on the team’s radar are regional elections on Sept. 13, when it will be deploying its Smart Voting strategy. The elections are the reason Navalny was in Siberia in the first place, touring the region to promote the candidates his group has chosen to support. “Navalny’s role was for the most part raising awareness as he is the main media resource,” Zhdanov said, referring to the millions of subscribers who follow Navalny on his social media channels. “Without him it’ll be harder, but we’ll keep working how we can.” For her part, Sobol believes Navalny’s most visible associates, who she named as herself, Zhdanov and Leonid Volkov, who coordinates the group’s regional offices, are set up to continue the political movement no matter Navalny’s health status. “He has spent more than a year in prison in total over recent years and the Anti-Corruption Foundation always continues its work,” she said. “We have a lot of people who are experienced and have an understanding of how to continue the battle for the democratization of Russia.” But while politicians like Sobol and Zhdanov have previously rallied people to the streets, as they did last summer in protests over fair elections in Moscow, they are lightweights compared to Navalny, said Konstantin Kalachev, head of the Political Expert Group think tank. “Navalny is a middleweight on his way to becoming a heavyweight politician,” Kalachev said, continuing the boxing analogy. “Every other opposition politician in Russia is a lightweight.”


themoscowtimes--2020-08-27--Putin Forms Law Enforcement ‘Reserve’ on Standby for Belarus

Putin said he created the reserve at the request of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko , who faces mass demonstrations in @ @ @ @ @ disputed election he claims to have won in a landslide .
President Vladimir Putin has @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement officers standing by to be sent to Belarus , he said in a @ @ @ @ @ .
Russia will not deploy these forces unless “ extremist elements in Belarus cross a @ @ @ @ @ ” Putin said in the interview with the state-run Rossia 24 broadcaster .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ the reserve ] will not be used until the situation starts getting out of control @ @ @ @ @ On Sunday , Lukashenko and his 15-year-old son were filmed carrying automatic weapons and wearing @ @ @ @ @ his residential palace as an unprecedented opposition rally took place in central Minsk .
In @ @ @ @ @ ordered multiple war games , increased border security and deployed troops in Minsk as a @ @ @ @ @ and foreign powers .

Putin said he created the reserve at the request of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who faces mass demonstrations in his country weeks after a disputed election he claims to have won in a landslide.
President Vladimir Putin has formed a reserve of Russian law enforcement officers standing by to be sent to Belarus, he said in a new interview that aired Thursday.
Russia will not deploy these forces unless “extremist elements in Belarus cross a line and start plundering,” Putin said in the interview with the state-run Rossia 24 broadcaster.
“We’ve agreed that [the reserve] will not be used until the situation starts getting out of control,” Putin said.
On Sunday, Lukashenko and his 15-year-old son were filmed carrying automatic weapons and wearing bulletproof vests while flying to his residential palace as an unprecedented opposition rally took place in central Minsk.
In recent days, he has ordered multiple war games, increased border security and deployed troops in Minsk as a show of force to protesters and foreign powers.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-27--Russian Police Launch Initial Inquiry Into Navalny's Illness

The Siberian transport police said it inspected Navalny ’ s hotel room , inspected security footage and scouted out his entire itinerary while he was in the city of Tomsk .
They also seized more than 100 pieces of evidence and carried out more than 20 forensic examinations .
Police in Siberia said Thursday they have launched a preliminary inquiry into the suspected poisoning of prominent Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny last week .
“ No strong or narcotic substances have been found at the moment , ” the Siberian transport police said in a statement .
Navalny ’ s spokeswoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ de facto opposition leader was poisoned last Thursday by something mixed in his tea at an airport cafe in Tomsk before his flight to Moscow .
Navalny fell suddenly ill an hour into the flight , forcing an emergency landing and his hospitalization in a coma in Omsk .
Doctors there ruled out poisoning but said he was too unstable to be airlifted to Germany , as requested by his family , before eventually agreeing to his transfer some 36 hours later .
The Charité hospital in Berlin said multiple independent lab tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unknown substance belonging to a class of chemicals that affect the nervous system .
Western countries have placed increasing pressure on the Kremlin since then to open a criminal probe into Navalny 's sudden illness .
In a call with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Wednesday , Putin said he supported a `` thorough and objective investigation '' into the incident .
A report in pro-Kremlin media which ran during the airlift standoff Friday , citing sources in the security services , detailed how Russian law enforcement authorities had kept Navalny ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Observers speculated that the report was an apparent attempt to show that agents could not have poisoned Navalny .
“ It happens all the time when Alexei goes to the regions on a business trip , ” his spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh told The Guardian .
“ What is surprising is the fact that they decided to reveal it to the public so casually , like it isn ’ t a big deal to follow ordinary citizens and even claim their bills from the supermarket .
”

The Siberian transport police said it inspected Navalny’s hotel room, inspected security footage and scouted out his entire itinerary while he was in the city of Tomsk. They also seized more than 100 pieces of evidence and carried out more than 20 forensic examinations.
Police in Siberia said Thursday they have launched a preliminary inquiry into the suspected poisoning of prominent Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny last week.
“No strong or narcotic substances have been found at the moment,” the Siberian transport police said in a statement.
Navalny’s spokeswoman has said she believes Russia’s de facto opposition leader was poisoned last Thursday by something mixed in his tea at an airport cafe in Tomsk before his flight to Moscow.
Navalny fell suddenly ill an hour into the flight, forcing an emergency landing and his hospitalization in a coma in Omsk. Doctors there ruled out poisoning but said he was too unstable to be airlifted to Germany, as requested by his family, before eventually agreeing to his transfer some 36 hours later.
The Charité hospital in Berlin said multiple independent lab tests indicated that Navalny was poisoned with an unknown substance belonging to a class of chemicals that affect the nervous system.
Western countries have placed increasing pressure on the Kremlin since then to open a criminal probe into Navalny's sudden illness. In a call with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Wednesday, Putin said he supported a "thorough and objective investigation" into the incident.
A report in pro-Kremlin media which ran during the airlift standoff Friday, citing sources in the security services, detailed how Russian law enforcement authorities had kept Navalny’s entire trip to Siberia under surveillance. Observers speculated that the report was an apparent attempt to show that agents could not have poisoned Navalny.
“It happens all the time when Alexei goes to the regions on a business trip,” his spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh told The Guardian. “What is surprising is the fact that they decided to reveal it to the public so casually, like it isn’t a big deal to follow ordinary citizens and even claim their bills from the supermarket.”


themoscowtimes--2020-08-27--Putin’s Approval Rating Returns to Pre-Coronavirus Levels – Poll

At 66 % in August , Putin ’ s approval rating went up by six percentage points in a month and almost reached the high 60s in January and February , according to Levada ’ s results .
The share of Russians who approve of Putin hit a historic low of 59 % at the height of the pandemic in April and May before slightly improving to 60 % in June and July .
President Vladimir Putin ’ s approval rating has jumped to one of its highest levels since the start of the year as Russia continues its steady @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independent Levada Center polling agency said Wednesday .
“ There ’ s overall relief that the uncertainty is over and the payments have come through , ” Levada sociologist Denis Volkov told Bloomberg , referring to the government 's coronavirus-related assistance to certain segments of the population .
“ But it ’ s hard to say if it will continue rising in the coming months — a lot will depend on the economy , ” Volkov said .
Leavada conducted its monthly survey among 1,601 Russian respondents between Aug. 20-26 .
Thirty-three percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disapproved of Putin ’ s work , a figure that has remained relatively stable this year .
Other government institutions have also seen a bump in approval , including a 10-point jump for Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin .
For the first time since February , a majority of Levada ’ s respondents in August said they believe the country is on the right course .

At 66% in August, Putin’s approval rating went up by six percentage points in a month and almost reached the high 60s in January and February, according to Levada’s results. The share of Russians who approve of Putin hit a historic low of 59% at the height of the pandemic in April and May before slightly improving to 60% in June and July.
President Vladimir Putin’s approval rating has jumped to one of its highest levels since the start of the year as Russia continues its steady recovery from the coronavirus outbreak, the independent Levada Center polling agency said Wednesday.
“There’s overall relief that the uncertainty is over and the payments have come through,” Levada sociologist Denis Volkov told Bloomberg, referring to the government's coronavirus-related assistance to certain segments of the population.
“But it’s hard to say if it will continue rising in the coming months — a lot will depend on the economy,” Volkov said.
Leavada conducted its monthly survey among 1,601 Russian respondents between Aug. 20-26.
Thirty-three percent of its respondents this month said they disapproved of Putin’s work, a figure that has remained relatively stable this year.
Other government institutions have also seen a bump in approval, including a 10-point jump for Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
For the first time since February, a majority of Levada’s respondents in August said they believe the country is on the right course.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-27--Navalny’s Doctors Contact Bulgarian Medics Over Possible Link to 2015 Poisoning – Der Spiegel

Doctors at Berlin ’ s Charité hospital said they believe Navalny was poisoned with an unknown substance belonging to a group of chemicals used as drugs , insecticides and nerve agents .
In 2015 , Bulgarian doctors determined that arms dealer Emilian Grebev was poisoned but were unable to identify the substance .
Alexei Navalny ’ s doctors in Germany have made contact with Bulgarian colleagues on suspicion that the prominent Kremlin critic may have been poisoned with a similar substance as a local arms dealer in 2015 , the Der Spiegel news magazine reported .
Without citing sources , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now made contact with their Bulgarian colleagues regarding the Navalny case .
“ Obviously , they consider it possible that the same or very similar substances were used , ” Der Spiegel wrote .
Der Spiegel said its joint findings with the investigative outlet Bellingcat led it to believe that Navalny was exposed to a substance belonging to a wide range of organic compounds known as organophosphates .
Last fall , the two outlets identified eight apparent Russian military intelligence officers as having traveled in and out of Bulgaria in the weeks before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bulgaria reopened Gebrev ’ s case in 2018 when the surviving arms dealer linked his poisoning to that of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Britain that year .
Meanwhile , the Kommersant daily reported that doctors in the Siberian city of Omsk where Navalny was initially hospitalized last week performed 59 various tests and analyses in the 44 hours he spent there before being airlifted to Germany .
They ruled out poisoning and diagnosed Navalny with metabolic disease .

Doctors at Berlin’s Charité hospital said they believe Navalny was poisoned with an unknown substance belonging to a group of chemicals used as drugs, insecticides and nerve agents. In 2015, Bulgarian doctors determined that arms dealer Emilian Grebev was poisoned but were unable to identify the substance.
Alexei Navalny’s doctors in Germany have made contact with Bulgarian colleagues on suspicion that the prominent Kremlin critic may have been poisoned with a similar substance as a local arms dealer in 2015, the Der Spiegel news magazine reported .
Without citing sources, Der Spiegel reported that German physicians have now made contact with their Bulgarian colleagues regarding the Navalny case.
“Obviously, they consider it possible that the same or very similar substances were used,” Der Spiegel wrote.
Der Spiegel said its joint findings with the investigative outlet Bellingcat led it to believe that Navalny was exposed to a substance belonging to a wide range of organic compounds known as organophosphates.
Last fall, the two outlets identified eight apparent Russian military intelligence officers as having traveled in and out of Bulgaria in the weeks before and after Gebrev’s poisoning.
Bulgaria reopened Gebrev’s case in 2018 when the surviving arms dealer linked his poisoning to that of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Britain that year.
Meanwhile, the Kommersant daily reported that doctors in the Siberian city of Omsk where Navalny was initially hospitalized last week performed 59 various tests and analyses in the 44 hours he spent there before being airlifted to Germany.
They ruled out poisoning and diagnosed Navalny with metabolic disease.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-27--Russia Blames U.S. for Syria Confrontation

The White House National Security Council ( NSC ) said in a statement that a Russian vehicle struck a U.S. mine-resistant all-terrain vehicle , `` causing injuries to the vehicle 's crew . ''
Russia on Thursday blamed the United States for a tense confrontation in Syria in which Russian military vehicles and helicopters surrounded U.S. armored vehicles , leaving U.S. troops injured .
Video of US-Russia troops confrontation in Northern # Syria this week .
Politico reporting now that 4 US troops were injured as result : pic.twitter.com/zbEgD5jzgc Russia 's Defense Ministry released a statement saying that it had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a column of its military police would pass through .
`` In spite of this , in breach of the existing agreements the U.S. troops attempted to block the Russian patrol '' it said , adding that Russian military police took `` necessary measures '' to end the incident and carry on their mission .
The chief of the Russian General Staff , Valery Gerasimov , gave `` full explanations '' in a phone call with General Mark Milley , the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff , Moscow said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by bystanders and the Russians themselves , appear to show Russian troop carriers and attack helicopters trying to box the U.S. vehicles in and then force them from the area , near Dayrick .
Vehicles appear to bump each other , and at one point — possibly at the beginning of the confrontation — one of the helicopters hovers very low over the halted Americans , blasting them with prop wash .
There were no details available from the NSC or Pentagon on how many crew were injured and what the extent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman John Ullyot said the U.S. vehicles were a security patrol of the anti-Islamic State coalition .
He said the patrol departed the area to de-escalate the situation .
`` Unsafe and unprofessional actions like this represent a breach of de-confliction protocols , committed to by the United States and Russia in December 2019 , '' said Ullyot .
`` The coalition and the United States do not seek escalation with any national military forces , but U.S. forces always retain the inherent right and obligation to defend themselves from hostile acts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Syria , but confrontations have been rare .

The White House National Security Council (NSC) said in a statement that a Russian vehicle struck a U.S. mine-resistant all-terrain vehicle, "causing injuries to the vehicle's crew."
Russia on Thursday blamed the United States for a tense confrontation in Syria in which Russian military vehicles and helicopters surrounded U.S. armored vehicles, leaving U.S. troops injured.
Video of US-Russia troops confrontation in Northern #Syria this week. Politico reporting now that 4 US troops were injured as result: pic.twitter.com/zbEgD5jzgc
Russia's Defense Ministry released a statement saying that it had warned the Defeat-ISIS Coalition in advance that a column of its military police would pass through.
"In spite of this, in breach of the existing agreements the U.S. troops attempted to block the Russian patrol" it said, adding that Russian military police took "necessary measures" to end the incident and carry on their mission.
The chief of the Russian General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, gave "full explanations" in a phone call with General Mark Milley, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Moscow said.
Videos shared on Twitter, apparently filmed by bystanders and the Russians themselves, appear to show Russian troop carriers and attack helicopters trying to box the U.S. vehicles in and then force them from the area, near Dayrick.
Vehicles appear to bump each other, and at one point — possibly at the beginning of the confrontation — one of the helicopters hovers very low over the halted Americans, blasting them with prop wash.
There were no details available from the NSC or Pentagon on how many crew were injured and what the extent of the injuries were.
National Security Council spokesman John Ullyot said the U.S. vehicles were a security patrol of the anti-Islamic State coalition.
He said the patrol departed the area to de-escalate the situation.
"Unsafe and unprofessional actions like this represent a breach of de-confliction protocols, committed to by the United States and Russia in December 2019," said Ullyot.
"The coalition and the United States do not seek escalation with any national military forces, but U.S. forces always retain the inherent right and obligation to defend themselves from hostile acts."
U.S. and Russian troops frequently interact in Syria, but confrontations have been rare.