themoscowtimes--2020-06-19--Khrushchev’s Son Dies in U.S.

Khrushchev’s Son Dies in U.S.

Sergei Khrushchev has held both U.S. and Russian citizenships since 1999 , eight years after moving to Providence , Rhode Island , and resided permanently in the U.S. Sergei Khrushchev , the son of former Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev , has died in the United States at age 84 , his granddaughter told the RBC news website Thursday .
His granddaughter Nina Khrushcheva told RBC that Khrushchev died in the city of Cranston , R.I. , but did not disclose the cause of his death .
Sergei Khrushchev was born to Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev and teacher Nina Kukharchuk in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He moved to Providence , R.I. , in 1991 for an exchange program at Brown University ’ s Center for Foreign Policy Development and made the first step toward naturalization a year later .
Khrushchev did not view his naturalization as a defection from his homeland , telling the Associated Press in 1992 that “ our countries are not enemies any longer .
We are on the same side now.
” The noted scientist and author had developed guidance systems for missiles , submarines , spacecraft and moon vehicles as a rocket engineer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his wife Valentina , also a naturalized U.S. citizen , and son Sergei .

Sergei Khrushchev has held both U.S. and Russian citizenships since 1999, eight years after moving to Providence, Rhode Island, and resided permanently in the U.S.
Sergei Khrushchev, the son of former Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, has died in the United States at age 84, his granddaughter told the RBC news website Thursday.
His granddaughter Nina Khrushcheva told RBC that Khrushchev died in the city of Cranston, R.I., but did not disclose the cause of his death.
Sergei Khrushchev was born to Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev and teacher Nina Kukharchuk in Moscow on July 2, 1935.
He moved to Providence, R.I., in 1991 for an exchange program at Brown University’s Center for Foreign Policy Development and made the first step toward naturalization a year later.
Khrushchev did not view his naturalization as a defection from his homeland, telling the Associated Press in 1992 that “our countries are not enemies any longer. We are on the same side now.”
The noted scientist and author had developed guidance systems for missiles, submarines, spacecraft and moon vehicles as a rocket engineer in Moscow.
Khrushchev is survived by his wife Valentina, also a naturalized U.S. citizen, and son Sergei.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-19--Russia Records 570K Coronavirus Cases as Country Emerges From Lockdown

Moscow lifted restrictions including compulsory travel passes on June 8 , 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing 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 .
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 significantly underfunded even according to the current norms and also it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 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--2020-06-19--Putin’s Inner Circle Corners $30Bln Garbage Reform Market – Report

President Vladimir Putin ’ s close associates are the biggest beneficiaries of the country ’ s 2 trillion ruble ( $ 28.7 billion ) waste disposal reforms , according to an analysis of contracts by Russia ’ s Important Stories investigative website published Thursday .
Companies linked to close Putin associates Sergei Chemezov , Arkady Rotenberg and Yury Kovalchuk , as well as former prosecutor general Igor Chaika , have reportedly cornered one-quarter of the market .
They have scored state contracts totaling 423 billion rubles ( $ 6 billion ) to collect garbage across the country , Important Stories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former KGB colleague , was said to be the beneficiary of 165 billion rubles ( $ 2.4 billion ) in awarded contracts through companies owned by the state industrial conglomerate Rostec which he heads .
Companies linked to Chaika through his son won contracts worth 107 billion rubles ( $ 1.5 billion ) , Important Stories reported .
Further down the list , Putin ’ s former judo sparring partner Rotenberg was a reported beneficiary of contracts worth 88 billion rubles ( $ 1.2 billion ) and Putin ’ s alleged “ personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( $ 904 million ) in contracts .
Waste disposal contracts in at least 30 Russian regions have been awarded to relatives of governors , mayors , ruling party lawmakers and prosecutors , Important Stories reported .
Four out five contracts had been awarded to a single bidder at close to maximum prices , the website reported , noting that consumers would end up shouldering the costs .
Russians will pay 2 trillion rubles for waste disposal between the next 10 to 15 years , the outlet said .
It linked the lucrative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which tasked regional authorities with choosing operators to collect waste starting in 2019 and was expected to increase costs .
“ Looking at the list of Russia ’ s garbage kings , you can ’ t help but feel that this reform was initiated for the president ’ s numerous friends and officials ’ relatives to collect hundreds of billions of rubles from everyone for decades , ” it wrote .

President Vladimir Putin’s close associates are the biggest beneficiaries of the country’s 2 trillion ruble ($28.7 billion) waste disposal reforms, according to an analysis of contracts by Russia’s Important Stories investigative website published Thursday. Companies linked to close Putin associates Sergei Chemezov, Arkady Rotenberg and Yury Kovalchuk, as well as former prosecutor general Igor Chaika, have reportedly cornered one-quarter of the market. They have scored state contracts totaling 423 billion rubles ($6 billion) to collect garbage across the country, Important Stories reported.
Chemezov, Putin’s former KGB colleague, was said to be the beneficiary of 165 billion rubles ($2.4 billion) in awarded contracts through companies owned by the state industrial conglomerate Rostec which he heads. Companies linked to Chaika through his son won contracts worth 107 billion rubles ($1.5 billion), Important Stories reported. Further down the list, Putin’s former judo sparring partner Rotenberg was a reported beneficiary of contracts worth 88 billion rubles ($1.2 billion) and Putin’s alleged “personal banker” Kovalchuk of 63 billion rubles ($904 million) in contracts. Waste disposal contracts in at least 30 Russian regions have been awarded to relatives of governors, mayors, ruling party lawmakers and prosecutors, Important Stories reported.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-19--Belarus Leader's Election Rival Detained as Crackdown Intensifies

The detention of Viktor Babaryko , a 56-year-old former banker , on suspicion of financial crimes came after authorities jailed other critics including prominent opposition politician Mikola Statkevich ahead of an election in which Lukashenko is seeking a sixth term .
Belarussian authorities on Thursday detained President Alexander Lukashenko 's rival ahead of August 's election as Minsk intensified a crackdown on the opposition .
# Belarus .
Despite arrests and mass repressions , people in # Minsk are queuing up again to leave their signatures in support of alternative candidates and to show solidarity with arrested # Babariko and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ von der Leyen called on Belarus to immediately release `` all arbitrarily detained '' activists .
Tertel claimed Babaryko was in cahoots with `` puppeteers '' from Moscow — `` big Gazprom bosses '' or even `` higher-placed '' figures .
Minsk accused former master Russia of seeking to interfere in the country 's internal affairs .
Authorities also arrested Babaryko 's 30-year-old son Eduard on suspicion of tax evasion , said his girlfriend Aleksandra Zvereva .
`` Babaryko is detained because he was the organizer and leader of illegal activities , ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said the head of the state control committee , Ivan Tertel .
Several hundred protesters gathered in central Minsk to express solidarity with the detained opposition figures .
`` The rule of law must be respected , '' she told reporters in Brussels .
`` And the Belarussian people are asking for democratic elections . ''
Babaryko 's detention was announced after police searched his home and questioned both the former banker and his son .
National television reported that around 20 people were detained in connection with investigations linked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Babaryko .
Last week , investigators raided the offices of Belgazprombank and launched probes into tax dodging and money laundering against current and former bankers .
Political analyst Alexander Klaskovsky said Babaryko 's arrest was politically motivated , adding the former banker was Lukashenko 's strongest election rival .
`` Babaryko is a new figure in the opposition movement , he has become popular quickly , '' said Klaskovsky .
`` Lukashenko 's nerves snapped . ''
Vitali Shkliarov , a Harvard University fellow and Belarus specialist , said Lukashenko was wrestling with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tough economic situation and the shocks of the coronavirus epidemic .
Shkliarov said Lukashenko 's administation chose to crackdown on the opponents and accuse Moscow of interfering in the country 's domestic affairs in a possible effort to get the West on its side .
`` This is a very reckless move , '' he told AFP , stressing this could anger Moscow .
Law enforcement authorities in the former Soviet country have cracked down hard on would-be opposition candidates ahead of the August 9 election .
The run-up to the vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which stood in stark contrast to the incumbent 's traditional Soviet approach to campaigning .
Popular vlogger Sergei Tikhanovsky , 41 , who coined a new insult for Lukashenko when he called him a `` cockroach , '' has particularly stood out .
Tikhanovsky has been jailed on public order charges and authorities opened a criminal investigation against him and his supporters .
After his arrest , his wife Svetlana stepped into his place but has since faced threats against her family .
In early June , prominent opposition leader Statkevich was sentenced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 63 , was jailed for another 15 days on Monday , his wife said .
He challenged Lukashenko in elections in 2010 but was sentenced to six years in prison .
He was released in 2015 and is barred from contesting the August poll .
Lukashenko , a 65-year-old former collective farm director , has ruled Belarus since 1994 and has raised the possibility of serving a further two terms .
The Belarussian opposition has been unable to get a foothold on political power .
Some candidates like Statkevich have spent long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single dissenting voice gained a seat in parliament in the 2019 poll .
Lukashenko has branded opposition activists `` bands of criminals '' who want to disrupt the election .
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe , an international election and war monitor , has not recognized any polls in Belarus as free and fair since 1995 .

The detention of Viktor Babaryko, a 56-year-old former banker, on suspicion of financial crimes came after authorities jailed other critics including prominent opposition politician Mikola Statkevich ahead of an election in which Lukashenko is seeking a sixth term.
Belarussian authorities on Thursday detained President Alexander Lukashenko's rival ahead of August's election as Minsk intensified a crackdown on the opposition.
#Belarus . Despite arrests and mass repressions, people in #Minsk are queuing up again to leave their signatures in support of alternative candidates and to show solidarity with arrested #Babariko and #Tsikhanouski pic.twitter.com/zCpfNboO8R
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Belarus to immediately release "all arbitrarily detained" activists.
Tertel claimed Babaryko was in cahoots with "puppeteers" from Moscow — "big Gazprom bosses" or even "higher-placed" figures.
Minsk accused former master Russia of seeking to interfere in the country's internal affairs.
Authorities also arrested Babaryko's 30-year-old son Eduard on suspicion of tax evasion, said his girlfriend Aleksandra Zvereva.
"Babaryko is detained because he was the organizer and leader of illegal activities, (and) tried to influence witness testimony," said the head of the state control committee, Ivan Tertel.
Several hundred protesters gathered in central Minsk to express solidarity with the detained opposition figures.
"The rule of law must be respected," she told reporters in Brussels.
"And the Belarussian people are asking for democratic elections."
Babaryko's detention was announced after police searched his home and questioned both the former banker and his son.
National television reported that around 20 people were detained in connection with investigations linked to Belgazprombank, and some were testifying against Babaryko.
Last week, investigators raided the offices of Belgazprombank and launched probes into tax dodging and money laundering against current and former bankers.
'Reckless move'
Political analyst Alexander Klaskovsky said Babaryko's arrest was politically motivated, adding the former banker was Lukashenko's strongest election rival.
"Babaryko is a new figure in the opposition movement, he has become popular quickly," said Klaskovsky. "Lukashenko's nerves snapped."
Vitali Shkliarov, a Harvard University fellow and Belarus specialist, said Lukashenko was wrestling with a combination of record low ratings, a tough economic situation and the shocks of the coronavirus epidemic.
Shkliarov said Lukashenko's administation chose to crackdown on the opponents and accuse Moscow of interfering in the country's domestic affairs in a possible effort to get the West on its side.
"This is a very reckless move," he told AFP, stressing this could anger Moscow.
Law enforcement authorities in the former Soviet country have cracked down hard on would-be opposition candidates ahead of the August 9 election.
The run-up to the vote has seen a flurry of opposition activity which stood in stark contrast to the incumbent's traditional Soviet approach to campaigning.
Popular vlogger Sergei Tikhanovsky, 41, who coined a new insult for Lukashenko when he called him a "cockroach," has particularly stood out.
Tikhanovsky has been jailed on public order charges and authorities opened a criminal investigation against him and his supporters.
After his arrest, his wife Svetlana stepped into his place but has since faced threats against her family.
In early June, prominent opposition leader Statkevich was sentenced to 15 days in jail.
Statkevich, 63, was jailed for another 15 days on Monday, his wife said.
He challenged Lukashenko in elections in 2010 but was sentenced to six years in prison. He was released in 2015 and is barred from contesting the August poll.
Lukashenko, a 65-year-old former collective farm director, has ruled Belarus since 1994 and has raised the possibility of serving a further two terms.
The Belarussian opposition has been unable to get a foothold on political power.
Some candidates like Statkevich have spent long terms in jail, and not a single dissenting voice gained a seat in parliament in the 2019 poll.
Lukashenko has branded opposition activists "bands of criminals" who want to disrupt the election.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, an international election and war monitor, has not recognized any polls in Belarus as free and fair since 1995.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-19--Kadyrov Backs Chechens Involved in Unrest in France

Kadyrov 's message came as French police carried out raids and made several arrests of Chechens after several nights of violence blamed on members of the Chechen community from last Friday to Monday , when the city was rocked by clashes and car burnings .
Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov on Friday backed compatriots involved in clashes in French city Dijon this month , saying they were protecting one of their own because police failed to act .
The unrest was sparked by an assault earlier this month on a 16-year-old Chechen boy in Dijon , which was followed by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the city .
Kadyrov , the strongman head of the North Caucasus region in Russia , said on his Telegram account that the unrest was triggered by violence from `` drug dealers '' and police inaction over the assault on the teenager .
`` It was not inter-ethnic conflict .
Local authorities could not deal with out-of-control drug dealers , so the younger generation took matters into their own hands , '' he said .
`` Law enforcement did not react as they should have , '' he added .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ correct . ''
`` They united together and came out to face death-sowing drug dealers . ''
The view is consistent with several Chechen commentators who claim the Chechens were doing the local neighborhood — the low-income district of Gresilles with a large community of people originally from North Africa — a favor .
`` I am sure the citizens of Dijon are quite tired of these lowlifes , '' Kadyrov said of the `` drug dealers '' who he said assaulted the Chechen boy .

Kadyrov's message came as French police carried out raids and made several arrests of Chechens after several nights of violence blamed on members of the Chechen community from last Friday to Monday, when the city was rocked by clashes and car burnings.
Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov on Friday backed compatriots involved in clashes in French city Dijon this month, saying they were protecting one of their own because police failed to act.
The unrest was sparked by an assault earlier this month on a 16-year-old Chechen boy in Dijon, which was followed by a call for reprisals and many Chechens travelling to the city.
Kadyrov, the strongman head of the North Caucasus region in Russia, said on his Telegram account that the unrest was triggered by violence from "drug dealers" and police inaction over the assault on the teenager.
"It was not inter-ethnic conflict. Local authorities could not deal with out-of-control drug dealers, so the younger generation took matters into their own hands," he said.
"Law enforcement did not react as they should have," he added. "I believe the actions of the Chechens were correct."
"They united together and came out to face death-sowing drug dealers."
The view is consistent with several Chechen commentators who claim the Chechens were doing the local neighborhood — the low-income district of Gresilles with a large community of people originally from North Africa — a favor.
"I am sure the citizens of Dijon are quite tired of these lowlifes," Kadyrov said of the "drug dealers" who he said assaulted the Chechen boy.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-19--Russia Accuses 'Aggressive' U.S. of Starting Arms Race in Space

`` The document confirms the agressive course by Washington in the space sphere , '' Russia 's Foreign Ministry said in a statement .
Russia on Friday said the new space strategy unveiled by the U.S. this week was `` aggressive , '' accusing Washington of seeing space as a place to wage war .
`` Space is seen by the U.S. side as an arena for warfare , '' it said , calling this a `` destructive '' approach which `` provokes an arms race in space . ''
`` Russia holds the diametrically opposing position , giving priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peaceful goals , '' it said .
Unveiled by the Pentagon on Wednesday , the strategy document was the first since President Donald Trump announced the creation of the new Space Force military arm in December .
The Pentagon strategy stressed that the U.S. would strive to maintain superiority in space , in particular protecting GPS satellites on which the military as well as the emergency services , transport and even financial services depend .
`` China and Russia present the greatest strategic threat due to their development , testing and deployment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claiming that Moscow and Beijing are developing tools for jamming and cyberattacks that directly threaten U.S. satellites .

"The document confirms the agressive course by Washington in the space sphere," Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Russia on Friday said the new space strategy unveiled by the U.S. this week was "aggressive," accusing Washington of seeing space as a place to wage war.
"Space is seen by the U.S. side as an arena for warfare," it said, calling this a "destructive" approach which "provokes an arms race in space."
"Russia holds the diametrically opposing position, giving priority to using and studying space only for peaceful goals," it said.
Unveiled by the Pentagon on Wednesday, the strategy document was the first since President Donald Trump announced the creation of the new Space Force military arm in December.
The Pentagon strategy stressed that the U.S. would strive to maintain superiority in space, in particular protecting GPS satellites on which the military as well as the emergency services, transport and even financial services depend.
"China and Russia present the greatest strategic threat due to their development, testing and deployment of counterspace capabilities," it said, claiming that Moscow and Beijing are developing tools for jamming and cyberattacks that directly threaten U.S. satellites.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-19--Russia to Clean Up Arctic Oil Spill With ‘Flexible Pipeline’

More than 21,000 metric tons of diesel leaked into soil and rivers after a fuel tank collapsed on May 29 at a power plant near the Siberian city of Norilsk .
Officials say the cleanup could take years to complete and that the spill is unprecedented for the region .
Russian authorities plan to build a “ flexible pipeline ” to pump out toxic fuel collected from the site of the largest-ever oil spill in the Arctic .
“ We ’ re faced with the task of relocating the collected fuel to disposal sites .
Our solution here is slightly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Situations Minister Yevgeny Zinichev said Friday .
“ Most likely , a flexible pipeline will be built which will be extended to disposal sites , ” Zinichev told President Vladimir Putin via videoconference .
He said around 32,000 cubic meters ( 32 metric tons ) of fuel-polluted water and over 25,000 cubic meters ( 25 metric tons ) of oil were collected , as well as 103,000 metric tons of soil .
The materials were placed in 103 sealed tanks .
Russia ’ s Marine Rescue Service said Wednesday that 700 workers have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the River Ambarnaya , the most-polluted waterway from the disaster .
Work was continuing to clean smaller waterways , including with the use of sorbents , a material used to soak up fuel along the river banks and remove oil residue from surfaces .
Officials have said that the cleanup had stopped the fuel from spreading further north , where it risked entering the Arctic Ocean .
The accident took place at a power plant owned by a subsidiary of metals giant Norilsk Nickel , which has said the collapse may have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change .
Greenpeace Russia says it is the first such large-scale spill in the region beyond the Arctic Circle .
The NGO estimates the amount of damages to the Arctic waterways at 100 billion rubles ( $ 1.4 billion ) .

More than 21,000 metric tons of diesel leaked into soil and rivers after a fuel tank collapsed on May 29 at a power plant near the Siberian city of Norilsk. Officials say the cleanup could take years to complete and that the spill is unprecedented for the region.
Russian authorities plan to build a “flexible pipeline” to pump out toxic fuel collected from the site of the largest-ever oil spill in the Arctic.
“We’re faced with the task of relocating the collected fuel to disposal sites. Our solution here is slightly different than previously assumed,” Emergency Situations Minister Yevgeny Zinichev said Friday.
“Most likely, a flexible pipeline will be built which will be extended to disposal sites,” Zinichev told President Vladimir Putin via videoconference.
He said around 32,000 cubic meters (32 metric tons) of fuel-polluted water and over 25,000 cubic meters (25 metric tons) of oil were collected, as well as 103,000 metric tons of soil. The materials were placed in 103 sealed tanks.
Russia’s Marine Rescue Service said Wednesday that 700 workers have finished clearing diesel from the surface of the River Ambarnaya, the most-polluted waterway from the disaster.
Work was continuing to clean smaller waterways, including with the use of sorbents, a material used to soak up fuel along the river banks and remove oil residue from surfaces.
Officials have said that the cleanup had stopped the fuel from spreading further north, where it risked entering the Arctic Ocean.
The accident took place at a power plant owned by a subsidiary of metals giant Norilsk Nickel, which has said the collapse may have been caused by melting permafrost due to climate change.
Greenpeace Russia says it is the first such large-scale spill in the region beyond the Arctic Circle.
The NGO estimates the amount of damages to the Arctic waterways at 100 billion rubles ($1.4 billion).
AFP contributed reporting to this article.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-19--EU Extends Russian Sanctions Over Ukraine: Merkel

The sanctions , which target whole sectors of the Russian economy including its valuable oil businesses , were due to expire this month but `` would be extended by six months , '' said Merkel after a video conference summit with fellow leaders of the bloc .
The European Union has agreed to extend punishing sanctions against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine by six months , German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Friday .
The measures over Russia 's role in the conflict were first imposed after Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over rebel-held eastern Ukraine in 2014 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever since .
Germany and France have repeatedly sought to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine .
Despite successfully getting both sides to endorse the 2015 Minsk peace accords , it has been difficult getting the two countries to fully implement the deal .
`` The progress ( on the Minsk accords ) is not one that would allow us to recommend against extending sanctions against Russia , '' said Merkel .
Thousands have been killed since pro-Russia militias in eastern Ukraine launched a bid for independence in 2014 , kicking off a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the West .
The latest extension of the wide-ranging sanctions also came after a row between Germany and Russia escalated as German prosecutors accused Moscow of ordering the murder of a Georgian man in Berlin 's Tiergarten park .
Merkel 's government has warned of new sanctions over the case that has been likened to the poisoning of former Russian agent Sergei Skripal in Britain in 2018 .
She has always stressed the importance of keeping communications open with Russia , but has in recent weeks sharpened her tone .
The German leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks that Berlin believes were carried out by Moscow .
Merkel revealed in May that Russia had targeted her in hacking attacks , saying she had concrete proof of the `` outrageous '' spying attempts .
The German government has said it will seek in Brussels to use the EU cyber sanctions regime against those responsible for a 2015 hacking attack on the Bundestag .

The sanctions, which target whole sectors of the Russian economy including its valuable oil businesses, were due to expire this month but "would be extended by six months," said Merkel after a video conference summit with fellow leaders of the bloc.
The European Union has agreed to extend punishing sanctions against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine by six months, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Friday.
The measures over Russia's role in the conflict were first imposed after Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over rebel-held eastern Ukraine in 2014 and have been renewed every six months ever since.
Germany and France have repeatedly sought to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine.
Despite successfully getting both sides to endorse the 2015 Minsk peace accords, it has been difficult getting the two countries to fully implement the deal.
"The progress (on the Minsk accords) is not one that would allow us to recommend against extending sanctions against Russia," said Merkel.
Thousands have been killed since pro-Russia militias in eastern Ukraine launched a bid for independence in 2014, kicking off a conflict that deepened Russia's estrangement from the West.
The latest extension of the wide-ranging sanctions also came after a row between Germany and Russia escalated as German prosecutors accused Moscow of ordering the murder of a Georgian man in Berlin's Tiergarten park.
Merkel's government has warned of new sanctions over the case that has been likened to the poisoning of former Russian agent Sergei Skripal in Britain in 2018.
She has always stressed the importance of keeping communications open with Russia, but has in recent weeks sharpened her tone.
The German leader has expressed her exasperation at several hacking attacks that Berlin believes were carried out by Moscow.
Merkel revealed in May that Russia had targeted her in hacking attacks, saying she had concrete proof of the "outrageous" spying attempts.
The German government has said it will seek in Brussels to use the EU cyber sanctions regime against those responsible for a 2015 hacking attack on the Bundestag.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-19--Tanks Roll Through Moscow for Victory Day Rehearsal

Moscow ’ s main streets were hit with some unusually heavy traffic — literally — Thursday evening as military vehicles @ @ @ @ @ Square in a rehearsal for next week ’ s Victory Day parade .
The parade @ @ @ @ @ June 24 , was postponed from its original date of May 9 due to the @ @ @ @ @ streets to watch the preparations , but concerns still persist over the safety of holding @ @ @ @ @ a global pandemic .
As coronavirus cases continue to rise across the country , at @ @ @ @ @ already canceled or postponed their June 24 parades .
Here 's a look at Thursday @ @ @ @

Tanks Roll Through Moscow for Victory Day Rehearsal
Moscow’s main streets were hit with some unusually heavy traffic — literally — Thursday evening as military vehicles and tanks rolled toward Red Square in a rehearsal for next week’s Victory Day parade.
The parade, which will take place June 24, was postponed from its original date of May 9 due to the coronavirus.
Muscovites lined the streets to watch the preparations, but concerns still persist over the safety of holding such a massive event amid a global pandemic. As coronavirus cases continue to rise across the country, at least 20 Russian cities have already canceled or postponed their June 24 parades.
Here's a look at Thursday's dress rehearsal:


themoscowtimes--2020-06-19--Russian Health Official Warns of Virus Risk at Vote for Putin’s Reforms

The vote for Putin ’ s reforms , which he already signed into law in March , was postponed from its original date in April to July 1 due to the coronavirus .
Early voting was allowed to start in some regions last week and polling stations everywhere will open next Thursday , one day after Russia ’ s massive military parade marking Victory Day .
Russians voting on constitutional amendments that would allow President Vladimir Putin to extend his rule are putting their lives at risk because the coronavirus pandemic is still widespread , a regional health official has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ definitely ” spike after the vote , said Victoria Adonyeva , the chief freelance infectious disease specialist for the Oryol region outside Moscow .
“ Vote if you want , but there ’ s no hospital beds in the city , ” Adonyeva told the Newsorel.ru website Thursday .
The Oryol region , one of Russia ’ s 20 least-populated territories with 733,000 residents , is in the top 10 regions in cases and deaths per million .
A total of 4,003 cases and 45 deaths have been confirmed there as of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases per 100,000 people in the Oryol region .
That ’ s an epidemic and we ’ re continuing to grow , ” Adonyeva said , expressing dismay over the authorities ’ steps to lift restrictions .
Adonyeva pointed to a spike in hospitalizations after Orthodox Easter in April and criticized Russia ’ s datakeeping following weeks of questions surrounding the country ’ s low death toll amid some of the world ’ s highest caseloads .
“ Our country ’ s statistics are hurting .
Something unimaginable is happening with statistics in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ coronavirus ] is no exception , ” she said .
Prosecutors in the region launched a probe into compliance with healthcare rules at the Oryol region ’ s medical facilities after the interview ’ s publication .
Russia has the world ’ s third-highest caseload of almost 570,000 infections but has officially confirmed just 7,841 deaths , a number much lower than countries with similarly high infection rates .
Adonyeva 's statement also comes after more than 500 local election officials signed an open letter refusing to participate in the vote , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
Election officials have authorized early and remote voting as some of the measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 during the vote .
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 .

The vote for Putin’s reforms, which he already signed into law in March, was postponed from its original date in April to July 1 due to the coronavirus. Early voting was allowed to start in some regions last week and polling stations everywhere will open next Thursday, one day after Russia’s massive military parade marking Victory Day.
Russians voting on constitutional amendments that would allow President Vladimir Putin to extend his rule are putting their lives at risk because the coronavirus pandemic is still widespread, a regional health official has warned .
Russia's Covid-19 cases will “definitely” spike after the vote, said Victoria Adonyeva, the chief freelance infectious disease specialist for the Oryol region outside Moscow.
“Vote if you want, but there’s no hospital beds in the city,” Adonyeva told the Newsorel.ru website Thursday.
The Oryol region, one of Russia’s 20 least-populated territories with 733,000 residents, is in the top 10 regions in cases and deaths per million. A total of 4,003 cases and 45 deaths have been confirmed there as of Friday.
“We have about 500 cases per 100,000 people in the Oryol region. That’s an epidemic and we’re continuing to grow,” Adonyeva said, expressing dismay over the authorities’ steps to lift restrictions.
Adonyeva pointed to a spike in hospitalizations after Orthodox Easter in April and criticized Russia’s datakeeping following weeks of questions surrounding the country’s low death toll amid some of the world’s highest caseloads.
“Our country’s statistics are hurting. Something unimaginable is happening with statistics in every sector of medicine. I think [coronavirus] is no exception,” she said.
Prosecutors in the region launched a probe into compliance with healthcare rules at the Oryol region’s medical facilities after the interview’s publication.
Russia has the world’s third-highest caseload of almost 570,000 infections but has officially confirmed just 7,841 deaths, a number much lower than countries with similarly high infection rates.
Adonyeva's statement also comes after more than 500 local election officials signed an open letter refusing to participate in the vote, citing the risks of contracting the deadly virus.
Election officials have authorized early and remote voting as some of the measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 during the vote.
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.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-19--Quarantined Rostov Field Youngsters as Russian League Resumes

Rostov had tried to get the game postponed after six players tested positive for Covid-19 .
The Russian Premier League emerges from its coronavirus lockdown Friday with Rostov forced to field a team of inexperienced youngsters at Sochi with their main side in quarantine .
But hosts Sochi pushed for the fixture to go ahead as they seek vital points to boost their battle against relegation .
Sochi issued a statement hours before the 5:00 p.m. GMT kick-off , declaring the match on .
`` Rostov and Sochi have agreed to stage the game , the 23rd round of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead ! ''
But a petition organized by Rostov 's main sponsor urged Sochi to show `` solidarity . ''
`` Let 's remind ourselves of the values this sport teaches us .
A dignified fight , honest competition , respect for our adversary ... '' the petition signed by more than 1,000 people said .
According to the letter Rostov were planning to lodge an official request with Sochi for a postponement , to no avail .
The row clouded the league 's restart after its three-month hiatus .
On Thursday the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game to July 19 , but for that to happen both sides have to agree .
The game itself is a crucial one for Rostov , who despite financial difficulties are fourth in the table , just outside the Champions League qualifying berths with eight matches still to be played .
At Sochi their oldest player is 19 years old .

Rostov had tried to get the game postponed after six players tested positive for Covid-19.
The Russian Premier League emerges from its coronavirus lockdown Friday with Rostov forced to field a team of inexperienced youngsters at Sochi with their main side in quarantine.
But hosts Sochi pushed for the fixture to go ahead as they seek vital points to boost their battle against relegation.
Sochi issued a statement hours before the 5:00 p.m. GMT kick-off, declaring the match on.
"Rostov and Sochi have agreed to stage the game, the 23rd round of the first division. The match is going ahead!"
But a petition organized by Rostov's main sponsor urged Sochi to show "solidarity."
"Let's remind ourselves of the values this sport teaches us. A dignified fight, honest competition, respect for our adversary..." the petition signed by more than 1,000 people said.
According to the letter Rostov were planning to lodge an official request with Sochi for a postponement, to no avail.
The row clouded the league's restart after its three-month hiatus.
On Thursday the Russian football federation had suggested moving the game to July 19, but for that to happen both sides have to agree.
The game itself is a crucial one for Rostov, who despite financial difficulties are fourth in the table, just outside the Champions League qualifying berths with eight matches still to be played.
At Sochi their oldest player is 19 years old.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-20--Russia Passes 575K Coronavirus Cases as Death Toll Tops 8K