themoscowtimes--2020-06-02--Russian Army to Test Coronavirus Vaccine on Troops

Bioweapons researchers are working with health officials on developing a coronavirus vaccine , one of 47 that Russian officials say are in various stages of development .
The military said preclinical trials for its vaccine wrapped up Monday .
Russia ’ s military said it has recruited dozens of volunteers among its ranks for two-month clinical trials of a coronavirus vaccine set to begin Wednesday .
“ Fifty military personnel , including five women , have volunteered to test the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine , ” the Defense Ministry said in a statement Tuesday .
The volunteers from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been ruled to be disease-free following one month of tests and monitoring , it said .
They will be moved Wednesday to the grounds of the Defense Ministry ’ s Microbiology Research Institute in the Moscow region “ for a preliminary in-depth medical exam and preparations for the experiment.
” Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu informed President Vladimir Putin last week that clinical trials of the coronavirus vaccine would be completed by late July .
Russia ’ s health minister said in May that a Covid-19 vaccine would be available as soon as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ develop one by the first half of 2021 .
World Health Organization data estimates that more than 100 draft vaccines were in development worldwide as of late April .
International health experts say even the most optimistic timetable for a coronavirus vaccine is at least 12-18 months .
Russia is the world ’ s third most-affected country by the pandemic , with more than 423,000 coronavirus cases since its outbreak began in early March .

Bioweapons researchers are working with health officials on developing a coronavirus vaccine, one of 47 that Russian officials say are in various stages of development. The military said preclinical trials for its vaccine wrapped up Monday.
Russia’s military said it has recruited dozens of volunteers among its ranks for two-month clinical trials of a coronavirus vaccine set to begin Wednesday.
“Fifty military personnel, including five women, have volunteered to test the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement Tuesday.
The volunteers from the various branches of the Russian military have been ruled to be disease-free following one month of tests and monitoring, it said.
They will be moved Wednesday to the grounds of the Defense Ministry’s Microbiology Research Institute in the Moscow region “for a preliminary in-depth medical exam and preparations for the experiment.”
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu informed President Vladimir Putin last week that clinical trials of the coronavirus vaccine would be completed by late July.
Russia’s health minister said in May that a Covid-19 vaccine would be available as soon as late July. U.S. officials hope to develop one by the first half of 2021.
World Health Organization data estimates that more than 100 draft vaccines were in development worldwide as of late April. International health experts say even the most optimistic timetable for a coronavirus vaccine is at least 12-18 months.
Russia is the world’s third most-affected country by the pandemic, with more than 423,000 coronavirus cases since its outbreak began in early March.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-02--Russia Coronavirus Cases Rise Past 420K as Deaths Surpass 5K

New infections have been steadily dropping since mid-May when officials were reporting daily increases of around 11,000 cases .
Officials @ @ @ @ @ count is the result of mass testing and that a steady decline in new infections @ @ @ @ @ mean the country can begin to return to normal .
Yet critics have cast doubt @ @ @ @ @ the authorities of under-reporting deaths and threatening a new wave of infections by lifting restrictions @ @ @ @ @ on Monday announced that a postponed nationwide vote on constitutional reforms that could extend his @ @ @ @ @ ahead on July 1 .
The authorities have also rescheduled Russia 's massive May 9 @ @ @ @ @ June 24 .
Moscow , the epicenter of Russia 's pandemic with around half of @ @ @ @ @ , on Monday eased a nine-week lockdown allowing shops to reopen and residents to leave @ @ @ @ @ .
Putin was scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on Tuesday to discuss @ @ @ @ @ badly hit by lockdown measures and a sharp fall in oil prices .

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--2020-06-02--Putin Praises Official's 'Form' After Birth of Seventh Child

The Kremlin 's ombudswoman for children 's rights Anna Kuznetsova confirmed she had given birth to her son on Friday after Putin extended his congratulations .
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday congratulated the children 's ombudswoman for giving birth to her seventh child last week and complimented on her `` form . ''
`` How do you manage to keep such a form ? ''
Putin asked , smiling .
`` May 28 was so recent . ''
The exchange came just ahead of a meeting between the president and couples who have large families , which under Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits and are sometimes awarded medals .
`` I want to thank you for your conscious decision ... in favor of a large , strong family , '' Putin said during the call .
The Russian government has extolled the virtues of large families against the backdrop of a population decline and a general pivot toward `` traditional '' family values and the Orthodox church .
Appointed in 2016 and reappointed last year for another five-year term , Kuznetsova is married to an Orthodox clergyman and has called for policies limiting abortions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ submitted to Putin last week that clinics performing abortions should receive less state funding than clinics that do not perform the procedure .

The Kremlin's ombudswoman for children's rights Anna Kuznetsova confirmed she had given birth to her son on Friday after Putin extended his congratulations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday congratulated the children's ombudswoman for giving birth to her seventh child last week and complimented on her "form."
"How do you manage to keep such a form?" Putin asked, smiling. "May 28 was so recent."
The exchange came just ahead of a meeting between the president and couples who have large families, which under Russian law are entitled to a variety of benefits and are sometimes awarded medals.
"I want to thank you for your conscious decision... in favor of a large, strong family," Putin said during the call.
The Russian government has extolled the virtues of large families against the backdrop of a population decline and a general pivot toward "traditional" family values and the Orthodox church.
Appointed in 2016 and reappointed last year for another five-year term, Kuznetsova is married to an Orthodox clergyman and has called for policies limiting abortions in Russia.
She said in a report submitted to Putin last week that clinics performing abortions should receive less state funding than clinics that do not perform the procedure.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-02--Russia Scales Down Military Drills Near NATO Borders in 2020 – Official

Sergei Rudskoy , chief of the main operational department for Russia 's General Staff , also accused the United States and NATO allies of continuing to carry out war games near Russia ’ s borders .
He said NATO has stonewalled Russia ’ s written proposal to scale down each other ’ s military activities .
Russia will not conduct major military exercises near the borders with NATO member countries this year , a senior military official said Monday , according to Interfax .
“ We will continue to de-escalate the situation in Europe .
This year , the Armed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major exercises near the borders of NATO member countries , ” Col. Gen. Rudskoy said .
He said Russia has moved large-scale drills scheduled for September , Kavkaz-2020 , deeper inside the country and is “ ready to adjust the locations of exercises on a parity basis ” with the Western military bloc .
Rudskoy blamed the U.S. and its allies of “ continuing to destroy Europe ’ s security system under the guise of a perceived ‘ Russian aggression , ’ ” the Associated Press reported .
He pointed to recent NATO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called first since the Cold War , as well as increasing nuclear-capable strategic bomber flights near Russian borders and U.S. intelligence flights near Russian bases in Syria .
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said two weeks ago that the Russian military has scaled down its war games near Russia ’ s borders with NATO countries amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Russia is the world ’ s third most-affected country amid the pandemic , with almost 415,000 coronavirus cases since its outbreak began in early March .
NATO , a U.S.-led Western military alliance for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspended relations with Russia after it annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 .
Russia views NATO ’ s expansion eastward into its old Soviet sphere of influence as a key national security risk .

Sergei Rudskoy, chief of the main operational department for Russia's General Staff, also accused the United States and NATO allies of continuing to carry out war games near Russia’s borders. He said NATO has stonewalled Russia’s written proposal to scale down each other’s military activities.
Russia will not conduct major military exercises near the borders with NATO member countries this year, a senior military official said Monday, according to Interfax.
“We will continue to de-escalate the situation in Europe. This year, the Armed Forces don’t plan to conduct major exercises near the borders of NATO member countries,” Col. Gen. Rudskoy said.
He said Russia has moved large-scale drills scheduled for September, Kavkaz-2020, deeper inside the country and is “ready to adjust the locations of exercises on a parity basis” with the Western military bloc.
Rudskoy blamed the U.S. and its allies of “continuing to destroy Europe’s security system under the guise of a perceived ‘Russian aggression,’” the Associated Press reported.
He pointed to recent NATO drills in the Barents Sea that he called first since the Cold War, as well as increasing nuclear-capable strategic bomber flights near Russian borders and U.S. intelligence flights near Russian bases in Syria.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said two weeks ago that the Russian military has scaled down its war games near Russia’s borders with NATO countries amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Russia is the world’s third most-affected country amid the pandemic, with almost 415,000 coronavirus cases since its outbreak began in early March.
NATO, a U.S.-led Western military alliance for collective security against the Soviet Union, suspended relations with Russia after it annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. Russia views NATO’s expansion eastward into its old Soviet sphere of influence as a key national security risk.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-02--Moscow Slams U.S. 'Police Impunity' Over Attacks on Media

`` We are outraged about the ongoing violence used by American law enforcement against international media covering the protests in the U.S. , including Russian , '' the ministry said in a statement .
Russia 's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday demanded that Washington `` take urgent measures '' to stop police violence against journalists , including one for Russian state media .
`` We demand that the U.S. authorities take urgent measures to prevent journalists from becoming targets of police impunity , '' it added .
The ministry said a producer working for state media outlet Sputnik , Nicole Roussell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bullets and a grenade to disperse a protest in Washington D.C .
The ministry said Roussell received `` many injuries , including from firearms , '' and was then stepped on by an officer , condemning this as `` an unfriendly act by the U.S .
authorities . ''
The `` outrageous and illegal cruelty '' happened right outside the White House , it said .
There have been multiple incidents involving police violence against journalists — some during live broadcasts — at the protests rocking the United States following the killing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police custody last Monday .
Germany earlier also urged the U.S. to protect press freedoms after a journalist working for German outlet DW reported being shot at by police .

"We are outraged about the ongoing violence used by American law enforcement against international media covering the protests in the U.S., including Russian," the ministry said in a statement.
Russia's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday demanded that Washington "take urgent measures" to stop police violence against journalists, including one for Russian state media.
"We demand that the U.S. authorities take urgent measures to prevent journalists from becoming targets of police impunity," it added.
The ministry said a producer working for state media outlet Sputnik, Nicole Roussell, was hurt when police fired rubber bullets and a grenade to disperse a protest in Washington D.C.
The ministry said Roussell received "many injuries, including from firearms," and was then stepped on by an officer, condemning this as "an unfriendly act by the U.S. authorities."
The "outrageous and illegal cruelty" happened right outside the White House, it said.
There have been multiple incidents involving police violence against journalists — some during live broadcasts — at the protests rocking the United States following the killing of an unarmed black man George Floyd in police custody last Monday.
Germany earlier also urged the U.S. to protect press freedoms after a journalist working for German outlet DW reported being shot at by police.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-02--Anti-Putin Shaman Forced Into Mental Asylum in Siberia

Alexander Gabyshev , a self-styled shaman from Yakutsk , northern Siberia , last year set out to walk from his home to the Kremlin to `` banish '' the Russian president .
A Russian court on Tuesday committed to a mental asylum a Siberian shaman critical of Vladimir Putin , a move rights groups condemned as a repressive move to silence a dissenter .
He dragged a cart with his belongings along highways , gathering a small following and meeting supporters in cities he passed .
The journey from Yakutsk to Moscow is over 8,000 kilometers ( 5,000 miles ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several months in and prevented a second one he began in December .
Then after he announced his third attempt , he was detained in his home and placed in a mental asylum last month .
A court in Yakutsk on Tuesday ruled to extend his forced committal there , with no end date indicated , according to a human rights group following the case .
Alexei Pryanishnikov , coordinator for the Open Russia rights project , said case documents did not describe the shaman 's health , merely saying he `` overestimates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin . ''
Supporters of Gabyshev had been detained on their way to give testimony Tuesday , the group added .
Amnesty International called for his release in a statement , arguing that the decision to have him committed had been based on his political rather than medical grounds .
Gabyshev `` has been made an enemy of the state solely for voicing his dislike of Putin , '' said Amnesty .
Committing political dissenters to psychiatric hospitals was a practice known as punitive psychiatry in the days of the Soviet Union .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be diagnosed with `` sluggish schizophrenia '' or forms of paranoia and locked up in institutions .
Alexander Gabyshev has gained many fans in his native Yakutia , and local officials have expressed unease over his case .
The popular mayor of Yakutsk , Sardana Avksentyeva called his detention `` selective punishment . ''
She wrote on social media that she was worried `` anyone can be sent to forced treatment with the formula of 'overestimating oneself . '
''

Alexander Gabyshev, a self-styled shaman from Yakutsk, northern Siberia, last year set out to walk from his home to the Kremlin to "banish" the Russian president.
A Russian court on Tuesday committed to a mental asylum a Siberian shaman critical of Vladimir Putin, a move rights groups condemned as a repressive move to silence a dissenter.
He dragged a cart with his belongings along highways, gathering a small following and meeting supporters in cities he passed. The journey from Yakutsk to Moscow is over 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles).
Police stopped Gabyshev's first trek several months in and prevented a second one he began in December. Then after he announced his third attempt, he was detained in his home and placed in a mental asylum last month.
A court in Yakutsk on Tuesday ruled to extend his forced committal there, with no end date indicated, according to a human rights group following the case.
Alexei Pryanishnikov, coordinator for the Open Russia rights project, said case documents did not describe the shaman's health, merely saying he "overestimates himself" by wishing to "depose Putin."
Supporters of Gabyshev had been detained on their way to give testimony Tuesday, the group added.
Amnesty International called for his release in a statement, arguing that the decision to have him committed had been based on his political rather than medical grounds.
Gabyshev "has been made an enemy of the state solely for voicing his dislike of Putin," said Amnesty.
Committing political dissenters to psychiatric hospitals was a practice known as punitive psychiatry in the days of the Soviet Union. Up to the late 1980s, critics could be diagnosed with "sluggish schizophrenia" or forms of paranoia and locked up in institutions.
Alexander Gabyshev has gained many fans in his native Yakutia, and local officials have expressed unease over his case. The popular mayor of Yakutsk, Sardana Avksentyeva called his detention "selective punishment."
She wrote on social media that she was worried "anyone can be sent to forced treatment with the formula of 'overestimating oneself.'"


themoscowtimes--2020-06-02--Putin Rushes to Move on From Virus With Vote on Reforms

By pushing ahead with the public vote on July 1 — despite Russia still recording thousands of new cases every day — Putin is looking to regain control of a political agenda forced aside by the pandemic , analysts say .
It took less than a week after he said Russia 's coronavirus crisis had peaked for President Vladimir Putin to fast-track a vote on constitutional reforms allowing him to serve more Kremlin terms .
He wants to turn the page on a crisis that critics say was badly managed and which dented his approval rating , while limiting opportunities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so , he risks undermining the legitimacy of the vote .
The Kremlin `` needs to get it over quickly while people have n't fully grasped the consequences of the epidemic and are happy that life is getting back to normal , '' said Konstantin Kalachev , who heads the Political Expert Group , a Russian think tank .
`` People will just have shaken off a bad mood and wo n't yet be aware of any repercussions , '' said Alexander Baunov of the Carnegie Moscow Center .
Putin currently can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he can only serve two consecutive terms .
If passed , the changes to Russia 's basic law would wind the acting president 's terms back to zero .
The vote is not the only example of Putin hurrying to return to his pre-virus agenda and put the pandemic behind him .
His first move as daily cases began falling was to reschedule a Red Square military parade postponed from May 9 .
It will be held June 24 , a week before the constitutional vote .
The Kremlin is hoping the event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of World War II in Europe will boost the public mood and encourage turnout .
`` They 're counting on the mobilizing effect of the victory parade , '' daily newspaper Vedomosti reported , citing a source close to the Kremlin .
`` You could n't find a better time , '' said Kalachev .
The constitutional vote was originally set for April 22 , after Putin announced the reforms earlier this year and they were quickly approved by Russia 's two houses of parliament .
Opinion polls show public interest in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ center stage .
Any further delay will mean people have a stronger sense of the economic impact of the virus including job losses , analysts said .
The July 1 date is nevertheless a high-risk decision since Russia 's epidemic is far from over .
Daily new cases are relatively stable , but still at around 9,000 .
And the official death toll is rising , though far below mortality rates seen in countries with similar rates of infection .
Russia 's chief electoral official Ella Pamfilova has promised voting `` will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Yet vote monitoring group Golos said that plans to check voters ' temperature and hold outdoor voting show officials realise `` how dangerous it is to hold a vote in a time of pandemic . ''
Opposition politician Lyubov Sobol tweeted : `` To wind back his clock , Putin is willing to risk people 's lives and health . ''
It 's unclear how exactly the vote will fit with strict lockdowns in place in many regions into June .
Putin has acknowledged failures in efforts to curb the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in April showed his approval rating falling to a historic low of 59 % .
`` There is less public enthusiasm '' towards Putin , said Baunov .
`` And now he is offering an official plebiscite on the leadership , on himself . ''
Going to the polls amid coronavirus restrictions has raised fears of widespread falsifications .
`` The only problem will be with legitimizing the result , '' said Kalachev , predicting disbelief and protests if the `` yes '' vote is overly high .
Electoral chief Pamfilova ruled out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of potential `` scandals '' and the result being `` placed in doubt . ''
Online voting may be used in a few regions , she said .
Golos argued that anti-virus measures `` have opened up unlimited opportunities for falsifying the vote . ''
Mask-wearers could pull off repeat voting , while regular disinfection of polling stations offers a `` great chance '' for ballot stuffing , it said .
In the run-up to the vote , police have cited lockdown measures to halt even one-person protests by opponents of the amendments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under Putin 's predecessor Boris Yeltsin and Kremlin critics often call for its terms to be observed .
Putin long insisted he did not want amendments to alter limits on presidential terms .
In a last-minute twist , in March he bowed to a plea from MP Valentina Tereshkova , the first woman in space , and agreed to a clause allowing his previous terms not to be counted .

By pushing ahead with the public vote on July 1 — despite Russia still recording thousands of new cases every day — Putin is looking to regain control of a political agenda forced aside by the pandemic, analysts say.
It took less than a week after he said Russia's coronavirus crisis had peaked for President Vladimir Putin to fast-track a vote on constitutional reforms allowing him to serve more Kremlin terms.
He wants to turn the page on a crisis that critics say was badly managed and which dented his approval rating, while limiting opportunities for opposition protest.
But in doing so, he risks undermining the legitimacy of the vote.
The Kremlin "needs to get it over quickly while people haven't fully grasped the consequences of the epidemic and are happy that life is getting back to normal," said Konstantin Kalachev, who heads the Political Expert Group, a Russian think tank.
"People will just have shaken off a bad mood and won't yet be aware of any repercussions," said Alexander Baunov of the Carnegie Moscow Center.
Putin currently cannot stay on as president beyond 2024 because he can only serve two consecutive terms.
If passed, the changes to Russia's basic law would wind the acting president's terms back to zero.
The vote is not the only example of Putin hurrying to return to his pre-virus agenda and put the pandemic behind him.
His first move as daily cases began falling was to reschedule a Red Square military parade postponed from May 9. It will be held June 24, a week before the constitutional vote.
The Kremlin is hoping the event for the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe will boost the public mood and encourage turnout.
"They're counting on the mobilizing effect of the victory parade," daily newspaper Vedomosti reported, citing a source close to the Kremlin.
"You couldn't find a better time," said Kalachev.
The constitutional vote was originally set for April 22, after Putin announced the reforms earlier this year and they were quickly approved by Russia's two houses of parliament.
Opinion polls show public interest in the vote has waned as the coronavirus took center stage.
Any further delay will mean people have a stronger sense of the economic impact of the virus including job losses, analysts said.
'Dangerous to hold a vote'
The July 1 date is nevertheless a high-risk decision since Russia's epidemic is far from over.
Daily new cases are relatively stable, but still at around 9,000. And the official death toll is rising, though far below mortality rates seen in countries with similar rates of infection.
Russia's chief electoral official Ella Pamfilova has promised voting "will be safer than popping out to the shop."
Yet vote monitoring group Golos said that plans to check voters' temperature and hold outdoor voting show officials realise "how dangerous it is to hold a vote in a time of pandemic."
Opposition politician Lyubov Sobol tweeted: "To wind back his clock, Putin is willing to risk people's lives and health."
It's unclear how exactly the vote will fit with strict lockdowns in place in many regions into June.
Putin has acknowledged failures in efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus outbreak. One poll in April showed his approval rating falling to a historic low of 59%.
"There is less public enthusiasm" towards Putin, said Baunov. "And now he is offering an official plebiscite on the leadership, on himself."
'Great chance' for ballot stuffing
Going to the polls amid coronavirus restrictions has raised fears of widespread falsifications.
"The only problem will be with legitimizing the result," said Kalachev, predicting disbelief and protests if the "yes" vote is overly high.
Electoral chief Pamfilova ruled out a postal vote, citing the risk of potential "scandals" and the result being "placed in doubt."
Online voting may be used in a few regions, she said.
Golos argued that anti-virus measures "have opened up unlimited opportunities for falsifying the vote."
Mask-wearers could pull off repeat voting, while regular disinfection of polling stations offers a "great chance" for ballot stuffing, it said.
In the run-up to the vote, police have cited lockdown measures to halt even one-person protests by opponents of the amendments.
Russia's Constitution was drawn up under Putin's predecessor Boris Yeltsin and Kremlin critics often call for its terms to be observed.
Putin long insisted he did not want amendments to alter limits on presidential terms.
In a last-minute twist, in March he bowed to a plea from MP Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space, and agreed to a clause allowing his previous terms not to be counted.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-02--Russian Political Ad Bashes Gay Marriage

Pro-Kremlin media groups have released a political ad that bashes gay marriage and paints same-sex adoption in a negative light @ @ @ @ @ to vote in a referendum on constitutional amendments which is scheduled for July 1 .
@ @ @ @ @ defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman , as well as @ @ @ @ @ office regardless of the number of previous terms they served .
This would allow Putin @ @ @ @ @ consecutive six-year terms , making him 83 at the time he would step down from @ @

A video backing constitutional reforms that President Vladimir Putin is putting to a national vote next month sparked widespread criticism Tuesday for its anti-gay message.
In the video made by a media group called Patriot linked to U.S.-sanctioned Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin, a small boy from a Russian orphanage finds out he is being adopted by a gay couple.
"Here's your new mum. Don't be upset," one of them says while the other pulls out a dress for him to wear.
"What Russia do you choose?" the voiceover says.
"Decide the future of the country. Vote for the amendments to the constitution."
Despite the ongoing virus crisis, Russians are set to vote July 1 on constitutional changes that would allow Putin to stand again as president.
The video focuses on another proposed change, a stipulation that marriage is a union between a man and woman.
Patriot released the ad on social media on Monday where it has had tens of thousands of views. It says it shot the video with its own money and is making others.
Leading opposition politician Alexei Navalny posted the video on social media with mocking comments.
"Putin's officials have gone completely out of their minds on the subject of homosexuality," he tweeted.
'Defending the family'
Patriot's head Nikolai Stolyarchuk said in a statement on Tuesday that the video was "not campaigning against homosexuals" but "defending the institute of family as a union of a man and a woman," while adding he disapproves of adoption by gay couples.
The vote will not in fact affect Russia's existing lack of gay marriage or official adoption by gay couples.
Since returning to the Kremlin in 2012, Putin has brought in legislation banning "gay propaganda" to minors that has been used to silence activists and shut down gay pride events.
The head of the board of trustees at Patriot is Prigozhin, according to its website.
The businessman nicknamed "Putin's chef" owns a company called Concord that the US has accused of funding the campaign to meddle in their 2016 presidential election. He and his company are on the US sanctions list.
Reports in Russian and Western media have said he also funds the Wagner private military group active in the Middle East and Africa.
He denies all these allegations.
This latest video is reminiscent of another clip released in 2018 urging Russians to re-elect Putin or live in a "nightmare" future in which they are forced to co-habitate with gay men.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-02--Massive Thermal Plant Fuel Leak Pollutes Siberian River

The World Wildlife Fund environmental group on Tuesday praised local efforts to contain the spill with a floating dam , blocking dangerous pollutants from flowing into a lake near the Arctic city of Norilsk .
Local authorities in Siberia have declared a state of emergency after 20,000 liters of diesel fuel seeped into a river sparking concerns from environmentalists .
State of emergency in Norilsk after 20,000 tons of diesel leaks into Arctic river system .
Fear that thawing permafrost caused damage to storage tank https : //t.co/EYvzar8jUQ pic.twitter.com/oN4pOtLZy0 Satellite images published by the WWF showed large red spillages in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ videos on social media showing polluted water .
The spill was caused last week by a leaking diesel fuel tank at a thermal power plant several kilometers west of Norilsk .
Russian mining conglomerate Norilsk Nickel , which owns the facility , said the tank was damaged when supporting pillars that had `` held it in place for 30 years without difficulty '' began to sink .
Norilsk is constructed on permafrost and its infrastructure is threatened by melting ice caused by climate change .
Norilsk Nickel has been guilty of spillage in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pollutants from a `` filtration dam '' at its plant washed into another local river , coloring it bright red .
It was fined less than $ 1,000 for the incident .
The Prosecutor of the Krasnoyarsk region said Tuesday a state of emergency had been declared locally and opened an investigation into fuel leakage .
The Investigative Committee , which probes serious crimes , said at least 20,000 liters of oil had spread over 350 square meters .
Norilsk Nickel company director Sergei Lipin said 500 cubic meters of pollutants had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose cleanup efforts were ongoing .
The state environmental watchdog said groundwater was not polluted and the WWF called on it to monitor water quality downstream to prevent toxic products from spreading to nature reserves .

The World Wildlife Fund environmental group on Tuesday praised local efforts to contain the spill with a floating dam, blocking dangerous pollutants from flowing into a lake near the Arctic city of Norilsk.
Local authorities in Siberia have declared a state of emergency after 20,000 metric tons of diesel fuel seeped into a river sparking concerns from environmentalists.
State of emergency in Norilsk after 20,000 tons of diesel leaks into Arctic river system. Fear that thawing permafrost caused damage to storage tank https://t.co/EYvzar8jUQ pic.twitter.com/oN4pOtLZy0
Satellite images published by the WWF showed large red spillages in the Ambarnaya river and residents nearby posted videos on social media showing polluted water.
The spill was caused last week by a leaking diesel fuel tank at a thermal power plant several kilometers west of Norilsk.
Russian mining conglomerate Norilsk Nickel, which owns the facility, said the tank was damaged when supporting pillars that had "held it in place for 30 years without difficulty" began to sink.
Norilsk is constructed on permafrost and its infrastructure is threatened by melting ice caused by climate change.
Norilsk Nickel has been guilty of spillage in the past. In 2016 it admitted pollutants from a "filtration dam" at its plant washed into another local river, coloring it bright red.
It was fined less than $1,000 for the incident.
The Prosecutor of the Krasnoyarsk region said Tuesday a state of emergency had been declared locally and opened an investigation into fuel leakage.
The Investigative Committee, which probes serious crimes, said at least 20,000 metric tons of oil had spread over 350 square meters.
Norilsk Nickel company director Sergei Lipin said 500 cubic meters of pollutants had been removed by a team of 90 workers whose cleanup efforts were ongoing.
The state environmental watchdog said groundwater was not polluted and the WWF called on it to monitor water quality downstream to prevent toxic products from spreading to nature reserves.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-02--Chechen Strongman Kadyrov ‘Horrified’ by Police Violence at U.S. Protests

The United States sanctioned Ramzan Kadyrov 10 years into his iron-fisted rule over the republic of Chechnya , designating him as a human rights abuser in 2017 following reports of alleged gay purges in secret Chechen prisons .
Kadyrov , who maintains that his predominantly Muslim region has no homosexuals while simultaneously calling for their purge , has laughed off the sanctions .
A Russian regional leader who is accused of widespread human rights abuses at home has turned the tables on his accusers with criticisms of police violence in the protest-hit United States .
“ I ’ m watching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States , where the authorities are maliciously violating ordinary citizens ’ rights , ” Kadyrov said Tuesday after a week of protests across major U.S. cities .
“ Police officers are carrying out lynch law right on the streets of American cities : they choke citizens , beat them and run them down with cars , ” Kadyrov wrote on social media .
Footage from the demonstrations which broke out after the May 25 death of unarmed black man George Floyd after being arrested by Minneapolis police has shown officers shooting rubber bullets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peaceful protesters .
U.S. allies have called on authorities to rein in the use of force at the demonstrations , while President Donald Trump has ordered the military to intervene .
Several cities deployed National Guard troops and imposed curfews amid reports of looting and property damage .
Russia ’ s Foreign Ministry called on the U.S. to investigate Floyd ’ s death and highlighted what it called “ systemic human rights problems ” with race and police brutality in the country .
Kadyrov joined those calls , urging the United Nations to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official U.S. authorities to prevent the practice of violating human rights and freedoms and extrajudicial executions.
” “ Call them to account for their atrocities and , in particular , for the persecution and murder of innocent people , ” the strongman said .
“ I demand that U.S. authorities stop this lawlessness !
Stop the illegal actions against the civilian population immediately and bring to account all those responsible for human rights violations !
” Kadyrov wrote .

The United States sanctioned Ramzan Kadyrov 10 years into his iron-fisted rule over the republic of Chechnya, designating him as a human rights abuser in 2017 following reports of alleged gay purges in secret Chechen prisons. Kadyrov, who maintains that his predominantly Muslim region has no homosexuals while simultaneously calling for their purge , has laughed off the sanctions.
A Russian regional leader who is accused of widespread human rights abuses at home has turned the tables on his accusers with criticisms of police violence in the protest-hit United States.
“I’m watching with horror the situation in the United States, where the authorities are maliciously violating ordinary citizens’ rights,” Kadyrov said Tuesday after a week of protests across major U.S. cities.
“Police officers are carrying out lynch law right on the streets of American cities: they choke citizens, beat them and run them down with cars,” Kadyrov wrote on social media.
Footage from the demonstrations which broke out after the May 25 death of unarmed black man George Floyd after being arrested by Minneapolis police has shown officers shooting rubber bullets, pepper spray and tasers at mostly peaceful protesters.
U.S. allies have called on authorities to rein in the use of force at the demonstrations, while President Donald Trump has ordered the military to intervene. Several cities deployed National Guard troops and imposed curfews amid reports of looting and property damage.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry called on the U.S. to investigate Floyd’s death and highlighted what it called “systemic human rights problems” with race and police brutality in the country.
Kadyrov joined those calls, urging the United Nations to “intervene and take effective measures against official U.S. authorities to prevent the practice of violating human rights and freedoms and extrajudicial executions.”
“Call them to account for their atrocities and, in particular, for the persecution and murder of innocent people,” the strongman said.
“I demand that U.S. authorities stop this lawlessness! Stop the illegal actions against the civilian population immediately and bring to account all those responsible for human rights violations!” Kadyrov wrote.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-02--Russia Says Only ‘Coronavirus Immune’ Troops Will March at Victory Day Parade

President Vladimir Putin ordered the military to hold the previously postponed Victory Day parade on June 24 as Russia appeared to stabilize its coronavirus outbreak .
A report in May estimated that around 400 cadets had been infected with Covid-19 after participating in rehearsals for the postponed parade .
The Russian military will march asymptomatic troops and those who have developed immunity to coronavirus at its landmark parade marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II later this month , Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday .
Shoigu said that 14,000 troops will march across Red @ @ @ @ @ @ @ march through 27 other cities that house military units to mark Victory Day .
“ Mostly military personnel with immunity to Covid-19 and without signs of infectious diseases will be allowed in the parade , ” Shoigu said at a Defense Ministry board meeting .
“ I demand that contacts are eliminated between the parade crews and troops and civilians not involved in rehearsals , ” he said .
The minister said 6,500 people in the Russian Armed Forces have been infected with coronavirus since March and added that recoveries have outpaced infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s daily bulletin says almost 1,500 troops are currently being treated for or self-isolating with the coronavirus as of Monday .
Russia has also invited troops from 19 countries to march at the rescheduled Victory Day parade in Moscow , where Shoigu has vowed to enact safety measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 .
The Moscow parade will last 1.5 hours and will re-enact elements of the first victory parade held on June 24 , 1945 , said Oleg Salyukov , commander-in-chief of the Ground Forces .
Before it was postponed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parade was meant to be a major showcase for Putin with world leaders and World War II veterans invited to watch and take part in events .

President Vladimir Putin ordered the military to hold the previously postponed Victory Day parade on June 24 as Russia appeared to stabilize its coronavirus outbreak. A report in May estimated that around 400 cadets had been infected with Covid-19 after participating in rehearsals for the postponed parade.
The Russian military will march asymptomatic troops and those who have developed immunity to coronavirus at its landmark parade marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II later this month, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday.
Shoigu said that 14,000 troops will march across Red Square in Moscow and 50,000 more would march through 27 other cities that house military units to mark Victory Day.
“Mostly military personnel with immunity to Covid-19 and without signs of infectious diseases will be allowed in the parade,” Shoigu said at a Defense Ministry board meeting.
“I demand that contacts are eliminated between the parade crews and troops and civilians not involved in rehearsals,” he said.
The minister said 6,500 people in the Russian Armed Forces have been infected with coronavirus since March and added that recoveries have outpaced infections since May 9. The Russian military’s daily bulletin says almost 1,500 troops are currently being treated for or self-isolating with the coronavirus as of Monday.
Russia has also invited troops from 19 countries to march at the rescheduled Victory Day parade in Moscow, where Shoigu has vowed to enact safety measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The Moscow parade will last 1.5 hours and will re-enact elements of the first victory parade held on June 24, 1945, said Oleg Salyukov, commander-in-chief of the Ground Forces.
Before it was postponed, this year’s May 9 parade was meant to be a major showcase for Putin with world leaders and World War II veterans invited to watch and take part in events.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-02--Russia Prices Economic Recovery Plan at $70Bln

Russia will launch a 5 trillion ruble ( $ 73 billion ) recovery plan next month to offset economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic , Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said in a televised meeting with President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday .
The program of increased spending will last until the end of 2021 with the aim of bringing Russia ’ s unemployment rate back below 5 % and getting the economy growing at 2.5 % a year — faster than any annual expansion since 2012 .
The extra cash will be spent on support for small and medium-sized businesses through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as already-announced higher social payments for families , and for medical staff working with coronavirus patients , Russian daily Vedomosti reported .
The 5 trillion ruble figure includes higher daily spending from the government ’ s federal budget as well as some lost tax revenues , Russian media have reported .
In total , the package could be worth around 7.3 trillion rubles ( $ 106 billion ) once spending on longer-term infrastructure projects — which does not count against the government ’ s regular annual budget — is included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7 % of Russia ’ s GDP .
Mishustin said the program was divided into three stages : “ stabilization ” until the end of 2020 , “ recovery ” until the middle of 2021 and “ growth ” from the final quarter of next year .
The program also outlines structural changes to Russia ’ s labor regulations designed to support more flexible working patterns once mobility restrictions are lifted .
These include a new hourly minimum wage to support part-time work , encourage employment and reduce the size of Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a minimum monthly wage of 12,130 rubles ( $ 176 ) .

Russia will launch a 5 trillion ruble ($73 billion) recovery plan next month to offset economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said in a televised meeting with President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.
The program of increased spending will last until the end of 2021 with the aim of bringing Russia’s unemployment rate back below 5% and getting the economy growing at 2.5% a year — faster than any annual expansion since 2012.
The extra cash will be spent on support for small and medium-sized businesses through tax holidays and government backed cheap loans, as well as already-announced higher social payments for families, and for medical staff working with coronavirus patients, Russian daily Vedomosti reported.
The 5 trillion ruble figure includes higher daily spending from the government’s federal budget as well as some lost tax revenues, Russian media have reported. In total, the package could be worth around 7.3 trillion rubles ($106 billion) once spending on longer-term infrastructure projects — which does not count against the government’s regular annual budget — is included. That would be equivalent to around 7% of Russia’s GDP.
Mishustin said the program was divided into three stages: “stabilization” until the end of 2020, “recovery” until the middle of 2021 and “growth” from the final quarter of next year.
The program also outlines structural changes to Russia’s labor regulations designed to support more flexible working patterns once mobility restrictions are lifted. These include a new hourly minimum wage to support part-time work, encourage employment and reduce the size of Russia’s shadow economy. Russia currently has a minimum monthly wage of 12,130 rubles ($176).