themoscowtimes--2020-03-06--2 Out of 3 Russians Opposed to Female President – Poll

Two-thirds of Russians would not be happy to have a woman as president , the state-funded VTsIOM polling agency said @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Day on March 8 .
Some 68 % of people surveyed said they @ @ @ @ @ up from 61 % in an identical VTsIOM ’ s poll in 2016 .
The @ @ @ @ @ and female respondents shared opposition to a female president .
“ Russian society remains conservative @ @ @ @ @ values plays an important role here , ” VTsIOM said .
“ One can predict @ @ @ @ @ woman as the head of state won ’ t be realistic until 2048 , ” @ @ @ @ @ Meanwhile , the share of VTsIOM ’ s respondents who support a female president in @ @ @ @ @ this year from 32 % five years ago .

Two-thirds of Russians would not be happy to have a woman as president, the state-funded VTsIOM polling agency said Friday ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8.
Some 68% of people surveyed said they opposed a female president, up from 61% in an identical VTsIOM’s poll in 2016. The pollster noted that both male and female respondents shared opposition to a female president.
“Russian society remains conservative and state policy promoting traditional values plays an important role here,” VTsIOM said.
“One can predict that the coming of a woman as the head of state won’t be realistic until 2048,” the state pollster said.
Meanwhile, the share of VTsIOM’s respondents who support a female president in Russia fell to 21% this year from 32% five years ago.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-06--Russia Unveils Arctic Ambitions With 2035 Strategy

The Kremlin document on the “ foundations of state policy in the Arctic to 2035 ” , signed by President Vladimir Putin , set out its policy plans for the energy rich region .
Russia is hoping to lure more people to live in the Arctic with promises of payouts and infrastructure development in the environmentally vulnerable territory , according to its 15-year strategy published Thursday .
Russia ’ s main goals are increasing the local population ’ s quality of life and accelerating economic development , with better infrastructure and technology to help “ settle the Arctic.
” Economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ energy projects on the Arctic shelf , and paying Russians who want to relocate to the north .
Moscow is planning to develop huge new energy projects in its remote Arctic areas , creating tens of thousands of jobs and using the Northern Sea Route to export oil and gas to overseas markets as it becomes increasingly free of ice .
But with vast regions within the Arctic circle , where infrastructure has been tailored to the permafrost , Russia is one of the most vulnerable countries to global warming and has seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The 15-year plans include the development of scientific and engineering solutions to “ prevent infrastructure damage from global climate change ” which occurs more rapidly in northern latitudes .
The document also outlined plans for an underwater fiber-optic communication cable along the Northern Sea Route .
New border crossings will be built in Arctic areas to encourage cooperation with Russia ’ s neighbors in the region , while border service will be equipped with modern ice-class aircraft carriers , it says .
Also on Thursday , Russian lawmakers backed in a key second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation that would give tax incentives to investors in Arctic energy projects .
The Arctic has historically been a depressed part of the country , with unemployment and poverty higher than average , contributing to a net decrease of the population over the past two decades .

The Kremlin document on the “foundations of state policy in the Arctic to 2035”, signed by President Vladimir Putin, set out its policy plans for the energy rich region.
Russia is hoping to lure more people to live in the Arctic with promises of payouts and infrastructure development in the environmentally vulnerable territory, according to its 15-year strategy published Thursday.
Russia’s main goals are increasing the local population’s quality of life and accelerating economic development, with better infrastructure and technology to help “settle the Arctic.”
Economic measures include boosting private investment in key energy projects on the Arctic shelf, and paying Russians who want to relocate to the north.
Moscow is planning to develop huge new energy projects in its remote Arctic areas, creating tens of thousands of jobs and using the Northern Sea Route to export oil and gas to overseas markets as it becomes increasingly free of ice.
But with vast regions within the Arctic circle, where infrastructure has been tailored to the permafrost, Russia is one of the most vulnerable countries to global warming and has seen serious flooding and ferocious forest fires.
The 15-year plans include the development of scientific and engineering solutions to “prevent infrastructure damage from global climate change” which occurs more rapidly in northern latitudes.
The document also outlined plans for an underwater fiber-optic communication cable along the Northern Sea Route.
New border crossings will be built in Arctic areas to encourage cooperation with Russia’s neighbors in the region, while border service will be equipped with modern ice-class aircraft carriers, it says.
Also on Thursday, Russian lawmakers backed in a key second reading amendments to the country’s legislation that would give tax incentives to investors in Arctic energy projects.
The Arctic has historically been a depressed part of the country, with unemployment and poverty higher than average, contributing to a net decrease of the population over the past two decades.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-06--Russian Billionaire Tinkov Faces U.S. Jail for $1Bln Tax Evasion

Russian billionaire banker Oleg Tinkov faces U.S. jail time on charges of underreporting $ 1 billion in income and taxes @ @ @ @ @ announced Thursday .
It alleged that Tinkov filed a false tax return and a false @ @ @ @ @ U.S. citizenship in 2013 , three days after his Russian bank held its initial public @ @ @ @ @ Renouncing U.S. citizenship carries an “ exit tax ” penalty .
“ If convicted , @ @ @ @ @ of three years in prison on each count , ” the Justice Department said .

Shares of Russian businessman Oleg Tinkov's credit card supplier TCS plummeted Friday after the U.S. Department of Justice charged its founder with fraud and demanded his extradition from Britain.
Shares of TCS (Tinkoff Credit Systems) group were showing a loss of more than 17%t on the London Stock Exchange and 24% on the Moscow Exchange at around 1510 GMT.
Tinkov stands accused of concealing $1 billion in assets and income from the U.S. tax authorities at the time when he renounced his U.S. citizenship in 2013, which required him to report his assets following a stock market flotation in London, the Department of Justice said Thursday.
"The indictment charges that Tinkov filed a false 2013 tax return" and he faces a possible six years in prison if convicted, it said.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-05--Arnold Schwarzenegger Sues Russian Robot Maker Over Lookalike

Schwarzenegger ’ s company is demanding $ 10 million in damages , as well as profits made off the lookalike robot and other expenses , according to TMZ .
It also reportedly wants an injunction blocking Promobot from using the actor ’ s face and voice to market its customizable service android called the “ Robo-C .
” Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger is suing Russia 's robot maker Promobot for using his likeness without permission , the TMZ tabloid reported Wednesday .
The lawsuit claims that Schwarzenegger has become the “ unwilling face ” of the android .
The use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the outlet , “ diminishes his hard-earned and well-deserved reputation as a motion picture star.
” Promobot had agreed to stop using the Schwarzenegger robot at public events after the star ’ s attorney sent them a cease and desist letter .
However , TMZ reported that the lookalike showed up at a New York toy fair last month , prompting the lawsuit .
The robot maker disputed TMZ ’ s account , telling Russian media outlets Thursday that “ there ’ s no lawsuit.
” Promobot said it had been in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months seeking to resolve the android dispute .
For now , it said it will discontinue using the Arnie android “ to avoid misunderstanding.
” “ If we don ’ t come to an agreement , we ’ ll simply recycle the polymer model that resembles Arnold Schwarzenegger , ” Promobot ’ s press service said .

Schwarzenegger’s company is demanding $10 million in damages, as well as profits made off the lookalike robot and other expenses, according to TMZ. It also reportedly wants an injunction blocking Promobot from using the actor’s face and voice to market its customizable service android called the “ Robo-C .”
Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger is suing Russia's robot maker Promobot for using his likeness without permission, the TMZ tabloid reported Wednesday.
The lawsuit claims that Schwarzenegger has become the “unwilling face” of the android. The use of his face in ads, according to the outlet, “diminishes his hard-earned and well-deserved reputation as a motion picture star.”
Promobot had agreed to stop using the Schwarzenegger robot at public events after the star’s attorney sent them a cease and desist letter. However, TMZ reported that the lookalike showed up at a New York toy fair last month, prompting the lawsuit.
The robot maker disputed TMZ’s account, telling Russian media outlets Thursday that “there’s no lawsuit.”
Promobot said it had been in negotiations with Schwarzenegger’s company for months seeking to resolve the android dispute.
For now, it said it will discontinue using the Arnie android “to avoid misunderstanding.”
“If we don’t come to an agreement, we’ll simply recycle the polymer model that resembles Arnold Schwarzenegger,” Promobot’s press service said.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-06--Russia-Saudi Oil Alliance Under Pressure as Moscow Rejects Production Cuts

OPEC and its allies failed to reach a deal on oil production cuts on Friday , after Moscow refused to tighten supply to counter the effects of the coronavirus outbreak .
The day before , OPEC ministers had recommended reducing output by 1.5 million barrels per day in face of the global slowdown caused by the epidemic and the resulting fall in demand for oil .
But the decision hinged on agreement from the so-called OPEC+ grouping — Russia foremost among them .
And on Friday , Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said that the talks between OPEC and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a deal .
`` Regarding cuts in production , given today 's decision , from April 1 , no one — neither OPEC countries nor OPEC+ countries — are obliged to lower production , '' he told reporters after the meeting .
OPEC 's Secretary General Mohammed Barkindo said the meeting had been adjourned , although consultations would continue .
`` At the end of the day , it was the general , painful decision of the joint conference to adjourn the meeting , '' he told reporters .
`` We have some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is here to have everybody on board , unanimity . ''
Prior to the meeting 's official start , ministers from the bloc 's kingpin Saudi Arabia , the world 's number three oil producer , and Russia , the number two , had huddled for hours of bilateral discussions .
But as news of a `` no deal '' began to seep out , oil prices plunged more than seven percent , with Brent North Sea crude tumbling to $ 46.14 per barrel and WTI to $ 42.26 .
Earlier , Oanda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failure to reach an agreement could spell the end of OPEC+ .
`` No-deal OPEC+ means the three-year experiment is over .
OPEC+ is dead .
The Saudis are all-in on stabling oil prices and they may need to do something extraordinary , '' he said .
According to the plan drawn up by OPEC , allies in the so-called OPEC+ grouping would have taken on 500,000 barrels of the cuts .
OPEC wanted the proposed cuts to run until the end of 2020 .
Producers had already had to contend with abundant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent weeks the spread of the coronavirus across the world has sent prices plunging .
The 23 producers , who gathered at the Vienna-based headquarters of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries ( OPEC ) , have since early 2017 tried to support prices through cuts on production , initially of the order of 1.2 million barrels per day .
In December , they announced a further 500,000 barrel cut with Saudi Arabia adding a `` voluntary '' contribution of 400,000 barrels .
Analyst Stephen Brennock at energy consultancy PVM Associates had suggested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` crashing into the abyss . ''
Russian officials had been quoted in recent days as being much cooler on the idea of big production cuts , saying that current price levels are satisfactory for Moscow and its budget planning .
The big players in Russia 's oil industry fear that an aggressive policy of output cuts will only lead to lost revenue and ceding market share to competitors , particularly the United States with its booming shale oil sector .
Moreover , the Kpler energy analysis company points out that Russia has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' in the relatively new OPEC+ format .
`` In recent years , not only Russia has pledged fewer production cuts than Saudi Arabia ... its compliance with the deal has also been minimal , '' the company noted .
As well as grappling with the economic fallout from the coronavirus epidemic , delegations have been affected in a much more practical way at this meeting amidst more than 50 confirmed cases of the virus in Austria .
Delegates have had their temperature tested on the way into the building and been advised @ @ @ @

OPEC and its allies failed to reach a deal on oil production cuts on Friday, after Moscow refused to tighten supply to counter the effects of the coronavirus outbreak. The day before, OPEC ministers had recommended reducing output by 1.5 million barrels per day in face of the global slowdown caused by the epidemic and the resulting fall in demand for oil. But the decision hinged on agreement from the so-called OPEC+ grouping — Russia foremost among them. And on Friday, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said that the talks between OPEC and his OPEC+ grouping had failed to bring about a deal. "Regarding cuts in production, given today's decision, from April 1, no one — neither OPEC countries nor OPEC+ countries — are obliged to lower production," he told reporters after the meeting.
OPEC's Secretary General Mohammed Barkindo said the meeting had been adjourned, although consultations would continue. "At the end of the day, it was the general, painful decision of the joint conference to adjourn the meeting," he told reporters. "We have some few knotty issues, but the norm is here to have everybody on board, unanimity." Prior to the meeting's official start, ministers from the bloc's kingpin Saudi Arabia, the world's number three oil producer, and Russia, the number two, had huddled for hours of bilateral discussions. But as news of a "no deal" began to seep out, oil prices plunged more than seven percent, with Brent North Sea crude tumbling to $46.14 per barrel and WTI to $42.26. OPEC+ dead? Earlier, Oanda analyst Edward Moya had suggested that a failure to reach an agreement could spell the end of OPEC+. "No-deal OPEC+ means the three-year experiment is over. OPEC+ is dead. The Saudis are all-in on stabling oil prices and they may need to do something extraordinary," he said. According to the plan drawn up by OPEC, allies in the so-called OPEC+ grouping would have taken on 500,000 barrels of the cuts. OPEC wanted the proposed cuts to run until the end of 2020.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-06--Putin Says Will Not Bend Law to Extend Grip on Power

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday he would not bend the law to extend his term in power and is @ @ @ @ @ to secure the country 's future for decades to come .
Speculation has swirled over @ @ @ @ @ after he unleashed a political storm in January by proposing major constitutional changes .
Putin @ @ @ @ @ two decades and is due to step down in 2024 after his fourth Kremlin term @ @ @ @ @ not that I do n't want to ( remain in power ) .
I like @ @ @ @ @ said at a meeting with members of the public in the central city of Ivanovo @ @ @ @ @ to some sort of power scheme to preserve my mandate that would be unacceptable for @ @ @ @ @ -- that 's what I am afraid of , that 's what I do n't @ @ @ @ @

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday he would not bend the law to extend his term in power and is seeking to amend the constitution to secure the country's future for decades to come. Speculation has swirled over the 67-year-old president's future after he unleashed a political storm in January by proposing major constitutional changes. Putin has been in power for two decades and is due to step down in 2024 after his fourth Kremlin term ends. "It's not that I don't want to (remain in power). I like my job," Putin said at a meeting with members of the public in the central city of Ivanovo. "But to resort to some sort of power scheme to preserve my mandate that would be unacceptable for the country or destroy it -- that's what I am afraid of, that's what I don't want to do."
Waxing lyrical, he also said that he saw the presidency not as a job but as his "destiny." Putin has called for the constitution to limit the president's time in office to a total of two terms instead of two consecutive terms as currently. He reiterated he does not want to cancel term limits, which could allow him to remain president after his current term ends. "It's not that I am afraid of myself. I will not go mad," he said. "This isn't about me. We are proposing amendments not for 5 or 10 years but at least for 30 to 50 years. This is not about now." The constitutional proposals call for strengthening the role of the State Council, currently an advisory body, but also bolstering the already strong role of the president.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-06--Russia's Tinkoff Bank Shares Fall as Founder Indicted in U.S.

Shares of Russian businessman Oleg Tinkov 's credit card supplier TCS plummeted Friday after the U.S. Department of Justice charged @ @ @ @ @ demanded his extradition from Britain .
Shares of TCS ( Tinkoff Credit Systems ) group @ @ @ @ @ more than 17 % t on the London Stock Exchange and 24 % on the @ @ @ @ @ GMT .
Tinkov stands accused of concealing $ 1 billion in assets and income from @ @ @ @ @ the time when he renounced his U.S. citizenship in 2013 , which required him to @ @ @ @ @ stock market flotation in London , the Department of Justice said Thursday .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ a false 2013 tax return '' and he faces a possible six years in prison @ @ @ @ @ .


themoscowtimes--2020-03-06--Putin Critic Navalny Takes Russia to European Court Over Money Laundering Case

Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny lodged a complaint against Russia at the European Court of Human Rights on Friday to @ @ @ @ @ says authorities have opened to thwart his political activities .
Russian investigators opened the case @ @ @ @ @ last August after he called on people to attend rallies that grew into Moscow 's @ @ @ @ @ years before fizzling out .
On Tuesday , Navalny , Russia 's most prominent opposition @ @ @ @ @ accounts and those of his close family had been emptied and frozen , which he @ @ @ @ @ `` I have repeatedly faced persecution by the Russian authorities for my political activities , @ @ @ @ @ to the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre that is representing him and his allies in @ @ @

Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny lodged a complaint against Russia at the European Court of Human Rights on Friday to contest a money-laundering investigation he says authorities have opened to thwart his political activities.
Russian investigators opened the case against Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation last August after he called on people to attend rallies that grew into Moscow's biggest sustained protest movement in years before fizzling out.
On Tuesday, Navalny, Russia's most prominent opposition politician, said his bank accounts and those of his close family had been emptied and frozen, which he linked to the investigation.
"I have repeatedly faced persecution by the Russian authorities for my political activities," Navalny said in comments to the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre that is representing him and his allies in the case.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-07--Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | March 7

Russia has a total of 17 confirmed coronavirus cases , three of whom have since recovered .
As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 3,000 people continues to spread around the world , Russia has stepped up measures to tackle the health risk , including closing most entry points along its 4,200-kilometer border with China and temporarily banning Chinese citizens from entering the country .
Below are the latest updates on Russia ’ s response to the coronavirus — Russia confirmed four new cases of coronavirus , taking the total number to 17 — three of whom have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-isolation regime for people returning to Moscow from some of the worst-affected countries was extended .
People entering the capital from China , South Korea , Iran , Italy , France , Germany , Spain , Switzerland , U.K , Norway and the U.S are required to stay inside for two weeks .
— Russia has reported six new cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours , including five in Moscow and one in Nizhny Novgorod 400 kilometers east of the capital .
All six cases were contracted in Italy , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the authorities said .
— Russian officials have conducted more than 51,000 tests for the coronavirus nationwide , the consumer protection watchdog has said .
Seven cases have been confirmed , including two Chinese nationals who have since recovered .
— Seven Russian passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship who were placed in a two-week quarantine in Russia 's Far East have been discharged .
Two other quarantined patients are awaiting test results .
— Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced a “ high alert regime , ” ordering self-isolation for Russians returning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , France , Germany , Italy and Spain .
— Russia cancelled its flagship annual St Petersburg International Economic Forum this year as a precaution against coronavirus , the Interfax news agency cited First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov as saying on Thursday .
The forum , usually chaired by President Vladimir Putin , was due to be held in St Petersburg on June 3-6 .
— Russia 's state carrier Aeroflot said it would suspend its flights to and from Hong Kong amid fears over coronavirus .
The airline will continue flying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7 and from Hong Kong to Moscow until March 8 , after which those services will be suspended .
— Moscow authorities have drafted an emergency plan that envisions a near shutdown of the Russian capital in case of a coronavirus outbreak .
— Officials confirmed a seventh coronavirus infection in the country .
The patient is an Italian citizen who had arrived to Russia on Feb. 29 , asked for medical help on March 2 and tested positive for the virus .
He is being treated at an undisclosed hospital .
— @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business trips and participation in international conferences after a recommendation from the Health Ministry to restrict foreign travel .
— Students at a university dormitary in St. Petersburg have been placed under quarantine and prohibited from leaving the building after the hospitalization of an Italian exchange student who had been living there .
The number of patients in the city that are being monitored for coronavirus symptoms has nearly doubled to 44 people .
— Two Russian citizens have been diagnosed with the coronavirus in the United Arab Emirates , the country 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporarily banned the export of medical masks , gloves , bandages and protective suits .
— President Vladimir Putin said that fake news reports about coronavirus were being sent to Russia from abroad to spread panic .
He urged the government to ensure that citizens were correctly informed about the situation in Russia .
— Russian gas giant Gazprom has suspended foreign trips for its staff due to the coronavirus outbreak , a company spokesman said .
— The Moscow metro has begun random checks of passengers ' temperatures at station entrances , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian national who was quarantined in a Moscow hospital after recently returning from northern Italy , a hub for the coronavirus outbreak , has the coronavirus , the state-run RIA Novosti reported .
The man , 29-year-old Moscow resident David Berov , is the first known Russian national to test positive for coronavirus while in the country .
— The impact of coronavirus on the Russian economy will be deeper than originally expected , Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov said .
The ruble 's depreciation and stock market decline have gained momentum since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns about its economic impact , which sent oil prices crashing .
— Schools across Moscow have canceled swimming classes and large-scale events to prevent the spread of the flu and respiratory infections , the city ’ s education officials said in a Feb. 28 letter cited by Interfax .
— Moscow authorities are deporting 88 foreign nationals who violated quarantine measures imposed on them as a precaution against coronavirus , the state-run RIA news agency cited Moscow 's deputy mayor as saying .
— A Russian citizen has tested positive with coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Interfax reported .
It marks the fourth case of coronavirus among Russian citizens and the first infection in Azerbaijan .
— The Russian government temporarily barred Iranian citizens from entering Russia and said it would also restrict the entry of South Korean citizens from March 1 as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus , decrees published online showed .
— The government also said it would not allow in any foreign citizens traveling from Iran or South Korea , and ordered the Foreign Ministry to suspend the issue of visas to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its train service from Moscow to the southern French city of Nice starting March 4 , the state-run TASS news agency reported , citing the Transport Ministry .
The ministry said the train link would be suspended until further notice as part of wider measures aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus in Russia .
— Moscow authorities have identified 88 people who violated the city 's self-isolation orders after returning from China , Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said .
The Russian capital deployed its facial recognition network to enforce the quarantine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a coronavirus vaccine , Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said .
— Russia 's Federal Tourism Agency recommended national tour operators suspend tours to Italy , South Korea and Iran until the outbreaks of coronavirus there are brought under control .
— Moscow will suspend flights between Russia and South Korea from March 1 over coronavirus fears , except those operated by Aeroflot and Aurora , Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said .
— Golikova said Russia would also stop issuing visas to some Iranian citizens from Feb. 28 and was advising Russians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions related to the outbreak which have been previously announced will be extended by one month to April 1 , Golikova said .
— The Chinese Embassy in Russia has reportedly asked Moscow authorities to stop the profiling of Chinese nationals on the city 's public transport .
According to Novaya Gazeta , the embassy 's letter said that Moscow police and subway workers had begun questioning passengers believed to be Chinese to check for signs of coronavirus , something that is n't being done anywhere else in the world .
— Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tourists being quarantined in a seaside resort on Tenerife , one of the Canary Islands , after an Italian doctor who was staying there tested positive for coronavirus , Interfax reported .
— Seven Russian passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship have been placed in a two-week quarantine in a Vladivostok hospital .
— Nearly all of the 25 Ukrainian nationals onboard the quarantined ship have refused to be evacuated to their home country after violent protests against coronavirus evacuees broke out there .
— Around 2,500 people arriving from China have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus and monitored by the Russian capital ’ s facial-recognition technology , Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said .

Russia has confirmed 18,315,292 cases of coronavirus and 378,784 deaths , according to the national coronavirus information center. Russia’s total excess fatality count since the start of the coronavirus pandemic is at least 995,000. Under half the population is fully vaccinated.
— QR codes will be issued to Russians who test positive for Covid-19 antibodies, regardless of their vaccination status.
— Russians will be able to take an antibody test to obtain a coronavirus health pass from Feb. 21, the Health Ministry said Tuesday.
— Russia reported more than 200,000 new Covid-19 infections for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
— After a three-day decline, Russia saw an an increase of Covid-19 infections with a total of 179,284 new infections and 748 deaths.
Russians and foreigners will be able to receive a coronavirus QR-code health pass based on the results of an antibody test from Monday.
Russia reported 137,642 new Covid-19 infections and 785 deaths over the last 24 hours.
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Feb. 10
— Russia reported a total of 197,076 new infections and 701 deaths.
Feb. 9
— Russia reported a total of 183,103 new infections and 669 deaths.
Feb. 8
— Russia reported a total of 165,643 new infections and 698 deaths.
— Almost 12,000 children with Covid-19 are currently being treated in hospitals, while children make up about 20% of the country's total number of coronavirus cases, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko announced.
Feb. 7
— Russia reported 171,905 new coronavirus infections and 609 deaths.
Feb. 6
— Russia reported a record 180,071 new coronavirus infections and 661 deaths.
Feb. 5
— Russia reported another record number of new coronavirus infections. A total of 177,282 new infections and 714 deaths were recorded over the last 24 hours.
Feb. 4
— Russia reported another record number of new coronavirus infections. A total of 168,201 new infections and 682 deaths were recorded over the last 24 hours.
— Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine has a 70.5% efficacy against the Delta variant of the coronavirus six months after vaccination, the jab’s developers said Friday. The findings were published as part of the results of Phase 3 medical trials into the vaccine. Omicron has displaced Delta as the dominant strain of the coronavirus in Moscow and is sweeping rapidly across the country.
Feb. 3
— Russia reported a new record number of new coronavirus infections. A total of 155,768 new infections and 667 deaths were recorded over the last 24 hours.
— Russia plans to cancel mandatory isolation requirements for people who come into contact with somebody infected with Covid-19, Anna Popova, the head of the Rospotrebnadzor consumer health watchdog said Friday. She said the forced quarantine rules “have lost their reasoning” with the surge in Omicron cases.
Feb. 2
— Russia reported more than 100,000 new coronavirus cases for the fifth consecutive day. The country’s coronavirus task force confirmed 141,883 new Covid-19 infections over the past 24 hours and 678 fatalities.
Feb. 1
— Russia reported more than 100,000 new coronavirus cases for the fourth consecutive day. The country’s coronavirus task force confirmed 125,836 new Covid-19 infections over the past 24 hours and 663 fatalities.
— Russia's Labor Ministry has recommended that all enterprises send as many of their employees to remote work as possible due to the surge in Covid-19 cases.
— A growing number of Russian regions are re-introducing coronavirus lockdown measures due to the surging Omicron variant, even as the Kremlin on Monday repeated that there will be no nationwide lockdown due to the variant’s spread. Fifteen regions across the country have suspended routine medical care due to the overwhelming number of hospitalizations, while five regions have sent schoolchildren to remote learning and four regions banned mass gatherings. The Tula region south of Moscow took the most drastic step in the latest virus surge by announcing a 10-day regionwide holiday.
Jan. 31
— Russia reported more than 100,000 new coronavirus cases for the third consecutive day. The country’s coronavirus task force confirmed 124,070 new Covid-19 infections over the past 24 hours and 621 fatalities.
— Russia’s excess fatalities reached 995,000 by the end of 2021, according to The Moscow Times’ analysis of official statistics. The country also saw its largest natural population decline since the end of the Soviet Union, registering a fall of more than one million in 2021, the Rosstat statistics service said Friday.
Jan. 30
— Russia reported more than 100,000 new coronavirus cases for the second consecutive day. The country’s coronavirus task force confirmed 121,228 new Covid-19 infections over the past 24 hours and 617 fatalities.
Jan. 29
— Russia reported more than 100,000 new coronavirus cases for the first time ever. The country’s coronavirus task force confirmed 113,112 new Covid-19 infections over the past 24 hours and 668 fatalities.
— Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was "clear that the real number of people who have Covid-19 is slightly higher than the official statistics."
— Moscow does not plan to introduce new lockdown measures in response to the Omicron variant, the RBC news website reported, citing two sources close to the Mayor's Office.
Jan. 28
— Russia reported a record number of new coronavirus infections for the eighth day running. A total of 98,040 new infections and 673 deaths were recorded over the last 24 hours. Case numbers have doubled in the span of a week.
Jan. 27
— Russia reported a record number of new coronavirus infections for the seventh day running. A total of 88,816 new infections and 665 deaths were recorded over the last 24 hours. Case numbers have doubled in the span of a week.
— The number of Covid-19 patients admitted to hospital in the capital jumped 22% on Thursday and is now running close to peaks recorded during the two previous waves of the virus in 2021.
Jan. 26
— Russia reported a record number of new coronavirus infections for the sixth day running. A total of 74,692 new infections and 657 deaths were recorded over the last 24 hours.
— Children in St. Petersburg will be barred from sporting, cultural and entertainment establishments from Jan. 28-Feb. 13, city authorities announced.
— Russia has cut the quarantine period for people infected with Covid-19 from 14 to seven days, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced Tuesday.
Jan. 25
— Russia reported a record number of new coronavirus infections for the fifth day running. A total of 67,809 new infections and 681 deaths were recorded over the last 24 hours.
— Around 70% of people infected with the Omicron variant in Russia are unvaccinated, said Anna Popova, the head of Russia’s consumer health watchdog, in a televised meeting.
— Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the capital was likely to see growing coronavirus cases for at least two more weeks, as the Omicron variant fuels a record rise in infections.
Jan. 24
— Russia reported a record number of new coronavirus infections for the fourth day running. A total of 65,109 new infections and 655 deaths were recorded.
Jan. 23
— Russia reported a record number of new coronavirus infections for the third day running. A total of 63,205 new infections were recorded over the last 24 hours and 679 deaths.
Jan. 22
— Russia reported a record number of new coronavirus infections as the Omicron variant continued its rapid spread across the country. A total of 57,212 new infections were recorded over the last 24 hours and 681 deaths.
Jan. 21
— Amid rising cases, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin on extended a requirement for businesses in the capital to ensure 30% of their employers were working from home.
— Russia plans to cut the isolation period from 14 to seven days for those infected with Covid-19, Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said.
— Russian lawmakers have agreed to withdraw from consideration an unpopular bill for QR-code health passes to enter public spaces, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said.
Jan. 19
— Russia reported 33,899 new Covid-19 infections and 698 deaths.
— Cases in Russia’s second city of St. Petersburg set a new record high Wednesday with 4,382 new confirmed cases. In Moscow, where Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Omicron has become the dominant strain, new infections set their third-highest daily toll since the start of the pandemic on Wednesday of 8,795.
Jan. 18
— Russia reported 31,252 new Covid-19 infections and 688 deaths.
Jan. 17
— Russia reported 30,726 new Covid-19 infections and 670 deaths.
— The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is still awaiting additional documentation on Sputnik V before it can proceed with the vaccine approval process, the EU’s Ambassador to Moscow said Monday. The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Russia said Sunday the vaccine’s developers had submitted all the required information needed for its approval process, and further inspections will take place in February, though other WHO officials later appeared to contradict this, saying they were still waiting for a full data package from Russia.
Jan. 16
— Russia reported 29,230 new Covid-19 infections and 686 deaths.
Jan. 15
— Russia reported 27,179 new Covid-19 infections and 723 deaths.
Jan. 14
— Russia reported 23,820 new Covid-19 cases and 739 deaths
— Russia will delay controversial legislation over the use of coronavirus health passes for access to public spaces, officials said Friday, citing “new challenges” presented by the Omicron variant.
— Foreigners will be able to obtain a coronavirus health pass — QR code — in Russia by taking an antibody test, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said Friday. The passes will be valid for six months.
— Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Friday that Omicron had become the dominant coronavirus strain in the Russian capital, accounting for more than half of all new infections.
Jan. 13
— Russia reported 21,155 new Covid-19 infections — a 17.8% increase overnight — and 740 deaths.
Jan. 12
— Russia reported 17,946 new Covid-19 infections and 745 deaths.
— Russia has so far confirmed 698 official cases of the Omicron variant, Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova announced at a meeting on Wednesday.
— President Vladimir Putin said health authorities only have “a couple of weeks” to prepare for the next wave of the pandemic.
— Russia delivered fewer than 80 million doses of its Sputnik V and Sputnik Light vaccines to other countries in 2021, according to Unicef data cited by The Washington Post. The jab’s developers had initially planned to export doses for more than 500 million people, but have been beset by production and delivery delays. The vaccine has also yet to be approved by either the World Health Organization (WHO) or the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Jan. 11
— Russia reported 17,525 new Covid-19 infections and 783 deaths.
— The presence of the Omicron variant in the Russian capital is already “significant,” Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said. He warned that the city would see a major increase in infections within 7-10 days, adding that “it is quite possible that we will face a worse situation than in previous waves.”
— Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered the military to limit vacations and trips abroad for servicemen and women due to the spread of the Omicron variant.
— Russia will be “covered” by the Omicron variant and should brace for a “very high” number of Covid-19 cases, Alexander Gintsburg, the head of the state-run Gamaleya Institute which developed the country’s Sputnik V vaccine, said.
Jan. 10
— Russia confirmed 15,830 Covid-19 infections and 741 deaths.
Jan. 9
— Russia confirmed 16,246 Covid-19 infections and 763 deaths.
Jan. 8
— Russia confirmed 16,568 Covid-19 infections and 796 deaths.
Jan. 7
— Russia confirmed 16,735 Covid-19 infections and 787 deaths.
Jan. 6
— Russia confirmed 15,316 Covid-19 infections and 802 deaths.
Jan.5
— Russia confirmed 15,772 Covid-19 infections and 828 deaths.
Jan. 4
— Russia confirmed 15,903 Covid-19 infections and 834 deaths.
Jan. 3
— Russia confirmed 16,343 Covid-19 infections and 835 deaths.
Jan. 2
— Russia confirmed 18,233 Covid-19 infections and 811 deaths.
Jan. 1
— Russia confirmed 19,751 Covid-19 infections and 847 deaths.
Dec. 31
— Russia confirmed 20,638 Covid-19 infections and 912 deaths.
— Russia recorded more than 115,000 excess deaths during November 2021, according to official statistics published Thursday — a new record high since the start of the pandemic.
— Russia's Health Ministry on Thursday advised Russians against traveling abroad for the New Year holiday due to the spread of the Omicron variant.
— Over 100 cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in Russia, Rospotrebnadzor head Anna Popova said Thursday.
Dec. 30
— Russia confirmed 21,073 Covid-19 infections and 926 deaths. Cases in Moscow rose from 1,798 on Wednesday to 2,661 on Thursday, a nearly 50% increase.
Dec. 29
— Russia confirmed 21,119 Covid-19 infections and 932 deaths.
Dec. 28
— Russia confirmed 21,922 Covid-19 infections and 935 deaths.
Dec. 27
— Russia confirmed 23,210 Covid-19 infections and 937 deaths.
Dec. 26
— Russia confirmed 23,721 Covid-19 infections and 968 deaths.
Dec. 25
— Russia confirmed 24,946 Covid-19 infections and 981 deaths.
Dec. 24
— Russia confirmed 24,703 Covid-19 infections and 998 deaths.
Dec. 23
— Russia confirmed 25,667 Covid-19 infections and 1,002 deaths.
— Moscow confirmed over 3,000 new Covid cases, a 60% jump compared to Wednesday.
Dec. 22
— Russia on Wednesday confirmed 25,264 Covid-19 infections and 1,020 deaths.
Dec. 21
— Russia on Tuesday confirmed 25,907 Covid-19 infections and 1,027 deaths.
— Russia has detected 41 cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 so far, health authorities said Tuesday.
Dec. 20
— Russia confirmed 27,022 Covid-19 infections and 1,019 deaths.
Dec. 19
— Russia confirmed 27,967 Covid-19 infections and 1,024 deaths.
— Russia could send free shipments of its Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine to Africa in the future, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which finances and promotes the jab, has said.
Dec. 18
— Russia confirmed 27,434 Covid-19 infections and 1,076 deaths.
Dec. 17
— Russia confirmed 27,743 Covid-19 infections and 1,080 deaths.
— Russia claimed its Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine provides “robust” long-term protection against the Omicron variant, disputing the findings of an independent study which found the Russian jab produced no antibody response whatsoever to the new highly transmissible variant.
Dec. 16
— Russia has detected the Omicron variant in 25 people so far, Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said.
— Russia confirmed 28,486 Covid-19 infections and 1,133 deaths.
— Russian lawmakers approved legislation in a first reading that will require people to show health passes to access public places like bars and restaurants, as the country gears up for a winter Covid wave.
— Russia has not yet provided all the information requested by the WHO to certify the country’s flagship Sputnik V vaccine, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. “It's true that some information needed for certification has not yet been submitted. We had a different understanding of what information was needed and how it has to be submitted, we have different standards, etc," Peskov told journalists, adding that the Kremlin is not worried by the lengthy approval process the vaccine has faced.
Dec. 15
—Russians with coronavirus antibodies from both foreign and domestic vaccines will be able to get a QR code valid for six months, Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said Monday.
— Russia will scrap the proposed bill that would require QR codes to access public transport, State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin announced on his Telegram channel on Sunday.
Dec. 6
— Russia has confirmed its first reported cases of the Omicron variant. The new strain was detected in two people who traveled into the country from South Africa, Russia’s consumer and health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor said. Another 10 Russians who returned from South Africa have tested positive for the coronavirus and their samples are currently being analyzed to determine the variant, the agency added.
Dec. 3
— Russia said it recorded its deadliest month in decades in October, with the total number of excess deaths since the start of the coronavirus pandemic surpassing 810,000.
Dec. 2
— Russia will require citizens entering the country from South Africa or neighboring countries to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival due to the Omicron variant starting Dec. 2, Rospotrebnadzor head Anna Popova announced.
Nov. 30
— Russian President Vladimir Putin called for mutual recognition of vaccines against the coronavirus to help curtail the pandemic, as concern grows around the world about the fast-spreading Omicron variant.
— Russians returning from countries with which Moscow has not formally restored air travel will have to quarantine for 14 days, Anna Popova, the head of Russia’s Rospotrebnadzor consumer and health watchdog said. The validity of health passes obtained by a negative PCR test will also be reduced from 72 to 48 hours. Popova also advised Russians not to travel abroad for New Year holidays as part of a package of recommendations outlined in response to the Omicron variant.
— Putin has ordered the government to create an updated action plan for the Omicron strain by next week, he said at an investment forum.
Nov. 29
— As many as 1,500 Russian tourists have been left stranded in South Africa as countries scramble to ban flights from the region, media reported Monday.
— The backers of the Russian Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik V said Monday that the jab is effective against the new Omicron coronavirus variant but they were also developing an adapted booster.
Nov. 28
— The new Omicron variant may be spreading across Russia by tourists returning from Egypt, Senator and Honored Doctor of Russia Vladimir Krugly said Sunday. Russia’s consumer protection watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, which leads the country’s Covid-19 response efforts, later denied Krugly’s claims.
Nov. 25
— St. Petersburg aims to vaccinate 80% of its population by mid-January through vaccination, its Governor Alexander Beglov said Thursday. He said 67% of the city is currently vaccinated.
— Russian lawmakers are seeking to recognize those vaccinated against the coronavirus with foreign jabs, the Izvestia daily reported Thursday.
Nov. 24
— President Vladimir Putin repeated his stance that Covid-19 vaccination should be voluntary as regions and cities tighten restrictions on the unvaccinated.
— He added that he has received a nasal Covid-19 vaccine, days after saying he received a Sputnik Light booster shot.
— Russia has registered a Covid-19 vaccine for children 12 to 17 years old, Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova announced.
Nov. 23
— Russia and Hungary have agreed to mutually recognize each others' vaccination certificates, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, marking the first such agreement between Russia and another country.
Nov. 22
— A Siberian region of Russia has become the first in the country to impose self-isolation rules for residents who haven’t yet been vaccinated against Covid-19.
— The republic of Tatarstan became the first Russian province to enforce QR code passes on public transit earlier Monday.
Nov. 21
— President Vladimir Putin said he had had a third dose of a Covid vaccine. "I had it two hours ago," Putin said on state television channel Rossiya 24, assuring viewers that his booster injection of the Sputnik vaccine had been painless.
Nov. 19
— Russia's herd immunity has surpassed 50%, Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said.
Nov. 17
— Two more Russian coronavirus vaccines are currently undergoing preclinical trials, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said. So far, Russia has authorized four vaccines: Sputnik V, the one-dose Sputnik Light, EpiVacCorona and CoviVak.
— There is "no end in sight" to the Covid-19 pandemic in Russia yet, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
— A Far East Russian region has become the first in the country to introduce vaccine passports for internal flights as federal lawmakers race to mandate health passes for public transport and other areas.
Nov. 16
— Russia will resume air travel with Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Costa Rica and Mongolia from Dec. 1, authorities announced. It will also lift all remaining restrictions on flights with Mexico, Cuba and Qatar starting that day. Starting Dec. 12, train connections to Finland will resume.
Nov. 16
— U.S. pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has received approval to conduct trials of Paxlovid, a novel oral antiviral treatment aimed at preventing and treating Covid-19. Ninety people in a handful of Russian cities will take part in the trials.
Nov. 12
— Russia will introduce health passes for access to public places, restaurants and intercity trains and planes in a radical move designed to boost Russia's sluggish vaccination campaign.
Nov. 9
— St. Petersburg mandated vaccination against Covid-19 for all residents over 60 years old as well as people with certain chronic illnesses.
— Russia is now the world leader in coronavirus deaths for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
— The developer of Russia's coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V has said Moscow should make jabs mandatory as inoculation rates remain low despite record deaths and campaigning by authorities.
Nov. 8
— Russia’s nationwide paid holiday aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus came to an end Monday. Some regions are keeping the restrictions in place and many others are implementing digital passes showing proof of vaccination or recent Covid-19 recovery.
— QR codes proving one's vaccination continue to be valid for one year after vaccination, Russia's Health Ministry and Digital Development Ministry said Monday following reports that the validity period had changed to 6 months.
Nov. 2
— Russia's single-dose Sputnik Light vaccine produces a strong antibody response among recipients, according to research published in leading medical journal The Lancet. Sputnik Light is the first dose of Russia's two-dose Sputnik V vaccine, which is the backbone of Russia's domestic vaccination campaign and is being sold around the world.
Nov. 1
— Russian authorities said that doctors were under "extraordinary" strain due to surging coronavirus cases in Europe's worst-hit country.
— The Novgorod region in northwestern Russia has become the first region to extend the non-working week. It will order all non-essential workers to take a mandated paid holiday for an additional week after Nov. 7.
Oct. 27
— The Kremlin cautioned Russians against traveling during the Oct. 30-Nov. 7 non-working period ordered by Moscow to stem a spike in coronavirus infections and deaths.
— The Israeli government will allow tourists vaccinated with Russia's Sputnik V vaccine to enter the country starting Nov. 15.
Oct. 26
— All of Russia's 85 regions across 11 time zones have now mandated vaccines for certain categories of workers, Anna Popova, who heads the federal health watchdog that is leading the country’s response to the virus, said.
— The European Union expects countries including Russia to investigate the sale of fake Covid-19 certificates online and take appropriate measures, an EU spokesperson told RBC. The cybersecurity company Kaspersky said last week that it uncovered counterfeit travel certificates made to look as if they were issued in France or Poland being sold for an average price of $300 on the Telegram messaging app.
— Authorities in annexed Crimea said they plan to purchase mobile refrigerators to store bodies in the city of Simferopol as Covid-19 deaths continue to rise and the city's morgues are overwhelmed.
Oct. 25
— Russian authorities were investigating nurses and a doctor in St. Petersburg accused of selling fake coronavirus vaccination certificates, as the country faces a deadly new wave. The Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said a doctor and three nurses are suspected of pocketing at least 100,000 rubles ($1,430) from 12 people after selling official certificates without having administered jabs.
— President Vladimir Putin instructed regional leaders to order restaurants to close between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. and to ban all entertainment events.
— Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin imposed a partial citywide lockdown between Oct. 28-Nov. 7 to stem the spread of the virus.
— The restrictions suspend businesses, services, catering, sports, recreation, entertainment and film screenings with the exception of the sale of essential goods like medicines and food. Mass events, except those authorized by health officials, will be banned, and theater and museum attendance will be capped at 50% with mask-wearing and digital-code rules in place. In-person public services will be suspended and kindergarteners and school students sent home between Oct. 28 and Nov. 7.
The Moscow region introduced identical restrictions shortly after Sobyanin’s announcement.
— President Vladimir Putin will not meet people face-to-face during Russia's nationwide week-long paid holiday starting on Oct. 30 designed to curb Covid infections amid record deaths, his spokesman said.
— The pace of vaccinations in Russia has accelerated following a string of regions imposing vaccine mandates for workers in certain sectors of the economy and vaccine passports for entry into indoor venues, according to the Gogov website which tracks vaccine uptake across the country. It estimates Russia is administering more than 300,000 first doses each day — up from around 120,000 a day earlier October.
Oct. 23
— Russia's second city St. Petersburg will impose a partial lockdown from Oct. 30-Nov. 7, authorities announced.
Oct. 21
— Sochi is bracing for an influx of tourists during public holidays starting Oct. 30 designed to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Occupancy rates in hotels are set to be at least 75%, the city’s mayor said — equivalent to peak summer months at the Black Sea resort. The city has introduced vaccine passports for entry into restaurants and bars in a bid to stop the spread of the virus despite the mass inflow of tourists.
— Russia has detected a new sub-variant of the Delta strain of the coronavirus, which risks compounding the country’s spiraling infections and deaths, a senior Russian government scientist warned.
— The European Union’s drug regulator will not approve Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine until at least the first months of 2022, Reuters reported.
Oct. 20
— President Vladimir Putin announced a non-working week in Russia from Oct. 30-Nov. 7. Putin pleaded with Russians to get vaccinated and said the public holidays could be extended further if cases do not start to fall.
— Nationwide, 87% of hospital beds reserved for coronavirus patients are occupied, Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said in a televised meeting with President Vladimir Putin.
Oct. 19
— Some 1,100 medical staff died from Covid-19 in Russia during the first six months of 2021, the chair of the State Duma’s budget committee said. That is more than twice the number who succumbed to the virus in 2020, he added.
— Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has backed plans for a nationwide non-working week starting Oct. 30. The proposal was put forward by Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova during a televised government meeting. Mishustin said the strict measures — effectively a paid vacation or orders for workers at non-essential businesses to stop going into their place of work — were “now necessary” given increased numbers of cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Golikova said some regions should introduce the non-working week earlier, on Oct. 23 and also called for unvaccinated pensioners to start self-isolating at home.
Oct. 18
— Russia's second city, St. Petersburg, announced it would tighten restrictions to battle a surge in Covid-19 cases, introducing a health pass to regulate access to crowd events.
— Moscow authorities will start fining public transport passengers whose face masks do not cover their nose and mouth, a transit official said.
— South Africa's health products regulator said it would not approve Russia's Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine due to concerns it could increase the risk of HIV infection among men. The decision was based on earlier studies testing the safety of a modified form of adenovirus — a type of virus that causes respiratory infections — known as the Ad5 and contained in the Russian jab.
— Russia will allow family members of foreigners who live in Russia to enter the country, the Foreign Ministry said. The relaxation will allow people from countries not yet on Russia’s designated list of open countries to receive a special entry permit to come to Russia, provided they have a close relative living in Russia.
Oct. 16
— According to Rospotrebnadzor head Anna Popova, 38 of Russia’s 85 regions have introduced vaccine mandates for certain categories of citizens and employees working in designated sectors of the economy, such as retail and hospitality.
Oct. 15
— Russia will resume regular air travel with the Bahamas, Iran, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Slovenia, Tunisia, Sweden and Thailand starting Nov. 9, the national Covid-19 headquarters announced.
Oct. 14
— Health Minister Mikhail Murashko has called on doctors who are self-isolating or even retired due to the pandemic to get vaccinated and return to work due to record increases in Covid-19 infections and deaths.
Oct. 12
— The Moscow region that surrounds the capital has imposed vaccine mandates for sales, food, transport, public service, hair salon and fitness club employees.
— Roughly 235,000 of Russia's 255,000 Covid hospital beds nationwide are occupied, with 6,000 patients on ventilators, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said.
— Russia’s western exclave of Kaliningrad has suspended planned medical procedures as it battles an “extremely difficult” surge in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. The central Mari El region also canceled routine operations and medical treatment from Tuesday, warning that it had run out of free hospital beds and may soon have to start treating patients in corridors.
Oct. 11
— The Kremlin described Russia's Covid fatality toll as "high" and the country's vaccination rate as "unacceptably" low, even as it rejected new restrictions so as to protect the economy.
— Moscow launched free express coronavirus tests at 20 locations across the city, as the capital continues to battle with rising infection rates. The tests give a result in 15 minutes, but are less effective than the gold standard PCR tests. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said rapid testing would allow “socially responsible citizens” to ensure they are not spreading the virus.
— The Leningrad region that surrounds St. Petersburg will require residents to present QR codes proving their vaccination status or a negative PCR test in order to enter theaters, cinemas, swimming pools and gyms through Nov. 15.
Oct. 8
— Russia reported 65,000 excess fatalities in August in a 45% jump on pre-pandemic mortality rates, official data showed. The country's overall number of excess deaths since the start of the coronavirus stands at 660,000.
— EU Ambassador to Russia Markus Ederer said that the country "has repeatedly postponed" the timing of the inspection requested by the European Medicines Agency which has slowed down the approval process of the vaccine in the EU. The Russian Ministry of Health responded by saying that it presented the EU with all the necessary documents that the block requested.
Oct. 7
— A World Health Organization delegation will visit Russia this month as part of its approval procedure for Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, Russian Direct Investment Fund head Kirill Dmitriyev said.
— The problem behind WHO's suspension of Sputnik V's approval process has been resolved, said Mariangela Simao, WHO's assistant director general for access to medicines, vaccines and pharmaceuticals.
— Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has announced that mass PCR testing will be introduced in Russia's capital in 1-2 weeks.
— Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said the federal government recommends Russian regions introduce QR-codes for attending mass events, the state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported.
Oct. 4
— Russia’s top cabinet official on Monday criticized the country's stalling vaccination rates for failing to slow the spread of Covid-19 as Russians die in numbers not seen since the start of the pandemic.
AFP contributed reporting.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-07--Russia Confirms Four New Coronavirus Cases

Four new cases of coronavirus have been identified in Russia , Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported Saturday .
The @ @ @ @ @ number of people who have been infected with coronavirus in Russia to 17 , three @ @ @ @ @ .
Three of the four live in Lipetsk , a city 250 miles south of @ @ @ @ @ Russia ’ s second largest city St. Petersburg .
Authorities said all four had returned @ @ @ @ @ where there are almost 4,000 confirmed cases of the virus , in the last two @ @ @ @ @ mandatory screening of new arrivals from Italy at its airports , and Moscow city has @ @ @ @ @ from some of the most-affected countries to self-quarantine for 14 days .
The city is @ @ @ @ @ recognition cameras to monitor new arrivals and ensure they stick to the quarantine instructions .

Four new cases of coronavirus have been identified in Russia, the state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported Saturday.
The new cases take the total number of people who have been infected with coronavirus in Russia to 17, three of whom have since recovered.
Three of the four live in Lipetsk, a city 460 kilometers south of Moscow, with one in Russia’s second-largest city St. Petersburg.
Authorities said all four had returned to Russia from Italy, where there are almost 4,000 confirmed cases of the virus, in the last two weeks.
Russia has introduced mandatory screening of new arrivals from Italy at its airports, and Moscow city has ordered anybody coming to Russia from some of the most-affected countries to self-quarantine for 14 days. The city is using its network of facial recognition cameras to monitor new arrivals and ensure they stick to the quarantine instructions.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-07--Two Russians Arrested for Assassination Attempt on Chechen Dissident Blogger

A 29-year-old Russian man was previously detained by the court for attempted murder .
A district court in the central Swedish town of Gavle on Friday ordered a Russian woman in her thirties held in custody , suspected of being an accessory to the attempted murder of Tumso Abdurakhmanov on February 26 .
Two Russian citizens have been arrested in Sweden suspected of a hammer attack last month on a blogger critical of Chechen strongman leader Ramzan Kadyrov , media reported Saturday .
After the alleged attack , Abdurakhmanov posted a video showing the assailant , whom he had apparently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also brandished the hammer that he said the assailant wanted to kill him with .
The Chechen blogger claimed the man was sent by Russia to kill him .
`` We 're working on trying to establish the motive ... and of course we 'll take into consideration the remarks made by the plaintiff , '' prosecutor Therese Jansson told daily Svenska Dagbladet .
Abdurakhmanov , 34 , has lived in exile since 2015 after receiving what he describes as threats to his life from Chechnya .
According to Swedish daily Dagens Nyhether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Sweden since 2019 , after being denied asylum in Poland .
His YouTube video blog critical of Kadyrov has some 75,000 subscribers .
The attack comes amid growing concern over the security of Chechen dissidents living in Europe and elsewhere after repeated reports of attacks .
Initial suspicions of attempted murder of the assailant by Abdurakhmanov have been dropped , the prosecutor said .

A 29-year-old Russian man was previously detained by the court for attempted murder.
A district court in the central Swedish town of Gavle on Friday ordered a Russian woman in her thirties held in custody, suspected of being an accessory to the attempted murder of Tumso Abdurakhmanov on February 26.
Two Russian citizens have been arrested in Sweden suspected of a hammer attack last month on a blogger critical of Chechen strongman leader Ramzan Kadyrov, media reported Saturday.
After the alleged attack, Abdurakhmanov posted a video showing the assailant, whom he had apparently overpowered, covered in blood. He also brandished the hammer that he said the assailant wanted to kill him with.
The Chechen blogger claimed the man was sent by Russia to kill him.
"We're working on trying to establish the motive... and of course we'll take into consideration the remarks made by the plaintiff," prosecutor Therese Jansson told daily Svenska Dagbladet.
Abdurakhmanov, 34, has lived in exile since 2015 after receiving what he describes as threats to his life from Chechnya.
According to Swedish daily Dagens Nyhether, he has been living in hiding in Sweden since 2019, after being denied asylum in Poland.
His YouTube video blog critical of Kadyrov has some 75,000 subscribers.
The attack comes amid growing concern over the security of Chechen dissidents living in Europe and elsewhere after repeated reports of attacks.
Initial suspicions of attempted murder of the assailant by Abdurakhmanov have been dropped, the prosecutor said.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-08--Muscovites Ignoring Coronavirus Self-Isolation Rules Could Face Prison

Moscow city authorities threatened prison terms of up to five years on Sunday for people failing to self-isolate in their @ @ @ @ @ visiting countries hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak .
The city government had announced a @ @ @ @ @ and imposed extra measures on Thursday to prevent a spread of the illness in the @ @ @ @ @ return from China , South Korea , Iran , France , Germany , Italy and @ @ @ @ @ possible `` unfavorable '' signs of coronavirus should self-isolate themselves at home for 14 days @ @ @ @ @ said .
The Moscow healthcare department said on Sunday that those disregarding the regulation risked @ @ @ @ @ up to five years .
It said authorities would be checking self-isolation through use of @ @ @ @ @ In an information sheet , the department said it was OK for residents in self-isolation @ @ @ @ @ but at a time when there are fewest people in the streets , and wearing @ @ @ @

Moscow city authorities threatened prison terms of up to five years on Sunday for people failing to self-isolate in their homes for two weeks after visiting countries hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak.
The city government had announced a "high alert regime" and imposed extra measures on Thursday to prevent a spread of the illness in the Russian capital.
Those who return from China, South Korea, Iran, France, Germany, Italy and Spain and other states showing possible "unfavorable" signs of coronavirus should self-isolate themselves at home for 14 days, Moscow city hall has said.
The Moscow healthcare department said on Sunday that those disregarding the regulation risked severe punishment including imprisonment of up to five years.
It said authorities would be checking self-isolation through use of closed circuit TV cameras.
In an information sheet, the department said it was OK for residents in self-isolation to walk their dog, but at a time when there are fewest people in the streets, and wearing a face mask.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-08--Everything You Need to Know About the MH17 Trial

Tomorrow , a court in the Netherlands will start a landmark hearing to try to determine criminal responsibility for the downing of Flight MH17 six years ago , although it ’ s unlikely the suspects will appear in the dock .
The war in eastern Ukraine between Kiev ’ s forces and pro-Russian separatists has claimed more than 13,000 casualties according to the UN , but the downing of MH17 remains one of its most tragic episodes : 298 people , mostly Dutch nationals , died over eastern Ukraine when their flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 2019 , The Dutch-led joint investigation team ( JIT ) announced criminal proceedings against four suspects in the shooting — Russians Igor Girkin , Sergei Dubinsky and Oleg Pulatov ; and Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko .
Prosecutors have said the missile system that brought down the plane came from the Russian 53rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade , based in the western Russian city of Kursk .
All four accused are suspected of playing central roles in transporting and launching the Buk missile system that brought down the plane .
Igor “ Strelkov ” Girkin is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A former minister of defense in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People ’ s Republic ( DNR ) and close advisor to Crimean government head Sergei Aksyonov , Girkin is believed to be the most senior military officer in the area who was in direct contact with Russia .
Girkin now lives in Moscow , where he has been spotted on a number of occasions .
In talks with the media , he has denied any involvement in the shooting down of MH17 .
Dubinsky is a former military intelligence officer who fought in Afghanistan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and becoming the separatists ’ head of intelligence .
He is accused of arranging the transport of the Buk missile launcher , and believed to be living in Russia ’ s Rostov region , according to Russian media reports .
Pulatov , is also thought to have fought in Afghanistan and Chechnya , and served as a deputy to Dubinsky in the separatists ’ military intelligence unit .
According to investigative site Bellingcat , Pulatov has also moved back to Russia .
Ukrainian Kharchenko was the head of a separatist reconnaissance battalion during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the command of Dubinsky .
The four men will most likely not be present at the hearing as The Netherlands has said Russia has not cooperated with the investigation .
Dutch authorities have announced that the suspects will be tried in absentia .
Only one of the defendants — Oleg Pulatov — will be defended by an international defense team , consisting of two Dutch lawyers and one Russian lawyer .
Hubert Smeets , head of the Dutch political think tank WindowtoRussia believes that the JIT will have welcomed the news that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked to be represented during the hearing .
“ The JIT will see this as a big win , it brings legitimacy , ” Smeets told The Moscow Times .
In September 2019 , the JIT investigation took a body blow when its key witness ” Vladimir Tsemakh was sent to Russia from Ukraine as part of a high-profile prisoner swap between Kiev and Moscow .
Tsemakh , a Ukrainian citizen , was kidnapped in the Donbass by Ukranian security services on June 27 .
He had been recorded on video saying he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hid evidence of a Buk missile system .
“ We believe Tsemakh should have never been involved in this swap and that he should face the consequences of his actions , ” Piet Ploeg , who lost his brother , sister-in-law and nephew in the crash and heads a Dutch foundation supporting the families of the victims , told The Moscow Times in September .
In November 2019 , the JIT team released a batch of intercepted audio recordings of calls it said were between pro-Russian separatist fighters in eastern Ukraine and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine .
The calls included conversations between defendant Igor Girkin , the Russian-appointed leader in Crimea Sergei Aksyonov and the former head of the Kremlin 's policy on Ukraine Vladislav Surkov .
The Kremlin was quick to question the authenticity of the calls , calling them `` fake news . ''
In February 2020 , Dutch prosecutors announced that they had at least one eyewitness to the downing of MH17 .
Dutch media later reported that there are 13 witnesses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least one public witness who will appear at the trial .
Russia again slammed The Netherlands , with the country ’ s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova saying she was “ disgusted ” by the reports .
“ They have made a farce out of a tragedy , ” Zakharova posted on Facebook .
As it has done in the past , Russia will continue to reject any new evidence that emerges from the hearings , said Andrei Kolesnikov , chair of the Russian Domestic Politics and Political Institutions Program at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t change its position .
They don ’ t see the point of it as they believe they have largely won the information war at home , ” he said .
Kolesnikov pointed to a February poll from the independent Levada Center pollster showing that 60 % of Russians believe Ukraine was behind the down shooting of the plane , while just 10 % think Russia was the culprit .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said the Kremlin will not comment on the court case until the final verdict is out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skeptical view of the JIT .
“ You know we 've always had our questions about the objectivity of the investigation since Russia was denied participation , ” Peskov told the media .
Nevertheless , the court case has the chance of becoming a thorn in the side of the Kremlin , said Pavel Kanygin , a Russian journalist who has extensively covered the MH17 case .
“ New evidence is likely to emerge during the trial while Putin is hoping to make his European comeback , ” he said .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Russia faced EU sanctions following the MH17 case as relations with the West reached historic lows .
Over the last year , however , there have been some signs that EU-Russia relations might be improving .
French President Emmanuele Macron has been repeatedly calling for improved European relations with Russia while German Chancellor Angela Merkel ’ s government has been pushing for the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline , an $ 11 billion project that will double the natural gas supply being transported under the Baltic Sea to Germany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejects the idea that the Russian government will actually take any new evidence seriously , as many of the names likely to be mentioned in the hearings — including Russia ’ s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu — are close to Putin and would implicate the Russian ruling elite in the tragedy .
The view from The Netherlands While the Russian side will aim to downplay the court hearings , the Dutch authorities and the whole country will be watching closely , “ MH17 is by far the country ’ s biggest tragedy of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indescribably large impact , ” said Smeets .
Central for the country and its leadership will be “ truthfinding ” after years of what many experts have called a campaign of Russian disinformation and propaganda .
“ For the investigation team , it will be important to show the world that there aren ’ t multiple scenarios of what could have or might have happened , but to establish the truth based on facts and science , ” said Smeets .
Ploeg and others who have lost family members are looking forward to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening old wounds .
“ I think it will give us some closure .
We deserve that , ” Ploeg told The Moscow Times .

A court in the Netherlands will start a landmark hearing Monday to try to determine criminal responsibility for the downing of Flight MH17 six years ago, although it’s unlikely the suspects will appear in the dock. The war in eastern Ukraine between Kiev’s forces and pro-Russian separatists has claimed more than 13,000 casualties according to the UN, but the downing of MH17 remains one of its most tragic episodes: 298 people, mostly Dutch nationals, died over eastern Ukraine when their flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down on July 17, 2014. In June 2019, The Dutch-led joint investigation team (JIT) announced criminal proceedings against four suspects in the shooting — Russians Igor Girkin, Sergei Dubinsky and Oleg Pulatov; and Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko. The accused Prosecutors have said the missile system that brought down the plane came from the Russian 53rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade, based in the western Russian city of Kursk. All four accused are suspected of playing central roles in transporting and launching the Buk missile system that brought down the plane. Igor “Strelkov” Girkin is the most well-known of the four. A former minister of defense in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) and close advisor to Crimean government head Sergei Aksyonov, Girkin is believed to be the most senior military officer in the area who was in direct contact with Russia. Girkin now lives in Moscow, where he has been spotted on a number of occasions. In talks with the media, he has denied any involvement in the shooting down of MH17.
Dubinsky is a former military intelligence officer who fought in Afghanistan and Chechnya before moving to eastern Ukraine and becoming the separatists’ head of intelligence. He is accused of arranging the transport of the Buk missile launcher, and believed to be living in Russia’s Rostov region, according to Russian media reports. Pulatov, is also thought to have fought in Afghanistan and Chechnya, and served as a deputy to Dubinsky in the separatists’ military intelligence unit. According to investigative site Bellingcat, Pulatov has also moved back to Russia. Ukrainian Kharchenko was the head of a separatist reconnaissance battalion during the MH17 shooting, and also worked under the command of Dubinsky. The four men will most likely not be present at the hearing as The Netherlands has said Russia has not cooperated with the investigation. Dutch authorities have announced that the suspects will be tried in absentia. Only one of the defendants — Oleg Pulatov — will be defended by an international defense team, consisting of two Dutch lawyers and one Russian lawyer. Hubert Smeets, head of the Dutch political think tank WindowtoRussia believes that the JIT will have welcomed the news that at least one of the defendants has asked to be represented during the hearing. “The JIT will see this as a big win, it brings legitimacy,” Smeets told The Moscow Times. A shaky lead-up to the trial In September 2019, the JIT investigation took a body blow when its “key witness” Vladimir Tsemakh was sent to Russia from Ukraine as part of a high-profile prisoner swap between Kiev and Moscow. Tsemakh, a Ukrainian citizen, was kidnapped in the Donbass by Ukranian security services on June 27. He had been recorded on video saying he commanded an anti-air brigade in eastern Ukraine and hid evidence of a Buk missile system. “We believe Tsemakh should have never been involved in this swap and that he should face the consequences of his actions,” Piet Ploeg, who lost his brother, sister-in-law and nephew in the crash and heads a Dutch foundation supporting the families of the victims, told The Moscow Times in September.
In November 2019, the JIT team released a batch of intercepted audio recordings of calls it said were between pro-Russian separatist fighters in eastern Ukraine and high-ranking Russian officials in the weeks leading up to the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine. The calls included conversations between defendant Igor Girkin, the Russian-appointed leader in Crimea Sergei Aksyonov and the former head of the Kremlin's policy on Ukraine Vladislav Surkov. The Kremlin was quick to question the authenticity of the calls, calling them "fake news." In February 2020, Dutch prosecutors announced that they had at least one eyewitness to the downing of MH17. Dutch media later reported that there are 13 witnesses, whose identities have been classified, and at least one public witness who will appear at the trial. Russia again slammed The Netherlands, with the country’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova saying she was “disgusted” by the reports. “They have made a farce out of a tragedy,” Zakharova posted on Facebook. The view from Russia As it has done in the past, Russia will continue to reject any new evidence that emerges from the hearings, said Andrei Kolesnikov, chair of the Russian Domestic Politics and Political Institutions Program at the Carnegie Moscow Center. “The Kremlin won’t change its position. They don’t see the point of it as they believe they have largely won the information war at home,” he said. Kolesnikov pointed to a February poll from the independent Levada Center pollster showing that 60% of Russians believe Ukraine was behind the shooting down of the plane, while just 10% think Russia was the culprit. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said the Kremlin will not comment on the court case until the final verdict is out, and reiterated the country’s skeptical view of the JIT.
news MH17 Crash Probe Releases Intercepted Calls Between East Ukraine Rebels and Russian Officials Read more


themoscowtimes--2020-03-07--Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | March 8

There have been 15 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far .
As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 3,000 people continues to spread around the world , Russia has stepped up measures to tackle the health risk , including closing most entry points along its 4,200-kilometer border with China and temporarily banning Chinese citizens from entering the country .
Below are the latest updates on Russia ’ s response to the coronavirus — Moscow city authorities threatened prison terms of up to five years on Sunday for people failing to self-isolate in their homes for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the coronavirus outbreak .
— Russia confirmed four new cases of coronavirus , taking the total number to 17 — three of whom have since recovered .
— Russia has reported six new cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours , including five in Moscow and one in Nizhny Novgorod 400 kilometers east of the capital .
All six cases were contracted in Italy , one of several virus hubs outside China , the authorities said .
— Russian officials have conducted more than 51,000 tests for the coronavirus nationwide , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seven cases have been confirmed , including two Chinese nationals who have since recovered .
— Seven Russian passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship who were placed in a two-week quarantine in Russia 's Far East have been discharged .
Two other quarantined patients are awaiting test results .
— Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced a “ high alert regime , ” ordering self-isolation for Russians returning from China , South Korea , Iran , France , Germany , Italy and Spain .
— Russia cancelled its flagship annual St Petersburg International @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against coronavirus , the Interfax news agency cited First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov as saying on Thursday .
The forum , usually chaired by President Vladimir Putin , was due to be held in St Petersburg on June 3-6 .
— Russia 's state carrier Aeroflot said it would suspend its flights to and from Hong Kong amid fears over coronavirus .
The airline will continue flying from Moscow to Hong Kong until March 7 and from Hong Kong to Moscow until March 8 , after which those services will be suspended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency plan that envisions a near shutdown of the Russian capital in case of a coronavirus outbreak .
— Officials confirmed a seventh coronavirus infection in the country .
The patient is an Italian citizen who had arrived to Russia on Feb. 29 , asked for medical help on March 2 and tested positive for the virus .
He is being treated at an undisclosed hospital .
— Russian businesses have started to cancel foreign business trips and participation in international conferences after a recommendation from the Health Ministry to restrict foreign travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in St. Petersburg have been placed under quarantine and prohibited from leaving the building after the hospitalization of an Italian exchange student who had been living there .
The number of patients in the city that are being monitored for coronavirus symptoms has nearly doubled to 44 people .
— Two Russian citizens have been diagnosed with the coronavirus in the United Arab Emirates , the country 's health ministry said .
— Russia has temporarily banned the export of medical masks , gloves , bandages and protective suits .
— President Vladimir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus were being sent to Russia from abroad to spread panic .
He urged the government to ensure that citizens were correctly informed about the situation in Russia .
— Russian gas giant Gazprom has suspended foreign trips for its staff due to the coronavirus outbreak , a company spokesman said .
— The Moscow metro has begun random checks of passengers ' temperatures at station entrances , Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said .
— A Russian national who was quarantined in a Moscow hospital after recently returning from northern Italy , a hub @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , the state-run RIA Novosti reported .
The man , 29-year-old Moscow resident David Berov , is the first known Russian national to test positive for coronavirus while in the country .
— The impact of coronavirus on the Russian economy will be deeper than originally expected , Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov said .
The ruble 's depreciation and stock market decline have gained momentum since mid-February due to the fast-spreading coronavirus and concerns about its economic impact , which sent oil prices crashing .
— Schools across Moscow have canceled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of the flu and respiratory infections , the city ’ s education officials said in a Feb. 28 letter cited by Interfax .
— Moscow authorities are deporting 88 foreign nationals who violated quarantine measures imposed on them as a precaution against coronavirus , the state-run RIA news agency cited Moscow 's deputy mayor as saying .
— A Russian citizen has tested positive with coronavirus in Azerbaijan after arriving there from Iran , Interfax reported .
It marks the fourth case of coronavirus among Russian citizens and the first infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporarily barred Iranian citizens from entering Russia and said it would also restrict the entry of South Korean citizens from March 1 as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus , decrees published online showed .
— The government also said it would not allow in any foreign citizens traveling from Iran or South Korea , and ordered the Foreign Ministry to suspend the issue of visas to Iranian citizens .
— Russia will suspend its train service from Moscow to the southern French city of Nice starting March 4 , the state-run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Transport Ministry .
The ministry said the train link would be suspended until further notice as part of wider measures aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus in Russia .
— Moscow authorities have identified 88 people who violated the city 's self-isolation orders after returning from China , Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said .
The Russian capital deployed its facial recognition network to enforce the quarantine .
— Russia has developed five prototypes for a coronavirus vaccine , Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said .
— Russia 's Federal Tourism Agency recommended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , South Korea and Iran until the outbreaks of coronavirus there are brought under control .
— Moscow will suspend flights between Russia and South Korea from March 1 over coronavirus fears , except those operated by Aeroflot and Aurora , Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said .
— Golikova said Russia would also stop issuing visas to some Iranian citizens from Feb. 28 and was advising Russians against traveling to Italy .
— Other restrictions related to the outbreak which have been previously announced will be extended by one month to April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese Embassy in Russia has reportedly asked Moscow authorities to stop the profiling of Chinese nationals on the city 's public transport .
According to Novaya Gazeta , the embassy 's letter said that Moscow police and subway workers had begun questioning passengers believed to be Chinese to check for signs of coronavirus , something that is n't being done anywhere else in the world .
— Two Russian citizens are among the hundreds of tourists being quarantined in a seaside resort on Tenerife , one of the Canary Islands , after an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive for coronavirus , Interfax reported .
— Seven Russian passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship have been placed in a two-week quarantine in a Vladivostok hospital .
— Nearly all of the 25 Ukrainian nationals onboard the quarantined ship have refused to be evacuated to their home country after violent protests against coronavirus evacuees broke out there .
— Around 2,500 people arriving from China have been ordered placed under quarantine for the coronavirus and monitored by the Russian capital ’ s facial-recognition technology , Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said .


themoscowtimes--2020-03-09--MH17 Trial Live Updates: March 9

MH17 Trial Live Updates: March 9

SCHIPHOL , The Netherlands — A court in the Netherlands is conducting a landmark hearing to try to determine criminal responsibility for the downing of Flight MH17 six years ago .
The Moscow Times is covering the MH17 trial live from the courtroom in The Netherlands .
Follow along here : 12.20 : Prosecutors open the case by slowly reading out all 298 names of those killed aboard MH17 .
It takes over 10 minutes to read all of them .
Many of those killed included multiple members of the same family .
Court takes a lunch break .
11.45 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the suspects are present in the courtroom , adding that Pulatov is the sole suspect who has asked to be represented in court .
Oleg Pulatov 's defense said it is not ready to file a statement of objections because it has not had the appropriate time to discuss the file with the defendant .
The court will allow Pulatov to file objections at its June 2020 session .
The judge said Pulatov is aware of the charges against him .
The judge said the prosecution has sent indictments to the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dubinsky and Oleg Pulatov ; and described attempts to contact them .
The court said enough has been done to make them aware of the indictments .
Judge rules that the trial of four suspects can , therefore , continue despite none of them turning up at court in the Netherlands .
Public prosecutor proceeds to read out the names of all victims who died in the MH 17 crash .
1035 : The presiding judge has said the court will be taking a 30-minute break due to technical problems that are reportedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courtroom .
Prior to that , the judge announced that 49 relatives of the Mh17 victims have come forward and want to testify during the hearing .
1000 : Head judge Hendrik Steenhuis has opened the MH17 process and is now giving an introduction .
The trial will be held in Dutch with simultaneous English translation , but there will be no translation into Russian language .
“ Many have longed for this process for a long time , ” Steenhuis said The defendants , who are still at large , face charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and shooting down the jetliner as it flew from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur , killing all 298 passengers and crew .
The four suspects are not expected to appear in court .
This morning , BBC Russia reported that one of the suspects , Oleg Pulatov , has agreed to testify by video link .
Pulatov is also the sole suspect who has asked to be represented in court .

SCHIPHOL, The Netherlands — The presiding judge in the MH17 murder trial on Tuesday postponed the hearings until March 23, when the court will decide on how the trial should proceed following judical requests from the defense and relatives of the victims of the plane crash.
Monday was the first day of the long awaited trial. Dutch prosecutors allege that the defendants, three Russians and a Ukrainian who are being tried in absentia, were instrumental in the 2014 shooting down of the passenger plane that killed all 298 people on board, most of them Dutch nationals.
The defendants — Russians Sergey Dubinsky, Oleg Pulatov and Igor Girkin and Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko — held senior posts in the pro-Russian militias in eastern Ukraine in 2014, according to prosecutors.
The four face preliminary charges of the murder of 298 people and of causing the aircraft to crash. The suspects are believed to be in Russia.
On Tuesday, the court decided to adjourn until March 23 after the defense team for Russian suspect Oleg Pulatov asked for additional time to analyze the case while a lawyer representing many of the family members of the victims asked to have access to the case file.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-09--Russian Share Prices Collapse, Ruble and Oil Tumble

Leading Russian firms saw their share prices collapse Monday , as the fallout from Moscow rejecting an oil production pact with Saudi Arabia rocks global financial markets .
Among the biggest losers were state-backed lenders Sberbank and VTB , which both plunged by more than 20 % when European markets opened .
Oil major Rosneft , also state-owned , recorded a 20 % drop — equivalent to a $ 15 billion fall in value — while Gazprom shares crashed by almost 25 % initially , before recovering slightly to stand 15 % down .
Markets in Russia are closed Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a number of Russian companies are also traded on the London Stock Exchange — giving an idea of the impact the market chaos is already inflicting on the Russian corporate world .
Rosneft had been a vocal opponent of further oil production cuts proposed by Saudi Arabia , which Riyadh sought in order to increase prices .
The company , headed up by Igor Sechin , a close ally of President Vladimir Putin , publicly backed Russia ’ s rejection of a new deal , instead saying a period of lower prices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. shale industry .
Saudi Arabia responded to Russia ’ s rejection by pledging to flood the market with excess supply and cut prices for key customers , provoking an “ oil price war ” , and sending prices for benchmark Brent crude tumbling by more than 30 % to $ 33 a barrel .
As a knock-on effect , the Russian ruble also lost 8 % , falling to a four-year low against the U.S. dollar .
Financial markets around the world have been rocked by the turmoil , worsened by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consequences of the coronavirus as Italy placed its northern regions on lockdown , effectively quarantining a quarter of its population .
Berenberg , a German investment bank , forecast Monday that the fallout would push Europe into recession this year .
“ Equity markets are hideous today and these kind of moves are to be afraid of as they can lead to aggressive tightening in credit that can spiral into real financial distress , ” said Neil Wilson of Markets.com .
“ We don ’ t know even know what kind of impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet bond and equity markets are screaming recession .
”

Leading Russian firms saw their share prices collapse Monday, as the fallout from Moscow rejecting an oil production pact with Saudi Arabia rocks global financial markets.
Among the biggest losers were state-backed lenders Sberbank and VTB, which both plunged by more than 20% when European markets opened.
Oil major Rosneft, also state-owned, recorded a 20% drop — equivalent to a $15 billion fall in value — while Gazprom shares crashed by almost 25% initially, before recovering slightly to stand 15% down.
Markets in Russia are closed Monday for a public holiday, but shares in a number of Russian companies are also traded on the London Stock Exchange — giving an idea of the impact the market chaos is already inflicting on the Russian corporate world.
Rosneft had been a vocal opponent of further oil production cuts proposed by Saudi Arabia, which Riyadh sought in order to increase prices. The company, headed up by Igor Sechin, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, publicly backed Russia’s rejection of a new deal, instead saying a period of lower prices would hurt Rosneft’s rivals in the U.S. shale industry.
Saudi Arabia responded to Russia’s rejection by pledging to flood the market with excess supply and cut prices for key customers, provoking an “oil price war”, and sending prices for benchmark Brent crude tumbling by almost 20% to $37 a barrel. As a knock-on effect, the Russian ruble also lost 8%, falling to a four-year low against the U.S. dollar.
Financial markets around the world have been rocked by the turmoil, worsened by a sharpening outlook for the negative economic consequences of the coronavirus as Italy placed its northern regions on lockdown, effectively quarantining a quarter of its population. Berenberg, a German investment bank, forecast Monday that the fallout would push Europe into recession this year.
“Equity markets are hideous today and these kind of moves are to be afraid of as they can lead to aggressive tightening in credit that can spiral into real financial distress,” said Neil Wilson of Markets.com. “We don’t know even know what kind of impact the coronavirus will have on the economy yet bond and equity markets are screaming recession.”