themoscowtimes--2020-02-28--Fewer Russians Remember Nemtsov’s Murder 5 Years On – Poll

Nemtsov was gunned down on Feb. 27 , 2015 , on a bridge near the Kremlin ’ s walls .
A gunman and four accomplices were jailed for up to 20 years in 2017 , but Nemtsov ’ s allies have criticized the investigation for failing to identify those who had ordered the killing .
Fewer Russians have heard of the murder of opposition politician Boris Nemtsov five years after his death , the independent Levada Center polling agency said Friday .
The share of Russians who have never heard of Nemtsov ’ s murder has increased from 17 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February 2020 , according to Levada ’ s results .
The share of those who say they know of Nemtsov ’ s murder declined from 82 % last year to 72 % this year .
Among them , 29 % said they believe Nemtsov was killed `` for criticizing the authorities ” and another 29 % said they “ don ’ t understand ” the motive behind his killing .
One-quarter of the respondents who knew about the murder said they think Nemtsov “ fell victim to criminal disputes , ” while 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s allies are scheduled to hold a commemorative march in his memory in Moscow , St. Petersburg and other cities Saturday .
Several foreign diplomats paid respects Thursday at the bridge where Nemtsov was shot and killed ; the U.S. Embassy in Moscow urged Russia to find the murder ’ s organizers ; and Czech authorities renamed the square in Prague where Russia ’ s embassy is located after Nemtsov .
The Kremlin said Thursday it does not plan to commemorate Nemtsov ’ s memory .
Levada conducted the survey among 1,614 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20-26 .

Nemtsov was gunned down on Feb. 27, 2015, on a bridge near the Kremlin’s walls. A gunman and four accomplices were jailed for up to 20 years in 2017, but Nemtsov’s allies have criticized the investigation for failing to identify those who had ordered the killing.
Fewer Russians have heard of the murder of opposition politician Boris Nemtsov five years after his death, the independent Levada Center polling agency said Friday.
The share of Russians who have never heard of Nemtsov’s murder has increased from 17% in February 2019 to 27% in February 2020, according to Levada’s results.
The share of those who say they know of Nemtsov’s murder declined from 82% last year to 72% this year. Among them, 29% said they believe Nemtsov was killed "for criticizing the authorities” and another 29% said they “don’t understand” the motive behind his killing.
One-quarter of the respondents who knew about the murder said they think Nemtsov “fell victim to criminal disputes,” while 13% were unable to answer.
Nemtsov’s allies are scheduled to hold a commemorative march in his memory in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities Saturday. Several foreign diplomats paid respects Thursday at the bridge where Nemtsov was shot and killed; the U.S. Embassy in Moscow urged Russia to find the murder’s organizers; and Czech authorities renamed the square in Prague where Russia’s embassy is located after Nemtsov.
The Kremlin said Thursday it does not plan to commemorate Nemtsov’s memory.
Levada conducted the survey among 1,614 respondents in 50 Russian regions on Feb. 20-26.
Reuters contributed reporting to this article.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-28--Amazon Prime Snags First Russian Reality Show

“ Instagrammers , ” which premiered on the Gazprom Media-owned entertainment channel Pyatnitsa in 2017 , follows the lives of influencers forced to do menial jobs in rural Russia .
Amazon Prime Video has for the first time bought the rights to a Russian reality show , the Kommersant business daily reported Thursday .
The reality show will air in March across North America , Europe , South Africa and the Caribbean , with English subtitles .
“ Instagrammers ” is the first Russian reality show to appear on Amazon Prime Video , Kommersant cited a Pyatnitsa spokesperson as saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights to at least 100 Russian television series and movies .
Pyatnitsa CEO Nikolay Kartozya declined to disclose the financial details of the Amazon Prime Video deal , which he said is the only confirmed agreement amid ongoing negotiations with 10 foreign buyers .
“ One of Pyatnitsa ’ s strategies I selected is creating and selling franchises .
There are still a lot of unconfirmed deals , ” Kartozya was quoted as saying .
“ It ’ s usually the Russians who buy American reality shows , but this is the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market with what we ’ ve come up with here , ” he told Kommersant FM .

“Instagrammers,” which premiered on the Gazprom Media-owned entertainment channel Pyatnitsa in 2017, follows the lives of influencers forced to do menial jobs in rural Russia.
Amazon Prime Video has for the first time bought the rights to a Russian reality show, the Kommersant business daily reported Thursday.
The reality show will air in March across North America, Europe, South Africa and the Caribbean, with English subtitles.
“Instagrammers” is the first Russian reality show to appear on Amazon Prime Video, Kommersant cited a Pyatnitsa spokesperson as saying. The streaming service reportedly owns the rights to at least 100 Russian television series and movies.
Pyatnitsa CEO Nikolay Kartozya declined to disclose the financial details of the Amazon Prime Video deal, which he said is the only confirmed agreement amid ongoing negotiations with 10 foreign buyers.
“One of Pyatnitsa’s strategies I selected is creating and selling franchises. There are still a lot of unconfirmed deals,” Kartozya was quoted as saying.
“It’s usually the Russians who buy American reality shows, but this is the first time we’re entering the international market with what we’ve come up with here,” he told Kommersant FM.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-28--Putin Inspects Russia's Answer to Disneyland Before Grand Opening

President Vladimir Putin inspected Russia 's answer to Disneyland on Thursday , the country 's first large-scale indoor theme park which Moscow says will be the biggest of its kind in Europe when it opens on Saturday .
The theme park , called `` Ostrov Mechty '' — or Dream Island — is built in the shape of a toy castle that spreads across 30 hectares in an industrial neighborhood in southern Moscow and is filled with rides , attractions and restaurants .
Joined by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin , Putin strolled through the park inspecting a scale model of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a group of disadvantaged children brought in for his visit .
Russia has strived in recent years to build bigger and better facilities than the West to show it remains a force to be reckoned with , and has prided itself on major construction and infrastructure projects .
Municipal authorities say it is the largest indoor theme park of its kind in Europe and that its main glass dome is several times larger than the dome at the Galeries Lafayette in Paris and more than double the size of one atop the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facility has drawn criticism from some quarters however for its extravagance and unusual design and popular blogger Ilya Varlamov ranked it seventh on his list of Russia 's top 100 ugliest buildings .
Russia remains under Western sanctions over its 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and has struggled to find meaningful economic growth .
But it has pressed ahead with big infrastructure projects regardless .
In 2014 it opened what it said was the largest shopping mall in Europe , and Putin last year opened a rail route linking Russia 's two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new bridge .

President Vladimir Putin inspected Russia's answer to Disneyland on Thursday, the country's first large-scale indoor theme park which Moscow says will be the biggest of its kind in Europe when it opens on Saturday. The theme park, called "Ostrov Mechty" — or Dream Island — is built in the shape of a toy castle that spreads across 30 hectares in an industrial neighborhood in southern Moscow and is filled with rides, attractions and restaurants.
Joined by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, Putin strolled through the park inspecting a scale model of the facility and stopping to take pictures with a group of disadvantaged children brought in for his visit. Russia has strived in recent years to build bigger and better facilities than the West to show it remains a force to be reckoned with, and has prided itself on major construction and infrastructure projects. Dream Island is no exception. Municipal authorities say it is the largest indoor theme park of its kind in Europe and that its main glass dome is several times larger than the dome at the Galeries Lafayette in Paris and more than double the size of one atop the German Reichstag in Berlin.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-28--Russia Sends Warships as Turkish Troops Killed in Syria

Turkey said Syrian government airstrikes killed 33 Turkish soldiers Thursday , bringing the death toll in Idlib to 54 Turkish soldiers this month .
Turkey has sent thousands of troops and military hardware into Syria as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned of a full-scale offensive unless Russia-backed Syrian forces pulled back from Turkish observation posts in the region .
Russia is sending two warships equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles to the Mediterranean Sea toward the Syrian coast amid mounting tensions between Russia , Turkey and Syria over the Syrian province of Idlib , the Russian Navy said Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on “ all known ” Syrian government targets in retaliation , Turkey ’ s communications director said .
Russia ’ s Black Sea Fleet has dispatched the Admiral Makarov and Admiral Grigorovich frigates to the Mediteranean , its spokesman Alexei Rulev said .
A third frigate , the Admiral Essen , has been in the Mediterranean since December 2019 , Rulev added .
Russia 's Defense Ministry said Friday that Turkish troops hit by shelling should not have been in the Syrian area where they were and that Ankara had not informed Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministry said , however , that Russian warplanes had not carried out strikes in the area where Turkish troops were .
It added that Russia had done everything to ensure the Syrian army ceased fire to allow the troops to evacuate .
Turkey will no longer stop Syrian refugees from reaching Europe , a senior Turkish official said Friday , a move that would reverse a pledge Turkey made to the European Union in 2016 and could draw Western powers into the standoff over Idlib and stalled negotiations between Ankara and Moscow .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ place outside the Russian Embassy in Ankara .
The Kremlin later said that Moscow hoped Turkey would do everything to protect Russian nationals and Russia 's diplomatic facilities in Turkey .
President Vladimir Putin met Russia 's Security Council on Friday to discuss Syria and said that Turkish troops should not be positioned outside their observation posts in Syria 's Idlib , the Kremlin was quoted as saying .
The U.S. State Department said it is very concerned about the reported attack on Turkish soldiers in Idlib and it stands by its NATO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to call for an immediate end to this despicable offensive by the Assad regime , Russia and Iranian-backed forces , '' a State Department representative said in a statement Thursday .
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced `` grave concern '' about the escalation in northwest Syria and repeated his call for an immediate ceasefire , a spokesman said .
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad 's forces , supported by relentless Russian air strikes , have pushed hard in recent months to retake the last large rebel-held region in northwest Syria .
Turkey has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supports against the offensive .
The war in Syria has displaced millions and killed hundreds of thousands .
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg announced plans for the North Atlantic Council to meet Friday on the latest tensions in Idlib on Turkey ’ s request .

Turkey said Syrian government airstrikes killed 33 Turkish soldiers Thursday, bringing the death toll in Idlib to 54 Turkish soldiers this month. Turkey has sent thousands of troops and military hardware into Syria as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned of a full-scale offensive unless Russia-backed Syrian forces pulled back from Turkish observation posts in the region.
Russia is sending two warships equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles to the Mediterranean Sea toward the Syrian coast amid mounting tensions between Russia, Turkey and Syria over the Syrian province of Idlib, the Russian Navy said Friday.
Turkish air and land support units fired on “all known” Syrian government targets in retaliation, Turkey’s communications director said.
Russia’s Black Sea Fleet has dispatched the Admiral Makarov and Admiral Grigorovich frigates to the Mediteranean, its spokesman Alexei Rulev said. A third frigate, the Admiral Essen, has been in the Mediterranean since December 2019, Rulev added.
Russia's Defense Ministry said Friday that Turkish troops hit by shelling should not have been in the Syrian area where they were and that Ankara had not informed Moscow in advance about their location.
The ministry said, however, that Russian warplanes had not carried out strikes in the area where Turkish troops were. It added that Russia had done everything to ensure the Syrian army ceased fire to allow the troops to evacuate.
Turkey will no longer stop Syrian refugees from reaching Europe, a senior Turkish official said Friday, a move that would reverse a pledge Turkey made to the European Union in 2016 and could draw Western powers into the standoff over Idlib and stalled negotiations between Ankara and Moscow.
Video published Friday showed anti-Russian protests taking place outside the Russian Embassy in Ankara. The Kremlin later said that Moscow hoped Turkey would do everything to protect Russian nationals and Russia's diplomatic facilities in Turkey.
President Vladimir Putin met Russia's Security Council on Friday to discuss Syria and said that Turkish troops should not be positioned outside their observation posts in Syria's Idlib, the Kremlin was quoted as saying.
The U.S. State Department said it is very concerned about the reported attack on Turkish soldiers in Idlib and it stands by its NATO ally Turkey.
"We... continue to call for an immediate end to this despicable offensive by the Assad regime, Russia and Iranian-backed forces," a State Department representative said in a statement Thursday.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced "grave concern" about the escalation in northwest Syria and repeated his call for an immediate ceasefire, a spokesman said.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces, supported by relentless Russian air strikes, have pushed hard in recent months to retake the last large rebel-held region in northwest Syria.
Turkey has been sending troops to back the rebels it supports against the offensive.
The war in Syria has displaced millions and killed hundreds of thousands.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg announced plans for the North Atlantic Council to meet Friday on the latest tensions in Idlib on Turkey’s request.
Reuters contributed reporting to this article.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-27--24-Year-Old Russian Dies After Police 'Revive' Him With Taser

Dmitry Kharchenko fell asleep in the back of a taxi on his way home from a nightclub on Feb. 15 .
The driver reportedly asked police officers for help after failing to wake him up .
A young man in Siberia has died after police used a taser to wake him up , a local lawmaker and the victim ’ s mother said nearly two weeks after the tragedy Thursday .
“ They tased him and he died , ” Irkutsk city Duma deputy Alexander Kvasov was quoted by Interfax as saying Thursday .
The 24-year-old ’ s mother , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post that her son died of heart failure .
The officers , A. Ankheyev and A. Lyubimov , were fired and placed in pre-trial detention for two months Saturday , Kharchenko wrote on Sunday .
News reports identified them as Alexander Ankheyev and Arkady Lyubimov .
The Irkutsk region ’ s Investigative Committee said Thursday that the two officers were charged with abuse of power .
The regional police department later said the arrested officers were attempting to “ revive ” the passenger because he was unconscious .
“ It ’ s premature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could have led to the person ’ s death , ” Interfax quoted its press service as saying .

Dmitry Kharchenko fell asleep in the back of a taxi on his way home from a nightclub on Feb. 15. The driver reportedly asked police officers for help after failing to wake him up.
A young man in Siberia has died after police used a taser to wake him up, a local lawmaker and the victim’s mother said nearly two weeks after the tragedy Thursday.
“They tased him and he died,” Irkutsk city Duma deputy Alexander Kvasov was quoted by Interfax as saying Thursday.
The 24-year-old’s mother, Margarita Kharchenko, said in a Facebook post that her son died of heart failure.
The officers, A. Ankheyev and A. Lyubimov, were fired and placed in pre-trial detention for two months Saturday, Kharchenko wrote on Sunday. News reports identified them as Alexander Ankheyev and Arkady Lyubimov.
The Irkutsk region’s Investigative Committee said Thursday that the two officers were charged with abuse of power.
The regional police department later said the arrested officers were attempting to “revive” the passenger because he was unconscious.
“It’s premature to say that the officers’ actions could have led to the person’s death,” Interfax quoted its press service as saying.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-27--Moscow Targets Chinese Nationals Amid Coronavirus Fears. And the Arctic Heats Up in Record Speed

This week on the podcast : — China has complained that Moscow ’ s response to coronavirus is discriminatory and @ @ @ @ @ .
Associated Press correspondents Francesca Ebel and Dasha Litvinova looked at how Moscow authorities went @ @ @ @ @ down Chinese nationals .
Francesca joins us to explain Russia ’ s increasingly heavy-handed measures @ @ @ @ @ — The battle for the Arctic is heating up — literally — as countries , @ @ @ @ @ protect and advance their interests in the region .
We ’ ll speak to American @ @ @ @ @ effects of climate change on the Arctic , and Russia ’ s political and economic @ @ @ @ @ .
From Russia With News is hosted by Jake Cordell and produced by Pjotr Sauer @ @ @ @ @ and edited at CM Records Studio in central Moscow .

This week on the podcast:
— China has complained that Moscow’s response to coronavirus is discriminatory and risks damaging relations with Beijing. Associated Press correspondents Francesca Ebel and Dasha Litvinova looked at how Moscow authorities went into great lengths to track down Chinese nationals. Francesca joins us to explain Russia’s increasingly heavy-handed measures to contain the outbreak.
— The battle for the Arctic is heating up — literally — as countries, companies and citizens wrangle to protect and advance their interests in the region. We’ll speak to American journalist Alec Luhn about the effects of climate change on the Arctic, and Russia’s political and economic strategy for its icy north.
From Russia With News is hosted by Jake Cordell and produced by Pjotr Sauer. The episode was recorded and edited at CM Records Studio in central Moscow.
Read more:


themoscowtimes--2020-02-27--U.S. Urges Russia to Find Masterminds of Nemtsov Murder

Nemtsov , one of President Vladimir Putin 's most vocal critics , was killed in 2015 as he walked home across a bridge near the Kremlin 's walls .
He had been working on a report examining Russia 's role in the conflict in Ukraine .
The United States Embassy in Moscow urged Russia on Thursday to find the people who organized the murder of opposition politician Boris Nemtsov who was gunned down near the Kremlin five years ago .
Russia jailed a man in 2017 for 20 years for the murder and handed down terms of between 11 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of being his accomplices .
But the late politician 's allies , who are due to hold a commemorative march in his memory in the Russian capital this weekend , have criticized the investigation for failing to identify the people who ordered the killing .
Bart Gorman , charges d'affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow , was one of several foreign diplomats on Thursday who paid their respects at the bridge and laid flowers .
`` ... We again call on Russian authorities to investigate those who organised and ordered this horrific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ross wrote on Twitter .
Nemtsov `` remains an inspiration to all who strive for justice , democracy , and a government accountable to the people , '' she wrote .
Czech authorities said earlier this month they would rename the square in Prague where Russia 's embassy is located after Nemtsov .

Nemtsov, one of President Vladimir Putin's most vocal critics, was killed in 2015 as he walked home across a bridge near the Kremlin's walls. He had been working on a report examining Russia's role in the conflict in Ukraine.
The United States Embassy in Moscow urged Russia on Thursday to find the people who organized the murder of opposition politician Boris Nemtsov who was gunned down near the Kremlin five years ago.
Russia jailed a man in 2017 for 20 years for the murder and handed down terms of between 11 and 19 years to four other men convicted of being his accomplices.
But the late politician's allies, who are due to hold a commemorative march in his memory in the Russian capital this weekend, have criticized the investigation for failing to identify the people who ordered the killing.
Bart Gorman, charges d'affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, was one of several foreign diplomats on Thursday who paid their respects at the bridge and laid flowers.
"...We again call on Russian authorities to investigate those who organised and ordered this horrific crime," U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Rebecca Ross wrote on Twitter.
Nemtsov "remains an inspiration to all who strive for justice, democracy, and a government accountable to the people," she wrote.
Czech authorities said earlier this month they would rename the square in Prague where Russia's embassy is located after Nemtsov.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-27--Moscow Rounds Up Stray Animals, Kills Rats Over Coronavirus Fears

Russia has imposed an array of measures to stop the virus gaining a foothold in Russia , ranging from restrictions on flights to China and South Korea to visa curbs for Iranian and Chinese citizens .
Moscow authorities are rounding up stray animals and exterminating rats as a precaution against the new coronavirus , actions that animal rights campaigners decried as cruel and scientifically groundless .
`` We are currently carrying out a large-scale complex ( of measures ) for the total deratization of the city , catching wild animals , strays , '' Elena Andreeva , the Moscow head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was quoted as saying by the state-run RIA news agency .
She did not explain the reasoning for the moves but said they were part of measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
Hundreds of people have been quarantined across Russia and authorities in Moscow have carried out raids on potential carriers of the virus and used facial recognition technology to enforce quarantine measures .
Barking News , a Russian media outlet that covers news about animals , decried the action against stray dogs and cats as `` stupid , unscientific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Moscow-based virologist , Nikolai Nikitin , as saying there was no evidence stray dogs and cats could contract the new coronavirus or subsequently transmit it to people .
Moscow used to have a large population of stray dogs and cats , but they have become a rare sight in central Moscow though packs of stray dogs are sometimes seen outside the center .
Stray cats are more common .
Three Russian nationals are receiving treatment in Russia after they contracted the coronavirus on a cruise ship in Japan and were subsequently repatriated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , two Chinese nationals were hospitalized in Russia with the virus , but they have since recovered and been discharged .

Russia has imposed an array of measures to stop the virus gaining a foothold in Russia, ranging from restrictions on flights to China and South Korea to visa curbs for Iranian and Chinese citizens.
Moscow authorities are rounding up stray animals and exterminating rats as a precaution against the new coronavirus, actions that animal rights campaigners decried as cruel and scientifically groundless.
"We are currently carrying out a large-scale complex (of measures) for the total deratization of the city, catching wild animals, strays," Elena Andreeva, the Moscow head of the Rospotrepnadzor consumer health watchdog, was quoted as saying by the state-run RIA news agency.
She did not explain the reasoning for the moves but said they were part of measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Hundreds of people have been quarantined across Russia and authorities in Moscow have carried out raids on potential carriers of the virus and used facial recognition technology to enforce quarantine measures.
Barking News, a Russian media outlet that covers news about animals, decried the action against stray dogs and cats as "stupid, unscientific and simply cruel."
It cited a Moscow-based virologist, Nikolai Nikitin, as saying there was no evidence stray dogs and cats could contract the new coronavirus or subsequently transmit it to people.
Moscow used to have a large population of stray dogs and cats, but they have become a rare sight in central Moscow though packs of stray dogs are sometimes seen outside the center. Stray cats are more common.
Three Russian nationals are receiving treatment in Russia after they contracted the coronavirus on a cruise ship in Japan and were subsequently repatriated, authorities have said.
Before that, two Chinese nationals were hospitalized in Russia with the virus, but they have since recovered and been discharged.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-27--U.S., Britain Double Russian Oil Purchases

Russia exported more than 267 million metric tons of crude oil worth $ 121 billion in 2019 , RBC cited Federal Customs Service data as saying .
China , the Netherlands and Germany bought the highest share of Russian oil last year .
The United States and Britain have more than doubled their crude oil purchases from Russia due to Iran and Venezuela sanctions , the RBC news website reported Friday , citing customs data .
The U.S. ranked 12th , spending $ 2.2 billion on Russian crude in 2019 compared with $ 900 million the previous year .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 1.8 million metric tons in 2018 to 4.7 million metric tons of oil last year .
Britain ranked 18th , buying $ 1.2 billion of Russian crude in 2019 , up from $ 493 million the previous year .
In units , Britain ’ s purchases of Russian oil went up from 980,000 metric tons in 2018 to 2.4 million metric tons last year .
Turkey ramped up oil purchases from Russia the most , more than tripling them from $ 1 billion in 2018 to $ 3.7 billion in 2019 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 8.2 million metric tons of oil .
The U.S. placed sanctions against Venezuela in January 2019 and removed the remaining waivers for buyers of Iranian oil in May , giving Russian oil exporters a boost .
Analysts also attributed the spike in sales to lower costs of Russia ’ s Urals blend of crude , which went from $ 70 in 2018 to $ 63.3 in 2019 .
“ The price decides everything .
If it ’ s more attractive than the other sellers , then the buyers prefer Russian oil , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raiffeisen , told RBC .

Russia exported more than 267 million metric tons of crude oil worth $121 billion in 2019, RBC cited Federal Customs Service data as saying. China, the Netherlands and Germany bought the highest share of Russian oil last year.
The United States and Britain have more than doubled their crude oil purchases from Russia due to Iran and Venezuela sanctions, the RBC news website reported Friday, citing customs data.
The U.S. ranked 12th, spending $2.2 billion on Russian crude in 2019 compared with $900 million the previous year. The sales volume has also more than doubled from 1.8 million metric tons in 2018 to 4.7 million metric tons of oil last year.
Britain ranked 18th, buying $1.2 billion of Russian crude in 2019, up from $493 million the previous year. In units, Britain’s purchases of Russian oil went up from 980,000 metric tons in 2018 to 2.4 million metric tons last year.
Turkey ramped up oil purchases from Russia the most, more than tripling them from $1 billion in 2018 to $3.7 billion in 2019 and nearly quadrupling from 2.1 million metric tons to 8.2 million metric tons of oil.
The U.S. placed sanctions against Venezuela in January 2019 and removed the remaining waivers for buyers of Iranian oil in May, giving Russian oil exporters a boost.
Analysts also attributed the spike in sales to lower costs of Russia’s Urals blend of crude, which went from $70 in 2018 to $63.3 in 2019.
“The price decides everything. If it’s more attractive than the other sellers, then the buyers prefer Russian oil,” Andrei Polishchuk, an analyst with Raiffeisen, told RBC.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-27--Chechen Dissident Blogger Survives Assassination Attempt in Europe

Tumso Abdurakhmanov fled Russia in 2015 and has attempted , so far unsuccessfully , to gain political asylum in Poland .
His YouTube channel where he regularly criticizes Chechen officials , including the Russian republic ’ s longtime leader Ramzan Kadyrov , has more than a quarter-million subscribers .
A popular Chechen opposition blogger has been hospitalized after an assassination attempt in Europe , the Chechen human rights group Vayfond and multiple news outlets reported Thursday .
A widely shared video of what appears to be Abdurakhmanov ’ s Instagram story shows the disheveled blogger filming his would-be assassin lying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ensuing exchange , the assailant , who identifies himself as Ruslan , says a man from the Chechen capital of Grozny had ordered him to travel from Moscow to “ scare ” Abdurakhmanov .
“ You came with this hammer to scare me ?
” Abdurakhmanov , breathing heavily after apparently disarming Ruslan , asked as he showed the alleged weapon on camera .
The Guardian reported that the assassination attempt took place in Poland .
The Kremlin on Thursday said it ’ s “ not inclined to draw parallels ” between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Kadyrov .
Kadyrov ’ s close ally Magomed Daudov declared a so-called “ blood feud ” against Abdurakhmanov in March 2019 for calling his father and former Chechen leader Akhmat Kadyrov a traitor .
Observers noted that the assassination attempt took place on Daudov ’ s 40th birthday .
Earlier this month , Abdurakhmanov claimed that a fellow Chechen native with alleged high-level ties had killed another opposition blogger Imran Aliyev in France .
Aliyev ’ s stabbing death and the attempt on Abdurakhmanov ’ s life are the latest in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politically motivated murders of ethnic Chechens outside Russia .
An ethnic Chechen of Georgian citizenship was shot and killed in Germany last summer , a broad-daylight murder that investigative reporters blamed on Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) .

Tumso Abdurakhmanov fled Russia in 2015 and has attempted, so far unsuccessfully , to gain political asylum in Poland. His YouTube channel where he regularly criticizes Chechen officials, including the Russian republic’s longtime leader Ramzan Kadyrov, has more than a quarter-million subscribers.
A popular Chechen opposition blogger has been hospitalized after an assassination attempt in Europe, the Chechen human rights group Vayfond and multiple news outlets reported Thursday.
A widely shared video of what appears to be Abdurakhmanov’s Instagram story shows the disheveled blogger filming his would-be assassin lying head-down on a blood-stained floor. In the ensuing exchange, the assailant, who identifies himself as Ruslan, says a man from the Chechen capital of Grozny had ordered him to travel from Moscow to “scare” Abdurakhmanov.
“You came with this hammer to scare me?” Abdurakhmanov, breathing heavily after apparently disarming Ruslan, asked as he showed the alleged weapon on camera.
The Guardian reported that the assassination attempt took place in Poland.
The Kremlin on Thursday said it’s “not inclined to draw parallels” between the attack and Abdurakhmanov’s criticism of Kadyrov.
Kadyrov’s close ally Magomed Daudov declared a so-called “blood feud” against Abdurakhmanov in March 2019 for calling his father and former Chechen leader Akhmat Kadyrov a traitor. Observers noted that the assassination attempt took place on Daudov’s 40th birthday.
Earlier this month, Abdurakhmanov claimed that a fellow Chechen native with alleged high-level ties had killed another opposition blogger Imran Aliyev in France.
Aliyev’s stabbing death and the attempt on Abdurakhmanov’s life are the latest in a series of what are believed to be politically motivated murders of ethnic Chechens outside Russia. An ethnic Chechen of Georgian citizenship was shot and killed in Germany last summer, a broad-daylight murder that investigative reporters blamed on Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB).


themoscowtimes--2020-02-27--EU Considers Sanctions Against Chinese, Russian Groups Over Hacking

The move would be the first application of the EU ’ s so-called cyber sanctions regime — a toolbox including travel bans and asset freezes intended to deter cyber attacks .
The measures could help quell some U.S. concerns about the EU being soft on China , after the bloc resisted pressure from Washington to ban Huawei Technologies from next generation telecom networks , despite warnings about spying .
Five diplomats familiar with the matter said talks on the proposed measures will begin as soon as this week , declining to name the entities targeted and the incidents concerned .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about sanctions in advance out of concern for legal action and that those targeted may move their assets to evade punitive measures .
The European Union may target a Russian and a Chinese entity , as well as several individuals , with sanctions over cyber attacks , adding to signs of increasing alarm in the bloc over network security .
The adoption of sanctions requires unanimity among the EU ’ s 27 members , a clause that has frequently paralyzed EU foreign policy decisions , amid competing national sensitivities and interests .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , however , that there is consensus in the bloc that there ’ s little point in having a cyber sanctions tool , without using it .
The process , which starts with discussions between cyber security experts before EU governments are eventually requested to sign off , may take around two months , the diplomat said .
All officials familiar with the matter refused to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue , though two of them confirmed that the targeted groups are linked to China and Russia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign policy muscle , following a decade during which the bloc was consumed with internal problems , such as Brexit and the sovereign debt crisis .
It plans to deploy warships off the coast of Libya , to help protect a UN-mandated arms embargo against interference from powers such as Russia and Turkey in the conflict plaguing the North African country .
Still , the need for unanimity has been a major thorn in foreign policy decision making .
Many EU members are wary of endangering relations with China , the bloc ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major foreign investor in some countries .
Others seek a progressive normalization of relations with Russia , on which the EU depends for much of its energy supplies .

The move would be the first application of the EU’s so-called cyber sanctions regime — a toolbox including travel bans and asset freezes intended to deter cyber attacks. The measures could help quell some U.S. concerns about the EU being soft on China, after the bloc resisted pressure from Washington to ban Huawei Technologies from next generation telecom networks, despite warnings about spying.
Five diplomats familiar with the matter said talks on the proposed measures will begin as soon as this week, declining to name the entities targeted and the incidents concerned. Diplomats are typically wary of sharing details about sanctions in advance out of concern for legal action and that those targeted may move their assets to evade punitive measures.
The European Union may target a Russian and a Chinese entity, as well as several individuals, with sanctions over cyber attacks, adding to signs of increasing alarm in the bloc over network security.
The adoption of sanctions requires unanimity among the EU’s 27 members, a clause that has frequently paralyzed EU foreign policy decisions, amid competing national sensitivities and interests. One of the diplomats familiar with the matter said, however, that there is consensus in the bloc that there’s little point in having a cyber sanctions tool, without using it.
The process, which starts with discussions between cyber security experts before EU governments are eventually requested to sign off, may take around two months, the diplomat said. All officials familiar with the matter refused to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue, though two of them confirmed that the targeted groups are linked to China and Russia.
The EU has vowed to project more foreign policy muscle, following a decade during which the bloc was consumed with internal problems, such as Brexit and the sovereign debt crisis. It plans to deploy warships off the coast of Libya, to help protect a UN-mandated arms embargo against interference from powers such as Russia and Turkey in the conflict plaguing the North African country.
Still, the need for unanimity has been a major thorn in foreign policy decision making. Many EU members are wary of endangering relations with China, the bloc’s second biggest trading partner and a major foreign investor in some countries. Others seek a progressive normalization of relations with Russia, on which the EU depends for much of its energy supplies.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-27--1 in 3 Russian Hospitals Lack Water Supply – Audit Chamber

Out of the almost 117,000 buildings inspected as of January 2019 , Russia ’ s Audit Chamber said 41.1 % had no central heating and 30.5 % had no water .
Nearly one-third of Russia ’ s medical facilities lack a water supply network and more than 40 % lack central heating , the Russian government ’ s public spending watchdog has said in its latest report on children ’ s health .
The figures have barely changed since 2016 , when Russia ’ s previous chief auditor said central heating was absent in 40.5 % of Russian hospitals and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 2019 , 52.1 % of hospitals had no hot water and 47 % lacked accessibility for the physically disabled , the Audit Chamber said Friday .
Sewer systems were absent in 35 % of Russian hospitals .
The watchdog also criticized President Vladimir Putin ’ s $ 400 billion national spending program for earmarking a small fraction of the funds on children ’ s healthcare through 2024 .
“ There ’ s a lack of qualified pediatricians in the regions and the conditions of most buildings used for children ’ s clinics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comfort , ” the Audit Chamber said .

Out of the almost 117,000 buildings inspected as of January 2019, Russia’s Audit Chamber said 41.1% had no central heating and 30.5% had no water.
Nearly one-third of Russia’s medical facilities lack a water supply network and more than 40% lack central heating, the Russian government’s public spending watchdog has said in its latest report on children’s health.
The figures have barely changed since 2016, when Russia’s previous chief auditor said central heating was absent in 40.5% of Russian hospitals and water was absent in 31%.
In 2019, 52.1% of hospitals had no hot water and 47% lacked accessibility for the physically disabled, the Audit Chamber said Friday. Sewer systems were absent in 35% of Russian hospitals.
Fourteen percent of the inspected buildings required major repairs.
The watchdog also criticized President Vladimir Putin’s $400 billion national spending program for earmarking a small fraction of the funds on children’s healthcare through 2024.
“There’s a lack of qualified pediatricians in the regions and the conditions of most buildings used for children’s clinics can’t provide patients the needed comfort,” the Audit Chamber said.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-27--Russia Stages First Ship-Launched ‘Tsirkon’ Hypersonic Missile Test

President Vladimir Putin , who confirmed the Tsirkon ’ s development last year , has warned that Russia would be forced to place hypersonic nuclear missiles on submarines near U.S. waters in response to arms-control tensions .
The United States dismissed Putin ’ s warnings as disingenuous propaganda .
Russia has conducted the first ship-launched firing of its new hypersonic missile called Tsirkon and plans further tests from nuclear submarines , two unnamed military sources told the state-run TASS news agency Thursday .
“ The Admiral Gorshkov [ guided missile frigate ] test-launched the Tsirkon missile in early January from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a military range in the northern Urals , ” one source told TASS .
The news agency ’ s other source said that more sea launches are planned this year for the Tsirkon , which flew a distance of more than 500 kilometers .
The source said that the Tsirkon missiles will be test-launched from nuclear submarines after the Admiral Gorshkov tests are completed .
The head of Russia ’ s state-owned United Shipbuilding Corporation had said in December that the Tsirkon will be deployable on all advanced Russian ships currently under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tsirkon program began in 2011 and entered the active testing stage in 2015 .
Previous reporting has suggested that the Tsirkon test trials in 2012 were held on board the Tu-22M3 bomber .
Putin has said the Tsirkon ground- and sea-based hypersonic rocket can fly at nine times the speed of sound and hit underwater and ground targets more than 1,000 kilometers away .

President Vladimir Putin, who confirmed the Tsirkon’s development last year, has warned that Russia would be forced to place hypersonic nuclear missiles on submarines near U.S. waters in response to arms-control tensions. The United States dismissed Putin’s warnings as disingenuous propaganda.
Russia has conducted the first ship-launched firing of its new hypersonic missile called Tsirkon and plans further tests from nuclear submarines, two unnamed military sources told the state-run TASS news agency Thursday.
“The Admiral Gorshkov [guided missile frigate] test-launched the Tsirkon missile in early January from the Barents Sea on a ground target at a military range in the northern Urals,” one source told TASS.
The news agency’s other source said that more sea launches are planned this year for the Tsirkon, which flew a distance of more than 500 kilometers.
The source said that the Tsirkon missiles will be test-launched from nuclear submarines after the Admiral Gorshkov tests are completed.
The head of Russia’s state-owned United Shipbuilding Corporation had said in December that the Tsirkon will be deployable on all advanced Russian ships currently under development, according to TASS.
The Tsirkon program began in 2011 and entered the active testing stage in 2015. Previous reporting has suggested that the Tsirkon test trials in 2012 were held on board the Tu-22M3 bomber.
Putin has said the Tsirkon ground- and sea-based hypersonic rocket can fly at nine times the speed of sound and hit underwater and ground targets more than 1,000 kilometers away.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-27--Trump Campaign Is Suing New York Times Over Russia Opinion Piece

A campaign statement said the aim of the suit against the Times , among the most prominent American news organizations , was to hold the newspaper `` accountable for intentionally publishing false statements against President Trump 's campaign . ''
Separately , Trump assailed two other news organizations that he frequently criticizes , the cable TV news channels CNN and MSNBC , accusing them of presenting the danger from the coronavirus in as bad a light as possible and upsetting financial markets .
Trump said he would let the lawsuit `` work its way through the courts .
And there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not elaborate .
Asked about the suit at a White House news conference later on Wednesday , Trump said the New York Times had `` got a lot wrong over the last number of years . ''
In an escalation of the Republican president 's long-running battle with the news media , campaign officials said the lawsuit was being filed in state court in New York .
President Donald Trump 's re-election campaign said on Wednesday it was filing a libel suit accusing the New York Times of intentionally publishing a false @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign had an overarching deal in the 2016 U.S. election .
The lawsuit relates to a March 27 , 2019 , opinion article written by Max Frankel , who served as executive editor of the New York Times from 1986 to 1994 .
A draft copy of the suit , attached to a campaign news release , accused the newspaper of `` extreme bias against and animosity toward the campaign , '' and cited what it called the Times ' `` exuberance to improperly influence the presidential election in November 2020 . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times spokesperson said : `` The Trump Campaign has turned to the courts to try to punish an opinion writer for having an opinion they find unacceptable .
Fortunately , the law protects the right of Americans to express their judgments and conclusions , especially about events of public importance .
We look forward to vindicating that right in this case . ''
The newspaper 's spokesperson said it had not been served with the suit and learned about it through media reports .
Trump 's criticism of what he calls liberal bias @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his conservative political base and generates applause at his political rallies , where his supporters often jeer journalists .
Trump regularly refers to various news media outlets as `` fake news '' and has called elements of the U.S. news media `` the enemy of the American people . ''
The New York Times was involved in a landmark 1964 Supreme Court ruling that has served as a safeguard for media reporting on public figures .
In the case New York Times v. Sullivan , the court decided that the U.S. Constitution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the press allows even statements that are false to be published as long as the publication was not done with `` actual malice . ''
The suit , according to the draft copy released by the campaign , accused the newspaper of a `` malicious motive '' and `` reckless disregard for the truth . ''
Benjamin Zipursky , a professor at Fordham University School of Law , said the lawsuit was unlikely to succeed because U.S. defamation law does not allow liability for a sincerely held belief about a public figure , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be skeptical of the claims and inclined to dismiss them .
`` They 're going to be very concerned with the First Amendment implications of allowing a case like this to move forward , '' he said .
Senator Bernie Sanders , the front-runner in the race for the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the November election , denounced the lawsuit .
`` Trump has called the press the 'enemy of the people , ' and now — taking a page from his dictator friends around the world — is trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the First Amendment by suing the New York Times for publishing an opinion column about his dangerous relationship with Russia , '' Sanders said .

President Donald Trump's re-election campaign said on Wednesday it was filing a libel suit accusing the New York Times of intentionally publishing a false opinion article that suggested Russia and the campaign had an overarching deal in the 2016 U.S. election. In an escalation of the Republican president's long-running battle with the news media, campaign officials said the lawsuit was being filed in state court in New York. Asked about the suit at a White House news conference later on Wednesday, Trump said the New York Times had "got a lot wrong over the last number of years." Trump said he would let the lawsuit "work its way through the courts. And there'll be more coming." He did not elaborate. Separately, Trump assailed two other news organizations that he frequently criticizes, the cable TV news channels CNN and MSNBC, accusing them of presenting the danger from the coronavirus in as bad a light as possible and upsetting financial markets. A campaign statement said the aim of the suit against the Times, among the most prominent American news organizations, was to hold the newspaper "accountable for intentionally publishing false statements against President Trump's campaign."
The lawsuit relates to a March 27, 2019, opinion article written by Max Frankel, who served as executive editor of the New York Times from 1986 to 1994. A draft copy of the suit, attached to a campaign news release, accused the newspaper of "extreme bias against and animosity toward the campaign," and cited what it called the Times' "exuberance to improperly influence the presidential election in November 2020." Trump is seeking re-election on Nov. 3. In a statement, a New York Times spokesperson said: "The Trump Campaign has turned to the courts to try to punish an opinion writer for having an opinion they find unacceptable. Fortunately, the law protects the right of Americans to express their judgments and conclusions, especially about events of public importance. We look forward to vindicating that right in this case." The newspaper's spokesperson said it had not been served with the suit and learned about it through media reports. Trump's criticism of what he calls liberal bias in the U.S. news media plays well with his conservative political base and generates applause at his political rallies, where his supporters often jeer journalists. Trump regularly refers to various news media outlets as "fake news" and has called elements of the U.S. news media "the enemy of the American people." The New York Times was involved in a landmark 1964 Supreme Court ruling that has served as a safeguard for media reporting on public figures. In the case New York Times v. Sullivan, the court decided that the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment protection for freedom of the press allows even statements that are false to be published as long as the publication was not done with "actual malice." The suit, according to the draft copy released by the campaign, accused the newspaper of a "malicious motive" and "reckless disregard for the truth." Benjamin Zipursky, a professor at Fordham University School of Law, said the lawsuit was unlikely to succeed because U.S. defamation law does not allow liability for a sincerely held belief about a public figure, like Trump. He said judges would be skeptical of the claims and inclined to dismiss them. "They're going to be very concerned with the First Amendment implications of allowing a case like this to move forward," he said. Sanders assails lawsuit Senator Bernie Sanders, the front-runner in the race for the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the November election, denounced the lawsuit. "Trump has called the press the 'enemy of the people,' and now — taking a page from his dictator friends around the world — is trying to dismantle the right to a free press in the First Amendment by suing the New York Times for publishing an opinion column about his dangerous relationship with Russia," Sanders said.
news Sanders Blasts Russia for Reportedly Trying to Boost His Presidential Campaign Read more


themoscowtimes--2020-02-27--‘Russian Spy Bank’ Prepares for Awkward Birthday Celebrations

The former development bank of the Soviet Union is betting on “ Europeanization ” as it attempts to ditch its legacy of KGB connections and allay international concerns over Russian dominance .
However , the International Investment Bank ( IIB ) — founded by the former communist economic bloc Comecon in 1970 — is still at the centre of Cold War-era espionage fears , with tension between its chequered history and the new European image it is trying to forge set to sharpen ahead of September celebrations to mark its fiftieth anniversary .
“ Of course , we would like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and legacy , ” Imre Laszlóczki , deputy chair of the IIB ’ s management board , told The Moscow Times .
“ But history is history , and you can not change what has happened.
” “ My big aim is to make the bank more European .
It was always a goal , but now we have a real chance , being in Europe .
The next strategy will be all about Europeanization.
” But Europeanization brings increased European scrutiny .
IIB ’ s relocation from Moscow to Budapest , completed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Hungarian opposition and civil society , while the generous immunities Hungarian President Viktor Orban awarded the bank — diplomatic passports for top staff , full immunity from prosecutorial , financial and regulatory oversight , and guaranteed entry to the EU for an unlimited number of IIB guests — have prompted security fears in Brussels and Washington .
“ Imagine an unlimited number of guests with an unlimited number of vehicles and full immunity , ” said Hungarian professor András Rácz of the German Council on Foreign Relations .
“ If I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU , this is the kind of entry vehicle I ’ d be dreaming of.
” The U.S. State Department warned the relocation could help Russia “ expand its malign influence in Hungary and across the region , ” the Financial Times reported last year , and concerns were also raised by British and Canadian officials , said Peter Kreko of Hungarian think tank Political Capital .
Links between the IIB and intelligence agencies were rife throughout the Cold War .
The first head of Russia ’ s Central Bank after the fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , wrote in his memoirs that he used the IIB as a front organization when he was a KGB operative in the 1970s .
The bank ’ s current chairman , Nikolai Kosov , who was appointed to revive and Europeanize the IIB in 2012 after it had been left idle since the fall of the Soviet Union , has also been linked to Russian intelligence services .
The IIB itself has been bullish in pushing back against what it calls “ unfounded allegations.
” In an interview in the Bank ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found the media coverage “ boring.
” Instead , he pointed to the overhaul of its governance structures since 2012 , which the World Bank helped with , as evidence that it is serious about becoming an established multinational development bank by 2032 .
Russia has also reduced its control of the IIB , cutting its shareholding to 43 % , while EU members — Hungary , Bulgaria , Czech Republic , Romania and Slovakia — hold 53 % combined .
The IIB says this proves its European credentials , while critics point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one shareholder with more than 25 % can veto decisions .

The former development bank of the Soviet Union is betting on “Europeanization” as it attempts to ditch its legacy of KGB connections and allay international concerns over Russian dominance.
However, the International Investment Bank (IIB) — founded by the former communist economic bloc Comecon in 1970 — is still at the centre of Cold War-era espionage fears, with tension between its chequered history and the new European image it is trying to forge set to sharpen ahead of September celebrations to mark its fiftieth anniversary.
“Of course, we would like to get rid of this Comecon heritage and legacy,” Imre Laszlóczki, deputy chair of the IIB’s management board, told The Moscow Times. “But history is history, and you cannot change what has happened.”
“My big aim is to make the bank more European. It was always a goal, but now we have a real chance, being in Europe. The next strategy will be all about Europeanization.”
But Europeanization brings increased European scrutiny. IIB’s relocation from Moscow to Budapest, completed last year, was met with uproar from the Hungarian opposition and civil society, while the generous immunities Hungarian President Viktor Orban awarded the bank — diplomatic passports for top staff, full immunity from prosecutorial, financial and regulatory oversight, and guaranteed entry to the EU for an unlimited number of IIB guests — have prompted security fears in Brussels and Washington.
“Imagine an unlimited number of guests with an unlimited number of vehicles and full immunity,” said Hungarian professor András Rácz of the German Council on Foreign Relations. “If I were an intelligence agency operating outside the EU, this is the kind of entry vehicle I’d be dreaming of.”
The U.S. State Department warned the relocation could help Russia “expand its malign influence in Hungary and across the region,” the Financial Times reported last year, and concerns were also raised by British and Canadian officials, said Peter Kreko of Hungarian think tank Political Capital.
Links between the IIB and intelligence agencies were rife throughout the Cold War. The first head of Russia’s Central Bank after the fall of the Soviet Union, Georgy Matyukhin, wrote in his memoirs that he used the IIB as a front organization when he was a KGB operative in the 1970s.
The bank’s current chairman, Nikolai Kosov, who was appointed to revive and Europeanize the IIB in 2012 after it had been left idle since the fall of the Soviet Union, has also been linked to Russian intelligence services.
Expansion plans
The IIB itself has been bullish in pushing back against what it calls “unfounded allegations.” In an interview in the Bank’s newly-downsized Moscow office, Laszlóczki said he found the media coverage “boring.”
Instead, he pointed to the overhaul of its governance structures since 2012, which the World Bank helped with, as evidence that it is serious about becoming an established multinational development bank by 2032. Russia has also reduced its control of the IIB, cutting its shareholding to 43%, while EU members — Hungary, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Romania and Slovakia — hold 53% combined. The IIB says this proves its European credentials, while critics point to a voting system which means any one shareholder with more than 25% can veto decisions.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-26--Putin Agrees to Hold Nationwide Vote on Constitutional Changes on April 22 – Interfax

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday agreed to hold a nationwide vote to allow Russians to have their say on a @ @ @ @ @ country 's constitution on April 22 , Interfax reported .
Interfax cited Pavel Krasheninnikov , @ @ @ @ @ Putin had agreed to the proposal .

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday agreed to hold a nationwide vote to allow Russians to have their say on a raft of changes to the country's constitution on April 22, Interfax reported.
Interfax cited Pavel Krasheninnikov, a lawmaker, as saying Putin had agreed to the proposal.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-26--Belarus Arrests Jehovah’s Witness at Russia’s Request

More than 300 believers have been charged or convicted since Russia banned the religious group as an “ extremist ” organization in 2017 .
Russian authorities have in the past year escalated the persecution of Jehovah ’ s Witnesses with raids and other forms of punishment , Human Rights Watch has said .
Belarus has for the first time arrested a Jehovah ’ s Witness at Russia ’ s request , the Jehovah ’ s Witnesses in Russia organization said Tuesday amid an ongoing crackdown on the religious group across Russia .
Nikolai Makhalichev , 36 , was detained near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in pre-trial detention three days later , the Jehovah ’ s Witnesses in Russia said in an online statement .
“ He was told during a document check that Russia had put him on an interstate wanted list because he professes an allegedly banned religion , ” the statement said .
In Russia , authorities reportedly opened a criminal case against Makhalichev on Jan. 31 , 2019 .
Makhalichev filed a complaint with the United Nations Human Rights Committee to prevent his extradition to Russia and plans to appeal his arrest , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If extradited and convicted in Russia , Makhalichev could face up to 10 years in prison on charges of organizing extremist activity and up to six years on charges of participating in extremist activity .

More than 300 believers have been charged or convicted since Russia banned the religious group as an “extremist” organization in 2017. Russian authorities have in the past year escalated the persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses with raids and other forms of punishment, Human Rights Watch has said .
Belarus has for the first time arrested a Jehovah’s Witness at Russia’s request, the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia organization said Tuesday amid an ongoing crackdown on the religious group across Russia.
Nikolai Makhalichev, 36, was detained near the Russian border last Friday and placed in pre-trial detention three days later, the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia said in an online statement.
“He was told during a document check that Russia had put him on an interstate wanted list because he professes an allegedly banned religion,” the statement said.
In Russia, authorities reportedly opened a criminal case against Makhalichev on Jan. 31, 2019.
Makhalichev filed a complaint with the United Nations Human Rights Committee to prevent his extradition to Russia and plans to appeal his arrest, the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia said.
If extradited and convicted in Russia, Makhalichev could face up to 10 years in prison on charges of organizing extremist activity and up to six years on charges of participating in extremist activity.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-26--Russia Partially Suspends South Korea Flights, Iranian Visas Over Coronavirus

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said on Wednesday Moscow would suspend flights between Russia and South Korea from March @ @ @ @ @ except those operated by Aeroflot and Aurora .
Golikova said Russia would also stop issuing @ @ @ @ @ from Feb. 28 and was advising Russians against travelling to Italy .
Flights arriving from @ @ @ @ @ be received at a dedicated terminal at Moscow 's Sheremetyevo airport , she said .
@ @ @ @ @ outbreak which have been previously announced , would be extended by one month to April @ @ @ @ @

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said on Wednesday Moscow would suspend flights between Russia and South Korea from March 1 over coronavirus fears, except those operated by Aeroflot and Aurora.
Golikova said Russia would also stop issuing visas to some Iranian citizens from Feb. 28 and was advising Russians against travelling to Italy.
Flights arriving from South Korea and Iran would be received at a dedicated terminal at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, she said.
Other restrictions related to the outbreak which have been previously announced, would be extended by one month to April 1, Golikova said.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-26--‘I Created the System’: Kremlin’s Ousted ‘Grey Cardinal’ Surkov, in Quotes

Putin formally sacked Surkov seven years after he began supervising the Kremlin ’ s policy on Ukraine , a period that included the annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of war in the country ’ s east .
Surkov ’ s former aide Alexei Chesnakov announced in January that the so-called “ grey cardinal ” of the Kremlin had resigned because of a “ policy change.
” President Vladimir Putin ’ s longtime aide Vladislav Surkov has spoken out for the first time since his dismissal last week .
Here is a selection of Surkov ’ s quotes from his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a month after Chesnakov first broke the news : “ If presidential powers are refined [ in the proposed constitutional amendments ] , then legal logic will dictate the need to start counting presidential terms again.
” [ The Kremlin later dismissed the assertion as Surkov ’ s own opinion after the interview ’ s publication . ]
“ We have , in fact , naturally developed not just a presidential but a hyper-presidential form of government .
It ’ s organic to our political culture and , in my opinion , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There is no Ukraine , there is just Ukrainian-ness .
It 's a specific kind of mental illness .
... Oddly enough , I ’ m a ‘ Ukroptimist.
’ In other words , I think there ’ s no Ukraine yet .
But it will [ form ] over time.
” “ I don ’ t have a strong enough imagination to envision [ eastern Ukraine returning to the Ukrainian government ’ s control ] .
Donbass doesn ’ t deserve such humiliation .
Ukraine doesn ’ t deserve such an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Kremlin after a brief dismissal in 2013 ] I got a unique opportunity to pick a project myself .
I chose Ukraine .
Purely intuitively .
No one told me and I didn ’ t know anything .
No one knew for sure [ what would happen ] .
” “ I just felt or rather sensed that it would be a big deal .
Even then , when nothing had unfolded yet , I guessed that there would be a serious struggle with the West .
With victims and sanctions… I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participant.
” — On why he left the Kremlin “ Let ’ s say the context has changed .
That is , I ultimately had to continue to deal with [ Ukraine ] .
But the context has changed.
” “ Even then [ in 2013 ] I realized I had no place in the system .
I created the system , of course , but I was never part of it .
”

Putin formally sacked Surkov seven years after he began supervising the Kremlin’s policy on Ukraine, a period that included the annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of war in the country’s east. Surkov’s former aide Alexei Chesnakov announced in January that the so-called “grey cardinal” of the Kremlin had resigned because of a “policy change.”
President Vladimir Putin’s longtime aide Vladislav Surkov has spoken out for the first time since his dismissal last week.
Here is a selection of Surkov’s quotes from his interview with Chesnakov published Wednesday, exactly a month after Chesnakov first broke the news:
— On Putin’s presidency after 2024
“If presidential powers are refined [in the proposed constitutional amendments], then legal logic will dictate the need to start counting presidential terms again.” [The Kremlin later dismissed the assertion as Surkov’s own opinion after the interview’s publication.]
“We have, in fact, naturally developed not just a presidential but a hyper-presidential form of government. It’s organic to our political culture and, in my opinion, it should be solidified formally and legally.”
— On Ukraine
“There is no Ukraine, there is just Ukrainian-ness. It's a specific kind of mental illness. ... Oddly enough, I’m a ‘Ukroptimist.’ In other words, I think there’s no Ukraine yet. But it will [form] over time.”
“I don’t have a strong enough imagination to envision [eastern Ukraine returning to the Ukrainian government’s control]. Donbass doesn’t deserve such humiliation. Ukraine doesn’t deserve such an honor.”
“[Upon returning to the Kremlin after a brief dismissal in 2013] I got a unique opportunity to pick a project myself. I chose Ukraine. Purely intuitively. No one told me and I didn’t know anything. No one knew for sure [what would happen].”
“I just felt or rather sensed that it would be a big deal. Even then, when nothing had unfolded yet, I guessed that there would be a serious struggle with the West. With victims and sanctions… I’m proud to have been a participant.”
— On why he left the Kremlin
“Let’s say the context has changed. That is, I ultimately had to continue to deal with [Ukraine]. But the context has changed.”
“Even then [in 2013] I realized I had no place in the system. I created the system, of course, but I was never part of it.”


themoscowtimes--2020-02-26--Russian Tennis Star Sharapova, 5-Time Grand Slam Champion, Retires

Maria Sharapova , the Russian five-time Grand Slam champion who became one of the highest-paid sportswomen in the world , announced her retirement at the age of 32 on Wednesday .
Florida-based Sharapova , whose Wimbledon victory in 2004 , aged 17 , propelled her to superstardom , broke the news in an article for magazine Vanity Fair .
`` I 'm new to this , so please forgive me .
Tennis — I 'm saying goodbye , '' Sharapova said .
Her decision is hardly a major surprise as she has struggled with injuries and poor form since returning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the result of testing positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open .
The former world number has played only two matches this year , losing in the first round of the Australian Open , with her ranking sliding to 373 .
`` Looking back now , I realize that tennis has been my mountain .
My path has been filled with valleys and detours , but the views from its peak were incredible , '' she said .
`` After 28 years and five Grand Slam titles , though , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to compete on a different type of terrain . ''
Although she holds Russian citizenship and competes under the Russian flag , she has been a resident of the United States since 2001 .
She has earned an estimated $ 285 million since her Women ’ s Tennis Association debut that year .
Russia 's Tennis Federation had no immediate comment .

Maria Sharapova, the Russian five-time Grand Slam champion who became one of the highest-paid sportswomen in the world, announced her retirement at the age of 32 on Wednesday.
Florida-based Sharapova, whose Wimbledon victory in 2004, aged 17, propelled her to superstardom, broke the news in an article for magazine Vanity Fair.
"I'm new to this, so please forgive me. Tennis — I'm saying goodbye," Sharapova said.
Her decision is hardly a major surprise as she has struggled with injuries and poor form since returning from a 15-month drugs ban in 2017, the result of testing positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open.
The former world number has played only two matches this year, losing in the first round of the Australian Open, with her ranking sliding to 373.
"Looking back now, I realize that tennis has been my mountain. My path has been filled with valleys and detours, but the views from its peak were incredible," she said.
"After 28 years and five Grand Slam titles, though, I’m ready to scale another mountain, to compete on a different type of terrain."
Although she holds Russian citizenship and competes under the Russian flag, she has been a resident of the United States since 2001. She has earned an estimated $285 million since her Women’s Tennis Association debut that year.
Russia's Tennis Federation had no immediate comment.
Reuters contributed reporting to this article.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-26--Polar Bear Cannibalism On the Rise in Russia’s Arctic, Scientists Say

While cannibalism is a recognized part of polar bears ’ natural behavior , its frequency has climbed sharply in recent years , Ilya Mordvintsev , a senior researcher at the Academy ’ s Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution , told Interfax .
Polar bears in Russia ’ s Arctic are increasingly turning to cannibalism as growing human activity and development in the region shrinks their hunting grounds , scientists at the Russian Academy of Sciences said Wednesday .
According to Mordvintsev , increased development of the Yamal Peninsula and the Gulf of Ob by oil and gas companies have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grounds and disrupted the animals ’ feeding habits .
The region is a hotspot of development for major gas and oil producers like Gazprom and Novatek .
“ The signals are coming not just from scientists , but also from the growing contingent of employees of oil and gas companies and the Defense Ministry , ” he said .
Polar bear cannibalism most often happens when a malnourished male bear attacks a female and her cub , eating the cub , he said .
The phenomena gained widespread attention when members of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a graphic video .
Rising temperatures in the Arctic and melting ice cover have also forced polar bears further south in search of food , making them more likely to come into contact with human settlements .
Video showing polar bears wandering into cities in Siberia and rummaging through garbage in the Russian Arctic drew worldwide concern last year .
Russia ’ s government has said that the country is warming 2.5 times faster than the rest of the world .

While cannibalism is a recognized part of polar bears’ natural behavior, its frequency has climbed sharply in recent years, Ilya Mordvintsev, a senior researcher at the Academy’s Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, told Interfax.
Polar bears in Russia’s Arctic are increasingly turning to cannibalism as growing human activity and development in the region shrinks their hunting grounds, scientists at the Russian Academy of Sciences said Wednesday.
According to Mordvintsev, increased development of the Yamal Peninsula and the Gulf of Ob by oil and gas companies have fueled the degradation of polar bear hunting grounds and disrupted the animals’ feeding habits. The region is a hotspot of development for major gas and oil producers like Gazprom and Novatek.
“The signals are coming not just from scientists, but also from the growing contingent of employees of oil and gas companies and the Defense Ministry,” he said.
Polar bear cannibalism most often happens when a malnourished male bear attacks a female and her cub, eating the cub, he said. The phenomena gained widespread attention when members of a 2017 National Geographic expedition captured it in a graphic video.
Rising temperatures in the Arctic and melting ice cover have also forced polar bears further south in search of food, making them more likely to come into contact with human settlements. Video showing polar bears wandering into cities in Siberia and rummaging through garbage in the Russian Arctic drew worldwide concern last year.
Russia’s government has said that the country is warming 2.5 times faster than the rest of the world.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-26--China to Russia: End Discriminatory Coronavirus Measures Against Chinese

The complaint , detailed in an embassy letter to the city 's authorities and published by the independent Novaya Gazeta newspaper late on Tuesday , deplored what it called `` ubiquitous monitoring '' of Chinese nationals , including on public transport in Moscow .
China 's Embassy in Russia has demanded authorities in Moscow end what it said are discriminatory anti-coronavirus measures against Chinese nationals , saying they are damaging relations and alarming Chinese residents of the Russian capital .
Russia , which enjoys strong political and military ties with Beijing , does not currently have any confirmed cases of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ categories of Chinese nationals from entering the country .
Authorities in Moscow have also been carrying out raids on potential carriers of the virus — individuals at their homes or hotels — and using facial recognition technology to enforce quarantine measures .
The Chinese Embassy letter followed unconfirmed local media reports that Mosgortrans , which runs Moscow 's vast bus , trolleybus and tram networks , had told drivers to try to identify Chinese passengers and inform police of their presence .
`` The special monitoring of Chinese nationals on Moscow 's public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even in the United States and in Western states , '' the Chinese Embassy letter , dated Feb. 24 , read .
`` Given an improvement in the epidemiological situation in China , Moscow residents and Chinese people living in Moscow will be worried and wo n't understand , and it will harm the good atmosphere for developing Chinese-Russian relations . ''
The embassy said it was asking Moscow authorities to refrain from taking what it called excessive measures and to embrace `` proportionate and nondiscriminatory measures '' instead .
The Kremlin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter , but that Moscow valued its relations with Beijing and there should be no discriminatory measures against Chinese nationals .
Russia 's Foreign Ministry , the Moscow city government and a representative of the Chinese Embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comment .
Taiwan 's foreign ministry said this week that four Taiwanese visiting Moscow were picked up by police and health officials for wearing masks and being mistaken for Chinese , and were forcibly quarantined .
Global Times , published by the official People 's Daily newspaper of China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23 tourists from Hong Kong had been put into quarantine for two weeks after they were spotted by Moscow police .
Russia has had two confirmed cases of coronavirus so far .
Both were Chinese nationals who have since recovered and been released from hospital .
Asia reported hundreds of new cases on Wednesday , including the first U.S. soldier to be infected , as the United States warned of an inevitable pandemic , and outbreaks in Italy and Iran spread to more countries .

The complaint, detailed in an embassy letter to the city's authorities and published by the independent Novaya Gazeta newspaper late on Tuesday, deplored what it called "ubiquitous monitoring" of Chinese nationals, including on public transport in Moscow.
China's Embassy in Russia has demanded authorities in Moscow end what it said are discriminatory anti-coronavirus measures against Chinese nationals, saying they are damaging relations and alarming Chinese residents of the Russian capital.
Russia, which enjoys strong political and military ties with Beijing, does not currently have any confirmed cases of coronavirus, but has temporarily barred many categories of Chinese nationals from entering the country.
Authorities in Moscow have also been carrying out raids on potential carriers of the virus — individuals at their homes or hotels — and using facial recognition technology to enforce quarantine measures.
The Chinese Embassy letter followed unconfirmed local media reports that Mosgortrans, which runs Moscow's vast bus, trolleybus and tram networks, had told drivers to try to identify Chinese passengers and inform police of their presence.
"The special monitoring of Chinese nationals on Moscow's public transportation does not exist in any country, even in the United States and in Western states," the Chinese Embassy letter, dated Feb. 24, read.
"Given an improvement in the epidemiological situation in China, Moscow residents and Chinese people living in Moscow will be worried and won't understand, and it will harm the good atmosphere for developing Chinese-Russian relations."
The embassy said it was asking Moscow authorities to refrain from taking what it called excessive measures and to embrace "proportionate and nondiscriminatory measures" instead.
The Kremlin said it was unaware of the embassy letter, but that Moscow valued its relations with Beijing and there should be no discriminatory measures against Chinese nationals.
Russia's Foreign Ministry, the Moscow city government and a representative of the Chinese Embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Taiwan's foreign ministry said this week that four Taiwanese visiting Moscow were picked up by police and health officials for wearing masks and being mistaken for Chinese, and were forcibly quarantined.
Global Times, published by the official People's Daily newspaper of China's ruling Communist Party, reported that 23 tourists from Hong Kong had been put into quarantine for two weeks after they were spotted by Moscow police.
Russia has had two confirmed cases of coronavirus so far. Both were Chinese nationals who have since recovered and been released from hospital.
Asia reported hundreds of new cases on Wednesday, including the first U.S. soldier to be infected, as the United States warned of an inevitable pandemic, and outbreaks in Italy and Iran spread to more countries.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-26--U.S. Slaps Sanctions on Russia, Other Countries Over Iran

The State Department said the action placed new sanctions on three Chinese firms , a Chinese individual and a Turkish company .
It did not identify which entities and individuals in Iraq and Russia faced the sanctions , which include restrictions on U.S. government procurement , U.S. government assistance and exports .
The United States announced Tuesday it was imposing sanctions on 13 foreign entities and individuals in Russia and other countries for supporting Iran 's missile program as President Donald Trump also extended Crimea-related sanctions .
The statement said the measures were the result of a periodic review required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syria Nonproliferation Act ( INKSNA ) .
`` The imposition of these measures underscores that Iran ’ s missile program remains a significant proliferation concern , '' the statement said .
The sanctions are `` consistent with our efforts to use all available measures to prevent Iran from advancing its missile capabilities , '' it added .
Russia views the latest wave of economic restrictions related to Iran ’ s missile program “ illegitimate , ” an unnamed Foreign Ministry source told the state-run RIA Novosti news agency Wednesday .
The Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s annexation of Crimea that were due to expire in March , it said in a statement Tuesday .
The U.S. imposed travel bans and asset freezes against individuals involved in the seizure of the Ukrainian peninsula under President Barack Obama in March 2014 .
The sanctions have been extended and expanded every year since then by the Obama and Trump administrations .

The State Department said the action placed new sanctions on three Chinese firms, a Chinese individual and a Turkish company. It did not identify which entities and individuals in Iraq and Russia faced the sanctions, which include restrictions on U.S. government procurement, U.S. government assistance and exports.
The United States announced Tuesday it was imposing sanctions on 13 foreign entities and individuals in Russia and other countries for supporting Iran's missile program as President Donald Trump also extended Crimea-related sanctions.
The statement said the measures were the result of a periodic review required under the Iran, North Korea and Syria Nonproliferation Act (INKSNA).
"The imposition of these measures underscores that Iran’s missile program remains a significant proliferation concern," the statement said.
The sanctions are "consistent with our efforts to use all available measures to prevent Iran from advancing its missile capabilities," it added.
Russia views the latest wave of economic restrictions related to Iran’s missile program “illegitimate,” an unnamed Foreign Ministry source told the state-run RIA Novosti news agency Wednesday.
The Trump administration has also extended sanctions over Russia’s annexation of Crimea that were due to expire in March, it said in a statement Tuesday.
The U.S. imposed travel bans and asset freezes against individuals involved in the seizure of the Ukrainian peninsula under President Barack Obama in March 2014. The sanctions have been extended and expanded every year since then by the Obama and Trump administrations.
Reuters contributed reporting to this article.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-26--Former U.S. Marine Faces 10 Years in Russian Prison

A former U.S. Marine faces up to 10 years in Russian prison for allegedly assaulting police officers during a drunken night out last year , charges that his defense denies , The New York Times reported Tuesday .
Trevor Reed , 28 , who was honorably discharged from the Marines in 2016 , traveled to Moscow last May to visit his Russian girlfriend and study Russian .
In August , his girlfriend and her colleagues called the police on Reed after a party where he was “ encouraged to drink a large amount of vodka , ” according to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Authorities reportedly accuse Reed of grabbing an officer ’ s arm and striking another officer on the way to the police station .
Reed ’ s military past has drawn comparisons to the high-profile case of another former Marine , Paul Whelan , who faces 20 years in Russian prison on espionage charges .
Both men ’ s detentions are viewed as part of Russia ’ s efforts to create leverage ahead of a possible prisoner exchange , The New York Times wrote .
A Moscow court rejected the Reed family ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extended Reed ’ s pre-trial detention by six months , The New York Times reported .
His next court date is scheduled for March 11 .
Reed ’ s family believes the charges are false and is appealing for the U.S. government to “ look at the case closely , ” his father told The New York Times .
“ He is an American citizen who was jailed for something that we don ’ t believe that he did , ” Reed ’ s father was quoted as saying .
“ There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been given other substances without his knowledge , ” the family was reported to have said .

A former U.S. Marine faces up to 10 years in Russian prison for allegedly assaulting police officers during a drunken night out last year, charges that his defense denies, The New York Times reported Tuesday. Trevor Reed, 28, who was honorably discharged from the Marines in 2016, traveled to Moscow last May to visit his Russian girlfriend and study Russian. In August, his girlfriend and her colleagues called the police on Reed after a party where he was “encouraged to drink a large amount of vodka,” according to a family statement cited by the newspaper.
Authorities reportedly accuse Reed of grabbing an officer’s arm and striking another officer on the way to the police station. Reed’s military past has drawn comparisons to the high-profile case of another former Marine, Paul Whelan, who faces 20 years in Russian prison on espionage charges. Both men’s detentions are viewed as part of Russia’s efforts to create leverage ahead of a possible prisoner exchange, The New York Times wrote. A Moscow court rejected the Reed family’s request for $15,300 bail Tuesday and extended Reed’s pre-trial detention by six months, The New York Times reported.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-26--Russian Orthodox Church Steps Up Surveillance Under Government Anti-Terrorism Orders

The Moscow Patriarchate ’ s move follows a September 2019 decree signed by then-Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev requiring all religious organizations to install security and surveillance systems as part of the government ’ s anti-terrorism campaign .
The Russian Orthodox Church has begun installing video surveillance cameras at its Moscow churches to comply with government anti-terrorism orders , Interfax reported Tuesday .
The cameras will only be installed in Church buildings with a capacity higher than 500 people , Ksenia Chernega , a nun who heads the Moscow Patriarchate ’ s legal department , told Interfax .
They will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of confession , she added .
Commissions led by bishops will decide to place cameras in their own churches based on whether the church ’ s activities warrant heightened security measures , Chernenga said .
Individual church heads can also opt for the cameras to be turned off during personal ceremonies like weddings , baptisms and funerals , she said .
Last week , police released surveillance footage of a knife attack in a Moscow church .
Blogger Andrey Kuraev later wrote that the footage could have only come from multiple cameras in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The Moscow Patriarchate’s move follows a September 2019 decree signed by then-Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev requiring all religious organizations to install security and surveillance systems as part of the government’s anti-terrorism campaign.
The Russian Orthodox Church has begun installing video surveillance cameras at its Moscow churches to comply with government anti-terrorism orders, Interfax reported Tuesday.
The cameras will only be installed in Church buildings with a capacity higher than 500 people, Ksenia Chernega, a nun who heads the Moscow Patriarchate’s legal department, told Interfax. They will not be placed at altars or in places of confession, she added.
Commissions led by bishops will decide to place cameras in their own churches based on whether the church’s activities warrant heightened security measures, Chernenga said.
Individual church heads can also opt for the cameras to be turned off during personal ceremonies like weddings, baptisms and funerals, she said.
Last week, police released surveillance footage of a knife attack in a Moscow church. Blogger Andrey Kuraev later wrote that the footage could have only come from multiple cameras in the church’s entryway and interior.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-26--Kremlin Kicks Off Search for New Lawmakers in Reality Show-Style Contest

Similar to past contests that sent potential regional leaders jumping off cliffs and diving under tanks , the latest competition is open to Russians aged 21 to 55 and carries an air of a reality show .
The contest comes amid the near-weekly emergence of new political parties headed by pop culture figures that critics and unnamed Kremlin sources say play into the current leadership ’ s efforts to stay in power .
The Kremlin is hosting a nationwide search for candidates to the Russian parliament ahead of next year ’ s elections , the Vedomosti business daily reported Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deputy Chief of Staff , Sergei Kiriyenko , officially kick-started the competition for State Duma candidates on Tuesday , according to Vedomosti .
“ We ’ re investing in [ the contestants ’ ] professionalism and skills , and they will decide for themselves whether to participate in the elections , ” Kiriyenko was quoted as saying .
Elections for Russia ’ s lower house of parliament , the State Duma , are scheduled for September 2021 , although Putin ’ s recent constitutional shakeup has fueled speculation that the vote could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The contest will narrow its field of potential State Duma candidates to 70 to 80 contestants by May , Vedomosti reported .
They will undergo leadership courses at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration ( RANEPA ) .
According to Vedomosti , 10 State Duma deputies and two senators , including the authors of controversial laws enacted in recent years , will mentor the contest winners .
While the competition wo n't be televised , members of the public will be able to vote for their favorite contestants .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be considered , said Pavel Bezruchko , who heads the “ Leaders of Russia ” competition ’ s expert council .
Liberal opposition member Ilya Yashin said he ’ s “ too old for this sh*t ” when asked if he ’ d take part in the Kremlin ’ s contest .
Maxim Katz , who was recently kicked out of the liberal opposition party Yabloko , also dismissed plans to participate in the “ absolutely inadequate ” leadership contest .
“ I think honest people who respect themselves and the country shouldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Katz told the Open Media news website .

Similar to past contests that sent potential regional leaders jumping off cliffs and diving under tanks , the latest competition is open to Russians aged 21 to 55 and carries an air of a reality show. The contest comes amid the near-weekly emergence of new political parties headed by pop culture figures that critics and unnamed Kremlin sources say play into the current leadership’s efforts to stay in power.
The Kremlin is hosting a nationwide search for candidates to the Russian parliament ahead of next year’s elections, the Vedomosti business daily reported Tuesday.
President Vladimir Putin’s First Deputy Chief of Staff, Sergei Kiriyenko, officially kick-started the competition for State Duma candidates on Tuesday, according to Vedomosti.
“We’re investing in [the contestants’] professionalism and skills, and they will decide for themselves whether to participate in the elections,” Kiriyenko was quoted as saying.
Elections for Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, are scheduled for September 2021, although Putin’s recent constitutional shakeup has fueled speculation that the vote could be held as soon as this December.
The contest will narrow its field of potential State Duma candidates to 70 to 80 contestants by May, Vedomosti reported.
They will undergo leadership courses at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA). According to Vedomosti, 10 State Duma deputies and two senators, including the authors of controversial laws enacted in recent years, will mentor the contest winners.
While the competition won't be televised, members of the public will be able to vote for their favorite contestants.
The contestants’ political views will not be considered, said Pavel Bezruchko, who heads the “Leaders of Russia” competition’s expert council.
Liberal opposition member Ilya Yashin said he’s “too old for this sh*t” when asked if he’d take part in the Kremlin’s contest.
Maxim Katz, who was recently kicked out of the liberal opposition party Yabloko, also dismissed plans to participate in the “absolutely inadequate” leadership contest.
“I think honest people who respect themselves and the country shouldn’t take part in this,” Katz told the Open Media news website.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-26--Russian Freediving Legend’s Son Breaks Under-Ice World Record

Russian freediver Alexei Molchanov has broken the world record for the longest freedive under ice , holding his breath and swimming for 180 meters in a Moscow region quarry , according to a press release Tuesday .
Molchanov beat the previous record held by French freediver Arthur Guérin-Boëri , who swam for 175 meters in 2017 .
Organizers underscored the difficulty of ice swimming due to the body ’ s natural instinct to breathe in cold water and the inability to resurface before reaching the next ice hole .
“ I know how few athletes remain in [ under-ice freediving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for me to try my hand here , ” Molchanov said .
Molchanov dedicated his feat to his mother , the freediving legend Natalia Molchanova who mysteriously vanished while diving in Spain in 2015 .
“ It ’ s not just a job or a hobby for me , but a life ’ s work , a tribute to the boundless love and respect for my mother , a memory of her invaluable contribution to our common cause , ” Molchanov said .
His record-setting freedive was registered by an arbiter from an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state-run TASS news agency .
It will take an unspecified amount of time to process the record , it reported .
Molchanov completed the record-setting freedive on the eve of a feature film based on Molchanova ’ s life .
The film , on which Molchanov has a consulting credit , premieres on March 5 .

Russian freediver Alexei Molchanov has broken the world record for the longest freedive under ice, holding his breath and swimming for 180 meters in a Moscow region quarry, according to a press release Tuesday. Molchanov beat the previous record held by French freediver Arthur Guérin-Boëri, who swam for 175 meters in 2017. Organizers underscored the difficulty of ice swimming due to the body’s natural instinct to breathe in cold water and the inability to resurface before reaching the next ice hole.
Andrei Molchanov Yevgenia Kirpichenkova
“I know how few athletes remain in [under-ice freediving], so it was especially interesting for me to try my hand here,” Molchanov said. Molchanov dedicated his feat to his mother, the freediving legend Natalia Molchanova who mysteriously vanished while diving in Spain in 2015. “It’s not just a job or a hobby for me, but a life’s work, a tribute to the boundless love and respect for my mother, a memory of her invaluable contribution to our common cause,” Molchanov said.
Andrei Molchanov Yevgenia Kirpichenkova