themoscowtimes--2020-05-21--Putin Wants Russia to Get Back to Normal. New Outbreaks Show It May Be Too Early.

Before 136 employees of the distribution center for the popular Krasnoe & Beloe discount liquor chain in central Russia ’ s Sverdlovsk region tested positive for the coronavirus on Monday , the region was set to relax its quarantine restrictions .
The region had taken its cue from President Vladimir Putin , who last week announced a plan for Russia to get back to work while leaving its implementation to regional officials .
Like most regions , Sverdlovsk quickly moved to take up the call , despite Russia registering the world ’ s second-highest number of positive coronavirus cases as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his Instagram page Monday , Sverdlovsk governor Yevgeny Kuvyashev said the outbreak at the distribution center had forced him to delay relaxing pandemic restrictions — even if only for a week , until May 25 .
As the coronavirus forces Russia to face a bleak economic future , the Sverdlovsk outbreak and its governor ’ s response underscore the challenge facing regional officials .
Open up too soon and allow a second coronavirus wave to come crashing in ; wait too long and see the economy crumble .
“ Governors are making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Natalia Zubarevich , an expert on Russia ’ s regions .
“ The first is making sure that the economy doesn ’ t die .
The second is making sure masses of people don ’ t. ” “ They are between a rock and a hard place , ” she added .
Russia ’ s regions are set to face severe financial difficulties .
In April , budgets took an average hit of 30 % , Zubarevich said , estimating that regional tax revenue this year will fall by 10 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & P Global Ratings has forecast that Russia ’ s response to the pandemic will catapult its regions ’ budget deficits to 20-year highs .
The need to ensure that Russia ’ s economy — which contracted by more than a quarter last month — gets up and running again was only reinforced Wednesday by Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova , who announced that unemployment has risen by 30 % since the beginning of the pandemic .
At the same time , though , as Russia ’ s coronavirus peak crests — with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 18 , according to the Meduza news website — questions have been raised over the true severity of the country ’ s outbreak and whether the data and methods guiding decision making for re-opening are accurate and effective .
Guidelines issued by Russia ’ s health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor say decisions to re-open should be made according to the effective transmission rate of the virus .
Known as Rt , this variable differs from R0 , a rate used by some other countries that looks at how many people a single carrier of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rt , Rospotrebnadzor prescribes dividing the number of positive coronavirus cases recorded in a region over the past four days by the number of cases recorded in the four days prior .
If the result is less than 1 , then the region can open .
Using that methodology , 33 of Russia ’ s 85 regions could have opened as of May 18 , according to the independent Novaya Gazeta newspaper .
Yet Vasiliy Vlassov , an epidemiologist at the Higher School of Economics , believes the algorithm “ gives an illusion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cases go untested , the quality of the testing itself is unclear and we still keep getting reports of people not getting their test results back , ” he said .
Russia has struggled with testing accurately since the start of the pandemic .
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin , who heads Russia ’ s coronavirus taskforce , recently said that half of the capital city ’ s critical coronavirus patients had tested negative for the virus — twice .
Meanwhile , the North Caucasus region of Dagestan , which pleaded to Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , has registered just 41 deaths from Covid-19 against nearly 700 from viral pneumonia since the beginning of the pandemic .
Ibragim Yevtemirov , a doctor treating suspected coronavirus patients in the city of Khasavyurt in Dagestan , told The Moscow Times that his hospital was at one point losing up to 13 patients per day .
“ We sent tests to Rospotrebnadzor but the results would never come back , ” he said , “ so the deaths were never registered as being from Covid-19.
” In addition to the patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as four people from his close circle in his nearby home village of Khamavyurt .
“ None of them , as far as I know , received a positive test result , ” he said .
There is also the issue of potentially manipulated numbers .
Boris Ovchinnikov , director of the Moscow-based Data Insight research agency , has been tracking Russia ’ s coronavirus figures since the beginning of the pandemic .
As it has developed , he has seen enough signs to believe that regional officials are cooking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Krasnodar region , from May 4 to May 15 , positive cases increased by between 96 and 99 cases per day , Ovchinnikov said .
Over the same length of time in the Kursk region , between April 26 and May 7 , cases rose by between 65 and 69 per day .
In the Lipetsk region , over 11 days from May 5 to May 15 , the number of cases grew by between 46 and 49 per day .
“ For Krasnodar , for instance , the likelihood of that occurring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ovchinnikov said .
“ It ’ s as if there is a set figure they ’ ve decided not to reach and they massage the numbers just a bit to make it look like there are real fluctuations.
” “ If this falsification of data is going unpunished , it becomes hard to trust all of the numbers , ” he added .
In addition to requiring an Rt lower than 1 , Rospotrebnadzor also dictates that more than half of the region ’ s ICU beds should be available for new patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tests be carried out per 24 hours .
On Monday , Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin , who himself recently checked out of the hospital after coming down with the coronavirus , announced that 27 regions met all those criteria .
As of Monday , though , 60 regions had already started relaxing restrictions , according to a count by Novaya Gazeta .
But like Sverdlovsk , not all stuck with the plan .
On Tuesday , the Saratov region reintroduced restrictions after a spike in new cases .
Vlassov , the epidemiologist , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would serve all Russian regions well going forward .
“ In principle we should rely on common sense , ” he said .
“ If there are no new cases , then it ’ s safe to ease up restrictions.
” The situation in Sverdlovsk , though , highlights the difficult position regional officials have been put in as a result of politics .
Last week , even before the outbreak at the Krasnoe & Beloe distribution center , the region ’ s chief health officer Dmitry Kozlovskikh had not only urged the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ramp them up .
On Wednesday , he said that restrictions should only be lifted 20 days after positive cases begin falling .
Fyodor Krashennikov , a political analyst based in Yekaterinburg , Sverdlovk ’ s capital city , said the dissonance was fostered at the top of Russia ’ s political system .
He noted how , after the region ’ s governor announced restrictions would be lifted , Putin ’ s presidential envoy for the Urals Nikolai Tsukanov came out in support of Sverdlovsk ’ s chief health officer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Krashennikov said .
“ Officials realize they have to follow through with his directives .
But while he called for the country to get back to work , Putin also was clear that there shouldn ’ t be another outbreak.
” “ Now we are left with different officials using these two different lines of thinking to try to impress him , ” he added .

Before 136 employees of the distribution center for the popular Krasnoe & Beloe discount liquor chain in central Russia’s Sverdlovsk region tested positive for the coronavirus on Monday, the region was set to relax its quarantine restrictions. The region had taken its cue from President Vladimir Putin, who last week announced a plan for Russia to get back to work while leaving its implementation to regional officials. Like most regions, Sverdlovsk quickly moved to take up the call, despite Russia registering the world’s second-highest number of positive coronavirus cases as of Thursday with over 317,000. But on his Instagram page Monday, Sverdlovsk governor Yevgeny Kuvyashev said the outbreak at the distribution center had forced him to delay relaxing pandemic restrictions — even if only for a week, until May 25. As the coronavirus forces Russia to face a bleak economic future, the Sverdlovsk outbreak and its governor’s response underscore the challenge facing regional officials. Open up too soon and allow a second coronavirus wave to come crashing in; wait too long and see the economy crumble. “Governors are making their decisions based on two factors,” said Natalia Zubarevich, an expert on Russia’s regions. “The first is making sure that the economy doesn’t die. The second is making sure masses of people don’t.” “They are between a rock and a hard place,” she added.
Russia’s regions are set to face severe financial difficulties. In April, budgets took an average hit of 30%, Zubarevich said, estimating that regional tax revenue this year will fall by 10% compared to 2019. Meanwhile, S&P Global Ratings has forecast that Russia’s response to the pandemic will catapult its regions’ budget deficits to 20-year highs. The need to ensure that Russia’s economy — which contracted by more than a quarter last month — gets up and running again was only reinforced Wednesday by Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova, who announced that unemployment has risen by 30% since the beginning of the pandemic. At the same time, though, as Russia’s coronavirus peak crests — with more people recovering than becoming infected since May 18, according to the Meduza news website — questions have been raised over the true severity of the country’s outbreak and whether the data and methods guiding decision making for re-opening are accurate and effective. Guidelines issued by Russia’s health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor say decisions to re-open should be made according to the effective transmission rate of the virus. Known as Rt, this variable differs from R0, a rate used by some other countries that looks at how many people a single carrier of the coronavirus is infecting. To calculate Rt, Rospotrebnadzor prescribes dividing the number of positive coronavirus cases recorded in a region over the past four days by the number of cases recorded in the four days prior. If the result is less than 1, then the region can open. Using that methodology, 33 of Russia’s 85 regions could have opened as of May 18, according to the independent Novaya Gazeta newspaper.
news Russian Province Reinstates Lockdown After Renewed Coronavirus Spike Read more
Yet Vasiliy Vlassov, an epidemiologist at the Higher School of Economics, believes the algorithm “gives an illusion of accuracy.” “A huge number of cases go untested, the quality of the testing itself is unclear and we still keep getting reports of people not getting their test results back,” he said. Russia has struggled with testing accurately since the start of the pandemic. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, who heads Russia’s coronavirus taskforce, recently said that half of the capital city’s critical coronavirus patients had tested negative for the virus — twice. Meanwhile, the North Caucasus region of Dagestan, which pleaded to Putin for help to avoid a catastrophe this week, has registered just 41 deaths from Covid-19 against nearly 700 from viral pneumonia since the beginning of the pandemic. Ibragim Yevtemirov, a doctor treating suspected coronavirus patients in the Dagestan city of Khasavyurt, told The Moscow Times that his hospital was at one point losing up to 13 patients per day. “We sent tests to Rospotrebnadzor but the results would never come back,” he said, “so the deaths were never registered as being from Covid-19.” In addition to the patients, Yevtemirov has also lost seven colleagues as well as four people from his close circle in his nearby home village of Khamavyurt. “None of them, as far as I know, received a positive test result,” he said.
news Putin Withdraws From the Coronavirus Crisis in a Political Abdication Read more
There is also the issue of potentially manipulated numbers. Boris Ovchinnikov, director of the Moscow-based Data Insight research agency, has been tracking Russia’s coronavirus figures since the beginning of the pandemic. As it has developed, he has seen enough signs to believe that regional officials are cooking the books. Over 12 days in the Krasnodar region, from May 4 to May 15, positive cases increased by between 96 and 99 cases per day, Ovchinnikov said. Over the same length of time in the Kursk region, between April 26 and May 7, cases rose by between 65 and 69 per day. In the Lipetsk region, over 11 days from May 5 to May 15, the number of cases grew by between 46 and 49 per day. “For Krasnodar, for instance, the likelihood of that occurring is 1 in 3 billion,” Ovchinnikov said. “It’s as if there is a set figure they’ve decided not to reach and they massage the numbers just a bit to make it look like there are real fluctuations.” “If this falsification of data is going unpunished, it becomes hard to trust all of the numbers,” he added. In addition to requiring an Rt lower than 1, Rospotrebnadzor also dictates that more than half of the region’s ICU beds should be available for new patients and that no less than 70 coronavirus tests be carried out per 24 hours. On Monday, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who himself recently checked out of the hospital after coming down with the coronavirus, announced that 27 regions met all those criteria. As of Monday, though, 60 regions had already started relaxing restrictions, according to a count by Novaya Gazeta. But like Sverdlovsk, not all stuck with the plan. On Tuesday, the Saratov region reintroduced restrictions after a spike in new cases.


themoscowtimes--2020-05-21--Moscow to Quarantine People With Coronavirus Immunity: Kommersant

Moscow launched its campaign to build “ herd immunity ” last Friday , saying they will invite around 70,000 randomly selected people every three days for tests .
The city is the epicenter of Russia ’ s Covid-19 outbreak with 155,219 out of 317,554 confirmed cases .
Moscow authorities could place people who test positive for coronavirus antibodies into a two-week quarantine as part of the Russian capital ’ s mass testing program , the Kommersant business daily reported Thursday .
Update : The Moscow health department has denied plans to quarantine Muscovites with positive antibody test results .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by mistake , an unnamed participant at the May 12 clinical council told the Business FM radio station .
A Moscow health department clinical committee proposal dated May 12 recommends extending the isolation period for antibody-positive people to three weeks depending on “ the specifics of the clinical process , ” Kommersant reported .
Those who test negative for antibodies are urged to follow general guidelines for preventing infection .
The committee is comprised of the Moscow health department ’ s freelance experts and chief doctors from the city 's coronavirus hospitals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevention , diagnosis , treatment and rehabilitation are not published in the public domain .
The Chinese-made antibody tests have a 96.26 % sensitivity and 95.38 % specificity , said Russia ’ s molecular diagnostics website PCR News , which first published the committee ’ s proposal Wednesday .
Russia ’ s Internet giant Yandex offered a free testing service at home for a few weeks in late April and early May and says it tested 20,000 people .
It has since halted the service , saying free tests are now easily accessible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimated that the real number of coronavirus infections amounts to 2.5 % of the capital ’ s population of 12.5 million , or around 300,000 people .
Experts warn that a positive antibody test does not confer total immunity to Covid-19 as some countries move to introduce “ immunity passports .
”

Moscow launched its campaign to build “herd immunity” last Friday, saying they will invite around 70,000 randomly selected people every three days for tests. The city is the epicenter of Russia’s Covid-19 outbreak with 155,219 out of 317,554 confirmed cases.
Moscow authorities could place people who test positive for coronavirus antibodies into a two-week quarantine as part of the Russian capital’s mass testing program, the Kommersant business daily reported Thursday.
Update: The Moscow health department has denied plans to quarantine Muscovites with positive antibody test results. The proposal has been rejected and appeared online by mistake, an unnamed participant at the May 12 clinical council told the Business FM radio station.
A Moscow health department clinical committee proposal dated May 12 recommends extending the isolation period for antibody-positive people to three weeks depending on “the specifics of the clinical process,” Kommersant reported.
Those who test negative for antibodies are urged to follow general guidelines for preventing infection.
The committee is comprised of the Moscow health department’s freelance experts and chief doctors from the city's coronavirus hospitals, Kommersant reported. Its recommendations on Covid-19 prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation are not published in the public domain.
The Chinese-made antibody tests have a 96.26% sensitivity and 95.38% specificity, said Russia’s molecular diagnostics website PCR News, which first published the committee’s proposal Wednesday.
Russia’s Internet giant Yandex offered a free testing service at home for a few weeks in late April and early May and says it tested 20,000 people. It has since halted the service, saying free tests are now easily accessible elsewhere.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has estimated that the real number of coronavirus infections amounts to 2.5% of the capital’s population of 12.5 million, or around 300,000 people.
Experts warn that a positive antibody test does not confer total immunity to Covid-19 as some countries move to introduce “immunity passports.”


themoscowtimes--2020-05-21--$50M in Fabergé Antiquities Shipped to Panama After Oligarch Hit With Sanctions: Reports

Russia ’ s State Museum and Exhibition Center ROSIZO shipped the package on April 28 , 2018 , to a Vekselberg-owned company in Panama , The Intercept cited shipping industry data as saying .
The U.S. slapped sanctions on Vekselberg and other Russian oligarchs on April 6 , 2018 , in response to “ malign ” Russian actions .
A Russian Culture Ministry-linked organization sent a $ 47 million package labeled “ Fabergé Russia ” to Panama three weeks after the United States placed sanctions on known Fabergé enthusiast Viktor Vekselberg , the investigative outlet The Intercept reported Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ precisely was in the packages marked as antiquities , given the breadth of decorative objects produced by the House of Fabergé , ” The Intercept wrote .
Vekselberg , 63 , bought nine Fabergé Easter eggs in 2004 .
Of the 52 Faberge-designed imperial eggs , 46 are believed to have survived since the 19th century .
“ Indeed , the eggs may still be residing in Russia , and the package may have been stuffed with other Fabergé valuables , ” The Intercept said .
Veselberg ’ s spokesperson , the Faberge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not respond to requests to identify the shipped items .
ROSIZO shipped the “ Fabergé Russia ” package to the address in Panama that houses the offices of Vekselberg ’ s Lamesa Arts Inc. Vekselberg was locked in a court battle for the Fabergé brand nearly a decade ago , seeking to transfer the brand rights to Lamesa .

Russia’s State Museum and Exhibition Center ROSIZO shipped the package on April 28, 2018, to a Vekselberg-owned company in Panama, The Intercept cited shipping industry data as saying. The U.S. slapped sanctions on Vekselberg and other Russian oligarchs on April 6, 2018, in response to “malign” Russian actions.
A Russian Culture Ministry-linked organization sent a $47 million package labeled “Fabergé Russia” to Panama three weeks after the United States placed sanctions on known Fabergé enthusiast Viktor Vekselberg, the investigative outlet The Intercept reported Wednesday.
“It’s not known what precisely was in the packages marked as antiquities, given the breadth of decorative objects produced by the House of Fabergé,” The Intercept wrote.
Vekselberg, 63, bought nine Fabergé Easter eggs in 2004. Of the 52 Faberge-designed imperial eggs, 46 are believed to have survived since the 19th century.
“Indeed, the eggs may still be residing in Russia, and the package may have been stuffed with other Fabergé valuables,” The Intercept said.
Vekselberg’s spokesperson, the Faberge Museum, ROSIZO and the Culture Ministry did not respond to requests to identify the shipped items.
ROSIZO shipped the “Fabergé Russia” package to the address in Panama that houses the offices of Vekselberg’s Lamesa Arts Inc.
Vekselberg was locked in a court battle for the Fabergé brand nearly a decade ago, seeking to transfer the brand rights to Lamesa.
Forbes estimates Vekselberg’s net worth at $11.2 billion.


themoscowtimes--2020-05-21--For This Russian Messianic Cult, Coronavirus Isolation Is a ‘Blessing’

In the depths of the Siberian taiga a group of around a hundred people in white robes stand around a statue of an angel topped with a cross inside a circle .
They sing and clasp each other 's hands , an unnerving scene in a world where millions are being forced to practice social distancing and self-isolation to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus .
The worshippers are members of the Church of the Last Testament , a movement founded by Vissarion Christ the Teacher , whose thousands of followers believe he is the reincarnation of Jesus of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disciples say they are seeing a new wave of interest in their way of living from around the world .
“ People are searching for something and have become attracted to our lifestyle .
They are looking for a way out of isolation and loneliness .
Requests to join us have tripled since the start of the virus , ” said Vadim Redkin , who used to be the drummer for a popular Russian rock band and now acts as Vissarion 's right-hand man and the group 's spokesperson .
“ We get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North America , ” he added .
Former policeman Vissarion has just celebrated the 25th anniversary of his commune , making him one of the mystics who emerged in the early 90s after the fall of the Soviet Union to fill an ideological vacuum to have stood the test of time .
About 4,000 so-called “ Vissarionites ” live in 20 rural settlements in southern Siberia , with the most devoted group of around 300 on top of a remote hill they call Abode of Dawn .
The cult ’ s physical isolation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are perhaps some of the only human settlements in the country whose lives have not changed during the pandemic , as they closed off their commune to outsiders when lockdown began .
Vissariontes ’ lives are governed by rituals , prayers and strict rules , demanding prolonged physical contact and personal interactions .
However , members of the Church of the Last Testament do not fear the kind of Covid-19 outbreak seen in other tight-knit religious communes — most notably South Korea where hundreds of members of the secretive sect Shincheonji Church fell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest of the country .
“ Local police know that it is basically impossible to get to us , so they let us do our thing , ” said Redkin .
While coronavirus-sparked existential crisis is playing a big role in attracting people to the commune , its members say talk about the pandemic being a way for nature to heal itself is also playing a part .
The Covid-19 outbreak has provoked debate about the impact of human activity on the planet .
Over the past three months people , including celebrities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returning to cities , under the caption “ nature is healing , ” arguing that there are some positives to the Covid-19 outbreak .
Critics have warned against celebrating the environmental upsides of a pandemic that has already killed over 325,000 people .
“ What people are saying now is something we all believed in 20 years ago when we moved here , ” said Adrian Leon , a Cuban national who has been with the commune from its early days after he left a “ pointless ” existence as a teacher in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nature is sick and needs healing .
Our lifestyle resonates with this , ” Leon added .
The group 's core belief is a desire to live in self-sufficient harmony with nature , while adhering to traditional gender norms .
It rejects most modern technology , alcohol and predicts worldwide disaster in the near future .
Benjamin Kaufmann , an Austrian whose life in Europe has been “ rocked ” by the coronavirus first came across Vissarion in a Vice News documentary .
He told The Moscow Times that the cult ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ First I thought ‘ ah ... the next guy , who believes he 's Jesus ’ ... but I was curious and watched it .
Then I was really surprised and thought ‘ wow , that looks like the ideal style of living ’ , ” Kaufmann said via Facebook .
Mariam , a 27-year-old accountant from New Jersey echoed this sentiment and said she is planning to move to Siberia “ once the borders open.
” Phillips Stevens , a retired anthropology professor at the University of Buffalo who specializes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus to prompt a rise in fringe ideas and religions .
“ Cults develop all the time , but far more frequently — and far more visibly — during times of general uncertainty and anxiety like the pandemic .
In times of social stress people want certainty , hope , promise and some sense of control in a time of apparent unpredictability and personal loss , ” he said .
`` Skepticism declines and people are more willing to accept unusual claims without evidence , ” he added .
The pandemic has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activity among cults and healers in Russia , said anti-cult activist and Professor at St. Tikhon 's Orthodox University Aleksandr Dvorkin , with many offering protection and salvation from the coronavirus .
One example is the return of Anatoly Kashpirovsky , a self-styled psychic healer who enjoyed popularity in the late 80s and is back on YouTube offering guidance as the coronavirus spreads .
Dvorkin isn ’ t therefore surprised that Vissarions are reporting of gaining new steam .
“ In times when confusion reigns people are vulnerable to manipulation , for some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the forest might seem like a reasonable option ” Dvorkin said .
Russia has seen a rise in crackdowns against non-Orthodox Christian denominations across the country , with over 300 Jehovah ’ s Witnesses charged or convicted since Russian officials branded the group as “ extremist.
” Authorities have mostly ignored the homegrown and secluded Church of the Last Testament over the past decade .
However , changed in February of this year , when police searched the Abode of Dawn , reportedly searching for evidence of corruption and sexual assault in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has put a temporary stop to these searches , Redkin said .
“ Quarantine and isolation have been a blessing for us .
”

In the depths of the Siberian taiga a group of about a hundred people in white robes stand around a statue of an angel topped with a cross inside a circle. They sing and clasp each other's hands, an unnerving scene in a world where millions are being forced to practice social distancing and self-isolation to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus. The worshippers are members of the Church of the Last Testament, a movement founded by Vissarion Christ the Teacher, whose thousands of followers believe he is the reincarnation of Jesus of Nazareth. In these uncertain times his disciples say they are seeing a new wave of interest in their way of living from around the world. “People are searching for something and have become attracted to our lifestyle. They are looking for a way out of isolation and loneliness. Requests to join us have tripled since the start of the virus,” said Vadim Redkin, who used to be the drummer for a popular Russian rock band and now acts as Vissarion's right-hand man and the group's spokesperson. “We get emails from Europe, South America and North America,” he added. Former policeman Vissarion has just celebrated the 25th anniversary of his commune, making him one of the mystics who emerged in the early 90s after the fall of the Soviet Union to fill an ideological vacuum to have stood the test of time. About 4,000 so-called “Vissarionites” live in 20 rural settlements in southern Siberia, with the most devoted group of around 300 on top of a remote hill they call Abode of Dawn.
Vissariontes’ lives are governed by rituals, prayers and strict rules, demanding prolonged physical contact and personal interactions. Alex Rags / Youtube
The cult’s physical isolation from the rest of Russia means they are perhaps some of the only human settlements in the country whose lives have not changed during the pandemic, as they closed off their commune to outsiders when lockdown began. Vissariontes’ lives are governed by rituals, prayers and strict rules, demanding prolonged physical contact and personal interactions. However, members of the Church of the Last Testament do not fear the kind of Covid-19 outbreak seen in other tight-knit religious communes — most notably South Korea where hundreds of members of the secretive sect Shincheonji Church fell ill and became infection vectors for the rest of the country. “Local police know that it is basically impossible to get to us, so they let us do our thing,” said Redkin. “Nature is healing” While coronavirus-sparked existential crisis is playing a big role in attracting people to the commune, its members say talk about the pandemic being a way for nature to heal itself is also playing a part. The Covid-19 outbreak has provoked debate about the impact of human activity on the planet. Over the past three months people, including celebrities, have shared fake images of animals returning to cities, under the caption “nature is healing,” arguing that there are some positives to the Covid-19 outbreak. Critics have warned against celebrating the environmental upsides of a pandemic that has already killed over 325,000 people. “What people are saying now is something we all believed in 20 years ago when we moved here,” said Adrian Leon, a Cuban national who has been with the commune from its early days after he left a “pointless” existence as a teacher in Sweden. “They are realizing that nature is sick and needs healing. Our lifestyle resonates with this,” Leon added. The group's core belief is a desire to live in self-sufficient harmony with nature, while adhering to traditional gender norms. It rejects most modern technology, alcohol and predicts worldwide disaster in the near future.


themoscowtimes--2020-05-21--Russian Activists Urge Probe Over Young Girl's Genital Cutting

Russia does not have a specific law banning female genital mutilation ( FGM ) and a fully fledged probe into the case would be a first for the country .
Russian rights campaigners are urging the prosecution of relatives of a nine-year-old girl who was subjected to a genital cutting operation as well as management of the clinic which performed the procedure .
Activists say that the practice is rife in the conservative majority-Muslim Northern Caucasus , with hundreds of girls subjected to the life-threatening procedure every year .
A nine-year old girl underwent the operation at a clinic in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Caucasus region of Ingushetia , in June 2019 at her father 's initiative .
The girl , who lives in neighboring Chechnya , was cut without her mother 's consent when she went to Ingushetia to see her father .
The child was held down by medical personnel and her stepmother , who ignored her screams , local media reported .
The girl 's mother pressed charges against Izanya Nalgiyeva , the gynecologist at the Aibolit clinic who performed the operation .
Last July , a probe was opened and the gynecologist is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Initiative ( SJI ) , a Russian human rights group which has taken up the case , wants the Investigative Committee to conduct a comprehensive probe into the clinic and all those involved in the girl 's case .
`` Not all accomplices to this crime are in the dock , '' Tatyana Savvina , a lawyer with SJI , told AFP on Wednesday .
She said they had requested that investigators probe the management of the clinic on suspicion of crimes including sexual abuse and intentionally causing grievous bodily harm to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will press for the punishment for `` all accomplices '' including the girl 's father and stepmother .
A spokesman for the Investigative Committee in Ingushetia , Zurab Geroyev , said that the activists ' request was being looked into .
`` So far a decision has not been made , '' he told AFP .

Russia does not have a specific law banning female genital mutilation (FGM) and a fully fledged probe into the case would be a first for the country.
Russian rights campaigners are urging the prosecution of relatives of a nine-year-old girl who was subjected to a genital cutting operation as well as management of the clinic which performed the procedure.
Activists say that the practice is rife in the conservative majority-Muslim Northern Caucasus, with hundreds of girls subjected to the life-threatening procedure every year.
A nine-year old girl underwent the operation at a clinic in Magas, the capital of the Northern Caucasus region of Ingushetia, in June 2019 at her father's initiative.
The girl, who lives in neighboring Chechnya, was cut without her mother's consent when she went to Ingushetia to see her father.
The child was held down by medical personnel and her stepmother, who ignored her screams, local media reported.
The girl's mother pressed charges against Izanya Nalgiyeva, the gynecologist at the Aibolit clinic who performed the operation.
Last July, a probe was opened and the gynecologist is now on trial.
But Stichting Justice Initiative (SJI), a Russian human rights group which has taken up the case, wants the Investigative Committee to conduct a comprehensive probe into the clinic and all those involved in the girl's case.
"Not all accomplices to this crime are in the dock," Tatyana Savvina, a lawyer with SJI, told AFP on Wednesday.
She said they had requested that investigators probe the management of the clinic on suspicion of crimes including sexual abuse and intentionally causing grievous bodily harm to a minor.
She said the rights group will press for the punishment for "all accomplices" including the girl's father and stepmother.
A spokesman for the Investigative Committee in Ingushetia, Zurab Geroyev, said that the activists' request was being looked into.
"So far a decision has not been made," he told AFP.


themoscowtimes--2020-05-21--U.S. Blocks Russia's UN Text on Mercenaries in Venezuela

The U.S. rejected the document during a Security Council meeting organized at the request of Moscow , which backs Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro .
The United States refused to adopt a UN text written by Russia Wednesday denouncing the use of mercenaries in a supposed plot to overthrow the Venezuelan government .
The leftist Venezuelan leader announced earlier this month that the country 's military had thwarted a beachfront invasion that was allegedly planned at the White House and carried out by mercenaries .
Among arrests made by Venezuela were two former U.S. soldiers who have been charged with `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weapons of war and ( criminal ) association . ''
Russian Deputy Ambassador to the UN Dmitri Polyanskiy called on Security Council members `` to unequivocally condemn the attempt of invasion in Venezuelan sovereign territory . ''
The short text proposed that the Council reiterated its rejection of `` the use or threat of use of force '' under resolutions linked to the `` condemnation of terrorism '' and use of mercenaries .
However U.S .
Ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft rejected the document , which she said made `` fantastical accusations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out that Russia and Cuba `` routinely send military officers and mercenaries '' into Venezuela .
The United States and some 50 other nations recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela 's interim president .
At the meeting Rosemary DiCarlo , the UN undersecretary-general for political affairs , urged a negotiated agreement but said `` the path of negotiation seems stalled . ''
`` Venezuela is mired in a deepening protracted crisis that only Venezuelans can resolve , '' she said .

The U.S. rejected the document during a Security Council meeting organized at the request of Moscow, which backs Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
The United States refused to adopt a UN text written by Russia Wednesday denouncing the use of mercenaries in a supposed plot to overthrow the Venezuelan government.
The leftist Venezuelan leader announced earlier this month that the country's military had thwarted a beachfront invasion that was allegedly planned at the White House and carried out by mercenaries.
Among arrests made by Venezuela were two former U.S. soldiers who have been charged with "terrorism, conspiracy, illicit trafficking of weapons of war and (criminal) association."
Russian Deputy Ambassador to the UN Dmitri Polyanskiy called on Security Council members "to unequivocally condemn the attempt of invasion in Venezuelan sovereign territory."
The short text proposed that the Council reiterated its rejection of "the use or threat of use of force" under resolutions linked to the "condemnation of terrorism" and use of mercenaries.
However U.S. Ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft rejected the document, which she said made "fantastical accusations" against the United States, pointing out that Russia and Cuba "routinely send military officers and mercenaries" into Venezuela.
The United States and some 50 other nations recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's interim president.
At the meeting Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN undersecretary-general for political affairs, urged a negotiated agreement but said "the path of negotiation seems stalled."
"Venezuela is mired in a deepening protracted crisis that only Venezuelans can resolve," she said.


themoscowtimes--2020-05-21--Russia's Coronavirus Cases Rise By 8K, Bringing Total Over 317K

Russia has recorded far fewer deaths than other countries with large outbreaks , but critics have cast doubt on the low official mortality rate and accused authorities of under-reporting in order to play down the scale of the crisis .
Russian health officials say one of the reasons the count is lower than in the United States and parts of western Europe is that only deaths directly caused by the virus are being included .
Authorities also say that since the virus came later to Russia , there was more time to prepare hospital beds and launch wide-scale testing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time on Wednesday , Russia recorded more people recovering in the last 24 hours — 9,262 — than the number of people testing positive , with active cases dropping by 633 .
One of Russia 's most high-profile virus cases , Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin , returned to work on Tuesday after receiving treatment for the illness in hospital .
Russia has the second-highest number of infections behind only the United States , but the number of new cases has fallen below 10,000 for six days in a row .
The North Caucasus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus hotspot , with the fifth highest number of infections .
The Muslim-majority region confirmed a total of 36 deaths .
Dagestan , with a population of 2.9 million , has more than 3,600 confirmed cases of the virus and local officials have described the situation as a `` catastrophe '' with hospitals overwhelmed .
President Vladimir Putin highlighted the region 's grave situation this week , pledging to send aid and implement `` urgent measures . ''

The highest number of new cases were in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Russia's fatality rate has remained low compared to other badly-hit countries, raising speculation that Moscow could be underreporting figures.
Russian authorities began easing anti-virus measures in June ahead of a massive World War II military parade in Moscow and a nationwide vote on constitutional reforms that now allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in power until 2036.
Both events were initially postponed due the epidemic.
Moscow opened cinemas and theaters on Aug. 1. In the capital, masks are mandatory in stores and on public transport but not in the streets.
Several institutes in Russia are working on a coronavirus vaccine.
The Russian Defense Ministry has said it developed a "safe" vaccine following clinical trials on a group of volunteers.
The trials are ongoing, and the Defense Ministry expects clinical trials to be fully completed in the coming weeks.
AFP contributed reporting to this article.


themoscowtimes--2020-05-21--Coronavirus Patients Line Siberian Hospital Hallways – Reports

At least two hospitals in Russia ’ s Novosibirsk region have been keeping coronavirus patients in the hallways after reaching capacity , local media reported this week .
Footage shared by medics and residents showed gurneys in hallways at the state hospitals refitted to treat Covid-19 patients .
The Novosibirsk-based Ngs.ru news website said Wednesday that it had been receiving photographs of the hallways from the two hospitals ’ patients since Sunday .
“ When they placed the extra beds , the doctors cursed and told us : film this and send it to the Health Ministry , ” one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was quoted as saying .
Other patients told Ngs.ru that they or their relatives were ordered to wait in the hallways , in some cases never to be attended to .
After the report ’ s publication , regional health officials wrote to the outlet saying that one of the hospitals had reached its capacity of 250 beds .
“ This situation is caused by the epidemiological situation in the Novosibirsk region , ” the health department was quoted as saying .
Authorities previously said that there was no shortage of hospital beds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filled as of May 11 .
The coronavirus crisis center of Novosibirsk region , with a population of 2.8 million , has confirmed 1,881 cases and 25 total deaths from Covid-19 as of Thursday .
That places it outside Russia ’ s top 20 most-affected regions .
The nationwide total stands at 308,705 coronavirus cases and 2,972 deaths as of Wednesday .

At least two hospitals in Russia’s Novosibirsk region have been keeping coronavirus patients in the hallways after reaching capacity, local media reported this week. Footage shared by medics and residents showed gurneys in hallways at the state hospitals refitted to treat Covid-19 patients. The Novosibirsk-based Ngs.ru news website said Wednesday that it had been receiving photographs of the hallways from the two hospitals’ patients since Sunday.
“When they placed the extra beds, the doctors cursed and told us: film this and send it to the Health Ministry,” one of the patients, Alexander Selivanov, was quoted as saying. Other patients told Ngs.ru that they or their relatives were ordered to wait in the hallways, in some cases never to be attended to. After the report’s publication, regional health officials wrote to the outlet saying that one of the hospitals had reached its capacity of 250 beds. “This situation is caused by the epidemiological situation in the Novosibirsk region,” the health department was quoted as saying.


themoscowtimes--2020-05-21--Russia Calls U.S. Leaving Open Skies Treaty a 'Blow' to European Security

Washington 's departure from the Open Skies arms control treaty would be a blow to European security , a Russian @ @ @ @ @ , after President Donald Trump announced the United States will withdraw .
`` The withdrawal @ @ @ @ @ treaty would be not only a blow to the foundation of European security ... but @ @ @ @ @ of the allies of the U.S. , '' Alexander Grushko was quoted as saying by @ @ @ @ @ Trump earlier said he will pull out of the 18-year-old defence pact with Russia and @ @ @ @ @ Russia did not adhere to the treaty . ''
Grushko , who is the deputy @ @ @ @ @ and the European Union , said Trump was trying to justify the exit from a @ @ @ @ @ `` technical issues '' that should be resolved within the treaty .
`` Nothing prevents @ @ @ @ @ technical issues which the U.S. is misrepresenting as violations by Russia , '' he said @

Washington's departure from the Open Skies arms control treaty would be a blow to European security, a Russian deputy foreign minister said Thursday, after President Donald Trump announced the United States will withdraw.
"The withdrawal by the U.S. from this treaty would be not only a blow to the foundation of European security ... but to the key security interests of the allies of the U.S.," Alexander Grushko was quoted as saying by the RIA Novosti news agency.
Trump earlier said he will pull out of the 18-year-old defense pact with Russia and 32 other countries because "Russia did not adhere to the treaty."
Grushko, who is the deputy minister overseeing relations with NATO and the European Union, said Trump was trying to justify the exit from a "fundamental treaty" via "technical issues" that should be resolved within the treaty.
"Nothing prevents continuing the discussions over the technical issues which the U.S. is misrepresenting as violations by Russia," he said.


themoscowtimes--2020-05-21--U.S. Plane With Donated Ventilators Lands in Russia

A U.S. military plane carrying dozens of donated American ventilators touched down in Moscow Thursday , with the precious cargo ready to be sent to a hospital treating coronavirus patients .
The 50 ventilators are `` the first part of a humanitarian donation of a total of 200 much-needed U.S.-manufactured ventilators to Russia , '' valued at $ 5.6 million , the U.S. Embassy in Moscow said in a statement .
Embassy spokeswoman Rebecca Ross posted a photo online of a US Air Force cargo plane after it arrived in the Russian capital 's Vnukovo Airport .
`` In times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia must work together to save lives , '' she wrote .
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the rest of the ventilators were expected next week .
Thursday 's shipment will go to the Pirogov National Medical and Surgical Center in Moscow .
The move follows a shipment by Moscow of Russian ventilators to New York on April 1 .
However they were never used and are unlikely to be after the same model was implicated in two fires in Russian hospitals .
Five patients died in a St. Petersburg hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Moscow hospital on May 9 in fires that are suspected to have been caused by faulty ventilators .
U.S. authorities said the Russian ventilators were given to the states of New York and New Jersey but were returned to the Federal Emergency Management Agency as a precaution as Russia conducts a safety probe .
Zakharova said both shipments were purely `` humanitarian , '' though the U.S. State Department had said Russia 's shipment was a purchase not a donation .
Russia is second to the United States in the total number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more than 3,000 deaths nationwide .

A U.S. military plane carrying dozens of donated American ventilators touched down in Moscow Thursday, with the precious cargo ready to be sent to a hospital treating coronavirus patients. The 50 ventilators are "the first part of a humanitarian donation of a total of 200 much-needed U.S.-manufactured ventilators to Russia," valued at $5.6 million, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow said in a statement.
Embassy spokeswoman Rebecca Ross posted a photo online of a US Air Force cargo plane after it arrived in the Russian capital's Vnukovo Airport. "In times of crisis, the United States and Russia must work together to save lives," she wrote. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the rest of the ventilators were expected next week. Thursday's shipment will go to the Pirogov National Medical and Surgical Center in Moscow. The move follows a shipment by Moscow of Russian ventilators to New York on April 1. However they were never used and are unlikely to be after the same model was implicated in two fires in Russian hospitals.
Just arrived – U.S. plane with humanitarian aid from the people of the United States to the people of Russia. In times of crisis, the United States and Russia must work together to save lives. #COVID19 @mfa_russia pic.twitter.com/IYTehoUjQX — Rebecca Ross (@USEmbRuPress) May 21, 2020


themoscowtimes--2020-05-21--Rosneft Launches $610M Defamation Lawsuit Against Russian Media Outlet

“ RBC has received a statement of claim from Rosneft to the Moscow Arbitration Court , in which the company demands the recovery of 43 billion rubles from RBC as reputational damage , ” said an RBC article , published Thursday alongside the corresponding legal documents for Rosneft ’ s claim .
The dispute concerns an article RBC published on May 14 detailing the mechanism by which Rosneft , which is majority owned by the Russian government , transferred its Venezuela-based holdings to another state-controlled organization , named Roszarubezhneft .
Russian oil giant Rosneft has launched a 43 billion ruble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian business website RBC over the outlet ’ s coverage of the company ’ s disposal of its Venezeulean assets .
The oil company , headed by Igor Sechin , a close ally of President Vladimir Putin , claims the way RBC presented the deal “ created the impression that … Rosneft ’ s complete exit from business in Venezuela was imaginary , provoking a wave of disinformation in print and electronic media.
” Rosneft announced it was terminating its involvement with Venezuela at the end of March , shortly after its subsidiaries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business with Caracas .
The original headline of the article in question was “ Ryazan private security company ( PSC ) received a share in Rosneft ’ s former Venezuelan project.
” This was changed a day later to “ Roszarubezhneft received Rosneft ’ s former Venezuelan assets through a PSC.
” The PSC in question — RN Okhrana Ryazan — was owned by Rosneft until 30 April 2020 , when it was transferred to Roszarubezhneft .
The company assessed the $ 610 million damages as the difference in share price movements between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day the article was published .
RBC has refuted the claim .
Petr Kanayev , head of the paper ’ s editorial office said in a statement Wednesday : “ RBC is convinced of the reliability and objectivity of the published information , based solely on official data .
We are ready to defend our position.
” He added : “ The first version of the headline is absolutely correct .
It was changed not because of inaccuracy , but in order to reflect additional information from the company 's comment on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transaction , which Rosneft was able to formulate only a day after the editorial board 's request.
” The clash is not the first legal dispute between RBC and Rosneft .
In 2016 , the oil company sought three billion rubles in compensation over a report about the company ’ s relationship with BP , which owns 19.75 % of Rosneft .
RBC was required to remove the article and publish a refutation .

“RBC has received a statement of claim from Rosneft to the Moscow Arbitration Court, in which the company demands the recovery of 43 billion rubles from RBC as reputational damage,” said an RBC article, published Thursday alongside the corresponding legal documents for Rosneft’s claim.
The dispute concerns an article RBC published on May 14 detailing the mechanism by which Rosneft, which is majority owned by the Russian government, transferred its Venezuela-based holdings to another state-controlled organization, named Roszarubezhneft.
Russian oil giant Rosneft has launched a 43 billion ruble ($610 million) lawsuit against Russian business website RBC over the outlet’s coverage of the company’s disposal of its Venezeulean assets.
The oil company, headed by Igor Sechin, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, claims the way RBC presented the deal “created the impression that … Rosneft’s complete exit from business in Venezuela was imaginary, provoking a wave of disinformation in print and electronic media.”
Rosneft announced it was terminating its involvement with Venezuela at the end of March, shortly after its subsidiaries were slapped with U.S. sanctions for doing business with Caracas.
The original headline of the article in question was “Ryazan private security company (PSC) received a share in Rosneft’s former Venezuelan project.” This was changed a day later to “Roszarubezhneft received Rosneft’s former Venezuelan assets through a PSC.”
The PSC in question — RN Okhrana Ryazan — was owned by Rosneft until 30 April 2020, when it was transferred to Roszarubezhneft.
The company assessed the $610 million damages as the difference in share price movements between Rosneft and other energy companies on the day the article was published.
RBC has refuted the claim. Petr Kanayev, head of the paper’s editorial office said in a statement Wednesday: “RBC is convinced of the reliability and objectivity of the published information, based solely on official data. We are ready to defend our position.”
He added: “The first version of the headline is absolutely correct. It was changed not because of inaccuracy, but in order to reflect additional information from the company's comment on the technical role of the PSC in the transaction, which Rosneft was able to formulate only a day after the editorial board's request.”
The clash is not the first legal dispute between RBC and Rosneft. In 2016, the oil company sought three billion rubles in compensation over a report about the company’s relationship with BP, which owns 19.75% of Rosneft. RBC was required to remove the article and publish a refutation.


themoscowtimes--2020-05-21--Chechen Leader Kadyrov Hospitalized With Coronavirus in Moscow – Reports

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has been hospitalized in Moscow with a suspected coronavirus infection , Interfax reported Thursday , citing an anonymous source in Moscow 's medical services .
Kadyrov , 43 , was reportedly flown to the Russian capital Wednesday , a few days after reporting flu-like symptoms , the Baza Telegram channel reported earlier Thursday .
Chechen doctors recommended that Kadyrov seek treatment there after his “ condition began deteriorating rapidly , ” Baza said .
The Telegram channel cited medical data as saying that Kadyrov has been diagnosed with lung damage and a suspected Covid-19 infection .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Interfax cited its source as saying .
A well-known transport tracker said Thursday that a private jet linked to Kadyrov arrived at Moscow ’ s Vnukovo Airport from the Chechen capital of Grozny .
Kadyrov ’ s official page on Russian social network Vkontakte has posted several updates in the past 24 hours , including posts on his charitable donations and birthday greetings for Russia ’ s defense minister , but has not yet addressed his alleged infection .
Kadyrov was last active on his Telegram account on Tuesday , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kadyrov has briefly transferred power twice — once in 2020 and once in 2019 — to undergo medical procedures .
Other than a decree on law enforcement dated May 20 , no similar orders ceding power to Kadyrov ’ s aides have appeared on the Chechen administration ’ s website .
Kadyrov has ruled Chechnya , which was devastated by two bloody separatist conflicts in the 1990s and early 2000s , with a strong hand since he was appointed its leader in 2007 .
While he initially dismissed the coronavirus , Kadyrov has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus lockdowns , sealing off the region 's internal borders , enacting a curfew and promising severe punishments for violating quarantine .
If confirmed , his infection would make him one of Russia 's highest-profile figures to contract the virus , following Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin , Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov and Russia 's culture , construction and education ministers .
The republic of Chechnya has reported a total of 1,026 coronavirus cases out of Russia ’ s overall total of 317,554 .

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has been hospitalized in Moscow with a suspected coronavirus infection, Interfax reported Thursday, citing an anonymous source in Moscow's medical services. Kadyrov, 43, was reportedly flown to the Russian capital Wednesday, a few days after reporting flu-like symptoms, the Baza Telegram channel reported earlier Thursday. Chechen doctors recommended that Kadyrov seek treatment there after his “condition began deteriorating rapidly,” Baza said.
Ramazan Kadyrov coming to Moscow for #coronavirus #Covid_19 treatment ?? A319-133CJ VIP configuration associated with Kadyrov, flew from Grozny to Moscow & is landing to Vnukovo. pic.twitter.com/VYcOFoRclR — Yörük Işık (@YorukIsik) May 21, 2020
The Telegram channel cited medical data as saying that Kadyrov has been diagnosed with lung damage and a suspected Covid-19 infection. "He is under doctors' supervision," Interfax cited its source as saying. A well-known transport tracker said Thursday that a private jet linked to Kadyrov arrived at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport from the Chechen capital of Grozny. Kadyrov’s official page on Russian social network Vkontakte has posted several updates in the past 24 hours, including posts on his charitable donations and birthday greetings for Russia’s defense minister, but has not yet addressed his alleged infection. Kadyrov was last active on his Telegram account on Tuesday, while Instagram blocked his page last week.
MT
Kadyrov has briefly transferred power twice — once in 2020 and once in 2019 — to undergo medical procedures. Other than a decree on law enforcement dated May 20, no similar orders ceding power to Kadyrov’s aides have appeared on the Chechen administration’s website. Kadyrov has ruled Chechnya, which was devastated by two bloody separatist conflicts in the 1990s and early 2000s, with a strong hand since he was appointed its leader in 2007.


themoscowtimes--2020-05-21--Putin Bestows Birthday Medal on Loyal Defense Chief

Putin sent Shoigu birthday greetings and signed a decree awarding him one of Russia 's highest decorations , the `` For Merit to the Fatherland '' medal in the first degree .
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday bestowed a 65th birthday honor on Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu , his loyal ally in the Syria conflict and companion on wilderness trips .
Previous recipients of the medal include Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov , Oscar-winning film director Nikita Mikhalkov and the late cellist Mstislav Rostropovich .
Shoigu , an engineer by training who led the emergency ministry before heading the armed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medals that he wears on occasions such as the Victory Day parade on Red Square .
These include the very prestigious Hero of Russia star .
One of Russia 's most popular officials who first came to public attention fighting fires and floods , Shoigu rarely makes political statements .
He comes from the remote Siberian Tuva region close to the border with Mongolia , and is one of the few representatives of Russia 's ethnic minorities in top politics .
As defense chief since 2012 , he has presided over a massive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weaponry including hypersonic missiles and reinforced troop presence from the Arctic to the Pacific .
He has also overseen Russia 's military intervention in Syria since 2015 in support of President Bashar al-Assad .
Known for unshakable loyalty to Putin , Shoigu has often accompanied the president on macho fishing and wildlife-spotting trips .
These included one in 2008 where Putin shot a Siberian tiger with a tranquilizer dart and then kissed it .
On their most recent trip in October , they picked mushrooms by the banks of the Yenisei River in @ @

Putin sent Shoigu birthday greetings and signed a decree awarding him one of Russia's highest decorations, the "For Merit to the Fatherland" medal in the first degree.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday bestowed a 65th birthday honor on Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, his loyal ally in the Syria conflict and companion on wilderness trips.
Previous recipients of the medal include Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Oscar-winning film director Nikita Mikhalkov and the late cellist Mstislav Rostropovich.
Shoigu, an engineer by training who led the emergency ministry before heading the armed forces, already has a chestful of medals that he wears on occasions such as the Victory Day parade on Red Square.
These include the very prestigious Hero of Russia star.
One of Russia's most popular officials who first came to public attention fighting fires and floods, Shoigu rarely makes political statements.
He comes from the remote Siberian Tuva region close to the border with Mongolia, and is one of the few representatives of Russia's ethnic minorities in top politics.
As defense chief since 2012, he has presided over a massive modernization of the armed forces with latest-generation weaponry including hypersonic missiles and reinforced troop presence from the Arctic to the Pacific.
He has also overseen Russia's military intervention in Syria since 2015 in support of President Bashar al-Assad.
Known for unshakable loyalty to Putin, Shoigu has often accompanied the president on macho fishing and wildlife-spotting trips.
These included one in 2008 where Putin shot a Siberian tiger with a tranquilizer dart and then kissed it.
On their most recent trip in October, they picked mushrooms by the banks of the Yenisei River in Siberia.