themoscowtimes--2020-02-11--Russia Proposes Banning Foreign IT for Critical Infrastructure

A Russian government agency has proposed banning the use of foreign information technology for critical national infrastructure , a draft government order shows , as Moscow moves to step up its control over the internet within its borders .
The Federal Service for Technical and Export Control ( FSTEC ) has proposed increasing the technological sovereignty of critical infrastructure , systems and networks that are crucial to the functioning of the economy , the document said .
The draft order proposes adding to legislation passed in January 2018 that requires the owners of such infrastructure to report cyber security incidents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggests also prohibiting these facilities from using foreign `` means of information protection '' or technical support from foreign organizations , leaving them only free to use Russian-made programs .
The industries affected by the proposed changes include defense , transport , communications , credit and finance , energy , fuel , nuclear , space , mining , metals and chemical , as well as the information systems of state departments .
The Russian order did not give details of any specific foreign firms it would ban .
Russia 's government has sought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy in recent years , through measures such as the `` sovereign internet '' law .
That legislation aims to route Russian web traffic and data through points controlled by state authorities and to build a national Domain Name System to allow the internet to continue working even if Russia was cut off from foreign infrastructure .
In 2015 , Russia began a policy of import substitution in the IT and communications sectors after the West imposed sanctions on Russia over its annexation of Crimea in 2014 .
Moscow ordered government departments to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2015 the share of domestic software in government purchases has increased to 65 % from 20 % , according to the Ministry of Communications .
This import substitution policy also began to apply to state-owned companies at the end of 2018 .
The new draft order was published on a government website on Thursday , but only came to light in a report by business daily Kommersant on Monday .
The proposal has been opened to public discussion until Feb. 20 after which the government will decide whether to adopt it .
Draft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

A Russian government agency has proposed banning the use of foreign information technology for critical national infrastructure, a draft government order shows, as Moscow moves to step up its control over the internet within its borders. The Federal Service for Technical and Export Control (FSTEC) has proposed increasing the technological sovereignty of critical infrastructure, systems and networks that are crucial to the functioning of the economy, the document said. The draft order proposes adding to legislation passed in January 2018 that requires the owners of such infrastructure to report cyber security incidents to the Federal Security Service.
It suggests also prohibiting these facilities from using foreign "means of information protection" or technical support from foreign organizations, leaving them only free to use Russian-made programs. The industries affected by the proposed changes include defense, transport, communications, credit and finance, energy, fuel, nuclear, space, mining, metals and chemical, as well as the information systems of state departments. The Russian order did not give details of any specific foreign firms it would ban. Russia's government has sought greater control over digital areas of the economy in recent years, through measures such as the "sovereign internet" law.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-11--Russia Eyes Making Former Presidents Senators for Life

The initiative , drawn up by a government commission , follows sweeping changes to Russia 's political system proposed last month by President Vladimir Putin .
Russian presidents could be made senators for life when they leave office under a proposed reform , a senior lawmaker said on Tuesday , a status that would give them immunity from prosecution .
Putin 's proposals , which were accompanied by a government reshuffle , would shift power away from the presidency and were widely seen as being designed to help him extend his grip on power after he leaves the presidency in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backed the changes in a preliminary vote last month .
The commission 's proposals will also be put to a vote .
Among them is a suggestion presidents become lawmakers for life in the upper house of parliament once their terms in the Kremlin end or they resign , Pavel Krasheninnikov , the working group 's deputy head , said , Interfax reported .
Under Russian law , lawmakers in the lower and upper houses of parliament are immune to criminal prosecution .
Krasheninnikov said the idea had been put forward by members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their study of upper houses of parliament in other countries .
He did not say the move was meant to shield former presidents from criminal prosecution .
He said it would allow Russia to tap into the `` colossal experience and knowledge '' of former presidents .
The commission has already put forward an array of other proposals , including one that would change Putin ’ s job description to Supreme Ruler .
Before they become law , the constitutional amendments must be approved by the lower house of parliament in two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the upper house , examined by regional parliaments , and then signed by Putin .
Putin has said the changes would be put to a nationwide vote , but it is unclear when that could take place .

The initiative, drawn up by a government commission, follows sweeping changes to Russia's political system proposed last month by President Vladimir Putin.
Russian presidents could be made senators for life when they leave office under a proposed reform, a senior lawmaker said on Tuesday, a status that would give them immunity from prosecution.
Putin's proposals, which were accompanied by a government reshuffle, would shift power away from the presidency and were widely seen as being designed to help him extend his grip on power after he leaves the presidency in 2024.
The lower house of parliament backed the changes in a preliminary vote last month. The commission's proposals will also be put to a vote.
Among them is a suggestion presidents become lawmakers for life in the upper house of parliament once their terms in the Kremlin end or they resign, Pavel Krasheninnikov, the working group's deputy head, said, Interfax reported.
Under Russian law, lawmakers in the lower and upper houses of parliament are immune to criminal prosecution.
Krasheninnikov said the idea had been put forward by members of the working group and was based on their study of upper houses of parliament in other countries. He did not say the move was meant to shield former presidents from criminal prosecution.
He said it would allow Russia to tap into the "colossal experience and knowledge" of former presidents.
The commission has already put forward an array of other proposals, including one that would change Putin’s job description to Supreme Ruler.
Before they become law, the constitutional amendments must be approved by the lower house of parliament in two further votes before being voted on by the upper house, examined by regional parliaments, and then signed by Putin.
Putin has said the changes would be put to a nationwide vote, but it is unclear when that could take place.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-11--Russian Couple Tried for Treason Over ‘Photobombing’ Secret Agent – Kommersant

Baltic affairs expert Antonina Zimina and her husband Konstantin Antonets were arrested in 2018 on suspicion of sharing secret information with neighboring Latvia ’ s intelligence agencies , according to Kommersant .
Authorities concluded the investigation in late 2019 and formally indicted Zimina and Antonets , Russian news agencies reported Monday .
A couple from Russia ’ s western exclave of Kaliningrad is on trial for treason over the appearance of a secret agent in their wedding photographs , the Kommersant business daily reported Tuesday .
Zimina and Antonets face up to 20 years in prison for blowing the cover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) counterintelligence officer who is Zimina ’ s old classmate , her father Konstantin Zimin told Kommersant .
He identified the officer as Maxim without disclosing his last name .
Zimin alleges , however , that Maxim blew his own cover by speaking openly about his work , handing out business cards and taking photos with guests at Zimina and Antonets ’ wedding in 2015 .
The photographs were reported to have appeared on social media and , later , on Baltic television .
“ No one thought it was a crime because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Zimin was quoted as saying .
He voiced frustration with the authorities for not interrogating other guests at the wedding and not summoning Maxim as a witness in the case .
Zimina and Antonets deny their guilt .
Kommersant reports that neither of them have access to state secrets .
Russia has had tense relations with its three Baltic neighbors — all currently EU and NATO members — since the Soviet collapse and Moscow ’ s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine .

Baltic affairs expert Antonina Zimina and her husband Konstantin Antonets were arrested in 2018 on suspicion of sharing secret information with neighboring Latvia’s intelligence agencies, according to Kommersant. Authorities concluded the investigation in late 2019 and formally indicted Zimina and Antonets, Russian news agencies reported Monday.
A couple from Russia’s western exclave of Kaliningrad is on trial for treason over the appearance of a secret agent in their wedding photographs, the Kommersant business daily reported Tuesday.
Zimina and Antonets face up to 20 years in prison for blowing the cover of a Federal Security Service (FSB) counterintelligence officer who is Zimina’s old classmate, her father Konstantin Zimin told Kommersant. He identified the officer as Maxim without disclosing his last name.
Zimin alleges, however, that Maxim blew his own cover by speaking openly about his work, handing out business cards and taking photos with guests at Zimina and Antonets’ wedding in 2015.
The photographs were reported to have appeared on social media and, later, on Baltic television.
“No one thought it was a crime because Maxim made no secret of his work,” Zimin was quoted as saying.
He voiced frustration with the authorities for not interrogating other guests at the wedding and not summoning Maxim as a witness in the case.
Zimina and Antonets deny their guilt. Kommersant reports that neither of them have access to state secrets.
Russia has had tense relations with its three Baltic neighbors — all currently EU and NATO members — since the Soviet collapse and Moscow’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-11--Senior Appointments in Moscow and Kiev Point to Tentative Thaw

While there was no indication whether the timing of the announcements was intentional , the simultaneous appointments in the two capitals were seen in both countries as signs of a new approach to a conflict that has killed over 13,000 people .
New senior appointments in Moscow and Kiev on Tuesday pointed towards a tentative thaw in ties , after the Ukrainian president 's new chief of staff offered guarded praise for the man put in charge of the Ukraine file in the Kremlin .
In Kiev , President Volodymyr Zelenskiy elevated aide Andriy Yermak , who had acted as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent months , to the post of chief of staff .
In Moscow , the Kremlin said that the relationship with Ukraine would now be handled by the Ukrainian-born deputy head of the Russian presidential administration , Dmitry Kozak , sidelining a noted hardliner , Vladislav Surkov .
Yermak told the Ukraine 24 TV channel on Monday , before either appointment was formally announced , that he had met Kozak and thought he was an improvement on Surkov .
A senior source involved in Ukraine 's negotiations with Russia said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been constructive , kept his word and we have had the impression he has been focused on achieving the results that we got . ''
Russia and Ukraine have been enemies since 2014 , when a pro-Moscow president was toppled in Kiev and Moscow responded by seizing and annexing Ukraine 's Crimea peninsula .
Moscow-backed separatists then launched an uprising in eastern Ukraine , leading to a conflict which has persisted despite a 2015 ceasefire .
Both countries were keen to play down the prospect of an abrupt change in their relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the office of the president in no way affects the policy of the state , '' Zelenskiy 's office said in a statement .
Opposition politicians from the Fatherland party and the bloc of Zelenskiy 's predecessor , Petro Poroshenko , said Yermak 's elevation signaled a softening of policy towards Russia .
In Moscow , Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov , who announced Kozak 's appointment as head of Ukraine policy , also criticized Kiev for making statements which Peskov said ran counter to undertakings given at a peace summit in Paris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been other signs of a possible thaw since the Paris summit , also attended by French and German leaders , which was followed by the prisoner exchange overseen on the Ukrainian side by Yermak .
The likelihood that Surkov would step aside has been discussed for weeks .
Alexei Chesnakov , a political analyst who used to work for Surkov in Russia 's presidential administration , announced last month that Surkov had resigned `` because of a change in policy regarding Ukraine . ''
`` The decision was made by Surkov and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Surkov himself . ''
Another source close to Surkov said that Surkov had reacted sharply to Kozak 's appointment , but that his resignation had not yet been confirmed and he might be given a new post .

While there was no indication whether the timing of the announcements was intentional, the simultaneous appointments in the two capitals were seen in both countries as signs of a new approach to a conflict that has killed over 13,000 people.
New senior appointments in Moscow and Kiev on Tuesday pointed towards a tentative thaw in ties, after the Ukrainian president's new chief of staff offered guarded praise for the man put in charge of the Ukraine file in the Kremlin.
In Kiev, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy elevated aide Andriy Yermak, who had acted as an envoy in prisoner exchanges with Russia in recent months, to the post of chief of staff.
In Moscow, the Kremlin said that the relationship with Ukraine would now be handled by the Ukrainian-born deputy head of the Russian presidential administration, Dmitry Kozak, sidelining a noted hardliner, Vladislav Surkov.
Yermak told the Ukraine 24 TV channel on Monday, before either appointment was formally announced, that he had met Kozak and thought he was an improvement on Surkov.
A senior source involved in Ukraine's negotiations with Russia said: "Our experience with Kozak...shows he has been constructive, kept his word and we have had the impression he has been focused on achieving the results that we got."
Russia and Ukraine have been enemies since 2014, when a pro-Moscow president was toppled in Kiev and Moscow responded by seizing and annexing Ukraine's Crimea peninsula. Moscow-backed separatists then launched an uprising in eastern Ukraine, leading to a conflict which has persisted despite a 2015 ceasefire.
Both countries were keen to play down the prospect of an abrupt change in their relationship.
"The change in the leadership in the office of the president in no way affects the policy of the state," Zelenskiy's office said in a statement. Opposition politicians from the Fatherland party and the bloc of Zelenskiy's predecessor, Petro Poroshenko, said Yermak's elevation signaled a softening of policy towards Russia.
In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who announced Kozak's appointment as head of Ukraine policy, also criticized Kiev for making statements which Peskov said ran counter to undertakings given at a peace summit in Paris in December.
Signs of thaw
Nevertheless, there have been other signs of a possible thaw since the Paris summit, also attended by French and German leaders, which was followed by the prisoner exchange overseen on the Ukrainian side by Yermak.
The likelihood that Surkov would step aside has been discussed for weeks. Alexei Chesnakov, a political analyst who used to work for Surkov in Russia's presidential administration, announced last month that Surkov had resigned "because of a change in policy regarding Ukraine."
"The decision was made by Surkov and will not change. I know it from Surkov himself."
Another source close to Surkov said that Surkov had reacted sharply to Kozak's appointment, but that his resignation had not yet been confirmed and he might be given a new post.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-11--The Harrowing Testimonies of Jailed Russian Anti-Fascists, in Quotes

On Monday , seven members of a Russian anti-fascist activist group were jailed for up to 18 years on terrorism charges in a case that observers have compared to a Soviet-era show trial .
The members of the group Set — Russian for “ Network ” — were detained in the city of Penza in 2017 .
Investigators claimed they were planning attacks during the 2018 presidential election and the football World Cup , and Russia later added Set to its list of banned terrorist groups .
Throughout the trial , the defendants said they were tortured and forced to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while human rights groups have said the evidence against the young men was fabricated .
Monday 's sentencing has sparked a widespread outcry in Russia , with many observers saying that it resembled a Soviet show trial .
We look back at some of the defendants ' testimonies about the investigation .
They include allegations of brutal torture that may be disturbing to some readers : “ I lay on my belly and they started to take off my underwear , trying to connect wires to my genitals .
I started screaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They kept saying : ‘ You are the leader.
’ To stop the torture , I answered : ‘ Yes , I 'm the leader.
’ ‘ You were going to stage terrorist attacks.
’ I answered : ‘ Yes , we were going to stage terrorist attacks.
’ ” “ The investigator told me in the middle of the investigation that this is going to be a show trial — ‘ You 're going to be put in prison to send a message to others.
’ To antifascists , anarchists .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organize .
But I think it 's become obvious to everyone that this show trial is having the opposite effect ...
I hope that in some future law lecture , a professor will say : ‘ Now we 're going to look at a case from 2017 .
It 's an example of how one should not act , with violations that should never be allowed.
’ '' Ilya Shakursky , 23 , sentenced to 16 years : “ I was told to keep my head down and sit on a bench .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Then they connected some wires to my toes .
I felt the current and could n't stop myself from groaning and shuddering .
They continued until I promised to say what they told me to say .
After that , I forgot the word ‘ no ’ and repeated everything the officers told me.
” “ While we were driving , I saw ... that the man with a VDV [ Russian Airborne Forces ] tattoo , who had beaten me before , had taken out a brown box .
It had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thumbs .
They said they would check if there was a current .
I felt unbelievable pain , and I realized that they had sent the current through me .
At the same time , the people in the car started asking me questions , including names of people I did n't know .
If I told them I did n't know the names , I got shocked again . ''
Andrei Chernov , 30 , sentenced to 14 years : “ As soon as the door was closed , they started beating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face several times .
Without hesitation they punched me in the stomach and hit the back of my head with their elbows .
... [ FSB officer ] Shepelev kept threatening that they would ‘ put my brother in prison , fire all my relatives and cut off my fingers.
’ He said : ‘ Your life is over , you will die.
’ ” “ They slapped me several times in the face and started ripping off my right ear — I thought they would tear it off .
They beat my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Shepelev said that my only chance was to talk ...
It was only when they stopped beating me that I realized their threats were not just words .
”

On Monday, seven members of a Russian anti-fascist activist group were jailed for up to 18 years on terrorism charges in a case that observers have compared to a Soviet-era show trial. The members of the group Set — Russian for “Network” — were detained in the city of Penza in 2017. Investigators claimed they were planning attacks during the 2018 presidential election and the football World Cup, and Russia later added Set to its list of banned terrorist groups.
Throughout the trial, the defendants said they were tortured and forced to give false and incriminating testimonies by investigators, while human rights groups have said the evidence against the young men was fabricated.
Monday's sentencing has sparked a widespread outcry in Russia, with many observers saying that it resembled a Soviet show trial.
We look back at some of the defendants' testimonies about the investigation. They include allegations of brutal torture that may be disturbing to some readers:
Dmitry Pchelinstev, 27 years old, sentenced to 18 years:
“I lay on my belly and they started to take off my underwear, trying to connect wires to my genitals. I started screaming and begging them to stop torturing me… They kept saying: ‘You are the leader.’ To stop the torture, I answered: ‘Yes, I'm the leader.’ ‘You were going to stage terrorist attacks.’ I answered: ‘Yes, we were going to stage terrorist attacks.’”
Vasily Kuksov, 31, sentenced to nine years:
“The investigator told me in the middle of the investigation that this is going to be a show trial — ‘You're going to be put in prison to send a message to others.’ To antifascists, anarchists. So that they won’t gather or organize. But I think it's become obvious to everyone that this show trial is having the opposite effect... I hope that in some future law lecture, a professor will say: ‘Now we're going to look at a case from 2017. It's an example of how one should not act, with violations that should never be allowed.’"
Ilya Shakursky, 23, sentenced to 16 years:
“I was told to keep my head down and sit on a bench. I was blindfolded, bound and gagged. Then they connected some wires to my toes. I felt the current and couldn't stop myself from groaning and shuddering. They continued until I promised to say what they told me to say. After that, I forgot the word ‘no’ and repeated everything the officers told me.”
Arman Sygynbayev, 27, sentenced to six years:
“While we were driving, I saw... that the man with a VDV [Russian Airborne Forces] tattoo, who had beaten me before, had taken out a brown box. It had two wires which they connected to my thumbs. They said they would check if there was a current. I felt unbelievable pain, and I realized that they had sent the current through me. At the same time, the people in the car started asking me questions, including names of people I didn't know. If I told them I didn't know the names, I got shocked again."
Andrei Chernov, 30, sentenced to 14 years:
“As soon as the door was closed, they started beating me. I was punched in the face several times. Without hesitation they punched me in the stomach and hit the back of my head with their elbows. ... [FSB officer] Shepelev kept threatening that they would ‘put my brother in prison, fire all my relatives and cut off my fingers.’ He said: ‘Your life is over, you will die.’”
“They slapped me several times in the face and started ripping off my right ear — I thought they would tear it off. They beat my legs, asked questions and threatened me. Shepelev said that my only chance was to talk... It was only when they stopped beating me that I realized their threats were not just words.”


themoscowtimes--2020-02-11--Police Probe Russian TV Host’s Pro-Abortion Instagram Post

Alyona Vodonayeva sparked controversy in December for urging low-income Russians not to give birth to “ slaves to this state.
” She doubled down on her pro-abortion stance after Putin announced a new spending package on families in January .
A popular Russian television host and Instagram blogger faces extremism charges over her posts criticizing President Vladimir Putin ’ s efforts to encourage population growth without addressing economic hardship , the online tabloid Super reported Monday .
State television and government officials admonished Vodonayeva for speaking out , often pointing to her modeling career and her past as a reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Vodonayeva , 37 , accused her critics of sexism .
Police in Moscow invited Vodonayeva for an interview last weekend as part of an inspection into “ inciting hate ” over comments that include her allusion to “ slaves , ” according to a police letter published by Super .
Police are also reportedly probing the statements “ I despise impoverished families who give birth to three or four children ” and “ It is mostly the rich or uneducated sheep who give birth in Russia.
” “ I ’ m not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m ready to address every line [ with the police ] , ” Vodonayeva told the tabloid , addressing its report .
Her lawyer Yekaterina Gordon said there was no legal basis to open a criminal case over the statements .
“ Alyona expressed her opinion , which has divided a large number of people .
I suspect there are certain desperate public organizations that are trying find a reason to ruin Alyona Vodonayeva ’ s life , ” Gordon was quoted as saying .
The charges of inciting hatred carry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
In his annual address to Russian lawmakers last month , Putin said he plans to expand government subsidies for low-income families and new mothers in a bid to boost Russia ’ s lagging birth rate and reverse its population decline .
The Finance Ministry estimates that the proposed changes will cost up to 450 billion rubles ( $ 7.31 billion ) this year alone .

Alyona Vodonayeva sparked controversy in December for urging low-income Russians not to give birth to “slaves to this state.” She doubled down on her pro-abortion stance after Putin announced a new spending package on families in January.
A popular Russian television host and Instagram blogger faces extremism charges over her posts criticizing President Vladimir Putin’s efforts to encourage population growth without addressing economic hardship, the online tabloid Super reported Monday.
State television and government officials admonished Vodonayeva for speaking out, often pointing to her modeling career and her past as a reality television host to back up their criticism. Vodonayeva, 37, accused her critics of sexism.
Police in Moscow invited Vodonayeva for an interview last weekend as part of an inspection into “inciting hate” over comments that include her allusion to “slaves,” according to a police letter published by Super.
Police are also reportedly probing the statements “I despise impoverished families who give birth to three or four children” and “It is mostly the rich or uneducated sheep who give birth in Russia.”
“I’m not going to take my words back and I’m ready to address every line [with the police],” Vodonayeva told the tabloid, addressing its report.
Her lawyer Yekaterina Gordon said there was no legal basis to open a criminal case over the statements.
“Alyona expressed her opinion, which has divided a large number of people. I suspect there are certain desperate public organizations that are trying find a reason to ruin Alyona Vodonayeva’s life,” Gordon was quoted as saying.
The charges of inciting hatred carry a prison sentence of up to six years.
In his annual address to Russian lawmakers last month, Putin said he plans to expand government subsidies for low-income families and new mothers in a bid to boost Russia’s lagging birth rate and reverse its population decline. The Finance Ministry estimates that the proposed changes will cost up to 450 billion rubles ($7.31 billion) this year alone.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-12--Facebook Says It Dismantles Russian Intelligence Operation Targeting Ukraine

Facebook on Wednesday said it had suspended a network of accounts used by Russian military intelligence to seed false narratives online targeting Ukraine and other countries in Eastern Europe .
`` Although the people behind this network attempted to conceal their identities and coordination , our investigation found links to Russian military intelligence services , '' Facebook said in a statement .
Facebook , which has struggled to stop governments and political groups using its platform to spread false or misleading information , regularly announces it has shut down disinformation campaigns from countries including Russia .
The Russian Defense Ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for comment .
Moscow has previously denied Western allegations of political meddling , including findings by U.S. Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller that it used social media accounts in an attempt to sway the 2016 U.S. presidential vote .
Facebook 's head of cybersecurity policy , Nathaniel Gleicher , said the latest Russian operation used more than 100 accounts on Facebook and its Instagram photo-sharing platform to create fake personas , often posing as journalists in the targeted countries .
These accounts then contacted local media and politicians to plant false stories about politically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ethnic tensions in the Russian-annexed peninsula of Crimea and the downing of a Malaysian airliner in Ukraine in 2014 .
`` We 've known for a long time that these people look for authentic voices to amplify their narratives , '' Gleicher told Reuters .
`` It is more of a classic intelligence operation , trying to manipulate key individuals to achieve a high impact . ''

Facebook on Wednesday said it had suspended a network of accounts used by Russian military intelligence to seed false narratives online targeting Ukraine and other countries in Eastern Europe.
"Although the people behind this network attempted to conceal their identities and coordination, our investigation found links to Russian military intelligence services," Facebook said in a statement.
Facebook, which has struggled to stop governments and political groups using its platform to spread false or misleading information, regularly announces it has shut down disinformation campaigns from countries including Russia.
The Russian Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Moscow has previously denied Western allegations of political meddling, including findings by U.S. Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller that it used social media accounts in an attempt to sway the 2016 U.S. presidential vote.
Facebook's head of cybersecurity policy, Nathaniel Gleicher, said the latest Russian operation used more than 100 accounts on Facebook and its Instagram photo-sharing platform to create fake personas, often posing as journalists in the targeted countries.
These accounts then contacted local media and politicians to plant false stories about politically divisive issues, such as corruption allegations, ethnic tensions in the Russian-annexed peninsula of Crimea and the downing of a Malaysian airliner in Ukraine in 2014.
"We've known for a long time that these people look for authentic voices to amplify their narratives," Gleicher told Reuters. "It is more of a classic intelligence operation, trying to manipulate key individuals to achieve a high impact."


themoscowtimes--2020-02-12--Ex-Prison Official Dies By Suicide in Russian Court

Viktor Sviridov , who was attending his sentencing on extortion charges during his time as head of the Federal Prison @ @ @ @ @ , did not survive the attempt to take his own life .
The court had @ @ @ @ @ years in maximum-security prison .
A former department head of Russia ’ s prison service @ @ @ @ @ court , media outlets reported Wednesday .
“ The defendant committed suicide after the judge @ @ @ @ @ ” Moscow City Court spokeswoman Ulyana Solopova told Interfax .
Authorities are now attempting to @ @ @ @ @ to get an alleged service weapon through security , an unnamed source told the news @ @ @ @ @ preliminary information , the bag where he carried the gun was inspected properly , ” @ @ @ @ @ saying .
Unconfirmed reports suggested that Sviridov had stage four terminal cancer .
Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ is looking into the incident .

Viktor Sviridov, who was attending his sentencing on extortion charges during his time as head of the Federal Prison Service’s transport department, did not survive the attempt to take his own life. The court had reportedly sentenced him to three years in maximum-security prison.
A former department head of Russia’s prison service has died by suicide in court, media outlets reported Wednesday.
“The defendant committed suicide after the judge read out the verdict,” Moscow City Court spokeswoman Ulyana Solopova told Interfax.
Authorities are now attempting to establish how Sviridov was able to get an alleged service weapon through security, an unnamed source told the news agency.
“According to preliminary information, the bag where he carried the gun was inspected properly,” the source was quoted as saying.
Unconfirmed reports suggested that Sviridov had stage four terminal cancer.
Russia’s Investigative Committee said it is looking into the incident.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-12--Russia's Air Force Stages Far East Training Flights

Russia 's Air Force staged training flights this week at the Tsentralnaya Uglovaya airfield in the Far East Primorye region @ @ @ @ @ pilots simulated an air battle with enemy aircraft .
`` The Su-35S aircrews conducted training @ @ @ @ @ destroy conventional enemy aircraft , '' the press service of the Pacific Fleet ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Here ’ s a look at highlights from the training :

Russia's Air Force Stages Far East Training Flights
Russia's Air Force staged training flights this week at the Tsentralnaya Uglovaya airfield in the Far East Primorye region. During the drills, pilots simulated an air battle with enemy aircraft.
"The Su-35S aircrews conducted training to search, detect and destroy conventional enemy aircraft," the press service of the Pacific Fleet’s Eastern Military District said.
Here’s a look at highlights from the training:


themoscowtimes--2020-02-12--Kremlin Accuses Turkey of Flouting Agreements Made on Syria

The Kremlin on Wednesday accused Turkey of flouting agreements it had made with Russia to neutralize militants in the Syrian @ @ @ @ @ militant attacks on Syrian and Russian forces in the region were continuing .
The Kremlin @ @ @ @ @ President Tayyip Erdogan said his country 's military would strike Russian-backed Syrian forces by air @ @ @ @ @ if another Turkish soldier was hurt as the Assad government tried to regain control of @ @ @ @ @ flared in Idlib , in northwest Syria and bordering Turkey , in recent weeks as @ @ @ @ @ and Iran have made gains in their campaign to eliminate the last insurgent bastion in @ @ @ @ @ Turkey , which is allied with some rebel groups opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday after 13 Turkish soldiers were killed by Syrian shelling in Idlib in the last @ @ @

The Kremlin on Wednesday accused Turkey of flouting agreements it had made with Russia to neutralize militants in the Syrian province of Idlib and said militant attacks on Syrian and Russian forces in the region were continuing.
The Kremlin made its comments after Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said his country's military would strike Russian-backed Syrian forces by air or ground anywhere in Syria if another Turkish soldier was hurt as the Assad government tried to regain control of Idlib province.
Violence has flared in Idlib, in northwest Syria and bordering Turkey, in recent weeks as government forces backed by Russia and Iran have made gains in their campaign to eliminate the last insurgent bastion in Syria's nine-year-old war.
Turkey, which is allied with some rebel groups opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, mounted a counter-attack on Tuesday after 13 Turkish soldiers were killed by Syrian shelling in Idlib in the last 10 days.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-12--Russians Escape Coronavirus Quarantine ‘Cages’

After two days of solitary confinement , freedom tasted sweet to Alla Ilyina .
The 32-year old housewife had been quarantined in St. Petersburg ’ s Botkinskaya clinic since she went for a check-up after returning from China ’ s Hainan seaside resort with a sore throat .
She tested negative for the coronavirus three times , and decided to take matters into her own hands when doctors insisted she had to stay .
“ I drew up a map before and made a detailed plan .
When evening came and the medical staff had let their guard down , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ containment room and opened the door .
I studied physics , which helped , ” Ilyina told The Moscow Times .
“ Our Constitution guarantees freedom .
I didn ’ t understand why I had to stay in a hospital cage , ” she added .
Ilyina was one of thousands of Russians and Chinese who have been quarantined for the WHO-recommended 14-day period after showing symptoms of the coronavirus , which has killed over 1,000 people worldwide .
Only two cases have been confirmed in Russia .
Both patients were Chinese nationals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has so far escaped the ravages of the virus , doctors and legal experts disagree over whether the strict quarantine rules the country has implemented are lawful .
“ If there are no symptoms anymore , if the tests all come back negative , then doctors don ’ t ’ have a legal right to keep a patient in quarantine , it is considered involuntary detention and abuse of office , ” said Svetlana Savinova , president of the Axiom association of lawyers .
Savinova also referred to Article 236 of Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while Russians will be held accountable for violations of sanitary-epidemiological rules , they can only be charged if a transgression leads to mass disease , poisoning or death .
In St. Petersburg , not a single case of the coronavirus has yet been identified .
Doctors in favor of the stern quarantine policies argue that these strict rules are exactly what is keeping the number of Russians infected at zero .
“ Her escape is shocking .
This is a poorly thought out impulsive act that could have grave consequences , ” infectious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times .
Ilyina wasn ’ t the first patient to have escaped quarantine in Russia .
Last week , Russian media reported that Guzel Neder , 34 , and her son fled a hospital in the southern city of Samara .
“ We had no choice but to jump out of that window , ” Neder told The Moscow Times .
Neder said she was put in quarantine with her young son four days after returning from a holiday in Hainan .
While in hospital , she discovered she was pregnant and decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of being infected by other patients .
“ The conditions there were awful .
Doctors were very unprofessional and not wearing any protective gear , ” she said , adding that both she and her son were given the all-clear for the coronavirus three days after they left the hospital .
Over the last few weeks , Russian social media has been flooded with pictures and stories from , many of them detailing the tough conditions in quarantine .
Last week , Vladimir Markov , 36 , told Reuters about his experiences in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said his only physical contact with the outside world was with medical staff in hazmat suits who bring food and monitor temperatures from 5 a.m. `` The Belgians are in a military hospital and they have beer .
They 're allowed out and they can wander the corridors in masks .
We have total imprisonment .
Some of the French are in Marseille with a view of the sea , '' Markov said .
Two patients at the Botkinskaya clinic where Alla Ilyina was staying posted a song titled “ I Want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media on Wednesday dedicated to their former fellow patient .
Both Ilina and Neder said they didn ’ t believe they were putting others at risk as they were both “ completely healthy.
” Neither woman has been contacted by any officials about their actions .
However , on Tuesday evening , the head of the St. Petersburg Botkinskaya hospital Aleksei Yakovlev said that he had informed the authorities about Ilyina ’ s escape .
“ If she believes she can get away with a 500-ruble ( $ 8 ) fine and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action she is profoundly mistaken , ” Yakovlev said in a statement .

Update: The chief sanitary doctor at the Botkinskaya clinic has filed a lawsuit against Ilyina, the state-run TASS news agency reported Thursday. After two days of solitary confinement, freedom tasted sweet to Alla Ilyina. The 32-year old housewife had been quarantined in St. Petersburg’s Botkinskaya clinic since she went for a check-up after returning from China’s Hainan seaside resort with a sore throat. She tested negative for the coronavirus three times, and decided to take matters into her own hands when doctors insisted she had to stay. “I drew up a map before and made a detailed plan. When evening came and the medical staff had let their guard down, I short-circuited the magnetic lock in my containment room and opened the door. I studied physics, which helped,” Ilyina told The Moscow Times. “Our Constitution guarantees freedom. I didn’t understand why I had to stay in a hospital cage,” she added. Ilyina was one of thousands of Russians and Chinese who have been quarantined for the WHO-recommended 14-day period after showing symptoms of the coronavirus, which has killed over 1,000 people worldwide. Only two cases have been confirmed in Russia. Both patients were Chinese nationals and have since recovered. While Russia has so far escaped the ravages of the virus, doctors and legal experts disagree over whether the strict quarantine rules the country has implemented are lawful.
“If there are no symptoms anymore, if the tests all come back negative, then doctors don’t’ have a legal right to keep a patient in quarantine, it is considered involuntary detention and abuse of office,” said Svetlana Savinova, president of the Axiom association of lawyers. Savinova also referred to Article 236 of Russia’s Criminal Code, which says that while Russians will be held accountable for violations of sanitary-epidemiological rules, they can only be charged if a transgression leads to mass disease, poisoning or death. In St. Petersburg, not a single case of the coronavirus has yet been identified. Doctors in favor of the stern quarantine policies argue that these strict rules are exactly what is keeping the number of Russians infected at zero. “Her escape is shocking. This is a poorly thought out impulsive act that could have grave consequences,” infectious disease specialist Vladislav Zhemchugov told The Moscow Times. Ilyina wasn’t the first patient to have escaped quarantine in Russia. Last week, Russian media reported that Guzel Neder, 34, and her son fled a hospital in the southern city of Samara.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-12--Russian Submarine Officer in Syria Fired for Drunken Anti-Putin Tirade

Captain lieutenant Oleg Lavrenchuk was said to have consumed alcohol with five other service members in June 2019 after finding out that their tour in Syria would be extended .
Lavrenchuk initially got off with a warning after admitting his guilt , but was later fired “ for gross misconduct.
” A Russian submarine officer in Syria has been discharged for drinking and cursing at President Vladimir Putin ’ s portrait , the Kommersant business daily reported Wednesday .
“ Lavrenchuk used foul language toward the military commandants as well as the portrait of Russia ’ s supreme commander , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 17-year Russian Navy veteran reportedly had two and a half years left until retirement .
At least two military courts have struck down Lavrenchuk ’ s appeals for reinstatement .
Lavrenchuk ’ s lawyers claimed that his commanding officers failed to take into account his good character and clean disciplinary record .
They also maintained that Lavrenchuk and his fellow servicemen drank “ during off-duty hours , which did not affect the unit ’ s combat readiness.
” The court documents were reported to have said that Lavrenchuk “ could not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was depressed after finding out that his long tour of duty outside Russia was extended.
” Russia maintains a permanent military presence in Syria , which is gripped by a nine-year civil war , with a naval base on the Mediterranean and an airbase in the country ’ s northwest .

Captain lieutenant Oleg Lavrenchuk was said to have consumed alcohol with five other service members in June 2019 after finding out that their tour in Syria would be extended. Lavrenchuk initially got off with a warning after admitting his guilt, but was later fired “for gross misconduct.”
A Russian submarine officer in Syria has been discharged for drinking and cursing at President Vladimir Putin’s portrait, the Kommersant business daily reported Wednesday.
“Lavrenchuk used foul language toward the military commandants as well as the portrait of Russia’s supreme commander,” Kommersant quoted court documents as saying.
The 17-year Russian Navy veteran reportedly had two and a half years left until retirement.
At least two military courts have struck down Lavrenchuk’s appeals for reinstatement.
Lavrenchuk’s lawyers claimed that his commanding officers failed to take into account his good character and clean disciplinary record. They also maintained that Lavrenchuk and his fellow servicemen drank “during off-duty hours, which did not affect the unit’s combat readiness.”
The court documents were reported to have said that Lavrenchuk “could not refrain from drinking alcohol, since he was depressed after finding out that his long tour of duty outside Russia was extended.”
Russia maintains a permanent military presence in Syria, which is gripped by a nine-year civil war, with a naval base on the Mediterranean and an airbase in the country’s northwest.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-12--‘She Will Flee to Russia’: Portugal Freezes Accounts of Africa's Richest Woman

Portugal has frozen the bank accounts of Africa ’ s richest woman Isabel dos Santos , who claims Russian citizenship by birth and is suspected of fraud in her native Angola .
Dos Santos , whose net worth Forbes estimates at $ 2 billion , was born in Azerbaijan 46 years ago when it was still part of the Soviet Union .
The daughter of Angola ’ s former president , dos Santos told Russian media last month that she “ always kept ” her Russian citizenship .
Portugal 's public prosecutor said Tuesday it had ordered the seizure of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to Angola ’ s request .
Last month , Angola named dos Santos a formal suspect over allegations of mismanagement and misappropriation of funds during her time as chairwoman of state oil company Sonangol .
Angolan authorities froze her assets in the African country in December .
Dos Santos has repeatedly denied wrongdoing in past weeks .
Experts noted that dos Santos could take advantage of her Soviet-era birthright to avoid prosecution in either Portugal or its former colony of Angola .
“ Once the international pressure gets too big , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Russia , ” Angolan journalist Rafael Marques told The Moscow Times recently .
Some outlets have questioned the accuracy of dos Santos ’ citizenship claim , saying she would have had to exchange her Soviet passport for a Russian passport in order to retain citizenship there .

Portugal has frozen the bank accounts of Africa’s richest woman Isabel dos Santos, who claims Russian citizenship by birth and is suspected of fraud in her native Angola.
Dos Santos, whose net worth Forbes estimates at $2 billion, was born in Azerbaijan 46 years ago when it was still part of the Soviet Union. The daughter of Angola’s former president, dos Santos told Russian media last month that she “always kept” her Russian citizenship.
Portugal's public prosecutor said Tuesday it had ordered the seizure of dos Santos’ Portuguese bank accounts in response to Angola’s request. Last month, Angola named dos Santos a formal suspect over allegations of mismanagement and misappropriation of funds during her time as chairwoman of state oil company Sonangol.
Angolan authorities froze her assets in the African country in December. Dos Santos has repeatedly denied wrongdoing in past weeks.
Experts noted that dos Santos could take advantage of her Soviet-era birthright to avoid prosecution in either Portugal or its former colony of Angola.
“Once the international pressure gets too big, many experts in Angola believe she will flee to Russia,” Angolan journalist Rafael Marques told The Moscow Times recently.
Some outlets have questioned the accuracy of dos Santos’ citizenship claim, saying she would have had to exchange her Soviet passport for a Russian passport in order to retain citizenship there.
Reuters contributed reporting to this article.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-12--Russia's FSB Tells Internet Firms to Hand Over User Data – The Bell

Russia 's Federal Security Service ( FSB ) has ordered some of the country 's major internet companies to give @ @ @ @ @ systems , The Bell investigative website reported late on Tuesday , citing three sources at @ @ @ @ @ the measure would affect a string of Russian internet services that have been added to @ @ @ @ @ to hand over user data and messages to Russian law enforcement agencies on request .
@ @ @ @ @ by Russian communications watchdog Roskomnadzor , contains more than 200 entities such as popular messenger @ @ @ @ @ services , social network VK and classified advertisement website Avito.ru .
Reuters was unable to @ @ @ @ @

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has ordered some of the country's major internet companies to give it continuous access to their systems, The Bell investigative website reported late on Tuesday, citing three sources at the firms.
It said the measure would affect a string of Russian internet services that have been added to a list of entities obliged to hand over user data and messages to Russian law enforcement agencies on request.
The list, drawn up by Russian communications watchdog Roskomnadzor, contains more than 200 entities such as popular messenger service Telegram, some Yandex services, social network VK and classified advertisement website Avito.ru.
Reuters was unable to immediately confirm the report.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-12--Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | Feb. 12

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 1,000 people continues to spread around the world , Russia has stepped up measures to tackle the health risk , including closing most entry points along its 4,200-kilometer border and suspending e-visas and work visas for Chinese nationals .
Russia has reported its first two cases of coronavirus and said the infected people were Chinese citizens who had been isolated .
Below are the latest updates on Russia ’ s response to the coronavirus — Russia discharged a Chinese national from the hospital in the Siberian city of Chita on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the second of Russia 's two confirmed cases of coronavirus to recover .
The other victim , also a Chinese national , was said by authorities on Tuesday to have recovered and been released from quarantine in Siberia 's Tyumen region .
— Russia 's Transport Ministry is proposing to offer airlines 1.6 billion rubles ( $ 25.05 million ) in compensation for the grounding of flights to China due to the coronavirus outbreak .
— The two people infected with coronavirus in Russia — both Chinese nationals — are being prepared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of being held in quarantine , the head of Russia 's consumer protection agency told the RBC news website .
— The coronavirus outbreak may delay Russia 's delivery of S-400 air defense systems to China , the state-owned arms exporter Rosoboronexport said .
— The number of payments made in Russia through the Chinese Alipay payment system was down 73 % in the first week of February compared to the same time last year .
— Russia 's Interior Ministry opened a criminal case of hooliganism after a Moscow man was filmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ metro while his two accomplices shouted that he was infected with the coronavirus .
The man has been detained while his accomplices are wanted , the Interior Ministry said .
— Russian authorities have quarantined a top Chinese diplomat as a safety precaution against coronavirus shortly after he arrived in Russia to take up his new post , Interfax reported Monday .
— China ’ s Hainan Airlines and China Southern Airlines plan to lay off more than 100 Russian pilots amid wider cuts to foreign staff as the coronavirus outbreak has led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , the state-run TASS news agency reported .
— Authorities in the Chelyabinsk region 1,500 kilometers east of Moscow have walked back plans to set up a quarantine center after local residents formed a human shield to prevent entry to Chinese nationals .
— Prisoners in the Kursk region have begun making face masks to be used in correctional facilities after a spike in demand , Interfax cited the region 's penitentiary service as saying Friday .
`` The masks made at penitentiary production sites are in no way inferior to those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ penitentiary service was quoted as saying .
— The Kremlin has started checking the body temperatures of individuals attending events with President Vladimir Putin as a `` precautionary measure , '' spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday .

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


themoscowtimes--2020-02-12--Russians’ Trust in Putin Halves in 2 Years – Poll

Only 35 % of Russian respondents said they trust Putin in January 2020 , Levada said .
Putin ’ s trust rating stood at 59 % in November 2017 .
Public trust in President Vladimir Putin has nearly halved in two years , according to the independent Levada Center ’ s survey published Wednesday .
“ It ’ s slow and gradual , and it ’ s more indicative than the swings in the approval rating .
There ’ s growing dissatisfaction with the economy and the inability to earn money , ” Gudkov said .
Putin ’ s approval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at nearly 70 % for the past six months in what Gudkov linked to respondents ’ views toward his foreign policy .
“ These are [ related to the ] different roles of the president : the foreign arena and inside the country , ” he was quoted as saying .
Meanwhile , a Gallup International poll cited by the RBC news website showed Putin behind U.S. President Donald Trump as the world ’ s most famous politician in 2019 .
Levada conducted its poll among 1,603 respondents in 50 Russian regions between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name the politicians they trust and distrust the most .

Only 35% of Russian respondents said they trust Putin in January 2020, Levada said. Putin’s trust rating stood at 59% in November 2017.
Public trust in President Vladimir Putin has nearly halved in two years, according to the independent Levada Center’s survey published Wednesday.
“The decline began long ago,” Levada chief Lev Gudkov told the Vedomosti business daily.
“It’s slow and gradual, and it’s more indicative than the swings in the approval rating. There’s growing dissatisfaction with the economy and the inability to earn money,” Gudkov said.
Putin’s approval rating, however, has held steady at nearly 70% for the past six months in what Gudkov linked to respondents’ views toward his foreign policy.
“These are [related to the] different roles of the president: the foreign arena and inside the country,” he was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, a Gallup International poll cited by the RBC news website showed Putin behind U.S. President Donald Trump as the world’s most famous politician in 2019.
Levada conducted its poll among 1,603 respondents in 50 Russian regions between Jan. 23-29. Respondents were asked to name the politicians they trust and distrust the most.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-12--Russia to Tap 'Rainy Day Fund' to Buy Central Bank's Stake in Sberbank

Russia will tap its National Wealth Fund ( NWF ) to buy the central bank ’ s stake in Sberbank , ending years of debate about potential conflicts of interest arising from the central bank controlling the country ’ s top lender .
The sale at market price , discussed at Russia ’ s top-level since late last year , will also help fund social pledges made by President Vladimir Putin last month when he proposed overhauling Russia ’ s political system .
The finance ministry has sat on the National Wealth Fund , a cushion accumulating oil revenues , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reach a certain threshold .
However , now that it has reached $ 125.6 billion , close to 7 % of gross domestic product , spending is due to start this year .
“ The decision to sell the stake will remove an issue of potential conflicts of interest , ” Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said in a statement on Tuesday .
The ministry would buy the central bank ’ s 50 % -plus-one-share stake in Sberbank for a “ market price ” , it said on Tuesday , without specifying the price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held a stake since 1991 .
Two sources close to the deal told Reuters that Sberbank ’ s stake is estimated to cost around 2.45 trillion roubles ( $ 39 billion ) , below the market value of 2.8 trillion roubles based on Refinitiv Eikon data on Tuesday .

Russia will tap its National Wealth Fund (NWF) to buy the central bank’s stake in Sberbank, ending years of debate about potential conflicts of interest arising from the central bank controlling the country’s top lender.
The sale at market price, discussed at Russia’s top-level since late last year, will also help fund social pledges made by President Vladimir Putin last month when he proposed overhauling Russia’s political system.
The finance ministry has sat on the National Wealth Fund, a cushion accumulating oil revenues, for years, waiting for it to reach a certain threshold. However, now that it has reached $125.6 billion, close to 7% of gross domestic product, spending is due to start this year.
“The decision to sell the stake will remove an issue of potential conflicts of interest,” Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said in a statement on Tuesday.
The ministry would buy the central bank’s 50%-plus-one-share stake in Sberbank for a “market price”, it said on Tuesday, without specifying the price and schedule. The central bank has held a stake since 1991.
Two sources close to the deal told Reuters that Sberbank’s stake is estimated to cost around 2.45 trillion roubles ($39 billion), below the market value of 2.8 trillion roubles based on Refinitiv Eikon data on Tuesday.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-12--Russia Discharges Second Chinese Man to Recover From Coronavirus

He was the second of Russia 's two confirmed cases of coronavirus to recover .
The other patient , also a Chinese national , was said by authorities on Tuesday to have recovered and been released from quarantine in Siberia 's Tyumen region .
Russia discharged a Chinese national from hospital in the Siberian city of Chita on Wednesday after he recovered from a coronavirus infection , local authorities said .
Russia has isolated hundreds of Russian and Chinese nationals for virus screening upon arrival from China .
A Chinese diplomat was quarantined as a precaution last week in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a 4,300 kilometer ( 2,670-mile ) land border with China , has heavily restricted travel to its neighbour .
The flu-like virus has killed more than 1,100 people , all but two in mainland China .
The head of Russia 's consumer health watchdog said on Monday that more than 20,000 people were under observation for signs of infection .
More than 6,000 of those were Chinese nationals , the official , Anna Popova , said .
Some Russians have opposed quarantine centres being set up in their region and two facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortly after being opened because of local protests , the Znak regional media outlet reported .
In St. Petersburg , a woman described on Instagram how she escaped from a hospital on Friday where she had been put in quarantine after she reported having a sore throat following a holiday in China .
She said doctors had given her a clean bill of health , but that she had not been allowed home despite her asking .
The hospital 's head doctor said on Tuesday she had flouted a 14-day quarantine period and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during her escape , the Fontanka media outlet reported .

He was the second of Russia's two confirmed cases of coronavirus to recover. The other patient, also a Chinese national, was said by authorities on Tuesday to have recovered and been released from quarantine in Siberia's Tyumen region.
Russia discharged a Chinese national from hospital in the Siberian city of Chita on Wednesday after he recovered from a coronavirus infection, local authorities said.
Russia has isolated hundreds of Russian and Chinese nationals for virus screening upon arrival from China. A Chinese diplomat was quarantined as a precaution last week in the city of Yekaterinburg.
Russia, which has a 4,300 kilometer (2,670-mile) land border with China, has heavily restricted travel to its neighbour. The flu-like virus has killed more than 1,100 people, all but two in mainland China.
The head of Russia's consumer health watchdog said on Monday that more than 20,000 people were under observation for signs of infection. More than 6,000 of those were Chinese nationals, the official, Anna Popova, said.
Some Russians have opposed quarantine centres being set up in their region and two facilities in the region of Chelyabinsk were shut shortly after being opened because of local protests, the Znak regional media outlet reported.
In St. Petersburg, a woman described on Instagram how she escaped from a hospital on Friday where she had been put in quarantine after she reported having a sore throat following a holiday in China.
She said doctors had given her a clean bill of health, but that she had not been allowed home despite her asking.
The hospital's head doctor said on Tuesday she had flouted a 14-day quarantine period and also accused her of damaging hospital property during her escape, the Fontanka media outlet reported.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-12--Indian Astronaut Candidates Start Training in Russia

They are expected to go into orbit on board the three-person Gaganyaan spacecraft sometime in late 2021 or mid-2022 .
The mission — which is set to be India 's first manned space flight — was estimated to cost $ 1.4 billion in 2018 , when the four pilots were picked out from the Indian air force .
Four aspiring astronauts from India have embarked on a 12-month training program in Russia , Russia ’ s space launch service provider announced Monday .
The four Indian pilots will undergo “ comprehensive and biomedical training ” at Russia 's main space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Star City '' ) outside Moscow , said Glavkosmos , a subsidiary of Russia ’ s Federal Space Agency .
“ [ T ] hey will study in detail the systems of the Soyuz manned spaceship , [ and be ] trained in short-term weightlessness aboard the special Il-76MDK aircraft , ” Glavkosmos said .
The Il-76MDK is a zero-gravity airlifter for trainee astronauts and space tourists .
“ The Indian pilots will also be trained to act correctly in case of abnormal landing of the manned spaceship descent module in various climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At least one of the four pilots will stay behind on Earth when the Gaganyaan launches .
Gaganyaan and other space missions come as India looks to become a low-cost space power .
The country ’ s unmanned Mars mission in 2014 cost $ 74 million , less than the budget of Hollywood space blockbuster “ Gravity .
”

They are expected to go into orbit on board the three-person Gaganyaan spacecraft sometime in late 2021 or mid-2022. The mission — which is set to be India's first manned space flight — was estimated to cost $1.4 billion in 2018, when the four pilots were picked out from the Indian air force.
Four aspiring astronauts from India have embarked on a 12-month training program in Russia, Russia’s space launch service provider announced Monday.
The four Indian pilots will undergo “comprehensive and biomedical training” at Russia's main space training center in Zvyozdny Gorodok ("Star City") outside Moscow, said Glavkosmos, a subsidiary of Russia’s Federal Space Agency.
“[T]hey will study in detail the systems of the Soyuz manned spaceship, [and be] trained in short-term weightlessness aboard the special Il-76MDK aircraft,” Glavkosmos said.
The Il-76MDK is a zero-gravity airlifter for trainee astronauts and space tourists.
“The Indian pilots will also be trained to act correctly in case of abnormal landing of the manned spaceship descent module in various climate and geographic zones,” it added.
At least one of the four pilots will stay behind on Earth when the Gaganyaan launches.
Gaganyaan and other space missions come as India looks to become a low-cost space power. The country’s unmanned Mars mission in 2014 cost $74 million, less than the budget of Hollywood space blockbuster “Gravity.”