themoscowtimes--2020-02-06--Russian Energy Exports to U.S. Set 8-Year Record in October

Russia exported 20.9 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products to the U.S. in October 2019 , the highest one-month total since November 2011 .
Russia also surpassed Mexico as the second-largest energy supplier to the U.S. in October 2019 , behind Canada .
Russia ’ s energy exports to the United States have reached an eight-year high in October 2019 , according to U.S. Energy Information Administration data cited by the RBC news website Thursday .
The U.S. imported 166.37 million barrels of Russian crude oil and petroleum products in January-November 2019 , the latest available data says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. in January-November 2019 .
Russian Federal Customs Service data cited by RBC estimated the country ’ s January-November exports of crude oil and oil products to the U.S. at $ 5.76 million .
In the absence of December data , RBC reported that state-owned oil company Rosneft delivered 3.5 million barrels of oil products to the U.S. that month .
At least seven other Russian firms delivered energy products to the U.S. in December , RBC cited the Caracas Capital investment bank as saying .
Russia ramped up its oil and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposed sanctions on Venezuela last year , causing a sharp drop in exports of the country ’ s key source of revenue .

Russia exported 20.9 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products to the U.S. in October 2019, the highest one-month total since November 2011. Russia also surpassed Mexico as the second-largest energy supplier to the U.S. in October 2019, behind Canada.
Russia’s energy exports to the United States have reached an eight-year high in October 2019, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration data cited by the RBC news website Thursday.
The U.S. imported 166.37 million barrels of Russian crude oil and petroleum products in January-November 2019, the latest available data says. Mexico exported 217.5 million barrels to the U.S. in January-November 2019.
Russian Federal Customs Service data cited by RBC estimated the country’s January-November exports of crude oil and oil products to the U.S. at $5.76 million.
In the absence of December data, RBC reported that state-owned oil company Rosneft delivered 3.5 million barrels of oil products to the U.S. that month. At least seven other Russian firms delivered energy products to the U.S. in December, RBC cited the Caracas Capital investment bank as saying.
Russia ramped up its oil and petroleum sales to the U.S. after Washington imposed sanctions on Venezuela last year, causing a sharp drop in exports of the country’s key source of revenue.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-06--Russia Proposes Internet Ecosystem to Protect Users From ‘Foreign Influence’ – Report

Rostelecom ’ s so-called roadmap reportedly envisions the creation of state-run messengers , gaming services , browsers and operating systems .
The telecom provider ’ s ambitious proposal also includes state-controlled content recommendation systems and speech and gesture recognition in addition to virtual and augmented reality technology , the publication reported .
Russia ’ s state-controlled telecommunications provider is proposing a 260-billion-ruble ( $ 4.1 billion ) online ecosystem to “ protect users from foreign influence , ” the Kommersant business daily reported Wednesday .
Their underlying purpose is to minimize the risk of public opinion being manipulated through technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says that such technologies can significantly affect economic development and social stability and carry risks of … spreading fake news and negative influence from foreign organizations , ” an unnamed source familiar with the document was cited as saying .
Rostelecom sent the draft roadmap to the Communications Ministry , the source told Kommersant and another IT industry source confirmed .
Rostelecom and the Communications Ministry did not comment on the publication ’ s report .
The roadmap is part of President Vladimir Putin ’ s centerpiece National Projects program , which aims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projects .
Rostelecom ’ s proposal for a state-run online ecosystem is named among the digital economy project ’ s more expensive roadmaps .
IT experts expressed skepticism about the state spending program in the presence of similar solutions developed by private Russian tech firms .
“ There ’ s a high probability of a completely useless waste of funds , ” Karen Kazaryan , chief analyst at the Russian Association for Electronic Communications , was quoted by Kommersant as saying .

Rostelecom’s so-called roadmap reportedly envisions the creation of state-run messengers, gaming services, browsers and operating systems. The telecom provider’s ambitious proposal also includes state-controlled content recommendation systems and speech and gesture recognition in addition to virtual and augmented reality technology, the publication reported.
Russia’s state-controlled telecommunications provider is proposing a 260-billion-ruble ($4.1 billion) online ecosystem to “protect users from foreign influence,” the Kommersant business daily reported Wednesday.
Their underlying purpose is to minimize the risk of public opinion being manipulated through technology, Kommersant reported.
“The roadmap says that such technologies can significantly affect economic development and social stability and carry risks of … spreading fake news and negative influence from foreign organizations,” an unnamed source familiar with the document was cited as saying.
Rostelecom sent the draft roadmap to the Communications Ministry, the source told Kommersant and another IT industry source confirmed. Rostelecom and the Communications Ministry did not comment on the publication’s report.
The roadmap is part of President Vladimir Putin’s centerpiece National Projects program, which aims to stimulate the economy through 12 state-centric projects. Rostelecom’s proposal for a state-run online ecosystem is named among the digital economy project’s more expensive roadmaps.
IT experts expressed skepticism about the state spending program in the presence of similar solutions developed by private Russian tech firms.
“There’s a high probability of a completely useless waste of funds,” Karen Kazaryan, chief analyst at the Russian Association for Electronic Communications, was quoted by Kommersant as saying.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-06--U.S. Steps Up Warnings to Russia Over Syria's Idlib, Military De-Confliction

The United States on Wednesday stepped up warnings to Russia over its Syria policy , saying Moscow was trying to challenge the U.S. presence in northeastern Syria by violating the terms of a de-confliction agreement and was also helping escalate the fighting in the northwestern province of Idlib .
James Jeffrey , U.S. special envoy for Syria engagement and fight against Islamic State , said the United States was `` very very worried '' about the Syrian government assault , backed by Russia , on Idlib , and he repeated calls on Moscow to stop it .
`` This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be brought to an end .
Russia needs to change its policies , '' Jeffrey said .
The United States , France and the United Kingdom called for a United Nations Security Council meeting on Thursday to discuss the situation in Idlib .
President Donald Trump softened his plans to pull out U.S. troops from Syria after backlash from Congress , and has kept around 600 troops , largely in northeastern Syria to continue the fight against Islamic State .
However , in northwestern Syria , the United States has no troops on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia or the Syrian government in asserting its position .
The Idlib violence has accelerated in recent months despite several ceasefire efforts , including as recently as January .
On Wednesday , Syrian government forces entered Saraqeb in Idlib , a war monitor and eyewitnesses said , in a renewed push by President Bashar al-Assad to recapture the last rebel stronghold .
`` We 're seeing not just the Russians but Iranians and Hezbollah actively involved in supporting the Syrian offensive .
We do n't know whether the offensive is just to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may continue further , '' Jeffrey said , in reference to the strategic highways connecting Syria 's Aleppo to Hama and Latakia on the Mediterranean coast .
Jeffrey said Moscow could change its policies and meet the requirements of the international community without ousting Assad .
`` Those requirements are not unreasonable .
...
They require a change in that ( Assad ) government 's behavior .
That government would not survive a week without the Russian assistance . ''
Northeastern Syria is a complicated battleground with forces of the United States , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government and aligned Iranian militia operating , sometimes in close proximity .
Moscow has been filling the vacuum of U.S. withdrawal from the area , ramping up its military presence in Syria 's northeast , and de-confliction agreements between the two sides ensure they avoid any clashes .
But Jeffrey on Wednesday said there have been more incidents of Russia 's violating the terms of de-confliction in what he characterized as an attempt to challenge the U.S. presence in there .
`` We 've seen a limited number of occasions where ... they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area where we and the SDF are patrolling well inside the basic lines we have sketched .
Those are the ones that are worrying me , '' he said , referring to Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) that works with Washington in northeastern Syria .
He said while the numbers of such incidents were not very high , they were on the rise .
`` Thus is troubling , '' he said , and called on Moscow to adhere fully to the de-confliction agreements with the United States .

The United States on Wednesday stepped up warnings to Russia over its Syria policy, saying Moscow was trying to challenge the U.S. presence in northeastern Syria by violating the terms of a de-confliction agreement and was also helping escalate the fighting in the northwestern province of Idlib. James Jeffrey, U.S. special envoy for Syria engagement and fight against Islamic State, said the United States was "very very worried" about the Syrian government assault, backed by Russia, on Idlib, and he repeated calls on Moscow to stop it. "This is a dangerous conflict. It needs to be brought to an end. Russia needs to change its policies," Jeffrey said. The United States, France and the United Kingdom called for a United Nations Security Council meeting on Thursday to discuss the situation in Idlib. President Donald Trump softened his plans to pull out U.S. troops from Syria after backlash from Congress, and has kept around 600 troops, largely in northeastern Syria to continue the fight against Islamic State.
However, in northwestern Syria, the United States has no troops on the ground and thus little leverage on Russia or the Syrian government in asserting its position. The Idlib violence has accelerated in recent months despite several ceasefire efforts, including as recently as January. On Wednesday, Syrian government forces entered Saraqeb in Idlib, a war monitor and eyewitnesses said, in a renewed push by President Bashar al-Assad to recapture the last rebel stronghold. "We're seeing not just the Russians but Iranians and Hezbollah actively involved in supporting the Syrian offensive. We don't know whether the offensive is just to get to the M4-M5 road, or it may continue further," Jeffrey said, in reference to the strategic highways connecting Syria's Aleppo to Hama and Latakia on the Mediterranean coast. Jeffrey said Moscow could change its policies and meet the requirements of the international community without ousting Assad. "Those requirements are not unreasonable. ... They require a change in that (Assad) government's behavior. That government would not survive a week without the Russian assistance." Russia violating de-confliction Northeastern Syria is a complicated battleground with forces of the United States, Turkey and Russia as well the Syrian government and aligned Iranian militia operating, sometimes in close proximity. Moscow has been filling the vacuum of U.S. withdrawal from the area, ramping up its military presence in Syria's northeast, and de-confliction agreements between the two sides ensure they avoid any clashes.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-06--Russia Says Alarmed by U.S. Deployment of Low-Yield Nuclear Missiles

Russia is alarmed by the U.S. Navy 's decision to deploy low-yield nuclear missiles on submarines since they heighten the risk of a limited nuclear war , a Russian official said on Wednesday .
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the deployment of the W76-2 warhead in the name of strengthening deterrence had caused Russia great concern over U.S. nuclear strategy , Russian news agencies reported .
The U.S. Defense Department said on Tuesday the Navy had fielded a low-yield , submarine-launched ballistic missile warhead , something the Pentagon says is needed to deter adversaries like Russia .
Ryabkov said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military equipment '' meant the U.S. warheads were not a direct threat to Russian security but were concerning nevertheless .
`` The appearance on strategic carriers of low-power warheads means arguments previously voiced by the American side about the possible use of such a device are now being realized in metal form , as products .
`` This reflects the fact that the United States is actually lowering the nuclear threshold and that they are conceding the possibility of them waging a limited nuclear war and winning this war .
This is extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. nuclear policy have grown since Washington pulled out of a landmark strategic arms accord , the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty ( INF ) , in August , citing violations by Russia that Moscow denies .
It means the New START accord , signed in 2010 , is the last major nuclear arms control treaty between the world 's two biggest nuclear powers .
It limits the number of long-range nuclear warheads they can deploy .

Russia is alarmed by the U.S. Navy's decision to deploy low-yield nuclear missiles on submarines since they heighten the risk of a limited nuclear war, a Russian official said on Wednesday.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the deployment of the W76-2 warhead in the name of strengthening deterrence had caused Russia great concern over U.S. nuclear strategy, Russian news agencies reported.
The U.S. Defense Department said on Tuesday the Navy had fielded a low-yield, submarine-launched ballistic missile warhead, something the Pentagon says is needed to deter adversaries like Russia.
Ryabkov said Russian rearmament and "promising models of military equipment" meant the U.S. warheads were not a direct threat to Russian security but were concerning nevertheless.
"The appearance on strategic carriers of low-power warheads means arguments previously voiced by the American side about the possible use of such a device are now being realized in metal form, as products.
"This reflects the fact that the United States is actually lowering the nuclear threshold and that they are conceding the possibility of them waging a limited nuclear war and winning this war. This is extremely alarming."
Russia's misgivings over U.S. nuclear policy have grown since Washington pulled out of a landmark strategic arms accord, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), in August, citing violations by Russia that Moscow denies.
It means the New START accord, signed in 2010, is the last major nuclear arms control treaty between the world's two biggest nuclear powers. It limits the number of long-range nuclear warheads they can deploy.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-06--Russian TV Runs Conspiracy Theory Blaming Trump for Coronavirus

A Russian state television show has run a conspiracy theory that blames the coronavirus outbreak on none other than US @ @ @ @ @ to the theory , Trump ordered the coronavirus ' creation to target his rival China @

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themoscowtimes--2020-02-06--Russian Orthodox Leader Seen Wearing $16,000 Watch – Open Media

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church owns a number of luxury watches worth anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars , the Open Media news website reported Thursday .
Patriarch Kirill sparked a massive scandal in 2012 when a photo on the Church ’ s website showed him with no watch on his wrist , but with a $ 30,000 Breguet watch reflected on the table where the patriarch was seated .
Kirill initially denied wearing the watch in the 2009 photo , but the Church later admitted that it had been doctored and apologized .
In its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photo of the patriarch wearing a diamond-encrusted Ulysse Nardin Dual Time watch worth $ 16,000 at a 2018 meeting with Russia ’ s Federation Council .
In another photo from November 2019 , Patriarch Kirill appears to be wearing a Finnish Suunto sport watch worth 55,990 rubles ( $ 886 ) , Open Media reported .
The 2012 Breguet watch incident led to widespread criticism of Patriarch Kirill and the Church , with observers decrying what they said were the Church ’ s hypocrisy and lavish displays of wealth .
Following the scandal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ host Vladimir Solovyov that he only wears inexpensive Russian watches .
He said that he received the Breguet as a gift , but had never worn it .
“ I wear the watch that [ then-President ] Dmitry Medvedev has given to me .
This is our Russian watch , an inexpensive watch with a coat of arms , ” Solovyov quoted him as saying .

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church owns a number of luxury watches worth anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars, the Open Media news website reported Thursday. Patriarch Kirill sparked a massive scandal in 2012 when a photo on the Church’s website showed him with no watch on his wrist, but with a $30,000 Breguet watch reflected on the table where the patriarch was seated. Kirill initially denied wearing the watch in the 2009 photo, but the Church later admitted that it had been doctored and apologized.
Патриарх Кирилл в последние годы снова появлялся на публике в дорогих часах — в том числе он носил и Ulysse Nardin с алмазами за $16 100. Ещё в его коллекции есть финские Suunto 9 BARO Titanium «для спортсменов, которым нужны бескомпромиссные спортивные… https://t.co/vgWVAuRuno — Открытые медиа (@OpenMedia_io) February 5, 2020
In its latest report, Open Media published a photo of the patriarch wearing a diamond-encrusted Ulysse Nardin Dual Time watch worth $16,000 at a 2018 meeting with Russia’s Federation Council. In another photo from November 2019, Patriarch Kirill appears to be wearing a Finnish Suunto sport watch worth 55,990 rubles ($886), Open Media reported.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-06--Russia to Offer Free E-Visas to 53 Countries, Snubs U.S. and Britain

The 16-day e-visas will go into effect Jan. 1 , 2021 , for citizens of the European Union and different countries in Southeast Asia , the Middle East and Latin America .
Citizens of 53 countries will be able to apply for free and simplified electronic visas to visit Russia starting next year , a senior official has said in an interview published Thursday .
U.S. , British and Canadian passport holders are not yet eligible for Russia ’ s free e-visas due to geopolitical friction , Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgeny Ivanov told the Kommersant business daily .
He pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to two years to get visas to the U.S. as a particular grievance .
“ The decision to include a particular country in the list was made taking into account a number of factors , including their visa policy toward Russian citizens , ” Ivanov was quoted as saying .
“ Any adjustment of the list is not expected at this stage , ” he added .
Russia could someday add Britain , the U.S. and Canada to the list of countries whose citizens are eligible for free e-visas “ if visa dialogue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin has promised to offer e-visas to foreign visitors starting in 2021 as he vies to collect $ 15.5 billion in annual tourism revenue by 2024 .
Tourists around the world have frequently cited difficulties with obtaining visas as a barrier to visiting Russia .
Potential tourists are directed to apply for electronic visas on the Russian Foreign Ministry website no later than four days before their arrival .
Applicants will not be charged a consular fee .
The offer will be open to citizens from countries including China , India , Indonesia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among others .
Since 2017 , passport holders from 18 countries have been able to obtain free single-entry e-visas to visit Russia ’ s Far East Federal District .
In 2019 , the e-visa offer was expanded to travelers visiting St. Petersburg and Russia ’ s Western exclave of Kaliningrad .

The 16-day e-visas will go into effect Jan. 1, 2021, for citizens of the European Union and different countries in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.
Citizens of 53 countries will be able to apply for simplified, low-cost electronic visas to visit Russia starting next year, a senior official has said in an interview published Thursday.
U.S., British and Canadian passport holders are not yet eligible for Russian e-visas due to geopolitical friction, Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgeny Ivanov told the Kommersant business daily. He pointed to cases of Russian diplomats waiting up to two years to get visas to the U.S. as a particular grievance.
“The decision to include a particular country in the list was made taking into account a number of factors, including their visa policy toward Russian citizens,” Ivanov was quoted as saying.
“Any adjustment of the list is not expected at this stage,” he added.
Russia could someday add Britain, the U.S. and Canada to the list of countries whose citizens are eligible for free e-visas “if visa dialogue with these states normalizes.”
President Vladimir Putin has promised to offer e-visas to foreign visitors starting in 2021 as he vies to collect $15.5 billion in annual tourism revenue by 2024. Tourists around the world have frequently cited difficulties with obtaining visas as a barrier to visiting Russia.
Potential tourists are directed to apply for electronic visas on the Russian Foreign Ministry website no later than four days before their arrival. Applicants will not be charged a consular fee. Ivanov confirmed previous reporting that the government will charge a $50 collection fee for each visa that will go into Russia’s budget.
The offer will be open to citizens from countries including China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico and Singapore, among others.
Since 2017, passport holders from 18 countries have been able to obtain free single-entry e-visas to visit Russia’s Far East Federal District. In 2019, the e-visa offer was expanded to travelers visiting St. Petersburg and Russia’s Western exclave of Kaliningrad.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-06--Half of Moscow’s Luxury Suburb Linked to Russia’s Elite – Proekt

Altogether , it said the 800 Kremlin functionaries , governors and mayors own an estimated 1.3 trillion rubles ( $ 20.75 billion ) in properties dotting the Rublyovo-Uspenskoye Highway in western Moscow .
Nearly half the landowners in Moscow ’ s luxury suburb of Rublyovka are linked to Russia ’ s ruling elite , the Proekt news website has said in a massive investigation published Thursday .
Proekt listed 800 Rublyovka landowners , including 600 “ who are affiliated with the bureaucracy , ” out of more than 4,000 real estate owners it said it had identified .
Among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is President Vladimir Putin ’ s new prime minister and subject of recent media investigations , former tax chief Mikhail Mishustin .
Proekt estimates the current value of the Mishustin family ’ s property at 455 million rubles ( $ 7.2 million ) .
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reportedly owns land worth 266 million rubles ( $ 4.2 million ) .
His alleged property has previously featured in one of anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny ’ s investigations .
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is said to own a 215-million-ruble ( $ 3.4 million ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Valentina Matviyenko , the speaker of Russia ’ s upper house of parliament , reportedly owns land valued at 66 million rubles .
Proekt notes that the properties ’ current values far exceed the officials ’ annual salaries .

Altogether, it said the 800 Kremlin functionaries, governors and mayors own an estimated 1.3 trillion rubles ($20.75 billion) in properties dotting the Rublyovo-Uspenskoye Highway in western Moscow.
Nearly half the landowners in Moscow’s luxury suburb of Rublyovka are linked to Russia’s ruling elite, the Proekt news website has said in a massive investigation published Thursday.
“That’s almost two Moscow region budgets,” Proekt wrote.
Proekt listed 800 Rublyovka landowners, including 600 “who are affiliated with the bureaucracy,” out of more than 4,000 real estate owners it said it had identified.
Among the more high-profile officials named in the report is President Vladimir Putin’s new prime minister and subject of recent media investigations, former tax chief Mikhail Mishustin. Proekt estimates the current value of the Mishustin family’s property at 455 million rubles ($7.2 million).
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reportedly owns land worth 266 million rubles ($4.2 million). His alleged property has previously featured in one of anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny’s investigations.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is said to own a 215-million-ruble ($3.4 million) property in Rublyovka, according to Proekt.
Valentina Matviyenko, the speaker of Russia’s upper house of parliament, reportedly owns land valued at 66 million rubles.
Proekt notes that the properties’ current values far exceed the officials’ annual salaries.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-06--Coronavirus Update: Russia Acts to Curb Spread

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 360 people in China 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 Friday .
Russia reported its first two cases of coronavirus on Friday and said the infected people were Chinese citizens who had been isolated .
Below are the latest updates on Russia ’ s response to the coronavirus — The Kremlin has started checking the body temperatures of individuals attending events with President Vladimir Putin as a `` precautionary measure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
— President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday proposed stripping pharmacies of their licenses if they raise prices for anti-virus masks amid the coronavirus outbreak .
— Russia said it will take between eight and 10 months to develop a vaccine against coronavirus , Interfax cited Health Minister Mikhail Murashko as saying .
— Russia has set up a quarantine area in Siberia 's Tyumen region for Russians being evacuated from the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak .
All evacuated citizens will be held in quarantine for 14 days .
— Russia will from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arriving from China , Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said .
She said the restrictions would not , however , apply to Moscow 's Sheremetyevo Airport , the capital 's main international airport .
— Russia may deport foreign citizens found to be infected with coronavirus , Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said Monday .
— Russia has postponed the Russian Investment Forum in the Black Sea city of Sochi due to coronavirus concerns .
The forum , which is attended by a string of high-ranking officials and foreign investors , had been set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At least two regions — the Ulyanovsk region and the nearby Samara region on the Volga river some 900 kilometers ( 560 miles ) east of Moscow — have closed schools until the end of this week amid increased cases of flu which officials said were not linked to coronavirus .

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--2020-02-07--Russia Cuts Interest Rates as Inflation Falls

Russia ’ s Central Bank has cut interest rates for the sixth time in a row as it continues to respond to slower-than-expected inflation .
Russia ’ s key rate will fall to 6 % on Monday from its current level of 6.25 % , the Bank said Friday .
The latest decision , taken at a meeting of the Bank ’ s governing board in Moscow , means rates have been cut on each of its last six meetings .
The Bank said it remained open to further cuts in future months in order to counter weak inflation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January — well below the Bank ’ s 4 % target .
In its first decision of 2020 , the Bank also commented on the health of the global economy in an official statement , saying : “ Risks associated with trade disputes have somewhat abated .
Nonetheless , the risk of a further slowdown in global economic growth persists , including under the influence of geopolitical factors , intensified volatility in global commodity and financial markets , which may affect the exchange rate and inflation expectations .
The coronavirus situation will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

Russia’s Central Bank has cut interest rates for the sixth time in a row as it continues to respond to slower-than-expected inflation.
Russia’s key rate will fall to 6% on Monday from its current level of 6.25%, the Bank said Friday. The latest decision, taken at a meeting of the Bank’s governing board in Moscow, means rates have been cut on each of its last six meetings.
The Bank said it remained open to further cuts in future months in order to counter weak inflation, which came in at 2.4% in January — well below the Bank’s 4% target.
In its first decision of 2020, the Bank also commented on the health of the global economy in an official statement, saying: “Risks associated with trade disputes have somewhat abated. Nonetheless, the risk of a further slowdown in global economic growth persists, including under the influence of geopolitical factors, intensified volatility in global commodity and financial markets, which may affect the exchange rate and inflation expectations. The coronavirus situation will be an additional uncertainty factor over next quarters.”


themoscowtimes--2020-02-07--Russia’s PM Earned $35M as Investor, Former Employer Says

“ As a partner , [ Mishustin ] was included in the ownership structure , with a 25 % share in funds which had already created , and he also became a founder in new funds with a 25 % share , ” Gerasimenko said in a letter outlining Mishustin ’ s connection to UFG published by the RBC news website .
Mishustin worked at UFG between 2008-2010 , in between his roles as a civil servant at Russia ’ s economy ministry and head of Russia ’ s federal tax service .
Russia ’ s new prime minister earned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-year spell at Russian investment group UFG , his former colleagues have said , addressing questions which have been raised over how Mikhail Mishustin and his family came to obtain millions of dollars worth of assets .
As a partner , Mishustin was entitled to an equal split of UFG ’ s earnings — 2 % of assets under management and another 20 % of any annual returns which exceeded performance targets of 5-8 % .
When Mishustin joined UFG , the group already had $ 2 billion under management , Gerasimenko said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Mishustin family trust to buy back part of this stake between 2010-2015 , the letter says .
The final portion of Mishustin ’ s shares was sold last year for an undisclosed sum .
In addition , Mushustin also took home a salary of $ 2.5 million in 2009 .
Opposition leader Alexei Navalny previously calculated that Mishustin ’ s family held assets worth 2.8 billion rubles ( $ 45 million ) , noting that Mishustin ’ s wife earned $ 12 million while he was at the tax service despite having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those earnings came from the UFG shares in the Mishustin family trust , which was held in his wife ’ s name between 2010-2013 .
UFG have previously been silent on the prime minister ’ s role with the firm , with current employees refusing to talk publicly about Mishustin in the three weeks since his surprise appointment .
Gerasimenko said she had received permission from the Mishustin family to disclose information about his earnings at UFG , given “ the public importance of this issue.
” Critics say the disclosure still leaves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owned by Mishustin ’ s family .
“ This fairy tale does not take into account that Mishustin ’ s estate appeared long before his short stint out of the civil service in business , ” Navalny ally Leonid Volkov wrote on Twitter .

“As a partner, [Mishustin] was included in the ownership structure, with a 25% share in funds which had already created, and he also became a founder in new funds with a 25% share,” Gerasimenko said in a letter outlining Mishustin’s connection to UFG published by the RBC news website.
Mishustin worked at UFG between 2008-2010, in between his roles as a civil servant at Russia’s economy ministry and head of Russia’s federal tax service.
Russia’s new prime minister earned more than $35 million from his two-year spell at Russian investment group UFG, his former colleagues have said, addressing questions which have been raised over how Mikhail Mishustin and his family came to obtain millions of dollars worth of assets.
As a partner, Mishustin was entitled to an equal split of UFG’s earnings — 2% of assets under management and another 20% of any annual returns which exceeded performance targets of 5-8%. When Mishustin joined UFG, the group already had $2 billion under management, Gerasimenko said.
UFG paid $33.5 million to a Mishustin family trust to buy back part of this stake between 2010-2015, the letter says. The final portion of Mishustin’s shares was sold last year for an undisclosed sum. In addition, Mushustin also took home a salary of $2.5 million in 2009.
Opposition leader Alexei Navalny previously calculated that Mishustin’s family held assets worth 2.8 billion rubles ($45 million), noting that Mishustin’s wife earned $12 million while he was at the tax service despite having no apparent business interests.
Gerasimenko said those earnings came from the UFG shares in the Mishustin family trust, which was held in his wife’s name between 2010-2013.
UFG have previously been silent on the prime minister’s role with the firm, with current employees refusing to talk publicly about Mishustin in the three weeks since his surprise appointment. Gerasimenko said she had received permission from the Mishustin family to disclose information about his earnings at UFG, given “the public importance of this issue.”
Critics say the disclosure still leaves unanswered questions about the property and assets owned by Mishustin’s family. “This fairy tale does not take into account that Mishustin’s estate appeared long before his short stint out of the civil service in business,” Navalny ally Leonid Volkov wrote on Twitter.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-07--Prominent Russian Journalist, Lawyer Attacked in Chechnya

Yelena Milashina and lawyer Marina Dubrovina arrived in the Chechen capital of Grozny to attend the trial of a disabled blogger who was jailed after publishing a video of the alleged estate of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov ’ s family .
Milashina had broken the story of alleged gay purges in the conservative , predominantly Muslim region in 2017 .
A group of men and women attacked an investigative journalist and a lawyer in Russia ’ s republic of Chechnya overnight , the independent Novaya Gazeta newspaper which employs the journalist said Friday .
Around 15 young men and women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Grozny hotel where they were staying before midnight Thursday , Novaya Gazeta reported .
“ For the most part , it was the women who beat [ Milashina and Dubrovina ] with their hands and feet , ” the newspaper said .
“ The assailants filmed their actions on camera.
” A photograph posted by Milashina online showed bruises on her forehead and nose .
Doctors reportedly diagnosed the victims with soft-tissue bruising .
In a banner on its front page , Novaya Gazeta demanded that Kadyrov apologize for the beatings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gazeta reporters who investigated alleged disappearances in Chechnya “ devils.
” He had also called Novaya Gazeta journalists “ devils ” in 2017 over their reporting on the alleged gay purges .
“ This [ attack ] is , of course , a stubborn command by the Chechen authorities .
I believe they are certainly behind this attack , ” Milashina told the Ekho Moskvy radio station .
Grozny 's police force said it was inspecting the incident .
Chechnya ’ s top human rights official called the attack an “ unpleasant incident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s image , ” according to the state-run TASS news agency .
Russia ’ s Union of Journalists and the Moscow Helsinki Group human rights organization said they were “ outraged ” by the attack on Milashina and Dubrovina .
The European security watchdog OSCE ’ s media freedom representative has called on Russian authorities to investigate the attack .
Russia ’ s Committee Against Torture human rights organization issued a similar call .

Yelena Milashina and lawyer Marina Dubrovina arrived in the Chechen capital of Grozny to attend the trial of a disabled blogger who was jailed after publishing a video of the alleged estate of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov’s family. Milashina had broken the story of alleged gay purges in the conservative, predominantly Muslim region in 2017.
A group of men and women attacked an investigative journalist and a human rights lawyer in Russia’s republic of Chechnya overnight, the independent Novaya Gazeta newspaper which employs the journalist said Friday.
Around 15 young men and women beat Milashina and Dubrovina in the lobby of the Grozny hotel where they were staying before midnight Thursday, Novaya Gazeta reported.
“For the most part, it was the women who beat [Milashina and Dubrovina] with their hands and feet,” the newspaper said. “The assailants filmed their actions on camera.”
A photograph posted by Milashina online showed bruises on her forehead and nose. Doctors reportedly diagnosed the victims with soft-tissue bruising.
In a banner on its front page, Novaya Gazeta demanded that Kadyrov apologize for the beatings.
Last week, Kadyrov labeled Novaya Gazeta reporters who investigated alleged disappearances in Chechnya “devils.” He had also called Novaya Gazeta journalists “devils” in 2017 over their reporting on the alleged gay purges.
“This [attack] is, of course, a stubborn command by the Chechen authorities. I believe they are certainly behind this attack,” Milashina told the Ekho Moskvy radio station.
Grozny's police force said it was inspecting the incident. Chechnya’s top human rights official called the attack an “unpleasant incident designed primarily to mar the Chechen republic’s image,” according to the state-run TASS news agency.
Russia’s Union of Journalists and the Moscow Helsinki Group human rights organization said they were “outraged” by the attack on Milashina and Dubrovina.
The European security watchdog OSCE’s media freedom representative has called on Russian authorities to investigate the attack. Russia’s Committee Against Torture human rights organization issued a similar call.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-07--Russia Finalizes ‘Revolutionary’ Dual Citizenship Bill – Kommersant

Under current Russian law , foreigners wishing to become Russian citizens must first renounce their other citizenships .
Authors of the bill expect the new amendments relaxing these rules to help attract between 5 million and 10 million new Russian citizens , primarily from Russian-speaking populations in post-Soviet states .
Russian lawmakers expect to vote on legislation that would allow dual Russian citizenship for foreigners as soon as this month , the Kommersant business daily reported Friday .
The “ revolutionary ” dual citizenship bill “ will definitely be introduced in the State Duma in February , ” lawmaker Leonid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s press service said it was finalizing the draft law and will submit it after approval by the Kremlin .
“ We want to close this issue at the [ Duma ’ s ] spring session so that all those who wish to can become Russian citizens , ” Deputy Speaker Pyotr Tolstoy told Kommersant .
The legislation will require three votes in the State Duma and one in the upper-house Federation Council before it gets sent to President Vladimir Putin for signing .
Foreign citizens could also be exempt from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become a naturalized Russian citizen , Kalashnikov added .
Putin ’ s migration policy guidelines for 2019-2025 state that there should be clear and simple conditions for acquiring Russian citizenship .
In July , he expanded the list of people eligible for fast-tracked passports to include residents of separatist-controlled eastern Ukraine .

Under current Russian law, foreigners wishing to become Russian citizens must first renounce their other citizenships. Authors of the bill expect the new amendments relaxing these rules to help attract between 5 million and 10 million new Russian citizens, primarily from Russian-speaking populations in post-Soviet states.
Russian lawmakers expect to vote on legislation that would allow dual Russian citizenship for foreigners as soon as this month, the Kommersant business daily reported Friday.
The “revolutionary” dual citizenship bill “will definitely be introduced in the State Duma in February,” lawmaker Leonid Kalashnikov told Kommersant.
The Russian government’s press service said it was finalizing the draft law and will submit it after approval by the Kremlin.
“We want to close this issue at the [Duma’s] spring session so that all those who wish to can become Russian citizens,” Deputy Speaker Pyotr Tolstoy told Kommersant.
The legislation will require three votes in the State Duma and one in the upper-house Federation Council before it gets sent to President Vladimir Putin for signing.
Foreign citizens could also be exempt from the five-year continuous residence requirement in order to become a naturalized Russian citizen, Kalashnikov added.
Putin’s migration policy guidelines for 2019-2025 state that there should be clear and simple conditions for acquiring Russian citizenship. In July, he expanded the list of people eligible for fast-tracked passports to include residents of separatist-controlled eastern Ukraine.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-07--Russia Blames Israel After Syria Nearly Shoots Down Airliner

The Syrian air defense was trying to repulse an Israeli attack near Damascus , Interfax said Friday .
Syria ’ s defense ministry said earlier that its air defenses had intercepted Israeli missiles ; the Israeli military declined to comment .
A civilian aircraft with 172 passengers on board made an emergency landing at the Russia-controlled Khmeimim airbase early Thursday after Syria ’ s air defense nearly hit it , Russia ’ s Defense Ministry was reported to have said .
Four Israeli F-16 fighter jets struck eight air-to-ground missiles near Damascus without entering Syrian airspace after 2 a.m. local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Defense Ministry spokesman as saying .
A Tehran-Damascus flight almost ended up “ in the zone of deadly anti-aircraft rocket and artillery fire ” during the missile strikes , the spokesman , Igor Konashenkov , said .
“ Air warfare with the use of civilian aircraft as cover against Syrian air-defense forces ’ response is becoming the Israeli air force ’ s distinctive feature , ” Konashenkov was quoted as saying .
He blamed Israel for “ caring nothing about putting the lives of hundreds of innocent civilians at risk.
” The attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Golan Heights and Lebanese air space in two waves , one near Damascus and another near the Deraa and Quneitra provinces , according to a Syrian ministry statement carried by state media .
It said Syrian air defenses downed a large number of missiles but that the attack had caused material damage and injured eight `` fighters , '' without specifying their nationality .
Israel has repeatedly bombed Iranian-backed militia targets in Syria , saying its goal was to end Tehran ’ s military presence there , which Western intelligence sources say has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blamed Israel in 2018 for the downing of its intelligence plane by Syrian government forces , which killed 15 Russian servicemen on board .

The Syrian air defense was trying to repulse an Israeli attack near Damascus, Interfax said Friday. Syria’s defense ministry said earlier that its air defenses had intercepted Israeli missiles; the Israeli military declined to comment.
A civilian aircraft with 172 passengers on board made an emergency landing at the Russia-controlled Khmeimim airbase early Thursday after Syria’s air defense nearly hit it, Russia’s Defense Ministry was reported to have said.
Four Israeli F-16 fighter jets struck eight air-to-ground missiles near Damascus without entering Syrian airspace after 2 a.m. local time, Interfax cited Russia’s Defense Ministry spokesman as saying.
A Tehran-Damascus flight almost ended up “in the zone of deadly anti-aircraft rocket and artillery fire” during the missile strikes, the spokesman, Igor Konashenkov, said.
“Air warfare with the use of civilian aircraft as cover against Syrian air-defense forces’ response is becoming the Israeli air force’s distinctive feature,” Konashenkov was quoted as saying.
He blamed Israel for “caring nothing about putting the lives of hundreds of innocent civilians at risk.”
The attacks by Israeli jets were launched over the Golan Heights and Lebanese air space in two waves, one near Damascus and another near the Deraa and Quneitra provinces, according to a Syrian ministry statement carried by state media.
It said Syrian air defenses downed a large number of missiles but that the attack had caused material damage and injured eight "fighters," without specifying their nationality.
Israel has repeatedly bombed Iranian-backed militia targets in Syria, saying its goal was to end Tehran’s military presence there, which Western intelligence sources say has expanded in recent years.
Russia similarly blamed Israel in 2018 for the downing of its intelligence plane by Syrian government forces, which killed 15 Russian servicemen on board.
Reuters contributed reporting to this article.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-07--Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | Feb. 7

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 400 people in China 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 — Prisoners in the Kursk region have begun making face masks to be used in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Interfax cited the region 's penitentiary service as saying Friday .
`` The masks made at penitentiary production sites are in no way inferior to those from the pharmacy , '' the regional 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 .
— President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday proposed stripping pharmacies of their licenses if they raise prices for anti-virus masks amid the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take between eight and 10 months to develop a vaccine against coronavirus , Interfax cited Health Minister Mikhail Murashko as saying .
— Russia has set up a quarantine area in Siberia 's Tyumen region for Russians being evacuated from the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak .
All evacuated citizens will be held in quarantine for 14 days .
— Russia will from Tuesday temporarily restrict the entry of foreigners arriving from China , Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said .
She said the restrictions would not , however , apply to Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ main international airport .
— Russia may deport foreign citizens found to be infected with coronavirus , Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said Monday .
— Russia has postponed the Russian Investment Forum in the Black Sea city of Sochi due to coronavirus concerns .
The forum , which is attended by a string of high-ranking officials and foreign investors , had been set to take place Feb. 12-14 .
— At least two regions — the Ulyanovsk region and the nearby Samara region on the Volga river some 900 kilometers ( 560 miles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools amid increased cases of flu which officials said were not linked to coronavirus .


themoscowtimes--2020-02-07--Russia Repatriates Islamic State-Linked Children From Syria

Russia has worked to bring back women and children linked to Russians who fought for the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq under a program led by Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has backed what he called a “ noble ” repatriation effort .
Russia has returned 26 children of Islamic State fighters from Syria , the state-run TASS news agency reported Friday .
“ Today ’ s 26 repatriated children come from Astrakhan , Dagestan , the republic of Chechnya , Orenburg and Sverdlovsk region , ” Anna Kuznetsova , Russia ’ s top children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Their ages ranged from 2 to 17 years old , Kuznetsova said , with most of the children between 6 and 8 years old .
Nine other children remained in Russia ’ s Khmeimim airfield in northwestern Syria awaiting completion of paperwork before boarding the next flight , TASS cited Kuznetsova as saying .
Agence France-Presse reported that Syria ’ s Kurds had handed over 35 Islamic State-linked Russian orphans between 4 and 16 years old Thursday .
More than 70 children will be brought back from Syria ’ s Roj and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kuznetsova was cited as saying .
The children ’ s relations to Russian nationals is being confirmed through DNA tests .
Relatives have identified at least 1,779 Russian women and children in Syria and Iraq who want to return from former Islamic State territory , Chechen human rights activists said last year .

Russia has worked to bring back women and children linked to Russians who fought for the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq under a program led by Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. Russian President Vladimir Putin has backed what he called a “noble” repatriation effort.
Russia has returned 26 children of Islamic State fighters from Syria, the state-run TASS news agency reported Friday.
“Today’s 26 repatriated children come from Astrakhan, Dagestan, the republic of Chechnya, Orenburg and Sverdlovsk region,” Anna Kuznetsova, Russia’s top children’s rights official, told TASS.
Their ages ranged from 2 to 17 years old, Kuznetsova said, with most of the children between 6 and 8 years old.
Nine other children remained in Russia’s Khmeimim airfield in northwestern Syria awaiting completion of paperwork before boarding the next flight, TASS cited Kuznetsova as saying.
Agence France-Presse reported that Syria’s Kurds had handed over 35 Islamic State-linked Russian orphans between 4 and 16 years old Thursday.
More than 70 children will be brought back from Syria’s Roj and al-Hol camps in the near future, Kuznetsova was cited as saying.
The children’s relations to Russian nationals is being confirmed through DNA tests.
Relatives have identified at least 1,779 Russian women and children in Syria and Iraq who want to return from former Islamic State territory, Chechen human rights activists said last year.
Islamic State is a terrorist group banned in Russia.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-07--Russia's Lavrov Hits Out at U.S. 'Provocations' in Venezuela

Russia and the United States have repeatedly clashed over Venezuela , where Russian oil companies and military advisers are playing a key role in support of the socialist government of President Nicolas Maduro .
Lavrov 's censure of Washington , on a low-profile visit to Mexico , came at an awkward time for the host nation .
Mexico 's government has been going out of its way avoid antagonizing the Trump administration , meeting its demands over immigration and other issues to avoid punitive U.S. measures .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday denounced U.S. foreign policy in Venezuela @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempts to create what he called a pretext for military intervention .
The United States and dozens of other countries recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido , who has been trying to oust Maduro , as Venezuela 's rightful president .
Washington has imposed sanctions in a bid to dislodge Maduro .
Lavrov condemned attempts to remove Maduro as not `` useful , '' and said Washington 's threats against Venezuela were counterproductive .
Lavrov said the United States was `` threatening that all options are on the table '' and was involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No one can solve the problems of Venezuelans for them , but others may very well try to prevent them from negotiating .
We see such attempts aimed at setting a pretext for a military intervention , '' Lavrov said , according to Russian state news agency TASS .
`` Russia and Mexico agree that this will be categorically unacceptable , '' Lavrov added , according to TASS .
Lavrov met with Mexican counterpart Marcelo Ebrard on Thursday and afterwards said U.S. foreign policy was stuck in the past , accusing Washington of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thinks that everything is allowed and in the meantime they threaten the interlocutors , including punishments and sanctions , '' Lavrov said at a news conference in Mexico City , according to a live translation of his comments into Spanish .
While Lavrov spoke warmly of a shared vision for Latin America with Mexico , his Mexican counterpart Ebrard did not make a public appearance with him .
During last year 's visit of U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , Ebrard and Pompeo met the press together .

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday denounced U.S. foreign policy in Venezuela, criticizing U.S. "provocations" and attempts to create what he called a pretext for military intervention. Lavrov's censure of Washington, on a low-profile visit to Mexico, came at an awkward time for the host nation. Mexico's government has been going out of its way avoid antagonizing the Trump administration, meeting its demands over immigration and other issues to avoid punitive U.S. measures. Russia and the United States have repeatedly clashed over Venezuela, where Russian oil companies and military advisers are playing a key role in support of the socialist government of President Nicolas Maduro.
The United States and dozens of other countries recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has been trying to oust Maduro, as Venezuela's rightful president. Washington has imposed sanctions in a bid to dislodge Maduro. Lavrov condemned attempts to remove Maduro as not "useful," and said Washington's threats against Venezuela were counterproductive. Lavrov said the United States was "threatening that all options are on the table" and was involved in "provocations" in Venezuela. "No one can solve the problems of Venezuelans for them, but others may very well try to prevent them from negotiating. We see such attempts aimed at setting a pretext for a military intervention," Lavrov said, according to Russian state news agency TASS. "Russia and Mexico agree that this will be categorically unacceptable," Lavrov added, according to TASS. Lavrov met with Mexican counterpart Marcelo Ebrard on Thursday and afterwards said U.S. foreign policy was stuck in the past, accusing Washington of bullying tactics. "The United States thinks that everything is allowed and in the meantime they threaten the interlocutors, including punishments and sanctions," Lavrov said at a news conference in Mexico City, according to a live translation of his comments into Spanish. While Lavrov spoke warmly of a shared vision for Latin America with Mexico, his Mexican counterpart Ebrard did not make a public appearance with him. During last year's visit of U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Ebrard and Pompeo met the press together.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-06--Russia to Offer Simplified E-Visas to 53 Countries, Snubs U.S. and Britain

The 16-day e-visas will go into effect Jan. 1 , 2021 , for citizens of the European Union and different countries in Southeast Asia , the Middle East and Latin America .
Citizens of 53 countries will be able to apply for simplified , low-cost electronic visas to visit Russia starting next year , a senior official has said in an interview published Thursday .
U.S. , British and Canadian passport holders are not yet eligible for Russian e-visas due to geopolitical friction , Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgeny Ivanov told the Kommersant business daily .
He pointed to cases of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get visas to the U.S. as a particular grievance .
“ The decision to include a particular country in the list was made taking into account a number of factors , including their visa policy toward Russian citizens , ” Ivanov was quoted as saying .
“ Any adjustment of the list is not expected at this stage , ” he added .
Russia could someday add Britain , the U.S. and Canada to the list of countries whose citizens are eligible for free e-visas “ if visa dialogue with these states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to offer e-visas to foreign visitors starting in 2021 as he vies to collect $ 15.5 billion in annual tourism revenue by 2024 .
Tourists around the world have frequently cited difficulties with obtaining visas as a barrier to visiting Russia .
Potential tourists are directed to apply for electronic visas on the Russian Foreign Ministry website no later than four days before their arrival .
Applicants will not be charged a consular fee .
Ivanov confirmed previous reporting that the government will charge a $ 50 collection fee for each visa that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The offer will be open to citizens from countries including China , India , Indonesia , Japan , Mexico and Singapore , among others .
Since 2017 , passport holders from 18 countries have been able to obtain free single-entry e-visas to visit Russia ’ s Far East Federal District .
In 2019 , the e-visa offer was expanded to travelers visiting St. Petersburg and Russia ’ s Western exclave of Kaliningrad .


themoscowtimes--2020-02-07--From Russia With Cabin Fever: Coronavirus Evacuees Compare Notes

It 's a refurbished Soviet-style sanatorium , but there are no visitors , staff wear decontamination suits and riot police stand guard outside in temperatures of around minus 15 degrees Celsius .
In the fenced-off complex in Siberia , 144 people have been put in quarantine under close observation for two weeks after the Russian military evacuated them this week from the epicenter of the coronavirus epidemic , the Chinese city of Wuhan .
Among them is Vladimir Markov who says those confined in the facility are whiling away the time by swapping notes on social media with people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being similarly quarantined to stop the coronavirus spreading .
`` 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 .
Hundreds of people have been quarantined at sites across the world after leaving China .
When Markov , 36 , arrived in the Tyumen area of Siberia from Wuhan on Wednesday , people in full-body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away his clothes , issued him striped pajamas and gave him a room with another evacuee and told them they could n't leave the room for a fortnight .
`` We have woods , silver birches .
It 's all very Russian .
The Americans have been sent somewhere like California ...
I do n't know how they live .
The Kazakhs are also locked up in hospital , '' he said by phone from the Siberian facility .
He and his roommate have a television , laptops and their own phones , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside world is with the medical staff who bring them food in the hazmat suits and who take their temperatures regularly starting at 5 a.m. Markov , a Russian national who has lived abroad for 12 years and also has Dutch citizenship , had been working with microchips in China for just three months when the virus hit .
The bulk of the people in the facility are Russians , while some are from former Soviet states .
Markov told Reuters most of those quarantined were young and had dealt with the surreal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some people 's patience would wear thin as time went on .
The 144 people were flown from China on two Ilyushin Il-76 military planes , a trip that took 13 hours .
They sat on wooden benches covered with Soviet woollen blankets and the only toilets available were portaloos in tents .
`` All of it looks so surreal .
People in full-body chemical protection suits are constantly coming in , '' said Markov .
`` It 's like in the movies . ''

It's a refurbished Soviet-style sanatorium, but there are no visitors, staff wear decontamination suits and riot police stand guard outside in temperatures of around minus 15 degrees Celsius. In the fenced-off complex in Siberia, 144 people have been put in quarantine under close observation for two weeks after the Russian military evacuated them this week from the epicenter of the coronavirus epidemic, the Chinese city of Wuhan.
Among them is Vladimir Markov who says those confined in the facility are whiling away the time by swapping notes on social media with people in Europe and the United States who are being similarly quarantined to stop the coronavirus spreading. "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. Hundreds of people have been quarantined at sites across the world after leaving China. When Markov, 36, arrived in the Tyumen area of Siberia from Wuhan on Wednesday, people in full-body decontamination, or hazmat, suits took away his clothes, issued him striped pajamas and gave him a room with another evacuee and told them they couldn't leave the room for a fortnight. "We have woods, silver birches. It's all very Russian. The Americans have been sent somewhere like California... I don't know how they live. The Kazakhs are also locked up in hospital," he said by phone from the Siberian facility.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-07--Russian Jury Acquits Gay Man’s Murder Suspect

Security cameras captured 40-year-old Roman Yedalov ’ s stabbing death near central Moscow ’ s Kursky train station in June 2019 .
His boyfriend Yevgeny Yefimov , who survived the attack , recounted that the suspect had shouted homophobic slurs .
A Moscow jury has acquitted a man accused of killing a gay man last year , the LGBT rights group Stimul reported Thursday .
Jurors found Anton Berezhnyi not guilty of murder , which would have resulted in a prison sentence of up to 15 years , Stimul said .
They found Berezhnyi guilty on a lesser charge of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentence , the Mediazona news website reported .
A Basmanny district court judge is due to deliver a verdict in the coming days , which Stimul said its legal team plans to appeal .
Berezhnyi partially admitted his guilt , the rights group said .
“ He said that [ Yedalov ] fell on the knife , ” Stimul spokesperson Sergei Romanovsky told Mediazona .
The independent Dozhd news channel reported that Yedalov was killed and Yefimov was injured on their way home from a gay club .
The knife attack was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Yefimov told Dozhd .
Berezhnyi ’ s acquittal comes a day after a prominent watchdog noted that the number of hate crimes against members of Russia ’ s LGBT community increased in 2019 .
Activists tie the rise in violence to Russia ’ s 2013 law banning “ gay propaganda among minors ” and anti-LGBT rhetoric on state television .

Security cameras captured 40-year-old Roman Yedalov’s stabbing death near central Moscow’s Kursky train station in June 2019. His boyfriend Yevgeny Yefimov, who survived the attack, recounted that the suspect had shouted homophobic slurs.
A Moscow jury has acquitted a man accused of killing a gay man last year, the LGBT rights group Stimul reported Thursday.
Jurors found Anton Berezhnyi not guilty of murder, which would have resulted in a prison sentence of up to 15 years, Stimul said.
They found Berezhnyi guilty on a lesser charge of battery, which carries a two-year prison sentence, the Mediazona news website reported.
A Basmanny district court judge is due to deliver a verdict in the coming days, which Stimul said its legal team plans to appeal.
Berezhnyi partially admitted his guilt, the rights group said.
“He said that [Yedalov] fell on the knife,” Stimul spokesperson Sergei Romanovsky told Mediazona.
The independent Dozhd news channel reported that Yedalov was killed and Yefimov was injured on their way home from a gay club.
The knife attack was “most likely due to sexual orientation,” Yefimov told Dozhd.
Berezhnyi’s acquittal comes a day after a prominent watchdog noted that the number of hate crimes against members of Russia’s LGBT community increased in 2019.
Activists tie the rise in violence to Russia’s 2013 law banning “gay propaganda among minors” and anti-LGBT rhetoric on state television.