themoscowtimes--2020-04-29--Russia's Coronavirus Cases Near 100K in Latest One-Day Jump

President Vladimir Putin warned Tuesday that Russia had not yet reached the peak of coronavirus infections but said a `` phased exit '' from the country 's lockdown measures could begin in two weeks .
With the number of cases rising by several thousand daily , Putin extended a non-working period across the country until May 11 , telling officials to plan for a gradual lifting of quarantines after that .
He ordered the government to come up with a plan for a `` phased exit '' from quarantine regimes from May 12 `` depending on the epidemiological situation '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also ordered officials to develop a new `` package of urgent measures to support the economy . ''
While the country 's industry has mobilized to manufacture more medical equipment and protective gear , shortages persist , Putin said .
Virus testing has also expanded to a current level of around 150,000 tests per day , he said .
Putin announced a month of non-working days at the start of April to encourage Russians to stay at home to prevent the spread of the virus .
Individual regions then imposed various quarantine measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moscow , which has been hardest-hit by the disease .
Since March 30 , all of Moscow 's 12 million residents have been ordered to stay in their homes with few exceptions .
City officials have warned the capital `` will face difficult weeks '' ahead .
Russia has carried out more than 3 million coronavirus tests , though there have been concerns about their reliability .
Worldwide , the virus has infected over 3.1 million people .

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


themoscowtimes--2020-04-29--Prague Official Claims Russians Want to 'Liquidate' Him, Others

Prague district 6 mayor Ondrej Kolar told Czech media late Tuesday that he was being kept at an undisclosed location after being granted police protection .
A Prague official has alleged that there was a Russian plot to `` liquidate '' him and two other Czech politicians , all of whom have clashed with the Kremlin over controversial Soviet memorials in the city .
`` All I can tell you is that I 've been granted police protection .
It was assigned to me because there 's a Russian here who has been given the task of liquidating me , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ station .
`` Not only me , but also Zdenek Hrib and Pavel Novotny , '' he added , referring respectively to Prague 's mayor and another city official .
Prague mayor Zdenek Hrib said on Monday that he was under police protection , but stopped short of confirming Czech media reports that he had been targeted by Russia for removing a statue of a Soviet war hero .
Hrib and Kolar clashed with Moscow earlier this month after they spearheaded the removal of a controversial Cold War-era statue dedicated to Soviet general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called an `` unfriendly '' act of `` vandalism by unhinged municipal representatives . ''
Many Czechs view Konev — a hero for Russians — as a symbol of Soviet-era oppression .
The Czech weekly news magazine Respekt claimed that a Russian national using a diplomatic passport had recently arrived in Prague carrying ricin , a toxic poison that can be used as a biological weapon .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov , speaking to reporters in Moscow on Monday , said the claims made in the Respekt report were `` misinformation . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Andrej Babis said Tuesday that his country , an EU and NATO member of 10.7 million people would not allow `` any world power to influence our political affairs in any manner . ''
The Czech foreign ministry has raised the possibility of sending the Konev statue to Russia , according to Czech media reports .
Pavel Novotny , the mayor of Prague 's southwestern Reporyje district , confirmed on Monday that he had also received police protection , without elaborating .
He also clashed with the Kremlin in November 2019 after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broke ranks with the Soviet Union to collaborate with — then fight against — Nazi Germany during World War II .

Prague district 6 mayor Ondrej Kolar told Czech media late Tuesday that he was being kept at an undisclosed location after being granted police protection.
A Prague official has alleged that there was a Russian plot to "liquidate" him and two other Czech politicians, all of whom have clashed with the Kremlin over controversial Soviet memorials in the city.
"All I can tell you is that I've been granted police protection. It was assigned to me because there's a Russian here who has been given the task of liquidating me," Kolar told the Czech Prima TV station.
"Not only me, but also Zdenek Hrib and Pavel Novotny," he added, referring respectively to Prague's mayor and another city official.
Prague mayor Zdenek Hrib said on Monday that he was under police protection, but stopped short of confirming Czech media reports that he had been targeted by Russia for removing a statue of a Soviet war hero.
Hrib and Kolar clashed with Moscow earlier this month after they spearheaded the removal of a controversial Cold War-era statue dedicated to Soviet general Ivan Konev, a move Russian diplomats called an "unfriendly" act of "vandalism by unhinged municipal representatives."
Many Czechs view Konev — a hero for Russians — as a symbol of Soviet-era oppression.
The Czech weekly news magazine Respekt claimed that a Russian national using a diplomatic passport had recently arrived in Prague carrying ricin, a toxic poison that can be used as a biological weapon.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, speaking to reporters in Moscow on Monday, said the claims made in the Respekt report were "misinformation."
Reacting to the developments, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis said Tuesday that his country, an EU and NATO member of 10.7 million people would not allow "any world power to influence our political affairs in any manner."
The Czech foreign ministry has raised the possibility of sending the Konev statue to Russia, according to Czech media reports.
Pavel Novotny, the mayor of Prague's southwestern Reporyje district, confirmed on Monday that he had also received police protection, without elaborating.
He also clashed with the Kremlin in November 2019 after proposing a memorial honoring Russian troops who broke ranks with the Soviet Union to collaborate with — then fight against — Nazi Germany during World War II.


themoscowtimes--2020-04-29--Iran Must Not Give in to U.S. Provocations, Says Russia

`` We are urging maximum restraint and caution , not to give in to provocations and aggressive rhetoric , '' Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters .
Iran must not give in to U.S. `` provocations , '' Russia said on Wednesday , following months of mounting tension between Washington and Tehran .
Tehran and Washington have traded barbs over a spate of incidents in the past year involving their forces in the sensitive waters of the Gulf .
Their latest high-seas confrontation came on April 15 , when the United States said 11 Iranian boats harassed its navy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international waters of the `` Arabian Gulf . ''
U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted that he had ordered the U.S. Navy to `` shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea . ''
Iran 's president replied on Wednesday that `` the Americans should know that this gulf is called the Persian Gulf , not the New York Gulf or the Washington Gulf . ''
Zakharova stressed that both countries should act in `` strict accordance with international norms and regulations . ''
`` Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Gulf to be a key factor that influences the situation in the wider regional context , '' she added .

"We are urging maximum restraint and caution, not to give in to provocations and aggressive rhetoric," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters.
Iran must not give in to U.S. "provocations," Russia said on Wednesday, following months of mounting tension between Washington and Tehran.
Tehran and Washington have traded barbs over a spate of incidents in the past year involving their forces in the sensitive waters of the Gulf.
Their latest high-seas confrontation came on April 15, when the United States said 11 Iranian boats harassed its navy ships in what it described as the international waters of the "Arabian Gulf."
U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted that he had ordered the U.S. Navy to "shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea."
Iran's president replied on Wednesday that "the Americans should know that this gulf is called the Persian Gulf, not the New York Gulf or the Washington Gulf."
Zakharova stressed that both countries should act in "strict accordance with international norms and regulations."
"Moscow has always considered stability and security in the Gulf to be a key factor that influences the situation in the wider regional context," she added.


themoscowtimes--2020-04-29--Popular Russian Theologian Banned for Insulting Priest Who Died From Coronavirus

Protodeacon Kurayev referred to Alexander Ageykin , the head of a central Moscow cathedral who died from Covid-19 on April 21 , as “ a dumb careerist.
” Ageykin 's death marked the highest-level coronavirus-related death within the Russian Orthodox Church .
The Russian Orthodox Church on Wednesday banned popular theologian Andrei Kurayev from holding services over his criticism of a church official who died from coronavirus last week .
“ Because you publicly insulted the memory of Archpriest Ageykin… and given your previous acts that I have received complaints about , you are prohibited from serving , ” Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain banned until an ecclesiastical court rules on whether to excommunicate him , Patriarch Kirill said in a statement published on the Moscow Patriarchate ’ s website .
Kurayev described his ban as a “ minor trifle.
” “ You can ’ t call me a defrocked priest because that ’ s a priest who ’ s been defrocked , and I ’ m not one of them , ” he told Moscow ’ s Podyom news channel .
Kurayev , who has openly criticized the Church in the past , has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberal wing .
Ageykin ’ s successor was hospitalized Tuesday with an as-yet-unknown ailment .

Protodeacon Kurayev referred to Alexander Ageykin, the head of a central Moscow cathedral who died from Covid-19 on April 21, as “a dumb careerist.” Ageykin's death marked the highest-level coronavirus-related death within the Russian Orthodox Church.
The Russian Orthodox Church on Wednesday banned popular theologian Andrei Kurayev from holding services over his criticism of a church official who died from coronavirus last week.
“Because you publicly insulted the memory of Archpriest Ageykin… and given your previous acts that I have received complaints about, you are prohibited from serving,” Church leader Patriarch Kirill said.
Kurayev will remain banned until an ecclesiastical court rules on whether to excommunicate him, Patriarch Kirill said in a statement published on the Moscow Patriarchate’s website.
Kurayev described his ban as a “minor trifle.”
“You can’t call me a defrocked priest because that’s a priest who’s been defrocked, and I’m not one of them,” he told Moscow’s Podyom news channel.
Kurayev, who has openly criticized the Church in the past, has been described as an informal spokesman for its liberal wing.
Ageykin’s successor was hospitalized Tuesday with an as-yet-unknown ailment.


themoscowtimes--2020-04-29--Russians Trafficking Illegal Coronavirus Ventilators Detained in Armed Standoff: Reports

A group suspected of attempting to sell 100 counterfeit ventilators used to treat coronavirus patients have been detained after an @ @ @ @ @ news outlets reported Wednesday .
The coronavirus pandemic has strained Russia 's healthcare system as @ @ @ @ @ officials and healthcare workers pointing to widespread shortages in equipment such as ventilators .
Russia @ @ @ @ @ its state hospitals , or an average of about 29 ventilators per 100,000 people .
@ @ @ @ @ group ’ s organizer , have been detained in the Moscow region for selling more @ @ @ @ @ ” the state-run TASS news agency quoted an unnamed law enforcement source as saying .

A group suspected of attempting to sell 100 counterfeit ventilators used to treat coronavirus patients have been detained after an armed confrontation outside Moscow, news outlets reported Wednesday.
The coronavirus pandemic has strained Russia's healthcare system as infections have soared, with officials and healthcare workers pointing to widespread shortages in equipment such as ventilators. Russia has around 42,000-43,000 ventilators in its state hospitals, or an average of about 29 ventilators per 100,000 people.
“Suspects, including the group’s organizer, have been detained in the Moscow region for selling more than 100 counterfeit ventilators,” the state-run TASS news agency quoted an unnamed law enforcement source as saying.


themoscowtimes--2020-04-29--Sexual Harassment Claims Plague Liberal Radio Station Chief: BBC Russia

Venediktov , 64 , has developed a reputation of being a womanizer that ’ s an open secret within Russia ’ s liberal media circles .
In a 2005 interview with GQ Russia , Venediktov said that harassment was a `` right '' at Ekho Moskvy 's offices .
Two women have accused Alexei Venediktov , the head of Russia ’ s liberal radio station Ekho Moskvy , of sexual harassment , according to an extensive profile of the editor published by BBC Russia on Wednesday .
Venediktov made unwanted advances toward Anna Veduta , opposition figure Alexei Navalny ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dinner in 2012 , Veduta told BBC Russia .
Veduta , who was in her early 20s at the time , said Venediktov touched her knees against her will inside his car and tried to kiss her outside her home .
“ I clung to the seat , shrunk away and said ‘ No , ’ ” she said .
“ I was very ashamed : I had agreed to come to dinner , so I was to blame for what happened , ” Veduta was quoted as saying .
“ [ Besides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want my foolishness to negatively affect Navalny ’ s relationship with Ekho.
” A young social activist whose name was withheld by BBC Russia recounted a similar experience with Venediktov at an August 2017 company dinner .
“ We were sitting tightly at the table , I had nowhere to go .
Venediktov first started holding my shoulder as if by accident , ” the anonymous woman was quoted as saying .
“ He put his hand on my knee , then his hand moved higher along the inside of my thigh , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Veduta and dismissed the anonymous account as an attempt to “ profit publicly off my name.
” Following the publication of BBC Russia 's profile , Navalny said he was unaware of the incident involving Veduta , tweeting his “ deep support ” for her Wednesday .
“ I believe that Alexei Venediktov should apologize regardless of his attitude toward the situation , ” Navalny said .
Venediktov apparently stopped relishing his image as an “ alcoholic and womanizer ” after a slew of sexual harassment accusations against his friend and federal lawmaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia reported .
Ekho Moskvy was among half a dozen news outlets that boycotted Russia ’ s lower house of parliament after its ethics commission dismissed the accusations against Slutsky .
“ I had met him [ Slutsky ] at a Foreign Ministry reception and told him ‘ You ’ re an a -- hole ’ , ” BBC Russia quoted Venediktov as saying .
“ You should have said : ‘ Even if you imagined it [ the sexual harassment accusations ] , I apologize.
’ Instead , you ’ re starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk to you until you apologize .
”

Venediktov, 64, has developed a reputation of being a womanizer that’s an open secret within Russia’s liberal media circles. In a 2005 interview with GQ Russia, Venediktov said that harassment was a "right" at Ekho Moskvy's offices.
Two women have accused Alexei Venediktov, the head of Russia’s liberal radio station Ekho Moskvy, of sexual harassment, according to an extensive profile of the editor published by BBC Russia on Wednesday.
“Anya’s accusations against me did not take place. However, I apologize once again if this stayed in her mind. If she’s suffering, please don’t suffer,” Venediktov said on air Wednesday evening.
Update: Venediktov apologized to Veduta for causing her trauma but continued to deny the allegations of wrongdoing.
Venediktov made unwanted advances toward Anna Veduta, opposition figure Alexei Navalny’s former spokeswoman, after a company dinner in 2012, Veduta told BBC Russia. Veduta, who was in her early 20s at the time, said Venediktov touched her knees against her will inside his car and tried to kiss her outside her home.
“I clung to the seat, shrunk away and said ‘No,’” she said.
“I was very ashamed: I had agreed to come to dinner, so I was to blame for what happened,” Veduta was quoted as saying. “[Besides,] I really didn’t want my foolishness to negatively affect Navalny’s relationship with Ekho.”
A young social activist whose name was withheld by BBC Russia recounted a similar experience with Venediktov at an August 2017 company dinner.
“We were sitting tightly at the table, I had nowhere to go. Venediktov first started holding my shoulder as if by accident,” the anonymous woman was quoted as saying.
“He put his hand on my knee, then his hand moved higher along the inside of my thigh,” she said.
Venediktov denied harassing Veduta and dismissed the anonymous account as an attempt to “profit publicly off my name.”
Following the publication of BBC Russia's profile, Navalny said he was unaware of the incident involving Veduta, tweeting his “deep support” for her Wednesday.
“I believe that Alexei Venediktov should apologize regardless of his attitude toward the situation,” Navalny said.
Venediktov apparently stopped relishing his image as an “alcoholic and womanizer” after a slew of sexual harassment accusations against his friend and federal lawmaker Leonid Slutsky emerged in 2018, BBC Russia reported.
Ekho Moskvy was among half a dozen news outlets that boycotted Russia’s lower house of parliament after its ethics commission dismissed the accusations against Slutsky.
“I had met him [Slutsky] at a Foreign Ministry reception and told him ‘You’re an a--hole’,” BBC Russia quoted Venediktov as saying.
“You should have said: ‘Even if you imagined it [the sexual harassment accusations], I apologize.’ Instead, you’re starting to scoff. I won’t talk to you until you apologize.”


themoscowtimes--2020-04-27--Russian, Belarussian Doctors Count Their Own Dead From Coronavirus

At least 69 doctors in the two countries have died from coronavirus-related complications as of Monday afternoon , according to the unofficial tally .
The news comes as a growing number of hospitals across Russia have reported Covid-19 outbreaks among doctors and patients in recent weeks .
Russian and Belarussian doctors mistrustful of official coronavirus data have launched an unofficial list of their colleagues who have died from the virus .
“ Some have been infected during work , others haven ’ t , ” anesthesiologist and ICU physician Vladimir Budyansky wrote Friday in a Facebook group he moderates called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep a list of their own ?
Very simple : they don ’ t trust statistics , ” the MBKh Media news website quoted neurosurgeon Alexei Kashcheyev as saying Sunday .
“ They know what [ Covid-19 ] looks like , so they won ’ t believe what the ministries tell them .
They ’ ll maintain the list themselves , ” Kashcheyev was quoted as saying .
The list names 22 Moscow doctors and 12 Moscow region medical professionals who have succumbed to the virus .
The Russian capital and its surrounding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 20 million , are the two Russian territories hit hardest by Covid-19 , with 55,059 total cases as of Monday .
Eight doctors have died in St. Petersburg , Russia ’ s third most-affected territory with 3,238 cases .
Five doctors have died in the republic of Dagestan , the country ’ s fifth most-affected region with 994 coronavirus cases .
Russia has officially confirmed 794 deaths from the virus nationwide .
It has reported 87,147 coronavirus infections as of Monday , surpassing China to become the world 's ninth most-affected @ @ @ @ @

At least 69 doctors in the two countries have died from coronavirus-related complications as of Monday afternoon, according to the unofficial tally .
The news comes as a growing number of hospitals across Russia have reported Covid-19 outbreaks among doctors and patients in recent weeks.
Russian and Belarussian doctors mistrustful of official coronavirus data have launched an unofficial list of their colleagues who have died from the virus.
“Some have been infected during work, others haven’t,” anesthesiologist and ICU physician Vladimir Budyansky wrote Friday in a Facebook group he moderates called Medical Emergencies.
“Why should doctors keep a list of their own? Very simple: they don’t trust statistics,” the MBKh Media news website quoted neurosurgeon Alexei Kashcheyev as saying Sunday.
“They know what [Covid-19] looks like, so they won’t believe what the ministries tell them. They’ll maintain the list themselves,” Kashcheyev was quoted as saying.
The list names 22 Moscow doctors and 12 Moscow region medical professionals who have succumbed to the virus. The Russian capital and its surrounding region, with a combined population of more than 20 million, are the two Russian territories hit hardest by Covid-19, with 55,059 total cases as of Monday.
Eight doctors have died in St. Petersburg, Russia’s third most-affected territory with 3,238 cases. Five doctors have died in the republic of Dagestan, the country’s fifth most-affected region with 994 coronavirus cases.
Russia has officially confirmed 794 deaths from the virus nationwide. It has reported 87,147 coronavirus infections as of Monday, surpassing China to become the world's ninth most-affected country amid the pandemic.


themoscowtimes--2020-04-30--Vedomosti Sale Delayed Amid Pro-Kremlin Censorship Scandal

Claims of censorship have swirled around Vedomosti since its sale was announced in March .
In the span of a month , acting editor-in-chief Andrei Shmarov has been accused of removing columns critical of Russian oil giant Rosneft , as well as banning coverage of independent poll results and articles criticizing President Vladimir Putin ’ s proposed constitutional changes .
The sale of Russia ’ s top business newspaper Vedomosti has been postponed as the paper struggles to maintain independence under its new chief editor , the Open Media investigative website reported Wednesday .
“ Some deadlines are being shifted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t say that these are fundamental changes , ” Open Media quoted former Vedomosti owner Demyan Kudryavtsev as saying .
Kudryavtsev said it was “ too early ” to consider bankruptcy following reports of depleted funds , adding : “ I hope the deal doesn ’ t fall through.
” The Bell business outlet reported last week that businessman Alexei Golubovich , one of Vedomosti ’ s buyers , was considering pulling out of the deal because of the censorship scandal .
The announcement of Vedomosti ’ s sale to Golubovich @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern among the paper ’ s staffers , with former editor-in-chief Tatiana Lysova describing the two buyers as “ alien to Vedomosti ’ s rules and ideals.
” Shmarov ’ s hiring as acting editor-in-chief sparked further backlash within Vedomosti ’ s ranks and upset Russia ’ s heavily regulated media landscape .
Five deputy editors appealed to Vedomosti ’ s new owners to appoint a different chief editor on March 31 .
Founded in 1999 , Vedomosti largely operated independently with backing from foreign media organizations until 2015 , when Russia passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies to 20 % .
Kudryavtsev , a former chief executive of another business daily Kommersant and associate of the late oligarch Boris Berezovsky , bought the newspaper that year .

Claims of censorship have swirled around Vedomosti since its sale was announced in March. In the span of a month, acting editor-in-chief Andrei Shmarov has been accused of removing columns critical of Russian oil giant Rosneft, as well as banning coverage of independent poll results and articles criticizing President Vladimir Putin’s proposed constitutional changes.
The sale of Russia’s top business newspaper Vedomosti has been postponed as the paper struggles to maintain independence under its new chief editor, the Open Media investigative website reported Wednesday.
“Some deadlines are being shifted due to the coronavirus, but I can’t say that these are fundamental changes,” Open Media quoted former Vedomosti owner Demyan Kudryavtsev as saying.
Kudryavtsev said it was “too early” to consider bankruptcy following reports of depleted funds, adding: “I hope the deal doesn’t fall through.”
The Bell business outlet reported last week that businessman Alexei Golubovich, one of Vedomosti’s buyers, was considering pulling out of the deal because of the censorship scandal.
The announcement of Vedomosti’s sale to Golubovich and publisher Konstantin Zyatkov in March drew concern among the paper’s staffers, with former editor-in-chief Tatiana Lysova describing the two buyers as “alien to Vedomosti’s rules and ideals.”
Shmarov’s hiring as acting editor-in-chief sparked further backlash within Vedomosti’s ranks and upset Russia’s heavily regulated media landscape. Five deputy editors appealed to Vedomosti’s new owners to appoint a different chief editor on March 31.
Founded in 1999, Vedomosti largely operated independently with backing from foreign media organizations until 2015, when Russia passed a law limiting foreign ownership in media companies to 20%. Kudryavtsev, a former chief executive of another business daily Kommersant and associate of the late oligarch Boris Berezovsky, bought the newspaper that year.


themoscowtimes--2020-04-30--Russia Is Coercing Medical Students Into Coronavirus Fight

On Wednesday afternoon , Tatiana , a 22-year-old sixth-year medical student at First Moscow State Medical University , received a message from the university ’ s administration .
Starting Friday , the text read , all students in their fourth year or higher would be deployed to coronavirus hospitals around Moscow .
Tatiana , who asked that her last name be withheld , is one of hundreds of medical students already volunteering or working in the Russian capital ’ s coronavirus hospitals , as The Moscow Times reported earlier this month .
But up until this week , those students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their own accord , even as officials rallied them to take to the frontlines .
Now Russia has moved to draft a broader swath of the country ’ s medical students .
As coronavirus cases topped 100,000 nationwide in a record single-day increase Thursday and President Vladimir Putin earlier this week warned that the country has yet to reach the peak of its outbreak , the deployment shows the strain the coronavirus is putting on Russia ’ s healthcare system .
Even before the pandemic hit Russia , doctors had complained about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has already taken its toll .
This week , nurses quit en masse from Kommunarka , Moscow ’ s top coronavirus hospital , over poor working conditions and low wages , while doctors began listing colleagues who have died while treating patients nationwide .
They have counted 70 so far .
To help shore up the frontlines , the authorities have turned to the country ’ s medical schools .
In a joint order signed Monday , Russia ’ s health and education ministries instructed universities to deploy third year or higher general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dentistry students , as well as nurses who have completed two years of study , to coronavirus hospitals for “ practical training.
” Medical students in Russia start as early as 16 , meaning nursing students can begin working in coronavirus hospitals as young as 17 and other students as young as 18 .
Students study for up to seven years , completing their practical training during summer breaks .
Russia ’ s medical schools are fulfilling the government order with a heavy hand .
In the message to students seen by The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medical University administration explained that refusal will result in unfulfilled academic requirements — which , two students explained , could be used as a basis for withdrawing scholarship money .
First Moscow State Medical University did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
A student trade union committee for North-Western State Medical University in St. Petersburg put what ’ s at stake bluntly .
“ You can always refuse to work with [ Covid-19 patients ] , but this automatically equates to refusing to undergo practical training , which carries disciplinary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administrators wrote on the group ’ s Vkontakte page .
Medical students told The Moscow Times that information on the plan has arrived piecemeal and in a hurry , with many details unclear .
Students first got wind of the plan last Friday , when Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin , who is heading Russia ’ s coronavirus task force , told the country ’ s education and health ministries to draw up the order by Monday .
He said the plan would affect fourth- and fifth-year students .
“ Clearly we will need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Sobyanin said during a task force meeting .
“ There is no available personnel and pulling from one region to another is pointless.
” “ These are motivated guys who already have enough good knowledge and have chosen this profession , ” he added .
“ They will once more in practice see what is real medicine.
” With the rumor mill churning over the weekend , it was only when the joint order was published Monday that students learned the draft would be broader .
As the week went on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Students say their administrators have told them they will be paid if they work in the “ red zone ” — where medical workers come into direct contact with coronavirus patients — but will receive no salary if they work in the “ green zone.
” Most students in “ red zones ” are working as nurses .
On Wednesday , Moscow ’ s Health Department said that student medical workers would earn over 100,000 rubles ( $ 1,369.46 ) per month and be able to choose from a “ variety of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a Wednesday video conference call with First Moscow State Medical University ’ s vice rector Tatiana Litvinova said students were promised “ no less than 100,000 rubles per month.
” Three other students at the university confirmed that figure .
Students said they were skeptical of being paid that much .
Tatiana , who is working as a nurse at First Moscow State Medical University ’ s Clinical Hospital no .
3 but still hasn ’ t seen the terms of her contract , pointed to the Kommunarka nurses quitting this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials .
“ This figure is mostly likely just talk because even professional doctors don ’ t make this much , ” she said .
“ We are a cheap option.
” According to a recent government count , the average wage for a nurse in Moscow is 70,000 rubles ( $ 958.62 ) , though popular career finder websites cite an average of about 45,000 rubles ( $ 616.05 ) per month .
On Thursday morning , students in a group chat for fifth- through seventh-year students seen by The Moscow Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( $ 457.75 ) per month — a third of the promised amount .
Earlier this month Putin promised 10 billion rubles ( $ 132 million ) toward monthly bonuses for healthcare staff .
He said that doctors treating coronavirus patients would receive an additional 80,000 rubles ( $ 1,059 ) per month , while nurses , ambulance medics and drivers would get from 25,000 ( $ 336 ) to 50,000 rubles ( $ 674 ) .
The Kommunarka nurses who quit this week , however , complained that they had not received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the independent medical labor union Destviye — or Action — said he doesn ’ t believe Moscow officials would tell students such a bald-faced lie .
He said that in the rush of the moment hospitals might not know how to dole out the money earmarked for coronavirus medics .
“ In this chaos right now nothing is clear , ” he said .
Aside from salary concerns , students who have been working in Moscow ’ s coronavirus hospitals this month worried that their fellow students are effectively not being given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I understand it is difficult at the moment and hands are needed but those students who don ’ t want to do it should n't be forced , ” said Nikita , a 23-year-old fifth-year student at First Moscow State Medical University , who works at Kommunarka .
“ Even the so-called green zones are dangerous and you can easily catch the virus.
” Alexander , a 24-year-old sixth-year student at Russian National Research Medical University likewise working at Kommunarka , echoed the concern .
“ You can still get sick there — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ Many of my friends are very scared.
” Medical students have been fast-tracked into receiving professional qualifications in many countries as the worst global pandemic in over a century has left few without overstressed healthcare systems .
But while most European countries are only fast-tracking recent graduates , Russia appears to be digging deeper into its medical reserves in an effort to get all hands on deck .
Some Russian students told The Moscow Times they were eager to join the frontlines despite their concerns .
Katerina , a 21-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University , is planning on taking up a role as a nurse at Kommunarka .
She said she is eager to help because she knows from friends working across Moscow ’ s coronavirus hospitals that “ they really are not coping.
” “ We knew where we would be going when we signed up for medical school , ” she said .
“ This is now the time to prove whether we really want to save lives .
”

On Wednesday afternoon, Tatiana, a 22-year-old sixth-year medical student at First Moscow State Medical University, received a message from the university’s administration. Starting Friday, the text read, all students in their fourth year or higher would be deployed to coronavirus hospitals around Moscow. Tatiana, who asked that her last name be withheld, is one of hundreds of medical students already volunteering or working in the Russian capital’s coronavirus hospitals, as The Moscow Times reported earlier this month. But up until this week, those students had joined the fight against the pandemic of their own accord, even as officials rallied them to take to the frontlines. Now Russia has moved to draft a broader swath of the country’s medical students. As coronavirus cases topped 100,000 nationwide in a record single-day increase Thursday and President Vladimir Putin earlier this week warned that the country has yet to reach the peak of its outbreak, the deployment shows the strain the coronavirus is putting on Russia’s healthcare system.
Even before the pandemic hit Russia, doctors had complained about a lack of resources. The fight has already taken its toll. This week, nurses quit en masse from Kommunarka, Moscow’s top coronavirus hospital, over poor working conditions and low wages, while doctors began listing colleagues who have died while treating patients nationwide. They have counted 70 so far. To help shore up the frontlines, the authorities have turned to the country’s medical schools. In a joint order signed Monday, Russia’s health and education ministries instructed universities to deploy third year or higher general practice, pediatrics, preventative medicine and dentistry students, as well as nurses who have completed two years of study, to coronavirus hospitals for “practical training.” Medical students in Russia start as early as 16, meaning nursing students can begin working in coronavirus hospitals as young as 17 and other students as young as 18. Students study for up to seven years, completing their practical training during summer breaks. Russia’s medical schools are fulfilling the government order with a heavy hand. In the message to students seen by The Moscow Times, the First Moscow State Medical University administration explained that refusal will result in unfulfilled academic requirements — which, two students explained, could be used as a basis for withdrawing scholarship money.
A student trade union committee for North-Western State Medical University in St. Petersburg put what’s at stake bluntly. “You can always refuse to work with [Covid-19 patients], but this automatically equates to refusing to undergo practical training, which carries disciplinary penalties,” the committee’s administrators wrote on the group’s Vkontakte page. Medical students told The Moscow Times that information on the plan has arrived piecemeal and in a hurry, with many details unclear. Students first got wind of the plan last Friday, when Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, who is heading Russia’s coronavirus task force, told the country’s education and health ministries to draw up the order by Monday. He said the plan would affect fourth- and fifth-year students. “Clearly we will need additional personnel to cover all this work,” Sobyanin said during a task force meeting. “There is no available personnel and pulling from one region to another is pointless.” “These are motivated guys who already have enough good knowledge and have chosen this profession,” he added. “They will once more in practice see what is real medicine.” With the rumor mill churning over the weekend, it was only when the joint order was published Monday that students learned the draft would be broader. As the week went on, they began hearing from their universities.
Students say their administrators have told them they will be paid if they work in the “red zone” — where medical workers come into direct contact with coronavirus patients — but will receive no salary if they work in the “green zone.” Most students in “red zones” are working as nurses. On Wednesday, Moscow’s Health Department said that student medical workers would earn over 100,000 rubles ($1,369.46) per month and be able to choose from a “variety of jobs.” One student’s notes of a Wednesday video conference call with First Moscow State Medical University’s vice rector Litvinova said students were promised “no less than 100,000 rubles per month.” Three other students at the university confirmed that figure. Students said they were skeptical of being paid that much. Tatiana, who is working as a nurse at First Moscow State Medical University’s Clinical Hospital no. 3 but still hasn’t seen the terms of her contract, pointed to the Kommunarka nurses quitting this week as a sign of empty words from officials. “This figure is mostly likely just talk because even professional doctors don’t make this much,” she said. “We are a cheap option.” According to a recent government count, the average wage for a nurse in Moscow is 70,000 rubles ($958.62), though popular career finder websites cite an average of about 45,000 rubles ($616.05) per month. On Thursday morning, students in a group chat for fifth- through seventh-year students seen by The Moscow Times said their contracts were for 33,376 rubles ($457.75) per month — a third of the promised amount.
Earlier this month Putin promised 10 billion rubles ($132 million) toward monthly bonuses for healthcare staff. He said that doctors treating coronavirus patients would receive an additional 80,000 rubles ($1,059) per month, while nurses, ambulance medics and drivers would get from 25,000 ($336) to 50,000 rubles ($674). The Kommunarka nurses who quit this week, however, complained that they had not received the bonuses. Andrei Konoval, co-chairman of the independent medical labor union Destviye — or Action — said he doesn’t believe Moscow officials would tell students such a bald-faced lie. He said that in the rush of the moment hospitals might not know how to dole out the money earmarked for coronavirus medics. “In this chaos right now nothing is clear,” he said. Aside from salary concerns, students who have been working in Moscow’s coronavirus hospitals this month worried that their fellow students are effectively not being given a choice to opt out. “I understand it is difficult at the moment and hands are needed but those students who don’t want to do it shouldn't be forced,” said Nikita, a 23-year-old fifth-year student at First Moscow State Medical University, who works at Kommunarka. “Even the so-called green zones are dangerous and you can easily catch the virus.” Alexander, a 24-year-old sixth-year student at Russian National Research Medical University likewise working at Kommunarka, echoed the concern. “You can still get sick there — while working for free,” he said. “Many of my friends are very scared.”
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