themoscowtimes--2020-07-27--Russia’s Wildfires Double in Size Within Week – TASS

`` Over the week , the total area of forest fires has more than doubled , ” TASS quoted its source as saying .
“ The most difficult situation is developing in Siberia and the Far East . ''
Wildfires currently burning across Russia have doubled in size over the past week , the state-run TASS news agency reported Monday , citing a source in the Federal Forestry Agency .
According to Russia 's agency for aerial forest fire management Aviales , a total of 148 forest fires were burning across 67,913 hectares of land as of midnight Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 155 fires were burning across 32,984 hectares of land .
Environmentalists have warned that this year ’ s blazes could become the worst in Russia 's history and exacerbate global climate change .
Siberia ’ s wildfires have already burned an area larger than the size of Greece , Greenpeace Russia said .
The Forestry Agency says it will not extinguish 91 % of the fires because they are located in `` control zones . ''
Forests fall into control zones when the fires have no effect on local populations and when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the residual damage of the fires .

"Over the week, the total area of forest fires has more than doubled,” TASS quoted its source as saying. “The most difficult situation is developing in Siberia and the Far East."
Wildfires currently burning across Russia have doubled in size over the past week, the state-run TASS news agency reported Monday, citing a source in the Federal Forestry Agency.
According to Russia's agency for aerial forest fire management Aviales, a total of 148 forest fires were burning across 67,913 hectares of land as of midnight Monday. At the same time last week, 155 fires were burning across 32,984 hectares of land.
Environmentalists have warned that this year’s blazes could become the worst in Russia's history and exacerbate global climate change. Siberia’s wildfires have already burned an area larger than the size of Greece, Greenpeace Russia said.
The Forestry Agency says it will not extinguish 91% of the fires because they are located in "control zones." Forests fall into control zones when the fires have no effect on local populations and when the cost of extinguishing them is greater than the residual damage of the fires.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-27--‘Russia, Wake up’: Far East Protesters Seek to Set Example for Entire Country

KHABAROVSK — As they have for nearly three weeks , the first protesters started to gather at Lenin Square in the city of Khabarovsk in Russia ’ s Far East at 7 pm on a recent weekday evening .
They were soon joined by independent Russian journalists and a small army of YouTube bloggers , a growing profession in Russia as news consumers increasingly switch from television channels controlled by the Kremlin to the largely uncensored internet .
Journalists from state media were notable by their absence .
As the square in front of the governor ’ s administration building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sergei Aynbinder of the RusNews YouTube channel , started his live broadcast by firing questions at demonstrators in the style of a television reporter .
But for a moment , he switched out of character .
“ You know the saying that the sun rises in the east ?
” he said to one protester .
“ Well , watching all this , I ’ ve been thinking that maybe civil society will rise in the east , too.
” This has been the main thought on people ’ s minds in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beijing than Moscow — for 17 straight days of unprecedented and swelling protest .
The flagship Saturday rally turning out people by the tens of thousands has grown each week , while smaller weekday demonstrations have kept up the momentum .
The question now is how long the movement can be sustained .
After kicking off on July 10 , the day after the Khabarovsk region ’ s overwhelmingly popular governor Sergei Furgal , 50 , was pulled out of his SUV and whisked to the Russian capital on historical murder charges , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into a deeper expression of anti-Kremlin discontent .
After President Vladimir Putin last Monday removed Furgal , who was elected in 2018 , from his post , and named Mikhail Degtyaryov , 39 , as acting governor until elections can be held next September , the anger intensified .
Although Degtyaryov represents the same party as Furgal — the far-right Liberal Democratic Party of Russia ( LDPR ) — he has never lived in Khabarovsk .
“ It was a punch below the belt , ” Pyotr Emelyanov , a Khabarovsk regional deputy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave LDPR and remain in office as an independent , told The Moscow Times .
Emelyanov explained that he had only joined the party because of Furgal , and that the voters who helped put him into office the next year had likewise only supported the party because of the so-called “ people ’ s governor.
” He said his voters , who see the charges against Furgal as politically motivated payback for his election victory against the ruling United Russia party , had contacted him in droves asking him to renounce LDPR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added , was Degtyaryov ’ s decision not to immediately come out to the square to meet them .
“ Under your windows there ’ s practically a revolution taking place and you ’ re sitting up there having meetings , ” the regional deputy said .
On Sunday evening , nearly a week after arriving in Khabarovsk , Degtyaryov finally visited the square at 11 pm to meet with the small number of protesters that remained .
He offered to create a working group through which residents could voice their complaints instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the night ended on a sour note when one of the loudest voices of the past weeks , Valentin Kvashnikov , who had already been charged with participating in an unsanctioned protest last week , was detained .
According to Russian law , demonstrations have to be agreed in advance with the authorities .
They have not approved any of the Khabarovsk rallies .
While the Kremlin has so far allowed the protests to proceed peacefully , many believe the authorities could use the coronavirus pandemic as a pretext to put the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday announced a sharp rise in infections and the arrival of medical equipment and personnel from Moscow to support the region .
There are also signs that the authorities will continue to target individual protesters .
On Monday , Artyom Mozgov , a 20-year-old activist , was charged 10,000 rubles ( $ 140 ) for participating in unsanctioned protests .
Although Mozgov told The Moscow Times it wouldn ’ t stop him from joining the next protest , he has already been charged once , opening him up to a charge of repeat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over fair elections in Moscow last summer , a judge handed a sentence of four years in a penal colony to one protester for that exact crime .
But while the authorities may try this tactic to cool things down , Alexei Vorsin , who heads Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny ’ s local office in Khabarovsk , believes the strategy won ’ t work as the movement has no clear leaders to go after .
And if the authorities try to detain people en masse while tens of thousands take to the streets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pour fuel on the fire , ” he said .
Yet Vorsin , like other activists who spoke with The Moscow Times , also worries that the movement could peter out by the end of summer if its demands don ’ t become more concrete and coalesce under a visible leader .
Indeed , Ildus Yarulin , a politics professor at Pacific National University in Khabarovsk , said it appears to have taken on a “ carnival-like atmosphere , ” which he sees as an expulsion of pent-up frustration and post-quarantine euphoria taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s certainly a sign of an unhealthiness in the society , ” he said .
For their part , protesters say they believe their concerns are being ignored by the Kremlin and deliberately not broadcast to the rest of the nation .
On Saturday , when the highest estimates put the size of the crowd at 100,000 , they often broke into chants of “ Russia , wake up.
” Some explained the slogan by saying they believe their movement needs recognition beyond Khabarovsk if it is to last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are looking to other recent protest movements in the post-Soviet space for inspiration to keep the momentum going .
Some pointed to Armenia ’ s successful 2018 revolution , noting that what was key there was that the rallies maintained size .
They also talked about the mass protests that have kicked off in Belarus after officials barred President Alexander Lukashenko 's main rivals from running for election in August .
“ We ’ re all just tired of feeling like cattle , ” said Konstantin Grechanov , a 49-year-old artist .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belarus .
We are fighting for the right to have a choice.
” On Saturday , Alexander Kivlyov , 57 , was taking a break outside his restaurant as thousands of protesters streamed by , snaking their way back to Lenin Square .
He said he would have joined the rally if he did n't have to work .
“ Maybe it ’ ll be like Lenin said .
You just need a spark for a revolution to begin .
”

KHABAROVSK — As they have for nearly three weeks, the first protesters started to gather at Lenin Square in the city of Khabarovsk in Russia’s Far East at 7 pm on a recent weekday evening. They were soon joined by independent Russian journalists and a small army of YouTube bloggers, a growing profession in Russia as news consumers increasingly switch from television channels controlled by the Kremlin to the largely uncensored internet. Journalists from state media were notable by their absence. As the square in front of the governor’s administration building filled up, one of the bloggers, Sergei Aynbinder of the RusNews YouTube channel, started his live broadcast by firing questions at demonstrators in the style of a television reporter. But for a moment, he switched out of character. “You know the saying that the sun rises in the east?” he said to one protester. “Well, watching all this, I’ve been thinking that maybe civil society will rise in the east, too.”
This has been the main thought on people’s minds in the city — which is closer to Beijing than Moscow — for 17 straight days of unprecedented and swelling protest. The flagship Saturday rally turning out people by the tens of thousands has grown each week, while smaller weekday demonstrations have kept up the momentum. The question now is how long the movement can be sustained. After kicking off on July 10, the day after the Khabarovsk region’s overwhelmingly popular governor Sergei Furgal, 50, was pulled out of his SUV and whisked to the Russian capital on historical murder charges, the protests in his support have evolved into a deeper expression of anti-Kremlin discontent. After President Vladimir Putin last Monday removed Furgal, who was elected in 2018, from his post, and named Mikhail Degtyaryov, 39, as acting governor until elections can be held next September, the anger intensified. Although Degtyaryov represents the same party as Furgal — the far-right Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) — he has never lived in Khabarovsk. “It was a punch below the belt,” Pyotr Emelyanov, a Khabarovsk regional deputy who after the decision said he would leave LDPR and remain in office as an independent, told The Moscow Times.
Khabarovsk’s protest movement in support of the “people's governor” has morphed into anti-Kremlin discontent. Evan Gershkovich / MT
Emelyanov explained that he had only joined the party because of Furgal, and that the voters who helped put him into office the next year had likewise only supported the party because of the so-called “people’s governor.” He said his voters, who see the charges against Furgal as politically motivated payback for his election victory against the ruling United Russia party, had contacted him in droves asking him to renounce LDPR. Further angering Khabarovsk residents, Emelyanov added, was Degtyaryov’s decision not to immediately come out to the square to meet them. “Under your windows there’s practically a revolution taking place and you’re sitting up there having meetings,” the regional deputy said. On Sunday evening, nearly a week after arriving in Khabarovsk, Degtyaryov finally visited the square at 11 pm to meet with the small number of protesters that remained. He offered to create a working group through which residents could voice their complaints instead of taking to the streets. But the night ended on a sour note when one of the loudest voices of the past weeks, Valentin Kvashnikov, who had already been charged with participating in an unsanctioned protest last week, was detained. According to Russian law, demonstrations have to be agreed in advance with the authorities. They have not approved any of the Khabarovsk rallies.
Khabarovsk regional deputy Pyotr Emelyanov called Putin’s decision to replace Furgal a “punch below the belt.” Evan Gershkovich / MT
While the Kremlin has so far allowed the protests to proceed peacefully, many believe the authorities could use the coronavirus pandemic as a pretext to put the city under quarantine. Regional authorities already on Saturday announced a sharp rise in infections and the arrival of medical equipment and personnel from Moscow to support the region. There are also signs that the authorities will continue to target individual protesters. On Monday, Artyom Mozgov, a 20-year-old activist, was charged 10,000 rubles ($140) for participating in unsanctioned protests. Although Mozgov told The Moscow Times it wouldn’t stop him from joining the next protest, he has already been charged once, opening him up to a charge of repeat violations. In the crackdown on protests over fair elections in Moscow last summer, a judge handed a sentence of four years in a penal colony to one protester for that exact crime. But while the authorities may try this tactic to cool things down, Alexei Vorsin, who heads Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny’s local office in Khabarovsk, believes the strategy won’t work as the movement has no clear leaders to go after. And if the authorities try to detain people en masse while tens of thousands take to the streets every Saturday, they will only “pour fuel on the fire,” he said.
“Maybe it’ll be like Lenin said. You just need a spark for a revolution to begin.” Evan Gershkovich / MT
Yet Vorsin, like other activists who spoke with The Moscow Times, also worries that the movement could peter out by the end of summer if its demands don’t become more concrete and coalesce under a visible leader. Indeed, Ildus Yarulin, a politics professor at Pacific National University in Khabarovsk, said it appears to have taken on a “carnival-like atmosphere,” which he sees as an expulsion of pent-up frustration and post-quarantine euphoria taking the form of anger against all authority. “It’s certainly a sign of an unhealthiness in the society,” he said. For their part, protesters say they believe their concerns are being ignored by the Kremlin and deliberately not broadcast to the rest of the nation. On Saturday, when the highest estimates put the size of the crowd at 100,000, they often broke into chants of “Russia, wake up.” Some explained the slogan by saying they believe their movement needs recognition beyond Khabarovsk if it is to last. Other protesters told The Moscow Times they are looking to other recent protest movements in the post-Soviet space for inspiration to keep the momentum going. Some pointed to Armenia’s successful 2018 revolution, noting that what was key there was that the rallies maintained size. They also talked about the mass protests that have kicked off in Belarus after officials barred President Alexander Lukashenko's main rivals from running for election in August. “We’re all just tired of feeling like cattle,” said Konstantin Grechanov, a 49-year-old artist. “It’s the same in Belarus. We are fighting for the right to have a choice.” On Saturday, Alexander Kivlyov, 57, was taking a break outside his restaurant as thousands of protesters streamed by, snaking their way back to Lenin Square. He said he would have joined the rally if he didn't have to work. “Maybe it’ll be like Lenin said. You just need a spark for a revolution to begin.”


themoscowtimes--2020-07-27--Russia's Naval Fleet Goes on Display in Annual Parade

Russia held its annual Navy Day commemorations in St. Petersburg on Sunday with a parade that showed off the country @ @ @ @ @ nuclear submarines and naval aviation .
The parade took place as President Vladimir Putin has @ @ @ @ @ growing capabilities and amid ongoing tensions with NATO .
Here 's a look at the @ @ @ @ @ of the Neva :

Russia's Naval Fleet Goes on Display in Annual Parade
Russia held its annual Navy Day commemorations in St. Petersburg on Sunday with a parade that showed off the country’s best ships, nuclear submarines and naval aviation.
The parade took place as President Vladimir Putin has boasted of the Navy's growing capabilities and amid ongoing tensions with NATO.
Here's a look at the nautical display on the waters of the Neva:


themoscowtimes--2020-07-27--Siberian Shaman Gives Up Anti-Putin Crusade

In a statement carried by local media , Alexander Gabyshev said he wishes to focus on his health and personal life .
A Siberian shaman who made national headlines for attempting to trek to Moscow and “ cast out ” Putin from power won ’ t restart his journey , he said after being discharged from the mental asylum he was forced into earlier this year .
“ In order to get my health in order , I have to live on my own now .
I think you will understand my decision , ” he said .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get my documents in order and think about working in the future.
” Gabyshev first set out from his home in the republic of Sakha last year , planning to trek over 8,000 kilometers to Moscow before performing a ritual to “ banish ” Putin from the Kremlin .
He dragged a cart carrying his belongings along highways , gathering a small following and meeting supporters in cities he passed .
He and his supporters were detained several times , forcing the shaman to restart his journey from his home city of Yakutsk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him in a mental asylum in June after he announced a third attempt to trek to Moscow , a move condemned by rights groups as an attempt to silence a dissenter and compared to Soviet-era punitive psychiatry .
“ To the many people who supported me mentally and supplied me with food and clothing ...
I express my gratitude and sincere goodwill .
And now , without losing heart , we need to live like human beings , ” he said in his statement .

In a statement carried by local media, Alexander Gabyshev said he wishes to focus on his health and personal life.
A Siberian shaman who made national headlines for attempting to trek to Moscow and “cast out” Putin from power won’t restart his journey, he said after being discharged from the mental asylum he was forced into earlier this year.
“In order to get my health in order, I have to live on my own now. I think you will understand my decision,” he said. “I'll take care of my teeth, get my documents in order and think about working in the future.”
Gabyshev first set out from his home in the republic of Sakha last year, planning to trek over 8,000 kilometers to Moscow before performing a ritual to “banish” Putin from the Kremlin.
He dragged a cart carrying his belongings along highways, gathering a small following and meeting supporters in cities he passed.
He and his supporters were detained several times, forcing the shaman to restart his journey from his home city of Yakutsk each time.
Authorities in Yakutsk placed him in a mental asylum in June after he announced a third attempt to trek to Moscow, a move condemned by rights groups as an attempt to silence a dissenter and compared to Soviet-era punitive psychiatry.
“To the many people who supported me mentally and supplied me with food and clothing ... I express my gratitude and sincere goodwill. And now, without losing heart, we need to live like human beings,” he said in his statement.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-27--Russia Coronavirus Cases Approach 820K

Russia Coronavirus Cases Approach 820K

The highest number of new cases were in Moscow , the western Siberian region of Khanty-Mansiysk and Sverdlovsk in the @ @ @ @ @ rate has remained low compared to other badly-hit countries , raising speculation that Moscow could @ @ @ @ @ authorities began easing anti-virus measures in June ahead of a massive World War II military @ @ @ @ @ nationwide vote on constitutional reforms that now allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in power @ @ @ @ @ were initially postponed due the epidemic .
Moscow plans to open cinemas and theaters on @ @ @ @ @ capital , masks are mandatory in stores and on public transport but not in the @ @ @ @ @ Russia are working on a coronavirus vaccine .
Last week the Russian Defense Ministry said @ @ @ @ @ safe '' vaccine following clinical trials on a group of volunteers .
The trials are @ @ @ @ @ Ministry expects clinical trials to be fully completed in the coming weeks .

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--2020-07-27--News From Russia: What You Missed Over the Weekend

These have been some of the largest anti-government protests in Russia in years , which the Kremlin said this week were being fueled by opposition activists outside Khabarovsk .
Residents of Khabarovsk near the border with China took to the streets en masse for the third Saturday in a row after governor Sergei Furgal was arrested by federal law enforcement and flown to Moscow on murder charges this month .
Huge anti-government demonstrations erupted in Russia 's Far East over the arrest of a popular governor who was replaced this week by a Kremlin appointee who has never lived in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian `` United Democrats '' movement , which campaigns for meaningful elections , were arrested in the republic of Tatarstan , the group said on Facebook .
Russian special forces seized the members in the Tatarstan capital Kazan `` to investigate their involvement in terrorism , '' the group said , without giving details .
One of the movement 's coordinators said the arrests took place during a conference on municipal public procurement organized by the Berlin-based Transparency International NGO .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed efforts to resolve Ukraine 's conflict with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of a ceasefire starting Monday .
Moscow and Kiev agreed to implement a ceasefire in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbass during negotiations earlier this month , as a precondition for a broader settlement agreed in the capital of Belarus in 2015 .
A Siberian shaman who made national headlines for attempting to trek to Moscow and “ cast out ” Putin from power won ’ t restart his journey , he said after being discharged from the psychiatric hospital he was forced into earlier this year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Alexander Gabyshev said he wishes to focus on his health and personal life .
Russia held its annual Navy Day commemorations in St. Petersburg with a parade that showed off the country ’ s best ships , nuclear submarines and naval aviation .
Speaking at the parade , Putin said the Russian Navy would soon be equipped with hypersonic nuclear strike weapons and underwater nuclear drones in addition to receiving 40 new vessels this year .

These have been some of the largest anti-government protests in Russia in years, which the Kremlin said this week were being fueled by opposition activists outside Khabarovsk.
Residents of Khabarovsk near the border with China took to the streets en masse for the third Saturday in a row after governor Sergei Furgal was arrested by federal law enforcement and flown to Moscow on murder charges this month.
Huge anti-government demonstrations erupted in Russia's Far East over the arrest of a popular governor who was replaced this week by a Kremlin appointee who has never lived in the fraught region.
Arrested activists
Members of the Russian "United Democrats" movement, which campaigns for meaningful elections, were arrested in the republic of Tatarstan, the group said on Facebook.
Russian special forces seized the members in the Tatarstan capital Kazan "to investigate their involvement in terrorism," the group said, without giving details. One of the movement's coordinators said the arrests took place during a conference on municipal public procurement organized by the Berlin-based Transparency International NGO.
Donbass ceasefire
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed efforts to resolve Ukraine's conflict with Kremlin-backed separatists during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of a ceasefire starting Monday.
Moscow and Kiev agreed to implement a ceasefire in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbass during negotiations earlier this month, as a precondition for a broader settlement agreed in the capital of Belarus in 2015.
Shaman surrender
A Siberian shaman who made national headlines for attempting to trek to Moscow and “cast out” Putin from power won’t restart his journey, he said after being discharged from the psychiatric hospital he was forced into earlier this year.
In a statement carried by local media, Alexander Gabyshev said he wishes to focus on his health and personal life.
Navy Day
Russia held its annual Navy Day commemorations in St. Petersburg with a parade that showed off the country’s best ships, nuclear submarines and naval aviation.
Speaking at the parade, Putin said the Russian Navy would soon be equipped with hypersonic nuclear strike weapons and underwater nuclear drones in addition to receiving 40 new vessels this year.
AFP contributed reporting.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-27--Ex-Vedomosti Journalists Launch New Outlet Following Pro-Kremlin Censorship Scandal

Former senior editors and journalists from the Vedomosti business daily are launching a new media project after the appointment of @ @ @ @ @ of censorship and a mass departure of staff from the paper .
VTimes aims to @ @ @ @ @ of independent journalism and editorial objectivity .
“ More than ever before Russia needs independent @ @ @ @ @ be trusted and platforms for the free exchange of opinions and professional expertise , ” @ @ @ @ @ the project ’ s founders and the former deputy editor at Vedomosti , told The @ @ @

Former senior editors and journalists from the Vedomosti business daily are launching a new media project after the appointment of a pro-Kremlin editor-in-chief sparked accusations of censorship and a mass departure of staff from the paper.
VTimes aims to continue Vedomosti’s tradition of independent journalism and editorial objectivity.
“More than ever before Russia needs independent sources of information that can be trusted and platforms for the free exchange of opinions and professional expertise,” Alexander Gubski, one of the project’s founders and the former deputy editor at Vedomosti, told The Moscow Times.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-26--Russia and Ukraine Hail Peace Efforts Ahead of New Ceasefire

Ukraine has been fighting separatists backed by Russia in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions since 2014 following Moscow 's annexation of the Crimean peninsula .
Moscow and Kiev agreed to implement a ceasefire in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbass during negotiations earlier this month , as a precondition for a broader settlement agreed in the capital of Belarus in 2015 .
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Sunday welcomed efforts to resolve Ukraine 's conflict with Kremlin-backed separatists during a phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin ahead of a ceasefire starting Monday .
More than 13,000 people have been killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite the peace accords signed in Minsk .
Both Putin and Zelenskiy `` welcomed the agreement on a full and comprehensive ceasefire in the Donbass '' , a statement from the Ukrainian presidency said .
The Kremlin meanwhile underscored the importance of the `` unconditional observance of these agreements by the parties to the conflict . ''
Zelenskiy called for redoubled efforts to secure the release of Ukrainian citizens in the Donbass , Crimea and Russia , according to the Ukrainian statement .
Putin raised concerns over a recent bill in the Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 20220 , saying it runs `` counter to the Minsk agreements '' and puts `` settlement prospects in jeopardy , '' the Kremlin said .
Four-way talks between France , Germany , Russia and Ukraine seek the withdrawal of heavy weapons , the restoration of Kiev 's control over its borders , wider autonomy for Donetsk and Lugansk , and the holding of local elections .

Ukraine has been fighting separatists backed by Russia in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions since 2014 following Moscow's annexation of the Crimean peninsula.
Moscow and Kiev agreed to implement a ceasefire in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbass during negotiations earlier this month, as a precondition for a broader settlement agreed in the capital of Belarus in 2015.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Sunday welcomed efforts to resolve Ukraine's conflict with Kremlin-backed separatists during a phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin ahead of a ceasefire starting Monday.
More than 13,000 people have been killed since fighting broke out in 2014, despite the peace accords signed in Minsk.
Both Putin and Zelenskiy "welcomed the agreement on a full and comprehensive ceasefire in the Donbass", a statement from the Ukrainian presidency said.
The Kremlin meanwhile underscored the importance of the "unconditional observance of these agreements by the parties to the conflict."
Zelenskiy called for redoubled efforts to secure the release of Ukrainian citizens in the Donbass, Crimea and Russia, according to the Ukrainian statement.
Putin raised concerns over a recent bill in the Ukrainian parliament paving the way for regional elections in 20220, saying it runs "counter to the Minsk agreements" and puts "settlement prospects in jeopardy," the Kremlin said.
Four-way talks between France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine seek the withdrawal of heavy weapons, the restoration of Kiev's control over its borders, wider autonomy for Donetsk and Lugansk, and the holding of local elections.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-26--Russian Election Activists Arrested at Conference

Members of the Russian `` United Democrats '' movement , which campaigns for meaningful elections , were arrested in the @ @ @ @ @ , the group said on Facebook .
Russian special forces seized the members in the @ @ @ @ @ investigate their involvement in terrorism , '' the group said , without giving details .
@ @ @ @ @ the movement 's coordinators , said the arrests took place during a conference on municipal @ @ @ @ @ Berlin-based Transparency International NGO .

Members of the Russian "United Democrats" movement, which campaigns for meaningful elections, were arrested in the western Tatarstan region on Saturday, the group said on Facebook.
Russian special forces seized the members in the Tatarstan capital Kazan "to investigate their involvement in terrorism," the group said, without giving details.
Anastasia Burakova, one of the movement's coordinators, said the arrests took place during a conference on municipal public procurement organised by the Berlin-based Transparency International NGO.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-25--Anger at Kremlin Grows in Latest Massive Russian Far East Protest

KHABAROVSK — Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Russia ’ s Far East for the third Saturday running for the latest rally in an unprecedented protest movement that is gaining momentum and taking on an anti-Kremlin bent .
Now entering their third week , the protests in the Khabarovsk region on the border with China kicked off after the arrest of governor Sergei Furgal earlier this month on several 15-year-old murder charges his supporters believe are politically motivated .
This week the protest movement was spurred on by the Kremlin ’ s decision Tuesday to replace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never lived in the region .
“ They keep spitting in our faces , so we keep coming out , ” said Alexei Potashenko , a 49-year-old small business owner , at the scene of the main rally in the region ’ s capital city of Khabarovsk .
“ It ’ s quickly becoming a new tradition.
” Surprising for Russia ’ s regions both in their scale and longevity , at the heart of the demonstrations is the demand that Khabarovsk ’ s former governor , who is being held in Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Khabarovsk .
Elected in a surprise victory in 2018 on the back of a protest vote as locals became fed up with the ruling United Russia party in the region , Furgal quickly became the so-called “ people ’ s governor.
” His widespread popularity grew after he made several populist moves once in office and helped his far-right Liberal Democratic Party of Russia ( LDPR ) take control of Khabarovsk ’ s city and regional parliaments the next year .
After he was arrested and whisked to Moscow on July 9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets in the region ’ s main city of Khabarovsk , some 6,100 kilometers east of the Russian capital .
Rallies have taken place each day since , with the main demonstrations taking place on Saturdays .
Last Saturday , estimates put the total numbers at about 50,000 in a city with a population of 600,000 .
This Saturday , journalists reporting on the protests from the outset said the day ’ s rally was the largest by far , though estimates varied greatly .
While pro-opposition social media channels placed the total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 6,500 people attended .
Although the protest movement has no clear leaders , protesters told The Moscow Times that up until this week planning in social media chat groups had mostly agreed that they should keep the focus of the rallies on Furgal .
They said that was done partly to avoid confrontation with police , who have so far allowed protesters to gather peacefully .
But after President Vladimir Putin named Mikhail Degtyaryov acting governor to replace Furgal on Monday , the tone of the rallies shifted this week .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because he is from LDPR , but that ’ s not what we were demanding , ” Valery Nechayev , a 23-year-old chef who has been active in protest planning since the beginning of the movement , said on the eve of the Saturday rally .
“ The discussions in the chat groups became much more anti-government this week.
” Two local LDPR deputies quit the party over the decision , while Degtyaryov ’ s early moves have stoked anger among locals .
First the new governor declined an invitation to meet with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their concerns as he ’ s not a local .
Then he blamed the rallies on foreigners , citing evidence he said was provided to him by local law enforcement that they had flown in from Moscow .
And ahead of Saturday ’ s rally , he said he would go on a tour of the rest of the region , explaining the decision by saying , “ There are a lot of people who live in Khabarovsk.
” On Saturday , protesters met in their usual gathering place on Lenin Square in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city center before setting off on a two-hour march in a festive mood .
Music blared from parked cars , protesters handed out snacks and water , and passing cars and public buses honked in support .
As the protesters walked , their chants included “ Furgal was our choice ” to “ shame on LDPR.
” The rally also featured anti-Kremlin slogans like “ Twenty years , no trust , ” a reference to the time Putin has spent in power , and posters saying “ We can ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Mikhail Mishustin promised to allocate 1.3 trillion rubles ( $ 18.2 million ) in federal funding for the region , according to Degtyaryov .
When the march looped back to the square , a smaller group of several hundred protesters gathered in front of the regional administration building .
The chant they repeated most often was “ Putin resign.
” “ The protests have become much more radical , ” said political analyst Alexander Kynev , who attended Saturday ’ s rally .
“ You can sense that the attention is being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spell trouble for the movement down the road .
Already this week , after Degtyaryov was named to the post , there were signs that the authorities may begin to crack down .
Police on Thursday charged two protesters with organizing unsanctioned rallies .
According to Russian law , demonstrations have to be agreed in advance with the authorities , who have not approved any of the Khabarovsk rallies .
And opposition activists in the region linked with Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and exiled oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky ’ s Open Russia pro-democracy movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activists blamed the attacks on the authorities .
Even Furgal , before being replaced as governor , appeared to be trying to help tamp down protests through a message via his legal representation .
“ Sergei Furgal has nothing to do with the demonstrations of residents of Khabarovsk , ” his lawyer said last week .
“ He thanks them , but today in court he said he does not approve of these mass actions.
” But for some protesters , the movement ’ s demands have already evolved .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Irina Androsova , a 57-year-old shop clerk , noting that the election of the former governor himself had been for many people a way to express their disagreement with the status quo .
“ This is discontent about everything that is finally boiling over .
”

KHABAROVSK — Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Russia’s Far East for the third Saturday running for the latest rally in an unprecedented protest movement that is gaining momentum and taking on an anti-Kremlin bent. Now entering their third week, the protests in the Khabarovsk region on the border with China kicked off after the arrest of governor Sergei Furgal earlier this month on several 15-year-old murder charges his supporters believe are politically motivated. This week the protest movement was spurred on by the Kremlin’s decision Tuesday to replace Furgal with a new governor who has never lived in the region. “They keep spitting in our faces, so we keep coming out,” said Alexei Potashenko, a 49-year-old small business owner, at the scene of the main rally in the region’s capital city of Khabarovsk. “It’s quickly becoming a new tradition.” Surprising for Russia’s regions both in their scale and longevity, at the heart of the demonstrations is the demand that Khabarovsk’s former governor, who is being held in Moscow, stand trial — with witnesses — in Khabarovsk. Elected in a surprise victory in 2018 on the back of a protest vote as locals became fed up with the ruling United Russia party in the region, Furgal quickly became the so-called “people’s governor.” His widespread popularity grew after he made several populist moves once in office and helped his far-right Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) take control of Khabarovsk’s city and regional parliaments the next year.
After he was arrested and whisked to Moscow on July 9, about 40,000 people took to the streets in the region’s main city of Khabarovsk, some 6,100 kilometers east of the Russian capital. Rallies have taken place each day since, with the main demonstrations taking place on Saturdays. Last Saturday, estimates put the total numbers at about 50,000 in a city with a population of 600,000. This Saturday, journalists reporting on the protests from the outset said the day’s rally was the largest by far, though estimates varied greatly. While pro-opposition social media channels placed the total at around 90,000, Khabarovsk authorities said that 6,500 people attended. Although the protest movement has no clear leaders, protesters told The Moscow Times that up until this week planning in social media chat groups had mostly agreed that they should keep the focus of the rallies on Furgal. They said that was done partly to avoid confrontation with police, who have so far allowed protesters to gather peacefully. But after President Vladimir Putin named Mikhail Degtyaryov acting governor to replace Furgal on Monday, the tone of the rallies shifted this week. “They thought it would calm us down because he is from LDPR, but that’s not what we were demanding,” Valery Nechayev, a 23-year-old chef who has been active in protest planning since the beginning of the movement, said on the eve of the Saturday rally. “The discussions in the chat groups became much more anti-government this week.”
At the heart of the protest movement is a demand that former governor Sergei Furgal's trial on murder charges be held in Khabarovsk. Evan Gershkovich / MT
Two local LDPR deputies quit the party over the decision, while Degtyaryov’s early moves have stoked anger among locals. First the new governor declined an invitation to meet with protesters, who had demanded he hear their concerns as he’s not a local. Then he blamed the rallies on foreigners, citing evidence he said was provided to him by local law enforcement that they had flown in from Moscow. And ahead of Saturday’s rally, he said he would go on a tour of the rest of the region, explaining the decision by saying, “There are a lot of people who live in Khabarovsk.” On Saturday, protesters met in their usual gathering place on Lenin Square in front of the regional administration building in the city center before setting off on a two-hour march in a festive mood. Music blared from parked cars, protesters handed out snacks and water, and passing cars and public buses honked in support. As the protesters walked, their chants included “Furgal was our choice” to “shame on LDPR.” The rally also featured anti-Kremlin slogans like “Twenty years, no trust,” a reference to the time Putin has spent in power, and posters saying “We can’t be bought.” Earlier this week, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin promised to allocate 1.3 trillion rubles ($18.2 million) in federal funding for the region, according to Degtyaryov. When the march looped back to the square, a smaller group of several hundred protesters gathered in front of the regional administration building. The chant they repeated most often was “Putin resign.” “The protests have become much more radical,” said political analyst Alexander Kynev, who attended Saturday’s rally. “You can sense that the attention is being turned to the president.”


themoscowtimes--2020-07-28--Coronavirus Travel Bans Push Russians to Seek Foreign Passports

“ We are seeing an unprecedented boom in Russian interest in programs that allow them to obtain a residence permit abroad , ” Forbes quoted Marina Shalayeva , director of foreign real estate and private investment at Knight Frank , as saying .
Demand for foreign residence permits was up 20 % in March-May 2020 compared with the same period last year , Forbes reported , citing data from the Knight Frank real estate consultancy and the UFG wealth management firm .
Russians have been trying to obtain foreign passports and residence permits in unprecedented numbers since the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
Demand for residence permits is highest in the European Union , where Russians are currently banned from entering due to their home country ’ s handling of the coronavirus , Forbes cited Knight Frank ’ s data as saying .
Portugal is the most popular EU country among Russians .
“ During the pandemic , a residence permit and citizenship , unlike visas , could provide an opportunity to enter these countries , ” Forbes wrote .
Russians ’ demand for “ golden passports ” is up in countries with relatively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cyprus .
Countries in the Caribbean are also popular among Russians after many of them slashed the minimum investment required to obtain a passport when the coronavirus hit the region ’ s tourism industry .
This demand is set to continue rising in the fall as countries continue to reopen their borders to international travel , Forbes reported .
A similar spike in demand for foreign passports among Russians was recorded in 2014 , after Russia ’ s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and role in the conflict in eastern Ukraine led to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Forbes cited a senior Russian wealth management partner as saying .

“We are seeing an unprecedented boom in Russian interest in programs that allow them to obtain a residence permit abroad,” Forbes quoted Marina Shalayeva, director of foreign real estate and private investment at Knight Frank, as saying.
Demand for foreign residence permits was up 20% in March-May 2020 compared with the same period last year, Forbes reported, citing data from the Knight Frank real estate consultancy and the UFG wealth management firm.
Russians have been trying to obtain foreign passports and residence permits in unprecedented numbers since the coronavirus pandemic shut borders worldwide, Forbes Russia reported Monday.
Demand for residence permits is highest in the European Union, where Russians are currently banned from entering due to their home country’s handling of the coronavirus, Forbes cited Knight Frank’s data as saying. Portugal is the most popular EU country among Russians.
“During the pandemic, a residence permit and citizenship, unlike visas, could provide an opportunity to enter these countries,” Forbes wrote.
Russians’ demand for “golden passports” is up in countries with relatively cheap citizenship-for-investment programs such as Malta and Cyprus. Countries in the Caribbean are also popular among Russians after many of them slashed the minimum investment required to obtain a passport when the coronavirus hit the region’s tourism industry.
This demand is set to continue rising in the fall as countries continue to reopen their borders to international travel, Forbes reported.
A similar spike in demand for foreign passports among Russians was recorded in 2014, after Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and role in the conflict in eastern Ukraine led to a wave of sanctions from the West, Forbes cited a senior Russian wealth management partner as saying.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-28--Nearly Half of Russians Support Anti-Kremlin Protests in Far East – Poll

Mass protests broke out this month after the arrest of the Khabarovsk region ’ s popular governor Sergei Furgal and his replacement with a Putin-appointed lawmaker from an outside region .
People have taken to the streets of Khabarovsk near the Chinese border for 18 days in a row , marking an unprecedented show of opposition to the Kremlin in the region .
Nearly half of Russians say they approve of a recent wave of anti-Kremlin protests in the Far East , according to an independent Levada Center poll published Tuesday .
Forty-five percent of Russians surveyed by Levada said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s poll said .
Just 17 % of respondents said they view the protests negatively , while 26 % said they view them with neutrality .
When asked whether they would take part in similar protests in their own region , 29 % of respondents said they would .
Levada conducted the survey among 1,617 Russian respondents on July 24-25 .
The results come weeks after Russian voters approved a set of constitutional amendments that would allow President Vladimir Putin to extend his rule until 2036 in a highly controversial plebiscite .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russians are increasingly expressing a willingness to protest as public trust in Putin falls .

Mass protests broke out this month after the arrest of the Khabarovsk region’s popular governor Sergei Furgal and his replacement with a Putin-appointed lawmaker from an outside region. People have taken to the streets of Khabarovsk near the Chinese border for 18 days in a row, marking an unprecedented show of opposition to the Kremlin in the region.
Nearly half of Russians say they approve of a recent wave of anti-Kremlin protests in the Far East, according to an independent Levada Center poll published Tuesday.
Forty-five percent of Russians surveyed by Levada said they view the protests positively, Levada’s poll said.
Just 17% of respondents said they view the protests negatively, while 26% said they view them with neutrality.
When asked whether they would take part in similar protests in their own region, 29% of respondents said they would.
Levada conducted the survey among 1,617 Russian respondents on July 24-25.
The results come weeks after Russian voters approved a set of constitutional amendments that would allow President Vladimir Putin to extend his rule until 2036 in a highly controversial plebiscite.
Another Levada poll conducted in June said Russians are increasingly expressing a willingness to protest as public trust in Putin falls.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-28--Jailed Russian Ex-Journalist Safronov Isolated With Suspected Coronavirus

Safronov was arrested this month shortly after leaving his decade-long journalism career to become a media adviser to Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ was placed in pre-trial detention in Moscow ’ s Lefortovo prison and now faces up @ @ @ @ @ in a closed trial .
Ivan Safronov , a former journalist arrested on treason charges @ @ @ @ @ jail with suspected coronavirus , prison watchdog representatives told Interfax on Monday .
`` Safronov @ @ @ @ @ separate cell at Lefortovo due to suspected coronavirus , '' Public Monitoring Commission ( PMC @ @ @ @ @ Interfax .
The head of the Moscow chapter of the PMC told Interfax that Safronov @ @ @ @ @ illness and that “ he feels fine ” overall .
Safronov ’ s case has @ @ @ @ @ who link his arrest to his past reporting on Russian defense matters .
Since the @ @ @ @ @ groups have called on Russian officials to give amnesty to prisoners , warning that the @ @ @ @ @ poorly ventilated prisons have high potential for becoming coronavirus hotspots .

Safronov was arrested this month shortly after leaving his decade-long journalism career to become a media adviser to Russia’s space chief. He was placed in pre-trial detention in Moscow’s Lefortovo prison and now faces up to 20 years in prison in a closed trial.
Ivan Safronov, a former journalist arrested on treason charges, has been isolated in jail with suspected coronavirus, prison watchdog representatives told Interfax on Monday.
"Safronov has been isolated in a separate cell at Lefortovo due to suspected coronavirus," Public Monitoring Commission (PMC) member Eva Merkacheva told Interfax.
The head of the Moscow chapter of the PMC told Interfax that Safronov showed one symptom of the illness and that “he feels fine” overall.
Safronov’s case has sparked outcry among journalists, who link his arrest to his past reporting on Russian defense matters.
Since the start of the pandemic rights groups have called on Russian officials to give amnesty to prisoners, warning that the country’s crowded, poorly ventilated prisons have high potential for becoming coronavirus hotspots.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-28--EU Borders Closed to Russians Until Mid-August – TASS

The European Union will remain closed to Russian citizens until at least mid-August , the state-run TASS news agency reported Tuesday , citing a source in one of the EU member states ' delegations .
After three months of being closed to nonessential travel , the EU reopened its borders on July 1 to visitors from countries that were considered to have controlled their coronavirus outbreaks .
The EU is set to announce its updated “ white list ” of permitted countries in the coming days .
`` Russia will not be included in this list yet .
Unfortunately , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' TASS cited its source as saying .
Countries around the world are grappling with how to reopen to international travel after the coronavirus pandemic shuttered borders and slammed the global tourism industry .
Russia has not yet reopened its borders to all foreigners but is currently in talks with 30 countries on resuming international flights .
Starting Aug. 1 , Russia will resume flights with Britain , Turkey and Tanzania .
Officials have said that Russia would adhere to the principles of reciprocity in reopening its airspace , meaning that other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order for Russia to accept theirs .

The European Union will remain closed to Russian citizens until at least mid-August, the state-run TASS news agency reported Tuesday, citing a source in one of the EU member states' delegations.
After three months of being closed to nonessential travel, the EU reopened its borders on July 1 to visitors from countries that were considered to have controlled their coronavirus outbreaks. The EU is set to announce its updated “white list” of permitted countries in the coming days.
"Russia will not be included in this list yet. Unfortunately, statistics say that it is too early," TASS cited its source as saying.
Countries around the world are grappling with how to reopen to international travel after the coronavirus pandemic shuttered borders and slammed the global tourism industry.
Russia has not yet reopened its borders to all foreigners but is currently in talks with 30 countries on resuming international flights. Starting Aug. 1, Russia will resume flights with Britain, Turkey and Tanzania.
Officials have said that Russia would adhere to the principles of reciprocity in reopening its airspace, meaning that other countries would need to accept Russian citizens in order for Russia to accept theirs.