themoscowtimes--2020-03-11--Russians Start Hoarding Food Over Coronavirus Fears

A total of 20 coronavirus cases have been reported in Russia , most of whom had recently returned from Italy , since the Covid-19 outbreak began in neighboring China in December .
Demand for surgical masks has surged after Russia reported its first coronavirus case in late January , leading Russia to ban exports of the masks last week .
Russian consumers have begun panic-buying non-perishable food products over fears of the coronavirus pandemic , the Vedomosti business daily has reported .
Demand also rose sharply for household chemicals , soap and personal hygiene products in February , online stores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of Russia ’ s largest online retailers , reported a 241 % year-on-year increase in the sales of wet wipes , 185 % for regular wipes and 175 % for toilet paper .
Goods.ru reported a fivefold increase in the sales of household chemicals and a fourfold increase for non-perishables and water , according to Vedomosti .
Another major online marketplace Utkonos reported a 67 % sales increase of canned goods and a 55 % sales increase in groceries including cereals and pasta .
Traditional retailers including Auchan , X5 , Magnit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attributed their sales increases to public holidays observed in Russia .
However , the retailers are reportedly preparing for a coronavirus-fueled buying spree with requests for additional deliveries from household chemical manufacturers .
Psychologists told Vedomosti that panic-buying creates the illusion of control for consumers and stems from fear of the unknown and mistrust of the state .

A total of 20 coronavirus cases have been reported in Russia, most of whom had recently returned from Italy, since the Covid-19 outbreak began in neighboring China in December. Demand for surgical masks has surged after Russia reported its first coronavirus case in late January, leading Russia to ban exports of the masks last week.
Russian consumers have begun panic-buying non-perishable food products over fears of the coronavirus pandemic, the Vedomosti business daily has reported .
Demand also rose sharply for household chemicals, soap and personal hygiene products in February, online stores told Vedomosti on Saturday.
Wildberries, one of Russia’s largest online retailers, reported a 241% year-on-year increase in the sales of wet wipes, 185% for regular wipes and 175% for toilet paper.
Goods.ru reported a fivefold increase in the sales of household chemicals and a fourfold increase for non-perishables and water, according to Vedomosti.
Another major online marketplace Utkonos reported a 67% sales increase of canned goods and a 55% sales increase in groceries including cereals and pasta.
Traditional retailers including Auchan, X5, Magnit and Lenta denied a buying boom and attributed their sales increases to public holidays observed in Russia. However, the retailers are reportedly preparing for a coronavirus-fueled buying spree with requests for additional deliveries from household chemical manufacturers.
Psychologists told Vedomosti that panic-buying creates the illusion of control for consumers and stems from fear of the unknown and mistrust of the state.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-10--Trump Has Told Russia He Cannot Visit for Victory Day in May, Kremlin Says

Putin presides over an annual parade on May 9 to commemorate the Soviet Union 's World War Two victory over Nazi Germany and uses the occasion to show off the country 's military hardware .
The Kremlin said on Tuesday that the United States had told Moscow that U.S. President Donald Trump would not travel to Russia to mark Victory Day on May 9 .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Moscow did not yet know who would represent the United States at the commemorative event .
Trump had wrestled with the decision on whether to go , U.S. officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but faced pressure from advisers not to embark on such a journey .
The first two years of Trump 's presidency were consumed with an investigation into whether his presidential campaign colluded with Russia in 2016 .
Trump survived the Russia probe , only to be impeached by the Democratic-led House of Representatives for seeking to pressure Ukraine into investigating Democratic rival Joe Biden .
The Republican-led Senate acquitted him of the allegations in February .
While Trump has maintained sanctions on Russia , he has faced criticism from Democrats over what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who the president says he wants to get along with .
Former National Security Council Russia expert Fiona Hill told CBS ' `` 60 Minutes '' in an interview broadcast on Sunday that Trump has a reason for not criticizing Putin .
`` President Trump understands that President Putin does not like to be insulted .
Putin takes it very personally .
He harbors a grudge .
He does n't forget .
And he will find some way of getting some degree of revenge , '' she said .

Putin presides over an annual parade on May 9 to commemorate the Soviet Union's World War Two victory over Nazi Germany and uses the occasion to show off the country's military hardware.
The Kremlin said on Tuesday that the United States had told Moscow that U.S. President Donald Trump would not travel to Russia to mark Victory Day on May 9.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Moscow did not yet know who would represent the United States at the commemorative event.
Trump had wrestled with the decision on whether to go, U.S. officials said. He had wanted to go but faced pressure from advisers not to embark on such a journey.
The first two years of Trump's presidency were consumed with an investigation into whether his presidential campaign colluded with Russia in 2016.
Trump survived the Russia probe, only to be impeached by the Democratic-led House of Representatives for seeking to pressure Ukraine into investigating Democratic rival Joe Biden. The Republican-led Senate acquitted him of the allegations in February.
While Trump has maintained sanctions on Russia, he has faced criticism from Democrats over what they consider a softer attitude toward Putin, who the president says he wants to get along with.
Former National Security Council Russia expert Fiona Hill told CBS' "60 Minutes" in an interview broadcast on Sunday that Trump has a reason for not criticizing Putin.
"President Trump understands that President Putin does not like to be insulted. Putin takes it very personally. He harbors a grudge. He doesn't forget. And he will find some way of getting some degree of revenge," she said.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-13--Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | March 13

There have been 35 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far .
As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 4,000 people continues to spread around the world , Russia has stepped up measures to tackle the pandemic , including closing most entry points along its 4,200-kilometer border with China , ordering people returning from high-risk areas to self-quarantine and temporarily banning Chinese citizens from entering the country .
The number of coronavirus infections in Russia as of March 12 .
Below are the latest updates on Russia ’ s response to the coronavirus — Russia confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the total to 35 , the state-run TASS news agency reported .
The woman lives in the Leningrad region .
— St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region banned events with more than 1,000 people .
— The Kremlin told journalists who cover President Vladimir Putin to stay away from official events if they felt unwell as a precautionary measure to protect Kremlin staff from the coronavirus .
— Polish President Andrzej Duda will not travel to Russia next month due to the coronavirus , missing ceremonies marking the 10-year anniversary of a plane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ central bank chief and military commanders .
— Russia 's border will temporarily be closed to Italian citizens and foreigners traveling from Italy starting today as Italy continues to grapple with the worst coronavirus outbreak in Europe .
— Russia has confirmed six new cases of coronavirus , bringing the total number of cases to 34 , Interfax reported , citing the country 's coronavirus crisis center .
Four of the new cases are in Moscow , one in Krasnodar and one in Kaliningrad .
— The Moscow region 's governor has announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the region due to the coronavirus , banning all large events over 5,000 people and encouraging companies to allow their employees to telecommute .
The remote-working measures do not apply to the city of Moscow , home to 12 million people .
— A joint Russian-European mission to Mars has been postponed for two years , the Russian and European space agencies said Thursday , citing the coronavirus and technical issues .
— A religious procession in central Russia aimed at fighting the coronavirus has been canceled due to the threat of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students in Moscow will be deported from Russia because they violated their self-quarantine orders , the Kommersant business daily reported .
— Russian scientists say they have developed a device that can test for coronavirus in 15 minutes , the state-run TASS news agency reported .
The device could be made available to consumers as early as this autumn .
— State Duma lawmaker Sergei Katasonov did not self-quarantine after returning from France and was present at work for several days before his colleagues told him to go home , libertarian party leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who leads the party Katasonov belongs to , proposed stripping him of his parliamentary powers as punishment .
— The World Health Organization declared that the coronavirus is a pandemic as the number of cases worldwide surpassed 112,000 in 114 different countries .
— Russia will suspend most flights to and from Italy , Germany , France and Spain over the coronavirus outbreak , starting from Friday , Russia 's coronavirus crisis center said in a statement .
Russia will also stop issuing tourist visas to Italian citizens to prevent a spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia rose to 28 from 20 on Wednesday and all the people tested positive in the last day had previously traveled to Italy , according to the coronavirus crisis center 's statement .
— Moscow has banned large events of more than 5,000 people until April 10 in a move to prevent the spread of the virus , Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said in a decree .
The ban applies to `` sports , entertainment , public and other mass events , '' the decree says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the health crisis as an excuse to prevent people from protesting President Vladimir Putin 's constitutional reforms that could allow him to stay in power past his term limit .
— Thailand has suspended visas on arrival for citizens of 18 countries including Russia in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus .
— State Duma Deputy Speaker Pyotr Tolstoy is isolating himself in self-quarantine after returning to Moscow from Paris , he wrote on Facebook , adding that he is `` completely healthy '' and will work from home .
— @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moscow International Security Conference due to the threat of coronavirus , the RBC news website reported .
The defense and international affairs conference , which would have been attended by more than 1,000 delegates from 115 countries , had been scheduled for April 22-23 .
— Russia 's consumer safety watchdog recommended that people avoid public transport , shopping malls and other public places at rush hour as a precaution against the coronavirus , the state-run RIA news agency reported .
`` Refrain from visiting public places : shopping centers , sports and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the Rospotrebnadzor watchdog was quoted as saying .
— Another three people in Moscow have been diagnosed with coronavirus overnight , the RBC news website reported , citing a report from city officials it obtained .
The three individuals had recently visited Italy .
—Moscow city authorities threatened prison terms of up to five years for people failing to self-isolate in their homes for two weeks after visiting countries hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak .
— Russia confirmed four new cases of coronavirus , taking the total number to 17 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
— Russia has reported six new cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours , including five in Moscow and one in Nizhny Novgorod 400 kilometers east of the capital .
All six cases were contracted in Italy , one of several virus hubs outside China , the authorities said .
— Russian officials have conducted more than 51,000 tests for the coronavirus nationwide , the consumer protection watchdog said .
— Seven Russian passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship who were placed in a two-week quarantine in Russia 's Far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantined patients are awaiting test results .
— Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced a “ high alert regime , ” ordering self-isolation for Russians returning from China , South Korea , Iran , France , Germany , Italy and Spain .
—Russia canceled its flagship annual St Petersburg International Economic Forum this year as a precaution against coronavirus , the Interfax news agency cited First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov as saying .
The forum , usually chaired by President Vladimir Putin , was due to be held in St. Petersburg on June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it would suspend its flights to and from Hong Kong amid fears over coronavirus .
The airline will continue flying from Moscow to Hong Kong until March 7 and from Hong Kong to Moscow until March 8 , after which those services will be suspended .
— Moscow authorities have drafted an emergency plan that envisions a near shutdown of the Russian capital in case of a coronavirus outbreak .
— Officials confirmed a seventh coronavirus infection in the country .
The patient is an Italian citizen who had arrived to Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help on March 2 and tested positive for the virus .
He is being treated at an undisclosed hospital .
— Russian businesses have started to cancel foreign business trips and participation in international conferences after a recommendation from the Health Ministry to restrict foreign travel .
— Students at a university dormitary in St. Petersburg have been placed under quarantine and prohibited from leaving the building after the hospitalization of an Italian exchange student who had been living there .
The number of patients in the city that are being monitored for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people .
— Two Russian citizens have been diagnosed with the coronavirus in the United Arab Emirates , the country 's health ministry said .
— Russia has temporarily banned the export of medical masks , gloves , bandages and protective suits .
— President Vladimir Putin said that fake news reports about coronavirus were being sent to Russia from abroad to spread panic .
He urged the government to ensure that citizens were correctly informed about the situation in Russia .
— Russian gas giant Gazprom has suspended foreign trips for its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a company spokesman said .
— The Moscow metro has begun random checks of passengers ' temperatures at station entrances , Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said .

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


themoscowtimes--2020-03-13--Russia’s Regional Governments Back Changes Allowing Putin to Extend His Rule

All of Russia 's 85 regional parliaments have voted in favor of a package of constitutional amendments that would allow Vladimir Putin to remain president until 2036 , the state-run RIA news agency cited senior Russian lawmaker Andrei Klishas as saying Friday .
The development comes days after Putin appeared at the State Duma to voice his support for an amendment that would allow him to reset his terms and seek the presidency two more times .
The move came as part of sweeping constitutional changes that Putin first announced in January and many saw as a ploy by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of his term limit in 2024 .
Both houses of Russia ’ s national parliament have since backed the new amendment and a majority of regional parliaments endorsed it Thursday , sufficient for it to move to the next stage of the approval process .
But Klishas was cited as saying that every single one of Russia 's 85 regional parliaments had now said yes .
`` The Federation Council [ upper house of parliament ] has received the results of voting in all 85 regional parliaments , '' said Klishas .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ RIA cited him as saying .

All of Russia's 85 regional parliaments have voted in favor of a package of constitutional amendments that would allow Vladimir Putin to remain president until 2036, the state-run RIA news agency cited senior Russian lawmaker Andrei Klishas as saying Friday.
The development comes days after Putin appeared at the State Duma to voice his support for an amendment that would allow him to reset his terms and seek the presidency two more times. The move came as part of sweeping constitutional changes that Putin first announced in January and many saw as a ploy by the Russian leader to retain power beyond the end of his term limit in 2024.
Both houses of Russia’s national parliament have since backed the new amendment and a majority of regional parliaments endorsed it Thursday, sufficient for it to move to the next stage of the approval process.
But Klishas was cited as saying that every single one of Russia's 85 regional parliaments had now said yes.
"The Federation Council [ upper house of parliament] has received the results of voting in all 85 regional parliaments," said Klishas. "They are all positive," RIA cited him as saying.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-13--Facebook, Twitter Remove Russia-Linked Accounts in Ghana Targeting U.S.

Facebook told reporters that the network , which it removed from Facebook and Instagram for engaging in foreign interference , was in the early stages of building audiences and was operated by local nationals , some wittingly and some unwittingly , on behalf of individuals in Russia .
Facebook and Twitter said on Thursday they had taken down a network of Russian-linked fake accounts operated out of Ghana and Nigeria which targeted the United States .
Facebook said its investigation found links to an NGO in Ghana called EBLA , or `` Eliminating Barriers to the Liberation of Africa , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Russia 's Internet Research Agency ( IRA ) , a St. Petersburg-based `` troll factory '' that U.S. intelligence officials say aimed to interfere in the U.S. presidential election in 2016 .
The accounts in the new takedown managed Facebook pages posing as nongovernmental organizations ( NGOs ) or personal blogs , or posting in Facebook groups .
They focused on topics such as black history , black excellence and fashion , celebrity gossip , U.S. news and LGBTQ issues .
They also shared negative content about oppression and police brutality .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ghana and Nigeria claimed they belonged to people in the United States such as in Brooklyn or New Orleans .
One account posed in a Facebook group as the cousin of an African American who died in police custody .
`` This activity did not appear to focus on elections , or promote or denigrate political candidates , '' Facebook said in a blog post .
Facebook 's head of cybersecurity policy , Nathaniel Gleicher , told reporters on a conference call that the network 's technique appeared `` to be attempting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working for it on the ground in Ghana as a way to build legitimacy for their narratives and use that to message out . ''
EBLA 's website says it is `` a network of strong advocates of human rights '' and `` employs the cyber activism approach . ''
CNN , which went to EBLA 's headquarters in Ghana , reported that Ghanaian security services had raided the EBLA compound in February .
EBLA did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment .
Twitter characterized the accounts , many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as `` attempting to sow discord by engaging in conversations about social issues , like race and civil rights . ''
Social media companies are under pressure to police foreign and domestic misinformation on their platforms , particularly since U.S. intelligence officials said that Russia used social media platforms for an influence operation aimed at electing President Donald Trump — a claim that Moscow has denied .
Reuters reported that U.S. intelligence and security officials this week were scheduled to tell Congress that Russian social media efforts were currently more directed at stirring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group rivalries and tensions between police and local communities , rather than promoting specific U.S. presidential candidates .
In a statement on Thursday , House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said , `` The potential use of cutouts on another continent meant to mask Russian connections is a startling signal that our adversaries continue to pursue new and inventive ways to cover their tracks and evade detection . ''
In this latest takedown , which was relatively small , the companies removed 49 Facebook accounts , 69 Facebook pages , 85 Instagram accounts @ @ @ @ @

Facebook told reporters that the network, which it removed from Facebook and Instagram for engaging in foreign interference, was in the early stages of building audiences and was operated by local nationals, some wittingly and some unwittingly, on behalf of individuals in Russia.
Facebook and Twitter said on Thursday they had taken down a network of Russian-linked fake accounts operated out of Ghana and Nigeria which targeted the United States.
Facebook said its investigation found links to an NGO in Ghana called EBLA, or "Eliminating Barriers to the Liberation of Africa," and individuals associated with past activity by Russia's Internet Research Agency (IRA), a St. Petersburg-based "troll factory" that U.S. intelligence officials say aimed to interfere in the U.S. presidential election in 2016.
The accounts in the new takedown managed Facebook pages posing as nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) or personal blogs, or posting in Facebook groups. They focused on topics such as black history, black excellence and fashion, celebrity gossip, U.S. news and LGBTQ issues. They also shared negative content about oppression and police brutality.
A CNN investigation found that accounts in Ghana and Nigeria claimed they belonged to people in the United States such as in Brooklyn or New Orleans. One account posed in a Facebook group as the cousin of an African American who died in police custody.
"This activity did not appear to focus on elections, or promote or denigrate political candidates," Facebook said in a blog post.
Facebook's head of cybersecurity policy, Nathaniel Gleicher, told reporters on a conference call that the network's technique appeared "to be attempting to create an NGO that had real-world people working for it on the ground in Ghana as a way to build legitimacy for their narratives and use that to message out."
EBLA's website says it is "a network of strong advocates of human rights" and "employs the cyber activism approach." CNN, which went to EBLA's headquarters in Ghana, reported that Ghanaian security services had raided the EBLA compound in February. EBLA did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Twitter characterized the accounts, many of which were created in July 2019, as "attempting to sow discord by engaging in conversations about social issues, like race and civil rights."
Social media companies are under pressure to police foreign and domestic misinformation on their platforms, particularly since U.S. intelligence officials said that Russia used social media platforms for an influence operation aimed at electing President Donald Trump — a claim that Moscow has denied.
Reuters reported that U.S. intelligence and security officials this week were scheduled to tell Congress that Russian social media efforts were currently more directed at stirring up social divides over issues like ethnic group rivalries and tensions between police and local communities, rather than promoting specific U.S. presidential candidates.
In a statement on Thursday, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said, "The potential use of cutouts on another continent meant to mask Russian connections is a startling signal that our adversaries continue to pursue new and inventive ways to cover their tracks and evade detection."
In this latest takedown, which was relatively small, the companies removed 49 Facebook accounts, 69 Facebook pages, 85 Instagram accounts and 71 Twitter accounts.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-13--Russian LGBT Activist Faces Porn Trial for Vagina Drawings

Yulia Tsvetkova posted delicate drawings and embroidered images of vulvas on a social media page called `` Vagina Monologues '' that she hoped would help lift the taboo on women 's bodies .
Instead , the Russian artist and campaigner for women 's and LGBT rights has been put under house arrest for the posts .
Since she was detained in November , the 26-year-old has been waiting to stand trial for distributing pornography online , a charge which carries a jail term of between two and six years .
In Russia , distributing pornography is illegal and the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing on extending her house arrest on Monday .
Her case has prompted international attention , with Amnesty International last month declaring her a prisoner of conscience facing `` absurd charges . ''
She said that judgement was important to her , because many people had suggested it was her fault she was slapped with the `` shameful '' charge .
`` It gives me confirmation that yes , my case is politically motivated , '' she said by phone from her home in the Far East city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur .
Tsvetkova believes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a pretext for cracking down on activists , particularly in the LGBT community , because it is easy to pin on people and carries a long sentence .
By comparison , Russia 's legislation on gay propaganda to minors , which has been used to prevent numerous gay pride events , carries a maximum sentence of 15 days in police cells .
Recent constitutional amendments proposed by President Vladimir Putin and backed by parliament include a clause that marriage can only be between a man and a woman .

Yulia Tsvetkova posted delicate drawings and embroidered images of vulvas on a social media page called "Vagina Monologues" that she hoped would help lift the taboo on women's bodies. Instead, the Russian artist and campaigner for women's and LGBT rights has been put under house arrest for the posts. Since she was detained in November, the 26-year-old has been waiting to stand trial for distributing pornography online, a charge which carries a jail term of between two and six years. In Russia, distributing pornography is illegal and the law is regularly enforced. She has a hearing on extending her house arrest on Monday. Her case has prompted international attention, with Amnesty International last month declaring her a prisoner of conscience facing "absurd charges." She said that judgement was important to her, because many people had suggested it was her fault she was slapped with the "shameful" charge. "It gives me confirmation that yes, my case is politically motivated," she said by phone from her home in the Far East city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur. Tsvetkova believes the authorities are using the pornography charge as a pretext for cracking down on activists, particularly in the LGBT community, because it is easy to pin on people and carries a long sentence. By comparison, Russia's legislation on gay propaganda to minors, which has been used to prevent numerous gay pride events, carries a maximum sentence of 15 days in police cells. Although Russia decriminalised homosexuality in 1993, homophobia remains widely socially acceptable. Recent constitutional amendments proposed by President Vladimir Putin and backed by parliament include a clause that marriage can only be between a man and a woman.
news Russian LGBT Activist Receives Dutch Asylum After Police Threats Read more
Another LGBT activist in the nearby city of Khabarovsk, Sergei Arnautov, has been arrested on the same pornography charge for allegedly posting gay porn videos on a social media account, according to Russian television. "It's possible that there is a new method in the Far East — if they can 'close' a case with this charge, they will try in other cities," Tsvetkova says. Her lawyer Yakov Pushkaryov said he had often defended people charged with pornography but this was the first time the defendant was an activist. He said he couldn't comment on the likelihood of Tsvetkova being convicted but said "we are doing all we can to prevent this." The charge has also been used against a transgender woman called Michelle in the western Bryansk region who was sentenced to three years over posts of drawings allegedly showing naked minors. The courts threw out the verdict and ordered a retrial. For Tsvetkova, the pornography charge is a major escalation after she was twice prosecuted for "propaganda" of gay values to minors. The first charge came over a children's show she directed called "Blue and Pink," which criticised gender stereotypes, and the second was for a social media post of a drawing of same-sex couples with children. Tsvetkova says she is one of just a handful of activists in her city, which is best known for producing military aircraft. She previously hosted readings, lectures and a children's theatre at a community centre which she eventually closed under pressure last year. She also kept a feminist blog and worked on sex education for children, offered support for LGBT teenagers and held showings for a LGBT film festival.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-07--Russia Confirms 4 New Coronavirus Cases

Russia Confirms 4 New Coronavirus Cases

Four new cases of coronavirus have been identified in Russia , the state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported Saturday .
@ @ @ @ @ total number of people who have been infected with coronavirus in Russia to 17 , @ @ @ @ @ recovered .
Three of the four live in Lipetsk , a city 460 kilometers south @ @ @ @ @ in Russia ’ s second-largest city St. Petersburg .
Authorities said all four had returned @ @ @ @ @ where there are almost 4,000 confirmed cases of the virus , in the last two @ @ @ @ @ mandatory screening of new arrivals from Italy at its airports , and Moscow city has @ @ @ @ @ from some of the most-affected countries to self-quarantine for 14 days .
The city is @ @ @ @ @ recognition cameras to monitor new arrivals and ensure they stick to the quarantine instructions .

Four new cases of coronavirus have been identified in Russia, the state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported Saturday.
The new cases take the total number of people who have been infected with coronavirus in Russia to 17, three of whom have since recovered.
Three of the four live in Lipetsk, a city 460 kilometers south of Moscow, with one in Russia’s second-largest city St. Petersburg.
Authorities said all four had returned to Russia from Italy, where there are almost 4,000 confirmed cases of the virus, in the last two weeks.
Russia has introduced mandatory screening of new arrivals from Italy at its airports, and Moscow city has ordered anybody coming to Russia from some of the most-affected countries to self-quarantine for 14 days. The city is using its network of facial recognition cameras to monitor new arrivals and ensure they stick to the quarantine instructions.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-13--Russia to Limit Flights With Europe From Monday

Russia is limiting flights with Europe from Monday to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic , Moscow said Friday @ @ @ @ @ said the restrictions were being imposed `` to ensure state security , protect public health @ @ @ @ @ new coronavirus infection in Russia , '' according to a statement online .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ limit passenger air traffic '' from just after midnight Moscow time on March 16 , @ @ @ @ @ are `` from the territory of the Russian Federation to the territory of the Member @ @ @ @ @ and in the opposite direction , '' it said without fully spelling out what the @ @ @ @ @ and from non-EU countries Norway and Switzerland are included in the new limits .
But @ @ @ @ @ cities and Moscow are exempt from the restrictions , as well as flights to and @ @ @ @ @

Russia is limiting flights with Europe from Monday to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, Moscow said Friday.
The state health regulator said the restrictions were being imposed "to ensure state security, protect public health and prevent the spread of new coronavirus infection in Russia," according to a statement online.
"The operational headquarters decided to temporarily limit passenger air traffic" from just after midnight Moscow time on March 16, it said.
The restrictions are "from the territory of the Russian Federation to the territory of the Member States of the European Union and in the opposite direction," it said without fully spelling out what the restrictions were.
Flights to and from non-EU countries Norway and Switzerland are included in the new limits.
But air services between EU capital cities and Moscow are exempt from the restrictions, as well as flights to and from Oslo and Geneva.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-13--How Russia Is Responding to the Coronavirus: Cameras, Deportations and Skepticism

As the coronavirus has run rampant around the world in recent weeks , bringing countries from Iran to Italy to a near halt , Russia has watched with bated breath .
But perhaps because the country has yet to face the worst of the virus — which the World Health Organization has declared a pandemic and has killed nearly 5,000 people — not everyone is worried .
“ It looks like our authorities are taking measures that make it look like they ’ re doing something without really doing something — and that is the correct move , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian Academy of Sciences and president of Liga Patsientov , an organization that protects patients ’ rights .
“ It ’ s better not to foment hysteria.
” So far , Russia — which at the start of the outbreak shut its 4,209-kilometer land border with China where the coronavirus first appeared at the end of 2019 and limited flights between the countries — has only reported 45 cases of the coronavirus .
But it is also increasingly taking measures aimed at keeping the virus at bay .
This week Russia closed its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Moscow ’ s City Hall said it would be allocating nearly $ 135 million for a new hospital for coronavirus patients .
It also banned visits to state-run nursing homes , which house the most vulnerable people to the virus , according to a copy of a decree viewed by The Moscow Times .
Some big companies , including Yandex , have also suggested that their employees work from home .
The tech giant is also reportedly regularly disinfecting its fleet of ride-sharing cars .
The Russian capital has also been placed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gatherings to no more than 5,000 people , warning residents not to travel on public transport during rush hour and requiring returnees from coronavirus hotspots to self-isolate for 14 days .
Anyone ignoring quarantine requirements could face up to five years in prison .
To enforce those rules , authorities have warned that they will be using CCTV cameras .
Last week , one Muscovite who was placed on quarantine after returning from northern Italy in February told the Mediazona news website that police showed up at his apartment the day after he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trash .
That same month , Moscow ’ s mayor Sergei Sobyanin bragged that the city ’ s widespread facial-recognition network had helped in tracking down a Chinese woman who flew to the Russian capital from Beijing .
Chinese people have come under particular scrutiny .
On Thursday , the Kommersant business daily reported that some 100 Chinese students would be sent home for violating quarantine procedures .
But worries have been raised about the authorities abusing their powers in these cases .
In one case , police showed up at a Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , offered to take her for a medical test , then wrote her up for violating quarantine , Mediazona reported .
Now she is awaiting deportation .
While Moscow is home to over half of Russia ’ s coronavirus cases , it is the city of Lipetsk some 460 kilometers to the south that has taken the most aggressive measures .
The city has so far reported three people with the coronavirus who recently returned from Italy and has put 150 people who may have come into contact with them under quarantine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ public gathering spaces like theaters and sporting arenas .
The local Orthodox Church was planning a procession against the coronavirus , but that , too , has been canceled over coronavirus worries .
For some residents , the measures don ’ t go far enough .
“ They should not have put 150 people under home quarantine , but should have sent them to the hospital for two weeks !
” the Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper cited one resident as writing on social media .
“ Everyone should be assigned a policeman to prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , Maxim Trudolyubov , a Senior Fellow at the Kennan Institute in Washington D.C. , speculated that , as China has started to bring the contagion under control while the virus spreads rapidly in European countries and the United States , some people may begin to see the good in authoritarian measures .
But others have raised concerns that Russia ’ s reported cases may be low not as a result of effective preventative measures but because of a lack of effective testing procedures .
Last week , the Reuters news agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Petersburg who claimed that the country still did not have systematic testing capabilities in place .
Still others are writing about their problems in getting tested on social media .
Maya Volf , 23 , wrote on Twitter that , after getting a bad cough following a visit to Germany in February , she put herself on the mandated 14-day quarantine .
But the cough got worse and she called for a doctor , who arrived Thursday without any protective gear save for a thin mask .
The doctor told her she didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hadn ’ t been in Germany within 14 days .
Later that evening , two medics did arrive in full protective gear and took a throat swab .
Volf will have her results back in seven to 10 days , she wrote .
On Friday , Eva Hartog , a Dutch Moscow-based journalist and former managing editor of The Moscow Times , wrote on Twitter that a friend had self-isolated after coming down with a cough and fever — two symptoms of the coronavirus — after having passed through an international airport .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for an ambulance .
“ When [ the medics ] heard this person had n't recently arrived from one of the blacklisted countries they announced : Then it 's not corona , ” Hartog wrote .

As the coronavirus has run rampant around the world in recent weeks, bringing countries from Iran to Italy to a near halt, Russia has watched with bated breath. But perhaps because the country has yet to face the worst of the virus — which the World Health Organization has declared a pandemic and has killed nearly 5,000 people — not everyone is worried. “It looks like our authorities are taking measures that make it look like they’re doing something without really doing something — and that is the correct move,” said Alexander Saversky, an expert at the Russian Academy of Sciences and president of Liga Patsientov, an organization that protects patients’ rights. “It’s better not to foment hysteria.” So far, Russia — which at the start of the outbreak shut its 4,209-kilometer land border with China where the coronavirus first appeared at the end of 2019 and limited flights between the countries — has only reported 45 cases of the coronavirus. But it is also increasingly taking measures aimed at keeping the virus at bay. This week Russia closed its borders to people arriving from Italy, and Moscow’s City Hall said it would be allocating nearly $135 million for a new hospital for coronavirus patients. It also banned visits to state-run nursing homes, which house the most vulnerable people to the virus, according to a copy of a decree viewed by The Moscow Times. Some big companies, including Yandex, have also suggested that their employees work from home. The tech giant is also reportedly regularly disinfecting its fleet of ride-sharing cars. The Russian capital has also been placed on “high alert” — limiting gatherings to no more than 5,000 people, warning residents not to travel on public transport during rush hour and requiring returnees from coronavirus hotspots to self-isolate for 14 days. Anyone ignoring quarantine requirements could face up to five years in prison.
To enforce those rules, authorities have warned that they will be using CCTV cameras. Last week, one Muscovite who was placed on quarantine after returning from northern Italy in February told the Mediazona news website that police showed up at his apartment the day after he violated his quarantine by taking out the trash. That same month, Moscow’s mayor Sergei Sobyanin bragged that the city’s widespread facial-recognition network had helped in tracking down a Chinese woman who flew to the Russian capital from Beijing. Chinese people have come under particular scrutiny. On Thursday, the Kommersant business daily reported that some 100 Chinese students would be sent home for violating quarantine procedures. But worries have been raised about the authorities abusing their powers in these cases. In one case, police showed up at a Chinese student’s dorm room in Moscow, offered to take her for a medical test, then wrote her up for violating quarantine, Mediazona reported. Now she is awaiting deportation. While Moscow is home to over half of Russia’s coronavirus cases, it is the city of Lipetsk some 460 kilometers to the south that has taken the most aggressive measures. The city has so far reported three people with the coronavirus who recently returned from Italy and has put 150 people who may have come into contact with them under quarantine. It has also shut all schools and public gathering spaces like theaters and sporting arenas. The local Orthodox Church was planning a procession against the coronavirus, but that, too, has been canceled over coronavirus worries. For some residents, the measures don’t go far enough. “They should not have put 150 people under home quarantine, but should have sent them to the hospital for two weeks!” the Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper cited one resident as writing on social media. “Everyone should be assigned a policeman to prevent possible escape.”
news Russia Moves to Cancel Major Events as Coronavirus Looms Read more
In a column this week, Maxim Trudolyubov, a Senior Fellow at the Kennan Institute in Washington D.C., speculated that, as China has started to bring the contagion under control while the virus spreads rapidly in European countries and the United States, some people may begin to see the good in authoritarian measures. But others have raised concerns that Russia’s reported cases may be low not as a result of effective preventative measures but because of a lack of effective testing procedures. Last week, the Reuters news agency spoke to doctors in Moscow and St. Petersburg who claimed that the country still did not have systematic testing capabilities in place. Still others are writing about their problems in getting tested on social media. Maya Volf, 23, wrote on Twitter that, after getting a bad cough following a visit to Germany in February, she put herself on the mandated 14-day quarantine. But the cough got worse and she called for a doctor, who arrived Thursday without any protective gear save for a thin mask. The doctor told her she didn’t have the coronavirus because she hadn’t been in Germany within 14 days. Later that evening, two medics did arrive in full protective gear and took a throat swab. Volf will have her results back in seven to 10 days, she wrote. On Friday, Eva Hartog, a Dutch Moscow-based journalist and former managing editor of The Moscow Times, wrote on Twitter that a friend had self-isolated after coming down with a cough and fever — two symptoms of the coronavirus — after having passed through an international airport. As her condition deteriorated, she called for an ambulance. “When [the medics] heard this person hadn't recently arrived from one of the blacklisted countries they announced: Then it's not corona,” Hartog wrote.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-13--Russia Moves to Cancel Major Events as Coronavirus Looms

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread globally , with over 125,000 confirmed cases and over 4,900 deaths in 126 countries , governments have stepped in and canceled large-scale events in an effort to contain the virus ’ spread .
Italy , one of the epicenters of the outbreak , has been placed into a full lockdown .
Spain has closed schools and banned all events with over 1,000 people .
Germany has also closed schools in some regions and will hold major sporting matches without spectators .
Russia , with 46 confirmed cases as of Friday , 18 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has not yet issued nationwide shutdowns .
However , Moscow and St. Petersburg have both banned large events from taking place , and some Russian companies are beginning to encourage their employees to work from home .
Russia ’ s consumer safety watchdog has also advised citizens to avoid public transport , shopping malls and other public places during rush hour to protect themselves against the coronavirus .
Here ’ s a look at the large-scale events that have been canceled in Russia so far : • None The main celebrations of Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which celebrates Russia 's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and were scheduled for March 16-18 , have been • None a scheduled concert to celebrate Rosgvardia Day on March 27 in the State Kremlin Palace .
• None The Sakharov Center in Moscow will move its public discussion events online as of March 23 , the museum and cultural center • None A March 15 rally in support of President Vladimir Putin ’ s constitutional amendments on Tverskaya Street in central Moscow has been • None A planned April 22 protest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin ’ s constitutional amendments and presidential term “ reset ” has been by the Moscow Mayor ’ s office .
Critics have attacked the cancellation of protests against Putin ’ s constitutional amendments as an excuse by Moscow City Hall to use the health crisis to their benefit .
• None Rapper Yegor Kreed ’ s March 21 concert at Moscow ’ s Megasport stadium has been • None Lindemann , a metal duo featuring the vocalist from popular German group Rammstein , did not cancel their concert on March 15 at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will two concerts back-to-back on the same night in order to keep the audience below the 5,000-person limit .
The rock band Chaif ’ s 35th anniversary concert on March 20 at VTB Arena may still be canceled , the band ’ s press representative • None A March 15 religious procession planned by members of the Russian Orthodox Church in Lipetsk to fight the virus was canceled .
• None The Moscow International Security Conference , set to take place on April 22-23 and with 1,000 delegates from 115 countries set to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ St. Petersburg International Economic Forum due to be held on June 3-6 , was canceled .
The annual event attended by Putin is seen as Russia ’ s most prestigious foreign investment summit .
• None The annual Russian Business Week summit , also attended by Putin , was canceled .
• None that all sporting events , including football and hockey matches , were to be restricted to 5,000 attendees .
• None The World Rallycross Championship , set to take place in St. Petersburg on July 18-19 , was canceled .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friendship competition in Murmansk on March 14 was also canceled .
• None The European Weightlifting Championship , scheduled to take place in Moscow on April 13-21 , was postponed to June .
• None The 2019-2020 VTB United Basketball League season has been temporarily • None Moscow ’ s Victory Day celebrations on May 9 have not been canceled and preparations are continuing as planned , Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov Thursday .
This year ’ s Victory Day events mark the 75th anniversary of the Soviet defeat of Nazi Germany in World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ singers Leonid Agutin and Uriah Heep are still at the 7,300-seat Crocus City Hall outside Moscow .
Other concert promoters are bypassing Moscow ’ s large-event ban by limiting the number of tickets sold to 5,000 .
• None on March 11 that all matches in Moscow would take place at their originally scheduled venues , but that attendance would be limited to 5,000 people .

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread globally, with over 125,000 confirmed cases and over 4,900 deaths in 126 countries, governments have stepped in and canceled large-scale events in an effort to contain the virus’ spread.
Italy, one of the epicenters of the outbreak, has been placed into a full lockdown. Spain has closed schools and banned all events with over 1,000 people. Germany has also closed schools in some regions and will hold major sporting matches without spectators.
Russia, with 46 confirmed cases as of Friday, 18 of which have been reported in Moscow, has not yet issued nationwide shutdowns. However, Moscow and St. Petersburg have both banned large events from taking place, and some Russian companies are beginning to encourage their employees to work from home.
Russia’s consumer safety watchdog has also advised citizens to avoid public transport, shopping malls and other public places during rush hour to protect themselves against the coronavirus.
Here’s a look at the large-scale events that have been canceled in Russia so far:
The main celebrations of Moscow’s “Crimean Spring” festival, which celebrates Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and were scheduled for March 16-18, have been canceled .
Officials from Rosgvardia [the National Guard] canceled a scheduled concert to celebrate Rosgvardia Day on March 27 in the State Kremlin Palace.
The Sakharov Center in Moscow will move its public discussion events online as of March 23, the museum and cultural center announced in a Facebook post.
A March 15 rally in support of President Vladimir Putin’s constitutional amendments on Tverskaya Street in central Moscow has been canceled .
A planned April 22 protest in Moscow by the Civil Society movement against Putin’s constitutional amendments and presidential term “reset” has been denied by the Moscow Mayor’s office. Critics have attacked the cancellation of protests against Putin’s constitutional amendments as an excuse by Moscow City Hall to use the health crisis to their benefit.
Rapper Yegor Kreed’s March 21 concert at Moscow’s Megasport stadium has been canceled .
Lindemann, a metal duo featuring the vocalist from popular German group Rammstein, did not cancel their concert on March 15 at VTB Arena. Instead, the band will play two concerts back-to-back on the same night in order to keep the audience below the 5,000-person limit. The rock band Chaif’s 35th anniversary concert on March 20 at VTB Arena may still be canceled, the band’s press representative told a Moscow radio station.
A March 15 religious procession planned by members of the Russian Orthodox Church in Lipetsk to fight the virus was canceled.
The Moscow International Security Conference, set to take place on April 22-23 and with 1,000 delegates from 115 countries set to attend, was canceled by the Russian Defense Ministry.
The annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum due to be held on June 3-6, was canceled. The annual event attended by Putin is seen as Russia’s most prestigious foreign investment summit.
The annual Russian Business Week summit, also attended by Putin, was canceled.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced that all sporting events, including football and hockey matches, were to be restricted to 5,000 attendees.
The World Rallycross Championship, set to take place in St. Petersburg on July 18-19, was canceled.
The international Ski Track of Friendship competition in Murmansk on March 14 was also canceled.
The European Weightlifting Championship, scheduled to take place in Moscow on April 13-21, was postponed to June.
The 2019-2020 VTB United Basketball League season has been temporarily suspended .
Events that haven’t been canceled:


themoscowtimes--2020-03-13--First Woman in Space Brought Down to Earth by Backlash Over Bid to Prolong Putin Rule

Now 83 , she has become a hate figure for some Russians after this week putting forward a constitutional amendment that could allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in power until 2036 .
Valentina Tereshkova was hailed as a hero when she became the first woman in space in 1963 .
At least two online petitions have been launched against her , one calling for a street named after her to be renamed and another asking for one of her honorific titles to be revoked .
She has also been widely mocked by critics on social media .
`` Tereshkova @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into cosmic cold and darkness , and then brought the entire country there , '' read one message on Twitter reposted by Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny .
Opposition politician Dmitry Gudkov wrote : `` This whole obscene fuss over the Constitution was conceived for the sake of one moment ... two new terms for Putin .
Tereshkova , who still remembers ( Soviet leader Josef ) Stalin well , did not disappoint . ''
A household name in Russia , Tereshkova , who holds an array of state honors including a Hero of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world 's first female astronaut in June 1963 , spending 71 hours in orbit on board a Soviet Vostok spacecraft .
A staunch backer of Putin and the traditional values he has espoused , she has been a lawmaker in the lower chamber of parliament since 2011 .
Her amendment , since backed by both houses of parliament , allows Putin to ignore the current constitutional limits and run for president again in 2024 , potentially opening the way for him to serve two more six-year terms consecutively .
The move has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have accused him of plotting to stay in power for life and have blamed Tereshkova .
One petition , that has garnered nearly 8,000 signatures , calls for Tereshkova to be stripped of her title of `` honorary citizen '' of Tutayev , a town northeast of Moscow near where she was born .

Now 83, she has become a hate figure for some Russians after this week putting forward a constitutional amendment that could allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in power until 2036.
Valentina Tereshkova was hailed as a hero when she became the first woman in space in 1963.
At least two online petitions have been launched against her, one calling for a street named after her to be renamed and another asking for one of her honorific titles to be revoked.
She has also been widely mocked by critics on social media.
"Tereshkova — the first woman who bravely traveled into cosmic cold and darkness, and then brought the entire country there," read one message on Twitter reposted by Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.
Opposition politician Dmitry Gudkov wrote: "This whole obscene fuss over the Constitution was conceived for the sake of one moment ... two new terms for Putin. Tereshkova, who still remembers (Soviet leader Josef) Stalin well, did not disappoint."
A household name in Russia, Tereshkova, who holds an array of state honors including a Hero of the Soviet Union medal, became the world's first female astronaut in June 1963, spending 71 hours in orbit on board a Soviet Vostok spacecraft.
A staunch backer of Putin and the traditional values he has espoused, she has been a lawmaker in the lower chamber of parliament since 2011.
Her amendment, since backed by both houses of parliament, allows Putin to ignore the current constitutional limits and run for president again in 2024, potentially opening the way for him to serve two more six-year terms consecutively.
The move has been applauded by Putin's admirers but critics have accused him of plotting to stay in power for life and have blamed Tereshkova.
One petition, that has garnered nearly 8,000 signatures, calls for Tereshkova to be stripped of her title of "honorary citizen" of Tutayev, a town northeast of Moscow near where she was born.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-13--Russian Police Officer Fired Over Morgue Selfies

A criminal investigator in Moscow has lost his job after he took a selfie with dead bodies in a morgue @ @ @ @ @ police force said in a statement Friday .
The Moscow Interior Ministry said it discovered @ @ @ @ @ , the head of the Shchukino district ’ s criminal investigation department , and his @ @ @ @ @ with dead bodies in the background during routine checks .
The ministry added that the @ @ @ @ @ one of the capital ’ s forensic facilities .
The two were fired for “ @ @ @ @ @ the honor of an interior affairs official , ” the ministry said .
Several senior @ @ @ @ @ s Northwest Administrative District have also been dismissed over the incident , the ministry ’ @ @ @ @

A criminal investigator in Moscow has lost his job after he took a selfie with dead bodies in a morgue, the city’s police force said in a statement Friday.
The Moscow Interior Ministry said it discovered the photo of Vyacheslav Gorneyev, the head of the Shchukino district’s criminal investigation department, and his junior colleague Tatyana Purysheva, with dead bodies in the background during routine checks. The ministry added that the photo had been taken in one of the capital’s forensic facilities.
The two were fired for “committing an act that defames the honor of an interior affairs official,” the ministry said.
Several senior police officials in Moscow’s Northwest Administrative District have also been dismissed over the incident, the ministry’s statement said.