themoscowtimes--2020-12-08--In Photos: Russia Rolls Out Sputnik Vaccine

Russia has launched a mass vaccination campaign against the coronavirus with its own vaccine , putting doctors , social workers @ @ @ @ @ priority group .
The Sputnik V vaccine 's developers have said the jab is 95 @ @ @ @ @ data from its Phase 3 clinical trials , which are still underway as the large-scale @ @ @ @ @ vaccine , which was the first in the world to be registered by a country @ @ @ @ @ world 's first space satellite , which was launched by the Soviet Union .
Here @ @ @ @ @ of the first vaccinations administered in Russia :

In Photos: Russia Rolls Out Sputnik Vaccine
Russia has launched a mass vaccination campaign against the coronavirus with its own vaccine, putting doctors, social workers and teachers in the top priority group.
The Sputnik V vaccine's developers have said the jab is 95% effective based on interim data from its Phase 3 clinical trials, which are still underway as the large-scale vaccination effort begins. It is only available to people between 18-60 with no pre-existing conditions.
The vaccine, which was the first in the world to be registered by a country, was named after the world's first space satellite, which was launched by the Soviet Union.
Here's a look at some of the first vaccinations administered in Russia:


themoscowtimes--2020-12-08--Putin Signs Constitutional Reforms on State Council, Secession, Russian Law

Putin approved the set of laws on Tuesday , 160 days after Russian voters overwhelmingly approved constitutional reforms that pave the way for him to extend his 20-year rule until 2036 .
President Vladimir Putin has signed bills into law elevating a low-profile advisory body known as the State Council , criminalizing secession and prioritizing the Russian Constitution over international law .
The new law defines the State Council as a constitutional state body formed by the head of state to ensure the coordinated work of government , determine key domestic and foreign policy areas , as well as social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council is composed of regional governors and top federal officials .
Before a last-minute proposal this spring that allows him to ignore current constitutional limits and run for two more six-year presidential terms , analysts had predicted that Putin could remain at the helm as head of the State Council after his current term limit expires in 2024 .
Another high-profile law Putin signed Tuesday gives prison terms of up to 10 years for giving away parts of Russian territory and fines for public calls toward territorial concessions .
The so-called “ territorial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a warning to those in Russia who question its 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and Russia 's sovereignty over a chain of Pacific islands it seized after World War II and is also claimed by Japan .
Finally , Putin signed a law formally giving precedence to Russian law over international treaties that contradict the new Russian Constitution .
Rights advocates have raised concerns that the law could erode rights and freedoms in Russia , whose citizens have for years sought justice they say they are denied at home in Europe ’ @ @ @ @ @

Putin approved the set of laws on Tuesday, 160 days after Russian voters overwhelmingly approved constitutional reforms that pave the way for him to extend his 20-year rule until 2036.
President Vladimir Putin has signed bills into law elevating a low-profile advisory body known as the State Council, criminalizing secession and prioritizing the Russian Constitution over international law.
The new law defines the State Council as a constitutional state body formed by the head of state to ensure the coordinated work of government, determine key domestic and foreign policy areas, as well as social and economic development priorities. The State Council is composed of regional governors and top federal officials.
Before a last-minute proposal this spring that allows him to ignore current constitutional limits and run for two more six-year presidential terms, analysts had predicted that Putin could remain at the helm as head of the State Council after his current term limit expires in 2024.
Another high-profile law Putin signed Tuesday gives prison terms of up to 10 years for giving away parts of Russian territory and fines for public calls toward territorial concessions.
The so-called “territorial integrity” law is widely seen as a warning to those in Russia who question its 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and Russia's sovereignty over a chain of Pacific islands it seized after World War II and is also claimed by Japan.
Finally, Putin signed a law formally giving precedence to Russian law over international treaties that contradict the new Russian Constitution. Rights advocates have raised concerns that the law could erode rights and freedoms in Russia, whose citizens have for years sought justice they say they are denied at home in Europe’s human rights court.


themoscowtimes--2020-12-08--Russia's Arctic Temperatures Hit New Records in December

As climate experts sound the alarm over record temperatures in Russia 's Arctic , the Christmas season is unlikely to be much different than the preceding months .
According to Russian meteorological service Roshydromet , the extraordinary Arctic heat of November was followed by temperature records in a number of places across the Russian north on the first day of December .
In the island of Bely , north of the Yamal Peninsula , the winter month started at 1.1 C , the highest-ever local temperature for Dec. 1 .
The same was the case in Dikson , a town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the temperature was minus 0.6 C. In Cape Chelyuskin , the northernmost point on the Russian mainland , the meteorologists measured minus 4.7 C , which is almost three degrees higher than the previous record for that day .
A temperature map by Roshydromet shows that parts of Arctic Siberia on Dec. 1 had a temperature deviation from normal of more than 20 C. “ These temperatures are very far from winter [ cold ] records of northern Siberia and Yakutia , ” Roshydromet said .
According to the Russian state service , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian Arctic coast are now for a long period between 10-15 C above normal , and in November the deviation from normality in the region was set to 12 C. The November temperatures follow a number of months with abnormal heat across the whole Arctic .
In October , the average temperature for the whole circumpolar Arctic was 6.7 C higher than normal , and in the Russian Arctic archipelago of Severnaya Zemlya the average October temperature was as much as 10 C above normal .
The melting of Arctic sea ice has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Snow and Ice Data Center , average sea ice extent for October 2020 was the lowest-ever in the satellite record .
Sea ice levels increased through November , but still ended up as the second-lowest in the satellite record for the month , just above 2016 .
The November average extent of 8.99 million square kilometers was 1.71 million square kilometers below the 1981-2010 average , the Snow and Ice Data Center said .

As climate experts sound the alarm over record temperatures in Russia's Arctic, the Christmas season is unlikely to be much different than the preceding months. According to Russian meteorological service Roshydromet, the extraordinary Arctic heat of November was followed by temperature records in a number of places across the Russian north on the first day of December. In the island of Bely, north of the Yamal Peninsula, the winter month started at 1.1 C, the highest-ever local temperature for Dec. 1. The same was the case in Dikson, a town on the Kara Sea coast, where the temperature was minus 0.6 C.
Temperature deviations in the Russian Arctic on Dec. 1. Roshydromet
In Cape Chelyuskin, the northernmost point on the Russian mainland, the meteorologists measured minus 4.7 C, which is almost three degrees higher than the previous record for that day. A temperature map by Roshydromet shows that parts of Arctic Siberia on Dec. 1 had a temperature deviation from normal of more than 20 C. “These temperatures are very far from winter [cold] records of northern Siberia and Yakutia,” Roshydromet said. According to the Russian state service, average temperatures along major parts of the Russian Arctic coast are now for a long period between 10-15 C above normal, and in November the deviation from normality in the region was set to 12 C.


themoscowtimes--2020-12-08--U.S. Adds Russia to Religious Freedom Violators Watchlist

The United States has added Russia to its special watchlist of countries that have engaged in or tolerated “ severe violations ” of religious freedom , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement Monday .
Russia appears on the U.S. watchlist alongside Comoros , Cuba and Nicaragua .
It ’ s not the first time the U.S. has raised concerns over religious freedom in Russia .
In a 2019 report , the State Department accused Russia of persecuting members of Jehovah 's Witnesses and Hizb ut-Tahrir , two religious organizations that are officially banned in Russia .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court ruled that the Jehovah 's Witnesses is an extremist organization and banned all its activities in the country .
Since then , law enforcement agencies have raided the religious group ’ s branches in nearly every region of the country , prosecuting hundreds of its members and jailing dozens .
According to a Russian state-run Foundation of Public Opinion ( FOM ) poll cited in the State Department ’ s 2019 report , about 65 % of Russia ’ s population belongs to the Orthodox Christian Church and 7 % identify as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islam , Judaism and Buddhism as the country ’ s four “ traditional ” religions , constituting an inseparable part of the country ’ s historical heritage .
The law also allows for the government to impose restrictions on religious rights to protect the country ’ s security and constitutional structure .
Pompeo ’ s statement added that Burma , China , Eritrea , Iran , Nigeria , North Korea , Pakistan , Saudi Arabia , Tajikistan and Turkmenistan have been designated as Countries of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act @ @ @

The United States has added Russia to its special watchlist of countries that have engaged in or tolerated “severe violations” of religious freedom, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement Monday.
Russia appears on the U.S. watchlist alongside Comoros, Cuba and Nicaragua.
It’s not the first time the U.S. has raised concerns over religious freedom in Russia. In a 2019 report, the State Department accused Russia of persecuting members of Jehovah's Witnesses and Hizb ut-Tahrir, two religious organizations that are officially banned in Russia.
In April 2017, Russia’s Supreme Court ruled that the Jehovah's Witnesses is an extremist organization and banned all its activities in the country. Since then, law enforcement agencies have raided the religious group’s branches in nearly every region of the country, prosecuting hundreds of its members and jailing dozens.
According to a Russian state-run Foundation of Public Opinion (FOM) poll cited in the State Department’s 2019 report, about 65% of Russia’s population belongs to the Orthodox Christian Church and 7% identify as Muslim.
Russian law recognizes Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism as the country’s four “traditional” religions, constituting an inseparable part of the country’s historical heritage. The law also allows for the government to impose restrictions on religious rights to protect the country’s security and constitutional structure.
Pompeo’s statement added that Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan have been designated as Countries of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.


themoscowtimes--2020-12-08--Putin, Merkel Discuss Navalny's Poisoning – Berlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed the poisoning of Russia ’ s main opposition figure Alexei @ @ @ @ @ Monday , a German cabinet representative told the state-run TASS news agency .
Navalny has @ @ @ @ @ poisoned with what Western governments say was the deadly Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok in August @ @ @ @ @ dent to an already tense relationship between Putin and Merkel , who share a long @ @ @ @ @ led to EU sanctions on Russian officials .
The Kremlin ’ s readout of the @ @ @ @ @ Navalny , only saying that the two leaders spoke on other `` topical issues of @ @ @ @ @

Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed the poisoning of Russia’s main opposition figure Alexei Navalny in a phone conversation Monday, a German cabinet representative told the state-run TASS news agency.
Navalny has recovered in Berlin after being poisoned with what Western governments say was the deadly Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok in August. The incident added another dent to an already tense relationship between Putin and Merkel, who share a long and complicated history, and led to EU sanctions on Russian officials.
The Kremlin’s readout of the call omits any mention of Navalny, only saying that the two leaders spoke on other "topical issues of the bilateral agenda."


themoscowtimes--2020-12-08--Non-Priority Groups Vaccinated for Coronavirus in Moscow – Reports

Moscow kick-started Russia 's nationwide vaccination drive over the weekend , with Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reporting that 2,000 volunteers have so far received the first of two Sputnik V jabs at 70 clinics .
Health officials said the vaccination clinics were open to citizens from three main risk groups who come into contact with large numbers of people .
Moscow clinics are distributing coronavirus vaccines to anyone who registers without giving priority to high-risk groups in contradiction to officials ' orders , the Meduza news website reported Tuesday .
At least seven hospitals in Moscow and the surrounding Moscow region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health , education and social workers , Meduza reported , citing an online chat group for volunteers .
The vaccine volunteers ' chat on the Telegram messaging app has reportedly shut down following Meduza ’ s publication .
The outlet said it spoke to six people who were able to get vaccinated in Moscow and Moscow region hospitals between Saturday and Monday despite not being within the high-risk groups .
“ Everyone is getting it , so come over , ” Meduza , whose correspondent was able to sign up for the vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city of Khimki northwest of central Moscow as saying .
A correspondent for the Novaya Gazeta independent newspaper received Sputnik V in Moscow by claiming to be a teacher , Meduza wrote .
The volunteers reported visiting nearly empty clinics , with an unnamed source close to the Moscow Mayor ’ s Office confirming the lack of enthusiasm for the vaccine among those at higher risk of getting infected .
“ Doctors still go back and forth , but teachers don ’ t believe in Russian science , ” the source was quoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sputnik V are also known to illegally sell their own vials for 100,000 rubles ( $ 1,356 ) , Meduza cited an unnamed source close to the vaccine ’ s developers as saying .
Russia was the first country in the world to register a coronavirus vaccine with Sputnik V , which uses human adenovirus vectors and is administered with a three-week gap , in August while it was still being trialed .
The vaccine , whose developers say interim results show 95 % efficacy , is currently in its third and final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Moscow kick-started Russia's nationwide vaccination drive over the weekend, with Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reporting that 2,000 volunteers have so far received the first of two Sputnik V jabs at 70 clinics. Health officials said the vaccination clinics were open to citizens from three main risk groups who come into contact with large numbers of people.
Moscow clinics are distributing coronavirus vaccines to anyone who registers without giving priority to high-risk groups in contradiction to officials' orders, the Meduza news website reported Tuesday.
At least seven hospitals in Moscow and the surrounding Moscow region administer Sputnik V without giving priority to health, education and social workers, Meduza reported, citing an online chat group for volunteers. The vaccine volunteers' chat on the Telegram messaging app has reportedly shut down following Meduza’s publication.
The outlet said it spoke to six people who were able to get vaccinated in Moscow and Moscow region hospitals between Saturday and Monday despite not being within the high-risk groups.
“Everyone is getting it, so come over,” Meduza, whose correspondent was able to sign up for the vaccine, quoted a clinic employee in the city of Khimki northwest of central Moscow as saying.
A correspondent for the Novaya Gazeta independent newspaper received Sputnik V in Moscow by claiming to be a teacher, Meduza wrote.
The volunteers reported visiting nearly empty clinics, with an unnamed source close to the Moscow Mayor’s Office confirming the lack of enthusiasm for the vaccine among those at higher risk of getting infected.
“Doctors still go back and forth, but teachers don’t believe in Russian science,” the source was quoted as saying.
Some doctors skeptical of Sputnik V are also known to illegally sell their own vials for 100,000 rubles ($1,356), Meduza cited an unnamed source close to the vaccine’s developers as saying.
Russia was the first country in the world to register a coronavirus vaccine with Sputnik V, which uses human adenovirus vectors and is administered with a three-week gap, in August while it was still being trialed. The vaccine, whose developers say interim results show 95% efficacy, is currently in its third and final stage of clinical trials with 40,000 volunteers.


themoscowtimes--2020-12-08--2 Russians Go on Trial for Euro 2016 Attack on England Supporter

Pavel Kossov and Mikhail Ivkine , both 34 , are accused of beating 55-year-old Andrew Bache , who suffered brain injuries in the violence that broke out before England played Russia in the southern French port city of Marseille on June 11 , 2016 .
Two Russian men went on trial in France on Monday accused of a savage attack on an English football supporter during the Euro 2016 tournament that left him in a wheelchair for life .
They face a jail sentence of up to 15 years if found guilty in the trial in Aix-en-Provence that runs until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ southeast England , is too frail to attend the trial , but his son Harry is representing him .
`` Mr. Bache is so physically and psychologically affected , with a condition somewhere between Parkinson 's disease and Alzheimer 's , that he is unable to give evidence , even by videolink , '' said Bache 's lawyer , Olivier Rosato .
He said the two accused were among a group of around 150 Russian men who acted as `` paramilitaries '' on that day in Marseille 's Vieux Port district where England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the match .
`` The pictures speak for themselves .
Throughout the day , the Russian hooligans mounted an urban guerilla offensive , like paramilitaries .
They treated it like a combat sport , '' Rosato said .
The defense will seek to discredit Rosato 's depiction of the two Russians in the dock .
`` This was not a case of gentle and kind Englishmen against bloodthirsty Russians , '' Alain Duflot , representing Kossov , said before the trial began .
The two men were arrested in Germany in February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his life-changing injuries , while they were on their way to a match featuring Spartak Moscow in Spain .
They have been in custody in France since their arrest .
Ivkine , a sports teacher who has three children , told the court through an interpreter he had acted `` in self-protection '' when confronted by a group of England fans .
`` I defended myself , '' he added .
He admitted throwing a chair towards Bache `` but it only grazed him . ''
Ivkine said he was a sports teacher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditional boxing and taekwondo , but also philosophy . ''
The court heard that psychological analysis has shown Ivkine is `` neurotic . ''
Kossov was living with his mother at the time of the violence and working as a driver .
He said he had jabbed at Bache 's head `` but it was a hand not a fist . ''
The prosecution claims Kossov kicked the Briton in the hip as he lay unconscious but he said he `` did n't recall that . ''
`` Anyway , it was n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have found Kossov lacks empathy and `` has n't got a grip of reality . ''

Pavel Kossov and Mikhail Ivkine, both 34, are accused of beating 55-year-old Andrew Bache, who suffered brain injuries in the violence that broke out before England played Russia in the southern French port city of Marseille on June 11, 2016.
Two Russian men went on trial in France on Monday accused of a savage attack on an English football supporter during the Euro 2016 tournament that left him in a wheelchair for life.
They face a jail sentence of up to 15 years if found guilty in the trial in Aix-en-Provence that runs until Friday.
Bache, from Portsmouth in southeast England, is too frail to attend the trial, but his son Harry is representing him.
"Mr. Bache is so physically and psychologically affected, with a condition somewhere between Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's, that he is unable to give evidence, even by videolink," said Bache's lawyer, Olivier Rosato.
He said the two accused were among a group of around 150 Russian men who acted as "paramilitaries" on that day in Marseille's Vieux Port district where England supporters had gathered in bars and cafes before the match.
"The pictures speak for themselves. Throughout the day, the Russian hooligans mounted an urban guerilla offensive, like paramilitaries. They treated it like a combat sport," Rosato said.
The defense will seek to discredit Rosato's depiction of the two Russians in the dock.
"This was not a case of gentle and kind Englishmen against bloodthirsty Russians," Alain Duflot, representing Kossov, said before the trial began.
The two men were arrested in Germany in February 2018, 20 months after Bache suffered his life-changing injuries, while they were on their way to a match featuring Spartak Moscow in Spain. They have been in custody in France since their arrest.
Ivkine, a sports teacher who has three children, told the court through an interpreter he had acted "in self-protection" when confronted by a group of England fans. "I defended myself," he added.
He admitted throwing a chair towards Bache "but it only grazed him."
Ivkine said he was a sports teacher who was passionate about "kick-boxing, traditional boxing and taekwondo, but also philosophy."
The court heard that psychological analysis has shown Ivkine is "neurotic."
Kossov was living with his mother at the time of the violence and working as a driver.
He said he had jabbed at Bache's head "but it was a hand not a fist." The prosecution claims Kossov kicked the Briton in the hip as he lay unconscious but he said he "didn't recall that."
"Anyway, it wasn't intentional," he added.
Psychologists have found Kossov lacks empathy and "hasn't got a grip of reality."


themoscowtimes--2020-12-08--Russia Says Venezuela Election 'Transparent'

Russia on Monday hailed Venezuela 's legislative elections as `` transparent , '' after President Nicolas Maduro won total control of the country in polls boycotted by the opposition and widely criticized by other international powers .
`` The electoral process in Venezuela was organized in a more responsible and transparent manner than in some countries which usually present themselves as an 'example of democracy ' , '' Russia 's Foreign Ministry said in a statement .
The statement added that `` no serious violations '' had been recorded during the Sunday vote , the result of which has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Canada , the Organization of American States and the European Union among others .
`` We start from the principle that the new National Assembly will be the place ... for a constructive dialogue between all the political forces '' to help to `` overcome the disagreements which exist in Venezuelan society , '' the Russian ministry said .
Moscow , an ally of Venezuela and Maduro , said that the refusal by `` certain governments '' to recognize the election `` demonstrates their inability to accept objective reality and to show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Venezuelan citizens . ''
With the opposition boycotting the vote , turnout was just 31 % .

Russia on Monday hailed Venezuela's legislative elections as "transparent," after President Nicolas Maduro won total control of the country in polls boycotted by the opposition and widely criticized by other international powers.
"The electoral process in Venezuela was organized in a more responsible and transparent manner than in some countries which usually present themselves as an 'example of democracy'," Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The statement added that "no serious violations" had been recorded during the Sunday vote, the result of which has been rejected by Brazil, the United States, Canada, the Organization of American States and the European Union among others.
"We start from the principle that the new National Assembly will be the place... for a constructive dialogue between all the political forces" to help to "overcome the disagreements which exist in Venezuelan society," the Russian ministry said.
Moscow, an ally of Venezuela and Maduro, said that the refusal by "certain governments" to recognize the election "demonstrates their inability to accept objective reality and to show respect for the will of millions of Venezuelan citizens."
With the opposition boycotting the vote, turnout was just 31%.


themoscowtimes--2020-12-08--Russia's ‘Doomsday’ Plane Robbed During Upgrade – Reports

The reports said the Ilyushin Il-80 was undergoing maintenance in the southwestern Russian city of Taganrog last Friday when unknown thieves broke open its cargo hatch and stole 39 pieces of radio equipment .
Russia ’ s airborne command post nicknamed the “ Doomsday plane ” for its ability to survive nuclear war has been infiltrated and robbed of radio equipment during upgrades , media reported Monday .
Interfax said an unnamed Russian transport police source confirmed that an inquiry has been opened into a Taganrog-based aircraft manufacturer ’ s report of the break-in .
It added that authorities were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Beriev Aircraft Company reported that a cargo hatch breach was discovered during an inspection of one of the aircraft , ” the news agency quoted the source as saying .
All equipment was intact at last inspection on Nov. 26 , said the Ren-TV broadcaster , which first reported the Il-80 break-in .
It added that investigators took fingerprints and shoeprints from inside the aircraft .
Interfax previously reported that the robbed “ Doomsday ” plane had been undergoing routine maintenance since early 2019 .
The Il-80 is one of four secretive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia , with reports this fall suggesting plans to replace the aging fleet with upgraded Il-96-400M wide-body airliners .
The United States also operates four E-4B Nightwatch airborne command posts .
The windowless Il-80 is designed to withstand a nuclear attack and ensure that a Russian president could issue orders to the military onboard .

The reports said the Ilyushin Il-80 was undergoing maintenance in the southwestern Russian city of Taganrog last Friday when unknown thieves broke open its cargo hatch and stole 39 pieces of radio equipment.
Russia’s airborne command post nicknamed the “Doomsday plane” for its ability to survive nuclear war has been infiltrated and robbed of radio equipment during upgrades, media reported Monday.
Interfax said an unnamed Russian transport police source confirmed that an inquiry has been opened into a Taganrog-based aircraft manufacturer’s report of the break-in. It added that authorities were considering opening a criminal investigation.
“The Beriev Aircraft Company reported that a cargo hatch breach was discovered during an inspection of one of the aircraft,” the news agency quoted the source as saying.
All equipment was intact at last inspection on Nov. 26, said the Ren-TV broadcaster, which first reported the Il-80 break-in. It added that investigators took fingerprints and shoeprints from inside the aircraft.
Interfax previously reported that the robbed “Doomsday” plane had been undergoing routine maintenance since early 2019.
The Il-80 is one of four secretive “Doomsday planes” in service in Russia, with reports this fall suggesting plans to replace the aging fleet with upgraded Il-96-400M wide-body airliners. The United States also operates four E-4B Nightwatch airborne command posts.
The windowless Il-80 is designed to withstand a nuclear attack and ensure that a Russian president could issue orders to the military onboard.


themoscowtimes--2020-12-08--As Russia Begins Mass Coronavirus Vaccination, Its Medics Aren't On Board

In early October , as the second wave of Russia ’ s Covid-19 pandemic gathered strength , the bosses of central Moscow ’ s Clinic Number 3 instructed their employees to receive Sputnik V , the Russian-developed coronavirus vaccine starting a mass rollout this week .
“ I hereby order the vaccination of all staff members , ” said the document seen by The Moscow Times and signed by Elena Samyshina , the clinic ’ s chief doctor and a lawmaker on Moscow ’ s City Council .
While compulsory vaccination of frontline health , education and social workers is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professionals with priority access to Sputnik V are deeply sceptical of it .
The Moscow Times interviewed 12 medics based in the capital , most of whom expressed reluctance — or outright refusal — to take a vaccine that has not yet passed sufficient trials for international clinical approval and was greenlighted based on results from much smaller groups of volunteers than its Western counterparts .
Some said their managers told them they could be sacked for refusing the vaccine .
“ We ’ re being offered the opportunity , or rather forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Polina , a 23-year-old student doctor who works shifts at Covid hospitals .
“ If I had a choice , I probably wouldn ’ t take it since I don ’ t trust the vaccine … but I guess I ’ ll have to do it.
” For many doctors , the central concern is the lack of publicly available information from the vaccine ’ s developers .
“ I ’ m not saying the vaccine is bad , but I ’ m not happy with the limited information we have about it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surgeon at Moscow ’ s Clinical Hospital Number 50 who has been treating Covid-19 patients from the start of the pandemic .
“ It has really been pushed on us from above .
The doctors who are taking it now need to have clear insurance policies and not to be told the trials have n't even finished yet.
” Polling data suggests such fears are widespread within the Russian medical profession .
In August , shortly after the Russian vaccine was first given regulatory approval , a survey by Spravochnik Vracha ( Doctor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reference app widely used by Russian doctors — found that 52 % of those questioned would refuse to take the vaccine , with only 25 % of respondents willing to do so .
These results were echoed in a September study by Doktor na Rabote ( Doctor at Work ) — a social networking site catering to Russian medical professionals , which found 50 % of respondents rejecting the vaccine to 24 % expressing openness to it .
Phase 3 trials for Sputnik V are less advanced than other vaccine candidates .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong results from their mass trials , Moscow responded , pushing out data on the efficacy of its own vaccine within hours of Pfizer 's first landmark announcement .
Moscow 's analysis , however , was conducted at a much earlier stage of the trials .
Russia first published interim results on Sputnik V ’ s efficacy — calculated by comparing infections among volunteers who were vaccinated with those who were administered a placebo — after it had found just 20 confirmed coronavirus infections .
Its latest analysis , which shows a 91.4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed cases .
Western pharmaceutical giants had deemed such numbers too small for reliable analysis .
Both Pfizer and Moderna , for instance , did not publish interim results until they had more than 90 confirmed infections — and have now published information on 170 and 194 cases , respectively .
Despite the skepticism , more than 50 countries have already asked to buy or produce Sputnik V , and scientists in Britain have said that the early results were `` consistent with what we see with other [ adenovirus-based ] vaccines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical community ’ s skepticism reflects specific doubts about the development process behind Sputnik V rather than a general aversion to vaccines .
“ Doctors are not anti-vaxxers — I am sure they would be keen to take the Western Pfizer vaccine , ” said Yaroslav , a cardiologist and adviser to Russia ’ s Health Ministry who spoke on condition of anonymity .
“ The main reason for the distrust of the vaccine is that doctors have n't seen the Phase 3 results yet .
The preliminary results have been promising , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we even talk about the quality of the vaccine ?
” According to Alexei Levinson , director of the Socio-Cultural Research Department of the Levada independent pollster , medics ’ caution over the vaccine is partly rooted in long-term problems , as cuts to the health system over the last decade have alienated staff members .
“ There has been a rift between the medical community and the authorities , ” he said .
“ It started before the coronavirus — over the last decade Russia has made severe cuts to medical staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to Levinson , the coronavirus has been the final straw for many medics , as their position on the frontline of the pandemic exposed them to the deficiencies of Russia ’ s healthcare system .
“ During the Covid crisis things only got worse , when the Health Ministry and local hospital directors took the side of the authorities when doctors and nurses started speaking out about the dire conditions they were in.
” The result has been a serious erosion in trust among medical professionals .
In July , a Levada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctors do not believe the official coronavirus figures published by the authorities .
And in a further sign of mistrust , Russian and Belarussian doctors in April launched an unofficial list of their colleagues who have died from the virus .
“ Our vaccine doesn ’ t have , to put it mildly , the best evidentiary basis , ” said Pavel Brand , the director of Klinika Semeynaya , a chain of family clinics in Moscow .
“ But the total lack of trust toward the Health Ministry also plays a big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growing all the time , ” he added .
Even among those doctors who do back Sputnik V , there is a strong feeling that vaccination should not be compulsory for medical staff .
“ I don ’ t see anything to worry about , ” said Pavel Korolyov , a urologist at Hospital No .
67 who took part in Sputnik V trials .
“ The main thing is to keep this whole vaccination business voluntary.
” Skepticism concerning a coronavirus vaccine is far from unique to Russia .
A recent study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Lancet showed suspicion toward vaccines on the rise across much of the world , posing clear issues for the coming global effort to eradicate the coronavirus .
However , the depth of vaccine scepticism among the Russian medical community is a unique challenge for a nationwide vaccination push .
Though most countries , including the U.K. , are planning to rely on doctors — traditionally one of the most trusted professions — to whip up public support for the vaccine , many Russian doctors are unlikely to be willing to front a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot that Russian doctors don ’ t trust the vaccine , ” said cardiologist Yaroslav .
“ If we don ’ t trust it how do we get the general public to trust it ?
” Since the August announcement that Sputnik V had received regulatory approval , Russian public opinion has been sceptical of the vaccine hailed as the world ’ s first anti-coronavirus inoculation .
In October , the state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported that polling conducted for the ruling United Russia party showed that 73 % of Russians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Levada ’ s Levinson believes public distrust of the Russian vaccine has deep cultural roots that have been exacerbated by the pandemic .
“ Traditionally , Russians prefer foreign medicines over Russian-made ones , ” he said .
“ This is something that has been ingrained in the mentality for decades .
In a pharmacy , the staff will usually recommend a foreign drug over a Russian one.
” Levinson ’ s research suggests that around two thirds of the Russian population disbelieve official coronavirus figures , believing them to be either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate , anything that comes from the government is treated with suspicion , ” said Levinson .
This sharp decline in Russians ’ trust of the state has shown up in international studies .
The 2020 edition of the Edelman Trust Barometer — an annual report into how far people trust their fellow citizens — placed Russia 26th of 26 countries for social trust .
Crucially , many Russians do not see the pandemic as serious enough to merit taking a vaccine they regard as suspicious .
With the authorities having shrugged off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic ’ s second wave , much of Moscow is functioning as normal , with restaurants and bars open during the day .
“ We noticed there is no massive panic around the pandemic , ” said Levinson .
“ People are thinking about the virus , but life goes on and few are desperate to take the vaccine.
” Doubt about the vaccine has even been expressed by prominent doctors fronting the government ’ s coronavirus strategy .
In October Alexander Myasnikov , head of Russia ’ s Coronavirus Infocenter , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not stop the pandemic .
“ We don ’ t know how effective it really is , ” he told Radio Komsomolskaya Pravda .
Levinson also believes that Sputnik V ’ s rapid rollout has further eroded confidence among healthcare workers who have a “ professional understanding ” of the corners cut during the vaccine ’ s approval process .
For most of the doctors who spoke to The Moscow Times , many of whom said they had already had Covid-19 , the main concern is Sputnik V ’ s rushed deployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vaccine , ” said Lilya , a 23-year-old medical student at Moscow ’ s First City Hospital .
“ I don ’ t trust it , the risks seem to be bigger than the benefits .
None of the doctors I know want to take it .
”

In early October, as the second wave of Russia’s Covid-19 pandemic gathered strength, the bosses of central Moscow’s Clinic Number 3 instructed their employees to receive Sputnik V, the Russian-developed coronavirus vaccine starting a mass rollout this week. “I hereby order the vaccination of all staff members,” said the document seen by The Moscow Times and signed by Elena Samyshina, the clinic’s chief doctor and a lawmaker on Moscow’s City Council. While compulsory vaccination of frontline health, education and social workers is already underway, many of the medical professionals with priority access to Sputnik V are deeply sceptical of it. The Moscow Times interviewed 12 medics based in the capital, most of whom expressed reluctance — or outright refusal — to take a vaccine that has not yet passed sufficient trials for international clinical approval and was greenlighted based on results from much smaller groups of volunteers than its Western counterparts. Some said their managers told them they could be sacked for refusing the vaccine. “We’re being offered the opportunity, or rather forced, to take it,” said Polina, a 23-year-old student doctor who works shifts at Covid hospitals. “If I had a choice, I probably wouldn’t take it since I don’t trust the vaccine … but I guess I’ll have to do it.” For many doctors, the central concern is the lack of publicly available information from the vaccine’s developers. “I’m not saying the vaccine is bad, but I’m not happy with the limited information we have about it,” said Roman Stroganov, a surgeon at Moscow’s Clinical Hospital Number 50 who has been treating Covid-19 patients from the start of the pandemic. “It has really been pushed on us from above. The doctors who are taking it now need to have clear insurance policies and not to be told the trials haven't even finished yet.” Polling data suggests such fears are widespread within the Russian medical profession. In August, shortly after the Russian vaccine was first given regulatory approval, a survey by Spravochnik Vracha (Doctor’s Directory) — a medical reference app widely used by Russian doctors — found that 52% of those questioned would refuse to take the vaccine, with only 25% of respondents willing to do so. These results were echoed in a September study by Doktor na Rabote (Doctor at Work) — a social networking site catering to Russian medical professionals, which found 50% of respondents rejecting the vaccine to 24% expressing openness to it.
Phase 3 trials for Sputnik V are less advanced than other vaccine candidates. But as Western pharmaceutical companies started to publish strong results from their mass trials, Moscow responded, pushing out data on the efficacy of its own vaccine within hours of Pfizer's first landmark announcement. Moscow's analysis, however, was conducted at a much earlier stage of the trials. Russia first published interim results on Sputnik V’s efficacy — calculated by comparing infections among volunteers who were vaccinated with those who were administered a placebo — after it had found just 20 confirmed coronavirus infections. Its latest analysis, which shows a 91.4% efficacy, was based on 39 confirmed cases. Western pharmaceutical giants had deemed such numbers too small for reliable analysis. Both Pfizer and Moderna, for instance, did not publish interim results until they had more than 90 confirmed infections — and have now published information on 170 and 194 cases, respectively. Despite the skepticism, more than 50 countries have already asked to buy or produce Sputnik V, and scientists in Britain have said that the early results were "consistent with what we see with other [adenovirus-based] vaccines," According to doctors, the Russian medical community’s skepticism reflects specific doubts about the development process behind Sputnik V rather than a general aversion to vaccines. “Doctors are not anti-vaxxers — I am sure they would be keen to take the Western Pfizer vaccine,” said Yaroslav, a cardiologist and adviser to Russia’s Health Ministry who spoke on condition of anonymity. “The main reason for the distrust of the vaccine is that doctors haven't seen the Phase 3 results yet. The preliminary results have been promising, but without the full data how can we even talk about the quality of the vaccine?” According to Alexei Levinson, director of the Socio-Cultural Research Department of the Levada independent pollster, medics’ caution over the vaccine is partly rooted in long-term problems, as cuts to the health system over the last decade have alienated staff members. “There has been a rift between the medical community and the authorities,” he said. “It started before the coronavirus — over the last decade Russia has made severe cuts to medical staff, which were handled very poorly.” According to Levinson, the coronavirus has been the final straw for many medics, as their position on the frontline of the pandemic exposed them to the deficiencies of Russia’s healthcare system. “During the Covid crisis things only got worse, when the Health Ministry and local hospital directors took the side of the authorities when doctors and nurses started speaking out about the dire conditions they were in.”
The result has been a serious erosion in trust among medical professionals. In July, a Levada poll indicated that 60% of Russian doctors do not believe the official coronavirus figures published by the authorities. And in a further sign of mistrust, Russian and Belarussian doctors in April launched an unofficial list of their colleagues who have died from the virus. “Our vaccine doesn’t have, to put it mildly, the best evidentiary basis,” said Pavel Brand, the director of Klinika Semeynaya, a chain of family clinics in Moscow. “But the total lack of trust toward the Health Ministry also plays a big role. Distrust of Russian-manufactured medicines is growing all the time,” he added. Even among those doctors who do back Sputnik V, there is a strong feeling that vaccination should not be compulsory for medical staff. “I don’t see anything to worry about,” said Pavel Korolyov, a urologist at Hospital No. 67 who took part in Sputnik V trials. “The main thing is to keep this whole vaccination business voluntary.”


themoscowtimes--2020-12-08--Russia's Expanded Foreign Agents Bill Passes First Reading

Lawmakers in Russia 's lower-house State Duma last month tabled legislation that would give authorities sweeping powers to designate individuals as foreign agents and further limit public gatherings and content posted online .
Russian lawmakers on Tuesday passed in its first reading controversial draft legislation including an expansion of who can be labeled a `` foreign agent '' amid an unrelenting clampdown on dissent .
Critics say the bill is meant to further clamp down on dissent and pile more pressure on the opposition ahead of next year 's parliamentary elections .
A law was first passed in 2012 giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media organizations as foreign agents , a term that has Soviet-era undertones .
If they receive money from abroad these groups must register with the Justice Ministry , label publications with the tag and submit detailed paperwork or face fines .
The law has widened in scope in the years since , most significantly last year when it was expanded to include individual journalists and bloggers .
Under the proposed new changes , any individual could be deemed a foreign agent if they receive any material or monetary support from abroad , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The law would also ban those individuals from holding municipal government positions .
Experts say that the language of the legislation is so broad that support from overseas could mean simply attending an event organized by a group with foreign funding .
The bill must pass three readings by the Duma and an upper-house Federation Council vote , as well as obtaining President Vladimir Putin 's signature , to become law .

Lawmakers in Russia's lower-house State Duma last month tabled legislation that would give authorities sweeping powers to designate individuals as foreign agents and further limit public gatherings and content posted online.
Russian lawmakers on Tuesday passed in its first reading controversial draft legislation including an expansion of who can be labeled a "foreign agent" amid an unrelenting clampdown on dissent.
Critics say the bill is meant to further clamp down on dissent and pile more pressure on the opposition ahead of next year's parliamentary elections.
A law was first passed in 2012 giving authorities the power to brand NGOs and media organizations as foreign agents, a term that has Soviet-era undertones.
If they receive money from abroad these groups must register with the Justice Ministry, label publications with the tag and submit detailed paperwork or face fines.
The law has widened in scope in the years since, most significantly last year when it was expanded to include individual journalists and bloggers.
Under the proposed new changes, any individual could be deemed a foreign agent if they receive any material or monetary support from abroad, or from organizations already deemed foreign agents.
The law would also ban those individuals from holding municipal government positions.
Experts say that the language of the legislation is so broad that support from overseas could mean simply attending an event organized by a group with foreign funding.
The bill must pass three readings by the Duma and an upper-house Federation Council vote, as well as obtaining President Vladimir Putin's signature, to become law.


themoscowtimes--2020-12-08--St. Petersburg Eyes Virus Lockdown Amid Record Deaths

St. Petersburg — one of Russia 's most popular tourist destinations — is struggling with a major health crisis , with hospitals overwhelmed with coronavirus patients but residents flouting social distancing and other measures .
Russia 's second city St. Petersburg registered a record number of virus deaths on Tuesday as authorities warned of an imminent lockdown and shuttered restaurants for the New Year 's holidays .
St. Petersburg , Russia 's worst-hit city after Moscow , on Tuesday recorded 3,734 new cases and 86 new coronavirus deaths , a record since the start of the pandemic .
By comparison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , registered 5,232 new cases and 71 new fatalities .
On Monday , St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov warned that the city was close to a formal lockdown as local hospitals were nearing full capacity .
`` A time has come for St. Petersburg when very little separates us from a full lockdown , '' Beglov said .
He added that the approaching New Year 's holidays should not become a `` marathon of spreading coronavirus . ''
Last week , St. Petersburg authorities announced new virus restrictions , including the closure of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 3 .
The decision prompted an outcry from local businesses with over 100 bars and restaurants announcing that they will not obey the orders in the absence of any tangible government support .
They published a so-called `` Map of Resistance '' online , showing locations around the city that will remain open despite government orders .
A statement on the website said that if businesses remain open they will have a `` faint chance of survival . ''
If the order is observed , around 5,000 bars and restaurants `` will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will become unemployed , the statement said , noting that Christmas markets and festivals in the city will remain open .
The St. Petersburg administration had also ordered the closure of theatres and museums and cancelled any concerts for the duration of public holidays in Russia from Dec. 31 until Jan. 10 .
The focus is on New Year 's and Orthodox Christmas which is celebrated in Russia on Jan. 7 .
With the holidays approaching and international travel limited , the head of Russia 's health regulator Rospotrebnadzor , Anna Popova , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home for the New Year .
Since the start of the outbreak , 5,947 people have died from Covid-19 in St. Petersburg .
Russia has registered a total of 2,515,009 infections , over 44,000 of them fatal .
Despite the growing number of cases , authorities have shunned a new lockdown , pinning their hopes on the development of a vaccine .

St. Petersburg — one of Russia's most popular tourist destinations — is struggling with a major health crisis, with hospitals overwhelmed with coronavirus patients but residents flouting social distancing and other measures.
Russia's second city St. Petersburg registered a record number of virus deaths on Tuesday as authorities warned of an imminent lockdown and shuttered restaurants for the New Year's holidays.
St. Petersburg, Russia's worst-hit city after Moscow, on Tuesday recorded 3,734 new cases and 86 new coronavirus deaths, a record since the start of the pandemic.
By comparison, Moscow, the outbreak's epicenter, registered 5,232 new cases and 71 new fatalities.
On Monday, St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov warned that the city was close to a formal lockdown as local hospitals were nearing full capacity.
"A time has come for St. Petersburg when very little separates us from a full lockdown," Beglov said.
He added that the approaching New Year's holidays should not become a "marathon of spreading coronavirus."
Last week, St. Petersburg authorities announced new virus restrictions, including the closure of bars and restaurants from Dec. 30 until Jan. 3.
The decision prompted an outcry from local businesses with over 100 bars and restaurants announcing that they will not obey the orders in the absence of any tangible government support.
'Map of Resistance'
They published a so-called "Map of Resistance" online, showing locations around the city that will remain open despite government orders.
A statement on the website said that if businesses remain open they will have a "faint chance of survival."
If the order is observed, around 5,000 bars and restaurants "will die" and more than 100,000 people will become unemployed, the statement said, noting that Christmas markets and festivals in the city will remain open.
The St. Petersburg administration had also ordered the closure of theatres and museums and cancelled any concerts for the duration of public holidays in Russia from Dec. 31 until Jan. 10.
The focus is on New Year's and Orthodox Christmas which is celebrated in Russia on Jan. 7.
With the holidays approaching and international travel limited, the head of Russia's health regulator Rospotrebnadzor, Anna Popova, on Tuesday asked Russians to stay at home for the New Year.
Since the start of the outbreak, 5,947 people have died from Covid-19 in St. Petersburg.
Russia has registered a total of 2,515,009 infections, over 44,000 of them fatal.
Despite the growing number of cases, authorities have shunned a new lockdown, pinning their hopes on the development of a vaccine.


themoscowtimes--2020-12-09--Russia Signs Deal to Open Naval Base in Sudan

The deal , published on the Russian government 's website Tuesday , will see Moscow establish a `` logistical support center '' in Port Sudan where `` repairs and resupply operations '' can take place .
Russia has signed an agreement with Sudan to build a naval base on the country 's Red Sea coast , in Moscow 's latest push into Africa as it seeks to renew its geopolitical clout .
The agreement signed Dec. 1 is valid for 25 years and will be automatically renewed for 10-year periods if neither side objects .
The purpose of the base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stability in the region , '' according to the document .
Russia 's Navy will be allowed to keep up to four ships at a time at the base including nuclear-powered vessels .
The base will be manned by up to 300 military and civilian personnel .
Russia will have the right to transport via Sudan 's airports and ports `` weapons , ammunition and equipment '' needed for the naval base to function .
Sudanese authorities were not immediately available for comment .
Moscow has in recent years turned its focus to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ geopolitical influence around the globe .
Russia and Sudan 's armed forces signed a deal in May 2019 set to last seven years , as the Kremlin offers Khartoum military and civilian nuclear cooperation .
Moscow acknowledged in January last year that its military advisors were on ground in Sudan alongside forces loyal to the government as a political crisis there unfolded .
In a 2017 visit to Russia , former Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir asked President Vladimir Putin to `` protect '' his country from the United States .
He said military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re-equip '' Sudan 's armed forces .

The deal, published on the Russian government's website Tuesday, will see Moscow establish a "logistical support center" in Port Sudan where "repairs and resupply operations" can take place.
Russia has signed an agreement with Sudan to build a naval base on the country's Red Sea coast, in Moscow's latest push into Africa as it seeks to renew its geopolitical clout.
The agreement signed Dec. 1 is valid for 25 years and will be automatically renewed for 10-year periods if neither side objects.
The purpose of the base will be to "uphold peace and stability in the region," according to the document.
Russia's Navy will be allowed to keep up to four ships at a time at the base including nuclear-powered vessels. The base will be manned by up to 300 military and civilian personnel.
Russia will have the right to transport via Sudan's airports and ports "weapons, ammunition and equipment" needed for the naval base to function.
Sudanese authorities were not immediately available for comment.
Moscow has in recent years turned its focus to Africa as it seeks to reaffirm its geopolitical influence around the globe.
Russia and Sudan's armed forces signed a deal in May 2019 set to last seven years, as the Kremlin offers Khartoum military and civilian nuclear cooperation.
Moscow acknowledged in January last year that its military advisors were on ground in Sudan alongside forces loyal to the government as a political crisis there unfolded.
In a 2017 visit to Russia, former Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir asked President Vladimir Putin to "protect" his country from the United States.
He said military cooperation should be stepped up to "re-equip" Sudan's armed forces.


themoscowtimes--2020-12-09--5 Chechens Arrested in France Over Teacher’s Beheading – Reports

At least 14 people are being prosecuted in connection with Samuel Paty ’ s killing , with five of them indicted for pointing out him out to 18-year-old Abdullakh Anzorov , who decapitated the teacher on Oct. 16 , according to the Le Figaro daily .
Police in France have taken into custody five Chechens suspected of having been in contact with the Chechen refugee who beheaded a history teacher this fall , the French press reported Tuesday .
Police took another five Chechens aged 18 to 21 into custody for up to 96 hours early Monday , Le Figaro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources .
Anti-terrorism investigators suspect them of communicating with Anzorov online .
Le Figaro reported that the unnamed Chechens could be indicted for complicity in a terrorist assassination or involvement in a terrorist criminal association .
Moscow-born Anzorov , who was shot and killed by French police at the crime scene , was buried in his native Chechen village this weekend .
Chechen state television coverage of his funeral cast the killer in a sympathetic light , prompting the Kremlin to issue a condemnation that fell short of saying whether it justified terrorism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of outrage that prompted French President Emmanuel Macron to crack down on Islamist extremism in a country that has suffered a series of jihadist attacks since 2015 that killed more than 250 people .
Chechnya 's strongman leader Ramzan Kadyrov in October accused Macron of provoking Muslims and compared the French leader to a `` terrorist '' for speaking in defense of Paty .

At least 14 people are being prosecuted in connection with Samuel Paty’s killing, with five of them indicted for pointing out him out to 18-year-old Abdullakh Anzorov, who decapitated the teacher on Oct. 16, according to the Le Figaro daily.
Police in France have taken into custody five Chechens suspected of having been in contact with the Chechen refugee who beheaded a history teacher this fall, the French press reported Tuesday.
Police took another five Chechens aged 18 to 21 into custody for up to 96 hours early Monday, Le Figaro and Le Parisien reported, citing unnamed sources.
Anti-terrorism investigators suspect them of communicating with Anzorov online.
Le Figaro reported that the unnamed Chechens could be indicted for complicity in a terrorist assassination or involvement in a terrorist criminal association.
Moscow-born Anzorov, who was shot and killed by French police at the crime scene, was buried in his native Chechen village this weekend.
Chechen state television coverage of his funeral cast the killer in a sympathetic light, prompting the Kremlin to issue a condemnation that fell short of saying whether it justified terrorism.
Chechen authorities maintained that the funeral received “objective” coverage.
Paty's murder sparked a torrent of outrage that prompted French President Emmanuel Macron to crack down on Islamist extremism in a country that has suffered a series of jihadist attacks since 2015 that killed more than 250 people.
Chechnya's strongman leader Ramzan Kadyrov in October accused Macron of provoking Muslims and compared the French leader to a "terrorist" for speaking in defense of Paty.
AFP contributed reporting.


themoscowtimes--2020-12-09--Russian Lawmakers Approve Lifetime Immunity for Ex-Presidents

The proposal is a part of a larger set of constitutional reforms announced by President Vladimir Putin which Russians approved in a nationwide vote this summer .
Those reforms also include a provision that would reset Putin ’ s term limits and allow him to serve two more six-year terms in office .
Lawmakers in Russia ’ s lower house of parliament have voted to approve legislation that would give former presidents lifetime immunity from prosecution .
In its third and final reading of the law , the State Duma strengthened immunity protections for former presidents .
If the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be stripped of immunity if the Duma brings charges of high treason or other felonies against him or her .
If thosee charges are approved by the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court , the Federation Council would then vote on whether or not to strip the ex-president of immunity within three months .
The law specifies that an ex-president can not be held criminally nor administratively liable .
He or she may not be detained , arrested , subject to search , interrogation or body search .
Under current laws , presidents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liable for crimes committed while serving their terms .
The law must now obtain the approval of the upper-house Federation Council in a single reading before Putin can sign it into law .

The proposal is a part of a larger set of constitutional reforms announced by President Vladimir Putin which Russians approved in a nationwide vote this summer. Those reforms also include a provision that would reset Putin’s term limits and allow him to serve two more six-year terms in office.
Lawmakers in Russia’s lower house of parliament have voted to approve legislation that would give former presidents lifetime immunity from prosecution.
In its third and final reading of the law, the State Duma strengthened immunity protections for former presidents.
If the law is passed, an ex-president can only be stripped of immunity if the Duma brings charges of high treason or other felonies against him or her. If thosee charges are approved by the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court, the Federation Council would then vote on whether or not to strip the ex-president of immunity within three months.
The law specifies that an ex-president cannot be held criminally nor administratively liable. He or she may not be detained, arrested, subject to search, interrogation or body search.
Under current laws, presidents cannot be held criminally or administratively liable for crimes committed while serving their terms.
The law must now obtain the approval of the upper-house Federation Council in a single reading before Putin can sign it into law.


themoscowtimes--2020-12-09--Kremlin Sounds Alarm Over 'Doomsday Plane' Robbery

The Interior Ministry said police in the southern city of Taganrog had been alerted that 1 million rubles ( $ 13,600 ) worth of equipment had been stolen from an Ilyushin Il-80 plane at an airfield .
The Kremlin on Wednesday sounded the alarm over the theft of sensitive equipment from a `` doomsday plane '' designed to shield top command from the effects of a nuclear explosion .
President Vladimir Putin 's spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the breach as an `` emergency situation '' and vowed that `` measures will be taken to prevent this from happening in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not specify what was stolen but said that investigators had been dispatched to the scene .
The port city of Taganrog , more than 1,100 kilometers south of Moscow , is home to Beriev Aircraft Company , a struggling state-controlled enterprise .
Both the Interior Ministry and Beriev declined to comment when reached by AFP .
But the Kremlin-friendly REN-TV television channel reported earlier this week that radio equipment was taken from an Il-80 plane that was undergoing maintenance at Taganrog .
Thieves opened the aircraft 's cargo hatch and shoe and fingerprints @ @ @ @ @ @ @ channel said adding that Beriev reported the theft to police last week .
The channel said that 12 people had been questioned as part of the probe that was made public on Wednesday .
Citing a source , it said officials with access to the airfield could be behind the high-profile theft .
The robbed plane is one of four highly-classified flying command centers built to evacuate the president and other top officials in case of a nuclear explosion .
Almost windowless , the first such Russian plane is believed to have flown @ @ @

The Interior Ministry said police in the southern city of Taganrog had been alerted that 1 million rubles ($13,600) worth of equipment was stolen from an Ilyushin Il-80 plane at an airfield.
The Kremlin on Wednesday sounded the alarm over the theft of sensitive equipment from a secretive "doomsday plane" designed for the country's top command in event of a nuclear attack.
President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the breach as an "emergency situation" and vowed that "measures will be taken to prevent this from happening in the future."
The Interior Ministry did not specify what was stolen but said that investigators had been dispatched to the scene.
The port city of Taganrog, more than 1,100 kilometers (700 miles) south of Moscow, is home to Beriev Aircraft Company, a struggling state-controlled enterprise.
Both the Interior Ministry and Beriev declined to comment when reached by AFP.
But the Kremlin-friendly REN-TV television channel reported earlier this week that radio equipment was taken from an Il-80 plane that was undergoing maintenance at Taganrog.
Thieves opened the aircraft's cargo hatch and shoe and fingerprints were found inside the aircraft, the channel said, adding that Beriev reported the theft to police last week.
The channel said that 12 people had been questioned as part of the probe that was made public on Wednesday.
Citing a source, it said officials with access to the airfield could be behind the high-profile theft.
'Classified data leak'
The robbed plane is one of four flying command centers built to evacuate the president and other top officials and issue commands in case of a nuclear explosion.
Based on the Ilyushin Il-86 jetliner, the first such Russian plane is believed to have flown in 1985.
The aircraft are designed to sustain electromagnetic pulses and are almost windowless to prevent the crew and passengers from being blinded by the effects of a nuclear blast.
Military experts said the theft was no ordinary incident and underscored the logistics of guarding highly classified hardware.
Military expert Mikhail Khodarenok said that the Soviet-era radio equipment from the Il-80 was most likely targeted for its scrap value — a common occurence in Russia.
Writing in the Gazeta.ru news portal, Khodarenok said the incident was significant because it constituted a "highly classified data leak."
"Heads will roll," said Vasily Kashin, a military expert at Moscow's Higher School of Economics.
But he cautioned it was important not to exaggerate the national security significance of "theft of old Soviet-era metal scrap."
"We don't know the condition of that plane," Kashin told AFP.
Another miliary expert, Pavel Felgenhauer, said the loss of the Soviet-era equipment was likely to have rendered the plane unusable.
Last year, Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko said work was under way to modernize the Il-80s.
The United States operates similar flying command centers which are called E-4B Nightwatch and based on the Boeing 747s.


themoscowtimes--2020-12-09--Russia Bans Imports of Tomatoes From Azerbaijan

Russia has announced a ban on imports of tomatoes from Azerbaijan beginning Thursday , in a damaging move for a @ @ @ @ @ to fallout from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict .
Agriculture watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor on Tuesday announced the embargo @ @ @ @ @ against harmful substances detected in several recent shipments .
It said the ban was necessary @ @ @ @ @ and spread ” of pesticides to Russia .
Azerbaijan is Russia ’ s largest supplier @ @ @ @ @ over 30 % of imports , Russian news agencies reported .
While the vast majority @ @ @ @ @ are petroleum products , tomatoes account for almost 1 % of goods sold abroad and @ @ @ @ @ for the produce , according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity .

Russia has announced a ban on imports of tomatoes from Azerbaijan beginning Thursday, in a damaging move for a key export that analysts tied to fallout from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Agriculture watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor on Tuesday announced the embargo beginning December 10 to protect against harmful substances detected in several recent shipments.
It said the ban was necessary to “prevent the import and spread” of pesticides to Russia.
Azerbaijan is Russia’s largest supplier of tomatoes, accounting for over 30% of imports, Russian news agencies reported.
While the vast majority of Azerbaijan’s exports are petroleum products, tomatoes account for almost 1% of goods sold abroad and Russia is the main market for the produce, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity.


themoscowtimes--2020-12-09--Denmark ‘Mistaken’ With Russian Spy Charges, Moscow Says

The unnamed Russian citizen is suspected of providing information about Danish energy technology to Russia ’ s intelligence service , Reuters quoted Danish public prosecutors earlier in the day .
A Russian national ’ s arrest on suspicion of espionage in Denmark is a mistake , Russia ’ s Embassy in Copenhagen told Interfax on Wednesday .
“ The Russian Embassy in Denmark considers the arrest of our compatriot and the charges of espionage against him a mistake , ” Interfax quoted the diplomatic mission as saying .
“ We expect the Danish justice system ’ s unbiased approach toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an acquittal and the release of our compatriot , ” it added .
Denmark has reportedly held the suspected Russian spy in custody since July 2020 .
According to Interfax , Danish prosecutors intend to seek a prison term and deportation for the Russian national .
Denmark is at least the third Nordic country to accuse Russia of espionage in recent years .
In August , Norway expelled a Russian diplomat following a spy scandal while Sweden detained , then released , in 2019 a naturalized Swedish citizen suspected of spying for Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestic spy agency blamed Russia ’ s Fancy Bear hacker group for a “ brute force attack ” on its parliament in August 2020 .

The unnamed Russian citizen is suspected of providing information about Danish energy technology to Russia’s intelligence service, Reuters quoted Danish public prosecutors earlier in the day.
A Russian national’s arrest on suspicion of espionage in Denmark is a mistake, Russia’s Embassy in Copenhagen told Interfax on Wednesday.
“The Russian Embassy in Denmark considers the arrest of our compatriot and the charges of espionage against him a mistake,” Interfax quoted the diplomatic mission as saying.
“We expect the Danish justice system’s unbiased approach toward considering this case. We hope for an acquittal and the release of our compatriot,” it added.
Denmark has reportedly held the suspected Russian spy in custody since July 2020.
According to Interfax, Danish prosecutors intend to seek a prison term and deportation for the Russian national.
Denmark is at least the third Nordic country to accuse Russia of espionage in recent years. In August, Norway expelled a Russian diplomat following a spy scandal while Sweden detained, then released, in 2019 a naturalized Swedish citizen suspected of spying for Russia.
On Tuesday, Norway’s domestic spy agency blamed Russia’s Fancy Bear hacker group for a “brute force attack” on its parliament in August 2020.


themoscowtimes--2020-12-09--Last Soviet Defense Minister Dies From Coronavirus – Reports

Yevgeny Shaposhnikov , the last Defense Minister of the Soviet Union and a Marshal of Aviation , has died at age 78 , the state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported Tuesday .
The state-run TASS news agency reported , citing unnamed medical sources , that Shaposhnikov had died as a result of Covid-19 .
According to the Mash Telegram channel , Shaposhnikov was diagnosed with the coronavirus and pneumonia on Nov. 25 .
The former marshal was hospitalized and placed on a ventilator as his condition worsened .
Shaposhnikov was born on Feb. 3 , 1942 , in the Rostov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Air Force of the U.S.S.R. since 1959 .
He was a senior pilot and navigator of the regiment , then commanded a squadron , a fighter aviation regiment and a fighter aviation division .
By the end of the 1970s , he took up the post of Air Force Commander for Combat Training of the Carpathian Military District , and in 1984 he became Deputy Air Force Commander of the Odessa Military District .
During the attempted coup of August 1991 , Shaposhnikov spoke out against the State Emergency Committee which was trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the RSFSR Boris Yeltsin .
He was named Defense Minister on Aug. 23 , 1991 , a position he would hold until the Soviet break-up on Dec. 26 , 1991 .
Shaposhnikov would play an important role in the subsequent transfer of powers after the Soviet Union ’ s dissolution .
On Dec. 26 , 1991 , he received the `` nuclear briefcase '' from former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and handed it over to the first Russian President Boris Yeltsin .
After a long career in Soviet aviation , Shaposhnikov held a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin administrations , including as a presidential assistant for space and aviation development .
He then worked as an adviser and board member of civil aviation companies like Aeroflot and Sukhoi for the rest of his career .
President Vladimir Putin sent a message of condolence to Shaposhnikov ’ s family and friends on Wednesday .

Yevgeny Shaposhnikov, the last Defense Minister of the Soviet Union and a Marshal of Aviation, has died at age 78, the state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported Tuesday.
The state-run TASS news agency reported, citing unnamed medical sources, that Shaposhnikov had died as a result of Covid-19.
According to the Mash Telegram channel, Shaposhnikov was diagnosed with the coronavirus and pneumonia on Nov. 25. The former marshal was hospitalized and placed on a ventilator as his condition worsened.
Shaposhnikov was born on Feb. 3, 1942, in the Rostov region, and had served in the Air Force of the U.S.S.R. since 1959. He was a senior pilot and navigator of the regiment, then commanded a squadron, a fighter aviation regiment and a fighter aviation division. By the end of the 1970s, he took up the post of Air Force Commander for Combat Training of the Carpathian Military District, and in 1984 he became Deputy Air Force Commander of the Odessa Military District.
During the attempted coup of August 1991, Shaposhnikov spoke out against the State Emergency Committee which was trying to seize power and supported then-President of the RSFSR Boris Yeltsin.
He was named Defense Minister on Aug. 23, 1991, a position he would hold until the Soviet break-up on Dec. 26, 1991.
Shaposhnikov would play an important role in the subsequent transfer of powers after the Soviet Union’s dissolution. On Dec. 26, 1991, he received the "nuclear briefcase" from former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and handed it over to the first Russian President Boris Yeltsin.
After a long career in Soviet aviation, Shaposhnikov held a variety of posts in the Yeltsin and Putin administrations, including as a presidential assistant for space and aviation development. He then worked as an adviser and board member of civil aviation companies like Aeroflot and Sukhoi for the rest of his career.
President Vladimir Putin sent a message of condolence to Shaposhnikov’s family and friends on Wednesday.


themoscowtimes--2020-12-09--Endangered Seals Wash Up Dead on Russian Beach

Footage shared from the republic of Dagestan last week showed Caspian seal carcasses lying motionless on the beach .
Rescuer Ziyavdin Nikamogamedov said he had encountered at least 17 dead mammals in the dirty waters following torrential rains .
A dozen dead endangered seals have been found washed up on the shores of the Caspian Sea in southern Russia .
Environmentalists told Interfax the seals may have died from tightly meshed poaching nets or raw sewage poisoning .
The Defense Ministry-run Zvezda broadcaster found what it called Chinese-made fishing nets often used by poachers lying on the sand near the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sciences biologist Magomed-Rasul Magomedov told Zvezda the seals may have died as early as one month ago , but were only washed up by a recent tidal wave .
Regional environmental prosecutors launched an investigation into the animals ’ deaths , the RIA Dagestan news agency reported Sunday .
The Caspian seal population has declined from around 1 million to 40,000-60,000 in the past century , zoologist Ilya Gomyranov told the Dozhd television broadcaster .
Russia added Caspian seals to its list of endangered species in 2020 , one year after Dagestan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 10,000 Caspian seals in 2000 to a viral disease known as canine distemper .
The latest mass Caspian seal death is part of a recent string of marine life deaths and other ecological disasters in Russia that have sparked environmental fears .

Footage shared from the republic of Dagestan last week showed Caspian seal carcasses lying motionless on the beach. Rescuer Ziyavdin Nikamogamedov said he had encountered at least 17 dead mammals in the dirty waters following torrential rains.
A dozen dead endangered seals have been found washed up on the shores of the Caspian Sea in southern Russia.
Environmentalists told Interfax the seals may have died from tightly meshed poaching nets or raw sewage poisoning.
The Defense Ministry-run Zvezda broadcaster found what it called Chinese-made fishing nets often used by poachers lying on the sand near the Caspian seal carcasses. Russian Academy of Sciences biologist Magomed-Rasul Magomedov told Zvezda the seals may have died as early as one month ago, but were only washed up by a recent tidal wave.
Regional environmental prosecutors launched an investigation into the animals’ deaths, the RIA Dagestan news agency reported Sunday.
The Caspian seal population has declined from around 1 million to 40,000-60,000 in the past century, zoologist Ilya Gomyranov told the Dozhd television broadcaster.
Russia added Caspian seals to its list of endangered species in 2020, one year after Dagestan.
Dagestan adopted a Caspian seal conservation program in 2015.
Researchers previously attributed the deaths of more than 10,000 Caspian seals in 2000 to a viral disease known as canine distemper.
The latest mass Caspian seal death is part of a recent string of marine life deaths and other ecological disasters in Russia that have sparked environmental fears.


themoscowtimes--2020-12-09--Yandex Launches Food Delivery Robots

Yandex Launches Food Delivery Robots

Just like a human courier , after an order is placed , the robot makes its way to the restaurant , picks up the food , and then delivers it to a specific location .
Users can track the robot ’ s journey and then “ unlock ” the food through the Yandex Eats app .
The small six-wheeled autonomous robot — dubbed Yandex Rover — has started delivering orders from Yandex ’ s food delivery service , Yandex Eats , to customers in one of Moscow ’ s central business districts .
“ Rovers can deliver restaurant meals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will slowly but steadily become a normal part of city life , ” said Dmitry Polishchuk , the CEO of Yandex ’ s self-driving group .
For now , the robot is only delivering from a handful of restaurants in a small area , but the company said it will expand the service in the future .
It is also available in Innopolis , a hi-tech development park on the outskirts of Kazan , some 750 kilometers east of Moscow .
It is one of the places where Yandex has been testing its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is investing heavily into self-driving technology — its autonomous cars are in the top three globally for number of miles driven , the company announced over the summer .

Just like a human courier, after an order is placed, the robot makes its way to the restaurant, picks up the food, and then delivers it to a specific location. Users can track the robot’s journey and then “unlock” the food through the Yandex Eats app.
The small six-wheeled autonomous robot — dubbed Yandex Rover — has started delivering orders from Yandex’s food delivery service, Yandex Eats, to customers in one of Moscow’s central business districts.
“Rovers can deliver restaurant meals, groceries and orders from online stores and will slowly but steadily become a normal part of city life,” said Dmitry Polishchuk, the CEO of Yandex’s self-driving group.
For now, the robot is only delivering from a handful of restaurants in a small area, but the company said it will expand the service in the future. It is also available in Innopolis, a hi-tech development park on the outskirts of Kazan, some 750 kilometers east of Moscow. It is one of the places where Yandex has been testing its self-driving vehicles and robo-taxi services.
Yandex is investing heavily into self-driving technology — its autonomous cars are in the top three globally for number of miles driven, the company announced over the summer.