themoscowtimes--2020-06-26--Orenburg Become Fourth Russian Football Club With Positive Virus Tests

Orenburg , who are scheduled to play high-flying Krasnodar on Saturday , said six players and two backroom staff returned positive tests .
Russian football club Orenburg became the fourth team hit by coronavirus cases since the Russian league resumed last weekend , announcing on Thursday that eight staff had tested positive .
Coach Konstantin Paramonov said Thursday 's training had been canceled and raised the possibility that the first team would be put in isolation and completely replaced for the league game on the weekend .
Orenburg said its players had all tested negative before last weekend 's game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the team was again tested at the airport , after the match against Lokomotiv , with six players producing tests that came back positive .
Russian league president Sergei Pryadkin said the players who had tested positive were isolated and an official health inquiry was under way .
Lokomotiv announced on Wednesday that it had placed its players and technical staff under quarantine at the club 's training center because of the rise of coronavirus cases in Russian football .
Lokomotiv are second in the Russian league , nine points behind Zenit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The club said in a statement that until further notice , the entire professional staff will reside at Bakovka , the club 's training center south-west of the Russian capital .
The Russian league resumed on June 19 but was immediately disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic .
Rostov 's entire squad was quarantined after six players tested positive , forcing the club to send its youth team to play in Sochi where they lost 10-1 .
Three Dinamo Moscow players also tested positive and the club 's match against Krasnodar was postponed @

Orenburg, who are scheduled to play high-flying Krasnodar on Saturday, said six players and two backroom staff returned positive tests.
Russian football club Orenburg became the fourth team hit by coronavirus cases since the Russian league resumed last weekend, announcing on Thursday that eight staff had tested positive.
Coach Konstantin Paramonov said Thursday's training had been canceled and raised the possibility that the first team would be put in isolation and completely replaced for the league game on the weekend.
Orenburg said its players had all tested negative before last weekend's game against Lokomotiv Moscow.
According to Paramonov, the team was again tested at the airport, after the match against Lokomotiv, with six players producing tests that came back positive.
Russian league president Sergei Pryadkin said the players who had tested positive were isolated and an official health inquiry was under way.
Lokomotiv announced on Wednesday that it had placed its players and technical staff under quarantine at the club's training center because of the rise of coronavirus cases in Russian football.
Lokomotiv are second in the Russian league, nine points behind Zenit St. Petersburg and three ahead of Krasnodar.
The club said in a statement that until further notice, the entire professional staff will reside at Bakovka, the club's training center south-west of the Russian capital.
The Russian league resumed on June 19 but was immediately disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Rostov's entire squad was quarantined after six players tested positive, forcing the club to send its youth team to play in Sochi where they lost 10-1.
Three Dinamo Moscow players also tested positive and the club's match against Krasnodar was postponed.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-26--Russia Passes 620K Coronavirus Cases

Russia Passes 620K Coronavirus Cases

Moscow lifted restrictions including compulsory travel passes on June 8 , a move welcomed by residents who rushed out to enjoy the streets and parks .
Many other regions are lifting lockdown restrictions as Russia is preparing to hold a July 1 national vote despite the pandemic .
President Vladimir Putin is seeking public backing for constitutional amendments that would allow him to stay on at the Kremlin beyond his current term .
Critics have cast doubt on Russia 's low official mortality rate and accused authorities of under-reporting to play down the scale of the crisis .
Russia attributes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing which has identified many cases with mild or no coronavirus symptoms .
The Health Ministry is now adjusting how it reports numbers to include all deaths believed to be related to the virus even if the direct cause of death was another condition or the patient tested negative .
Former Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin , a liberal politician known for his outspoken comments , said Russia 's health system requires more funds and modernization in many regions .
`` Medicine is significantly underfunded even according to the current norms and also it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who heads the Audit Chamber that examines government spending , said in an interview with the state-run TASS state news agency .
`` We will carry out a check and show these figures , '' he added .
Nevertheless the economist said Russia `` is not doing a bad job with the pandemic , '' crediting the role of the military , which has built emergency facilities .

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


themoscowtimes--2020-06-26--Anti-Putin Shaman Recognized as Political Prisoner

Authorities committed Alexander Gabyshev to a mental asylum earlier in June following his three attempts to trek 8,000 kilometers from his hometown of Yakutsk to “ banish ” Putin from the Kremlin .
Observers have compared his case to Soviet-era punitive psychiatry exercised on political dissenters .
A self-described Siberian shaman critical of President Vladimir Putin is a political prisoner being persecuted for his beliefs , the Memorial human rights organization said Thursday .
“ He is being deprived of liberty solely because of his political and religious beliefs , as well as the nonviolent exercise of freedom of movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Memorial said .
The human rights group accused investigators of failing to press charges against Gabyshev , whom it described as a “ hereditary shaman , ” in nine months and a court of failing to consider his case “ fully and objectively.
” “ The circumstances of his hospitalization and medical examination indicate that there are no grounds ” to involuntarily hospitalize Gabyshev , Memorial wrote in a statement .
“ Doctors and government officials talk about Gabyshev ’ s hospitalization in a political way , clearly linking it to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social influence , ” it said .
Gabyshev has gained many fans in his native republic of Sakha since first setting out last spring , and local officials have expressed unease over his case .
The popular mayor of Yakutsk has called his detention `` selective punishment . ''
Committing political dissenters to psychiatric hospitals was a practice known as punitive psychiatry in the days of the Soviet Union .
Up to the late 1980s , critics could be diagnosed with `` sluggish schizophrenia '' or forms of paranoia and locked up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all-time high in the share of Russians who believe that their country imprisons people for political reasons .
Memorial lists 63 people it recognizes as political prisoners in Russia as well as 260 others imprisoned or persecuted for their beliefs .
It noted a sixfold growth in the number of political prisoners in Russia over the past five years .

Authorities committed Alexander Gabyshev to a mental asylum earlier in June following his three attempts to trek 8,000 kilometers from his hometown of Yakutsk to “banish” Putin from the Kremlin. Observers have compared his case to Soviet-era punitive psychiatry exercised on political dissenters.
A self-described Siberian shaman critical of President Vladimir Putin is a political prisoner being persecuted for his beliefs, the Memorial human rights organization said Thursday.
“He is being deprived of liberty solely because of his political and religious beliefs, as well as the nonviolent exercise of freedom of movement, expression, peaceful assembly and religion,” Memorial said.
The human rights group accused investigators of failing to press charges against Gabyshev, whom it described as a “hereditary shaman,” in nine months and a court of failing to consider his case “fully and objectively.”
“The circumstances of his hospitalization and medical examination indicate that there are no grounds” to involuntarily hospitalize Gabyshev, Memorial wrote in a statement.
“Doctors and government officials talk about Gabyshev’s hospitalization in a political way, clearly linking it to the shaman’s growing popularity and social influence,” it said.
Gabyshev has gained many fans in his native republic of Sakha since first setting out last spring, and local officials have expressed unease over his case. The popular mayor of Yakutsk has called his detention "selective punishment."
Committing political dissenters to psychiatric hospitals was a practice known as punitive psychiatry in the days of the Soviet Union. Up to the late 1980s, critics could be diagnosed with "sluggish schizophrenia" or forms of paranoia and locked up in institutions.
Recent polling has registered an all-time high in the share of Russians who believe that their country imprisons people for political reasons.
Memorial lists 63 people it recognizes as political prisoners in Russia as well as 260 others imprisoned or persecuted for their beliefs.
It noted a sixfold growth in the number of political prisoners in Russia over the past five years.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-26--Macron 'Confident' of Progress in Russia Ties

French President Emmanuel Macron is confident of progress in key areas with Russia , including notably the crisis in Libya , his office said on Friday after a video conference summit with Russia 's Vladimir Putin .
Macron is `` confident that we can make progress with Russia on a number of subjects , '' a senior French presidential official told reporters , citing `` a common interest in the stabilisation of Libya and the reunification of its institutions . ''
Macron has in recent months pursued a policy of rapprochement with Russia , reaching out to Putin over key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an approach that has discomforted some EU allies .
Their talks came after Macron this week bitterly attacked Turkey 's intervention in the Libya conflict , which has tipped the balance away from rebel strongman Khalifa Haftar .
Russia backs Haftar , and France is also suspected of favouring him — although Paris insists it is neutral in the conflict .
Haftar has endured a series of defeats in recent weeks as Turkey ups its support for the UN-recognised Government of National Accord ( GNA ) , raising doubts about the strongman @ @ @

French President Emmanuel Macron is confident of progress in key areas with Russia, including notably the crisis in Libya, his office said on Friday after a video conference summit with Russia's Vladimir Putin.
Macron is "confident that we can make progress with Russia on a number of subjects," a senior French presidential official told reporters, citing "a common interest in the stabilisation of Libya and the reunification of its institutions."
Macron has in recent months pursued a policy of rapprochement with Russia, reaching out to Putin over key areas of disagreement such as Ukraine, in an approach that has discomforted some EU allies.
Their talks came after Macron this week bitterly attacked Turkey's intervention in the Libya conflict, which has tipped the balance away from rebel strongman Khalifa Haftar.
Russia backs Haftar, and France is also suspected of favouring him — although Paris insists it is neutral in the conflict.
Haftar has endured a series of defeats in recent weeks as Turkey ups its support for the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), raising doubts about the strongman's future.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-26--Oil Firm Says Russian Mercenaries Enter Key Libya Field

After a months-long suspension , Al-Sharara — under the control of forces loyal to eastern military strongman General Khalifa Haftar — resumed operations at the start of June , only to halt work again three days later at the instruction of those forces .
The mercenaries drove into Al-Sharara oilfield in a convoy of vehicles late Thursday , the NOC said in a statement on its website , expressing `` great concern . ''
Russian and other foreign mercenaries have entered a key oil field in southern Libya , the conflict-hit country 's National Oil Corporation said Friday .
Plunged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that toppled and killed its longtime leader Moamer Kadhafi , oil-rich Libya has two rival administrations .
Haftar 's forces , which are backed by Russia , Egypt and the UAE , launched an assault in April 2019 to wrest control of the capital Tripoli from the UN-backed Government of National Accord .
But Haftar 's fighters withdrew from the southern outskirts of the capital — and the entire west of the country — earlier this month , after a string of battlefield defeats to the Turkish-backed GNA .
Moscow denies any involvement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conflict , despite a UN report in May alleging fighters from the Wagner paramilitary group , reputedly close to President Vladimir Putin , are on the ground .
NOC chairman Mustafa Sanalla condemned the latest intervention in Al-Sharara , located in the Oubari region some 900 kilometres ( 550 miles ) south of Tripoli .
`` Libya 's oil is for the Libyan people , and I completely reject attempts by foreign countries to prevent the resumption of oil production , '' he said .
`` We do not need Russian and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goal is to prevent oil production , '' said Sanalla .
`` We need patriotic , professional , and independent security forces who will facilitate the resumption of oil production for the benefit of all the Libyan people , with revenues allocated fairly and transparently across the whole of Libya . ''
When in operation , Al-Sharara produces 315,000 barrels per day — nearly one third of Libya 's crude output .
Oil exports are the source of almost all the state 's revenues , and Libya has the biggest proven crude reserves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Akakus company , a joint venture between NOC , Spanish oil giant Repsol , France 's Total , Austria 's OMV and Norway 's Statoil .

After a months-long suspension, Al-Sharara — under the control of forces loyal to eastern military strongman General Khalifa Haftar — resumed operations at the start of June, only to halt work again three days later at the instruction of those forces.
The mercenaries drove into Al-Sharara oilfield in a convoy of vehicles late Thursday, the NOC said in a statement on its website, expressing "great concern."
Russian and other foreign mercenaries have entered a key oil field in southern Libya, the conflict-hit country's National Oil Corporation said Friday.
Plunged into chaos by the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed its longtime leader Moamer Kadhafi, oil-rich Libya has two rival administrations.
Haftar's forces, which are backed by Russia, Egypt and the UAE, launched an assault in April 2019 to wrest control of the capital Tripoli from the UN-backed Government of National Accord.
But Haftar's fighters withdrew from the southern outskirts of the capital — and the entire west of the country — earlier this month, after a string of battlefield defeats to the Turkish-backed GNA.
Moscow denies any involvement in the presence of Russian mercenaries in the conflict, despite a UN report in May alleging fighters from the Wagner paramilitary group, reputedly close to President Vladimir Putin, are on the ground.
NOC chairman Mustafa Sanalla condemned the latest intervention in Al-Sharara, located in the Oubari region some 900 kilometres (550 miles) south of Tripoli.
"Libya's oil is for the Libyan people, and I completely reject attempts by foreign countries to prevent the resumption of oil production," he said.
"We do not need Russian and other foreign mercenaries in Libyan oilfields whose goal is to prevent oil production," said Sanalla.
"We need patriotic, professional, and independent security forces who will facilitate the resumption of oil production for the benefit of all the Libyan people, with revenues allocated fairly and transparently across the whole of Libya."
When in operation, Al-Sharara produces 315,000 barrels per day — nearly one third of Libya's crude output.
Oil exports are the source of almost all the state's revenues, and Libya has the biggest proven crude reserves in Africa.
Al-Sharara is run by the Akakus company, a joint venture between NOC, Spanish oil giant Repsol, France's Total, Austria's OMV and Norway's Statoil.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-26--Wanted Russian Cybercrime Group Resurfaces With Work-From-Home Attacks – NYT

U.S. authorities indicted Evil Corp leader Maxim Yakubets and his associate in December on suspicion of stealing more than $ 100 million from U.S. , British and other companies .
A Russian cybercriminal group known as Evil Corp has resurfaced in the United States with attempts to hack into major corporations through employees who are working from home due to the coronavirus , The New York Times reported Thursday .
The computer security company Symantec said it identified a malicious ransomware program attributed to Evil Corp that had breached the networks of at least 31 major U.S. corporations and were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to users ’ computers until the victim pays a ransom .
“ These hackers have a decade of experience and they aren ’ t wasting time with small , two-bit outfits .
They are going after the biggest American firms , and only American firms , ” Symantec ’ s technical director Eric Chien told NYT .
Evil Corp hackers deploy malware on common websites that can identify whether visitors work for major corporations or governments , Chien said .
They infect the visitors ’ personal computers and use them as a springboard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reconnect to their employers ’ networks via protected channels , he continued .
Symantec said Evil Corp is able to penetrate “ some of the most well-protected corporations , stealing credentials and moving with ease across their networks.
” It warned that a successful attack could cause millions of U.S. dollars in damages and trigger “ a domino effect on supply chains.
” “ A successful attack could cripple the victim ’ s network , leading to significant disruption to their operations and a costly clean-up operation , ” it said .
Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the United States , meaning they are unlikely to stand trial there .
Britain has said it has arrested and convicted eight other members of Evil Corp. Photographs released by the British government in December showed Yakubets driving a custom Lamborghini and depicted other members enjoying a high-flying lifestyle .
This is at least the second time Evil Corp has resurfaced after a 2015 U.S. indictment against Yakubets and associate Igor Turashev failed to curb their attacks .

U.S. authorities indicted Evil Corp leader Maxim Yakubets and his associate in December on suspicion of stealing more than $100 million from U.S., British and other companies.
A Russian cybercriminal group known as Evil Corp has resurfaced in the United States with attempts to hack into major corporations through employees who are working from home due to the coronavirus, The New York Times reported Thursday.
The computer security company Symantec said it identified a malicious ransomware program attributed to Evil Corp that had breached the networks of at least 31 major U.S. corporations and were preparing to attack. Ransomware blocks access to users’ computers until the victim pays a ransom.
“These hackers have a decade of experience and they aren’t wasting time with small, two-bit outfits. They are going after the biggest American firms, and only American firms,” Symantec’s technical director Eric Chien told NYT.
Evil Corp hackers deploy malware on common websites that can identify whether visitors work for major corporations or governments, Chien said. They infect the visitors’ personal computers and use them as a springboard to attack corporate systems once the users reconnect to their employers’ networks via protected channels, he continued.
Symantec said Evil Corp is able to penetrate “some of the most well-protected corporations, stealing credentials and moving with ease across their networks.” It warned that a successful attack could cause millions of U.S. dollars in damages and trigger “a domino effect on supply chains.”
“A successful attack could cripple the victim’s network, leading to significant disruption to their operations and a costly clean-up operation,” it said.
Russia is unlikely to extradite the alleged hackers to the United States, meaning they are unlikely to stand trial there.
Britain has said it has arrested and convicted eight other members of Evil Corp. Photographs released by the British government in December showed Yakubets driving a custom Lamborghini and depicted other members enjoying a high-flying lifestyle.
This is at least the second time Evil Corp has resurfaced after a 2015 U.S. indictment against Yakubets and associate Igor Turashev failed to curb their attacks.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-26--Serebrennikov Trial: Russia Gives Suspended Sentence to Prominent Director in Fraud Case

A Moscow court has handed a suspended sentence to prominent theater director Kirill Serebrennikov , a surprise legal victory in a fraud case his supporters say was politically motivated and a test of artistic freedom in Russia .
Suspended sentences are widely seen as the lightest punishment in Russia 's legal system , which rarely issues not-guilty verdicts .
The sentencing was met with applause by the hundreds of supporters gathered outside .
Moscow ’ s Meshchansky district court found Serebrennikov guilty of large-scale embezzlement on Friday , ordering him to undergo three years of probation and pay an 800,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prosecutors had requested six years for Serebrennikov , five years for former Seventh Studio theater producer Alexei Malobrodsky and four each for director Yury Itin and former Culture Ministry employee Sofia Apfelbaum .
Prosecutors also requested fines ranging from 200,000 rubles to 800,000 rubles for the co-defendants .
Malobrodsky and Itin also received suspended sentences , with Malobrodsky receiving two years ' probation and a 300,000 ruble fine and Itin receiving three years ' probation and a 200,000 ruble fine .
Apfelbaum , meanwhile , had her charges downgraded to negligence and freed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statute of limitations .
All co-defendants had pleaded not guilty .
Several hundred supporters of the case 's co-defendants , including famous rapper Oxxxymiron , several popular actors and other cultural figures , had gathered outside the court building ahead of the verdict .
Serebrennikov , 50 , was detained in August 2017 on charges of creating an organized criminal group with his colleagues and embezzling more than $ 2 million of state funding for a theater project called Platforma .
The so-called “ theater trial ” has drawn controversy as critics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2012 , Serebrennikov was appointed as the director of the small state-funded Gogol Center , which he turned into one of Moscow 's best theaters and a favorite of the liberal intelligentsia .
Yet Serebrennikov 's work has angered cultural conservatives in Russia who see his frequent use of onstage nudity and obscene language , as well as modern adaptations of classics , as a step too far .
The prominent director calls the charges “ absurd ” and maintains that the money was used properly .
Serebrennikov , Itin and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 after a year and a half spent under house arrest on the criminal fraud charges .
A Moscow court ordered in 2019 to re-try the case over mistakes in the previous guilty verdict .
Observers speculated at the time that the case could be thrown out or the charges mitigated .
The prosecution ’ s key witness earlier in June claimed giving her testimony under duress , joining three previous witnesses in claiming that they had been pressured to testify against former colleagues .

A Moscow court has handed a suspended sentence to prominent theater director Kirill Serebrennikov, a surprise legal victory in a fraud case his supporters say was politically motivated and a test of artistic freedom in Russia. Suspended sentences are widely seen as the lightest punishment in Russia's legal system, which rarely issues not-guilty verdicts. The sentencing was met with applause by the hundreds of supporters gathered outside. Moscow’s Meshchansky district court found Serebrennikov guilty of large-scale embezzlement on Friday, ordering him to undergo three years of probation and pay an 800,000 ruble ($11,500) fine.
Prosecutors had requested six years for Serebrennikov, five years for former Seventh Studio theater producer Alexei Malobrodsky and four each for director Yury Itin and former Culture Ministry employee Sofia Apfelbaum. Prosecutors also requested fines ranging from 200,000 rubles to 800,000 rubles for the co-defendants. Malobrodsky and Itin also received suspended sentences, with Malobrodsky receiving two years' probation and a 300,000 ruble fine and Itin receiving three years' probation and a 200,000 ruble fine. Apfelbaum, meanwhile, had her charges downgraded to negligence and freed her from paying a fine due to a statute of limitations. All co-defendants had pleaded not guilty. Several hundred supporters of the case's co-defendants, including famous rapper Oxxxymiron, several popular actors and other cultural figures, had gathered outside the court building ahead of the verdict. Serebrennikov, 50, was detained in August 2017 on charges of creating an organized criminal group with his colleagues and embezzling more than $2 million of state funding for a theater project called Platforma. The so-called “theater trial” has drawn controversy as critics say the case is a political set-up. In 2012, Serebrennikov was appointed as the director of the small state-funded Gogol Center, which he turned into one of Moscow's best theaters and a favorite of the liberal intelligentsia.
Yet Serebrennikov's work has angered cultural conservatives in Russia who see his frequent use of onstage nudity and obscene language, as well as modern adaptations of classics, as a step too far. The prominent director calls the charges “absurd” and maintains that the money was used properly. Serebrennikov, Itin and Apfelbaum were released on bail in April 2019 after a year and a half spent under house arrest on the criminal fraud charges. A Moscow court ordered in 2019 to re-try the case over mistakes in the previous guilty verdict. Observers speculated at the time that the case could be thrown out or the charges mitigated. The prosecution’s key witness earlier in June claimed giving her testimony under duress, joining three previous witnesses in claiming that they had been pressured to testify against former colleagues.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-27--Russia Spies Aided Taliban Attacks, U.S. Intel Says - NYT

US intelligence has concluded that a Russian unit offered rewards to Taliban-linked militants to kill troops of the US-led coalition in Afghanistan , The New York Times reported Friday .
The purported bounties gave incentives to the guerrillas to target US forces , just as President Donald Trump tries to withdraw troops and end America 's longest war .
The newspaper , citing anonymous officials , said that Trump was briefed on the findings in March , but has not decided how to respond .
It said that militants were believed to have collected bounty money , but that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troops were under suspicion .
The newspaper quoted a Kremlin spokesman saying only that Russia was unaware of the accusations .
Russia has a tortured history in Afghanistan , where the former Soviet Union in its final years was bogged down in a devastating fight against Islamic guerrillas , then backed by Washington .
But Russia has more recently been accused by the United States of quietly providing small arms to the Taliban .
The New York Times said there were different theories on why Russia would support Taliban attacks , including a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down in war .
It said that the Russian unit may also be seeking revenge over the US killing of Russian mercenaries in Syria , where Moscow backs President Bashar al-Assad .
According to the newspaper , the Taliban operation was led by a unit known as the G.R.U.
, which has been blamed in numerous international incidents including a 2018 chemical weapons attack in Britain that nearly killed Russian-born double agent Sergei Skripal .
US intelligence concluded that Russia intervened in the 2016 presidential election in a bid to assist Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has scoffed at the findings and sought a warmer relationship with President Vladimir Putin , even as his administration keeps imposing sanctions over Russia over its actions on Ukraine .
Russia on Saturday denounced the report claiming that Moscow 's spies had offered rewards to Taliban-linked militants to kill troops of the US-led coalition in Afghanistan as `` baseless '' and dangerous .
The `` baseless and anonymous accusations , '' published by the newspaper , had `` already led to direct threats to the life of employees of the Russian Embassies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian Embassy in Washington wrote on Twitter .
`` Stop producing # fakenews that provoke life threats , @ nytimes , '' it added in a later tweet .

U.S. intelligence has concluded that a Russian unit offered rewards to Taliban-linked militants to kill troops of the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan, The New York Times reported Friday. The purported bounties gave incentives to the guerrillas to target U.S. forces, just as President Donald Trump tries to withdraw troops and end America's longest war. The newspaper, citing anonymous officials, said that Trump was briefed on the findings in March, but has not decided how to respond. It said that militants were believed to have collected bounty money, but that it was unclear whether specific killings of U.S. troops were under suspicion.
news Spy Cases Map Contours of Kremlin Geopolitics Read more
The newspaper quoted a Kremlin spokesman saying only that Russia was unaware of the accusations. Russia has a tortured history in Afghanistan, where the former Soviet Union in its final years was bogged down in a devastating fight against Islamic guerrillas, then backed by Washington. But Russia has more recently been accused by the United States of quietly providing small arms to the Taliban. The New York Times said there were different theories on why Russia would support Taliban attacks, including a desire to keep the United States bogged down in war. It said that the Russian unit may also be seeking revenge over the U.S. killing of Russian mercenaries in Syria, where Moscow backs President Bashar al-Assad. According to the newspaper, the Taliban operation was led by a unit known as the GRU, which has been blamed in numerous international incidents including a 2018 chemical weapons attack in Britain that nearly killed Russian-born double agent Sergei Skripal.