themoscowtimes--2020-02-21--Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | Feb. 21

Russia reported its first two cases of coronavirus and said the infected people were Chinese citizens who have since recovered .
The first three Russian citizens have also been infected with the coronavirus onboard a quarantined cruise ship in Japan .
As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 2,000 people continues to spread around the world , Russia has stepped up measures to tackle the health risk , including closing most entry points along its 4,200-kilometer border with China and temporarily banning Chinese citizens from entering the country .
Below are the latest updates on Russia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people arriving from China have been ordered placed under quarantine for the coronavirus and monitored by the Russian capital ’ s facial-recognition technology , Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Friday .
— Finance Minister Anton Siluanov told the RBC news website on Thursday that the coronavirus had caused a drop in Chinese trade with Russia of 1 billion rubles ( $ 15.68 million ) a day .
— Two Russian citizens from the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship have been diagnosed with the new coronavirus , bringing the total number of infected Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , including around two dozen Russian nationals , began disembarking the quarantined cruise ship off Japan on Wednesday .
— The 144 Russians evacuated from the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in China have left a quarantine area in Siberia ’ s Tyumen region following a 14-day quarantine .
— Russia will suspend entry of Chinese citizens to its territory starting from Feb. 20 .
The temporary suspension will be for Chinese citizens entering Russia for employment , private , educational and tourist purposes .
— Russian national carrier Aeroflot said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to lower demand amid the coronavirus outbreak .
— Russia discharged a Chinese national from the hospital in the Siberian city of Chita on Wednesday after he recovered from a coronavirus infection , the second of Russia 's two confirmed cases of coronavirus to recover .
The other victim , also a Chinese national , was also said by authorities to have recovered and been released from quarantine in Siberia 's Tyumen region .
— Russia 's Transport Ministry is proposing to offer airlines 1.6 billion rubles ( $ 25.05 million ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to China due to the coronavirus outbreak .
— The coronavirus outbreak may delay Russia 's delivery of S-400 air defense systems to China , the state-owned arms exporter Rosoboronexport said .
— The number of payments made in Russia through the Chinese Alipay payment system was down 73 % in the first week of February compared to the same time last year .
— Russia 's Interior Ministry opened a criminal case of hooliganism after a Moscow man was filmed pretending to have a seizure on the metro while his two accomplices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
The man has been detained while his accomplices are wanted , the Interior Ministry said .

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


themoscowtimes--2020-02-21--Russian Sailors Jailed in Greece for 400 Years for Trafficking Migrants – Reports

The sailors claim that they were initially hired to tow yachts and then received threats when they objected to trafficking people , human rights activist Ivan Melnikov told RBC .
Interfax identified them as Alexander Illarionov and Andrei Zhuravlyov .
Two Russian sailors have been sentenced to a combined 395 years in prison in Greece for trafficking migrants , the RBC news website reported Friday .
A Greek court found the two Russian sailors guilty of organizing illegal migration , said Melnikov , the vice president of the International Human Rights Defense Committee ’ s Russian branch .
The sailors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a storm and making a mayday call .
They are among 14 Russian sailors detained in Greece that month , according to Interfax .
Two other Russian sailors have also been jailed for 395 years on trafficking charges in Greece , Interfax reported without specifying their names or when the verdict was handed down .
A Nov. 14 report identified these two other sailors by their last names Malenkov and Belenko .
Melnikov told RBC that Russian sailors take on jobs that they later discover to involve human trafficking out of financial hardship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relatives .
Russia ’ s Foreign Ministry estimated in November that Greece was holding 24 Russian sailors in custody .
It added that Italy , another migrant trafficking destination , held 23 Russian sailors .
More than a million migrants and refugees fled conflict and poverty in the Middle East and Africa at the height of what was labeled Europe ’ s refugee crisis in 2015 .
Their numbers fell significantly after Turkey , the main launching point , reached a deal with the European Union to stem the flow of people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozen migrant boats landed in Greece in the first mass arrival of migrants from Turkey in three years .

The sailors claim that they were initially hired to tow yachts and then received threats when they objected to trafficking people, human rights activist Ivan Melnikov told RBC. Interfax identified them as Alexander Illarionov and Andrei Zhuravlyov.
Two Russian sailors have been sentenced to a combined 395 years in prison in Greece for trafficking migrants, the RBC news website reported Friday.
A Greek court found the two Russian sailors guilty of organizing illegal migration, said Melnikov, the vice president of the International Human Rights Defense Committee’s Russian branch.
The sailors were detained in November 2019 after hitting a storm and making a mayday call. They are among 14 Russian sailors detained in Greece that month, according to Interfax.
Two other Russian sailors have also been jailed for 395 years on trafficking charges in Greece, Interfax reported without specifying their names or when the verdict was handed down. A Nov. 14 report identified these two other sailors by their last names Malenkov and Belenko.
Melnikov told RBC that Russian sailors take on jobs that they later discover to involve human trafficking out of financial hardship or a need to provide for sick relatives.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry estimated in November that Greece was holding 24 Russian sailors in custody. It added that Italy, another migrant trafficking destination, held 23 Russian sailors.
More than a million migrants and refugees fled conflict and poverty in the Middle East and Africa at the height of what was labeled Europe’s refugee crisis in 2015. Their numbers fell significantly after Turkey, the main launching point, reached a deal with the European Union to stem the flow of people.
In August 2019, more than a dozen migrant boats landed in Greece in the first mass arrival of migrants from Turkey in three years.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-21--Russia Denies Backing Trump's Re-Election as Critics Blast Reported Meddling

U.S. intelligence officials told members of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee in a classified briefing last week that Russia was again interfering in American politics ahead of November 's election , a person familiar with the discussion told Reuters .
The Kremlin on Friday denied it was interfering in the 2020 U.S. presidential campaign to boost Republican President Donald Trump 's re-election chances following reports that American intelligence officials warned Congress about the election threat last week .
U.S. officials have long warned that Russia and other countries would seek to interfere in the Nov. 3 presidential election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign that ended with Trump 's surprise victory over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton .
The U.S. intelligence community concluded that the Kremlin used fake news reports , cyber attacks and other methods in its 2016 operation in an effort to boost Trump , an allegation that Russia denies .
Trump has also repeatedly questioned the finding .
On Friday , the Kremlin said the latest allegations were false .
`` These are more paranoid announcements which , to our regret , will multiply as we get closer to the ( U.S. ) election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters .
`` They have nothing to do with the truth . ''
Mueller found no conclusive evidence of coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign .
He also pointed at 10 instances in which Trump may have attempted to obstruct his investigation , as Democrats alleged , but left any finding of obstruction to Congress .
Trump is seeking a second term in office .
Last July , he called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate one of his potential Democratic rivals , former Vice President Joe Biden , sparking his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who was later acquitted by the Republican-led U.S. Senate , has also publicly called on China to probe Biden .
Last week 's classified congressional briefing sparked a sharp response by Trump , who rebuked acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire for allowing his staff to brief the lawmakers , including Democratic panel Chairman Adam Schiff , who led the impeachment inquiry , the New York Times reported , quoting five people familiar with the matter .
Trump then dismissed Maguire , abruptly announcing this week that Richard Grenell , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligence chief , even as he continues serving as U.S. ambassador to Germany .
His appointment drew sharp rebukes from Democrats and other critics who said Grenell lacked intelligence experience .
`` American voters should decide American elections — not Vladimir Putin , '' U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote in a post on Twitter late on Thursday , referring to Russia 's president .
She called on lawmakers to condemn Trump 's `` reported efforts to dismiss threats to the integrity of our democracy & to politicize our intel community . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ president is interfering with that , he is again jeopardizing our efforts to stop foreign meddling .
Exactly as we warned he would do , '' Schiff said Thursday night .
Trump 's last full-time director of national intelligence , former Republican Senator Dan Coats , resigned last year after his differences with the president over Russia 's role in the 2016 election became public .
Trump has repeatedly called the U.S. Russia probe and the impeachment inquiry a `` witch hunt . ''
His fellow Republicans at last week 's briefing questioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the matter 's sensitivity .
Republican members of the panel did not respond to a request for comment .

U.S. intelligence officials told members of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee in a classified briefing last week that Russia was again interfering in American politics ahead of November's election, a person familiar with the discussion told Reuters.
The Kremlin on Friday denied it was interfering in the 2020 U.S. presidential campaign to boost Republican President Donald Trump's re-election chances following reports that American intelligence officials warned Congress about the election threat last week.
U.S. officials have long warned that Russia and other countries would seek to interfere in the Nov. 3 presidential election, following Russia's meddling in the 2016 campaign that ended with Trump's surprise victory over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.
The U.S. intelligence community concluded that the Kremlin used fake news reports, cyber attacks and other methods in its 2016 operation in an effort to boost Trump, an allegation that Russia denies. Trump has also repeatedly questioned the finding.
On Friday, the Kremlin said the latest allegations were false.
"These are more paranoid announcements which, to our regret, will multiply as we get closer to the (U.S.) election," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "They have nothing to do with the truth."
Russia's alleged interference sparked a two-year-long U.S. investigation headed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
Mueller found no conclusive evidence of coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign. He also pointed at 10 instances in which Trump may have attempted to obstruct his investigation, as Democrats alleged, but left any finding of obstruction to Congress.
Trump is seeking a second term in office.
Last July, he called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate one of his potential Democratic rivals, former Vice President Joe Biden, sparking his impeachment in the Democratic-controlled House.
Trump, who was later acquitted by the Republican-led U.S. Senate, has also publicly called on China to probe Biden.
Last week's classified congressional briefing sparked a sharp response by Trump, who rebuked acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire for allowing his staff to brief the lawmakers, including Democratic panel Chairman Adam Schiff, who led the impeachment inquiry, the New York Times reported, quoting five people familiar with the matter.
Trump then dismissed Maguire, abruptly announcing this week that Richard Grenell, a Trump loyalist, would be the acting intelligence chief, even as he continues serving as U.S. ambassador to Germany. His appointment drew sharp rebukes from Democrats and other critics who said Grenell lacked intelligence experience.
"American voters should decide American elections — not Vladimir Putin," U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote in a post on Twitter late on Thursday, referring to Russia's president. She called on lawmakers to condemn Trump's "reported efforts to dismiss threats to the integrity of our democracy & to politicize our intel community."
"If reports are true and the president is interfering with that, he is again jeopardizing our efforts to stop foreign meddling. Exactly as we warned he would do," Schiff said Thursday night.
Trump's last full-time director of national intelligence, former Republican Senator Dan Coats, resigned last year after his differences with the president over Russia's role in the 2016 election became public.
Trump has repeatedly called the U.S. Russia probe and the impeachment inquiry a "witch hunt."
His fellow Republicans at last week's briefing questioned the information, according to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the matter's sensitivity.
Republican members of the panel did not respond to a request for comment.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-21--Russia Arrests U.S. Cancer Medicine Inventor for Bribery

Gene Miron Spektor is accused of giving 4 million rubles ( $ 64,000 ) in the form of two holiday packages to Thailand and the Dominican Republic to a former cabinet official ’ s assistant in 2015 and 2016 .
The alleged bribe-taker , ex-Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich ’ s former assistant Anastasiya Alexeyeva , faces a maximum prison sentence of 10 years .
An American cancer-medicine inventor has been arrested in Russia on suspicion of bribery , the Kommersant business daily reported Friday .
Spektor , who Kommersant reports was formerly a Soviet citizen , faces a maximum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilty on charges of facilitating a bribe .
Authorities detained Spektor in St. Petersburg on Wednesday after the other defendants in the bribery case testified against him .
He was brought to Moscow overnight , the newspaper reported .
The two other defendants ’ lawyers said they allegedly gave the bribe to Alexeyeva in exchange for help with adding their pharmaceutical companies ’ products to a list of controlled substances , Kommersant reported .
Spektor and Alexeyeva have been placed in pre-trial detention until April 19 , Kommersant reported .
Spektor reportedly denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be placed under house arrest .
Europe ’ s patent office lists Spektor and three Russian nationals as the inventors of an antibody that can be used for cancer treatment .
He is the latest American citizen to be jailed in Russia in recent months .
U.S. investor Michael Calvey spent two months in jail last spring before being placed under house arrest on suspicion of embezzlement .
Former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan has spent more than a year in detention on suspicion of espionage .

Gene Miron Spektor is accused of giving 4 million rubles ($64,000) in the form of two holiday packages to Thailand and the Dominican Republic to a former cabinet official’s assistant in 2015 and 2016. The alleged bribe-taker, ex-Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich’s former assistant Anastasiya Alexeyeva, faces a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
An American cancer-medicine inventor has been arrested in Russia on suspicion of bribery, the Kommersant business daily reported Friday.
Spektor, who Kommersant reports was formerly a Soviet citizen, faces a maximum prison sentence of 12 years if found guilty on charges of facilitating a bribe.
Authorities detained Spektor in St. Petersburg on Wednesday after the other defendants in the bribery case testified against him. He was brought to Moscow overnight, the newspaper reported.
The two other defendants’ lawyers said they allegedly gave the bribe to Alexeyeva in exchange for help with adding their pharmaceutical companies’ products to a list of controlled substances, Kommersant reported.
Spektor and Alexeyeva have been placed in pre-trial detention until April 19, Kommersant reported. Spektor reportedly denied his guilt in court and asked to be placed under house arrest.
Europe’s patent office lists Spektor and three Russian nationals as the inventors of an antibody that can be used for cancer treatment.
He is the latest American citizen to be jailed in Russia in recent months.
U.S. investor Michael Calvey spent two months in jail last spring before being placed under house arrest on suspicion of embezzlement. Former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan has spent more than a year in detention on suspicion of espionage.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-21--Norway Rejects Moscow's Claim It Violated Svalbard Treaty

Norway has rejected Russian accusations of violating the terms of an international treaty regulating activities on the Arctic archipelago of @ @ @ @ @ spat over Russian operations there escalated .
Russia complained earlier in February that Oslo-imposed rules @ @ @ @ @ organizations there , calling for bilateral consultations , and on Thursday accused Norway of violating @ @ @ @ @ in an email to Reuters on Friday the Norwegian foreign ministry said Norway was pursuing @ @ @ @ @ policy which was fully in line with a long-agreed treaty .
Separately Norway 's Defense @ @ @ @ @ public broadcaster NRK that Svalbard was Norwegian territory according to the treaty .
`` At @ @ @ @ @ who accede to the treaty must be treated equally .
We do this to the @ @ @ @ @ said .

Norway has rejected Russian accusations of violating the terms of an international treaty regulating activities on the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, as a diplomatic spat over Russian operations there escalated.
Russia complained earlier in February that Oslo-imposed rules were restricting activities of Russian organizations there, calling for bilateral consultations, and on Thursday accused Norway of violating the Svalbard Treaty.
But in an email to Reuters on Friday the Norwegian foreign ministry said Norway was pursuing a consistent and predictable Svalbard policy which was fully in line with a long-agreed treaty.
Separately Norway's Defense Minister Frank Bakke-Jense told Norwegian public broadcaster NRK that Svalbard was Norwegian territory according to the treaty. "At the same time, those who accede to the treaty must be treated equally. We do this to the highest degree," he said.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-22--Sanders Blasts Russia for Reportedly Trying to Boost His Presidential Campaign

The source , however , cautioned that the findings are very tentative .
A congressional source confirmed intelligence officials have told lawmakers Russia appears to be engaging in disinformation and propaganda campaigns to boost the 2020 campaigns of both Sanders and Trump .
It was not clear what form the Russian assistance took , the paper said .
The Washington Post on Friday , citing people familiar with the matter , said U.S. officials had told Sanders about the Russian effort and had also informed Republican President Donald Trump and U.S. lawmakers .
Sanders , 78 , a democratic socialist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the front-runner for the Democratic nomination and is favored to win the Nevada caucuses on Saturday .
`` The intelligence community is telling us they are interfering in this campaign , right now , in 2020 .
And what I say to Mr. Putin , if elected president , trust me you are not going to be interfering in American elections , '' Sanders told reporters in Bakersfield , California .
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders warned Russia on Friday to stay out of 2020 White House elections after U.S. officials had told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign .
Sanders said he was briefed about a month ago .
His campaign noted the briefing was classified .
`` We were told that Russia , maybe other countries , are going to get involved in this campaign , '' Sanders told reporters .
`` Look , here is the message : To Russia , stay out of American elections . ''
`` What they are doing , by the way , the ugly thing that they are doing — and I 've seen some of their tweets and stuff — is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` They are trying to cause chaos .
They 're trying to cause hatred in America . ''
The Kremlin on Friday denied Russia was interfering in the U.S. presidential campaign to boost Trump 's re-election chances , following reports that American intelligence officials warned Congress about the election threat last week .
`` These are more paranoid announcements which , to our regret , will multiply as we get closer to the ( U.S. ) election , '' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters .
`` They have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' U.S. intelligence officials told members of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee in a classified briefing that Russia was again interfering in American politics ahead of November 's election , as it did in 2016 , a person familiar with the discussion told Reuters on Thursday .
Since that briefing , Trump has ousted the acting intelligence chief , replacing him with a political loyalist in an abrupt move as Democrats and former U.S. officials raised the alarm over national security concerns .
A senior administration official said the nation was better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign attempts to influence elections .
`` President Trump has made clear that any efforts or attempts by Russia , or any other nation , to influence or interfere with our elections , or undermine U.S. democracy will not be tolerated , '' the official said .
Some of Sanders ' rivals for the Democratic nomination said they had neither received similar briefings nor word that Russia was working to boost their campaigns .
Former Vice President Joe Biden told CNN on Friday : `` I know Russia does n't want me to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin does n't want me to be the nominee , and Donald Trump does n't want me to be the nominee . ''
U.S .
Senator Elizabeth Warren , while campaigning in Las Vegas , said there should be `` as much transparency as possible '' to block Russia from having `` too much influence '' in U.S. elections .
`` This is about disinformation and the way to fight disinformation is to call it out , show what it is and give everyone full information as quickly as possible , '' Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on whether it has seen any evidence of Russian assistance to Sanders ' campaign .
In October , the company took down Russian-backed accounts that pretended to be from political battleground states .
Some of those accounts used Instagram to praise Sanders .
Another used the # BlackLivesMatter hashtag and faulted Biden on race issues .
Jessica Brandt of the Alliance for Securing Democracy , an organization that monitors foreign interference in U.S. politics , said Russian state media and official social media accounts have been working to help Sanders by amplifying conspiracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic National Committee and the `` corporate media '' have been `` rigging the system '' against him .
`` We can say with certainty that this is what the Russian government is pushing , '' she told Reuters .
`` We 've seen for some time Russian official channels promoting division within the Democratic Party . ''
Graham Brookie , director of the Atlantic Council 's Digital Forensic Research Lab , which works with Facebook to analyze state-backed information operations , said `` Russian influence operations are equal opportunity hyperpartisan , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from each other . ''
U.S. officials have long warned that Russia and other countries would seek to interfere in the Nov. 3 presidential election , following Russia 's meddling in the 2016 campaign that ended with Trump 's surprise victory over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton .
U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that the Kremlin used disinformation operations , cyber attacks and other methods in its 2016 operation in an effort to boost Trump , an allegation that Russia denies .
Trump , sensitive to doubts over the legitimacy of his win , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticized American intelligence agencies .
Mueller found no conclusive evidence of coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign .
He also pointed at 10 instances in which Trump may have attempted to obstruct his investigation , as Democrats alleged , but left any finding of obstruction to Congress .

The source, however, cautioned that the findings are very tentative.
A congressional source confirmed intelligence officials have told lawmakers Russia appears to be engaging in disinformation and propaganda campaigns to boost the 2020 campaigns of both Sanders and Trump.
It was not clear what form the Russian assistance took, the paper said.
The Washington Post on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter, said U.S. officials had told Sanders about the Russian effort and had also informed Republican President Donald Trump and U.S. lawmakers.
Sanders, 78, a democratic socialist U.S. senator from Vermont, is considered the front-runner for the Democratic nomination and is favored to win the Nevada caucuses on Saturday.
"The intelligence community is telling us they are interfering in this campaign, right now, in 2020. And what I say to Mr. Putin, if elected president, trust me you are not going to be interfering in American elections," Sanders told reporters in Bakersfield, California.
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders warned Russia on Friday to stay out of 2020 White House elections after U.S. officials had told him Moscow was trying to aid his campaign.
Sanders said he was briefed about a month ago. His campaign noted the briefing was classified.
"We were told that Russia, maybe other countries, are going to get involved in this campaign," Sanders told reporters. "Look, here is the message: To Russia, stay out of American elections."
"What they are doing, by the way, the ugly thing that they are doing — and I've seen some of their tweets and stuff — is they try to divide us up," he said. "They are trying to cause chaos. They're trying to cause hatred in America."
Moscow denies
The Kremlin on Friday denied Russia was interfering in the U.S. presidential campaign to boost Trump's re-election chances, following reports that American intelligence officials warned Congress about the election threat last week.
"These are more paranoid announcements which, to our regret, will multiply as we get closer to the (U.S.) election," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "They have nothing to do with the truth."
U.S. intelligence officials told members of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee in a classified briefing that Russia was again interfering in American politics ahead of November's election, as it did in 2016, a person familiar with the discussion told Reuters on Thursday.
Since that briefing, Trump has ousted the acting intelligence chief, replacing him with a political loyalist in an abrupt move as Democrats and former U.S. officials raised the alarm over national security concerns.
A senior administration official said the nation was better positioned than in 2016 to defend against foreign attempts to influence elections.
"President Trump has made clear that any efforts or attempts by Russia, or any other nation, to influence or interfere with our elections, or undermine U.S. democracy will not be tolerated," the official said.
Some of Sanders' rivals for the Democratic nomination said they had neither received similar briefings nor word that Russia was working to boost their campaigns.
Former Vice President Joe Biden told CNN on Friday: "I know Russia doesn't want me to win. It's really clear that Putin doesn't want me to be the nominee, and Donald Trump doesn't want me to be the nominee."
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, while campaigning in Las Vegas, said there should be "as much transparency as possible" to block Russia from having "too much influence" in U.S. elections.
"This is about disinformation and the way to fight disinformation is to call it out, show what it is and give everyone full information as quickly as possible," Warren told reporters.
Russian accounts
Facebook declined to comment on whether it has seen any evidence of Russian assistance to Sanders' campaign. In October, the company took down Russian-backed accounts that pretended to be from political battleground states.
Some of those accounts used Instagram to praise Sanders. Another used the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag and faulted Biden on race issues.
Jessica Brandt of the Alliance for Securing Democracy, an organization that monitors foreign interference in U.S. politics, said Russian state media and official social media accounts have been working to help Sanders by amplifying conspiracy theories that his Democratic rivals, the Democratic National Committee and the "corporate media" have been "rigging the system" against him.
"We can say with certainty that this is what the Russian government is pushing," she told Reuters. "We've seen for some time Russian official channels promoting division within the Democratic Party."
Graham Brookie, director of the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab, which works with Facebook to analyze state-backed information operations, said "Russian influence operations are equal opportunity hyperpartisan, with the overarching goal to drive Americans further away from each other."
U.S. officials have long warned that Russia and other countries would seek to interfere in the Nov. 3 presidential election, following Russia's meddling in the 2016 campaign that ended with Trump's surprise victory over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.
U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that the Kremlin used disinformation operations, cyber attacks and other methods in its 2016 operation in an effort to boost Trump, an allegation that Russia denies. Trump, sensitive to doubts over the legitimacy of his win, has also questioned that finding and repeatedly criticized American intelligence agencies.
Russia's alleged interference sparked a two-year-long U.S. investigation headed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
Mueller found no conclusive evidence of coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign. He also pointed at 10 instances in which Trump may have attempted to obstruct his investigation, as Democrats alleged, but left any finding of obstruction to Congress.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-24--Europeans, Britain, China, Russia to Meet Iran in Vienna on Feb. 26

China , Russia , France , Germany and Britain will meet with Iran in Vienna on Feb. 26 to discuss @ @ @ @ @ nuclear deal with Tehran , the European Commission said in a statement on Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ formally accused Iran on Jan. 14 of violating the terms of the 2015 arms control @ @ @ @ @ 's nuclear programme .
Violations could lead to the reimposing of U.N. sanctions lifted under @ @ @ @ @ European Union will extend indefinitely the time limit to resolve disputes in the Iran 2015 @ @ @ @ @ to go to the U.N. Security Council or triggering new sanctions , the EU 's @ @ @ @ @ during a visit to Tehran on Feb. 4 .

China, Russia, France, Germany and Britain will meet with Iran in Vienna on Feb. 26 to discuss how to uphold the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran, the European Commission said in a statement on Tuesday.
Britain, France and Germany formally accused Iran on Jan. 14 of violating the terms of the 2015 arms control agreement aimed at curbing Tehran's nuclear program. Violations could lead to the reimposing of U.N. sanctions lifted under the 2015 deal.
The European Union will extend indefinitely the time limit to resolve disputes in the Iran 2015 nuclear accord to avoid having to go to the U.N. Security Council or triggering new sanctions, the EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell said during a visit to Tehran on Feb. 4.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-24--Prague Changes Russia's Embassy Address to Boris Nemtsov Square

The square in Prague where Russia 's embassy is located is to be renamed after Boris Nemtsov , the Czech capital said on Monday , joining cities like Washington and Kiev in commemorating the murdered opposition leader .
Nemtsov , one of Russia President Vladimir Putin 's most vocal critics , was shot dead in February 2015 as he walked across a bridge near Moscow 's Kremlin palace .
Prague Mayor Zdenek Hrib also said that a promenade in one of the city 's parks will be named after Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya who was shot in 2006 .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were disgracefully murdered .
They deserve a memorial , '' Hrib said on Twitter .
The square is located in a leafy quarter of Prague mostly filled by diplomatic missions and it is also home to the offices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) .
The shooting of Nemtsov is still clouded by doubts .
Although a Russian court handed down prison sentences of between 11 and 20 years to five men in 2017 for the murder , the late politician 's allies said at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that those who had ordered the assassination remained free .

The square in Prague where Russia's embassy is located is to be renamed after Boris Nemtsov, the Czech capital said on Monday, joining cities like Washington and Kiev in commemorating the murdered opposition leader.
Nemtsov, one of Russia President Vladimir Putin's most vocal critics, was shot dead in February 2015 as he walked across a bridge near Moscow's Kremlin palace.
Prague Mayor Zdenek Hrib also said that a promenade in one of the city's parks will be named after Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya who was shot in 2006.
"Both personalities promoted democracy and they both were disgracefully murdered. They deserve a memorial," Hrib said on Twitter.
The square is located in a leafy quarter of Prague mostly filled by diplomatic missions and it is also home to the offices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
The shooting of Nemtsov is still clouded by doubts.
Although a Russian court handed down prison sentences of between 11 and 20 years to five men in 2017 for the murder, the late politician's allies said at the time that the investigation had been a cover-up and that those who had ordered the assassination remained free.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-28--Russia Reports Dramatic Rise in Rape Cases

New rape cases in Russia have shot up by 72 % , according to federal prosecutors ’ criminal data cited @ @ @ @ @ agency Friday .
Authorities opened 296 rape and attempted rape cases in January , 72.1 @ @ @ @ @ in January 2019 .
Rape made up 0.18 % of all crimes committed in January @ @ @ @ @ cited Prosecutor General ’ s Office data .

New rape cases in Russia have shot up by 72%, according to federal prosecutors’ criminal data cited by the state-run TASS news agency Friday.
Authorities opened 296 rape and attempted rape cases in January, 72.1% more than they did in January 2019. Rape made up 0.18% of all crimes committed in January 2020, according to the cited Prosecutor General’s Office data.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-28--Britain Emerges as Near-Exclusive Buyer of Russian Gold

The data says that Britain bought $ 5.33 billion worth of Russian gold last year , or 93 % of Russia ’ s total gold exports .
Russia sold $ 5.74 billion worth of gold overall in 2019 , according to RBC .
Russia has sold nearly all its gold for 2019 to Britain , according to customs data reviewed by the RBC news website Friday .
Twelve other countries , including Switzerland , shelled out just $ 409 million for Russian gold last year .
Britain ’ s 2019 purchases of Russian gold rose twelvefold compared to 2018 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian gold .
Russia ’ s gold export volume to Britain also rose elevenfold , climbing from 10.4 metric tons in 2018 to 113.5 tons last year .
Gold was the top commodity that Britain bought from Russia in 2019 .
It paid around $ 3.4 billion for Russian oil and oil products , $ 936 million for platinum and $ 100 million for silver .
The buying spree could signal demand for gold is high in other countries besides Britain , according to the World Gold Council ’ s member and market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the center of the global gold trade and the place where gold reserves are physically stored , supplying international exchange-traded funds , particularly gold ETFs , ” Mulligan told RBC .

The data says that Britain bought $5.33 billion worth of Russian gold last year, or 93% of Russia’s total gold exports. Russia sold $5.74 billion worth of gold overall in 2019, according to RBC.
Russia has sold nearly all its gold for 2019 to Britain, according to customs data reviewed by the RBC news website Friday.
Twelve other countries, including Switzerland, shelled out just $409 million for Russian gold last year.
Britain’s 2019 purchases of Russian gold rose twelvefold compared to 2018, when it bought $433 million of Russian gold.
Russia’s gold export volume to Britain also rose elevenfold, climbing from 10.4 metric tons in 2018 to 113.5 tons last year.
Gold was the top commodity that Britain bought from Russia in 2019. It paid around $3.4 billion for Russian oil and oil products, $936 million for platinum and $100 million for silver.
The buying spree could signal demand for gold is high in other countries besides Britain, according to the World Gold Council’s member and market relations director John Mulligan.
“London is the center of the global gold trade and the place where gold reserves are physically stored, supplying international exchange-traded funds, particularly gold ETFs,” Mulligan told RBC.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-28--Protestors Surround Russian Consulate in Istanbul After Syria Strike

Protestors surrounded the Russian consulate in Istanbul after a Syrian government airstrike killed 33 Turkish soldiers Thursday .
They chanted @ @ @ @ @ accusations that Russian President Vladimir Putin is a murderer .

Protestors surrounded the Russian consulate in Istanbul after a Syrian government airstrike killed 33 Turkish soldiers Thursday.
They chanted slogans against Russia which included accusations that Russian President Vladimir Putin is a murderer.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-28--Russian Arctic Shipping Up 430% in 3 Years

According to Nikolay Monko , the acting director of the Northern Sea Route Administration , 31.5 million tons of goods were shipped on the route in 2019 .
That is an increase of 56.7 % over the course of the past year , and 150 % over the past two years .
The volume of goods being delivered to and from ports on the Northern Sea Route has never come close to the current level .
Over the last three years , NSR volumes have hiked by more than 430 % .
The ship traffic on the route is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period .
The Soviet-era record was set in 1986 , when 6.455 million tons were shipped in the area .
Liquefied natural gas ( LNG ) constitutes the lion ’ s share of the transported volumes .
A total of 20.5 million tons of LNG were sent out from Yamal 's Sabetta natural gas terminal , Nikolay Monko told TASS .
In addition , 1.5 million tons were sent from Nornickel ’ s Dudinka port on the Yenisey River , and 7.7 million tons from Gazprom Neft ’ s Novy Port field , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitute only a minor share of the goods .
In 2019 , a total of 697,200 tons were shipped from the east to the west or vice versa on the route , an increase of 42 % from 2018 .
Last year a total of 37 ships made transit voyages across the remote and icy Arctic route .
The Northern Sea Route includes the waters between the archipelago of Novaya Zemlya and the Bering Strait , a distance of about 5,600 kilometers .
It is a significant shortcut between markets in Europe and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the year is covered by ice , meaning that ships need icebreaker escorts for maneuvering through the area .

According to Nikolay Monko, the acting director of the Northern Sea Route Administration, 31.5 million tons of goods were shipped on the route in 2019. That is an increase of 56.7% over the course of the past year, and 150% over the past two years.
The volume of goods being delivered to and from ports on the Northern Sea Route has never come close to the current level.
Over the last three years, NSR volumes have hiked by more than 430%. The ship traffic on the route is now several times higher than in the Soviet period. The Soviet-era record was set in 1986, when 6.455 million tons were shipped in the area.
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) constitutes the lion’s share of the transported volumes. A total of 20.5 million tons of LNG were sent out from Yamal's Sabetta natural gas terminal, Nikolay Monko told TASS. In addition, 1.5 million tons were sent from Nornickel’s Dudinka port on the Yenisey River, and 7.7 million tons from Gazprom Neft’s Novy Port field, news agency Korabel reports.
Transit shipments constitute only a minor share of the goods. In 2019, a total of 697,200 tons were shipped from the east to the west or vice versa on the route, an increase of 42% from 2018. Last year a total of 37 ships made transit voyages across the remote and icy Arctic route.
The Northern Sea Route includes the waters between the archipelago of Novaya Zemlya and the Bering Strait, a distance of about 5,600 kilometers. It is a significant shortcut between markets in Europe and Asia, but for large parts of the year is covered by ice, meaning that ships need icebreaker escorts for maneuvering through the area.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-28--Putin’s Daughter Heads Elite University's New AI Institute – Vedomosti

Katerina Tikhonova , 33 , who is widely believed to be Putin ’ s younger daughter , runs the Innopraktika foundation near Moscow State University ( MSU ) .
Founded in 2012 , Innopraktika is a conglomerate of MSU ’ s National Intellectual Reserve Center and Tikhonova ’ s National Intellectual Development Foundation .
President Vladimir Putin ’ s alleged daughter will head a prestigious Moscow university ’ s artificial intelligence institute slated to open later in 2020 , the Vedomosti business daily reported Friday .
Innopraktika ’ s press service confirmed to Vedomosti that MSU ’ s AI institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ institutes in 2019 , and that Tikhonova was appointed its leader .
It will reportedly focus on basic and applied cognitive research and will be funded by the MSU ’ s development program .
Vedomosti reported that the university invested 3.7 billion rubles ( $ 59 million ) into the institute ’ s broader advanced research program for 2017-2020 , including 890 million rubles ( $ 13 million ) in 2020 .
Russia ’ s Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) announced plans to establish an AI center in collaboration with MSU in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ center “ one of the most essential tools in the national strategy of developing AI technology ” in June .
“ The AI advancement institute ’ s creation at MSU will allow us to make a meaningful contribution in artificial intelligence research as well as the scientific , technological and commercial development of Russia ’ s AI companies , ” an RDIF spokesperson told Vedomosti .
Innopraktika ’ s biggest clients include the oil giant Rosneft and the state nuclear energy company Rosatom .
While Reuters and Bloomberg have previously reported that Tikhonova @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has never officially confirmed or denied the identities of his two alleged daughters , citing security concerns .

Katerina Tikhonova, 33, who is widely believed to be Putin’s younger daughter, runs the Innopraktika foundation near Moscow State University (MSU). Founded in 2012, Innopraktika is a conglomerate of MSU’s National Intellectual Reserve Center and Tikhonova’s National Intellectual Development Foundation.
President Vladimir Putin’s alleged daughter will head a prestigious Moscow university’s artificial intelligence institute slated to open later in 2020, the Vedomosti business daily reported Friday.
Innopraktika’s press service confirmed to Vedomosti that MSU’s AI institute was established alongside nine other advanced research institutes in 2019, and that Tikhonova was appointed its leader.
It will reportedly focus on basic and applied cognitive research and will be funded by the MSU’s development program. Vedomosti reported that the university invested 3.7 billion rubles ($59 million) into the institute’s broader advanced research program for 2017-2020, including 890 million rubles ($13 million) in 2020.
Russia’s Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) announced plans to establish an AI center in collaboration with MSU in May last year. Putin called the center “one of the most essential tools in the national strategy of developing AI technology” in June.
“The AI advancement institute’s creation at MSU will allow us to make a meaningful contribution in artificial intelligence research as well as the scientific, technological and commercial development of Russia’s AI companies,” an RDIF spokesperson told Vedomosti.
Innopraktika’s biggest clients include the oil giant Rosneft and the state nuclear energy company Rosatom.
While Reuters and Bloomberg have previously reported that Tikhonova is Putin's daughter, the president has never officially confirmed or denied the identities of his two alleged daughters, citing security concerns.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-28--Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | Feb. 28

Russia reported its first two cases of coronavirus and said the infected people were Chinese citizens who have since recovered .
The first three Russian citizens have also been infected with the coronavirus onboard a quarantined cruise ship in Japan .
As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 2,800 people continues to spread around the world , Russia has stepped up measures to tackle the health risk , including closing most entry points along its 4,200-kilometer border with China and temporarily banning Chinese citizens from entering the country .
Below are the latest updates on Russia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are deporting 88 foreign nationals who violated quarantine measures imposed on them as a precaution against coronavirus , the state-run RIA news agency cited Moscow 's deputy mayor as saying .
— A Russian citizen has tested positive with coronavirus in Azerbaijan after arriving there from Iran , Interfax reported .
It marks the fourth case of coronavirus among Russian citizens and the first infection in Azerbaijan .
— The Russian government temporarily barred Iranian citizens from entering Russia and said it would also restrict the entry of South Korean citizens from March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus , decrees published online showed .
— The government also said it would not allow in any foreign citizens traveling from Iran or South Korea , and ordered the Foreign Ministry to suspend the issue of visas to Iranian citizens .
— Russia will suspend the train service from Moscow to the southern French city of Nice starting March 4 , the state-run TASS news agency reported , citing the Transport Ministry .
The ministry said the train link would be suspended until further notice as part of wider measures aimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Russia .
— Moscow authorities have identified 88 people who violated the city 's self-isolation orders after returning from China , Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said .
The Russian capital deployed its facial recognition network to enforce the quarantine .
— Russia has developed five prototypes for a coronavirus vaccine , Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said .
— Russia 's Federal Tourism Agency recommended national tour operators suspend tours to Italy , South Korea and Iran until the outbreaks of coronavirus there are brought under control .
— Moscow will suspend flights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 over coronavirus fears , except those operated by Aeroflot and Aurora , Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said .
— Golikova said Russia would also stop issuing visas to some Iranian citizens from Feb. 28 and was advising Russians against traveling to Italy .
— Other restrictions related to the outbreak which have been previously announced will be extended by one month to April 1 , Golikova said .
— The Chinese Embassy in Russia has reportedly asked Moscow authorities to stop the profiling of Chinese nationals on the city 's public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the embassy 's letter said that Moscow police and subway workers had begun questioning passengers believed to be Chinese to check for signs of coronavirus , something that is n't being done anywhere else in the world .
— Two Russian citizens are among the hundreds of tourists being quarantined in a seaside resort on Tenerife , one of the Canary Islands , after an Italian doctor who was staying there tested positive for coronavirus , Interfax reported .
— Seven Russian passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship have been placed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
— Nearly all of the 25 Ukrainian nationals onboard the quarantined ship have refused to be evacuated to their home country after violent protests against coronavirus evacuees broke out there .
— Around 2,500 people arriving from China have been ordered placed under quarantine for the coronavirus and monitored by the Russian capital ’ s facial-recognition technology , Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said .


themoscowtimes--2020-02-28--Russia Complains Elon Musk’s Satellites Are ‘Too Bright’

SpaceX ’ s so-called Starlink constellation is a planned network of up to 30,000 satellites in low-Earth orbit that is intended to beam broadband internet globally .
Russian scientists argue that sunlight reflections from Starlink ’ s satellites will ruin between 30 % and 40 % of space images .
The Russian Academy of Sciences said it plans to file a complaint with the United Nations over tech billionaire Elon Musk ’ s high-speed internet satellites , which it says will interfere with astronomers ’ work .
“ We ’ re drafting a Russian Academy of Sciences letter and ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UN ] , ” the state-run RIA Novosti news agency quoted astrophysicist Nikolai Samus as saying Thursday .
Samus said his European colleagues , particularly astronomers from Portugal , support Russia ’ s efforts to limit the deployment of large satellite systems .
Musk ’ s SpaceX has been launching Starlink satellites in batches of 60 since May and currently has 240 orbiting Earth .
The company aims to make the broadband internet service operational by the end of 2020 .
Russian observers have also expressed concern over Starlink ’ s military applications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encrypted internet services from Starlink satellites for military planes in 2018 .
SpaceX said it expects to test Starlink with additional military aircraft types and communications between satellites in orbit .
Starlink is competing with Softbank-backed OneWeb , which aims to give millions of people in remote and rural areas high-speed internet beamed down from space and has already launched a batch of satellites .

SpaceX’s so-called Starlink constellation is a planned network of up to 30,000 satellites in low-Earth orbit that is intended to beam broadband internet globally. Russian scientists argue that sunlight reflections from Starlink’s satellites will ruin between 30% and 40% of space images.
The Russian Academy of Sciences said it plans to file a complaint with the United Nations over tech billionaire Elon Musk’s high-speed internet satellites, which it says will interfere with astronomers’ work.
“We’re drafting a Russian Academy of Sciences letter and... plan to send it [to the UN],” the state-run RIA Novosti news agency quoted astrophysicist Nikolai Samus as saying Thursday.
Samus said his European colleagues, particularly astronomers from Portugal, support Russia’s efforts to limit the deployment of large satellite systems.
Musk’s SpaceX has been launching Starlink satellites in batches of 60 since May and currently has 240 orbiting Earth. The company aims to make the broadband internet service operational by the end of 2020.
Russian observers have also expressed concern over Starlink’s military applications.
The U.S. Air Force started testing encrypted internet services from Starlink satellites for military planes in 2018. SpaceX said it expects to test Starlink with additional military aircraft types and communications between satellites in orbit.
Starlink is competing with Softbank-backed OneWeb, which aims to give millions of people in remote and rural areas high-speed internet beamed down from space and has already launched a batch of satellites.
Reuters contributed reporting to this article.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-28--Russia Says Putin, Erdogan Discussed Deadly Strike: Syria Update

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone Friday after an attack on Turkish troops in Syria killed at least 33 soldiers and wounded dozens of others .
Russia denied involvement , but Turkey ’ s top defense official said Moscow , which backs the Syrian regime , knew the whereabouts of Turkish troops and that attacks on Turkish soldiers continued even after a warning was issued in northwestern Syria ’ s Idlib province .
Erdogan has been careful so far not to publicly blame Russia and vowed to strike back against Syrian government forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack could lead them to allow more refugees from Syria across its borders to Europe .
Below are highlights of what ’ s taking place since Thursday ’ s clashes in Turkish local time : • Turkey says 309 Syrian forces have been killed in retaliation since Thursday ’ s clashes • Turkish stocks , lira and bonds slumped as geopolitical risks added to virus woes plaguing risky assets • Turkish officials show growing frustration with Europe , saying it ’ s getting hard to hold refugees • EU foreign policy chief calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says Putin , Erdogan spoke by phone on Idlib ( 1:09 p.m. ) Erdogan called Putin to discuss the crisis Friday and the two had a “ detailed ” discussion , Lavrov told a Moscow news conference .
“ It was devoted to the need to do everything to fulfill the original agreements on the Idlib de-escalation zone , ” Lavrov said , referring to the 2018 agreement with Turkey .
Lavrov expressed Russia ’ s “ deepest condolences ” for the deaths of the Turkish servicemen .
While Russia is doing all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Idlib , it can ’ t prevent the Syrian government from striking “ terrorists ” on its soil , he said .
Turkey ’ s policy on refugees and immigrants hasn ’ t changed , Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy says in an emailed statement .
However , the recent developments have increased the refugee pressure on Turkey , Aksoy said .
“ Some immigrants and refugees have started moving toward our Western borders .
In case the situation deteriorates , this risk will continue to escalate.
” The attack against Turkish troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian officers on the ground were informed of their positions , Defense Minister Hulusi Akar was cited as saying by state media .
“ During the attack , there were no armed groups around our troops .
Following the first strike , another warning was issued , but the attack continued , ” Akar said .
“ Even ambulances were hit during these airstrikes.
” In response to the attack , Turkish forces targeted more than 200 Syrian military locations with heavy fire from ground forces , planes and drones , Akar said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 309 Syrian soldiers as they hit five helicopters , 23 tanks and aerial defense systems , the minister said .
Stoltenberg calls on Syria , Russia to halt airstrikes ( 11:47 a.m. ) Russia and the Assad regime must stop all airstrikes in Syria ’ s Idlib province and de-escalate the crisis , NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in an interview with BBC Radio .
“ I call on the Assad regime and Russia to stop all the airstrikes and to engage in a constructive manner in UN-led efforts to find a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syria .
There is no doubt that Russia is playing an active role in Syria and also in Idlib province , ” he said .
Earlier , Stoltenberg “ urged all parties to deescalate this dangerous situation ” in a phone call with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu , according to a NATO statement Josep Borrell , the European Union ’ s foreign policy chief , said in a Twitter post that the bloc “ calls on all sides for rapid de-escalation and regret all loss of life.
” “ Ongoing escalation around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a risk of sliding into a major open international military confrontation .
It is also causing unbearable humanitarian suffering and putting civilians in danger , ” he said .
The Borsa Istanbul 100 Index slumped 10 % at the open , its biggest intraday drop in almost seven years , led by lenders Akbank TAS and Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS .
The currency dropped for a fifth day , even as state banks were seen selling dollars aggressively , according to two traders with knowledge of the matter .
Russians say they didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a.m. ) Russia denied involvement in Thursday ’ s attack , saying the Turkish troops had been “ within the ranks of terrorist ” groups that came under fire from Syrian government forces .
When it was clear there were Turkish casualties , Russia “ took exhaustive measures for a complete cessation of fire ” by the Syrian military , the Defense Ministry in Moscow said Friday .
Erdogan ’ s party says it ’ s getting difficult to ‘ hold ’ refugees ( 02:52 a.m. ) Turkey ’ s policy on Syrian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting increasingly difficult to “ hold ” them , said Omer Celik , spokesman of Erdogan ’ s ruling party , AKP .
“ Our refugee policy is the same but there is a situation at hand .
We ’ re not in a position to hold the refugees anymore , ” Celik was cited as saying by Turkey ’ s state news agency Anadolu .

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone Friday after an attack on Turkish troops in Syria killed at least 33 soldiers and wounded dozens of others. Russia denied involvement, but Turkey’s top defense official said Moscow, which backs the Syrian regime, knew the whereabouts of Turkish troops and that attacks on Turkish soldiers continued even after a warning was issued in northwestern Syria’s Idlib province. Erdogan has been careful so far not to publicly blame Russia and vowed to strike back against Syrian government forces. Turkish officials warned Thursday’s attack could lead them to allow more refugees from Syria across its borders to Europe. Below are highlights of what’s taking place since Thursday’s clashes in Turkish local time: Key developments Putin, Erdogan held “detailed” discussions on Idlib, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said
Turkey says 309 Syrian forces have been killed in retaliation since Thursday’s clashes
Turkish stocks, lira and bonds slumped as geopolitical risks added to virus woes plaguing risky assets
Turkish officials show growing frustration with Europe, saying it’s getting hard to hold refugees
EU foreign policy chief calls for de-escalation of tensions in Syria Russia says Putin, Erdogan spoke by phone on Idlib (1:09 p.m.) Erdogan called Putin to discuss the crisis Friday and the two had a “detailed” discussion, Lavrov told a Moscow news conference. “It was devoted to the need to do everything to fulfill the original agreements on the Idlib de-escalation zone,” Lavrov said, referring to the 2018 agreement with Turkey.
Lavrov expressed Russia’s “deepest condolences” for the deaths of the Turkish servicemen. While Russia is doing all it can to protect Turkish forces in Idlib, it can’t prevent the Syrian government from striking “terrorists” on its soil, he said. ‘No change’ in Turkish policy on refugees (12:54 p.m.) Turkey’s policy on refugees and immigrants hasn’t changed, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy says in an emailed statement. However, the recent developments have increased the refugee pressure on Turkey, Aksoy said. “Some immigrants and refugees have started moving toward our Western borders. In case the situation deteriorates, this risk will continue to escalate.” Turkey’s defense minister disputes Russian account (12:14 p.m.) The attack against Turkish troops in Idlib, Syria occurred even as Russian officers on the ground were informed of their positions, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar was cited as saying by state media. “During the attack, there were no armed groups around our troops. Following the first strike, another warning was issued, but the attack continued,” Akar said. “Even ambulances were hit during these airstrikes.” In response to the attack, Turkish forces targeted more than 200 Syrian military locations with heavy fire from ground forces, planes and drones, Akar said. The attacks have “neutralized” 309 Syrian soldiers as they hit five helicopters, 23 tanks and aerial defense systems, the minister said. Stoltenberg calls on Syria, Russia to halt airstrikes (11:47 a.m.) Russia and the Assad regime must stop all airstrikes in Syria’s Idlib province and de-escalate the crisis, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in an interview with BBC Radio. “I call on the Assad regime and Russia to stop all the airstrikes and to engage in a constructive manner in UN-led efforts to find a lasting peaceful solution to the crisis in Syria. There is no doubt that Russia is playing an active role in Syria and also in Idlib province,” he said. Earlier, Stoltenberg “urged all parties to deescalate this dangerous situation” in a phone call with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, according to a NATO statement EU calls for Idlib de-escalation (11:28 a.m.) Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, said in a Twitter post that the bloc “calls on all sides for rapid de-escalation and regret all loss of life.”


themoscowtimes--2020-02-28--Russia Censors Disney’s First Openly Gay Character From ‘Onward’

“ Onward , ” a fantasy-adventure that hits the big screens in Russia on March 5 , introduces a cyclops police officer named Specter as the studios ’ first-self identified lesbian character .
Officer Specter appears in one scene , where she casually mentions having a girlfriend .
Russian distributors appear to have censored Disney and Pixar ’ s first LGBT character from their animated film “ Onward , ” the Kinopoisk.ru movie website reported Wednesday .
Viewers who watched “ Onward ” dubbed in Russian told Kinopoisk that the word “ girlfriend ” had been changed to the more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Specter ’ s gender .
“ Presumably , Disney ’ s Russia branch tried to avoid unnecessary problems with the anticipated project ’ s release , ” the website wrote .
A Disney spokesperson in Russia declined to comment on Kinopoisk ’ s queries .
This is at least the third known censorship of a gay scene from a foreign film in Russia since the country passed a controversial 2013 law banning “ homosexual propaganda ” to minors .
Last year , Russian distributors cut gay sex and kissing scenes from the Elton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia ’ s version of Marvel ’ s “ Avengers : Endgame ” altered a gay character ’ s description of a date to the less romantic “ dinner.
” Non-LGBT scenes have also faced tweaks before hitting Russian cinemas .
Sergei , a Russian villain in the 2019 animated film “ The Secret Life of Pets 2 , ” became a Frenchman named Serge in the film ’ s Russian version .
Last year ’ s superhero film “ Hellboy ” replaced the titular character ’ s mention of Stalin with Hitler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other movies , including “ The Death of Stalin ” and “ Child 44 , ” for their portrayal of sensitive subjects in the Soviet past .

“Onward,” a fantasy-adventure that hits the big screens in Russia on March 5, introduces a cyclops police officer named Specter as the studios’ first-self identified lesbian character. Officer Specter appears in one scene, where she casually mentions having a girlfriend.
Russian distributors appear to have censored Disney and Pixar’s first LGBT character from their animated film “Onward,” the Kinopoisk.ru movie website reported Wednesday.
Viewers who watched “Onward” dubbed in Russian told Kinopoisk that the word “girlfriend” had been changed to the more neutral “partner” and avoids mentioning Specter’s gender.
“Presumably, Disney’s Russia branch tried to avoid unnecessary problems with the anticipated project’s release,” the website wrote.
A Disney spokesperson in Russia declined to comment on Kinopoisk’s queries.
This is at least the third known censorship of a gay scene from a foreign film in Russia since the country passed a controversial 2013 law banning “homosexual propaganda” to minors.
Last year, Russian distributors cut gay sex and kissing scenes from the Elton John biopic “Rocketman.” Similarly, Russia’s version of Marvel’s “Avengers: Endgame” altered a gay character’s description of a date to the less romantic “dinner.”
Non-LGBT scenes have also faced tweaks before hitting Russian cinemas.
Sergei, a Russian villain in the 2019 animated film “The Secret Life of Pets 2,” became a Frenchman named Serge in the film’s Russian version.
Last year’s superhero film “Hellboy” replaced the titular character’s mention of Stalin with Hitler.
Russia has also canceled screenings of other movies, including “The Death of Stalin” and “Child 44,” for their portrayal of sensitive subjects in the Soviet past.


themoscowtimes--2020-02-28--Activists Evoke Stalin's Terror in Perfume

The scent of Terror : Activists have created a perfume with notes of gunpowder , damp basements , and ash @ @ @ @ @ a former Soviet courthouse into an upscale perfume store .
The location , 23 Nikolskaya @ @ @ @ @ infamous for being the centerpiece of Stalin 's purges , as tens of thousands were @ @ @ @ @

The scent of terror: Activists have created a perfume with notes of gunpowder, damp basements and ash to protest plans to turn a former Soviet courthouse into an upscale perfume store.
The location, 23 Nikolskaya street in Moscow, is infamous for being the centerpiece of Stalin's purges, as tens of thousands were sentenced to die here.