themoscowtimes--2020-12-10--Belarus Blocks Land Border Exits

Belarus Blocks Land Border Exits

Belarus will suspend departures from its ground borders due to the coronavirus situation , a government decree published Thursday says .
Starting Dec. 20 , Belarus will prohibit its citizens as well as foreigners with permanent or temporary residency to cross the border via automobile checkpoints , simplified checkpoints , checkpoints at railway stations or in river ports .
Departures may be permitted `` in exceptional cases related to extraordinary circumstances '' and `` in order to ensure Belarus ’ national interests , ” the government decree says .
The order also makes exceptions for diplomats , people leaving due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a close relative and Belarusian citizens who hold residency in a foreign country .
Belarus previously restricted border crossings for foreigners and stateless persons from Nov. 1 .
Entry to the country via Minsk International Airport remains unrestricted .
Many Belarusian opposition figures and protesters have fled to neighboring countries like Poland , Lithuania , Latvia and Ukraine amid the ongoing crackdown on protesters rallying against President Alexander Lukashenko ’ s disputed re-election .
Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , who fled Belarus for Lithuana herself following the Aug. 9 vote , criticized the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` He [ Lukashenko ] did n't care about Covid before .
Now repressed Belarusians can not flee and seek asylum abroad , '' Tikhanovskaya said in a tweet .

Belarus will suspend departures from its ground borders due to the coronavirus situation, a government decree published Thursday says.
Starting Dec. 20, Belarus will prohibit its citizens as well as foreigners with permanent or temporary residency to cross the border via automobile checkpoints, simplified checkpoints, checkpoints at railway stations or in river ports.
Departures may be permitted "in exceptional cases related to extraordinary circumstances" and "in order to ensure Belarus’ national interests,” the government decree says. The order also makes exceptions for diplomats, people leaving due to a serious illness or death of a close relative and Belarusian citizens who hold residency in a foreign country.
Belarus previously restricted border crossings for foreigners and stateless persons from Nov. 1.
Entry to the country via Minsk International Airport remains unrestricted.
Many Belarusian opposition figures and protesters have fled to neighboring countries like Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Ukraine amid the ongoing crackdown on protesters rallying against President Alexander Lukashenko’s disputed re-election.
Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who fled Belarus for Lithuana herself following the Aug. 9 vote, criticized the border closings on her Twitter account.
"He [Lukashenko] didn't care about Covid before. Now repressed Belarusians cannot flee and seek asylum abroad," Tikhanovskaya said in a tweet.


themoscowtimes--2020-12-10--Moscow Communists Spread Coronavirus Vaccine Misinformation – Reports

The leaflets , reportedly handed out to protesters outside the Moscow Mayor ’ s Office , called Covid-19 vaccination the “ rebirth of fascism ” and equated the jab to weapons of mass destruction .
According to Podyom , they also called the vaccines “ nanotechnological products that emit electromagnetic fields , ” enter the body and kill its recipients .
Russian Communist Party members distributed anti-vaccination leaflets in Moscow falsely claiming there is no coronavirus pandemic , the Podyom Telegram news channel reported Wednesday .
The Communist Party leaflets echoed earlier false claims by its leader Gennady Zyuganov that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bill Gates ’ “ globalist ” plot to implant microchips into the population .
The anti-vaccination protests coincide with Russia ’ s free and voluntary Covid-19 immunization drive with the domestic Sputnik V vaccine .
Developers say interim results of its ongoing post-registration clinical trials demonstrate 95 % efficacy , but public polls still show a majority of the Russian public unwilling to take the vaccine .
Podyom said the Red Moscow public group , a patriotic movement within the Communist Party , took down photos of the leaflets from its Telegram channel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member in Russia ’ s lower house of parliament , reportedly attended the rally and defended other members for not wearing masks or adhering to social distancing guidelines .
“ It ’ s proven by science that the possibility of infection is minimal , 0.001 % , on the street .
I was maskless because I ’ m immune , ” Podyom quoted Rashkin as saying .

The leaflets, reportedly handed out to protesters outside the Moscow Mayor’s Office, called Covid-19 vaccination the “rebirth of fascism” and equated the jab to weapons of mass destruction. According to Podyom, they also called the vaccines “nanotechnological products that emit electromagnetic fields,” enter the body and kill its recipients.
Russian Communist Party members distributed anti-vaccination leaflets in Moscow falsely claiming there is no coronavirus pandemic, the Podyom Telegram news channel reported Wednesday.
The Communist Party leaflets echoed earlier false claims by its leader Gennady Zyuganov that the vaccine is part of U.S. billionaire Bill Gates’ “globalist” plot to implant microchips into the population.
The anti-vaccination protests coincide with Russia’s free and voluntary Covid-19 immunization drive with the domestic Sputnik V vaccine. Developers say interim results of its ongoing post-registration clinical trials demonstrate 95% efficacy, but public polls still show a majority of the Russian public unwilling to take the vaccine.
Podyom said the Red Moscow public group, a patriotic movement within the Communist Party, took down photos of the leaflets from its Telegram channel.
Valery Rashkin, a Communist Party member in Russia’s lower house of parliament, reportedly attended the rally and defended other members for not wearing masks or adhering to social distancing guidelines.
“It’s proven by science that the possibility of infection is minimal, 0.001%, on the street. I was maskless because I’m immune,” Podyom quoted Rashkin as saying.
“Our street action posed no danger whatsoever,” Rashkin.


themoscowtimes--2020-12-10--EU Extends Sanctions Anti-Russia Over Ukraine

European Union leaders Thursday extended punishing economic sanctions against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine for another six months , @ @ @ @ @ The sanctions , which target whole sectors of the Russian economy including its valuable oil @ @ @ @ @ mid-2021 .
The measures over Russia 's role in the conflict were first imposed after @ @ @ @ @ shot down over rebel-held eastern Ukraine in 2014 and have been renewed every six months @ @ @

European Union leaders Thursday extended punishing economic sanctions against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine for another six months, an EU spokesman said.
The sanctions, which target whole sectors of the Russian economy including its valuable oil businesses, were extended to mid-2021.
The measures over Russia's role in the conflict were first imposed after Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over rebel-held eastern Ukraine in 2014 and have been renewed every six months ever since.


themoscowtimes--2020-12-10--Azerbaijan Holds Nagorno-Karabakh Victory Parade

Azerbaijan held a massive victory parade in Baku on Thursday in honor of its victory over Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh @ @ @ @ @ which lasted for 44 days and left 5,000 dead , ended in a Moscow-brokered peace @ @ @ @ @ heavy territorial gains .
Over 3,000 military servicemen took part in the parade , whose @ @ @ @ @ Recep Tayyip Erdogan .
President Erdogan also made a speech at the parade during which @ @ @ @ @ Armenia would `` take lessons '' from its defeat .

Azerbaijan held a massive victory parade in Baku on Thursday in honor of its victory over Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The conflict, which lasted for 44 days and left 5,000 dead, ended in a Moscow-brokered peace deal in which Azerbaijan made heavy territorial gains.
Over 3,000 military servicemen took part in the parade, whose notable guests included Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
President Erdogan also made a speech at the parade during which he said he hoped that Armenia would "take lessons" from its defeat.


themoscowtimes--2020-12-10--Russia Recorded Almost 50K Excess Deaths in October – Deadliest Month in Decade

Between March and the end of October — the last date for which such data is available — Russia recorded just shy of 165,000 excess deaths .
Less than half have been accounted for by Russia ’ s official Covid-19 fatality numbers .
It was the single most deadly month in Russia for more than a decade — surpassing the previous high set in August 2010 , when devastating wildfires swept across much of the country , killing tens of thousands .
Russia ’ s state statistics agency ( Rosstat ) said Russia recorded more than 205,000 total fatalities in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same month last year .
Russia recorded more than 47,000 excess deaths in October — the sharpest monthly rise in fatalities since the start of the coronavirus pandemic — according to official statistics published Thursday .
Rosstat said 22,761 people with coronavirus or suspected coronavirus died during October — but added that in almost 40 % of cases , the infection was not deemed to be the cause of death , or did not play any role whatsoever in the fatality .
That counting methodology runs against World Health Organization ( WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the huge increase in mortality .
Many regions recorded a spike in deaths of at least 50 % compared to the same month last year , as areas outside Moscow have been hit hard by the second wave of the coronavirus .
Nationwide , since the start of the pandemic , Russia has recorded 13.7 % more deaths than last year .
The country is still recording record numbers of infections — just under 30,000 a day .
Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova warned Thursday that fatality levels were likely to rise even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the year .
Russia saw a record 677,535 official infections in November — 53 % more than in October .
But due to the lengthy delay in publishing fatality statistics , nationwide information for November will not be available until 2021 .
A handful of regions have already independently published information .
Four of the six showed sharp increases in deaths during November .
Fatalities in Novosibirsk , for instance , rose by a quarter , and came in at almost twice the level as last year .
In Russia ’ s case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 numbers , rather than averages of the last five or ten years .
This is because Russia has seen rapidly declining mortality rates over the last decade , so figures from recent years can be a more reliable indicator .
Russia ’ s coronavirus statistics have been heavily criticized by independent voices since the start of the pandemic .
The country has continued to record tens of thousands of extra fatalities unaccounted for in the official tally .

Between March and the end of October — the last date for which such data is available — Russia recorded just shy of 165,000 excess deaths. Less than half have been accounted for by Russia’s official Covid-19 fatality numbers.
It was the single most deadly month in Russia for more than a decade — surpassing the previous high set in August 2010, when devastating wildfires swept across much of the country, killing tens of thousands.
Russia’s state statistics agency (Rosstat) said Russia recorded more than 205,000 total fatalities in October — 30% more than during the same month last year.
Russia recorded more than 47,000 excess deaths in October — the sharpest monthly rise in fatalities since the start of the coronavirus pandemic — according to official statistics published Thursday.
Rosstat said 22,761 people with coronavirus or suspected coronavirus died during October — but added that in almost 40% of cases, the infection was not deemed to be the cause of death, or did not play any role whatsoever in the fatality.
That counting methodology runs against World Health Organization (WHO) advice, and only partially explains the huge increase in mortality.
Many regions recorded a spike in deaths of at least 50% compared to the same month last year, as areas outside Moscow have been hit hard by the second wave of the coronavirus. Nationwide, since the start of the pandemic, Russia has recorded 13.7% more deaths than last year.
The country is still recording record numbers of infections — just under 30,000 a day.
Numbers game
Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova warned Thursday that fatality levels were likely to rise even further in the final two months of the year.
Russia saw a record 677,535 official infections in November — 53% more than in October. But due to the lengthy delay in publishing fatality statistics, nationwide information for November will not be available until 2021. A handful of regions have already independently published information — 16 of 19 showed deaths from all causes in November were higher than in October. In many cases the difference was significant. Fatalities in Novosibirsk, for instance, came in at almost twice the expected level.
In Russia’s case, independent statisticians recommend comparing fatalities with 2019 numbers, rather than averages of the last five or ten years. This is because Russia has seen rapidly declining mortality rates over the last decade, so figures from recent years can be a more reliable indicator.
Russia’s coronavirus statistics have been heavily criticized by independent voices since the start of the pandemic. The country has continued to record tens of thousands of extra fatalities unaccounted for in the official tally.


themoscowtimes--2020-12-10--U.S. Sanctions Kadyrov Associates Over Human Rights Abuses

The United States slapped sanctions on a handful of companies and individuals connected to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ gross human rights violations ” including “ torture , extrajudicial executions and illegal abductions.
” @ @ @ @ @ the 2015 assassination of leading Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov and the torture and murder @ @ @ @ @ being gay in an anti-LGBT purge which first came to light in 2017 .
The @ @ @ @ @ companies it said were owned or controlled by Kadyrov as well as five individuals close @ @ @ @ @ its Office of Foreign Assets Control ’ s list of sanctioned entities .
Sanctioned individuals @ @ @ @ @ holding assets in the U.S. and from conducting business with American firms and individuals .

The United States slapped sanctions on a handful of companies and individuals connected to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov on Thursday, accusing them of “gross human rights violations” including “torture, extrajudicial executions and illegal abductions.”
The network was implicated in the 2015 assassination of leading Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov and the torture and murder of Chechen men suspected of being gay in an anti-LGBT purge which first came to light in 2017.
The U.S. Treasury Department added six companies it said were owned or controlled by Kadyrov as well as five individuals close to the Chechen strongman to its Office of Foreign Assets Control’s list of sanctioned entities. Sanctioned individuals and companies are barred from holding assets in the U.S. and from conducting business with American firms and individuals.


themoscowtimes--2020-12-10--Dutch Expel 2 Russian Diplomats for Spying – Intelligence Service

The Netherlands is expelling two alleged Russian spies working as diplomats after `` rolling up '' a spy network that targeted hi-tech industries , Dutch security officials said on Thursday .
The Russian officers from the civilian SVR intelligence service built up a `` substantial '' network of sources that could have damaged Dutch national interests , the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service ( AIVD ) said .
Moscow said it would retaliate to the `` provocative '' gesture , which further strains a relationship that has been frosty ever since the 2014 shooting down of flight MH17 put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The AIVD said in statement that it had `` recently rolled up a substantial espionage network '' involving the two Russians , who were both accredited diplomats at the Russian embassy in The Hague .
One of the Russians targeted people working in the Dutch high-tech sector , particularly companies dealing with artificial intelligence , semiconductors and nanotechnology , for uses in both civil and military applications , it said .
`` Some individuals were paid by the intelligence officer in exchange for information , '' the Dutch intelligence service said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' it said .
The Russian ambassador had been summoned to the Dutch foreign ministry , Dutch interior minister Karin Ollongren said .
The spy network `` likely caused damage to the organizations where the sources are or were active and thus possibly also to the Dutch economy and national security , '' Ollongren said .
The announcement comes a day after the Netherlands-based European Medicines Agency was hit by a cyberattack targeting coronavirus vaccine data , but there was no indication the two incidents were linked .
Leonid Slutsky , chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's international affairs committee , said Moscow would be `` forced to take symmetrical actions . ''
`` I am sure that an adequate response will follow in a timely manner , '' Slutsky was cited by the Interfax news agency as telling reporters .
Slutsky described the Netherlands ' move as `` yet another provocative gesture '' and the spying accusations were `` unfounded . ''
Relations between The Hague and Moscow have been tense since Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down in July 2014 over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pro-Russian separatists .
The Netherlands has said Moscow has responsibility for the disaster , which killed 298 people , 196 of them Dutch .
Three Russians and Ukrainian are on trial in absentia over the crash .
Separately in 2018 the Netherlands expelled four alleged Russian spies after an alleged bid to hack the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague , using equipment in the back of a car parked in a neighbouring hotel .

The Netherlands is expelling two alleged Russian spies working as diplomats after "rolling up" a spy network that targeted hi-tech industries, Dutch security officials said on Thursday.
The Russian officers from the civilian SVR intelligence service built up a "substantial" network of sources that could have damaged Dutch national interests, the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) said.
Moscow said it would retaliate to the "provocative" gesture, which further strains a relationship that has been frosty ever since the 2014 shooting down of flight MH17 put the Netherlands and Russia at loggerheads.
The AIVD said in statement that it had "recently rolled up a substantial espionage network" involving the two Russians, who were both accredited diplomats at the Russian embassy in The Hague.
One of the Russians targeted people working in the Dutch high-tech sector, particularly companies dealing with artificial intelligence, semiconductors and nanotechnology, for uses in both civil and military applications, it said.
"Some individuals were paid by the intelligence officer in exchange for information," the Dutch intelligence service said.
The second officer played a "supporting role," it said.
The Russian ambassador had been summoned to the Dutch foreign ministry, Dutch interior minister Karin Ollongren said.
The spy network "likely caused damage to the organizations where the sources are or were active and thus possibly also to the Dutch economy and national security," Ollongren said.
'Provocative gesture'
The announcement comes a day after the Netherlands-based European Medicines Agency was hit by a cyberattack targeting coronavirus vaccine data, but there was no indication the two incidents were linked.
Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the Russian lower house State Duma's international affairs committee, said Moscow would be "forced to take symmetrical actions."
"I am sure that an adequate response will follow in a timely manner," Slutsky was cited by the Interfax news agency as telling reporters.
Slutsky described the Netherlands' move as "yet another provocative gesture" and the spying accusations were "unfounded."
Relations between The Hague and Moscow have been tense since Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down in July 2014 over a part of eastern Ukraine held by pro-Russian separatists.
The Netherlands has said Moscow has responsibility for the disaster, which killed 298 people, 196 of them Dutch. Three Russians and Ukrainian are on trial in absentia over the crash.
Separately in 2018 the Netherlands expelled four alleged Russian spies after an alleged bid to hack the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague, using equipment in the back of a car parked in a neighbouring hotel.


themoscowtimes--2020-12-10--Ukraine, Russia Discuss New Prisoner Swap, Troop Withdrawal: Kiev

On Thursday , Zelensky 's spokeswoman Yuliya Mendel said Kiev would like to stage a new prisoner swap by year 's end .
The announcement came a year after Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a series of measures to relaunch a stalled peace process during talks in Paris brokered by Germany and France .
Ukraine has entered into talks with Russia and Kremlin-backed separatists over a new troop withdrawal and prisoner swap in Ukraine 's war-torn east , Kiev said Thursday .
Speaking to AFP , Mendel said Kiev had submitted a list of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but Russian-backed separatists had not done the same so far .
`` We are doing everything we can , '' she said .
Zelensky has also discussed the subject with the leaders of Germany and France , as well as with Putin , Mendel added .
Ukraine has been fighting separatists backed by Russia in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions since 2014 following Moscow 's annexation of the Crimean peninsula .
Since then , more than 13,000 people have died and nearly 1.5 million have been displaced .
Four-way talks between France , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ withdrawal of heavy weapons , the restoration of Kiev 's control over its borders , wider autonomy for Donetsk and Lugansk , and the holding of local elections .
But talks have sputtered in the year since Putin and Zelensky met in Paris , and the Ukrainian leader on Wednesday accused Russia of `` blocking the implementation of the agreements . ''
In a statement released late Wednesday , he added that Ukraine was ready for a new stage of troop disengagement and the demining of new areas , as well as for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month opened two new crossings into separatist-held territory but passage for civilians remains blocked by authorities in the breakaway regions .
Later in November , France and Germany urged Moscow to put pressure on pro-Russian separatists to allow the opening of the crossings , saying that Kiev was honoring its commitments in this regard .

On Thursday, Zelensky's spokeswoman Yuliya Mendel said Kiev would like to stage a new prisoner swap by year's end.
The announcement came a year after Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a series of measures to relaunch a stalled peace process during talks in Paris brokered by Germany and France.
Ukraine has entered into talks with Russia and Kremlin-backed separatists over a new troop withdrawal and prisoner swap in Ukraine's war-torn east, Kiev said Thursday.
Speaking to AFP, Mendel said Kiev had submitted a list of names for a new swap to negotiators but Russian-backed separatists had not done the same so far.
"We are doing everything we can," she said.
Zelensky has also discussed the subject with the leaders of Germany and France, as well as with Putin, Mendel added.
Ukraine has been fighting separatists backed by Russia in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions since 2014 following Moscow's annexation of the Crimean peninsula.
Since then, more than 13,000 people have died and nearly 1.5 million have been displaced.
Four-way talks between France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine seek the withdrawal of heavy weapons, the restoration of Kiev's control over its borders, wider autonomy for Donetsk and Lugansk, and the holding of local elections.
But talks have sputtered in the year since Putin and Zelensky met in Paris, and the Ukrainian leader on Wednesday accused Russia of "blocking the implementation of the agreements."
In a statement released late Wednesday, he added that Ukraine was ready for a new stage of troop disengagement and the demining of new areas, as well as for the next prisoner swap.
Ukraine last month opened two new crossings into separatist-held territory but passage for civilians remains blocked by authorities in the breakaway regions.
Later in November, France and Germany urged Moscow to put pressure on pro-Russian separatists to allow the opening of the crossings, saying that Kiev was honoring its commitments in this regard.