themoscowtimes--2020-09-11--Nearly Half of Russians to ‘Never’ Vaccinate Against Coronavirus – Poll

The current share of coronavirus skeptics ( 45.6 % ) has increased from the last time Moscow ’ s Higher School of Economics ( HSE ) polled Russians at the height of the pandemic in June , when 37.7 % said they would “ never ” vaccinate against Covid-19 .
Nearly half of Russians say they will never vaccinate against the coronavirus regardless of its country of production , according to a survey cited by the RBC news website Friday .
Study author Ruslan Artamonov said that skepticism toward the vaccine has risen as the number of new cases has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and early summer .
“ In fact , the virus threatened many people only in theory , ” Artamonov said .
“ But people felt both economic difficulties and all the restrictions associated with self-isolation.
” Yaroslav Ashikhmin , adviser to the CEO of the Moscow International Medical Cluster healthcare ecosystem project , said “ people have begun seeing the coronavirus as a less dangerous threat.
” “ The skepticism has increased because scientists can ’ t clearly explain yet why there wasn ’ t a coronavirus outbreak after the borders were opened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second wave .
There are also no overcrowded clinics , ” Ashikhmin told RBC .
Russia introduced stay-at-home measures in late March and began to gradually lift the restrictions in mid-May .
According to the HSE study , more Russians now believe that the danger of the pandemic has either been exaggerated or “ invented , ” going from 32.8 % in late May to 43.4 % in early September .
The share of respondents who say they are willing to vaccinate has decreased from 15.8 % in June to 13.2 % this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d rather wait until next year before deciding , RBC cited the HSE study as saying .
Russia has confirmed more than 1 million coronavirus infections , the world ’ s fourth-highest caseload .
After counting less than 5,000 daily infections for three weeks , Russia has registered more than 5,000 new cases for each of the past eight days .
Russia is among several countries racing to develop a safe and effective Covid-19 vaccine .
President Vladimir Putin announced last month that Russia had registered the world ’ s first coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's final clinical trials only began in Russia this week .
HSE conducted the online poll among 9,000 Russians aged 18-75 between Sept. 5-7 .

The current share of coronavirus skeptics (45.6%) has increased from the last time Moscow’s Higher School of Economics (HSE) polled Russians at the height of the pandemic in June, when 37.7% said they would “never” vaccinate against Covid-19.
Nearly half of Russians say they will never vaccinate against the coronavirus regardless of its country of production, according to a survey cited by the RBC news website Friday.
Study author Ruslan Artamonov said that skepticism toward the vaccine has risen as the number of new cases has declined since its peak in late spring and early summer.
“In fact, the virus threatened many people only in theory,” Artamonov said. “But people felt both economic difficulties and all the restrictions associated with self-isolation.”
Yaroslav Ashikhmin, adviser to the CEO of the Moscow International Medical Cluster healthcare ecosystem project, said “people have begun seeing the coronavirus as a less dangerous threat.”
“The skepticism has increased because scientists can’t clearly explain yet why there wasn’t a coronavirus outbreak after the borders were opened and whether there will be a pronounced second wave. There are also no overcrowded clinics,” Ashikhmin told RBC.
Russia introduced stay-at-home measures in late March and began to gradually lift the restrictions in mid-May.
According to the HSE study, more Russians now believe that the danger of the pandemic has either been exaggerated or “invented,” going from 32.8% in late May to 43.4% in early September.
The share of respondents who say they are willing to vaccinate has decreased from 15.8% in June to 13.2% this month.
Almost 19% said they’d rather wait until next year before deciding, RBC cited the HSE study as saying.
Russia has confirmed more than 1 million coronavirus infections, the world’s fourth-highest caseload. After counting less than 5,000 daily infections for three weeks, Russia has registered more than 5,000 new cases for each of the past eight days.
Russia is among several countries racing to develop a safe and effective Covid-19 vaccine. President Vladimir Putin announced last month that Russia had registered the world’s first coronavirus vaccine, though the Sputnik V jab's final clinical trials only began in Russia this week.
HSE conducted the online poll among 9,000 Russians aged 18-75 between Sept. 5-7.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-11--Russia’s Regional Elections, Explained

Russia’s Regional Elections, Explained

Nearly 35 million people , or just under one-third of all registered voters , are eligible to vote this year .
The vote will stretch out across three days between Sept. 11-13 in an effort to prevent crowding and the spread of coronavirus , a system previously used in this summer ’ s constitutional plebiscite that experts say will make it easier to falsify votes .
Election officials have also Regional elections for governors , as well as federal , regional and municipal legislators in 41 out of 85 regions .
The Moscow Times spoke to political experts about what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a year that has seen a global pandemic , weeks of anti-Kremlin protests in the Far East and historically low approval ratings for President Vladimir Putin , the vote is set to be a key test for the country ’ s pro-Putin ruling party , United Russia .
Russians are heading to the polls through Sunday to elect new regional and city leadership .
What is at stake ?
The vote will test United Russia ’ s resilience against the one-two punch of Putin ’ s falling ratings and an economy battered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The results — which independent monitoring groups warn will be tarnished by widespread voter fraud — could serve as a bellwether for the 2021 elections into the State Duma , Russia ’ s lower house of parliament .
Putin foe Alexei Navalny has touted his “ Smart Voting ” tactic of rallying behind the single most viable candidate to unseat a United Russia incumbent .
Navalny ’ s allies link “ Smart Voting ” with his poisoning on Aug. 20 with what Germany says was nerve agent Novichok , as he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he fell ill .
Independent polling has said that the share of respondents willing to vote for United Russia has grown from just under 30 % in the past two years to just over 31 % this summer ( the party still controls a majority of Duma seats ) .
But Navalny ’ s poisoning could also negatively affect United Russia ’ s results .
The effect of protests in Khabarovsk , a Far East region rocked by two months of protests over the arrest of its popular governor , could expand into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that continuing anti-government rallies in Khabarovsk and in Russia ’ s ex-Soviet neighbor Belarus could produce “ unpleasant surprises ” for the Kremlin at the ballot box .
This is the second time Russians are going to the polls in the midst of the still-raging coronavirus crisis .
In late June , Russians voted in favor of a package of constitutional changes which includes a clause that allows Putin to stay in power until 2036 .
Since then , Putin ’ s ratings have recovered from a historic low recorded at the height @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a survey conducted by Western academics has said that Putin may have lost up to 20 % of his supporters who viewed the plebiscite as a surrender of another democratic institution .
Other respondents willing to abandon Putin were those dissatisfied with his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and those who have lost jobs because of the crisis .
Arguably the most interesting gubernatorial race will be that of the Irkutsk region , where experts say the Kremlin-backed incumbent Igor Kobzev faces a serious challenge against former FSB officer and communist Mikhail Shchapov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , communist Sergei Levchenko , resigned in 2019 , reportedly under pressure from the Kremlin .
Levchenko was replaced by former federal deputy minister Kobzev , a politician with no formal connection to Irkutsk .
Analysts have compared the situation in Irkutsk to that seen in Russia ’ s Far-East city of Khabarovsk , where protests broke out after popular local governor Sergei Furgal — who defeated a Kremlin-backed candidate in 2018 — was arrested this summer .
Nikolai Petrov , a fellow at Chatham House , anticipates some sort of local discontent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top on Sunday , pointing to the fact that Irkutsk ’ s protests in support of Furgal were larger than those in Moscow or St. Petersburg .
“ Expect Irkutsk inhabitants to protest against this kind of brutal interference in their affairs , ” Petrov told The Moscow Times .
Overall discontent with the Kremlin party has been brewing in the Irkutsk region for its response to the floods last summer that left many homeless .
The region also had one of the highest vote shares in the country against Putin ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia ( 34 % ) United Russia has been losing popularity in these northwestern regions over plans to construct a landfill in Arkhangelsk that would ship 10.5 million tons of garbage per year from Moscow to the north over the next 20 years .
Both regions have seen thousands take the street to voice their anger with the plan in unprecedented protests .
Komi ’ s former head , United Russia governor Sergei Gaplikov , resigned this summer after the region became a hotspot of Russia ’ s coronavirus crisis .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Vladimir Uyba .
Uyba has since appeared to have gotten the pandemic under control and has distanced himself from the landfill plans .
Uyba ’ s biggest challenger , communist Oleg Mikhailov , was barred from standing as governor despite reportedly gaining enough signatures .
In Arkhangelsk , United Russia gubernatorial candidate Alexander Tsibulskiy will face off against Irina Chirkova , a former State Duma deputy from the far-right LDPR party .
She is now running as part of moderate-left State Duma party A Just Russia .
Chirkova has been gaining popularity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Another anti-landfill candidate , environmental activist Oleg Mandrykin , was excluded from the ballot despite reportedly gaining enough signatures to run .
Andrei Pertsev , a journalist with the Meduza news website who specializes in the regions , says that while both Kremlin-backed candidates Uyba and Tsibulskiy have publicly backed away from potential landfill construction in their regions , it might not be enough to sway the population to vote in favor of the increasingly unpopular United Russia .
The incumbent President of Tatarstan — as the head of the republic is called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moscow — Rustam Minnikhanov won 95 % of the vote in 2015 in a region known for delivering strong pro-Kremlin election results and where allegations of vote-rigging are prevalent .
Nobody expects Minnikhanov to fall short , although recent developments could influence the level of his genuine support .
Based on mortality statistics , hospital admissions and antibody testing , Tatarstan appears to have been one of the worst affected by the coronavirus pandemic in Russia , but has reported only a handful of official deaths in what analysts say is widespread data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote , Navalny ’ s Anti-Corruption Foundation published an investigation into Minnikhanov ’ s supposedly hidden wealth , alleging his family owns a 3.5 billion ruble ( $ 46 million ) property empire including luxury apartments in France and Dubai .
Russia ’ s third-largest city looks set to be a key barometer of how the reaction to the poisoning of Navanly is playing out across the country , as well as his campaign ’ s efforts to solidify anti-regime votes in local elections .
In a region with a history of protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unified “ Novosibirsk 2020 ” coalition to fight for city council seats against both United Russia and the Communist Party , which controls city hall .
That ’ s a step up from Navalny ’ s broader “ Smart Voting ” strategy employed at last year ’ s Moscow City Council elections which resulted in the Communists scooping a handful of seats from United Russia .
In Novosibirsk — unlike in Moscow — the coalition managed to get independent candidates on the ticket in 40 out of 50 races despite serious efforts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including a chemical attack in their headquarters earlier this week .
Pertsev believes Novosibirsk is the most likely place to see protests if there are clear signs of vote-rigging in favor of the Kremlin-backed candidate .
The student-heavy city where Navalny was visiting just before he fell ill from a suspected Novichok poisoning is another place where genuine opposition candidates backed by the 44 year-old ’ s campaign could make a breakthrough .
Navalny has a “ wide support base ” in Tomsk — which is one of Russia ’ s more restive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dynamics could also prove helpful .
“ Although United Russia holds 32 of the 37 seats , Navalny ’ s team is counting on winning the election , ” Petrov added , citing a crowded field with more than 150 candidates and a number of single-mandate constituencies as boosting the chances of Navalny-backed contenders coming out on top .

Nearly 35 million people, or just under one-third of all registered voters, are eligible to vote this year.
The vote will stretch out across three days between Sept. 11-13 in an effort to prevent crowding and the spread of coronavirus, a system previously used in this summer’s constitutional plebiscite that experts say will make it easier to falsify votes. Election officials have also
Regional elections for governors, as well as federal, regional and municipal legislators in 41 out of 85 regions.
The Moscow Times spoke to political experts about what to expect from the three-day vote:
In a year that has seen a global pandemic, weeks of anti-Kremlin protests in the Far East and historically low approval ratings for President Vladimir Putin, the vote is set to be a key test for the country’s pro-Putin ruling party, United Russia.
Russians are heading to the polls through Sunday to elect new regional and city leadership.
What is at stake?
The vote will test United Russia’s resilience against the one-two punch of Putin’s falling ratings and an economy battered by the oil crisis and the pandemic. The results — which independent monitoring groups warn will be tarnished by widespread voter fraud — could serve as a bellwether for the 2021 elections into the State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament.
Smart Voting
Putin foe Alexei Navalny has touted his “Smart Voting” tactic of rallying behind the single most viable candidate to unseat a United Russia incumbent. Navalny’s allies link “Smart Voting” with his poisoning on Aug. 20 with what Germany says was nerve agent Novichok, as he had been touring to promote the strategy when he fell ill. Independent polling has said that the share of respondents willing to vote for United Russia has grown from just under 30% in the past two years to just over 31% this summer (the party still controls a majority of Duma seats). But Navalny’s poisoning could also negatively affect United Russia’s results.
Regional unrest
The effect of protests in Khabarovsk, a Far East region rocked by two months of protests over the arrest of its popular governor, could expand into the 2020 voting regions. Analysts anticipate that continuing anti-government rallies in Khabarovsk and in Russia’s ex-Soviet neighbor Belarus could produce “unpleasant surprises” for the Kremlin at the ballot box.
The coronavirus effect
This is the second time Russians are going to the polls in the midst of the still-raging coronavirus crisis. In late June, Russians voted in favor of a package of constitutional changes which includes a clause that allows Putin to stay in power until 2036. Since then, Putin’s ratings have recovered from a historic low recorded at the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Still, a survey conducted by Western academics has said that Putin may have lost up to 20% of his supporters who viewed the plebiscite as a surrender of another democratic institution. Other respondents willing to abandon Putin were those dissatisfied with his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and those who have lost jobs because of the crisis.
Places to watch
Irkutsk
Arguably the most interesting gubernatorial race will be that of the Irkutsk region, where experts say the Kremlin-backed incumbent Igor Kobzev faces a serious challenge against former FSB officer and communist Mikhail Shchapov.
The region’s former governor, communist Sergei Levchenko, resigned in 2019, reportedly under pressure from the Kremlin. Levchenko was replaced by former federal deputy minister Kobzev, a politician with no formal connection to Irkutsk.
Analysts have compared the situation in Irkutsk to that seen in Russia’s Far-East city of Khabarovsk, where protests broke out after popular local governor Sergei Furgal — who defeated a Kremlin-backed candidate in 2018 — was arrested this summer.
Nikolai Petrov, a fellow at Chatham House, anticipates some sort of local discontent if the Kremlin-backed candidate Kobzev comes on top on Sunday, pointing to the fact that Irkutsk’s protests in support of Furgal were larger than those in Moscow or St. Petersburg.
“Expect Irkutsk inhabitants to protest against this kind of brutal interference in their affairs,” Petrov told The Moscow Times.
Overall discontent with the Kremlin party has been brewing in the Irkutsk region for its response to the floods last summer that left many homeless. The region also had one of the highest vote shares in the country against Putin’s summer referendum to reform the Constitution of Russia (34%)
Republic of Komi and Arkhangelsk region
United Russia has been losing popularity in these northwestern regions over plans to construct a landfill in Arkhangelsk that would ship 10.5 million tons of garbage per year from Moscow to the north over the next 20 years. Both regions have seen thousands take the street to voice their anger with the plan in unprecedented protests.
Komi’s former head, United Russia governor Sergei Gaplikov, resigned this summer after the region became a hotspot of Russia’s coronavirus crisis. He was replaced with one of his medical advisers, Vladimir Uyba. Uyba has since appeared to have gotten the pandemic under control and has distanced himself from the landfill plans.
Uyba’s biggest challenger, communist Oleg Mikhailov, was barred from standing as governor despite reportedly gaining enough signatures.
In Arkhangelsk, United Russia gubernatorial candidate Alexander Tsibulskiy will face off against Irina Chirkova, a former State Duma deputy from the far-right LDPR party. She is now running as part of moderate-left State Duma party A Just Russia. Chirkova has been gaining popularity by attending and organizing anti-landfill protests. Another anti-landfill candidate, environmental activist Oleg Mandrykin, was excluded from the ballot despite reportedly gaining enough signatures to run.
Andrei Pertsev, a journalist with the Meduza news website who specializes in the regions, says that while both Kremlin-backed candidates Uyba and Tsibulskiy have publicly backed away from potential landfill construction in their regions, it might not be enough to sway the population to vote in favor of the increasingly unpopular United Russia.
Republic of Tatarstan
The incumbent President of Tatarstan — as the head of the republic is called as part of a special agreement with Moscow — Rustam Minnikhanov won 95% of the vote in 2015 in a region known for delivering strong pro-Kremlin election results and where allegations of vote-rigging are prevalent. Nobody expects Minnikhanov to fall short, although recent developments could influence the level of his genuine support.
Based on mortality statistics, hospital admissions and antibody testing, Tatarstan appears to have been one of the worst affected by the coronavirus pandemic in Russia, but has reported only a handful of official deaths in what analysts say is widespread data falsification. And just days before the vote, Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation published an investigation into Minnikhanov’s supposedly hidden wealth, alleging his family owns a 3.5 billion ruble ($46 million) property empire including luxury apartments in France and Dubai.
Republic of Bashkortostan
After a local issue — the preservation of Kushtau hill, a sacred limestone mountain being developed for mining — made headlines weeks ago, eyes are on the region again as voters elect members of the Ishimbaysky district’s Deputy Council.
The Council was expected to satisfy one of the key points of negotiations between local authorities and Kushtau activists by dismissing district head Azamat Abdrakhmanov, who is allegedly responsible for an attack on protesters. Incumbent deputies, however, only gave Abdrakhmanov a behavioral warning, provoking a public outcry.
While hopes for the election among the Kushtau activists are high, choices are limited after all Communist Party members unexpectedly withdrew from the race earlier in the week. The local Idel.Realii news website cited sources as saying they believe that only Abdrakhmanov-aligned deputies will be allowed to join the council, risking fresh protests in the region.
City council
Novosibirsk
Russia’s third-largest city looks set to be a key barometer of how the reaction to the poisoning of Navanly is playing out across the country, as well as his campaign’s efforts to solidify anti-regime votes in local elections. In a region with a history of protest votes, opposition groups have formed a unified “Novosibirsk 2020” coalition to fight for city council seats against both United Russia and the Communist Party, which controls city hall. That’s a step up from Navalny’s broader “Smart Voting” strategy employed at last year’s Moscow City Council elections which resulted in the Communists scooping a handful of seats from United Russia.
In Novosibirsk — unlike in Moscow — the coalition managed to get independent candidates on the ticket in 40 out of 50 races despite serious efforts to frustrate their registration and ongoing intimidation, including a chemical attack in their headquarters earlier this week.
Pertsev believes Novosibirsk is the most likely place to see protests if there are clear signs of vote-rigging in favor of the Kremlin-backed candidate.
Tomsk
The student-heavy city where Navalny was visiting just before he fell ill from a suspected Novichok poisoning is another place where genuine opposition candidates backed by the 44 year-old’s campaign could make a breakthrough. Navalny has a “wide support base” in Tomsk — which is one of Russia’s more restive cities — says Petrov, and electoral dynamics could also prove helpful.
“Although United Russia holds 32 of the 37 seats, Navalny’s team is counting on winning the election,” Petrov added, citing a crowded field with more than 150 candidates and a number of single-mandate constituencies as boosting the chances of Navalny-backed contenders coming out on top.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-11--North River Terminal Opens in Moscow After More Than A Decade

The North River Terminal in Moscow was begun in 1933 and opened in 1937 .
Designed by architects Alexei Rukhlyadev and Valdimr Krinsky , the terminal was on a waterway leading to the Moscow-Volga Canal .
It was the 12th river terminal to appear in the city but by far the most impressive , with an enormous terminal building stretching 150 meters along the waterfront set in a large park , with sculptures and decorations made of majolica and stained glass .
With the Moscow-Volga and Volga-Don canals , Moscow became , in the words of Josef Stalin , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ canals and rivers , Moscow was now connected to the White , Baltic , Black , Azov and Caspian Seas .
After decades of neglect , the park and terminal were closed in 2009 .
In 2017 it was transferred to the city of Moscow , which began a complete reconstruction of the park , terminal , and port .
Here you can embark on day tours around Moscow and the countryside or a cruise ship to distant ports .
Or you can just enjoy an afternoon on the riverbank and a meal @ @ @ @ @ @

North River Terminal Opens in Moscow After More Than A Decade The massive reconstruction project was complete for Moscow's birthday.
The North River Terminal in Moscow was begun in 1933 and opened in 1937. Designed by architects Alexei Rukhlyadev and Valdimr Krinsky, the terminal was on a waterway leading to the Moscow-Volga Canal. It was the 12th river terminal to appear in the city but by far the most impressive, with an enormous terminal building stretching 150 meters along the waterfront set in a large park, with sculptures and decorations made of majolica and stained glass.
With the Moscow-Volga and Volga-Don canals, Moscow became, in the words of Josef Stalin, “a city of five seas.” By canals and rivers, Moscow was now connected to the White, Baltic, Black, Azov and Caspian Seas.
After decades of neglect, the park and terminal were closed in 2009. In 2017 it was transferred to the city of Moscow, which began a complete reconstruction of the park, terminal, and port.
Here you can embark on day tours around Moscow and the countryside or a cruise ship to distant ports. Or you can just enjoy an afternoon on the riverbank and a meal at the historic Volga-Volga restaurant.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-11--Russian Police Seek To Question Navalny in Germany

The 44-year-old Kremlin critic and anti-corruption campaigner fell ill after boarding a plane in Siberia and was hospitalized there before being flown to Berlin .
Russian police said Friday they were seeking to question opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Berlin after Moscow rubbished Germany 's declaration that he was poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok .
Germany reported `` unequivocal evidence '' that he was poisoned with the nerve agent but Russia says its doctors found no trace of poison .
The Siberian transport police , who have been retracing Navalny 's movements , said in a statement that Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers and an `` expert '' to shadow German investigators .
The police said following reports that Navalny had emerged from a coma , officers could `` ask clarifying and additional questions '' and be present as `` German colleagues carry out investigative activities with Navalny , medics and experts . ''
The Kremlin has denounced attempts to blame the Russian state for the poisoning as `` absurd '' and said it wants to know what happened .
International politicians have said the incident appears likely to have been state-ordered and urged Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday there was a `` substantial chance '' the order to poison the dissident `` came from senior Russian officials , '' a claim the Kremlin slammed as `` unacceptable . ''
Navalny 's associates say the use of Novichok , a military-grade nerve agent , shows only the Russian state could be responsible .
The case has prompted international calls for Russia to carry out a transparent investigation or risk sanctions , but the country has not opened a criminal investigation saying its medics did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Siberian transport police have been conducting a `` check '' into what happened and on Friday published some findings on Navalny 's activities .
They identified where Navalny stayed , what he and ate and that he drank `` wine and an alcoholic cocktail . ''
They confirmed that he visited the `` Vienna Coffeehouse '' at the airport at Tomsk where supporters suspect he was poisoned with a cup of tea .
The police also said they had questioned all those accompanying Navalny except for one woman , Marina Pevchikh , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' They were now working to trace passengers on the flight from Tomsk to Moscow where Navalny fell ill on Aug. 20 , the statement said .
Russia has repeatedly complained that Germany has not answered its request to see the medical data that led to the declaration that Navalny had been poisoned with Novichok .
Russian doctors nevertheless said they administered an antidote to nerve agents that was also used by doctors at the Berlin hospital now treating the anti-corruption campaigner .
Moscow 's UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya told the Security Council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alexei Navalny , '' Russian news agencies reported .

The 44-year-old Kremlin critic and anti-corruption campaigner fell ill after boarding a plane in Siberia and was hospitalized there before being flown to Berlin.
Russian police said Friday they were seeking to question opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Berlin after Moscow rubbished Germany's declaration that he was poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok.
Germany reported "unequivocal evidence" that he was poisoned with the nerve agent but Russia says its doctors found no trace of poison.
The Siberian transport police, who have been retracing Navalny's movements, said in a statement that Russia would be preparing a request for its officers and an "expert" to shadow German investigators.
The police said following reports that Navalny had emerged from a coma, officers could "ask clarifying and additional questions" and be present as "German colleagues carry out investigative activities with Navalny, medics and experts."
The Kremlin has denounced attempts to blame the Russian state for the poisoning as "absurd" and said it wants to know what happened.
International politicians have said the incident appears likely to have been state-ordered and urged Moscow to prove its lack of involvement.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday there was a "substantial chance" the order to poison the dissident "came from senior Russian officials," a claim the Kremlin slammed as "unacceptable."
Navalny's associates say the use of Novichok, a military-grade nerve agent, shows only the Russian state could be responsible.
The case has prompted international calls for Russia to carry out a transparent investigation or risk sanctions, but the country has not opened a criminal investigation saying its medics did not find evidence of poison in tests.
Siberian transport police have been conducting a "check" into what happened and on Friday published some findings on Navalny's activities.
Wine and cocktail
They identified where Navalny stayed, what he and ate and that he drank "wine and an alcoholic cocktail."
They confirmed that he visited the "Vienna Coffeehouse" at the airport at Tomsk where supporters suspect he was poisoned with a cup of tea.
The police also said they had questioned all those accompanying Navalny except for one woman, Marina Pevchikh, who "lives permanently in Britain."
They were now working to trace passengers on the flight from Tomsk to Moscow where Navalny fell ill on Aug. 20, the statement said.
Russia has repeatedly complained that Germany has not answered its request to see the medical data that led to the declaration that Navalny had been poisoned with Novichok.
Russian doctors nevertheless said they administered an antidote to nerve agents that was also used by doctors at the Berlin hospital now treating the anti-corruption campaigner.
Moscow's UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya told the Security Council on Thursday that Russian doctors "saved Alexei Navalny," Russian news agencies reported.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-11--Putin Apologizes to Serbian Leader for ‘Basic Instinct’ Post

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov have apologized to Serbia ’ s president for a social media post by Russia ’ s diplomatic spokeswoman that appeared to mock him .
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova sparked a rare spat between the allies when she posted a photo of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in the White House alongside a screengrab of the famous leg-crossing scene from the 1992 thriller “ Basic Instinct.
” Vucic told Serbian television , according to the Russian state-run RIA Novosti news agency , that both Putin and Lavrov spoke with him following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin has never apologized to me for anything , and neither has Sergei Lavrov .
But both did ” after the scandal , Vucic said .
“ I didn ’ t even mention it and would have never mentioned it as a well-mannered person , ” he added .
The image of Vucic that Zakharova posted depicts him sitting opposite U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House last Friday , where he attended a U.S.-brokered signing ceremony normalizing economic relations with Serbia ’ s former province of Kosovo .
Zakharova appeared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an updated Facebook post that her comments were misinterpreted .
The post still contains the original image .
Later this week , Serbia dropped out of planned “ Slavic Brotherhood 2020 ” military drills with Russia in Belarus after pressure from the European Union , where Belgrade seeks membership .
Serbia said it would suspend military drills with all partners for six months .

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov have apologized to Serbia’s president for a social media post by Russia’s diplomatic spokeswoman that appeared to mock him. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova sparked a rare spat between the allies when she posted a photo of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in the White House alongside a screengrab of the famous leg-crossing scene from the 1992 thriller “Basic Instinct.” Vucic told Serbian television, according to the Russian state-run RIA Novosti news agency, that both Putin and Lavrov spoke with him following the incident this week.
“President Putin has never apologized to me for anything, and neither has Sergei Lavrov. But both did” after the scandal, Vucic said. “I didn’t even mention it and would have never mentioned it as a well-mannered person,” he added. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Vucic’s words to RIA Novosti.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-10--Microsoft Thwarts Russian, Chinese Hackers Targeting U.S. Presidential Campaigns

Microsoft said Thursday it detected and thwarted cyberattacks in recent weeks from China and Russia targeting US presidential campaign staff @ @ @ @ @ targeting staff from the campaigns of President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden , @ @ @ @ @ blog .
`` In recent weeks , Microsoft has detected cyberattacks targeting people and organizations @ @ @ @ @ election , including unsuccessful attacks on people associated with both the Trump and Biden campaigns @ @ @ @ @ president Tom Burt .
`` The activity we are announcing today makes clear that foreign @ @ @ @ @ their efforts targeting the 2020 election as had been anticipated , and is consistent with @ @ @ @ @ others have reported . ''

Microsoft said Thursday it detected and thwarted cyberattacks in recent weeks from China and Russia targeting US presidential campaign staff.
The attackers have been targeting staff from the campaigns of President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden, Microsoft said in a security blog.
"In recent weeks, Microsoft has detected cyberattacks targeting people and organizations involved in the upcoming presidential election, including unsuccessful attacks on people associated with both the Trump and Biden campaigns," said corporate vice president Tom Burt.
"The activity we are announcing today makes clear that foreign activity groups have stepped up their efforts targeting the 2020 election as had been anticipated, and is consistent with what the US government and others have reported."


themoscowtimes--2020-09-10--U.S. Sanctions 'Russian Agent' for Trying to Damage Biden

The U.S. Treasury slapped sanctions Thursday on Ukrainian politician Andrii Derkach , an alleged Russian intelligence operative who has stoked conspiracy theories advanced by the White House that purport to implicate Democrat Joe Biden in corruption .
Derkach , who met with President Donald Trump 's lawyer Rudy Giuliani several times over the past year as he searched for dirt on Biden , `` has been an active Russian agent for over a decade , '' the Treasury said in a statement .
Derkach maintains `` close connections '' with Russian intelligence and has engaged in interference actions `` in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. presidential election , '' it said .
`` This action is a clear signal to Moscow and its proxies that this activity will not be tolerated , '' the Treasury said .
Derkach 's links to Ukraine and Russian intelligence are well-established .
His father was director of the Ukraine Security Service , and he attended the Russian security ministry 's intelligence academy before joining the Ukraine security service as well .
Now a member of the Ukraine parliament , Derkach has been publicly involved in Republican efforts to tar Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of November 's presidential election .
As Trump faced impeachment last year for trying to force the Ukraine government to provide dirt on Biden , Derkach fed documents to Giuliani and to Trump allies in Congress that contained alleged damaging information on the Democratic former vice president .
After one trip to Eastern Europe in October , Giuliani appeared on Fox News and cited Derkach 's `` evidence '' to claim Biden received $ 900,000 in lobbying fees from a Ukraine company .

The U.S. Treasury slapped sanctions Thursday on Ukrainian politician Andrii Derkach, an alleged Russian intelligence operative who has stoked conspiracy theories advanced by the White House that purport to implicate Democrat Joe Biden in corruption.
Derkach, who met with President Donald Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani several times over the past year as he searched for dirt on Biden, "has been an active Russian agent for over a decade," the Treasury said in a statement.
Derkach maintains "close connections" with Russian intelligence and has engaged in interference actions "in an attempt to undermine the upcoming 2020 U.S. presidential election," it said.
"This action is a clear signal to Moscow and its proxies that this activity will not be tolerated," the Treasury said.
Derkach's links to Ukraine and Russian intelligence are well-established.
His father was director of the Ukraine Security Service, and he attended the Russian security ministry's intelligence academy before joining the Ukraine security service as well.
Now a member of the Ukraine parliament, Derkach has been publicly involved in Republican efforts to tar Biden, who is leading Trump in polls ahead of November's presidential election.
As Trump faced impeachment last year for trying to force the Ukraine government to provide dirt on Biden, Derkach fed documents to Giuliani and to Trump allies in Congress that contained alleged damaging information on the Democratic former vice president.
After one trip to Eastern Europe in October, Giuliani appeared on Fox News and cited Derkach's "evidence" to claim Biden received $900,000 in lobbying fees from a Ukraine company.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-11--Russia Plans Fingerprinting, eCards for Foreigners in Latest Immigration Reforms

The Interior Ministry has drafted legislation requiring foreigners who intend to stay in Russia for more than 30 days to submit their fingerprints and other personal data , according to Kommersant .
This data would be used to create ID cards containing the individuals ' information as well as their work permits .
Russia plans to require long-staying foreigners to submit fingerprints and carry electronic migration cards as part of the country 's wide-ranging immigration reforms , the Kommersant business daily reported Friday .
The new rules will also allow foreigners to change their purpose of stay without crossing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with electronic ones , the newspaper wrote .
“ Migration cards worked well , but they ’ re already outdated and it ’ s time to introduce digital technologies , ” the deputy head of the Federal Migration Service ( FMS ) told Kommersant .
The changes will affect foreign nationals that are required to obtain visas to travel to Russia as well as those with visa waivers .
It was not immediately clear how soon the proposed bill will be submitted into Russia ’ s parliament , which reconvenes after summer recess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Interior Ministry submitted the new rules to the civic chamber , a consultative body that analyzes draft legislation .
The planned reforms follow President Vladimir Putin ’ s instructions in 2018 to ease migration policy in order to offset Russia ’ s demographic slump .
Russia has since adopted eight immigration reform laws , the head of the Interior Ministry ’ s migration department Valentina Kazakova told Kommersant .
The reforms have helped Russia to double naturalizations in early 2020 .

The Interior Ministry has drafted legislation requiring foreigners who intend to stay in Russia for more than 30 days to submit their fingerprints and other personal data, according to Kommersant. This data would be used to create ID cards containing the individuals' information as well as their work permits.
Russia plans to require long-staying foreigners to submit fingerprints and carry electronic migration cards as part of the country's wide-ranging immigration reforms, the Kommersant business daily reported Friday.
The new rules will also allow foreigners to change their purpose of stay without crossing the border and will replace paper migration cards with electronic ones, the newspaper wrote.
“Migration cards worked well, but they’re already outdated and it’s time to introduce digital technologies,” the deputy head of the Federal Migration Service (FMS) told Kommersant.
The changes will affect foreign nationals that are required to obtain visas to travel to Russia as well as those with visa waivers.
It was not immediately clear how soon the proposed bill will be submitted into Russia’s parliament, which reconvenes after summer recess next week. Kommersant reported that the Interior Ministry submitted the new rules to the civic chamber, a consultative body that analyzes draft legislation.
The planned reforms follow President Vladimir Putin’s instructions in 2018 to ease migration policy in order to offset Russia’s demographic slump. Russia has since adopted eight immigration reform laws, the head of the Interior Ministry’s migration department Valentina Kazakova told Kommersant.
The reforms have helped Russia to double naturalizations in early 2020.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-11--Putin, Lukashenko To Talk 'Integration' Amid Belarus Protests

Lukashenko 's visit will be the first to Russia by the Belarusian leader since protests broke out over his disputed election win last month .
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko , who is facing the largest protests of his rule , will discuss plans to further integrate their countries on Monday , the Kremlin said .
In a statement , the Kremlin said on Friday the two leaders would meet in the Black Sea resort of Sochi to discuss further integration plans as well as key trade and energy projects .
`` Key issues of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alliance are planned to be discussed , '' the Kremlin said .
Putin has been keen to unify Russia and Belarus , and Moscow has accompanied its recent offers of military and economic aid with calls for tighter integration .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there was no plan for the leaders to hold a news conference or sign any documents .
Lukashenko said last week that during his talks with Putin he planned to `` dot all the i 's on issues that are very sensitive and delicate for the two states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 26 years , has vowed that he will not give up power to the opposition , which claims its candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya was the rightful winner of the August 9 polls .
She has taken shelter in EU member Lithuania after coming under official pressure .
Lukashenko , 66 , has had a volatile relationship with Moscow , playing it off against the European Union and ruling out an outright unification with Russia .
But with Western pressure against Lukashenko mounting , his options are now limited .
Since mass demonstrations against him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with regular phone calls between the leaders .
Lukashenko has cracked down on the protest movement with thousands detained and those held in custody giving accounts of police violence and torture .
Several people have died in the crackdown .
Putin swiftly congratulated Lukashenko on his victory and raised the possibility of intervening militarily .
The opposition formed a Coordination Council to organise a handover of power but the Belarusian authorities have detained senior members and pressured them to leave the country .
More than 100,000 people are estimated to have taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minsk during rallies over the past four weekends , and a new protest is planned for Sunday .
Historically Russians and Belarusians have enjoyed good relations and members of the opposition say the protests are not aimed against Russia .
In an address to Russians this week , Tikhanovskaya said it was important not to allow politicians and propaganda to `` poison '' ties .
Belarus , an ex-Soviet state sandwiched between Russia and the European Union , has for years relied on Moscow for cheap oil and loans .
The two countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that links their economies and militaries but the Kremlin has been pushing for a closer integration .
In a symbolic gesture , the Russian ambassador to Minsk Dmitry Mezentsev on Thursday handed Lukashenko a gift of a book of historic maps depicting Belarus when it was part of the Russian Empire .
EU members Estonia , Latvia and Lithuania have introduced sanctions against Lukashenko and other high-ranking officials over the election and subsequent crackdown .
The authoritarian leader of the landlocked country has suggested he could re-route Belarusian cargo away from the Baltic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the transport ministries of the two countries discussed the issue on Friday .
Analysts said that Moscow will seek to exploit Lukashenko 's political vulnerability to wring concessions from him .
`` Russia will seek to fully capitalise on its support for Lukashenko , '' Konstantin Kalachev , who heads the Political Expert Group , told AFP .
`` He is fully dependent on Russia . ''
But Andrei Suzdaltsev of the Higher School of Economics said it was unwise of Moscow to support Lukashenko after he has lost legitimacy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Lukashenko and integration are incompatible , '' he told AFP , adding that the leader would `` sign up to anything but do nothing '' and any such agreements would only anger Belarusians .

Lukashenko's visit will be the first to Russia by the Belarusian leader since protests broke out over his disputed election win last month.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko, who is facing the largest protests of his rule, will discuss plans to further integrate their countries on Monday, the Kremlin said.
In a statement, the Kremlin said on Friday the two leaders would meet in the Black Sea resort of Sochi to discuss further integration plans as well as key trade and energy projects.
"Key issues of the further development of Russian-Belarusian strategic partnership and alliance are planned to be discussed," the Kremlin said.
Putin has been keen to unify Russia and Belarus, and Moscow has accompanied its recent offers of military and economic aid with calls for tighter integration.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there was no plan for the leaders to hold a news conference or sign any documents.
Lukashenko said last week that during his talks with Putin he planned to "dot all the i's on issues that are very sensitive and delicate for the two states".
Mass demonstrations
Lukashenko, in power for 26 years, has vowed that he will not give up power to the opposition, which claims its candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya was the rightful winner of the August 9 polls. She has taken shelter in EU member Lithuania after coming under official pressure.
Lukashenko, 66, has had a volatile relationship with Moscow, playing it off against the European Union and ruling out an outright unification with Russia.
But with Western pressure against Lukashenko mounting, his options are now limited. Since mass demonstrations against him began he has sought support from Putin, with regular phone calls between the leaders.
Lukashenko has cracked down on the protest movement with thousands detained and those held in custody giving accounts of police violence and torture. Several people have died in the crackdown.
Putin swiftly congratulated Lukashenko on his victory and raised the possibility of intervening militarily.
The opposition formed a Coordination Council to organise a handover of power but the Belarusian authorities have detained senior members and pressured them to leave the country.
More than 100,000 people are estimated to have taken to the streets of the Belarusian capital Minsk during rallies over the past four weekends, and a new protest is planned for Sunday.
Historically Russians and Belarusians have enjoyed good relations and members of the opposition say the protests are not aimed against Russia.
In an address to Russians this week, Tikhanovskaya said it was important not to allow politicians and propaganda to "poison" ties.
Belarus, an ex-Soviet state sandwiched between Russia and the European Union, has for years relied on Moscow for cheap oil and loans.
Dependent on Russia
The two countries have formed a "union state" that links their economies and militaries but the Kremlin has been pushing for a closer integration.
In a symbolic gesture, the Russian ambassador to Minsk Dmitry Mezentsev on Thursday handed Lukashenko a gift of a book of historic maps depicting Belarus when it was part of the Russian Empire.
EU members Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have introduced sanctions against Lukashenko and other high-ranking officials over the election and subsequent crackdown.
The authoritarian leader of the landlocked country has suggested he could re-route Belarusian cargo away from the Baltic states' ports to Russia's instead, and the transport ministries of the two countries discussed the issue on Friday.
Analysts said that Moscow will seek to exploit Lukashenko's political vulnerability to wring concessions from him.
"Russia will seek to fully capitalise on its support for Lukashenko," Konstantin Kalachev, who heads the Political Expert Group, told AFP.
"He is fully dependent on Russia."
But Andrei Suzdaltsev of the Higher School of Economics said it was unwise of Moscow to support Lukashenko after he has lost legitimacy in the eyes of many in Belarus.
"Lukashenko and integration are incompatible," he told AFP, adding that the leader would "sign up to anything but do nothing" and any such agreements would only anger Belarusians.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-11--Steven Seagal Vows to Get Tough on Lake Baikal Pollution

Seagal , 68 , is known to support nationalist author Zakhar Prilepin ’ s For Truth party , whose platform includes criminalizing pollution .
Hollywood actor and naturalized Russian citizen Steven Seagal is spearheading a campaign to protect Lake Baikal from pollution amid regional elections currently taking place in many regions .
Seagal announced plans Friday to push for a law that would criminalize dumping chemicals , oil products , garbage and other waste into Lake Baikal , the state-run TASS news agency reported .
“ Our goal is to use mass media to convey this message not only to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but also to the world community , ” Seagal said .
Lake Baikal , the world ’ s largest freshwater lake , has been plagued with environmental problems caused by industrial pollution , mining and agricultural run-off in recent decades .
Seagal ’ s efforts come in the wake of a controversial law that allows clearcutting and construction near Lake Baikal ’ s shores to build or upgrade transport infrastructure through 2024 .
The law also suspends requirements for state environmental impact evaluations ahead of transport construction and modernization projects .
Activists railed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ natural areas .
For Truth is among several political parties established this and last year ahead of this weekend ’ s regional elections and the 2021 national legislative elections .
Candidates from the party are currently running for seats in 11 regional legislatures and one city legislature in Russia 's Sept. 13 elections .
Political pundits have linked the appearance of new political parties to Kremlin efforts to dilute the opposition and fend off feasible challengers in the upcoming elections .
Seagal , who obtained a Russian passport in 2016 , has expressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Far East Russia in the past .
He was appointed Moscow ’ s envoy for Russian-U.S. humanitarian ties in 2018 .

Seagal, 68, is known to support nationalist author Zakhar Prilepin’s For Truth party, whose platform includes criminalizing pollution.
Hollywood actor and naturalized Russian citizen Steven Seagal is spearheading a campaign to protect Lake Baikal from pollution amid regional elections currently taking place in many regions.
Seagal announced plans Friday to push for a law that would criminalize dumping chemicals, oil products, garbage and other waste into Lake Baikal, the state-run TASS news agency reported.
“Our goal is to use mass media to convey this message not only to people who live in the Baikal region but also to the world community,” Seagal said.
Lake Baikal, the world’s largest freshwater lake, has been plagued with environmental problems caused by industrial pollution, mining and agricultural run-off in recent decades.
Seagal’s efforts come in the wake of a controversial law that allows clearcutting and construction near Lake Baikal’s shores to build or upgrade transport infrastructure through 2024. The law also suspends requirements for state environmental impact evaluations ahead of transport construction and modernization projects.
Activists railed against law, saying it threatens protected natural areas.
For Truth is among several political parties established this and last year ahead of this weekend’s regional elections and the 2021 national legislative elections. Candidates from the party are currently running for seats in 11 regional legislatures and one city legislature in Russia's Sept. 13 elections.
Political pundits have linked the appearance of new political parties to Kremlin efforts to dilute the opposition and fend off feasible challengers in the upcoming elections.
Seagal, who obtained a Russian passport in 2016, has expressed interest in a governor’s seat in Far East Russia in the past. He was appointed Moscow’s envoy for Russian-U.S. humanitarian ties in 2018.