unian--2020-06-18--Reuters: Oil prices fall as surge in coronavirus cases raises demand concerns

Brent crude LCOc1 futures fell 0.9 % , or 37 cents , to $ 40.34 a barrel at 0423 GMT , having fallen 25 cents in the previous session .
Oil prices fell around 1 % on Thursday as a spike in new coronavirus cases in China and the United States renewed fears that a recovery in fuel demand could stall , even as lockdowns ease .
Brent crude LCOc1 futures fell 0.9 % , or 37 cents , to $ 40.34 a barrel at 0423 GMT , having fallen 25 cents in the previous session , as reported by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WTI ) crude CLc1 futures dropped 1.4 % , or 52 cents , to $ 37.44 a barrel , adding to a loss of 42 cents on Wednesday .
Worries about fuel demand rose after a surge in coronavirus cases led Beijing to cancel flights and shut schools and several U.S. states , including Texas , Florida and California , reported sharp increases in new cases .
A rise in U.S. crude stockpiles to a record high for a second week in a row also weighed on sentiment , even though U.S. government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which include diesel and heating oil , fell .

Brent crude LCOc1 futures fell 0.9%, or 37 cents, to $40.34 a barrel at 0423 GMT, having fallen 25 cents in the previous session.
Oil prices fell around 1% on Thursday as a spike in new coronavirus cases in China and the United States renewed fears that a recovery in fuel demand could stall, even as lockdowns ease.
Brent crude LCOc1 futures fell 0.9%, or 37 cents, to $40.34 a barrel at 0423 GMT, having fallen 25 cents in the previous session, as reported by Reuters.
Read alsoUkraine may set quotas for Russian diesel, LPG imports – media
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U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 futures dropped 1.4%, or 52 cents, to $37.44 a barrel, adding to a loss of 42 cents on Wednesday.
Worries about fuel demand rose after a surge in coronavirus cases led Beijing to cancel flights and shut schools and several U.S. states, including Texas, Florida and California, reported sharp increases in new cases.
A rise in U.S. crude stockpiles to a record high for a second week in a row also weighed on sentiment, even though U.S. government data showed inventories of gasoline and distillate, which include diesel and heating oil, fell.


unian--2020-06-17--Justice ministry mulls selling mothballed prisons

Rather than taking money from the budget , authorities intend to use funds raised to build new penitentiary facilities .
The Ministry of Justice is planning to sell mothballed prisons , says Minister Denys Maliuska .
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday , June 17 , he said that there are dozens of mothballed penitentiary facilities across Ukraine still absorbing security funds , an UNIAN correspondent reports .
The Justice Ministry suggests that these premises be auctioned off to raise money for building new , modern facilities .
`` We will have two categories of objects – territories in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obviously , will be sold to developers .
There are also prisons located outside city limits or on the outskirts .
These facilities can be used by businesses because they have sufficient communications , as well as vast premises , '' Maliuska said .
He added that theoretically , `` excess prisons '' could be sold through the State Property Fund or through auctions set up by the Ministry of Justice .
However , Maliuska noted , legislation to date allows no direct allocation of proceeds for the construction of new prisons , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plan to life .
The minister said that building a new prison is not a cheap endeavor : a prison able to host over 1,000 inmates costs more than a billion hryvnias ( nearly US $ 37 million ) .
`` Money from the sale of one or two mothballed prisons would be enough to build a new small facility , but we 're talking about selling dozens , '' Maliuska concluded .

Rather than taking money from the budget, authorities intend to use funds raised to build new penitentiary facilities.
The Ministry of Justice is planning to sell mothballed prisons, says Minister Denys Maliuska.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, June 17, he said that there are dozens of mothballed penitentiary facilities across Ukraine still absorbing security funds, an UNIAN correspondent reports.
The Justice Ministry suggests that these premises be auctioned off to raise money for building new, modern facilities.
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"We will have two categories of objects – territories in the center of cities, which, obviously, will be sold to developers. There are also prisons located outside city limits or on the outskirts. These facilities can be used by businesses because they have sufficient communications, as well as vast premises," Maliuska said.
Read alsoJustice Ministry may apply pardons, targeted release to unload Ukrainian prisons amid pandemic
He added that theoretically, "excess prisons" could be sold through the State Property Fund or through auctions set up by the Ministry of Justice. However, Maliuska noted, legislation to date allows no direct allocation of proceeds for the construction of new prisons, therefore, amendments are required to put the plan to life.
The minister said that building a new prison is not a cheap endeavor: a prison able to host over 1,000 inmates costs more than a billion hryvnias (nearly US$37 million).
"Money from the sale of one or two mothballed prisons would be enough to build a new small facility, but we're talking about selling dozens," Maliuska concluded.


unian--2020-06-18--Latest corona spike in Ukraine: senior health official speaks on cause

The trend stems directly from the easing of the coronavirus-related lockdown nationwide .
Ukraine 's Chief Medical Officer , Deputy Health Minister Viktor Liashko says a significant increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases in Ukraine is due to the gradual easing of quarantine restrictions across country .
`` Ukraine has one of the best 'balances ' , that is from 10,000 to 30,000 [ COVID-19 cases ] .
However , we have recently seen a significant spike , exceeding the global one .
But how come ?
...
There is no clear trend of 'more tests run – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of tests does increase the number of active cases , but this does n't mean that the situation depends solely on testing as it depends on several factors , '' Liashko told a briefing on June 18 .
According to the health official , the trend stems directly from the easing of the nationwide lockdown .
Read alsoUkraine may re-impose strict quarantine in some regions from June 22 '' The first stage of relaxation started on May 12 .
After that we talked about the second , third , and fourth stages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22 .
Subways and kindergartens reopened on May 25 .
We understand that the incubation period is 14 days , but the largest number of cases is recorded from the fifth to seventh days within that period .
And we clearly see the trend toward the increase in the number of cases after Ukraine started to ease the quarantine and switched to a containment strategy , '' he said .
As UNIAN reported earlier , there were 34,063 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on June 18 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some 829 new cases were recorded in the past 24 hours .

The trend stems directly from the easing of the coronavirus-related lockdown nationwide.
Ukraine's Chief Medical Officer, Deputy Health Minister Viktor Liashko says a significant increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases in Ukraine is due to the gradual easing of quarantine restrictions across country.
"Ukraine has one of the best 'balances', that is from 10,000 to 30,000 [COVID-19 cases]. However, we have recently seen a significant spike, exceeding the global one. But how come? ... There is no clear trend of 'more tests run – more cases recorded'. The larger number of tests does increase the number of active cases, but this doesn't mean that the situation depends solely on testing as it depends on several factors," Liashko told a briefing on June 18.
According to the health official, the trend stems directly from the easing of the nationwide lockdown.
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Read alsoUkraine may re-impose strict quarantine in some regions from June 22
"The first stage of relaxation started on May 12. After that we talked about the second, third, and fourth stages. Public transport resumed services on May 22. Subways and kindergartens reopened on May 25. We understand that the incubation period is 14 days, but the largest number of cases is recorded from the fifth to seventh days within that period. And we clearly see the trend toward the increase in the number of cases after Ukraine started to ease the quarantine and switched to a containment strategy," he said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, there were 34,063 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on June 18. They include 966 deaths and 15,447 recoveries. Some 829 new cases were recorded in the past 24 hours.


unian--2020-06-18--No money for medics in occupied Crimea, while RUB 15 bln spent to rubberstamp Putin's life presidenc

No money for medics in occupied Crimea, while RUB 15 bln spent to rubberstamp Putin's life presidency – rights group

Meanwhile , the new article in the Criminal Code will allow persecuting doctors , journalists , civic activists and others providing information on COVID-19 that is not in line with official reports .
The Alliance of Doctors , an independent Russian professional union , says Moscow has allocated RUB 15 billion for the referendum on amendments to the Constitution aimed at letting Vladimir Putin rule for at least another 10 years , while both across Russia and in the occupied Crimea , medics on the frontline of COVID-19 war see no promised bonuses to their meager salaries for their hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anastasia Vasilyeva , head of the Alliance , told Krym.Realii that in Crimea , medics are also facing PPE and sanitizer shortages .
The same is almost certainly true of Crimean medical students being deployed for `` practical training '' to southern Russia , Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group wrote .
Krym.Realii also spoke with a nurse from a Crimean hospital who , typically , only agreed to give an interview on condition of anonymity .
Her account corresponds to that provided by the Alliance .
She , along with her colleagues , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they are left unaware of the incoming patients ' test results , which only the chief doctor sees .
There was a man , she recalls , who was held in intensive care for seven days before being moved to an observation ward where he eventually died .
No record has been left on whether the man had died of the novel coronavirus .
The nurse notes the stark difference between the media hype about `` heroic medics '' and the sad reality .
`` The reality is that you 're treated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Vasilyeva has been extremely critical of the Russian authorities ’ muffling of the real scale of coronavirus infections in Russia and it was she who initiated an appeal for donations to buy the necessary protective gear for hospital staff .
She had already been summoned for interrogation to the Investigative Committee over this .
On March 31 , Russia 's State Duma adopted a new bill , which Putin signed into law the following day .
It adds a new article to the criminal code – Article 207.1 , `` Public dissemination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a threat to life and safety '' .
The bill has , as predicted , been applied against doctors , journalists , civic activists and others who provide information that is not in line with official reports .
Meanwhile , the Kremlin was forced to postpone both Putin 's `` referendum '' and the Victory Day parade in Moscow .
In May , however , with his popularity plummeting , the Russian president decided to reschedule the referendum on amendments to the Constitution and military parade for summer .
It is very likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge rise in the number of new active COVID-19 cases and , probably , deaths .
Russian propaganda channels , and the enforcement agencies in both Crimea and Russia will , however , be ready to ensure that most citizens think twice before they dare tell the truth , the report concludes .

Meanwhile, the new article in the Criminal Code will allow persecuting doctors, journalists, civic activists and others providing information on COVID-19 that is not in line with official reports.
The Alliance of Doctors, an independent Russian professional union, says Moscow has allocated RUB 15 billion for the referendum on amendments to the Constitution aimed at letting Vladimir Putin rule for at least another 10 years, while both across Russia and in the occupied Crimea, medics on the frontline of COVID-19 war see no promised bonuses to their meager salaries for their hard efforts, a rights watchdog reports.
Anastasia Vasilyeva, head of the Alliance, told Krym.Realii that in Crimea, medics are also facing PPE and sanitizer shortages. The same is almost certainly true of Crimean medical students being deployed for "practical training" to southern Russia, Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group wrote.
Krym.Realii also spoke with a nurse from a Crimean hospital who, typically, only agreed to give an interview on condition of anonymity. Her account corresponds to that provided by the Alliance. She, along with her colleagues, never received the promised bonuses. Moreover, they are left unaware of the incoming patients' test results, which only the chief doctor sees. There was a man, she recalls, who was held in intensive care for seven days before being moved to an observation ward where he eventually died. No record has been left on whether the man had died of the novel coronavirus.
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The nurse notes the stark difference between the media hype about "heroic medics" and the sad reality. "The reality is that you're treated worse than animals," she says.
Vasilyeva has been extremely critical of the Russian authorities’ muffling of the real scale of coronavirus infections in Russia and it was she who initiated an appeal for donations to buy the necessary protective gear for hospital staff. She had already been summoned for interrogation to the Investigative Committee over this.
Read alsoRussian COVID-19 numbers as dangerous propaganda – think tank
On March 31, Russia's State Duma adopted a new bill, which Putin signed into law the following day. It adds a new article to the criminal code – Article 207.1, "Public dissemination of knowingly false information about circumstances posing a threat to life and safety". The bill has, as predicted, been applied against doctors, journalists, civic activists and others who provide information that is not in line with official reports.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin was forced to postpone both Putin's "referendum" and the Victory Day parade in Moscow. In May, however, with his popularity plummeting, the Russian president decided to reschedule the referendum on amendments to the Constitution and military parade for summer. It is very likely that both events will result in a huge rise in the number of new active COVID-19 cases and, probably, deaths.
Russian propaganda channels, and the enforcement agencies in both Crimea and Russia will, however, be ready to ensure that most citizens think twice before they dare tell the truth, the report concludes.


unian--2020-06-18--Ukraine sees population drop by almost 100,000 in four months

It 's 47 newborns per 100 deaths , statistics say .
The population of Ukraine in January-April 2020 shrank by 96,200 , amounting to 41.806 million as of May 1 , 2020 , the State Statistics Service reported .
In the reporting period , 92,300 children were born against 99,100 reported last year .
A natural population decline was recorded by 102,900 in the first four months of the year , while in January-April 2019 , the natural decline was a bit higher , amounting to 108,000 .
The number of people who moved to Ukraine during the reporting period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who left the country .
In January-April 2019 , this indicator amounted to more than 10,770 people .
The stats agency also notes a significant excess of the number of deaths over the number of newborns : it 's 47 newborns per 100 deaths .
Data covers all regions of Ukraine but the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol .
Data on the natural population and migration movement is generated without taking into account the temporarily occupied territories in Donetsk and Luhansk regions , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Sevastopol .
As UNIAN reported earlier , in January-March 2020 the population of Ukraine decreased by 71,800 , to 41.83 million .
The State Statistics Service of Ukraine stopped publishing mortality stats from March 2020over the lockdown , including in offices for administrative services .
In 2019 , Ukrainian population shrank by 251,000 , to 41.9 million .

It's 47 newborns per 100 deaths, statistics say.
The population of Ukraine in January-April 2020 shrank by 96,200, amounting to 41.806 million as of May 1, 2020, the State Statistics Service reported.
In the reporting period, 92,300 children were born against 99,100 reported last year.
A natural population decline was recorded by 102,900 in the first four months of the year, while in January-April 2019, the natural decline was a bit higher, amounting to 108,000.
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The number of people who moved to Ukraine during the reporting period exceeded by 6,755 the number of those who left the country.
In January-April 2019, this indicator amounted to more than 10,770 people.
Read alsoPopulation count in Ukraine, explained
The stats agency also notes a significant excess of the number of deaths over the number of newborns: it's 47 newborns per 100 deaths.
Data covers all regions of Ukraine but the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. Data on the natural population and migration movement is generated without taking into account the temporarily occupied territories in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.
As UNIAN reported earlier, in January-March 2020 the population of Ukraine decreased by 71,800, to 41.83 million.
The State Statistics Service of Ukraine stopped publishing mortality stats from March 2020over the lockdown, including in offices for administrative services.
In 2019, Ukrainian population shrank by 251,000, to 41.9 million.


unian--2020-06-18--Prosecutor general explains essence of charges pressed against Poroshenko

She used the Verkhovna Rada structure as an example to make her point about Poroshenko 's `` wrongful order '' .
Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova on Thursday , June 18 , has elaborated on the essence of criminal charges pressed against ex-president Petro Poroshenko , who is accused of issuing a wrongful order on appointing first deputy intelligence chief Serhiy Semochko .
Venediktova refused to comment on why the court had not sat to select a measure of restraint in the same criminal proceeding for ex-head of the Foreign Intelligence Service , Yehor Bozhok , as an `` accomplice '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's lawyers spoke earlier today , an UNIAN correspondent reported from the prosecutor general 's briefing .
Instead , she talked about the essence of charges pressed against Poroshenko , using the Verkhovna Rada structure as an example .
`` May Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Dmytro Razumkov forgive me but I 'll give you an example .
Imagine we have a chairman of the Verkhovna Rada , we have two of his deputies .
And then the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada decides that MP 'Petrenko ' can also be his deputy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guy 'Petrenko ' .
How long would you keep letting it slip ?
The situation is the same here , '' she said .
Read alsoPoroshenko comments on charges pressed against him Venediktova added that there are questions to Poroshenko regarding compliance with the procedure – the creation of a position that is not in the staff list , and also that in respect of salary funds , from which UAH 1.5 million was spent .
`` But the most important thing is that the person was admitted to the top state secrets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general noted that the report on possible criminal wrongdoing in appointing Serhiy Semochko was filed last week by the new head of Foreign Intelligence Service , who had taken office earlier this month .
`` Last week , a case was opened following the report by the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service , '' Venediktova told reporters .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Poroshenko is suspected of abuse of office in issuing a wrongful order that prompted head of the Foreign Intelligence Service , Yehor Bozhok , to exceed his official authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Serhiy Semochko , a target of journalistic investigations into enrichment sources and family 's Russia ties , to the post of first deputy head of the Foreign Intelligence Service .

She used the Verkhovna Rada structure as an example to make her point about Poroshenko's "wrongful order".
Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova on Thursday, June 18, has elaborated on the essence of criminal charges pressed against ex-president Petro Poroshenko, who is accused of issuing a wrongful order on appointing first deputy intelligence chief Serhiy Semochko.
Venediktova refused to comment on why the court had not sat to select a measure of restraint in the same criminal proceeding for ex-head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, Yehor Bozhok, as an "accomplice" in the crime, of which Poroshenko's lawyers spoke earlier today, an UNIAN correspondent reported from the prosecutor general's briefing.
Instead, she talked about the essence of charges pressed against Poroshenko, using the Verkhovna Rada structure as an example.
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"May Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Dmytro Razumkov forgive me but I'll give you an example. Imagine we have a chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, we have two of his deputies. And then the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada decides that MP 'Petrenko' can also be his deputy and introduces a third position for that guy 'Petrenko'. How long would you keep letting it slip? The situation is the same here," she said.
Read alsoPoroshenko comments on charges pressed against him
Venediktova added that there are questions to Poroshenko regarding compliance with the procedure – the creation of a position that is not in the staff list, and also that in respect of salary funds, from which UAH 1.5 million was spent.
"But the most important thing is that the person was admitted to the top state secrets," she stressed.
The prosecutor general noted that the report on possible criminal wrongdoing in appointing Serhiy Semochko was filed last week by the new head of Foreign Intelligence Service, who had taken office earlier this month.
"Last week, a case was opened following the report by the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service," Venediktova told reporters.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Poroshenko is suspected of abuse of office in issuing a wrongful order that prompted head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, Yehor Bozhok, to exceed his official authority.
The case concerns the appointment of Serhiy Semochko, a target of journalistic investigations into enrichment sources and family's Russia ties, to the post of first deputy head of the Foreign Intelligence Service.


unian--2020-06-18--PM Shmyhal sees no reason for Cabinet to step down

Shmyhal thanked lawmakers who had supported his government 's program .
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says he sees no reason for the Cabinet to resign , adding he believes it was a `` political moment '' that prevented the Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , from approving the government 's updated program .
`` I thank those people 's deputies ( 270 votes ) who today supported our government 's program .
This is really a comprehensive document that we had been developing together with parliament ...
This is a document based on which the government will work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or rejected .
This is our program and our action plan , which will be drafted , '' he told journalists on June 18 .
`` There was some support .
But some lawmakers refused to grant immunity to the government or certain ministers , which became a stumbling block , unfortunately .
This is a political moment .
But , in terms of working with parliament to fulfill parameters and vectors stipulated in the program , we will continue these efforts , '' he said .
As UNIAN reported earlier , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to vote for an updated government 's program .
Only 207 MPs with the required minimum of 226 votes backed the relevant resolution .
The Rada on June 4 sent the government 's draft action plan for finalization .
On June 12 , the Cabinet approved a revised document and tabled it in parliament for consideration .

Shmyhal thanked lawmakers who had supported his government's program.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says he sees no reason for the Cabinet to resign, adding he believes it was a "political moment" that prevented the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, from approving the government's updated program.
"I thank those people's deputies (270 votes) who today supported our government's program. This is really a comprehensive document that we had been developing together with parliament ... This is a document based on which the government will work, regardless of whether it's approved or rejected. This is our program and our action plan, which will be drafted," he told journalists on June 18.
Read alsoUkraine's Rada fails to vote for government's action plan
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"There was some support. But some lawmakers refused to grant immunity to the government or certain ministers, which became a stumbling block, unfortunately. This is a political moment. But, in terms of working with parliament to fulfill parameters and vectors stipulated in the program, we will continue these efforts," he said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, on June 18, the Verkhovna Rada failed to vote for an updated government's program. Only 207 MPs with the required minimum of 226 votes backed the relevant resolution.
The Rada on June 4 sent the government's draft action plan for finalization.
On June 12, the Cabinet approved a revised document and tabled it in parliament for consideration.


unian--2020-06-18--Ukrainians ask Netflix to consider Ukrainian dubbing, subtitles

The relevant petition was posted on Change.org .
Ukrainian citizens have addressed Netflix , Inc. to add Ukrainian voice-over or @ @ @ @ @ subtitles , to the content available in the country .
The relevant petition was registered @ @ @ @ @ To date , the initiative has already gained more than 19,000 signatures out of 25,000 @ @ @ @ @ news outlets reported on June 17 .
Read alsoDanone pulls controversial ad with Russian actor @ @ @ @ @ As UNIAN reported earlier , Chernobyl , the miniseries about the nuclear power plant disaster @ @ @ @ @ the lead of the Bafta TV awards nominations .

The relevant petition was posted on Change.org.
Ukrainian citizens have addressed Netflix, Inc. to add Ukrainian voice-over or dubbing, as well as subtitles, to the content available in the country.
The relevant petition was registered and posted on Change.org.
To date, the initiative has already gained more than 19,000 signatures out of 25,000 required, Ukraine's Depo.ua news outlets reported on June 17.
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Read alsoDanone pulls controversial ad with Russian actor charged with terrorism in Ukraine
As UNIAN reported earlier, Chernobyl, the miniseries about the nuclear power plant disaster in 1986, is in the lead of the Bafta TV awards nominations.


unian--2020-06-18--"Inciting religious hatred": SBI confirms another investigation targeting Poroshenko

The proceeding was launched following a complaint lodged by supporters of the dislodged church .
The State Bureau of Investigation on Thursday confirmed it is investigating possible `` incitement to religious hatred '' by former president Petro Poroshenko in a criminal proceeding launched in November 2019 .
Earlier today , while addressing a crowd of supporters outside a Kyiv court , where Poroshenko came to attend a hearing in another case ( on abuse of office charges ) , the ex-president claimed he was being investigated for contributing to Ukraine 's new church obtaining from the Ecumenical Patriarch the `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , religious independence , following years of Russian meddling in religious affairs in Ukraine .
`` On November 6 , 2019 , the SBU launched an investigation following the report by laity of [ what was formerly known as ] Kyiv Patriarchate of the UOC on the illegal actions of a number of senior officials who committed acts aimed at inciting religious hatred during the creation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine .
In the future , the SBU forwarded the case to the SBI , '' the SBI press service told UNIAN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underway , the press service added .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Poroshenko called the cases brought against him `` petty revenge of people with psychological complexes '' , adding that he is `` not afraid '' of the incumbent administration .
UNIAN memo .
The Unification Council of members of the Ukrainian Orthodox churches in Kyiv on December 15 , 2018 , elected Metropolitan of Pereyaslavsky and Bila Tserkva from the then Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate Epifaniy ( also known as Epiphanius I ) as head of the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January 6 , 2019 , Epifaniy , as Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine , received from Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I in Istanbul the tomos of autocephaly ( independence ) of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine .
Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine Epifaniy was inaugurated as Primate of the newly created Orthodox Church of Ukraine at Kyiv 's Saint Sophia Cathedral on February 3 .
The move to grant Ukraine the long-sought tomos came despite dramatic efforts by the Russian Orthodox Church to undermine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ variety of instruments , trying to influence the decision by the Ecumenical Patriarch and compromise his authority among church leaders globally .
On June 20 , 2019 , in a defiant move following an apparent split with the OCU leadership after an initial approval of the independent church , Honorary Patriarch Filaret of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church convened a `` local council '' , at which he announced the restoration of the liquidated UOC of the Kyiv Patriarchate and non-recognition of the Tomos of autocephaly granted to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine .

The proceeding was launched following a complaint lodged by supporters of the dislodged church.
The State Bureau of Investigation on Thursday confirmed it is investigating possible "incitement to religious hatred" by former president Petro Poroshenko in a criminal proceeding launched in November 2019.
Earlier today, while addressing a crowd of supporters outside a Kyiv court, where Poroshenko came to attend a hearing in another case (on abuse of office charges), the ex-president claimed he was being investigated for contributing to Ukraine's new church obtaining from the Ecumenical Patriarch the "tomos" of autocephaly, that is, religious independence, following years of Russian meddling in religious affairs in Ukraine.
"On November 6, 2019, the SBU launched an investigation following the report by laity of [what was formerly known as] Kyiv Patriarchate of the UOC on the illegal actions of a number of senior officials who committed acts aimed at inciting religious hatred during the creation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. In the future, the SBU forwarded the case to the SBI," the SBI press service told UNIAN.
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Read alsoRussia’s Orthodox church rejects Ukrainian autocephaly – media
The investigation into this case is underway, the press service added.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Poroshenko called the cases brought against him "petty revenge of people with psychological complexes", adding that he is "not afraid" of the incumbent administration.
UNIAN memo. The Unification Council of members of the Ukrainian Orthodox churches in Kyiv on December 15, 2018, elected Metropolitan of Pereyaslavsky and Bila Tserkva from the then Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate Epifaniy (also known as Epiphanius I) as head of the new local Orthodox Church in Ukraine.
On January 6, 2019, Epifaniy, as Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine, received from Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I in Istanbul the tomos of autocephaly (independence) of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine Epifaniy was inaugurated as Primate of the newly created Orthodox Church of Ukraine at Kyiv's Saint Sophia Cathedral on February 3.
The move to grant Ukraine the long-sought tomos came despite dramatic efforts by the Russian Orthodox Church to undermine and hinder the process through a wide variety of instruments, trying to influence the decision by the Ecumenical Patriarch and compromise his authority among church leaders globally.
On June 20, 2019, in a defiant move following an apparent split with the OCU leadership after an initial approval of the independent church, Honorary Patriarch Filaret of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church convened a "local council", at which he announced the restoration of the liquidated UOC of the Kyiv Patriarchate and non-recognition of the Tomos of autocephaly granted to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.


unian--2020-06-18--Moscow parade "test for European leaders" – think tank

This is also `` an attempt to legitimize representatives of the self-proclaimed puppet republics '' .
The Kremlin is working via all diplomatic and unofficial channels to ensure the attendance of European Union leaders at a fancy gig in Moscow dedicated to Victory Day celebrations .
The Russian embassy in Croatia was instructed to ensure that this country 's president Zoran Milanović visits Moscow to attend Victory Day Parade on June 24 .
Given the fact that Serbian President Alexander Vučić has already confirmed , having both heads of state standing next to Vladimir Putin is supposed to emphasize Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Balkans , the IGTDS think tank reports .
The Covid-19 pandemic , which caused a health system crisis and peak incidence rates in Europe , forced the Russian leadership to postpone celebrations from May 9 to June 24 , 2020 .
Despite the fact that September 2 would be a logical date for rescheduling the parade , many in Moscow associate with the U.S. role in the victory over Emperor Hirohito 's Japan .
Therefore , the date had no chances of being approved at the highest level .
That 's because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victory is extremely important for Russian leaders who have been exploiting the topic to consolidate Russian society , maintain and develop militaristic sentiments .
The Kremlin is interested in making Russians believe in the looming external threat of fascism in order to justify own policy of aggression and influence on voters , who relate to this kind of threat much more than to that of totalitarianism , lack of freedom of speech , fair elections and competition in politics .
For the Kremlin , a military parade is about propaganda of fear , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeks to undermine and destroy the country .
This way , the Kremlin strives to unite the country around an authoritarian leader .
This has been widely practiced in N.Korea , China , Iran , Venezuela and other non-democracies .
Read alsoZelensky not invited to attend Victory Parade in Moscow Moscow festivities are of great geopolitical importance to Russia .
Firstly , this is an attempt to neutralize political consequences of sanctions imposed over the annexation of Crimea and the war Russia has been waging in eastern Ukraine , authors state .
Secondly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legitimize representatives of the self-proclaimed puppet republics '' .
President of the unrecognized Abkhazia Aslan Bzhaniya and head of the unrecognized South Ossetia Anatoly Bibilov have confirmed attendance .
According to unverified reports , the arrival is also expected of leaders of `` LPR '' and `` DPR '' puppet republics , as well as of Transnistria .
Moscow believes that their presence at the event alongside European political leaders will create the appearance of their recognition and set up conditions for their direct personal contact with the heads of European states .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stunt where European leaders will be seen standing next to those in formal charge of puppet territories .
The relevant footage and pictures are later to be spun via a range of propaganda tools across Europe .
Thus , at events dedicated to celebrating the end of the war , Russian leadership seeks to set a clear militaristic narrative , much like in Nazi Germany of 1930s where military parades were a symbol of superiority and expansion .
In a bid to oppose fascism , the Kremlin completely took upon itself all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and nationalism .
The official goal of the upcoming military parade is to claim the rebirth of Russia after the war and the defensive potential that will not allow another invasion and occupation of its territory .
`` However , Russia ’ s military involvement in the wars in Syria and Libya , the occupation of Georgia , the war being waged in Ukraine , and the annexation of Crimea , speaks of a message of intimidation and aggression , '' the report reads .
`` The key recipients of this message today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Commonwealth of Independent States , Russia 's post-Soviet project '' , whom Moscow is sending a clear signal that it sees unacceptable any attempts to withdraw from the orbit of its influence . ''

This is also "an attempt to legitimize representatives of the self-proclaimed puppet republics".
The Kremlin is working via all diplomatic and unofficial channels to ensure the attendance of European Union leaders at a fancy gig in Moscow dedicated to Victory Day celebrations.
The Russian embassy in Croatia was instructed to ensure that this country's president Zoran Milanović visits Moscow to attend Victory Day Parade on June 24. Given the fact that Serbian President Alexander Vučić has already confirmed, having both heads of state standing next to Vladimir Putin is supposed to emphasize Russia's potential to influence NATO allies in the Balkans, the IGTDS think tank reports.
The Covid-19 pandemic, which caused a health system crisis and peak incidence rates in Europe, forced the Russian leadership to postpone celebrations from May 9 to June 24, 2020. Despite the fact that September 2 would be a logical date for rescheduling the parade, many in Moscow associate with the U.S. role in the victory over Emperor Hirohito's Japan. Therefore, the date had no chances of being approved at the highest level. That's because claiming Russia's key role in WW2 victory is extremely important for Russian leaders who have been exploiting the topic to consolidate Russian society, maintain and develop militaristic sentiments.
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The Kremlin is interested in making Russians believe in the looming external threat of fascism in order to justify own policy of aggression and influence on voters, who relate to this kind of threat much more than to that of totalitarianism, lack of freedom of speech, fair elections and competition in politics. For the Kremlin, a military parade is about propaganda of fear, creating the illusion that everyone around Russia seeks to undermine and destroy the country. This way, the Kremlin strives to unite the country around an authoritarian leader. This has been widely practiced in N.Korea, China, Iran, Venezuela and other non-democracies.
Read alsoZelensky not invited to attend Victory Parade in Moscow
Moscow festivities are of great geopolitical importance to Russia. Firstly, this is an attempt to neutralize political consequences of sanctions imposed over the annexation of Crimea and the war Russia has been waging in eastern Ukraine, authors state. Secondly, this is "an attempt to legitimize representatives of the self-proclaimed puppet republics".
President of the unrecognized Abkhazia Aslan Bzhaniya and head of the unrecognized South Ossetia Anatoly Bibilov have confirmed attendance. According to unverified reports, the arrival is also expected of leaders of "LPR" and "DPR" puppet republics, as well as of Transnistria. Moscow believes that their presence at the event alongside European political leaders will create the appearance of their recognition and set up conditions for their direct personal contact with the heads of European states. The Kremlin wants to do a PR stunt where European leaders will be seen standing next to those in formal charge of puppet territories. The relevant footage and pictures are later to be spun via a range of propaganda tools across Europe.
Thus, at events dedicated to celebrating the end of the war, Russian leadership seeks to set a clear militaristic narrative, much like in Nazi Germany of 1930s where military parades were a symbol of superiority and expansion. In a bid to oppose fascism, the Kremlin completely took upon itself all of its attributes: militarism, intolerance, and nationalism.
The official goal of the upcoming military parade is to claim the rebirth of Russia after the war and the defensive potential that will not allow another invasion and occupation of its territory. "However, Russia’s military involvement in the wars in Syria and Libya, the occupation of Georgia, the war being waged in Ukraine, and the annexation of Crimea, speaks of a message of intimidation and aggression," the report reads. "The key recipients of this message today are the 12 heads of state of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Russia's post-Soviet project", whom Moscow is sending a clear signal that it sees unacceptable any attempts to withdraw from the orbit of its influence."


unian--2020-06-18--Zelensky's Office updates on First Lady's health in hospital

She is currently receiving antibiotic therapy .
Ukraine 's First Lady , Olena Zelenska , continues her therapy in a @ @ @ @ @ been tested positive for the coronavirus .
Her diagnosis is community-acquired bilateral polysegmental pneumonia , @ @ @ @ @ polymerase chain reaction test last week , the press service of the Office of the @ @ @ @ @ June 18 .
Read alsoUkraine 's president to self-isolate after First Lady tests positive for @ @ @ @ @ the course of the disease corresponds to moderate pneumonia .
`` Respiratory distress : 0 @ @ @ @ @ not need supporting oxygenation .
Olena Zelenska 's condition is stable , '' it said @ @ @ @ @ receiving antibiotic therapy ; she is in an isolation ward , under medical supervision .
@ @ @ @ @ children have tested negative , they will undergo next PCR tests for COVID-19 on June @ @ @ @ @ earlier , Zelenska on June 12 tested positive for COVID-19 .
She was well , @ @ @ @ @ disease .
On June 16 , she was hospitalized .

She is currently receiving antibiotic therapy.
Ukraine's First Lady, Olena Zelenska, continues her therapy in a Kyiv-based hospital after she has been tested positive for the coronavirus.
Her diagnosis is community-acquired bilateral polysegmental pneumonia, which was confirmed by a polymerase chain reaction test last week, the press service of the Office of the President said on Facebook on June 18.
Read alsoUkraine's president to self-isolate after First Lady tests positive for COVID-19
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At the moment, the course of the disease corresponds to moderate pneumonia.
"Respiratory distress: 0. [She] does not need supporting oxygenation. Olena Zelenska's condition is stable," it said.
The First Lady is receiving antibiotic therapy; she is in an isolation ward, under medical supervision.
Volodymyr Zelensky and their two children have tested negative, they will undergo next PCR tests for COVID-19 on June 19.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Zelenska on June 12 tested positive for COVID-19. She was well, had no symptoms of the disease. On June 16, she was hospitalized.


unian--2020-06-18--Reuters: EU leaders to greenlight extending Russia economic sanctions, sources say

The curbs are now in place until the end of July .
European Union leaders are expected on Friday to back extending the bloc 's main economic sanctions against Russia until the end of January , 2021 , diplomatic sources and officials said .
The EU hit Russia 's energy , financial and arms sectors after Moscow annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and unleashed the war in Ukraine 's Donbas .
It has rolled them over ever since as Moscow has vowed to never give Crimea back , Reuters reported .
The curbs are now in place until the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national EU leaders holding a virtual meeting on Friday are expected to pave the way for another six-month extension , which would be formalised later this month , the sources said .
While some countries including Italy and Hungary would want to see a revival of economic ties with Russia , the bloc 's dovish wing has not had the upper hand recently as the EU was unnerved by what it has seen as Moscow 's disinformation over coronavirus .
Russia last month denied hacking the German parliament , allegations that further weigh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council President Charles Michel to seek cautious re-engagement with Moscow .
U.S. President Donald Trump has also recently called for Russia to be allowed back into the G7 club of leading economies , a seat Moscow lost over the conflict in Ukraine .

The curbs are now in place until the end of July.
European Union leaders are expected on Friday to back extending the bloc's main economic sanctions against Russia until the end of January, 2021, diplomatic sources and officials said.
The EU hit Russia's energy, financial and arms sectors after Moscow annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and unleashed the war in Ukraine's Donbas.
It has rolled them over ever since as Moscow has vowed to never give Crimea back, Reuters reported.
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Read alsoEU Council extends Crimea sanctions for another year – MFA Kuleba
The curbs are now in place until the end of July, and the 27 national EU leaders holding a virtual meeting on Friday are expected to pave the way for another six-month extension, which would be formalised later this month, the sources said.
While some countries including Italy and Hungary would want to see a revival of economic ties with Russia, the bloc's dovish wing has not had the upper hand recently as the EU was unnerved by what it has seen as Moscow's disinformation over coronavirus.
Russia last month denied hacking the German parliament, allegations that further weigh on ideas by EU leaders including European Council President Charles Michel to seek cautious re-engagement with Moscow.
U.S. President Donald Trump has also recently called for Russia to be allowed back into the G7 club of leading economies, a seat Moscow lost over the conflict in Ukraine.


unian--2020-06-18--NBU's move to remove from market Oleg Bakhmatyuk' Financial Initiative Bank unlawful, Supreme Court

NBU's move to remove from market Oleg Bakhmatyuk' Financial Initiative Bank unlawful, Supreme Court rules

Bakhmatyuk says fair punishment of those guilty of these unlawful actions against the bank is important for the whole society .
The Supreme Court of Ukraine on June 17 , 2020 , handed down a final judgment confirming unlawfulness of decisions made by the Board of the National Bank of Ukraine on the withdrawal of the Financial Initiative Bank from the market .
The court ruled that the NBU 's moves were unlawful , and annulled the decision of the National Bank 's Board , Ukrainian News reports .
This became known from the statement issued by the bank 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Supreme Court 's judgment .
He considers the NBU 's wrongful decision to withdraw a stable bank from the market as criminal : `` The most cynical thing was to make such moves at the expense of discounting government bonds that the bank had on its balance sheet . ''
The NBU 's main argument on recognizing the Financial Initiative Bank insolvent was the bank 's failure to fulfill obligations on NBU refinancing loans in the amount of UAH 1,977.8 million , or 13.1 % of all bank liabilities pledged with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court established , at the time when the Financial Initiative Bank was classified as insolvent , these obligations had been fully repaid as a result of the NBU scrapping the domestic bonds pledge at a lower price .
Back in 2017 , by court decisions the domestic bonds ' write-off was recognized illegitimate ; the National Bank of Ukraine was obliged to compensate the amount of damage inflicted by illegal actions in the amount of UAH 618.450 million .
In 2018 , the NBU admitted its illegal actions and signed settlements with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that time managed the Bank ) , and repaid UAH 618.450 million .
`` For five years , we have been proving our case , which was already obvious to the whole market : the bank could operate , '' said Bakhmatyuk .
`` Bank assets as of the date of introduction of the interim administration amounted to UAH 15.3 billion .
The Financial Initiative was in Ukraine 's TOP 20 largest banks , and there would be no problem either with deposits ( deposit portfolio stood at UAH 3.5 billion ) or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were deliberate unlawful actions on the part of NBU officials , who only covered their act up with the slogans of 'cleansing the banking system ' rather than proceeded with doing so . ''
Bakhmatyuk says fair punishment of those guilty of these unlawful actions against the bank is important for the whole society , and that he will act within the legal framework to prevent from such injustice from repeating .

Bakhmatyuk says fair punishment of those guilty of these unlawful actions against the bank is important for the whole society.
The Supreme Court of Ukraine on June 17, 2020, handed down a final judgment confirming unlawfulness of decisions made by the Board of the National Bank of Ukraine on the withdrawal of the Financial Initiative Bank from the market. The court ruled that the NBU's moves were unlawful, and annulled the decision of the National Bank's Board, Ukrainian News reports.
This became known from the statement issued by the bank's shareholder Oleg Bakhmatyuk, who commented on the Supreme Court's judgment. He considers the NBU's wrongful decision to withdraw a stable bank from the market as criminal: "The most cynical thing was to make such moves at the expense of discounting government bonds that the bank had on its balance sheet." The NBU's main argument on recognizing the Financial Initiative Bank insolvent was the bank's failure to fulfill obligations on NBU refinancing loans in the amount of UAH 1,977.8 million, or 13.1% of all bank liabilities pledged with the domestic state loan bonds. As the court established, at the time when the Financial Initiative Bank was classified as insolvent, these obligations had been fully repaid as a result of the NBU scrapping the domestic bonds pledge at a lower price. Back in 2017, by court decisions the domestic bonds' write-off was recognized illegitimate; the National Bank of Ukraine was obliged to compensate the amount of damage inflicted by illegal actions in the amount of UAH 618.450 million. In 2018, the NBU admitted its illegal actions and signed settlements with the Individual Deposit Guarantee Fund (which at that time managed the Bank), and repaid UAH 618.450 million.
"For five years, we have been proving our case, which was already obvious to the whole market: the bank could operate," said Bakhmatyuk. "Bank assets as of the date of introduction of the interim administration amounted to UAH 15.3 billion. The Financial Initiative was in Ukraine's TOP 20 largest banks, and there would be no problem either with deposits (deposit portfolio stood at UAH 3.5 billion) or with servicing the refinancing process. These were deliberate unlawful actions on the part of NBU officials, who only covered their act up with the slogans of 'cleansing the banking system' rather than proceeded with doing so."
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Bakhmatyuk says fair punishment of those guilty of these unlawful actions against the bank is important for the whole society, and that he will act within the legal framework to prevent from such injustice from repeating.


unian--2020-06-18--Court postpones hearing on measure of restraint for Poroshenko

Earlier today , prosecutors amended their motion , easing it from `` custody remand '' to `` personal recognizance '' .
The Pechersk District Court in Kyiv on Thursday , June 18 , postponed the hearing to select a measure of restraint regarding ex-president of Ukraine and incumbent MP Petro Poroshenko .
The hearing was rescheduled for July 1 , according to an UNIAN correspondent .
Earlier today , prosecutors amended their motion for the measure of restraint , easing it from `` custody remand '' to `` personal recognizance '' .
Read alsoPoroshenko comments on charges pressed against him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recalled that on June 12 , a motion was submitted to the Pechersk District Court to remand Poroshenko in custody .
At the same time , in accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine , laws on the status of a people 's deputy , and the regulations of the Verkhovna Rada , Poroshenko has to attend Rada meetings and meet with voters .
It was also taken into account that Poroshenko said he would not be hiding from investigators .
This led prosecutors to ask the court to rule to impose `` personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Prosecutor General of Ukraine therefore has asked the court to apply to Petro Poroshenko `` personal recognizance '' pending pre-trial investigation , that is , until July 10 , 2020 .
`` Poroshenko shall be obliged to report at the cal of investigator or court , refrain from leaving his place of residence without the permission of the investigator or court , refrain from out-of-process communication with suspects and witnesses , report a change of residence address , and hand over his foreign travel passport . ''
As UNIAN reported earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 10 said its detectives had handed Poroshenko a suspicion notice in the case involving the alleged illegal appointment of former deputy head of the Foreign Intelligence Service , Serhiy Semochko .
Prosecutors were initially set to ask the court to take Poroshenko into custody pending pre-trial investigation , setting a UAH 10 million ( nearly $ 370,000 ) bail , Ukrainian Pravda reported , citing a comment by the Office 's press service .

Earlier today, prosecutors amended their motion, easing it from "custody remand" to "personal recognizance".
The Pechersk District Court in Kyiv on Thursday, June 18, postponed the hearing to select a measure of restraint regarding ex-president of Ukraine and incumbent MP Petro Poroshenko.
The hearing was rescheduled for July 1, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
Earlier today, prosecutors amended their motion for the measure of restraint, easing it from "custody remand" to "personal recognizance".
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Read alsoPoroshenko comments on charges pressed against him
During today's hearing, the prosecutor recalled that on June 12, a motion was submitted to the Pechersk District Court to remand Poroshenko in custody. At the same time, in accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine, laws on the status of a people's deputy, and the regulations of the Verkhovna Rada, Poroshenko has to attend Rada meetings and meet with voters. It was also taken into account that Poroshenko said he would not be hiding from investigators. This led prosecutors to ask the court to rule to impose "personal recognizance" as a measure of restraint.
The Prosecutor General of Ukraine therefore has asked the court to apply to Petro Poroshenko "personal recognizance" pending pre-trial investigation, that is, until July 10, 2020.
"Poroshenko shall be obliged to report at the call of investigator or court, refrain from leaving his place of residence without the permission of the investigator or court, refrain from out-of-process communication with suspects and witnesses, report a change of residence address, and hand over his foreign travel passport."
As UNIAN reported earlier, the State Bureau of Investigation on June 10 said its detectives had handed Poroshenko a suspicion notice in the case involving the alleged illegal appointment of former deputy head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, Serhiy Semochko.
Prosecutors were initially set to ask the court to take Poroshenko into custody pending pre-trial investigation, setting a UAH 10 million (nearly $ 370,000) bail, Ukrainian Pravda reported, citing a comment by the Office's press service.


unian--2020-06-18--Ukraine's health ministry launches mass COVID-19 antibody testing

Some 132,000 people on average may have contracted the disease in Ukraine , according to a simulation model .
Ukraine 's Chief Medical Officer , Deputy Health Minister Viktor Liashko says that according to data of a simulation , up to 132,000 people may have contracted COVID-19 in the country for the time being , therefore , the Health Ministry is launching massive COVID-19 antibody testing with the use of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ) method .
`` The share of COVID-19 cases detected is 30 % on average .
All other cases are asymptomatic , or people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistance .
This happens in all countries .
Ukraine is not an exception , therefore , we [ the ministry ] together with Kyiv School of Economics have analyzed what is happening in our country , that is we have simulated the situation , '' he said at a briefing on June 18 .
Noteworthy , China revealed 31 % of coronavirus cases on average amid the outbreak , according to Liashko .
`` The share of the detected cases in Ukraine in May reached 40 % and almost 45 % of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk about simulation-based data today .
So , we think that 132,000 people on average are potential cases in Ukraine .
These figures are not confirmed , this is just a simulation model .
Thus , we are starting the ELISA testing to detect COVID-19 antibodies in people , especially living in cities affected by the outbreaks to confirm the data , '' he added .
As UNIAN reported earlier , there were 34,063 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on June 18 .
They included 966 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases were recorded in the past 24 hours .

Some 132,000 people on average may have contracted the disease in Ukraine, according to a simulation model.
Ukraine's Chief Medical Officer, Deputy Health Minister Viktor Liashko says that according to data of a simulation, up to 132,000 people may have contracted COVID-19 in the country for the time being, therefore, the Health Ministry is launching massive COVID-19 antibody testing with the use of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.
Read alsoUkraine's Chief Medical Officer boasts COVID-19 tests grow in number dramatically
"The share of COVID-19 cases detected is 30% on average. All other cases are asymptomatic, or people with mild symptoms do not seek medical assistance. This happens in all countries. Ukraine is not an exception, therefore, we [the ministry] together with Kyiv School of Economics have analyzed what is happening in our country, that is we have simulated the situation," he said at a briefing on June 18.
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Noteworthy, China revealed 31% of coronavirus cases on average amid the outbreak, according to Liashko.
"The share of the detected cases in Ukraine in May reached 40% and almost 45% of the simulated number of cases. We can talk about simulation-based data today. So, we think that 132,000 people on average are potential cases in Ukraine. These figures are not confirmed, this is just a simulation model. Thus, we are starting the ELISA testing to detect COVID-19 antibodies in people, especially living in cities affected by the outbreaks to confirm the data," he added.
As UNIAN reported earlier, there were 34,063 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on June 18. They included 966 deaths and 15,447 recoveries. Some 829 new cases were recorded in the past 24 hours.


unian--2020-06-18--Ukraine's health ministry names region where no new COVID-19 cases reported

A total of 530,442 polymerase chain reaction tests were conducted across the country .
The Ukrainian Health Ministry 's Public Health Center says no new COVID-19 cases were recorded in Ukraine 's Mykolayiv region in the past day .
Read alsoKyiv mayor reports 58 new COVID-19 cases , one fatality in past day That is according to the results of tests for the said period , while there were 899 suspected COVID-19 cases .
Meanwhile , only one person contracted the disease in Kherson region in the past 24 hours .
Most COVID-19 cases over the period under review were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Zakarpattia region ( 74 ) , and Rivne region ( 73 ) .
The total number of confirmed cases per region is the following : 1,563 cases in Vinnytsia region ; 1,610 in Volyn region ; 1,021 in Dnipropetrovsk region ; 349 in Donetsk region ; 1,154 in Zhytomyr region ; 1,882 in Zakarpattia region ; 541 in Zaporizhia region ; 1,893 in Ivano-Frankivsk region ; 604 in Kirovohrad region ; 4,084 in the city of Kyiv ; 2,119 in Kyiv region ; 3,398 in Lviv region ; 68 in Luhansk region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Odesa region ; 287 in Poltava region ; 2,572 in Rivne region ; 236 in Sumy region ; 1,542 in Ternopil region ; 1,707 in Kharkiv region ; 184 in Kherson region ; 587 in Khmelnytsky region ; 4,135 in Chernivtsi region ; 568 in Cherkasy region ; 448 in Chernihiv region .
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , the city of Sevastopol , parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available .
COVID-19 tests were conducted by the Public Health Center 's virological reference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the morning of June 18 , 2020 , the Center had received 1,101 reports of suspected cases .
In total , there have been 75,574 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020 .
As UNIAN reported earlier , there were 34,063 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on June 18 .
They included 966 deaths and 15,447 recoveries .
Some 829 new cases were recorded in the past day .

A total of 530,442 polymerase chain reaction tests were conducted across the country.
The Ukrainian Health Ministry's Public Health Center says no new COVID-19 cases were recorded in Ukraine's Mykolayiv region in the past day.
Read alsoKyiv mayor reports 58 new COVID-19 cases, one fatality in past day
That is according to the results of tests for the said period, while there were 899 suspected COVID-19 cases.
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Meanwhile, only one person contracted the disease in Kherson region in the past 24 hours.
Most COVID-19 cases over the period under review were reported in Lviv region (171), Zakarpattia region (74), and Rivne region (73).
A total of 530,442 PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests were conducted.
The total number of confirmed cases per region is the following: 1,563 cases in Vinnytsia region; 1,610 in Volyn region; 1,021 in Dnipropetrovsk region; 349 in Donetsk region; 1,154 in Zhytomyr region; 1,882 in Zakarpattia region; 541 in Zaporizhia region; 1,893 in Ivano-Frankivsk region; 604 in Kirovohrad region; 4,084 in the city of Kyiv; 2,119 in Kyiv region; 3,398 in Lviv region; 68 in Luhansk region; 323 in Mykolayiv region; 1,188 in Odesa region; 287 in Poltava region; 2,572 in Rivne region; 236 in Sumy region; 1,542 in Ternopil region; 1,707 in Kharkiv region; 184 in Kherson region; 587 in Khmelnytsky region; 4,135 in Chernivtsi region; 568 in Cherkasy region; 448 in Chernihiv region.
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available.
COVID-19 tests were conducted by the Public Health Center's virological reference laboratory and regional laboratories. As of the morning of June 18, 2020, the Center had received 1,101 reports of suspected cases. In total, there have been 75,574 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020.
As UNIAN reported earlier, there were 34,063 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on June 18. They included 966 deaths and 15,447 recoveries. Some 829 new cases were recorded in the past day.


unian--2020-06-18--Ukraine's Chief Medical Officer boasts COVID-19 tests grow in number dramatically

Ukraine 's Chief Medical Officer , Deputy Health Minister Viktor Liashko says the number of tests for the COVID-19 coronavirus conducted in the country has grown dramatically since the beginning of the pandemic .
`` Previously , we conducted 300-400 tests per month , while today we have 12,000 PCR [ polymerase chain reaction ] tests per day , '' he said at a briefing on June 18 .
`` Today we 've conducted 12,000 PCR and 8,000 ELISA [ enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ] tests , i.e .
we conduct about 20,000-25,000 tests per day . ''
Read alsoUkraine may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 22 At the same time , Liashko said the ministry does not stop and is preparing for the further possible spread of the coronavirus in Ukraine , and therefore expands the number of laboratory equipment that will be delivered to laboratory centers .
`` As of today , 69 laboratories conduct the PCR testing .
When we entered the epidemic , we had only three such laboratories .
In total , 169 laboratories conduct the ELISA testing , '' the official said , adding the ELISA testing will expand significantly .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new record spike in daily COVID-19 cases when the number of new positive coronavirus patients grew by 829 in the past 24 hours .
As of June 18 , the death toll was 966 , including 23 deaths in the past day .

Ukraine conducts about 20,000-25,000 tests per day.
Ukraine's Chief Medical Officer, Deputy Health Minister Viktor Liashko says the number of tests for the COVID-19 coronavirus conducted in the country has grown dramatically since the beginning of the pandemic.
"Previously, we conducted 300-400 tests per month, while today we have 12,000 PCR [polymerase chain reaction] tests per day," he said at a briefing on June 18. "Today we've conducted 12,000 PCR and 8,000 ELISA [enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay] tests, i.e. we conduct about 20,000-25,000 tests per day."
Read alsoUkraine may re-impose strict quarantine in some regions from June 22
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At the same time, Liashko said the ministry does not stop and is preparing for the further possible spread of the coronavirus in Ukraine, and therefore expands the number of laboratory equipment that will be delivered to laboratory centers.
"As of today, 69 laboratories conduct the PCR testing. When we entered the epidemic, we had only three such laboratories. In total, 169 laboratories conduct the ELISA testing," the official said, adding the ELISA testing will expand significantly.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukraine saw a new record spike in daily COVID-19 cases when the number of new positive coronavirus patients grew by 829 in the past 24 hours. As of June 18, the death toll was 966, including 23 deaths in the past day.


unian--2020-06-18--German prosecutors accuse Russia of ordering murder of former Chechen rebel in Berlin – media

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas welcomed the prosecutors ' statement and called the killing an `` extraordinarily serious '' incident .
German federal prosecutors accused Russia on Thursday , June 18 , of ordering the killing of a former Chechen rebel in Berlin last summer and indicted a Russian man for the murder , which has severely strained diplomatic ties .
German investigators have gathered enough evidence to accuse the Russian man , identified only as Vadim K. , of the murder as well as the illegal possession of a weapon , prosecutors said , Reuters reported .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to kill .
He either hoped for a financial reward or shared the motive of the order-givers to kill a political opponent and thereby retaliate for participating in previous conflicts with Russia , '' they said in a statement .
Read alsoOrganizer of deadly attack on ATO volunteer Okueva served with charge papers The dead man , identified in the statement as Tornike K. , a Georgian citizen , was shot dead in a Berlin park last August as he was heading to a mosque .
The killer had been on a bicycle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the killing .
President Vladimir Putin has said the dead man was himself a killer who had carried out bloody acts on Russian soil and that Moscow 's requests for his extradition had not been heeded .
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas welcomed the prosecutors ' statement and called the killing an `` extraordinarily serious '' incident .
The Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador to make its position clear and Moscow understand that Berlin reserves the right to take further steps in this case , he added .
Germany expelled two members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in connection with the case .
Berlin has also recently started taking steps against Moscow in connection with a hacking attack in the German parliament too , a spokesman said on Thursday .
Germany 's foreign ministry last month called in the Russian ambassador to complain about the 2015 hack and said that possible sanctions were discussed against those responsible .
Russia has rejected allegations that its military intelligence was behind the cyber attack after media reported that data had been stolen , including emails from Chancellor Angela Merkel 's constituency office .

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas welcomed the prosecutors' statement and called the killing an "extraordinarily serious" incident.
German federal prosecutors accused Russia on Thursday, June 18, of ordering the killing of a former Chechen rebel in Berlin last summer and indicted a Russian man for the murder, which has severely strained diplomatic ties.
German investigators have gathered enough evidence to accuse the Russian man, identified only as Vadim K., of the murder as well as the illegal possession of a weapon, prosecutors said, Reuters reported.
"The accused accepted the order from state authorities to kill. He either hoped for a financial reward or shared the motive of the order-givers to kill a political opponent and thereby retaliate for participating in previous conflicts with Russia," they said in a statement.
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Read alsoOrganizer of deadly attack on ATO volunteer Okueva served with charge papers
The dead man, identified in the statement as Tornike K., a Georgian citizen, was shot dead in a Berlin park last August as he was heading to a mosque. The killer had been on a bicycle.
Russia has denied any connection with the killing. President Vladimir Putin has said the dead man was himself a killer who had carried out bloody acts on Russian soil and that Moscow's requests for his extradition had not been heeded.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas welcomed the prosecutors' statement and called the killing an "extraordinarily serious" incident.
The Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador to make its position clear and Moscow understand that Berlin reserves the right to take further steps in this case, he added.
Germany expelled two members of the Russian embassy in December 2019 in connection with the case.
Berlin has also recently started taking steps against Moscow in connection with a hacking attack in the German parliament too, a spokesman said on Thursday.
Germany's foreign ministry last month called in the Russian ambassador to complain about the 2015 hack and said that possible sanctions were discussed against those responsible.
Russia has rejected allegations that its military intelligence was behind the cyber attack after media reported that data had been stolen, including emails from Chancellor Angela Merkel's constituency office.


unian--2020-06-18--FC Dynamo Kyiv President Surkis on war in Donbas: "It must be stopped"

He says it will be easier for Ukraine to retake its land if there are no Russian troops there .
President of Football Club ( FC ) Dynamo Kyiv Ihor Surkis says that the war in Donbas , eastern Ukraine , must be stopped .
`` I have no political views for one simple reason .
I think the war must be stopped .
Against whom have we been fighting ?
We have been fighting against Russia , '' he said in an interview for the TaToTake program on YouTube .
Read alsoDonbas warzone update : One Ukraine soldier killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past day When asked about the fact that the Opposition Platform — For Life Party where his elder brother , Hryhoriy Surkis , has membership does not recognize the fact that this is a war waged by Russia , he said : `` I 'm not [ my ] brother , I have my own view .
If we remove the Russians – maybe it 's not the [ Russian ] army as it is , but mercenaries , then it will be easier for us to retake our lands . ''
Surkis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go into politics : `` I 've never wanted to go into politics and I will not because I do n't want to lie .
You know what they say : 'All politicians lie , every single one does . '
What about my brother ?
My brother lies where it 's in his interest .
It 's the way it works .
And in France , everywhere . ''

He says it will be easier for Ukraine to retake its land if there are no Russian troops there.
President of Football Club (FC) Dynamo Kyiv Ihor Surkis says that the war in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, must be stopped.
"I have no political views for one simple reason. I think the war must be stopped. Against whom have we been fighting? We have been fighting against Russia," he said in an interview for the TaToTake program on YouTube.
Read alsoDonbas warzone update: One Ukraine soldier killed, two injured amid 14 attacks in past day
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When asked about the fact that the Opposition Platform — For Life Party where his elder brother, Hryhoriy Surkis, has membership does not recognize the fact that this is a war waged by Russia, he said: "I'm not [my] brother, I have my own view. If we remove the Russians – maybe it's not the [Russian] army as it is, but mercenaries, then it will be easier for us to retake our lands."
Surkis also says he does not plan to go into politics: "I've never wanted to go into politics and I will not because I don't want to lie. You know what they say: 'All politicians lie, every single one does.' What about my brother? My brother lies where it's in his interest. It's the way it works. And in France, everywhere."


unian--2020-06-19--SBI explains Tomos case against Poroshenko opened after Honorary Patriarch Filaret files claim – med

SBI explains Tomos case against Poroshenko opened after Honorary Patriarch Filaret files claim – media

Ukraine 's State Bureau of Investigation ( SBI ) says the case against Ukraine 's former ( fifth ) president Petro Poroshenko related to providing the Tomos of autocephaly ( independence ) to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine ( OCU ) was opened in 2019 after Honorary Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine Filaret , who headed one of the OCU predecessor , the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate ( UOC-KP ) , had filed a respective claim .
`` The case was opened in November 2019 by the SBU [ Security Service of Ukraine ] after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim is against the leadership of the state and concerns mainly the fact that the money used to be received by the UOC-KP primarily from its missions abroad is transferred to Constantinople after the creation of the OCU , '' the Ukrainian online newspaper Ukrayinska Pravda wrote on June 19 , referring to an SBI source .
At the same time , the SBI called Poroshenko 's reaction a publicity stunt .
The Bureau noted that they were not going to question the legitimacy of the establishment of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said on June 18 that another case had been initiated against him , namely for `` incitement to religious hatred , '' which was later confirmed by the SBI .

The SBI called Poroshenko's reaction a publicity stunt.
Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) says the case against Ukraine's former (fifth) president Petro Poroshenko related to providing the Tomos of autocephaly (independence) to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) was opened in 2019 after Honorary Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine Filaret, who headed one of the OCU predecessor, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC-KP), had filed a respective claim.
Read also"Inciting religious hatred": SBI confirms another investigation targeting Poroshenko
"The case was opened in November 2019 by the SBU [Security Service of Ukraine] after Filaret had filed a claim. His claim is against the leadership of the state and concerns mainly the fact that the money used to be received by the UOC-KP primarily from its missions abroad is transferred to Constantinople after the creation of the OCU," the Ukrainian online newspaper Ukrayinska Pravda wrote on June 19, referring to an SBI source.
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At the same time, the SBI called Poroshenko's reaction a publicity stunt. The Bureau noted that they were not going to question the legitimacy of the establishment of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Poroshenko said on June 18 that another case had been initiated against him, namely for "incitement to religious hatred," which was later confirmed by the SBI.


unian--2020-06-19--Body found on Japan's Fuji in mid-May identified as Alpine ski coach from Ukraine

The last contact with him was on February 28 .
Ukrainian marathon runner and Alpine ski coach Oleksiy Borysenko has @ @ @ @ @ Fuji , Japan .
The 37-year-old Ukrainian 's body was found on May 12 , @ @ @ @ @ to confirm his identity only recently , The Sankei News reported on June 18 .
@ @ @ @ @ Tokyo Marathon in February 2020 , he stayed in one of the city 's hotels @ @ @ @ @ was cancelled over the coronavirus , and he decided to go to conquer the Mount @ @ @ @ @ contact with him was recorded on February 28 .
His belongings were found at an @ @ @ @ @ according to Japanese media .
Borysenko climbed the mountain alone and reportedly became a victim @ @ @ @ @ Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan , standing at 3,776 meters .
It is @ @ @ @ @ July over unstable weather conditions .

The last contact with him was on February 28.
Ukrainian marathon runner and Alpine ski coach Oleksiy Borysenko has been found dead on Mount Fuji, Japan.
Read alsoUkrainian tourists stuck in Nepal finally heading back home amid lockdown – MFA Ukraine
The 37-year-old Ukrainian's body was found on May 12, but it has been possible to confirm his identity only recently, The Sankei News reported on June 18.
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Borysenko left for the 2020 Tokyo Marathon in February 2020, he stayed in one of the city's hotels. Later, the marathon was cancelled over the coronavirus, and he decided to go to conquer the Mount Fuji climb.
The last contact with him was recorded on February 28. His belongings were found at an altitude of 2,400 meters, according to Japanese media. Borysenko climbed the mountain alone and reportedly became a victim of an accident.
Mount Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan, standing at 3,776 meters. It is officially closed for climbing until July over unstable weather conditions.


unian--2020-06-19--SBI's first deputy director denies being Yanukovych's lawyer, but confirms participation in court he

SBI's first deputy director denies being Yanukovych's lawyer, but confirms participation in court hearings

The Prosecutor General 's Office of Ukraine did not consider Babikov as an official lawyer of Yanukovych .
First Deputy Director of the State Bureau of Investigation ( SBI ) of Ukraine Oleksandr Babikov has denied he was a lawyer of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych , but confirmed he had participated in court hearings and filed a number of documents in his interests .
`` As for Yanukovych , yes , I participated in the court hearing on choosing a preventive measure against him and filed several procedural documents .
However , I was not part of the group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yanukovych , '' he told the RBC Ukraine news agency on June 18 .
According to Babikov , the Prosecutor General 's Office of Ukraine did not consider him as an official lawyer of Yanukovych , but this did not prevent him from submitting motions and applications .
Babikov added he had not denied participation in the court hearings and the submission of documents in the former president 's interests .
At the same time , Aver Lex lawyers were allowed only to some hearings , whereas a free lawyer defended the suspect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier , prosecutor of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine Yanis Simonov confirmed Babikov had represented Yanukovych in court .

The Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine did not consider Babikov as an official lawyer of Yanukovych.
First Deputy Director of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) of Ukraine Oleksandr Babikov has denied he was a lawyer of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, but confirmed he had participated in court hearings and filed a number of documents in his interests.
Read alsoLeading faction chief opposes putting Yanukovych's ex-lawyer to senior post at SBI
"As for Yanukovych, yes, I participated in the court hearing on choosing a preventive measure against him and filed several procedural documents. However, I was not part of the group that dealt with the case and defended Yanukovych," he told the RBC Ukraine news agency on June 18.
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According to Babikov, the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine did not consider him as an official lawyer of Yanukovych, but this did not prevent him from submitting motions and applications.
Babikov added he had not denied participation in the court hearings and the submission of documents in the former president's interests. At the same time, Aver Lex lawyers were allowed only to some hearings, whereas a free lawyer defended the suspect at other ones.
As UNIAN reported earlier, prosecutor of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine Yanis Simonov confirmed Babikov had represented Yanukovych in court.


unian--2020-06-19--Ukraine reacts to Donbas residents' voting in Russia Constitution referendum

The amendments provide that Putin will be able to run for another two presidential terms after 2024 .
Ukraine 's Foreign Ministry has said the results of future voting by residents of the temporarily occupied territories in Donetsk and Luhansk regions , as well as Crimea with illegally issued Russian passports in a referendum on amendments to Russia 's Constitution will be legally null and void , will have no legal consequences and will not be recognized by Ukraine and the international community .
`` The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine considers statements by the Russian occupying administration about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents of the occupied territories of Donbas with illegally issued Russian passports in a Russian referendum on amendments to the Constitution as another attempt to violate state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine , '' the ministry said in a comment on June 19 , 2020 .
Read alsoRussia may try to drag occupied Donbas residents with Russian passports into voting Ukrainian diplomats stress the decision on the mass issuing of Russian passports to Ukrainian citizens in the occupied territories of Donbas is a gross interference in internal affairs and Russian 's further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donbas .
In addition , Ukraine together with foreign partners has repeatedly pointed out that the illegal issuance of passports in the occupied territories of Donbas is seen as a deliberate step aimed at destroying the Minsk agreements to which the Russian Federation is a party .
`` It will be illegal both from the point of view of Ukrainian and international laws to conduct the polls in the territory of temporarily occupied Crimea , as were all previous so-called elections held by the occupying authorities on the peninsula .
This voting will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposed on the Crimean population , '' the ministry said .
`` The general response to the illegal actions of the Russian Federation should be increased political , diplomatic and sanction-based pressure on the aggressor state .
Involving the holders of illegally issued Russian passports in Crimea and Donbas in a Russian referendum distorts and casts doubt on the result of a nationwide vote in Russia , '' the comment said .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Russian President Vladimir Putin scheduled a vote on amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Putin will be able to run for another two presidential terms after 2024 .

The amendments provide that Putin will be able to run for another two presidential terms after 2024.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has said the results of future voting by residents of the temporarily occupied territories in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as Crimea with illegally issued Russian passports in a referendum on amendments to Russia's Constitution will be legally null and void, will have no legal consequences and will not be recognized by Ukraine and the international community.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine considers statements by the Russian occupying administration about its intentions to ensure the voting of residents of the occupied territories of Donbas with illegally issued Russian passports in a Russian referendum on amendments to the Constitution as another attempt to violate state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine," the ministry said in a comment on June 19, 2020.
Read alsoRussia may try to drag occupied Donbas residents with Russian passports into voting
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Ukrainian diplomats stress the decision on the mass issuing of Russian passports to Ukrainian citizens in the occupied territories of Donbas is a gross interference in internal affairs and Russian's further attempts at the creeping annexation of Ukrainian Donbas.
In addition, Ukraine together with foreign partners has repeatedly pointed out that the illegal issuance of passports in the occupied territories of Donbas is seen as a deliberate step aimed at destroying the Minsk agreements to which the Russian Federation is a party.
"It will be illegal both from the point of view of Ukrainian and international laws to conduct the polls in the territory of temporarily occupied Crimea, as were all previous so-called elections held by the occupying authorities on the peninsula. This voting will also be conducted with Russian passports illegally imposed on the Crimean population," the ministry said.
"The general response to the illegal actions of the Russian Federation should be increased political, diplomatic and sanction-based pressure on the aggressor state. Involving the holders of illegally issued Russian passports in Crimea and Donbas in a Russian referendum distorts and casts doubt on the result of a nationwide vote in Russia," the comment said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin scheduled a vote on amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation for July 1. The amendments provide that Putin will be able to run for another two presidential terms after 2024.


unian--2020-06-19--Ukraine's parliament backs appointment of new environment minister

The decision was supported by 264 lawmakers .
The Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , has backed the appointment of Roman Abramovsky as Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine .
Some 264 lawmakers voted for respective resolution No .
3586 , according to an UNIAN correspondent .
While introducing Abramovsky 's candidacy in parliament , Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal recalled that the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Protection would be split into two agencies – the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources .
Abramovsky in turn outlined a number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in particular he mentioned waste management , including that of radioactive waste .
`` If the Ukrainian parliament gives me the opportunity to prove myself as a minister , I will soon present a clear-cut plan that will correlate with the government 's action plan .
You had the opportunity to read its environmental block , and I do n't think there was any significant criticism of it , of the implementation of the program , '' he said .
After voting for the appointment , Abramovsky took his oath of office .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ open sources , Roman Abramovsky worked in the business sector for a long time .
In 2013 , he became an assistant to ex-MP from the then Party of Regions Oleksandr Bobkov .
The latter is known for organizing the Oplot militant movement and participating in hostilities on the side of terrorists .
In 2015 , Roman Abramovsky worked as Deputy Minister of Regional Development , Construction , Housing and Utilities Services for several months .
In 2019 , he became Deputy Energy and Environment Minister .

The decision was supported by 264 lawmakers.
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has backed the appointment of Roman Abramovsky as Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine.
Some 264 lawmakers voted for respective resolution No. 3586, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
Read alsoRada passes legislation to support culture, creative industries, tourism
Видео дня
While introducing Abramovsky's candidacy in parliament, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal recalled that the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Protection would be split into two agencies – the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources.
Abramovsky in turn outlined a number of tasks that need to be addressed, in particular he mentioned waste management, including that of radioactive waste.
"If the Ukrainian parliament gives me the opportunity to prove myself as a minister, I will soon present a clear-cut plan that will correlate with the government's action plan. You had the opportunity to read its environmental block, and I don't think there was any significant criticism of it, of the implementation of the program," he said.
After voting for the appointment, Abramovsky took his oath of office.
UNIAN memo. According to information from open sources, Roman Abramovsky worked in the business sector for a long time. In 2013, he became an assistant to ex-MP from the then Party of Regions Oleksandr Bobkov. The latter is known for organizing the Oplot militant movement and participating in hostilities on the side of terrorists.
In 2015, Roman Abramovsky worked as Deputy Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Utilities Services for several months.
In 2019, he became Deputy Energy and Environment Minister.


unian--2020-06-19--Kyiv mayor reports 92 new COVID-19 cases, one fatality in past day

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 4,176 .
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has said the number of confirmed coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases in the city rose by 92 in the past day .
Read alsoHealth minister lists Ukrainian regions with most COVID-19 cases reported in past day '' In the past day , another 92 residents of Kyiv tested positive for the coronavirus .
There was one fatality , '' he said on Telegram on June 19 .
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 4,176 .
According to Klitschko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 37 men aged 19 to 84 are among those infected .
In addition , four girls ( from 11 to 16 years old ) and two boys ( aged 10 months and four years old ) tested positive for the coronavirus .
Klitschko said seven new patients had been hospitalized , while the rest were self-isolating , undergoing treatment at home under the supervision of doctors .
Forty-six people recovered from the disease in the past day , he said .
In total , 1,336 Kyiv residents have already recovered .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kyiv was registered in Solomyansky district ( 14 ) , Obolonlsy district ( 13 ) , Sviatoshynsky district ( 12 ) , and Podilsky district ( 11 ) .
As UNIAN reported earlier , as of 09:00 Kyiv time on June 19 , there were 34,984 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine .
They included 985 deaths and 16,033 recoveries .
Some 921 new cases were recorded in the past day .

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 4,176.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has said the number of confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the city rose by 92 in the past day.
Read alsoHealth minister lists Ukrainian regions with most COVID-19 cases reported in past day
"In the past day, another 92 residents of Kyiv tested positive for the coronavirus. There was one fatality," he said on Telegram on June 19.
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The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 4,176.
According to Klitschko, 49 women aged 20 to 92 and 37 men aged 19 to 84 are among those infected. In addition, four girls (from 11 to 16 years old) and two boys (aged 10 months and four years old) tested positive for the coronavirus.
Klitschko said seven new patients had been hospitalized, while the rest were self-isolating, undergoing treatment at home under the supervision of doctors.
Forty-six people recovered from the disease in the past day, he said.
In total, 1,336 Kyiv residents have already recovered.
The highest number of the new cases in Kyiv was registered in Solomyansky district (14), Obolonlsy district (13), Sviatoshynsky district (12), and Podilsky district (11).
As UNIAN reported earlier, as of 09:00 Kyiv time on June 19, there were 34,984 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine. They included 985 deaths and 16,033 recoveries. Some 921 new cases were recorded in the past day.


unian--2020-06-19--IMF to decide on next disbursement for Ukraine in autumn

The review may take place in September .
The International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) , Ukraine 's key lender @ @ @ @ @ first review of how Ukraine implements a new 18-month Stand-By Arrangement ( SBA ) with @ @ @ @ @ `` The program has just started , so it 's too early to confirm the @ @ @ @ @ I can tell you we 're looking at around September , '' Director of the @ @ @ @ @ Gerry Rice said at a press briefing on June 18 , 2020 .
As UNIAN @ @ @ @ @ Executive Board on June 9 approved an 18-month SBA for Ukraine , with access equivalent @ @ @ @ @ about US $ 5 billion , or 179 % of quota ) .
The National @ @ @ @ @ received the first disbursement worth US $ 2.1 billion on June 12 , 2020 .

The review may take place in September.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ukraine's key lender, will carry out the first review of how Ukraine implements a new 18-month Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) with the Fund in September.
Read alsoExpert predicts stable hryvnia in summer
"The program has just started, so it's too early to confirm the first review date. But I can tell you we're looking at around September," Director of the Communications Department at the IMF Gerry Rice said at a press briefing on June 18, 2020.
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As UNIAN reported earlier, the IMF Executive Board on June 9 approved an 18-month SBA for Ukraine, with access equivalent to SDR 3.6 billion (about US$5 billion, or 179% of quota). The National Bank of Ukraine confirmed it received the first disbursement worth US$2.1 billion on June 12, 2020.


unian--2020-06-19--Handziuk case: Suspect Manger to be kept in pretrial detention center until July 28

Chairman of Kherson Regional Council Vladyslav Manger , one of the key suspects in a fatal acid attack on Kherson activist Kateryna Handziuk , will be kept in a pretrial detention center until July 28 without the right to post bail .
The decision was passed by Kyiv 's Pechersky district court in the early hours of June 19 , according to Graty , a Ukrainian media outlet that covers trials and court rulings .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the Pechersky court for the third day on June 18 was trying to choose a preventive measure for Manger .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspected of ordering the murder of the local activist .
The prosecutor 's office complained that his defense was deliberately seeking a delay in the case .
The prosecutors demanded that Manger be taken into custody without the right to put up bail .
The suspect was detained in a Kherson hospital on June 16 , 2020 , and delivered to Kyiv for trial .
UNIAN memo .
Kherson activist , advisor to the Mayor of Kherson and acting manager of affairs at Kherson City Council 's executive committee Kateryna Handziuk , 33 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ survived an acid attack .
She suffered burns to more than 35 % of her body and underwent 11 operations in Kyiv .
Handziuk died on November 4 , 2018 .
The immediate cause of her death was a severed blood clot resulting from the acid attack .
Police originally qualified the attack as an attempted murder committed with extreme cruelty , then its status was changed to completed murder .

The judge refused bail.
Chairman of Kherson Regional Council Vladyslav Manger, one of the key suspects in a fatal acid attack on Kherson activist Kateryna Handziuk, will be kept in a pretrial detention center until July 28 without the right to post bail.
The decision was passed by Kyiv's Pechersky district court in the early hours of June 19, according to Graty, a Ukrainian media outlet that covers trials and court rulings.
Read alsoHandziuk case: Kyiv court authorizes compulsory delivery of suspect Manger
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As UNIAN reported earlier, the Pechersky court for the third day on June 18 was trying to choose a preventive measure for Manger. Kherson Regional State Administration's head is suspected of ordering the murder of the local activist.
The prosecutor's office complained that his defense was deliberately seeking a delay in the case. The prosecutors demanded that Manger be taken into custody without the right to put up bail.
The suspect was detained in a Kherson hospital on June 16, 2020, and delivered to Kyiv for trial.
UNIAN memo. Kherson activist, advisor to the Mayor of Kherson and acting manager of affairs at Kherson City Council's executive committee Kateryna Handziuk, 33, on July 31, 2018, survived an acid attack. She suffered burns to more than 35% of her body and underwent 11 operations in Kyiv. Handziuk died on November 4, 2018. The immediate cause of her death was a severed blood clot resulting from the acid attack. Police originally qualified the attack as an attempted murder committed with extreme cruelty, then its status was changed to completed murder.