unian--2020-04-23--Fitch revises Ukraine's outlook to stable; affirms at 'B'

Fitch forecasts the economy will contract by 6.5 % in 2020 , compared with 3.2 % growth in 2019 .
Fitch Ratings has revised the outlook on Ukraine 's Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating ( IDR ) to stable from positive and affirmed the IDR at ' B ' .
`` The revision of Ukraine 's outlook to stable reflects the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Ukraine 's growth and fiscal accounts , '' Fitch said on April 22 .
`` The heightened macroeconomic and fiscal risks associated with this unprecedented global shock will partially reverse Ukraine 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a declining debt burden , the normalisation of growth prospects after the 2014-2015 geopolitical and economic crises , and reduced growth volatility . ''
Fitch forecasts the economy will contract by 6.5 % in 2020 , compared with 3.2 % growth in 2019 , reflecting the COVID-19 pandemic shock to the global economy , containment measures and a weaker currency affecting investment and private consumption .
Consumption will be further hindered by the expected decline in household remittances ( 7.8 % of GDP in 2019 ) .
The shock will be partly cushioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , relatively more diversified commodity exports ( including 40 % soft commodities ) and lower international oil prices given its net importer status .
`` We expect the economy to recover to 3.5 % in 2021 , in line with our medium-term growth view for Ukraine .
However , there are material downside risks to our forecasts , given the uncertainty around the extent and duration of the coronavirus outbreak , '' Fitch experts said .
Read alsoSome 62 % of restaurants shut down in Ukraine amid COVID-19 quarantine The government introduced containment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantine in early April until at least the end of the month .
The economic policy response to the COVID-19 pandemic includes National Bank of Ukraine ( NBU ) FX sales in mid-March , provision of liquidity to the financial sector and temporary regulatory forbearance for banks .
Fitch forecasts the general government deficit to rise to 7.1 % of GDP in 2020 , up from 2.0 % in 2019 and the original target of 2.1 % , reflecting lower tax collection , increased social and health spending and the formation of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
`` We note that the final size of the deficit will depend on available financing , especially from official sources , and spending execution not directly related to the health crisis and social support .
We expect the fiscal deficit to decline to 3.4 % in 2021 , as revenues recover in tandem with the economy and nominal spending remains roughly stable against 2020 , '' Fitch experts said .
General government debt will jump to 57.1 % of GDP ( 64.0 % of GDP including guarantees ) and 57.4 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50.4 % with guarantees ) in 2019 and close to the forecast 60 % ' B ' median , due to the wider deficit and sharp hryvnia depreciation ( forecast at 25 % yoy in 2020 ) .
Fitch also expects some rollback in the progress of reducing currency risks on the sovereign balance sheet ( 59 % foreign-currency denominated in 2019 ) , as Fitch 's base case foresees the government meeting most of its financing needs in foreign currency .
According to Fitch , Ukraine 's track record of fiscal prudence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the expectation of new multi-year International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) programme , and relatively limited financing alternatives to sustain large deficits underpin Fitch 's expectation that Ukraine returns to a primary fiscal surplus consistent with debt reduction in 2022 .

Fitch forecasts the economy will contract by 6.5% in 2020, compared with 3.2% growth in 2019.
Fitch Ratings has revised the outlook on Ukraine's Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to stable from positive and affirmed the IDR at 'B'.
"The revision of Ukraine's outlook to stable reflects the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Ukraine's growth and fiscal accounts," Fitch said on April 22. "The heightened macroeconomic and fiscal risks associated with this unprecedented global shock will partially reverse Ukraine's improvements in recent years in terms of a declining debt burden, the normalisation of growth prospects after the 2014-2015 geopolitical and economic crises, and reduced growth volatility."
Fitch forecasts the economy will contract by 6.5% in 2020, compared with 3.2% growth in 2019, reflecting the COVID-19 pandemic shock to the global economy, containment measures and a weaker currency affecting investment and private consumption. Consumption will be further hindered by the expected decline in household remittances (7.8% of GDP in 2019). The shock will be partly cushioned by Ukraine's low reliance on tourism, relatively more diversified commodity exports (including 40% soft commodities) and lower international oil prices given its net importer status. "We expect the economy to recover to 3.5% in 2021, in line with our medium-term growth view for Ukraine. However, there are material downside risks to our forecasts, given the uncertainty around the extent and duration of the coronavirus outbreak," Fitch experts said.
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Read alsoSome 62% of restaurants shut down in Ukraine amid COVID-19 quarantine
The government introduced containment measures in mid-March and further tightened the quarantine in early April until at least the end of the month. The economic policy response to the COVID-19 pandemic includes National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) FX sales in mid-March, provision of liquidity to the financial sector and temporary regulatory forbearance for banks.
Fitch forecasts the general government deficit to rise to 7.1% of GDP in 2020, up from 2.0% in 2019 and the original target of 2.1%, reflecting lower tax collection, increased social and health spending and the formation of a coronavirus fund (1.6% of GDP). "We note that the final size of the deficit will depend on available financing, especially from official sources, and spending execution not directly related to the health crisis and social support. We expect the fiscal deficit to decline to 3.4% in 2021, as revenues recover in tandem with the economy and nominal spending remains roughly stable against 2020," Fitch experts said.
General government debt will jump to 57.1% of GDP (64.0% of GDP including guarantees) and 57.4% in 2021, from 44.4% (50.4% with guarantees) in 2019 and close to the forecast 60% 'B' median, due to the wider deficit and sharp hryvnia depreciation (forecast at 25% yoy in 2020). Fitch also expects some rollback in the progress of reducing currency risks on the sovereign balance sheet (59% foreign-currency denominated in 2019), as Fitch's base case foresees the government meeting most of its financing needs in foreign currency.
According to Fitch, Ukraine's track record of fiscal prudence (primary surpluses in 2015-2019), the expectation of new multi-year International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, and relatively limited financing alternatives to sustain large deficits underpin Fitch's expectation that Ukraine returns to a primary fiscal surplus consistent with debt reduction in 2022.


unian--2020-04-23--Number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ukraine exceeds 7,100

Some 578 new cases were recorded in the past day .
The number of confirmed coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases in Ukraine rose by 578 in the past day , to 7,170 as of the morning of April 23 .
`` According to the Public Health Center , there were 7,170 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 a.m. Kyiv time on April 23 , '' the Ukrainian Health Ministry said on Facebook on Thursday .
`` Of them , 187 were lethal cases , 504 patients have recovered .
Some 578 new cases were recorded in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus has been recorded in the following regions : Vinnytsia region ( 353 cases ) ; Volyn region ( 188 ) ; Dnipropetrovsk region ( 186 ) ; Donetsk region ( 21 ) ; Zhytomyr region ( 304 ) ; Zakarpattia region ( 230 ) ; Zaporizhia region ( 146 ) ; Ivano-Frankivsk region ( 644 ) ; Kirovohrad region ( 258 ) ; the city of Kyiv ( 1,059 ) ; Kyiv region ( 451 ) ; Lviv region ( 282 ) ; Luhansk region ( 27 ) ; Mykolaiv region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 161 ) ; Poltava region ( 161 ) ; Rivne region ( 396 ) ; Sumy region ( 89 ) ; Ternopil region ( 499 ) ; Kharkiv region ( 101 ) ; Kherson region ( 77 ) ; Khmelnytsky region ( 61 ) ; Chernivtsi region ( 1,140 ) ; Cherkasy region ( 220 ) ; Chernihiv region ( 17 ) .
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , the city of Sevastopol , parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available .
Tests were conducted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( PCR ) in the Public Health Center 's virological reference laboratory and regional laboratories .
In total , there have been 21,058 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020 .

Some 578 new cases were recorded in the past day.
The number of confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Ukraine rose by 578 in the past day, to 7,170 as of the morning of April 23.
"According to the Public Health Center, there were 7,170 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 a.m. Kyiv time on April 23," the Ukrainian Health Ministry said on Facebook on Thursday. "Of them, 187 were lethal cases, 504 patients have recovered. Some 578 new cases were recorded in the past day."
Read alsoUkraine extends COVID-19 quarantine until May 11
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As of now the coronavirus has been recorded in the following regions: Vinnytsia region (353 cases); Volyn region (188); Dnipropetrovsk region (186); Donetsk region (21); Zhytomyr region (304); Zakarpattia region (230); Zaporizhia region (146); Ivano-Frankivsk region (644); Kirovohrad region (258); the city of Kyiv (1,059); Kyiv region (451); Lviv region (282); Luhansk region (27); Mykolaiv region (99); Odesa region (161); Poltava region (161); Rivne region (396); Sumy region (89); Ternopil region (499); Kharkiv region (101); Kherson region (77); Khmelnytsky region (61); Chernivtsi region (1,140); Cherkasy region (220); Chernihiv region (17).
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available.
Tests were conducted with the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the Public Health Center's virological reference laboratory and regional laboratories.
In total, there have been 21,058 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020.


unian--2020-04-23--RFE/RL: Germany says Ukraine talks to be held next week

The so-called Normandy format meeting will be held via video link .
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said April 22 he would hold talks next week with his Russian , Ukrainian , and French counterparts to revive efforts to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine .
Maas said he had held talks with his counterparts in recent days , Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty ( RFE/RL ) reported .
The leaders of the four countries met at a summit in Paris in December 2019 to revive a peace process and for Kyiv and Russia-backed separatists in the east of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lingering issues over a timeline for local elections and control over borders in the separatist-controlled regions remain .
Read alsoZelensky positive to put end to war in Donbas within his cadence '' We have come to the conclusion , and no one has disputed this , that key parts of the agreements from the summit in Paris have not yet been implemented , '' Maas said .
`` That ’ s why it is important to give a new impetus to the decisions and the implementation of the decisions , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be held via video link .
The Ukrainian government and Russia-controlled `` Donetsk People 's Republic '' and `` Luhansk People 's Republic '' have conducted two prisoner exchanges since the Paris summit .
Last week the two sides exchanged 34 prisoners ahead of Orthodox Easter celebrations on April 19 .
Separately on April 22 , Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke by phone about the conflict in Ukraine and welcomed the latest prisoner exchange , the Kremlin said in a statement .
Germany and France have mediated between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was signed in Minsk in 2015 , but efforts at implementation have faltered .

The so-called Normandy format meeting will be held via video link.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said April 22 he would hold talks next week with his Russian, Ukrainian, and French counterparts to revive efforts to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Maas said he had held talks with his counterparts in recent days, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported.
The leaders of the four countries met at a summit in Paris in December 2019 to revive a peace process and for Kyiv and Russia-backed separatists in the east of the country to exchange prisoners. But lingering issues over a timeline for local elections and control over borders in the separatist-controlled regions remain.
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Read alsoZelensky positive to put end to war in Donbas within his cadence
"We have come to the conclusion, and no one has disputed this, that key parts of the agreements from the summit in Paris have not yet been implemented," Maas said.
"That’s why it is important to give a new impetus to the decisions and the implementation of the decisions," he said.
The so-called Normandy format meeting will be held via video link.
The Ukrainian government and Russia-controlled "Donetsk People's Republic" and "Luhansk People's Republic" have conducted two prisoner exchanges since the Paris summit. Last week the two sides exchanged 34 prisoners ahead of Orthodox Easter celebrations on April 19.
Separately on April 22, Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke by phone about the conflict in Ukraine and welcomed the latest prisoner exchange, the Kremlin said in a statement.
Germany and France have mediated between Ukraine and Russia since a peace agreement was signed in Minsk in 2015, but efforts at implementation have faltered.


unian--2020-04-23--Number of COVID-19 cases confirmed worldwide exceeds 2.6 mln

The overall death toll is 183,454 people .
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world exceeded 2.6 @ @ @ @ @ morning of April 23 .
As many as 2,629,801 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported @ @ @ @ @ 23 , according to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases dashboard by the Center for Systems @ @ @ @ @ ) at Johns Hopkins University .
The overall death toll is 183,454 people , while @ @ @ @ @ recovered .
The three countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic include the United States @ @ @ @ @ , Spain ( 208,389 ) , and Italy ( 187,327 ) .
The highest death @ @ @ @ @ United States ( 46,784 people ) , Italy ( 25,085 ) , Spain ( 21,717 @ @ @ @ @ 21,340 ) .

The overall death toll is 183,454 people.
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world exceeded 2.6 million patients as of the morning of April 23.
As many as 2,629,801 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported as of 08:31 on April 23, according to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.
Read alsoUkraine launching clinical trials of COVID-19 drug
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The overall death toll is 183,454 people, while 713,537 coronavirus patients have already recovered.
The three countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic include the United States (842,629 confirmed cases), Spain (208,389), and Italy (187,327).
The highest death toll was recorded in the United States (46,784 people), Italy (25,085), Spain (21,717), and France (21,340).


unian--2020-04-23--Ukraine reports eight enemy attacks in Donbas on April 22

Russia-led forces opened fire from proscribed 82mm mortars , grenade launchers of various types , heavy machine guns , and rifles .
Russia 's hybrid military forces on April 22 mounted eight attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas , eastern Ukraine .
`` On April 22 , armed formations of the Russian Federation violated the ceasefire eight times , '' the press center of Ukraine 's Joint Forces Operation said in a Facebook update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on April 23 , 2020 .
Read alsoZelensky positive to put end to war in Donbas within his cadence Russia-led forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grenade launchers of various types , heavy machine guns , and rifles .
Under attack were Ukrainian positions near the towns of Maryinka , Krasnohorivka , and Avdiyivka , and the villages of Bohdanivka , Shyrokyne , Lebedynske , Pavlopil , and Orikhove .
According to intelligence data , two members of the enemy forces were wounded on April 22 .
`` Since Thursday midnight , Russia-led forces have attacked Ukrainian positions near Avdiyivka and the village of Novoselivka-2 in the Skhid ( East ) sector , using grenade launchers of various types @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No Ukrainian army casualties were reported over the period under review .

Russia-led forces opened fire from proscribed 82mm mortars, grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and rifles.
Russia's hybrid military forces on April 22 mounted eight attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine.
"On April 22, armed formations of the Russian Federation violated the ceasefire eight times," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation said in a Facebook update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on April 23, 2020.
Read alsoZelensky positive to put end to war in Donbas within his cadence
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Russia-led forces opened fire from proscribed 82mm mortars, grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and rifles.
Under attack were Ukrainian positions near the towns of Maryinka, Krasnohorivka, and Avdiyivka, and the villages of Bohdanivka, Shyrokyne, Lebedynske, Pavlopil, and Orikhove.
According to intelligence data, two members of the enemy forces were wounded on April 22.
"Since Thursday midnight, Russia-led forces have attacked Ukrainian positions near Avdiyivka and the village of Novoselivka-2 in the Skhid (East) sector, using grenade launchers of various types and rifles," the update said.
Ukraine's Joint Forces fired back to suppress the enemy's provocation.
No Ukrainian army casualties were reported over the period under review.


unian--2020-04-23--Ukraine's foreign trade deficit to decrease amid quarantine – central bank

NBU Governor also said that after commerical activity is restored in Ukraine and beyond , the current account deficit will expand , again .
The National Bank of Ukraine has improved its forecast for the deficit of Ukraine 's current account of the balance of payments for 2020 to 1.7 % of GDP from 3.2 % projected previously , in January .
That 's according to central bank governor Yakiv Smolii .
`` The volume of imports of goods to Ukraine will decrease significantly more than exports , '' Smolii told an online briefing on Thursday .
`` Under worldwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ukraine will reduce the volume of purchases of energy and most non-essentials .
The negative effects of the pandemic on exports will be weaker , given the expected continued demand for food . ''
At the same time , the NBU governor believes the decrease in remittances from labor migrants will be compensated by the reduction in Ukrainians ' expenses on foreign travel .
Read alsoUkraine `` almost fulfilled '' obligations before IMF , says NBU chief Smolii also said that after the commerical activity is restored in Ukraine and beyond , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again .
`` This will be due to the implementation of the pent-up demand for imported goods , restoration of investment imports by businesses , as well as the expected decrease in gas transit revenues .
However , the deficit will remain at 3-4 % of GDP , as foreseen in the National Bank 's forecast in January , '' Smolii said .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Ukraine 's key creditor , the International Monetary Fund predicts a 7.7 % drop in the country 's economy this year .
The World Bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy , expecting it to fall 3.5 % by 2020 .
The growth of Ukraine 's real GDP in 2019 slowed from 3.4 % in 2018 to 3.2 % , the best indicator over the past seven years .

Ukraine's foreign trade deficit to decrease amid quarantine – central bank
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NBU Governor also said that after commerical activity is restored in Ukraine and beyond, the current account deficit will expand, again.
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unian--2020-04-23--Remittances from labor migrants to Ukraine amount to $16 bln – World Bank

Ukraine is Europe 's largest recipient of such money transfers .
Ukrainians working abroad transferred some $ 15.8 billion to Ukraine in 2019 , a World Bank study says .
This figure amounted to 10.5 % of Ukraine 's GDP ( ranking eighth in Europe and Central Asia last year ) .
According to the World Bank , Ukraine is the largest recipient of such financial transfers in Europe .
The World Bank predicts that in 2020 , remittance inflows from labor migrants to Europe and Central Asia will fall by 28 % due to the negative impact of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , referring to Ukraine 's central bank , the volume of private money transfers to Ukraine in 2019 through official and informal channels amounted to the equivalent of almost UAH 12 billion , which is 10 % more than the previous year .
This year , the National Bank expects a $ 0.5-1 billion decline in remittances to Ukraine from labor migrants as a result of the coronavirus lockdowns .
In 2020 , the World Bank predicts the largest reduction in international remittances from labor migrants – by about 20 % , related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .

Remittances from labor migrants to Ukraine amount to $16 bln – World Bank
22:50, 23.04.20 3778
Ukraine is Europe's largest recipient of such money transfers.
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unian--2020-04-23--GDP slides 0.5% in Ukraine – central bank

Negative results prevailed in metallurgy , while retail trade kept growing .
The National Bank of Ukraine ( NBU ) says the country 's real gross domestic product ( GDP ) in the first quarter of 2020 fell by 0.5 % .
NBU Deputy Governor Dmytro Solohub told an online briefing on Thursday that the Bank 's estimates `` see a slight drop in GDP , by about 0.5 % , in the first quarter . ''
`` The situation in the economy was heterogeneous , as in the fourth quarter of last year , '' said Solohub .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , although , in general , since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis the situation in metallurgy has improved over the first quarter .
At the same time , retail trade kept showing significant growth , while a significant drop in agricultural indicators in the fourth quarter of 2019 was replaced by a slight decrease in the 1Q this year .
`` The Ukrainian economy is approaching this crisis being not the most prepared one in the world , but neither it is worst prepared – it 's much better prepared than it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBU deputy head added .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the Verkhovna Rada adopted `` anti-crisis '' changes to the 2020 state budget , almost tripling its deficit , up to UAH 298.4 billion .
The new state budget is based on forecasts of a 3.9 % GDP decline against previously projected 3.7 % growth , unemployment at 9.4 % ( vs 8.1 % ) , the average annual hryvnia exchange rate at UAH 29.5 per dollar ( vs UAH 27 ) , as well as inflation accelerating to 8.7 % .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to UAH 78 billion , or 1.9 % of GDP , with the target of UAH 91.1 billion , or 2.26 % of GDP .
The growth of Ukraine 's real GDP in 2019 slowed to the best mark in the last seven years , or 3.2 % from 3.4 % in 2018 .

GDP slides 0.5% in Ukraine – central bank
22:10, 23.04.20 610
Negative results prevailed in metallurgy, while retail trade kept growing.
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unian--2020-04-23--Breaking bad: Chemistry professor arrested for setting up major amphetamine lab outside Kyiv

Law enforcers raided the premises , seizing over 1 tonne of precursors .
A Kyiv-based chemistry professor , who has @ @ @ @ @ organized an underground laboratory to manufacture amphetamine in industrial volumes .
Production was set up @ @ @ @ @ in Kyiv and a garage outside the city , the Prosecutor General 's Office reported @ @ @ @ @ , law enforcers seized nearly a kilogram-worth of amphetamine , 9 kilos phenyl nitropropene precursor @ @ @ @ @ , and more than 80 liters of other precursors .
Read alsoBatch of cocaine from @ @ @ @ @ seaport ( Photo , video ) In total , more than 1 tonne of reagents @ @ @ @ @ manufacture drugs was seized , as well as lab equipment allowing production at an industrial @ @ @ @ @ been charged with the illegal acquisition and storage of especially hazardous psychotropic substances for the @ @ @ @ @ 2 Article 307 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine ) .

Law enforcers raided the premises, seizing over 1 tonne of precursors.
A Kyiv-based chemistry professor, who has quit a university job, organized an underground laboratory to manufacture amphetamine in industrial volumes.
Production was set up at the professor's home in Kyiv and a garage outside the city, the Prosecutor General's Office reported.
In a recent raid, law enforcers seized nearly a kilogram-worth of amphetamine, 9 kilos phenyl nitropropene precursor, 2 liters of mercury, and more than 80 liters of other precursors.
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Read alsoBatch of cocaine from Latin America busted at Odesa seaport (Photo, video)
In total, more than 1 tonne of reagents and other chemicals used to manufacture drugs was seized, as well as lab equipment allowing production at an industrial scale.
The professor has been charged with the illegal acquisition and storage of especially hazardous psychotropic substances for the purpose of sale (Part 2 Article 307 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).


unian--2020-04-23--Zelensky identifies two key conditions for ending quarantine

The president urged Ukrainians to show `` a little more patience '' .
The country will start its smooth exit @ @ @ @ @ two key conditions are met , Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address @ @ @ @ @ The first condition is that within ten days the share of coronavirus patients detected does @ @ @ @ @ 5 % .
The second condition is that hospitals are below 50 % full with @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` A little more patience and self-discipline , ” the president said , @ @ @ @ @ comment on the latest prolongation of quarantine restrictions .
As UNIAN reported earlier , citing @ @ @ @ @ of the Ministry of Health , as of the morning of April 23 , Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ , of which 187 were fatal , and 504 patients recovered .
In the past @ @ @ @ @ cases were recorded .

The president urged Ukrainians to show "a little more patience".
The country will start its smooth exit from the national quarantine if two key conditions are met, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address to the nation.
"The first condition is that within ten days the share of coronavirus patients detected doesn't change or remains within 5%. The second condition is that hospitals are below 50% full with COVID-19 patients," Zelensky said.
Read alsoUkraine launching clinical trials of COVID-19 drug
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"A little more patience and self-discipline,” the president said, appealing to Ukrainians in a comment on the latest prolongation of quarantine restrictions.
As UNIAN reported earlier, citing the Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health, as of the morning of April 23, Ukraine reported 7,170 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 187 were fatal, and 504 patients recovered.
In the past 24 hours, 578 new cases were recorded.


unian--2020-04-23--Finance and Credit Bank's ex-owner Zhevago loses US$55.5 mln in litigation with central bank

The judgment handed down by the court of cassation is final and not subject to appeal .
The Supreme Court of Ukraine has upheld the ruling of Kyiv 's Court of Appeal to recover from former owner of Finance and Credit Bank Kostyantyn Zhevago UAH 1.5 billion ( US $ 55.5 million ) in debt on refinancing loans in favor of the National Bank of Ukraine ( NBU ) .
The relevant ruling dated April 14 was published on the website of the register of judicial decisions .
In particular , the Supreme Court ruled that the court of appeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In particular , within the period set by the court , the appellant failed to eliminate the default of the appeal and to pay court fees .
Moreover , the applicant has taken no action pursuant to court requirements since receiving court ruling to take no action on the appeal .
Read alsoNBU starts forced recovery of US $ 64.4 mln from Finance and Credit Bank 's ex-owner Zhevago Thus , the Supreme Court has upheld the ruling of Kyiv 's Court of Appeal dated December 13 , 2019 , to return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kyiv 's Shevchenkivsky district court dated October 1 , 2019 , to satisfy the NBU 's lawsuit .
It is noted that the judgment handed down by the court of cassation is final and not subject to appeal .
UNIAN memo .
Kyiv-based Finance and Credit Bank has been operating in Ukraine since 1990 .
It was one of the largest banks in terms of assets .
The main shareholders of the bank were Ascania Group of Companies and F & C Realty controlled by Kostyantyn Zhevago .
The National Bank of Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banking license and the liquidation of Finance and Credit Bank in December 2015 .
A temporary administration was installed at the bank on September 18 , 2015 , after the National Bank had designated the financial institution as insolvent .

Finance and Credit Bank's ex-owner Zhevago loses US$55.5 mln in litigation with central bank
20:10, 23.04.20 1353
The judgment handed down by the court of cassation is final and not subject to appeal.
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unian--2020-04-23--World's biggest plane brings 103 tonnes of protective gear from China to Ukraine

Zelensky says the flight will be registered as a Guinness World Record .
The world 's biggest and most powerful transport aircraft , Ukrainian-designed Antonov-225 Mriya , has brought the largest cargo shipment by volume from China to Ukraine : 12 million face masks , 260,000 protective glasses , and 100,000 medical gowns .
The arrival of the aircraft at the Hostomel airfield outside Kyiv on April 23 was welcomed by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky , Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov , representatives of the government and the Office of the President , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we 're welcoming our Mriya , this is a large batch , one of the largest batches in recent weeks , '' the president told journalists when the plane landed .
`` Our Mriya has brought 12 million masks to Ukraine – both for hospitals and pharmacies .
It also brought about 260,000 protective glasses for our doctors and over 100,000 level 5 gowns . ''
Zelensky thanked the crew of the aircraft .
`` We have really achieved a record by volume of cargo that will be registered in the Guinness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In total , the aircraft brought 103 tonnes of medical freight .
In turn , the head of state-run Antonov Enterprise , Oleksandr Donets , said the An-225 Mriya would carry out another flight at the request of Ukraine and deliver medical cargo the following week .

World's biggest plane brings 103 tonnes of protective gear from China to Ukraine (Photos, video)
19:30, 23.04.20 4067
Zelensky says the flight will be registered as a Guinness World Record.
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unian--2020-04-23--Industrial output in Ukraine sees 7.7% decline in 1Q

In March , it grew by 3.6 % against the previous month without taking into account adjustments for calendar-day effect , and shrank 1.3 % with such adjustment .
The decline in Ukraine 's industrial output in March 2020 accelerated to 7.7 % year-on-year excluding adjustments for the calendar-day effect , after falling 1.5 % in February , the State Statistics Service reports .
With such adjustments , industrial output in March fell by 8.6 % in annual terms .
Compared to the previous month , it increased by 3.6 % excluding calendar-day effect adjustments and shrank 1.3 % after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Service , the largest decline in annual terms was recorded in the production of motor vehicles , trailers , semi-trailers , and other vehicles ( 27.7 % ) , production of computers , electronic and optical products ( 23.9 % ) , production of hard and brown coal ( 19 % ) , as well as textile and clothing production ( 16.9 % ) .
Largest growth on year was seen in the production of pharmaceutical products ( 21.8 % ) , as well as chemicals and chemical products ( 2.3 % ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the data were provided without taking into account the occupied territories of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the occupied territories in Donetsk and Luhansk regions .
As UNIAN reported earlier , industrial output in Ukraine in 2019 fell by 1.8 % after a 1.1 % increase in 2018 .

Industrial output in Ukraine sees 7.7% decline in 1Q
18:50, 23.04.20 1405
In March, it grew by 3.6% against the previous month without taking into account adjustments for calendar-day effect, and shrank 1.3% with such adjustment.
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unian--2020-04-23--Ukraine's infrastructure minister shares plans to resume passenger transportation

Judging by epidemic developments , urban and intercity mobility will be restored in the first place .
Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine , Vladyslav Kriklii , says the relaunch of urban and intercity public passenger transport would only be possible after the May holidays .
Speaking at `` Snidanok z 1+1 '' morning TV show , Kryklii said : `` There will definitely be some kind of resumption [ of public transportation ] , but only after the May holidays , because these May holidays are yet another challenge , and perhaps an even bigger one than Easter because there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has recalled that the national quarantine has been extended until May 11 but public transportation `` could be resumed somewhere starting May 12 , or at least we could talk about it or plan it , '' the minister said .
Judging by epidemic developments , urban and intercity mobility will be restored in the first place .
Then the authorities will be considering a relaunch of inter-regional passenger travel .
According to UNIAN citing the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health , as of the morning of April 23 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of which 187 were fatal , while 504 patients recovered .
Over the past 24 hours , 578 new cases were recorded .
On March 11 , the Cabinet of Ministers introduced a nationwide quarantine , which was extended until April 24 , and then – until May 11 .

Ukraine's infrastructure minister shares plans to resume passenger transportation
18:10, 23.04.20 8514
Judging by epidemic developments, urban and intercity mobility will be restored in the first place.
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unian--2020-04-23--Reuters: Weather unfavorable for Ukrainian crops in first half of April – analysts

Ukraine sowed 4.8 million hectares of spring grains as of April 16 , or 32 % of the expected area @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine faced unfavorable weather conditions in the first half of this month and very dry @ @ @ @ @ reserves in the soil , APK-Inform agriculture consultancy said on Thursday .
`` As a @ @ @ @ @ have developed over most of the country for the growth and development of all agricultural @ @ @ @ @ said in a report , Reuters said .
Read alsoUkraine 's economy ministry updates on @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine sowed 4.8 million hectares of spring grains as of April 16 , or 32 @ @ @ @ @ of 15.3 million hectares .
Ukraine harvested a record 75 million tonnes of grain in @ @ @ @ @ output could fall to 65-67 million tonnes and even may drop to 60 million tonnes @ @ @ @ @ the economy ministry forecast this month .

Ukraine sowed 4.8 million hectares of spring grains as of April 16, or 32% of the expected area of 15.3 million hectares.
Ukraine faced unfavorable weather conditions in the first half of this month and very dry air reduced already low moisture reserves in the soil, APK-Inform agriculture consultancy said on Thursday.
"As a result, poor agro-meteorological conditions have developed over most of the country for the growth and development of all agricultural crops," the consultancy said in a report, Reuters said.
Read alsoUkraine's economy ministry updates on course of spring sowing campaign
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Ukraine sowed 4.8 million hectares of spring grains as of April 16, or 32% of the expected area of 15.3 million hectares.
Ukraine harvested a record 75 million tonnes of grain in 2019 but this year the output could fall to 65-67 million tonnes and even may drop to 60 million tonnes if the weather deteriorates, the economy ministry forecast this month.


unian--2020-04-23--UN to give Ukraine US$140 mln for fight against coronavirus

The government plans to transfer the funds to areas located near the contact line in Donbas , eastern Ukraine .
@ @ @ @ @ says the United Nations will give Ukraine US $ 140 million for the fight against @ @ @ @ @ `` We are now considering options where the money should go .
We think the @ @ @ @ @ the areas adjacent to the contact line [ in Donbas ] , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with members of the coronavirus task force , as reported by @ @ @ @ @ April 22 .
According to Shmyhal , the UN allocates funds to countries that need @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the number of confirmed coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) @ @ @ @ @ 578 in the past day , to 7,170 as of the morning of April 23 @

UN to give Ukraine US$140 mln for fight against coronavirus
16:55, 23.04.20 1833
The government plans to transfer the funds to areas located near the contact line in Donbas, eastern Ukraine.
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unian--2020-04-23--U.S. Embassy comments on lawmakers' inquiry into U.S. laboratories' work in Ukraine

The Embassy says the information mentioned in the inquiry mirrors Russian disinformation .
A coronavirus outbreak in Ukraine has raised the issue of U.S. virus research laboratories that work the country .
The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine has responded to a request made by lawmakers from the Opposition Platform – For Life parliamentary faction Renat Kuzmin and Viktor Medvedchuk .
Recently , the two sent an inquiry to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about 15 U.S. biological laboratories operating in Ukraine under Pentagon supervision .
On April 14 , Kuzmin posted a copy of the request on his Facebook page .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded during these laboratories ' work in Ukraine , which resulted in deaths .
At the same time , the Ukrainian authorities have already found violations in the work of these laboratories that could be the cause of virus leaks , the authors said .
The lawmakers reiterated the laboratories had started working during the governments of Viktor Yushchenko and Yulia Tymoshenko , then stopped when Viktor Yanukovych came to power , and resumed work under Petro Poroshenko 's presidency .
In this regard , Kuzmin and Medvedchuk asked Zelensky to explain how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukrainian authorities control them .
On April 22 , the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine posted an official statement on this issue .
`` Here in Ukraine , the U.S. Department of Defense 's Biological Threat Reduction Program works with the Ukrainian Government to consolidate and secure pathogens and toxins of security concern in Ukrainian government facilities , while allowing for peaceful research and vaccine development , '' the Embassy said on its official website .
The Embassy reiterated the Science and Technology Center in Ukraine ( STCU ) , an intergovernmental organization , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1993 .
The current Parties to the STCU are Azerbaijan , the European Union , Georgia , Moldova , Ukraine , the United States , and Uzbekistan .
`` Our joint efforts help to ensure that dangerous pathogens do not fall into the wrong hands .
We 're proud to partner with the Ministry of Health , State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection , National Academy of Agrarian Sciences , and the Ministry of Defense to make us all safer , '' reads the report .
The Embassy says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the inquiry mirrors Russian disinformation .

The Embassy says the information mentioned in the inquiry mirrors Russian disinformation.
A coronavirus outbreak in Ukraine has raised the issue of U.S. virus research laboratories that work the country.
The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine has responded to a request made by lawmakers from the Opposition Platform – For Life parliamentary faction Renat Kuzmin and Viktor Medvedchuk. Recently, the two sent an inquiry to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about 15 U.S. biological laboratories operating in Ukraine under Pentagon supervision.
Read alsoUkraine launching clinical trials of COVID-19 drug
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On April 14, Kuzmin posted a copy of the request on his Facebook page. It says outbreaks of various viruses were recorded during these laboratories' work in Ukraine, which resulted in deaths.
At the same time, the Ukrainian authorities have already found violations in the work of these laboratories that could be the cause of virus leaks, the authors said.
The lawmakers reiterated the laboratories had started working during the governments of Viktor Yushchenko and Yulia Tymoshenko, then stopped when Viktor Yanukovych came to power, and resumed work under Petro Poroshenko's presidency.
In this regard, Kuzmin and Medvedchuk asked Zelensky to explain how these laboratories are financed and how the Ukrainian authorities control them.
On April 22, the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine posted an official statement on this issue.
"Here in Ukraine, the U.S. Department of Defense's Biological Threat Reduction Program works with the Ukrainian Government to consolidate and secure pathogens and toxins of security concern in Ukrainian government facilities, while allowing for peaceful research and vaccine development," the Embassy said on its official website.
The Embassy reiterated the Science and Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU), an intergovernmental organization, was established by international agreement in October 1993. The current Parties to the STCU are Azerbaijan, the European Union, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, the United States, and Uzbekistan.
"Our joint efforts help to ensure that dangerous pathogens do not fall into the wrong hands. We're proud to partner with the Ministry of Health, State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, National Academy of Agrarian Sciences, and the Ministry of Defense to make us all safer," reads the report.
The Embassy says the information mentioned by Kuzmin and Medvedchuk in the inquiry mirrors Russian disinformation.


unian--2020-04-23--Ukraine's central bank forecasts 6% inflation in 2020

Inflation in the first quarter of 2021 will temporarily deviate from the target range against a low comparison base .
The National Bank of Ukraine raised its forecast for consumer price growth in Ukraine in 2020 to 6 % from the previously projected 4.8 % , while inflation is expected to remain within the target range of 5 % +/- 1 pp .
`` In 2020 , inflation will remain within the target range of 5 % +/- 1 pp .
This will not be impeded by monetary and fiscal support to the economy .
Inflation will accelerate moderately in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % at the end of 2020 , thus remaining within the target range , '' the regulator said on its website on April 23 .
Fiscal and monetary policy measures that are aimed to support businesses and households will partially offset the decline in consumer demand .
However , consumer demand will remain subdued for long after the quarantine ends , keeping inflation from growing above the target level this year .
Inflation will also be contained by declining global energy prices , which will continue to influence domestic fuel prices .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inflation compared with the current level will be primarily driven by a pass through from the recent depreciation of the hryvnia .
In Q1 2021 , inflation will temporarily deviate from the target range against a low comparison base .
Afterwards , it will decrease and stabilize at the medium-term target of 5 % .
This level will be achieved thanks to the NBU 's prudent monetary policy and a more restrained fiscal policy after the pandemic ends and economic activity recovers .
UNIAN memo .
In 2019 , inflation in Ukraine slowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six years - 4.1 % in annual terms , dropping below the NBU 's medium-term target set at 5 % .

Ukraine's central bank forecasts 6% inflation in 2020
16:20, 23.04.20 2365
Inflation in the first quarter of 2021 will temporarily deviate from the target range against a low comparison base.
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unian--2020-04-23--Ukraine buys European gas at price below US$100 per 1,000 cubic meters – GTS operator

Get a complete information picture of the day by subscribing to UNIAN ’ s news feeds .
For more information @ @ @ @

Ukraine buys European gas at price below US$100 per 1,000 cubic meters – GTS operator
15:58, 23.04.20 4755
The average price of imported natural gas paid by Ukraine in March 2020 alone was US$153.65 per 1,000 cubic meters.
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unian--2020-04-23--Klitschko: COVID-19 very aggressive, unknown disease

On average , the treatment lasts 20 days , the mayor says .
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has said COVID-19 is a very aggressive and unknown disease , so the treatment of the coronavirus is complicated and lasts long .
`` COVID-19 is a very aggressive and understudied disease .
There is still no remedy against it , just as there is no vaccine .
The doctors use various drugs .
Some of them work , while others are less effective .
Therefore , it is very difficult and long to treat COVID-19 .
According to experts , on average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are also cases when a person has been sick for 37 days .
Some 160 patients were registered in Kyiv 20 days ago .
And today we have over 1,000 people !
So how much time will it take for everyone to recover ? ''
he said during an online briefing on Thursday , according to an UNIAN correspondent .
According to Klitschko , every COVID-19 patient has two polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) tests to confirm he or she has already recovered .
Chinese and Italian experts also began to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned out that one test can not show the virus is no longer in the body while a person remains contagious .
`` Half of the people who had recovered from COVID-19 had the virus in the body for one to eight days , even after all symptoms disappeared .
And such a situation with a slow recovery is observed not only in the capital city .
A mere 505 of over 7,000 patients in Ukraine have recovered so far .
Therefore , we urge people to take care of themselves .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the treatment is too complicated , '' Klitschko said .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Kyiv 's mayor said the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city had risen by 70 in the past day .
In total , there are 1,059 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kyiv .

On average, the treatment lasts 20 days, the mayor says.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has said COVID-19 is a very aggressive and unknown disease, so the treatment of the coronavirus is complicated and lasts long.
"COVID-19 is a very aggressive and understudied disease. There is still no remedy against it, just as there is no vaccine. The doctors use various drugs. Some of them work, while others are less effective. Therefore, it is very difficult and long to treat COVID-19. According to experts, on average, the treatment lasts 20 days. There are also cases when a person has been sick for 37 days. Some 160 patients were registered in Kyiv 20 days ago. And today we have over 1,000 people! So how much time will it take for everyone to recover?" he said during an online briefing on Thursday, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
Read alsoUkrainian doctors helping Italy fight against COVID-19 returning home (Photo)
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According to Klitschko, every COVID-19 patient has two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests to confirm he or she has already recovered. Chinese and Italian experts also began to do so in due time since it turned out that one test cannot show the virus is no longer in the body while a person remains contagious.
"Half of the people who had recovered from COVID-19 had the virus in the body for one to eight days, even after all symptoms disappeared. And such a situation with a slow recovery is observed not only in the capital city. A mere 505 of over 7,000 patients in Ukraine have recovered so far. Therefore, we urge people to take care of themselves. The virus is aggressive and dangerous. And the treatment is too complicated," Klitschko said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Kyiv's mayor said the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city had risen by 70 in the past day. In total, there are 1,059 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kyiv.


unian--2020-04-24--Ukraine's Health Ministry names key criterion for gradual quarantine exit

As of today , the ministry records a daily increase in the number of new patients by 7 % to 11 % .
Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov has said a decrease in the number of coronavirus patients along with greater testing coverage and a significant increase in the number of Ukrainians recovered from the disease is the main criterion for gradual quarantine exit .
`` An appropriate five-stage quarantine exit algorithm has been developed , but the main criterion is a decrease in the incidence when we increase the number of tests , as well as [ seeing ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recoveries , '' the minister said on a Ukrainian TV channel .
`` We are talking about five stages when we start easing quarantine measures at each stage : reopening parks , various stores , and relaunching more municipal transport .
I think we will provide this information in the coming days so that all citizens understand how Ukraine will be exiting the quarantine and under what conditions , '' he added .
`` We hope that starting from May 12 , the incidence [ of coronavirus case ] will allow us to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exiting the quarantine , '' he said .
As of today , the Health Ministry records a daily increase in the number of new patients by 7 % to 11 % .
`` We consider it to be a dangerous situation that does not allow us to do this [ lift the restrictions ] , '' he said .

As of today, the ministry records a daily increase in the number of new patients by 7% to 11%.
Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov has said a decrease in the number of coronavirus patients along with greater testing coverage and a significant increase in the number of Ukrainians recovered from the disease is the main criterion for gradual quarantine exit.
"An appropriate five-stage quarantine exit algorithm has been developed, but the main criterion is a decrease in the incidence when we increase the number of tests, as well as [seeing] a significant rise in the number of recoveries," the minister said on a Ukrainian TV channel.
Read alsoNumber of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ukraine nearing 7,700
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"We are talking about five stages when we start easing quarantine measures at each stage: reopening parks, various stores, and relaunching more municipal transport. I think we will provide this information in the coming days so that all citizens understand how Ukraine will be exiting the quarantine and under what conditions," he added.
"We hope that starting from May 12, the incidence [of coronavirus case] will allow us to ease the quarantine measures and start gradually exiting the quarantine," he said.
As of today, the Health Ministry records a daily increase in the number of new patients by 7% to 11%. "We consider it to be a dangerous situation that does not allow us to do this [lift the restrictions]," he said.


unian--2020-04-24--Ukraine to regulate prices of certain groups of goods, medicines amid COVID-19 quarantine

The relevant resolution was adopted at a government meeting on April 23 .
Ukraine 's Cabinet of Ministers has introduced state regulation of prices of a number of food staples and anti-epidemic products required to counter the spread of the novel COVID-19 coronavirus across the country .
The prices will be regulated through declaration of changes in retail prices of the said goods , according to a government resolution passed on April 23 .
In particular , food products whose prices are subject to state regulation include : noncarbonated water , poultry ( chicken carcasses ) , chicken eggs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pasteurized 2.5g fat milk ( in polyethylene film packages ) , buckwheat , sugar , premium wheat flour , creamery butter 72.5g fat , Ukrainian-made pasta ( noodles made from premium wheat flour ) .
Anti-epidemic products include certain medicines , namely Paracetamol , Azithromycin , Ampicillin , Amoxicillin , Ceftriaxone , Moxifloxacin , Amoxicillin and beta-lactamase inhibitor .
In addition , on the list are antiseptics and disinfectants : Chlorhexidine ; ethanol ; alcohol-based products for sanitizing hands ; chlorine-containing and other solutions for surface disinfection ; chloroxylenol ; pocket size @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and skin , as well as surfaces ; and detergents and disinfectants for washing , disinfecting tools , and equipment .
The list also includes twenty items of personal protective gear , namely medical face masks , gloves , medical gowns , protective glasses , FFP2 and FFP3 respirators , shoe covers , face mask filters , etc .
Prices of the listed goods are subject to declaration if they have changed by 15 % or more within a month , by 10 % -15 % within two weeks , and by 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Cabinet resolution became effected .
The Cabinet adopted the resolution subject to its revision to expand the list of medicines .

Ukraine to regulate prices of certain groups of goods, medicines amid COVID-19 quarantine (List)
14:40, 24.04.20 4465
The relevant resolution was adopted at a government meeting on April 23.
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unian--2020-04-24--U.S. dollar in Kyiv's exchange booths strengthens on April 24

The euro became weaker against the hryvnia .
The U.S. dollar in Kyiv 's currency exchange booths strengthened by 10 @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine 's national currency , to UAH 27.35 on the morning of Friday , April @ @ @ @ @ April 23 ) .
The euro lost five kopiykas in value against the hryvnia , @ @ @ @ @ 29.58 per euro ( UAH 29.63 on April 23 ) , according to an UNIAN @ @ @ @ @ U.S. dollar was sold for UAH 27.00 on average , while the euro for UAH @ @ @ @ @ earlier , the National Bank set the official forex rate for April 24 at UAH @ @ @ @ @ , which let the country 's national currency strengthen by four kopiykas .

U.S. dollar in Kyiv's exchange booths strengthens on April 24
14:14, 24.04.20 2366
The euro became weaker against the hryvnia.
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unian--2020-04-24--Kyiv mayor reports 63 new COVID-19 cases in past day

In total , there are 1,122 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kyiv .
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has said the number @ @ @ @ @ the city rose by 63 in the past day .
`` In the past 24 @ @ @ @ @ Kyiv residents who tested positive [ for the coronavirus ] increased by 63 , including @ @ @ @ @ '' he said during an online briefing on April 24 .
Read alsoKyiv again tops @ @ @ @ @ polluted city '' In total , there are 1,122 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kyiv , @ @ @ @ @ According to Klitschko , 22 women aged 21 to 82 and 35 men aged 18 @ @ @ @ @ infected .
In addition , six boys aged six to 14 tested positive for the @ @ @ @ @ new patients had been hospitalized , while the rest were self-isolating , undergoing treatment at @ @ @ @ @ doctors .
Eight people recovered from the disease in the past day , he said @ @ @ @ @ Kyiv residents have already recovered from the coronavirus .

In total, there are 1,122 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kyiv.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has said the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city rose by 63 in the past day.
"In the past 24 hours, the number of Kyiv residents who tested positive [for the coronavirus] increased by 63, including three health care workers," he said during an online briefing on April 24.
Read alsoKyiv again tops Air Quality Ranking as most polluted city
"In total, there are 1,122 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kyiv," the mayor said.
According to Klitschko, 22 women aged 21 to 82 and 35 men aged 18 to 87 are among those infected. In addition, six boys aged six to 14 tested positive for the coronavirus.
Klitschko said 20 new patients had been hospitalized, while the rest were self-isolating, undergoing treatment at home under the supervision of doctors.
Eight people recovered from the disease in the past day, he said. In total, 53 Kyiv residents have already recovered from the coronavirus.


unian--2020-04-24--Ukraine developing new missile system for combat helicopters

All components of the missile are locally made .
Ukraine is developing the latest high-precision missile system , which will @ @ @ @ @ helicopters .
This is a new guided missile , RK-10 , which will work with @ @ @ @ @ guidance station , as reported by Defense Express .
The development of a new missile @ @ @ @ @ km is nearing completion , and it will replace the Barrier-V system with a range @ @ @ @ @ new missile will be used as part of a high-precision missile system of Ukrainian helicopters @ @ @ @ @ missile are also made in Ukraine .

All components of the missile are locally made.
Ukraine is developing the latest high-precision missile system, which will be installed on upgraded Mi-8MSB-V helicopters.
Read alsoUkraine successfully tests Neptune cruise missile system (Video)
This is a new guided missile, RK-10, which will work with the OPSN-1 most-advanced optical sighting guidance station, as reported by Defense Express.
The development of a new missile with a range of 10 km is nearing completion, and it will replace the Barrier-V system with a range of 8 km. The new missile will be used as part of a high-precision missile system of Ukrainian helicopters.
All components of the missile are also made in Ukraine.


unian--2020-04-24--Georgia's Foreign Ministry recalling ambassador from Ukraine

Tbilisi 's move followed speculation about the possible appointment of Saakashvili as deputy prime minister for reform in Ukraine .
@ @ @ @ @ reportedly decided to recall its ambassador from Ukraine .
This decision was confirmed by UNIAN @ @ @ @ @ .
Tbilisi 's move followed speculation about the possible appointment of former Georgian president and @ @ @ @ @ region Mikheil Saakashvili as deputy prime minister for reform in the Ukrainian government .
Read @ @ @ @ @ PM for reform – media Georgian media reported that Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani was @ @ @ @ @ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 's invitation to Saakashvili to join Ukraine 's government .
In @ @ @ @ @ Dekanoidze , a member of the National Movement Party and ex-chief of the National Police @ @ @ @ @ government virtually decided to declare diplomatic war on Ukraine .
As UNIAN reported earlier , @ @ @ @ @ that he had received a proposal from Zelensky to become deputy prime minister for reform @ @ @

Tbilisi's move followed speculation about the possible appointment of Saakashvili as deputy prime minister for reform in Ukraine.
Georgia's Foreign Ministry has reportedly decided to recall its ambassador from Ukraine.
This decision was confirmed by UNIAN's sources in diplomatic circles.
Tbilisi's move followed speculation about the possible appointment of former Georgian president and ex-governor of Ukraine's Odesa region Mikheil Saakashvili as deputy prime minister for reform in the Ukrainian government.
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Read alsoSaakashvili may be appointed deputy PM for reform – media
Georgian media reported that Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani was "very upset" by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's invitation to Saakashvili to join Ukraine's government. In addition, according to Khatia Dekanoidze, a member of the National Movement Party and ex-chief of the National Police of Ukraine, the Georgian government virtually decided to declare diplomatic war on Ukraine.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Saakashvili announced on April 22 that he had received a proposal from Zelensky to become deputy prime minister for reform in Ukraine.


unian--2020-04-24--So-called leader of "DPR" terrorists issues order to use Donetsk's Soviet name

The document says that the name `` city of Stalino '' will be used along with the name `` city of Donetsk '' on Victory Day on May 9 .
`` Leader '' of the self-proclaimed `` Donetsk People 's Republic '' ( `` DPR '' ) Denis Pushilin has issued an `` order '' to use the Soviet name `` Stalino '' in relation to the Russia-occupied city of Donetsk .
The document says that the name `` city of Stalino '' will be used along with the name `` city of Donetsk '' during events related to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1941-1945 ) , in particular , on Victory Day on May 9 , according to the Ukrainian news outlet Novosti Donbasa .
Donetsk was named Stalin in March 1924 , two months after the death of Soviet leader Vladimir Ulyanov ( Lenin ) .
`` The [ local ] Executive Committee believes the symbol characterizing our great leader , comrade Lenin will be 'steel ' [ or 'stal ' in Russian ] and decided that the city of Yuzovka should be renamed the city of Stalin , and the district and the factory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a plenary meeting of Yuzovka 's District Executive Committee on March 8 , 1924 , protocol No .
7 .
In 1929 , its name was modified and became Stalino .
In 1961 , Stalino was renamed Donetsk .
The city was originally named Yuzovka in recognition of Welsh businessman John Hughes who in 1869 founded a steel plant and several coal mines in the region .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Leonid Pasechnik , the so-called leader of the self-proclaimed `` Luhansk People 's Republic '' ( `` LPR '' ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an `` order '' to use the Soviet name `` Voroshilovgrad '' in relation to the Russia-occupied city of Luhansk .

The document says that the name "city of Stalino" will be used along with the name "city of Donetsk" on Victory Day on May 9.
"Leader" of the self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic" ("DPR") Denis Pushilin has issued an "order" to use the Soviet name "Stalino" in relation to the Russia-occupied city of Donetsk.
The document says that the name "city of Stalino" will be used along with the name "city of Donetsk" during events related to the anniversary of the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945), in particular, on Victory Day on May 9, according to the Ukrainian news outlet Novosti Donbasa.
Read alsoEx-"DPR" leader officially heads Russian city despite protests
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Donetsk was named Stalin in March 1924, two months after the death of Soviet leader Vladimir Ulyanov (Lenin). "The [local] Executive Committee believes the symbol characterizing our great leader, comrade Lenin will be 'steel' [or 'stal' in Russian] and decided that the city of Yuzovka should be renamed the city of Stalin, and the district and the factory – Stalinsky," say documents of a plenary meeting of Yuzovka's District Executive Committee on March 8, 1924, protocol No. 7.
In 1929, its name was modified and became Stalino. In 1961, Stalino was renamed Donetsk.
The city was originally named Yuzovka in recognition of Welsh businessman John Hughes who in 1869 founded a steel plant and several coal mines in the region.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Leonid Pasechnik, the so-called leader of the self-proclaimed "Luhansk People's Republic" ("LPR"), a terrorist organization in Donbas, issued an "order" to use the Soviet name "Voroshilovgrad" in relation to the Russia-occupied city of Luhansk.


unian--2020-04-24--Almost 1,500 health care workers in Ukraine test positive for coronavirus

Ninety-eight cases were reported in the past day .
In Ukraine , 1,456 health care workers have tested positive for the novel coronavirus as of today .
In the past day , 98 new cases among health care workers were confirmed , Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said during an online briefing on April 24 , according to an UNIAN correspondent .
`` Some 477 cases , including six deaths , were confirmed in the past day [ across the country ] .
Of them , there were 28 children and 98 health care workers .
Some 181 people were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children , have recovered , '' he said .
Since the start of the pandemic , 7,647 Ukrainians , including 503 children , have fallen ill , he said .
Some 601 patients have recovered ; the total death toll is 193 .
In the past day , 5,263 tests were conducted with the use of polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) .
`` In the past 24 hours , the largest number of confirmed cases were registered in Chernivtsi region ( 59 ) , Kyiv region ( 54 ) , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he added .
As UNIAN reported earlier , there were 7,170 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases , including 187 deaths , in Ukraine as of 09:30 a.m. Kyiv time on April 23 .

Ninety-eight cases were reported in the past day.
In Ukraine, 1,456 health care workers have tested positive for the novel coronavirus as of today.
In the past day, 98 new cases among health care workers were confirmed, Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said during an online briefing on April 24, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
"Some 477 cases, including six deaths, were confirmed in the past day [across the country]. Of them, there were 28 children and 98 health care workers. Some 181 people were hospitalized. Ninety-six patients, including 13 children, have recovered," he said.
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Read alsoNumber of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ukraine nearing 7,700
Since the start of the pandemic, 7,647 Ukrainians, including 503 children, have fallen ill, he said. Some 601 patients have recovered; the total death toll is 193.
In the past day, 5,263 tests were conducted with the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
"In the past 24 hours, the largest number of confirmed cases were registered in Chernivtsi region (59), Kyiv region (54), and the city of Kyiv (63)," he added.
As UNIAN reported earlier, there were 7,170 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 187 deaths, in Ukraine as of 09:30 a.m. Kyiv time on April 23.


unian--2020-04-24--Number of COVID-19 cases in Ukraine's armed forces exceeds 50

Five new cases of COVID-19 were registered in the past day .
The number of COVID-19 coronavirus cases registered in @ @ @ @ @ grew to 51 on April 24 .
`` As of 07:00 Kyiv time on April @ @ @ @ @ of acute respiratory illness COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus were registered in the Armed @ @ @ @ @ include 15 people recovered and two fatalities , '' according to the press service of @ @ @ @ @ the Armed Forces of Ukraine .
Read alsoNumber of COVID-19 cases in Ukraine 's armed @ @ @ @ @ 342 servicemen are now isolated ( including self-isolation ) .
The number of those whose @ @ @ @ @ the next three days is 42 people .
In the past day , there were @ @ @ @ @ .
Four soldiers have been hospitalized , while another one is undergoing treatment at home @ @ @ @ @ .
Currently , their state of health is satisfactory , they receive the necessary treatment @ @ @ @ @ calls for observance of the rules of quarantine and personal hygiene .

Five new cases of COVID-19 were registered in the past day.
The number of COVID-19 coronavirus cases registered in the Armed Forces of Ukraine grew to 51 on April 24.
"As of 07:00 Kyiv time on April 24, some 51 cases of acute respiratory illness COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus were registered in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, they include 15 people recovered and two fatalities," according to the press service of the Medical Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Read alsoNumber of COVID-19 cases in Ukraine's armed forces grows to 46
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Some 342 servicemen are now isolated (including self-isolation). The number of those whose isolation term is expiring in the next three days is 42 people.
In the past day, there were five new cases of COVID-19.
Four soldiers have been hospitalized, while another one is undergoing treatment at home under the supervision of doctors. Currently, their state of health is satisfactory, they receive the necessary treatment.
The Medical Force Command calls for observance of the rules of quarantine and personal hygiene.


unian--2020-04-24--Czech government opens borders – media

Czech government opens borders – media

The Czech government has also removed the restrictions to the free movement of persons .
The Czech cabinet lifted a ban on its citizens traveling abroad for reasons other than work following an improvement in conditions of the coronavirus outbreak .
`` It is possible to travel abroad , even for a holiday .
But when one returns , they have to be COVID-negative , with proof by a test , or go into a two-week quarantine , '' Health Minister Adam Vojtěch said at a televised news conference , Prague Morning reported with reference to Novinky.cz .
Czech citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country have two options for arrival in the Czech Republic from the midnight on Friday , April , 24 , 2020 : present a negative coronavirus test upon return or be subject to two-week quarantine .
The test must not be older than four days .
`` We want to make it as easy as possible for people to return to the Czech Republic .
I have been promoting the possibility of avoiding quarantine after submitting the test for a long time , '' said Minister Jan Hamáček ( CSSD ) .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ border every day if they prove a negative test for COVID-19 every 14 days , '' the Minister specified .
The Czech government has also removed the restrictions to the free movement of persons .
`` The Czech government will cancel restrictions on free movement as of Friday , April 24 and allow groups of up to 10 people to meet in public .
So far , public gatherings were limited to two people , '' said Minister Vojtěch during a press conference .
`` We have been able to manage the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Czech Republic , '' Vojtěch told a televised news conference .
On March 12 , the government decided to declare a state of emergency in the Czech Republic in connection with the SARS CoV-2 coronavirus .
At the same time , it banned travel to the most high-risk countries and banned foreigners from those countries from entering the country .

The Czech government has also removed the restrictions to the free movement of persons.
The Czech cabinet lifted a ban on its citizens traveling abroad for reasons other than work following an improvement in conditions of the coronavirus outbreak.
"It is possible to travel abroad, even for a holiday. But when one returns, they have to be COVID-negative, with proof by a test, or go into a two-week quarantine," Health Minister Adam Vojtěch said at a televised news conference, Prague Morning reported with reference to Novinky.cz.
Czech citizens and foreigners with permission to enter the country have two options for arrival in the Czech Republic from the midnight on Friday, April, 24, 2020: present a negative coronavirus test upon return or be subject to two-week quarantine.
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Read alsoCOVID-19 cases worldwide surpass 2.7 mln
The test must not be older than four days. "We want to make it as easy as possible for people to return to the Czech Republic. I have been promoting the possibility of avoiding quarantine after submitting the test for a long time," said Minister Jan Hamáček (CSSD).
"Commuters will be able to cross the border every day if they prove a negative test for COVID-19 every 14 days," the Minister specified.
The Czech government has also removed the restrictions to the free movement of persons.
"The Czech government will cancel restrictions on free movement as of Friday, April 24 and allow groups of up to 10 people to meet in public. So far, public gatherings were limited to two people," said Minister Vojtěch during a press conference.
"We have been able to manage the pandemic exceptionally well on the territory of the Czech Republic," Vojtěch told a televised news conference.
On March 12, the government decided to declare a state of emergency in the Czech Republic in connection with the SARS CoV-2 coronavirus. At the same time, it banned travel to the most high-risk countries and banned foreigners from those countries from entering the country.


unian--2020-04-24--Number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ukraine nearing 7,700

Six new deaths were reported in the past day .
The number of confirmed coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases in Ukraine rose by 477 in the past day , to 7,647 as of the morning of April 24 .
`` According to the Public Health Center , there were 7,647 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:30 a.m. Kyiv time on April 24 , '' the Ukrainian Health Ministry said on Facebook on Friday .
`` Of them , 193 were lethal cases , 601 patients have recovered .
Some 477 new cases were recorded in the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Air Quality Ranking as most polluted city As of now the coronavirus has been recorded in the following regions : Vinnytsia region ( 370 cases ) ; Volyn region ( 203 ) ; Dnipropetrovsk region ( 195 ) ; Donetsk region ( 24 ) ; Zhytomyr region ( 309 ) ; Zakarpattia region ( 260 ) ; Zaporizhia region ( 163 ) ; Ivano-Frankivsk region ( 684 ) ; Kirovohrad region ( 283 ) ; the city of Kyiv ( 1,122 ) ; Kyiv region ( 505 ) ; Lviv region ( 298 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; Mykolaiv region ( 103 ) ; Odesa region ( 169 ) ; Poltava region ( 161 ) ; Rivne region ( 437 ) ; Sumy region ( 90 ) ; Ternopil region ( 532 ) ; Kharkiv region ( 118 ) ; Kherson region ( 77 ) ; Khmelnytsky region ( 65 ) ; Chernivtsi region ( 1,199 ) ; Cherkasy region ( 234 ) ; and Chernihiv region ( 19 ) .
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , the city of Sevastopol , parts of Donetsk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Tests were conducted with the use of polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) in the Public Health Center 's virological reference laboratory and regional laboratories .
In total , there have been 22,518 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020 .
As UNIAN reported earlier , there were 7,170 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases , including 187 deaths , in Ukraine as of 09:30 a.m. Kyiv time on April 23 .

Six new deaths were reported in the past day.
The number of confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Ukraine rose by 477 in the past day, to 7,647 as of the morning of April 24.
"According to the Public Health Center, there were 7,647 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:30 a.m. Kyiv time on April 24," the Ukrainian Health Ministry said on Facebook on Friday. "Of them, 193 were lethal cases, 601 patients have recovered. Some 477 new cases were recorded in the past day."
Read alsoKyiv again tops Air Quality Ranking as most polluted city
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As of now the coronavirus has been recorded in the following regions: Vinnytsia region (370 cases); Volyn region (203); Dnipropetrovsk region (195); Donetsk region (24); Zhytomyr region (309); Zakarpattia region (260); Zaporizhia region (163); Ivano-Frankivsk region (684); Kirovohrad region (283); the city of Kyiv (1,122); Kyiv region (505); Lviv region (298); Luhansk region (27); Mykolaiv region (103); Odesa region (169); Poltava region (161); Rivne region (437); Sumy region (90); Ternopil region (532); Kharkiv region (118); Kherson region (77); Khmelnytsky region (65); Chernivtsi region (1,199); Cherkasy region (234); and Chernihiv region (19).
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available.
Tests were conducted with the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the Public Health Center's virological reference laboratory and regional laboratories.
In total, there have been 22,518 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020.
As UNIAN reported earlier, there were 7,170 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 187 deaths, in Ukraine as of 09:30 a.m. Kyiv time on April 23.


unian--2020-04-24--Ukraine's hryvnia strengthens to UAH 27.01 to U.S. dollar on April 24

The official forex rate against the euro for Friday is fixed at UAH 29.14 per euro .
The National Bank @ @ @ @ @ has set the official forex rate for April 24 at UAH 27.01 to the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ country 's national currency strengthen by four kopiykas .
The hryvnia has seen gains in @ @ @ @ @ for the second consecutive day , according to the NBU website .
The official forex @ @ @ @ @ Friday is fixed at UAH 29.14 per euro – the hryvnia gained 28 kopiykas in @ @ @ @ @ UNIAN reported earlier , the National Bank set the official forex rate for Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ 27.05 to the U.S. dollar , which let the country 's national currency get stronger @ @ @ @ @ weakening .

Ukraine's hryvnia strengthens to UAH 27.01 to U.S. dollar on April 24
10:38, 24.04.20 1783
The official forex rate against the euro for Friday is fixed at UAH 29.14 per euro.
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unian--2020-04-24--COVID-19 cases worldwide surpass 2.7 mln

The overall death toll is 190,872 people .
Confirmed coronavirus cases in the world surpassed the 2.7-million mark as of @ @ @ @ @ .
As many as 2,709,483 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported as of 09:31 on @ @ @ @ @ the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering ( @ @ @ @ @ University .
Read alsoWHO chief on COVID-19 : `` This virus will be with us @ @ @ @ @ The overall death toll is 190,872 people , while 742,855 coronavirus patients have already recovered @ @ @ @ @ affected by the coronavirus pandemic include the United States ( 869,172 confirmed cases ) , @ @ @ @ @ and Italy ( 189,973 ) .
The highest death toll was recorded in the United @ @ @ @ @ , Italy ( 25,549 ) , Spain ( 22,157 ) , and France ( 21,856 @ @

The overall death toll is 190,872 people.
Confirmed coronavirus cases in the world surpassed the 2.7-million mark as of the morning of April 24.
As many as 2,709,483 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported as of 09:31 on April 24, according to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.
Read alsoWHO chief on COVID-19: "This virus will be with us for a long time"
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The overall death toll is 190,872 people, while 742,855 coronavirus patients have already recovered.
The three countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic include the United States (869,172 confirmed cases), Spain (213,024), and Italy (189,973).
The highest death toll was recorded in the United States (49,963 people), Italy (25,549), Spain (22,157), and France (21,856).


unian--2020-04-24--Kyiv again tops Air Quality Ranking as most polluted city

As of 09:45 on April 24 , its US Air Quality Index ( AQI ) is the highest one ( @ @ @ @ @ capital city of Kyiv again tops the live Air Quality and Pollution City Ranking as @ @ @ @ @ air .
As of 09:45 on April 24 , its US Air Quality Index ( @ @ @ @ @ one ( 155 ) .
Kyiv is followed by India 's Delhi with 141 , @ @ @ @ @ , Kuwait 's Kuwait City with 120 , and Belgium 's Brussels with 117 , @ @ @ @ @ , Kyiv City State Administration explained the phenomenon by wildfires in Zhytomyr region and forest @ @ @ @ @ Zone , coupled with northwest wind gusts .
The local authorities call on residents of @ @ @ @ @ outdoors , keep windows shut ( especially at night and early in the morning ) @ @ @ @ @ and air purifiers , drink up to three liters of water ( for adults ) @

As of 09:45 on April 24, its US Air Quality Index (AQI) is the highest one (155).
The Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv again tops the live Air Quality and Pollution City Ranking as the city with the dirtiest air.
As of 09:45 on April 24, its US Air Quality Index (AQI) is the highest one (155).
Kyiv is followed by India's Delhi with 141, Nepal's Kathmandu with 122, Kuwait's Kuwait City with 120, and Belgium's Brussels with 117, the ranking shows.
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Earlier, Kyiv City State Administration explained the phenomenon by wildfires in Zhytomyr region and forest fires in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, coupled with northwest wind gusts.
The local authorities call on residents of Kyiv to limit time spent outdoors, keep windows shut (especially at night and early in the morning), use air conditioning equipment and air purifiers, drink up to three liters of water (for adults).


unian--2020-04-24--Donbas war escalation: Three soldiers wounded amid 15 attacks on April 23

Russia 's hybrid military forces on April 23 mounted 15 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas , eastern Ukraine , during which three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action .
`` Having blatantly violated the ceasefire commitments , armed formations of the Russian Federation on April 23 attacked positions of the Joint Forces 15 times , '' the press center of Ukraine 's Joint Forces Operation Headquarters said on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on April 24 .
`` As a result of enemy shelling , three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded .
Read alsoZelensky positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within his cadence Russian-led forces opened fire from proscribed 82mm mortars , grenade launchers of various types , heavy machine guns , and rifles .
Under attack were Ukrainian positions near the towns of Maryinka and Avdiyivka , and the villages of Novomykhailivka , Pavlopil , Shyrokyne , Novoselivka-2 , Novotroyitske , Starohnativka , Orikhove , and Novozvanivka .
Joint Forces returned fire to each enemy attack .
Losses among enemy forces are being verified .
`` Since Friday midnight , Russia-led forces have attacked Ukrainian positions twice near Orikhove and Pavlopil , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the update said .
No Ukrainian army casualties have been reported since Friday midnight .

Russia-led forces opened fire from proscribed 82mm mortars, grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and rifles.
Russia's hybrid military forces on April 23 mounted 15 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, during which three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action.
"Having blatantly violated the ceasefire commitments, armed formations of the Russian Federation on April 23 attacked positions of the Joint Forces 15 times," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation Headquarters said on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on April 24. "As a result of enemy shelling, three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded.
Read alsoZelensky positive to put end to war in Donbas within his cadence
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Russian-led forces opened fire from proscribed 82mm mortars, grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and rifles.
Under attack were Ukrainian positions near the towns of Maryinka and Avdiyivka, and the villages of Novomykhailivka, Pavlopil, Shyrokyne, Novoselivka-2, Novotroyitske, Starohnativka, Orikhove, and Novozvanivka.
Joint Forces returned fire to each enemy attack. Losses among enemy forces are being verified.
"Since Friday midnight, Russia-led forces have attacked Ukrainian positions twice near Orikhove and Pavlopil, using 120mm and 82mm mortars," the update said.
No Ukrainian army casualties have been reported since Friday midnight.


unian--2020-04-24--Reuters: Oil prices rise more than $1 after week of turmoil amid viral outbreak

Brent is headed for a 20 % loss this week , with U.S. West Texas Intermediate ( WTI ) set for a fall of more than 3 % .
Oil prices jumped again on Friday , gaining more ground as producers like Kuwait said they would move to cut output and as the United States approved another package to cope with the economic disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak .
Brent crude LCOc1 was up $ 1.07 , or 5 % , at $ 22.40 by 0432 GMT , after having climbed 5 % on Thursday .
U.S. oil CLc1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % , at $ 17.62 a barrel , having surged 20 % in the previous session , Reuters said .
But barring a sharp jump later in the session , prices are heading for their eighth weekly loss in the last nine , capping one of the most tumultuous weeks in the history of oil trading .
Brent is headed for a 20 % loss this week , with U.S. West Texas Intermediate ( WTI ) set for a fall of more than 3 % .
WTI fell into negative territory to minus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while Brent thudded to a two-decade low .
Under a deal agreed between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Counties ( OPEC ) and associated producers including Russia , a grouping known as OPEC+ , output cuts of 9.7 million barrels per day ( bpd ) are due to kick in from May .
But Kuwait 's state news agency KUNA said on Thursday the OPEC producer will begin cutting supplies to international markets without waiting for the official start of the deal .

Brent is headed for a 20% loss this week, with U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) set for a fall of more than 3%.
Oil prices jumped again on Friday, gaining more ground as producers like Kuwait said they would move to cut output and as the United States approved another package to cope with the economic disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
Brent crude LCOc1 was up $1.07, or 5%, at $22.40 by 0432 GMT, after having climbed 5% on Thursday. U.S. oil CLc1 gained $1.12, or nearly 7%, at $17.62 a barrel, having surged 20% in the previous session, Reuters said.
Read alsoUkraine could additionally store 10 bcm of European gas – GTS operator
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But barring a sharp jump later in the session, prices are heading for their eighth weekly loss in the last nine, capping one of the most tumultuous weeks in the history of oil trading. Brent is headed for a 20% loss this week, with U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) set for a fall of more than 3%.
WTI fell into negative territory to minus $37.63 a barrel on Monday, while Brent thudded to a two-decade low.
Under a deal agreed between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Counties (OPEC) and associated producers including Russia, a grouping known as OPEC+, output cuts of 9.7 million barrels per day (bpd) are due to kick in from May.
But Kuwait's state news agency KUNA said on Thursday the OPEC producer will begin cutting supplies to international markets without waiting for the official start of the deal.


unian--2020-04-24--Former gun factory chief in Ukraine probed for treason, embezzlement

Fort operates within the structure of the Ministry of Interior .
The Security Service of Ukraine is investigating possible high treason and grave embezzlement of budget funds at Fort , a company specializing in the manufacture of firearms and rubber bullet handguns for security and law enforcement .
The Fort company is supervised by the interior ministry , Slidstvo.info recalls .
Vinnytsia city court documents say that in July 2018 , Fort signed an agreement with the Czech-based STV Group , a.s. for the supply of shells and bullets worth over $ 1 million .
Law enforcers claim that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal , former CEO wrongfully ordered to transfer $ 100,000 to the account of Czech partners .
Read alsoEx-head of Ukraine 's antitrust agency may get post in Finance Ministry According to YouControl database , Fort at the time was headed by Viktor Pysarenko , who had been in charge of the company for over 20 years .
Now a suspect in criminal proceedings , Pysarenko retired back in 2019 .
Arrest has been imposed on his property , including real estate .
Investigators believe the allegedly wrongful actions by company top management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine 's defense capability '' and could lead to the disruption of the state program to provide equipment for ammunition production .
If found guilty , Pysarenko could face up to 15 years in prison .

Former gun factory chief in Ukraine probed for treason, embezzlement
23:20, 24.04.20 680
Fort operates within the structure of the Ministry of Interior.
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unian--2020-04-24--Journalists identify FSB's elusive operative "Elbrus": From MH17 to assassinations in Europe

Despite the fact that Col. Igor Egorov played a crucial role in the annexation of Crimea and in Russia 's incursion into Eastern Ukraine , he has crisscrossed the EU and traveled to the Middle East and Asia on almost a monthly basis .
In previous joint investigations with Der Spiegel and The Insider , Bellingcat identified the killer of a Georgian-Chechen asylum seeker in Berlin , Zelimkhan Khangoshvili , as Vadim Krasikov , a 54 year old Russian linked to at least two contract hits in Russia .
Using metadata from Krasikov 's telephone communications prior to the murder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job was planned and supervised by senior members of FSB 's secretive Spetsnaz division Vympel , tasked with overseas subversion and special operations , Bellingcat reports .
Retracing Krasikov ’ s movements in Moscow in the weeks before his trip to Berlin , the probe established that he received extensive pre-mission training at FSB 's Spetznaz training base outside Moscow , and repeatedly visited FSB 's anti-terrorist headquarters , leaving little doubt that the Berlin assassination was mandated by Russia 's main intelligence agency .
In the meantime , Bellingcat has discovered additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accomplices assisting in the plotting and the getaway plans following the assassination in Berlin .
On April 14 , 2020 , Ukraine 's security service ( SBU ) announced the arrest of Lt. General Valeriy Shaytanov , deputy chief of their own anti-terrorist division .
In a public statement , the SBU alleged the general had been recruited before the start of the 2014 war by an FSB operative , Colonel Igor Egorov , a highly decorated KGB , and later FSB , officer who had received a medal for his role in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's announcement also included audio recordings of conversations between Shaytanov and Egorov , and a third unnamed person whom they appeared to be grooming for a contract killing of a Chechen national living in Kyiv .
The SBU also published footage from apparent video surveillance of the latest meet-up between Col. Egorov and the would-be contract killer , which the SBU says took place in Hamburg , Germany , in February of this year .
Bellingcat and The Insider had previously identified – but had not yet publicly disclosed – Col. Igor Anatolyevich @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's elite Spetznaz force known as Department V , the successor to the KGB 's elite subversion and special operations unit Vympel .
In previous investigations into the role of GRU undercover officers in supervising and aiding Russian and Russia-controlled forces in Eastern Ukraine , journalists had stumbled upon this person , who in 2014 and 2015 had traveled extensively – under two different identities – as Igor Egorov ( his real name ) , and as Igor Semyonov ( his cover name ) , between Moscow and the three control centers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rostov , Simferopol , and Krasnodar .
In May 2018 , Bellingcat identified and publicly disclosed the identity of one of the key Russian military supervisors in Donbas , who had operated under call sign `` Orion ” .
This operative was Oleg Ivannikov , a colonel from Russian military intelligence ( GRU ) .
An FSB counterpart to GRU 's `` Orion '' based in Donbass in mid-2014 went by the nom-de-guerre “ Elbrus ” ( the FSB and the GRU are known to be in long-standing cold war for funding , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bellingcat 's early hypothesis that Col. Egorov is in fact `` Elbrus '' received a strong boost when in November 2019 , a number of intercepted phone calls was published from the days just before the downing of flight MH17 , which contained conversations between Donbas militants .
In one conversation intercepted the day before the MH17 downing , `` Elbrus '' was described as an officer from FSB ’ s Vympel Spetsnaz , named Igor , who had a speech impediment , which can also be identified in the audio recordings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Also , it became clear that Elbrus had been brought in from Russia with a decision-making role above local commanders in the military chain of command .
Given that his arrival was just prior to the tragic shoot-down of MH17 by a Russian BUK missile , such role makes Elbrus a person of interest in the MH17 investigation , which would explain in part the publication of the intercepts by the JIT .
Despite the fact that Col. Igor Egorov played a crucial role in the annexation of Crimea and in Russia 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which are unlawful under international law – he remained unbothered by Western law enforcement or intelligence services , having crisscrossed the European Union , and traveled to the Middle East and Asia on almost a monthly basis .
There is uncertainty as to the degree of coordination between the Ukrainian security service and European law enforcement or intelligence services in relation to the SBU sting operation .
Ukrainian sources interviewed by investigative journalists on condition of anonymity have claimed that Ukraine had requested Egorov ’ s arrest during his latest visit to Hamburg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Both Ukrainian and German sources claim that the sting operation were conducted jointly , and the video surveillance was implemented by a German intelligence service .
The diverging opinions emerge on the subject of why Egorov was not arrested .
One theory proffered by a German law-enforcement source is that there were plans to arrest the FSB colonel during his next trip , when he was expected to be procuring the cash for the Ukrainian hit job .
This trip did not materialize , however , due to the impending coronavirus crisis @ @ @ @ @

Despite the fact that Col. Igor Egorov played a crucial role in the annexation of Crimea and in Russia's incursion into Eastern Ukraine, he has crisscrossed the EU and traveled to the Middle East and Asia on almost a monthly basis.
In previous joint investigations with Der Spiegel and The Insider, Bellingcat identified the killer of a Georgian-Chechen asylum seeker in Berlin, Zelimkhan Khangoshvili, as Vadim Krasikov, a 54 year old Russian linked to at least two contract hits in Russia.
Using metadata from Krasikov's telephone communications prior to the murder, journalists determined that the Berlin hit job was planned and supervised by senior members of FSB's secretive Spetsnaz division Vympel, tasked with overseas subversion and special operations, Bellingcat reports.
Retracing Krasikov’s movements in Moscow in the weeks before his trip to Berlin, the probe established that he received extensive pre-mission training at FSB's Spetznaz training base outside Moscow, and repeatedly visited FSB's anti-terrorist headquarters, leaving little doubt that the Berlin assassination was mandated by Russia's main intelligence agency.
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In the meantime, Bellingcat has discovered additional evidence pointing to the likely role of accomplices assisting in the plotting and the getaway plans following the assassination in Berlin.
On April 14, 2020, Ukraine's security service (SBU) announced the arrest of Lt. General Valeriy Shaytanov, deputy chief of their own anti-terrorist division. In a public statement, the SBU alleged the general had been recruited before the start of the 2014 war by an FSB operative, Colonel Igor Egorov, a highly decorated KGB, and later FSB, officer who had received a medal for his role in annexing Crimea in 2014.
The SBU's announcement also included audio recordings of conversations between Shaytanov and Egorov, and a third unnamed person whom they appeared to be grooming for a contract killing of a Chechen national living in Kyiv.
The SBU also published footage from apparent video surveillance of the latest meet-up between Col. Egorov and the would-be contract killer, which the SBU says took place in Hamburg, Germany, in February of this year.
Bellingcat and The Insider had previously identified – but had not yet publicly disclosed – Col. Igor Anatolyevich Egorov as a senior officer from FSB's elite Spetznaz force known as Department V, the successor to the KGB's elite subversion and special operations unit Vympel. In previous investigations into the role of GRU undercover officers in supervising and aiding Russian and Russia-controlled forces in Eastern Ukraine, journalists had stumbled upon this person, who in 2014 and 2015 had traveled extensively – under two different identities – as Igor Egorov (his real name), and as Igor Semyonov (his cover name), between Moscow and the three control centers for Russia's military operations in Donbas: Rostov, Simferopol, and Krasnodar.
In May 2018, Bellingcat identified and publicly disclosed the identity of one of the key Russian military supervisors in Donbas, who had operated under call sign "Orion”. This operative was Oleg Ivannikov, a colonel from Russian military intelligence (GRU). An FSB counterpart to GRU's "Orion" based in Donbass in mid-2014 went by the nom-de-guerre “Elbrus” (the FSB and the GRU are known to be in long-standing cold war for funding, influence and "new territory").
Bellingcat's early hypothesis that Col. Egorov is in fact "Elbrus" received a strong boost when in November 2019, a number of intercepted phone calls was published from the days just before the downing of flight MH17, which contained conversations between Donbas militants. In one conversation intercepted the day before the MH17 downing, "Elbrus" was described as an officer from FSB’s Vympel Spetsnaz, named Igor, who had a speech impediment, which can also be identified in the audio recordings of Egorov published by the SBU.
Also, it became clear that Elbrus had been brought in from Russia with a decision-making role above local commanders in the military chain of command. Given that his arrival was just prior to the tragic shoot-down of MH17 by a Russian BUK missile, such role makes Elbrus a person of interest in the MH17 investigation, which would explain in part the publication of the intercepts by the JIT.
Despite the fact that Col. Igor Egorov played a crucial role in the annexation of Crimea and in Russia's incursion into Eastern Ukraine – both of which are unlawful under international law – he remained unbothered by Western law enforcement or intelligence services, having crisscrossed the European Union, and traveled to the Middle East and Asia on almost a monthly basis.
There is uncertainty as to the degree of coordination between the Ukrainian security service and European law enforcement or intelligence services in relation to the SBU sting operation. Ukrainian sources interviewed by investigative journalists on condition of anonymity have claimed that Ukraine had requested Egorov’s arrest during his latest visit to Hamburg but that Germany declined to detain him. Both Ukrainian and German sources claim that the sting operation were conducted jointly, and the video surveillance was implemented by a German intelligence service.
The diverging opinions emerge on the subject of why Egorov was not arrested. One theory proffered by a German law-enforcement source is that there were plans to arrest the FSB colonel during his next trip, when he was expected to be procuring the cash for the Ukrainian hit job. This trip did not materialize, however, due to the impending coronavirus crisis and restrictions on movements.