unian--2020-08-18--Ukraine's antitrust agency probing into price of COVID-19 tests

The official price of a COVID-19 test is high .
The Kyiv regional office of Ukraine 's Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine ( AMCU ) has launched a probe into whether prices of polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) tests for the coronavirus are competitive .
The probe was initiated by member of Kyiv City Council Oleksandr Brodsky , AMCU chief Oleksiy Khmelnitskyy said on Facebook on August 18 .
Read alsoUkraine reports over 1,600 new COVID-19 cases on Aug 18 '' The information provided in the motion may indicate there are signs of violations of competition laws , namely , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monopoly position in actions of medical laboratories in Kyiv , suppliers and/or manufacturers of PCR tests , '' he wrote .
According to Khmelnitskyy , the official price of a COVID-19 test is high , ranging from UAH 715 ( US $ 26.26 ) for an express tests to UAH 2,200 ( US $ 80.8 ) for PCR tests .
`` This is a lot .
And the question is whether tests really cost that much ?
Or have several laboratories agreed to keep that price ? ''
he said .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AMCU is not a law enforcement agency and could not blame anyone .
`` But we will tell you for sure whether the competition laws have been violated by prices .
Because the market economy should work in the interests of citizens , '' he wrote .
As UNIAN reported earlier , pharmacy chains in Kyiv in April 2020 lowered the trade margin on surgical masks to one hryvnia after the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine had opened a case against producers , suppliers and pharmacy chains in Kyiv and Kyiv region in connection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of surgical masks .

Ukraine's antitrust agency probing into price of COVID-19 tests
19:25, 18.08.20 1131
The official price of a COVID-19 test is high.
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unian--2020-08-18--Belarusian military transport aircraft begin to regularly fly to Russia and back

The officials assured the flights were associated with military competitions within the framework of the ArMY-2020 international games .
A number of flights of Belarusian military transport aircraft and other planes to Russia have been recorded over the past few days .
This is evidenced by screenshots from the Flightradar airspace tracking service , according to TUT.by .
For example , on August 12 , the Il-76MD military transport aircraft ( tail No .
EW-005DE ) of the Belarusian Air Force flew from the Machulishchy air base to the Kubinka military air base near Moscow .
Later , it flew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minsk .
On the same day , another plane , which was not a military one , arrived in Belarus .
This was the Tu-134AK plane ( tail No .
RA-65992 ) , an aircraft with special communications , which was used to transport the leadership of the Russian Defense Ministry .
On August 14 , the aforementioned Il-76MD took off from Minsk and landed in Russia , near the Diaghilevo air base in Ryazan region .
Three hours later , the plane took off and headed for Minsk , where it landed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' Defense Ministry to comment on these flights .
The officials assured the flights were associated with military competitions within the framework of the ArMY-2020 international games .
On August 12 , teams went to Russia on the Il-76MD to participate in the Emergency Area and Field Kitchen competitions .
On August 14 , flight crews and aircraft flew to Ryazan in the IL-76MD to participate in the Aviadarts competition .
• On August 9 , presidential elections were held in Belarus .
• The country 's Central Election Commission announced the final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of voters supported incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko , 10.1 % voted for Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , 1.67 % for Anna Kanopatskaya , 1.2 % for Andrey Dmitriev , and 1.14 % for Sergei Cherechnya .
Some 4.59 % voted against all candidates .
• Thousands of residents of Belarus took to the streets to protest what they believe is a rigged vote count .
Riot police violently cracked down on protesters .
• Belarus ' Ministry of Internal Affairs said about 7,000 protesters had been detained in different cities since August 9 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the authorities started to release detainees .
• Lukashenko has intimidated a crowd of protesters with a possible reaction on the part of Russia if Belarus holds a new election , canceling the results of the latest vote .

The officials assured the flights were associated with military competitions within the framework of the ArMY-2020 international games.
A number of flights of Belarusian military transport aircraft and other planes to Russia have been recorded over the past few days.
This is evidenced by screenshots from the Flightradar airspace tracking service, according to TUT.by.
Read alsoLukashenko intimidates protesters with Russia's potential "reaction"
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For example, on August 12, the Il-76MD military transport aircraft (tail No. EW-005DE) of the Belarusian Air Force flew from the Machulishchy air base to the Kubinka military air base near Moscow. Later, it flew to Novosibirsk, and then again to Minsk.
On the same day, another plane, which was not a military one, arrived in Belarus. This was the Tu-134AK plane (tail No. RA-65992), an aircraft with special communications, which was used to transport the leadership of the Russian Defense Ministry.
On August 14, the aforementioned Il-76MD took off from Minsk and landed in Russia, near the Diaghilevo air base in Ryazan region. Three hours later, the plane took off and headed for Minsk, where it landed at 15:41.
The journalists asked Belarus' Defense Ministry to comment on these flights. The officials assured the flights were associated with military competitions within the framework of the ArMY-2020 international games.
On August 12, teams went to Russia on the Il-76MD to participate in the Emergency Area and Field Kitchen competitions. On August 14, flight crews and aircraft flew to Ryazan in the IL-76MD to participate in the Aviadarts competition.
Belarus protests: Developments


unian--2020-08-19--Ukraine's finance ministry reduces placement of gov't bonds by 75%

The ministry borrowed UAH 2.51 billion ( US $ 92.2 million ) in equivalent at an auction .
Ukraine 's Finance Ministry says it has cut by 75 % the placement of government domestic loan bonds for the first time over the last three weeks .
The ministry borrowed UAH 2.51 billion ( US $ 92.2 million ) in equivalent at an auction held on April 18 .
Some UAH 1.66 billion ( US $ 61 million ) was raised through the sale of bonds in the national currency , while another US $ 31 million was received via placing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , investors were offered hryvnia bonds with a maturity of six months and two years and U.S. dollar bonds with a maturity of eight months .
Read alsoUkraine returns to bond market – mediaThe ministry managed to raise UAH 999.52 million ( US $ 36.7 million ) at 7.82 % per annum via the placement of six months-maturity bonds and UAH 663.77 million ( U $ $ 24.4 million ) at 10.14 % through the placement of two years-maturity bonds .
The ministry borrowed US $ 31 million at 3.39 % per annum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bonds .
• Non-residents ' investment in Ukraine 's government domestic loan bonds in 2019 increased by 18 times , or UAH 109 billion ( US $ 4 billion ) to UAH 115.8 billion ( US $ 4.3 billion ) .
• In the first week of July 2020 , it shrank by 0.6 % , or UAH 586.65 million ( US $ 21.5 million ) , to UAH 99.02 billion ( US $ 3.6 billion ) .
• As of July 10 , 2020 , it decreased by 3.4 % , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million ) , to UAH 95.69 billion ( US $ 3.5 billion ) .

Ukraine's finance ministry reduces placement of gov't bonds by 75%
16:20, 19.08.20 887
The ministry borrowed UAH 2.51 billion (US$92.2 million) in equivalent at an auction.
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unian--2020-08-19--Jewish Сommunity of Ukraine appeals to interior minister Avakov to secure Hasidic pilgrims

The UJCU 's appeal followed a joint statement by the governments of Ukraine and Israel saying this year 's pilgrimage is allowed .
The United Jewish Community of Ukraine has sent an appeal to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine , Arsen Avakov , with a request to strengthen security in Uman in connection with the upcoming pilgrimage of the Bratslav Hasidim .
The UJCU 's appeal followed a joint statement by the governments of Ukraine and Israel that was published on the website of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine , which states that the pilgrimage is allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limit Hasidim trips to Uman amid Rosh HashanahOn behalf of the United Jewish Community of Ukraine , the largest all-Ukrainian Jewish organization , which consists of 137 Jewish communities and organizations of Ukraine , CEO Michael Tkach has asked Arsen Avakov to take `` all possible measures to ensure the safety of the pilgrims who will be at the celebration of Rosh Hashanah in the city of Uman , Cherkasy region . ''
`` First of all , I ask you to increase the number of personnel in the city of Uman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bratslav Hasidim , '' the appeal says , adding : `` Strengthen control over the observance of quarantine norms during the pilgrimage . ''
Tkach has recalled `` the situation with the riots on February 19 and 20 , 2020 in the village of Novy Sanzhary , Poltava region , which arose in connection with the concern of the local community about the spread of coronavirus infection '' .
Therefore , Michael Tkach points out , the issue resonates greatly with the Jewish community .
`` UJCU is concerned about the possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the Hasidim , '' the statement concludes .
Despite the fact that the pilgrimage of the Bratslav Hasidim to Ukraine was allowed , the governments of Ukraine and Israel urged pilgrims to refrain from traveling this year because of the serious epidemiological situation .

The UJCU's appeal followed a joint statement by the governments of Ukraine and Israel saying this year's pilgrimage is allowed.
The United Jewish Community of Ukraine has sent an appeal to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Arsen Avakov, with a request to strengthen security in Uman in connection with the upcoming pilgrimage of the Bratslav Hasidim.
The UJCU's appeal followed a joint statement by the governments of Ukraine and Israel that was published on the website of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, which states that the pilgrimage is allowed.
Read alsoUkraine's government decides to limit Hasidim trips to Uman amid Rosh HashanahOn behalf of the United Jewish Community of Ukraine, the largest all-Ukrainian Jewish organization, which consists of 137 Jewish communities and organizations of Ukraine, CEO Michael Tkach has asked Arsen Avakov to take "all possible measures to ensure the safety of the pilgrims who will be at the celebration of Rosh Hashanah in the city of Uman, Cherkasy region."
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"First of all, I ask you to increase the number of personnel in the city of Uman, Cherkasy region to ensure proper security for the Bratslav Hasidim," the appeal says, adding: "Strengthen control over the observance of quarantine norms during the pilgrimage."
Tkach has recalled "the situation with the riots on February 19 and 20, 2020 in the village of Novy Sanzhary, Poltava region, which arose in connection with the concern of the local community about the spread of coronavirus infection".
Therefore, Michael Tkach points out, the issue resonates greatly with the Jewish community.
"UJCU is concerned about the possible escalation of the conflict and violent actions against the Hasidim," the statement concludes.
Despite the fact that the pilgrimage of the Bratslav Hasidim to Ukraine was allowed, the governments of Ukraine and Israel urged pilgrims to refrain from traveling this year because of the serious epidemiological situation.


unian--2020-08-19--Amendments must be passed within law – Lukashenko on new Constitution

Lukashenko emphasized there is a legal and regulatory framework in the country , ruled by the current Constitution .
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has said any amendments should be passed within the legal framework , otherwise the country will face serious consequences .
`` Once again , I would like to reiterate : amendments that some want should be within the law .
Amendments must be spelled out in the Constitution .
This work continues .
It will be stepped up .
How fast the work on the Constitution goes will depend on people 's support .
With the Constitution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have discussions about the re-election of the bodies of authorities , '' he said at a meeting of the Security Council with the participation of regional leaders by a video link , state-owned BelTA has learned .
Lukashenko emphasized there is a legal and regulatory framework in the country , ruled by the current Constitution .
Read alsoLukashenko : Belarus government has somone to rely on '' We should faithfully adhere to it .
I have no other means to keep the country within the legal framework , in compliance with this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governed by others , '' he added .
On August 9 , presidential elections were held in Belarus .
The country 's Central Election Commission announced the final election results .
In particular , 80.1 % of voters supported incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko , 10.1 % voted for Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , 1.67 % for Anna Kanopatskaya , 1.2 % for Andrey Dmitriev , and 1.14 % for Sergei Cherechnya .
Some 4.59 % voted against all candidates .
Thousands of residents of Belarus took to the streets to protest what they believe is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violently cracked down on protesters .
Belarus ' Ministry of Internal Affairs said about 7,000 protesters had been detained in different cities since August 9 .
On the evening of August 13 , the authorities started to release detainees .
`` According to human rights activists , at least five people were killed during clashes with riot police , seven more remain in critical condition in hospitals ' intensive care units .
Activists say about 200-300 people were detained as political prisoners .
Lukashenko has repeatedly warned against foreign meddling in Belarus ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin .
As a result , the Kremlin assured they were ready to provide `` comprehensive assistance '' to Belarus .
On August 14 , the European Union said they did not recognize the outcome of the presidential election in Belarus , and that work had begun to introduce sanctions over electoral fraud and violence against protesters .

Lukashenko emphasized there is a legal and regulatory framework in the country, ruled by the current Constitution.
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has said any amendments should be passed within the legal framework, otherwise the country will face serious consequences.
"Once again, I would like to reiterate: amendments that some want should be within the law. Amendments must be spelled out in the Constitution. This work continues. It will be stepped up. How fast the work on the Constitution goes will depend on people's support. With the Constitution in place, we will be able to have discussions about the re-election of the bodies of authorities," he said at a meeting of the Security Council with the participation of regional leaders by a video link, state-owned BelTA has learned.
Lukashenko emphasized there is a legal and regulatory framework in the country, ruled by the current Constitution.
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Read alsoLukashenko: Belarus government has somone to rely on"We should faithfully adhere to it. I have no other means to keep the country within the legal framework, in compliance with this Constitution. Otherwise, we will be governed by others," he added.
Belarus protests: developments
On August 9, presidential elections were held in Belarus.
The country's Central Election Commission announced the final election results. In particular, 80.1% of voters supported incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko, 10.1% voted for Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, 1.67% for Anna Kanopatskaya, 1.2% for Andrey Dmitriev, and 1.14% for Sergei Cherechnya. Some 4.59% voted against all candidates.
Thousands of residents of Belarus took to the streets to protest what they believe is a rigged vote count. Riot police violently cracked down on protesters.
Belarus' Ministry of Internal Affairs said about 7,000 protesters had been detained in different cities since August 9. On the evening of August 13, the authorities started to release detainees.
"According to human rights activists, at least five people were killed during clashes with riot police, seven more remain in critical condition in hospitals' intensive care units. Activists say about 200-300 people were detained as political prisoners.
Lukashenko has repeatedly warned against foreign meddling in Belarus' domestic affairs. He had phone calls with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. As a result, the Kremlin assured they were ready to provide "comprehensive assistance" to Belarus.
On August 14, the European Union said they did not recognize the outcome of the presidential election in Belarus, and that work had begun to introduce sanctions over electoral fraud and violence against protesters.


unian--2020-08-19--Lukashenko: Belarus government has someone to rely on

Lukashenko has once again accused other countries of interfering in Belarus ' affairs .
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko says his government has someone to rely on if protests aggravate .
`` We are absolutely not alone , '' he said at a session of the Security Council on August 19 , BelTA reported .
`` I am very well aware of these rallies .
People stated their views .
I would like to once again underline that if you think the government is leaning and is shaking , you are wrong .
I would like to say that the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is why we will not flinch .
We will go our own way just like we should , '' he said .
Lukashenko once again accused other countries of interfering in the situation in Belarus .
Read alsoLukashenko says Belarusian army on full alert on western border '' Those , who are sharpening their swords , particularly abroad ( it is clearly obvious now ) , will be repelled .
These are not just words .
They hang up Polish flags in Grodno already .
It is inadmissible .
Such things will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added .
Russia became one of the first countries to congratulate Lukashenko on his alleged victory in the presidential elections in Belarus , whereas Poland , Lithuania , and Latvia made no such calls .
Ukraine did not congratulate Lukashenko either .
Later , the EU recognized the elections in Belarus as rigged , and the ex-president himself persona non grata .
In parallel lines , the West is preparing a package of sanctions against those involved in the violence and murder of protesters in the early days of protests .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement of convoys of Russian Guard trucks toward the border of Belarus .
Earlier , several aircraft of the Belarus air force flew to Russian military bases .
European diplomats and U.S. legislators have expressed concern about Russia 's interference in Belarus ' affairs .
Some political experts believe the `` Crimea scenario '' is unfolding .

Lukashenko has once again accused other countries of interfering in Belarus' affairs.
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko says his government has someone to rely on if protests aggravate.
"We are absolutely not alone," he said at a session of the Security Council on August 19, BelTA reported.
"I am very well aware of these rallies. People stated their views. I would like to once again underline that if you think the government is leaning and is shaking, you are wrong. I would like to say that the government has people to rely on. This is why we will not flinch. We will go our own way just like we should," he said.
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Lukashenko once again accused other countries of interfering in the situation in Belarus.
Read alsoLukashenko says Belarusian army on full alert on western border"Those, who are sharpening their swords, particularly abroad (it is clearly obvious now), will be repelled. These are not just words. They hang up Polish flags in Grodno already. It is inadmissible. Such things will be stopped in a radical manner," he added.
Russia "support" for Lukashenko
Russia became one of the first countries to congratulate Lukashenko on his alleged victory in the presidential elections in Belarus, whereas Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia made no such calls. Ukraine did not congratulate Lukashenko either.
Later, the EU recognized the elections in Belarus as rigged, and the ex-president himself persona non grata. In parallel lines, the West is preparing a package of sanctions against those involved in the violence and murder of protesters in the early days of protests.
At the same time, eyewitnesses reported the movement of convoys of Russian Guard trucks toward the border of Belarus. Earlier, several aircraft of the Belarus air force flew to Russian military bases.
European diplomats and U.S. legislators have expressed concern about Russia's interference in Belarus' affairs. Some political experts believe the "Crimea scenario" is unfolding.


unian--2020-08-19--Ukrainian farmers accelerate grain harvesting

The backlog of the grain harvesting campaign has almost halved since early August .
Ukrainian farmers have accelerated the grain harvesting in 2020 , but the pace of the campaign is still lagging behind last year 's one .
`` With regard to grain harvesting progress , the lag behind last year [ as of August 13 , 2020 ] decreased to 4.8 % ( -8.7 % the week before ) , '' the UkrAgroConsult agency 's press service said in a statement on August 18 .
Ukrainian farmers gathered 2.5 million tonnes of rapeseed as of August 13 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complete , with its pace being 14.1 % behind last year ( 16.7 % the week before ) .
Read alsoExports of Ukrainian wheat may decrease in MY 2020-2021Grain harvest The yield of wheat and rapeseed over the period under review dropped by 3.2 % and 6.2 % y-o-y , respectively , while that of barley grew by 2.7 % .
Ukrainian agrarians as of August 13 harvested 36.7 million tonnes of new grain and legume crops , as well as 2.5 million tonnes of rapeseed , according to the Ministry for Development @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The ministry expects the yield of grains and legumes in Ukraine in 2020 will be 68 million tonnes , while that of oilseeds is expected at 20 million tonnes .

Ukrainian farmers accelerate grain harvesting
15:00, 19.08.20 1559
The backlog of the grain harvesting campaign has almost halved since early August.
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unian--2020-08-19--Belarusian TV journalists replaced by Russian propagandists – ex-news director

Yesterday , the Tu-214P plane of Russia 's FSB had landed in Minsk amid ongoing protests .
Former director of the Belarusian TV Company Elena Martynovskaya has said Russia deployed two planes carrying propaganda teams to Minsk late on August 18 .
Martynovskaya says she was not allowed to her workplace this morning after being blacklisted by her management , along with other protest supporters from among TV channel 's staff , TUT.BY reports .
Read alsoUkraine decries allegations of `` special operation '' to arrest Wagner PMC troops as `` fake story '' '' At 09:00 , my colleagues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There was a checkpoint , the police officers were there , and they asked where we were going .
They said : 'Please , show your ID . '
They looked at the name and said : 'Sorry , you ca n't pass , you 're not on the list .
We ca n't let you pass , ' '' she told TUT.BY .
Martynovskaya also clarified who has replaced her on the job .
`` Oh yeah .
That 's a very interesting story .
Two planes arrived from Russia , bringing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a very large pay .
Here , in the Republic [ of Belarus ] , we have no money to provide doctors with face masks , we raise funds all over the country , but we do have money for new news teams , '' she said .
The Belarusian TV Company staff partially supported protests contesting election results .
Since the outbreak of a new wave of opposition rallies , journalists started quitting the TV company , while other employees joined the main demands of protesters to hold another election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ aircraft of Russia 's FSB had landed in Minsk on Tuesday , August 18 , amid protests across the country .
• Russia became one of the first countries to congratulate Lukashenko on his alleged win in the presidential elections in Belarus , while Poland , Lithuania , and Latvia made no such calls .
Ukraine did not congratulate Lukashenko either .
• Later , the EU said the Belarus election had been rigged , and recognized Lukashenko persona non grata .
In parallel lines , the West is preparing a package of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and killings of protesters in the early days of unrest .
• At the same time , eyewitnesses spotted convoys of Russian Guard trucks heading toward Belarusian border .
Also , several aircraft of the Belarus air force were spotted flying to Russian military bases .
• Both European diplomats and U.S. legislators , as well as political scientists , have expressed concerns about Russia 's meddling in Belarus , with some warning of the unfolding of the `` Crimea scenario '' .

Yesterday, the Tu-214P plane of Russia's FSB had landed in Minsk amid ongoing protests.
Former director of the Belarusian TV Company Elena Martynovskaya has said Russia deployed two planes carrying propaganda teams to Minsk late on August 18.
Martynovskaya says she was not allowed to her workplace this morning after being blacklisted by her management, along with other protest supporters from among TV channel's staff, TUT.BY reports.
Read alsoUkraine decries allegations of "special operation" to arrest Wagner PMC troops as "fake story""At 09:00, my colleagues and I were approaching the building. There was a checkpoint, the police officers were there, and they asked where we were going. They said: 'Please, show your ID.' They looked at the name and said: 'Sorry, you can't pass, you're not on the list. We can't let you pass,'" she told TUT.BY.
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Martynovskaya also clarified who has replaced her on the job.
"Oh yeah. That's a very interesting story. Two planes arrived from Russia, bringing employees who are now performing our functions for a very large pay. Here, in the Republic [of Belarus], we have no money to provide doctors with face masks, we raise funds all over the country, but we do have money for new news teams," she said.
The Belarusian TV Company staff partially supported protests contesting election results. Since the outbreak of a new wave of opposition rallies, journalists started quitting the TV company, while other employees joined the main demands of protesters to hold another election.
Earlier, it became known the Tu-214PU aircraft of Russia's FSB had landed in Minsk on Tuesday, August 18, amid protests across the country.
Russia's "support" for Lukashenko


unian--2020-08-19--Ukraine security, intel agencies say Wagner PMC story Russian setup

It was Russian media resources that first started spinning the version of Ukraine 's alleged involvement in the deployment of Russian mercenaries in Belarus .
The SBU Security Service of Ukraine has refuted earlier reports about the agency 's alleged participation in the so-called `` Special Operation Wagner . ''
`` The Security Service does not comment on rumors , does not support media information operations of the enemy , and does not participate in public discussions of various fictional scenarios .
Especially when such spins are aimed at harming Ukraine , '' the SBU press service said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the reports about the agency 's alleged involvement in the latest Wagner PMC in Belarus story is fake news .
It was a Russian news outlet that initially started spinning the false version of events over a week ago , the press service notes .
`` We also declare that none of the officers with the Security Service of Ukraine took part in conversations between the militants and a recruiter , which were allegedly recorded on audio .
Therefore , dubbing one of the interlocutors as an 'SBU officer ' is an unfounded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SBU said .
At the same , the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine ( SZR ) in a statement posted on its website on Wednesday pointed to the Russian origin of the special information operation titled `` Wagner Group in Belarus '' .
As per the SZR , the goals of such operation are as follows : • Destabilizing Belarus on the eve of and during the presidential election ; • Accusing Ukrainian special services of involvement in plotting and conducting an operation on the Belarusian soil and , as a result , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undermining its international image ; and • Compromising Ukrainian leadership to undermine popular ratings of the incumbent authorities on the eve of local elections .
On August 18 , editor-in-chief of the Censor.Net outlet , Yuriy Butusov , took to Facebook to allege , citing unnamed sources , that the situation with the emergence of Wagner PMC 's mercenaries in Belarus was part of a secret operation conducted by the SBU Security Service of Ukraine and the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense , aimed to arrest and prosecute the men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The plan allegedly was to first trick them into boasting of own crimes and then lure them into one group under the pretext of another contract job overseas where they would travel transiting Belarus before eventually make a plane carrying the group land in Ukraine to detain the men .
Read alsoUkraine decries allegations of `` special operation '' to arrest Wagner PMC troops as `` fake story '' The mission , Butusov alleges , has failed after Belarusian law enforcers arrested the whole group as the men were allegedly waiting for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine 's involvement fits Russia 's line of defense in the Belarus meddling case claiming Moscow had no plans to destabilize Belarus in the heat of election campaign , using mercenaries with combat experience in acts of provocations and sowing chaos .
On July 29 , 2020 , a group of militants with the Wagner PMC were detained in Belarus , 32 – outside Minsk , another one – in the south of the country .
Among them were those who fought against Ukraine in the Donbas war .
According to Belarusian law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deployment of over 200 militants to destabilize the country amid the election campaign .
Belarus turned to the Ukrainian authorities to verify the involvement of the detainees in crimes committed in Ukraine .
On July 30 , Ukraine began consultations with Belarus on the extradition .
On August 7 , President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus said Ukraine must prove the guilt of the detained mercenaries to seal extradition .
On August 9 , Lukashenko said he had received a five-page letter from Vladimir Putin with information on the situation around the detention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine sent inquiries to their Belarus counterparts appealing for the extradition of 28 fighters with the Wagner PMC .
All 28 , including nine citizens of Ukraine , had been charged with participation in a terrorist organization .
On August 14 , Belarus handed 32 Wagner troops over to Russia .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Belarus ' move a `` strange , politically incorrect , and definitely unacceptable thing to do in friendly interstate relations . ''

It was Russian media resources that first started spinning the version of Ukraine's alleged involvement in the deployment of Russian mercenaries in Belarus.
The SBU Security Service of Ukraine has refuted earlier reports about the agency's alleged participation in the so-called "Special Operation Wagner."
"The Security Service does not comment on rumors, does not support media information operations of the enemy, and does not participate in public discussions of various fictional scenarios. Especially when such spins are aimed at harming Ukraine," the SBU press service said in a statement via Facebook.
The SBU stressed the reports about the agency's alleged involvement in the latest Wagner PMC in Belarus story is fake news. It was a Russian news outlet that initially started spinning the false version of events over a week ago, the press service notes.
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"We also declare that none of the officers with the Security Service of Ukraine took part in conversations between the militants and a recruiter, which were allegedly recorded on audio. Therefore, dubbing one of the interlocutors as an 'SBU officer' is an unfounded allegation and deliberate manipulation," the SBU said.
At the same, the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine (SZR) in a statement posted on its website on Wednesday pointed to the Russian origin of the special information operation titled "Wagner Group in Belarus".
As per the SZR, the goals of such operation are as follows:
Destabilizing Belarus on the eve of and during the presidential election;
Accusing Ukrainian special services of involvement in plotting and conducting an operation on the Belarusian soil and, as a result, dragging Ukraine into an international row and undermining its international image; and
Compromising Ukrainian leadership to undermine popular ratings of the incumbent authorities on the eve of local elections.
Allegations of Ukraine's dealings with Russian mercenaries
On August 18, editor-in-chief of the Censor.Net outlet, Yuriy Butusov, took to Facebook to allege, citing unnamed sources, that the situation with the emergence of Wagner PMC's mercenaries in Belarus was part of a secret operation conducted by the SBU Security Service of Ukraine and the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, aimed to arrest and prosecute the men who committed crimes in the Donbas warzone.
The plan allegedly was to first trick them into boasting of own crimes and then lure them into one group under the pretext of another contract job overseas where they would travel transiting Belarus before eventually make a plane carrying the group land in Ukraine to detain the men.
Read alsoUkraine decries allegations of "special operation" to arrest Wagner PMC troops as "fake story"The mission, Butusov alleges, has failed after Belarusian law enforcers arrested the whole group as the men were allegedly waiting for a transit flight.
The story of Ukraine's involvement fits Russia's line of defense in the Belarus meddling case claiming Moscow had no plans to destabilize Belarus in the heat of election campaign, using mercenaries with combat experience in acts of provocations and sowing chaos.
Wagner PMC troops detained in Belarus
On July 29, 2020, a group of militants with the Wagner PMC were detained in Belarus, 32 – outside Minsk, another one – in the south of the country.
Among them were those who fought against Ukraine in the Donbas war.
According to Belarusian law enforcement, they had been tipped about the deployment of over 200 militants to destabilize the country amid the election campaign.
Belarus turned to the Ukrainian authorities to verify the involvement of the detainees in crimes committed in Ukraine. On July 30, Ukraine began consultations with Belarus on the extradition.
On August 7, President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus said Ukraine must prove the guilt of the detained mercenaries to seal extradition.
On August 9, Lukashenko said he had received a five-page letter from Vladimir Putin with information on the situation around the detention of Wagner troops.
On August 11, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine sent inquiries to their Belarus counterparts appealing for the extradition of 28 fighters with the Wagner PMC.
All 28, including nine citizens of Ukraine, had been charged with participation in a terrorist organization.
On August 14, Belarus handed 32 Wagner troops over to Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Belarus' move a "strange, politically incorrect, and definitely unacceptable thing to do in friendly interstate relations."


unian--2020-08-19--Russia drills: Warplanes land on grass at abandoned airfield near Ukraine border

The exercise was also simultaneously held in the occupied Crimea .
Russia has employed the An-26 , Su-25 and Il-76 military aircraft in the latest drills , landing planes at an abandoned airfield just 30 kilometers from the border with Ukraine .
The planes were landing at the mothballed Pogorelovo aerodrome in Rostov region , according to the Ukrainian Military Portal .
Read alsoRussia 's FSB plane reportedly lands in Minsk – mediaPreviously , the military carried out preparation works at the site , fixing taxiways , parking spots for planes and helicopters , depots for weapons and ammunition , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the report says .
According to the Russian website 1rnd.ru , the planes were deployed as part of military drills , simultaneously held at 25 training grounds , including in Russian-occupied Crimea .
Another Russian website , vesti.ru , reports that 27,000 military personnel and 6,000 pieces of hardware are taking part in the exercises .
Read alsoUkraine 's FM urges to step up pressure on Kremlin over militarization , human rights violations in CrimeaIn July , Russian military held exercises in the occupied Crimea .
In September 2019 , Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Union Shield 2019 military drills , which involved 230 tanks , 240 artillery systems , 190 multiple launch rocket systems , and up to 70 military aircraft and combat helicopters .

The exercise was also simultaneously held in the occupied Crimea.
Russia has employed the An-26, Su-25 and Il-76 military aircraft in the latest drills, landing planes at an abandoned airfield just 30 kilometers from the border with Ukraine.
The planes were landing at the mothballed Pogorelovo aerodrome in Rostov region, according to the Ukrainian Military Portal.
Read alsoRussia's FSB plane reportedly lands in Minsk – mediaPreviously, the military carried out preparation works at the site, fixing taxiways, parking spots for planes and helicopters, depots for weapons and ammunition, as well as maintenance and repair workshops," the report says.
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Military drills in Russia
According to the Russian website 1rnd.ru, the planes were deployed as part of military drills, simultaneously held at 25 training grounds, including in Russian-occupied Crimea.
Another Russian website, vesti.ru, reports that 27,000 military personnel and 6,000 pieces of hardware are taking part in the exercises.
Background
Read alsoUkraine's FM urges to step up pressure on Kremlin over militarization, human rights violations in CrimeaIn July, Russian military held exercises in the occupied Crimea.
In September 2019, Russia, together with Belarus, held the Union Shield 2019 military drills, which involved 230 tanks, 240 artillery systems, 190 multiple launch rocket systems, and up to 70 military aircraft and combat helicopters.


unian--2020-08-19--Kyiv mayor reports 215 new COVID-19 cases in past day

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has reached 10,945 .
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has said the number of confirmed coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases in the city rose sharply in the past day , that is , by 215 .
`` In the past day , another 215 residents of Kyiv tested positive for coronavirus , including six healthcare workers , '' Klitschko wrote on Telegram on August 19 .
`` As of today , the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 10,945 . ''
According to Klitschko , 110 women aged 18 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 83 among those infected .
Read alsoUkraine reports over 1,900 new COVID-19 cases on Aug 19 , setting new anti-recordFive girls ( from three to 17 years old ) and eight boys ( from one to 17 years old ) have tested positive .
Klitschko said 49 new patients had been hospitalized , while the rest were self-isolating , undergoing treatment at home under medical supervision .
Twenty-six people recovered from the disease in the past day , he said .
In total , 3,484 Kyiv residents have already recovered .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kyiv was registered in Darnytsky district ( 35 ) , Podilsky district ( 26 ) , and Desniansky district ( 22 ) .
The adaptive quarantine was introduced on August 1 .
Ukrainian regions were split into the red , green , orange , and yellow zones depending on hospital load , the average number of PCR and ELISA tests , the ascertainment rate of COVID-19 , and daily spread dynamics .
Quarantine-related curbs differ in each zone .
The mildest ones are in the green zone , the regions included in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictive measures .
Updated quarantine zoning became effective in Ukraine on August 17 .
Kyiv was included in the yellow zone .
In Ukrainian schools within the `` orange quarantine zone '' , teachers will be wearing protective face shields in class .

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has reached 10,945.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has said the number of confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the city rose sharply in the past day, that is, by 215.
"In the past day, another 215 residents of Kyiv tested positive for coronavirus, including six healthcare workers," Klitschko wrote on Telegram on August 19. "As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 10,945."
According to Klitschko, 110 women aged 18 to 90, and 92 men aged 18 to 83 among those infected.
Видео дня
Read alsoUkraine reports over 1,900 new COVID-19 cases on Aug 19, setting new anti-recordFive girls (from three to 17 years old) and eight boys (from one to 17 years old) have tested positive.
Klitschko said 49 new patients had been hospitalized, while the rest were self-isolating, undergoing treatment at home under medical supervision.
Twenty-six people recovered from the disease in the past day, he said.
In total, 3,484 Kyiv residents have already recovered.
The highest number of the new cases in Kyiv was registered in Darnytsky district (35), Podilsky district (26), and Desniansky district (22).
Quarantine in Ukraine
The adaptive quarantine was introduced on August 1. Ukrainian regions were split into the red, green, orange, and yellow zones depending on hospital load, the average number of PCR and ELISA tests, the ascertainment rate of COVID-19, and daily spread dynamics.
Quarantine-related curbs differ in each zone. The mildest ones are in the green zone, the regions included in the red zone have to introduce the toughest restrictive measures.
Updated quarantine zoning became effective in Ukraine on August 17. Kyiv was included in the yellow zone.
In Ukrainian schools within the "orange quarantine zone", teachers will be wearing protective face shields in class.


unian--2020-08-19--Printing hryvnia: Economy ministry elaborates on reasons behind inflation

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unian--2020-08-19--Flights to resume at Uzhgorod Airport as Ukraine, Slovakia reportedly settle border issues

The intergovernmental agreements are yet to be signed .
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says he agreed with his Slovakian counterpart the resumption of flights at Uzhgorod International Airport , which have been suspended over border line issues .
`` Discussed topical issues with the PM of Slovakia Igor Matovič .
Today we have given the light for resuming the operation of Uzhgorod Airport .
Deeply grateful to Mr. Matovič and for the continued support for sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine , '' Shmyhal wrote on Twitter on August 18 , 2020 .
Read alsoUkrainian airports ' passenger flow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intergovernmental agreements are yet to be signed later , the official added .
Regular flights from Uzhgorod Airport were suspended in early June 2018 .
At the end of the same year , the airport received a certificate from the European Aviation Safety Agency ( EASA ) .
Only on March 15 , 2019 , the airport resumed servicing regular flights after a break .
Yet , an intergovernmental agreement between Ukraine and the Slovak Republic is required for a full-fledged work since the runway ends just near the border line between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , planes technically cross into another country 's airspace .
On June 10 , the Ukrainian government approved a draft agreement on the use of part of the Slovak airspace at Uzhgorod Airport .

The intergovernmental agreements are yet to be signed.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says he agreed with his Slovakian counterpart the resumption of flights at Uzhgorod International Airport, which have been suspended over border line issues.
📞 Discussed topical issues with the PM of #Slovakia Igor Matovič. Today we have given the 🟢 light for resuming the operation of #Uzhhorod Airport. Deeply grateful to Mr. Matovič and 🇸🇰 for the continued support for sovereignty and territorial integrity of #Ukraine 🇺🇦 — Denys Shmyhal (@Denys_Shmyhal) August 18, 2020
"Discussed topical issues with the PM of Slovakia Igor Matovič. Today we have given the light for resuming the operation of Uzhgorod Airport. Deeply grateful to Mr. Matovič and for the continued support for sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine," Shmyhal wrote on Twitter on August 18, 2020.
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Read alsoUkrainian airports' passenger flow doubles in past five years – CTSThe intergovernmental agreements are yet to be signed later, the official added.
Uzhgorod Airport: background
Regular flights from Uzhgorod Airport were suspended in early June 2018. At the end of the same year, the airport received a certificate from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Only on March 15, 2019, the airport resumed servicing regular flights after a break.
Yet, an intergovernmental agreement between Ukraine and the Slovak Republic is required for a full-fledged work since the runway ends just near the border line between the two countries, so immediately after take-off, planes technically cross into another country's airspace.
On June 10, the Ukrainian government approved a draft agreement on the use of part of the Slovak airspace at Uzhgorod Airport.


unian--2020-08-19--Zelensky asked to evacuate Ukrainians from a refugee camp in Syria – media

Nearly a hundred Ukrainian citizens remain at the camp – all women and their underage children .
Head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Refat Chubarov has appealed to President Volodymyr Zelensky to facilitate the return of Ukrainians , who he says had been for more than a year awaiting evacuation from the Al-Hol refugee camp in Syria .
There are about a hundred Ukrainian nationals staying in the camp – women and their underage children , Krym.Realii reports citing Chubarov .
`` I would like to draw your attention to the fact that we are talking exclusively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Ukraine .
International organizations refer to conditions in the Al-Hol camp as humanitarian crisis : there 's shortage of food , water , and medical assistance ; children are dying of disease .
Ten to twenty people die there every day , '' the appeal says .
Read alsoRussian wars in Ukraine , Syria showed how to bully EU – mediaChubarov pointed out that back in May 2019 , a working group was created under the Cabinet of Ministers to coordinate the actions of the agencies dealing in the matter .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of joint work , all necessary steps had been taken to prepare for the evacuation of Ukrainian citizens , but the evacuation never took place .
Of all this and other circumstances that are not subject to public discussion , I twice sent you letters – in December 2019 and in July 2020 , '' the head of the Mejlis added .
Chubarov claims that every week , the Mejlis receives appeals from Ukrainian citizens awaiting their return home .
The Office of the President has so far not responded to Chubarov 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , Refat Chubarov reported of 21 women and 54 children , all citizens of Ukraine , who had been forced to live `` in difficult conditions in areas with destroyed infrastructure '' in Syria .
They had asked the Ukrainian government to bring them back to Ukraine .
A civil war has been raging in Syria since 2011 .
It has already killed nearly 400,000 people .
Read alsoNew evidence published of Russian mercenaries torturing , killing Syrian man – mediaIn April , dozens were killed in a tanker bomb blas tin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkish-backed rebels .
In March , Russian troops , supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad 's regime , bombed a chicken farm near Marrat Misrina , the location hosting refugees from other areas .
As a result of the attack , 16 civilians were killed and at least 18 – injured .
In February , Turkish army launched a military operation and opened artillery fire on the forces controlled by Bashar al-Assad 's government .

Nearly a hundred Ukrainian citizens remain at the camp – all women and their underage children.
Head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Refat Chubarov has appealed to President Volodymyr Zelensky to facilitate the return of Ukrainians, who he says had been for more than a year awaiting evacuation from the Al-Hol refugee camp in Syria.
There are about a hundred Ukrainian nationals staying in the camp – women and their underage children, Krym.Realii reports citing Chubarov.
"I would like to draw your attention to the fact that we are talking exclusively about women and their children – citizens of Ukraine. International organizations refer to conditions in the Al-Hol camp as humanitarian crisis: there's shortage of food, water, and medical assistance; children are dying of disease. Ten to twenty people die there every day," the appeal says.
Видео дня
Read alsoRussian wars in Ukraine, Syria showed how to bully EU – mediaChubarov pointed out that back in May 2019, a working group was created under the Cabinet of Ministers to coordinate the actions of the agencies dealing in the matter.
"I must note that for several months of joint work, all necessary steps had been taken to prepare for the evacuation of Ukrainian citizens, but the evacuation never took place. Of all this and other circumstances that are not subject to public discussion, I twice sent you letters – in December 2019 and in July 2020," the head of the Mejlis added.
Chubarov claims that every week, the Mejlis receives appeals from Ukrainian citizens awaiting their return home.
The Office of the President has so far not responded to Chubarov's appeal, Krym.Realii notes.
Ukrainians at a refugee camp in Syria: background
In March 2019, Refat Chubarov reported of 21 women and 54 children, all citizens of Ukraine, who had been forced to live "in difficult conditions in areas with destroyed infrastructure" in Syria. They had asked the Ukrainian government to bring them back to Ukraine.
Civil war in Syria: latest developments
A civil war has been raging in Syria since 2011. It has already killed nearly 400,000 people.
Read alsoNew evidence published of Russian mercenaries torturing, killing Syrian man – mediaIn April, dozens were killed in a tanker bomb blast in the city of Afrin, controlled by Turkish-backed rebels.
In March, Russian troops, supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, bombed a chicken farm near Marrat Misrina, the location hosting refugees from other areas. As a result of the attack, 16 civilians were killed and at least 18 – injured.
In February, Turkish army launched a military operation and opened artillery fire on the forces controlled by Bashar al-Assad's government.


unian--2020-08-19--Ukraine sees population drop by over 140,000 in H1

In the reporting period , 139,134 children were born against 149,549 reported last year .
The population of Ukraine in January-June 2020 ( H1 ) shrank by 140,300 , amounting to 41.762 million as of July 1 , 2020 , the State Statistics Service reported .
In the reporting period , 139,134 children were born against 149,549 reported last year , the stats agency says .
A natural population decline was recorded by 147,876 in the first six months of the year , while in January-June 2019 , the natural decline was a bit higher , amounting to 154,781 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic – mediaThe number of people who moved to Ukraine during the reporting period exceeded by 7,598 the number of those who left the country .
In January-June 2019 , this indicator amounted to more than 11,643 people .
The stats agency also notes a significant excess of the number of deaths over the number of newborns : it 's 48 newborns per 100 deaths .
Data covers all regions of Ukraine but the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol .
Data on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without taking into account the temporarily occupied territories in Donetsk and Luhansk regions , the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol .
The population of Ukraine in January-May 2020 shrank by 116,700 , amounting to 41.785 million as of June 1 , 2020 , the State Statistics Service reported .
In 2019 , Ukrainian population decreased by 251,000 , to 41.9 million .

In the reporting period, 139,134 children were born against 149,549 reported last year.
The population of Ukraine in January-June 2020 (H1) shrank by 140,300, amounting to 41.762 million as of July 1, 2020, the State Statistics Service reported.
In the reporting period, 139,134 children were born against 149,549 reported last year, the stats agency says.
A natural population decline was recorded by 147,876 in the first six months of the year, while in January-June 2019, the natural decline was a bit higher, amounting to 154,781.
Видео дня
Read alsoNational census in Ukraine postponed over coronavirus pandemic – mediaThe number of people who moved to Ukraine during the reporting period exceeded by 7,598 the number of those who left the country. In January-June 2019, this indicator amounted to more than 11,643 people.
The stats agency also notes a significant excess of the number of deaths over the number of newborns: it's 48 newborns per 100 deaths.
Data covers all regions of Ukraine but the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.
Data on the natural population and migration movement is generated without taking into account the temporarily occupied territories in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.
Ukraine population: background
The population of Ukraine in January-May 2020 shrank by 116,700, amounting to 41.785 million as of June 1, 2020, the State Statistics Service reported.
In 2019, Ukrainian population decreased by 251,000, to 41.9 million.


unian--2020-08-19--Tikhanovskaya urges European Council not to recognize election results in Belarus

Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , the rival of the long-time leader Alexander Lukashenko , has urged the European Council not to recognize the results of the latest presidential election .
`` The August 9th elections were neither fair , nor transparent .
The results were falsified , '' Tikhanovskaya said in English , in a video address published on YouTube .
`` People , who went out to defend their vote in the streets of their cities all across Belarus , were brutally beaten , imprisoned and tortured by the regime desperately clinging onto power .
Hundreds were injured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives .
This is taking place right now in the middle of Europe .
I call on you not to recognize these fraudulent elections , '' she said in the address posted on the Strana dlya Zhizni [ Country for Life ] YouTube channel Lukashenko 's rival had recently been using as a media platform .
Read alsoStoltenberg : NATO poses no threat to BelarusLukashenko has lost legitimacy , Tikhanovskaya claims , `` in the eyes of our nation and the world . ''
`` In order to facilitate a peaceful transition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initiated the National Coordination Council of Belarus .
It will lead the process of peaceful transition of power via dialogue .
It will immediately call for a new fair and democratic presidential elections with international supervision , '' Tikhanovskaya said .
On August 9 , presidential elections were held in Belarus .
The country 's Central Election Commission announced the final election results .
In particular , 80.1 % of voters supported incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko , 10.1 % voted for Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , 1.67 % for Anna Kanopatskaya , 1.2 % for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sergei Cherechnya .
Some 4.59 % voted against all candidates .
Thousands of residents of Belarus took to the streets to protest what they believe is a rigged vote count .
Riot police violently cracked down on protesters .
Belarus ' Ministry of Internal Affairs said about 7,000 protesters had been detained in different cities since August 9 .
On the evening of August 13 , the authorities started to release detainees .
Read alsoLukashenko to protesters : `` No new vote unless you kill me '' According to human rights activists , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clashes with riot police , seven more remain in critical condition in hospitals ' intensive care units .
Activists say about 200-300 people were detained as political prisoners .
Lukashenko has repeatedly warned against meddling in Belarus ' domestic affairs .
He had phone calls with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin .
As a result , the Kremlin assured they were ready to provide `` comprehensive assistance '' to Belarus .
On August 14 , the European Union announced it did not recognize the outcome of the presidential election in Belarus , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over electoral fraud and violence against protesters .

Lukashenko has lost legitimacy, his rival claims.
Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, the rival of the long-time leader Alexander Lukashenko, has urged the European Council not to recognize the results of the latest presidential election.
"The August 9th elections were neither fair, nor transparent. The results were falsified," Tikhanovskaya said in English, in a video address published on YouTube.
"People, who went out to defend their vote in the streets of their cities all across Belarus, were brutally beaten, imprisoned and tortured by the regime desperately clinging onto power. Hundreds were injured, at least two people lost their lives. This is taking place right now in the middle of Europe. I call on you not to recognize these fraudulent elections," she said in the address posted on the Strana dlya Zhizni [Country for Life] YouTube channel Lukashenko's rival had recently been using as a media platform.
Read alsoStoltenberg: NATO poses no threat to BelarusLukashenko has lost legitimacy, Tikhanovskaya claims, "in the eyes of our nation and the world."
"In order to facilitate a peaceful transition of power in my country, I have initiated the National Coordination Council of Belarus. It will lead the process of peaceful transition of power via dialogue. It will immediately call for a new fair and democratic presidential elections with international supervision," Tikhanovskaya said.
Belarus protests: Developments
On August 9, presidential elections were held in Belarus.
The country's Central Election Commission announced the final election results. In particular, 80.1% of voters supported incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko, 10.1% voted for Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, 1.67% for Anna Kanopatskaya, 1.2% for Andrey Dmitriev, and 1.14% for Sergei Cherechnya. Some 4.59% voted against all candidates.
Thousands of residents of Belarus took to the streets to protest what they believe is a rigged vote count. Riot police violently cracked down on protesters.
Belarus' Ministry of Internal Affairs said about 7,000 protesters had been detained in different cities since August 9. On the evening of August 13, the authorities started to release detainees.
Read alsoLukashenko to protesters: "No new vote unless you kill me"According to human rights activists, at least five people were killed during clashes with riot police, seven more remain in critical condition in hospitals' intensive care units. Activists say about 200-300 people were detained as political prisoners.
Lukashenko has repeatedly warned against meddling in Belarus' domestic affairs. He had phone calls with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. As a result, the Kremlin assured they were ready to provide "comprehensive assistance" to Belarus.
On August 14, the European Union announced it did not recognize the outcome of the presidential election in Belarus, and that work had begun to introduce sanctions over electoral fraud and violence against protesters.


unian--2020-08-19--Ukraine decries allegations of "special operation" to arrest Wagner PMC troops as "fake story"

They were `` invented by Russians , and the goal was to turn everyone against us , '' the official stresses .
Allegations about the `` disruption of a special operation '' by Ukraine 's intelligence aimed to arrest Wagner PMC militants are nothing but `` media provocation '' , says an advisor to the Ukrainian President 's Office chief , Mykhailo Podoliak .
On August 18 , editor-in-chief of the Censor.Net outlet , Yuriy Butusov , took to Facebook to allege , citing unnamed sources , that the situation with the emergence of Wagner PMC 's mercenaries in Belarus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the SBU Security Service Of Ukraine and the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense , aimed to arrest and prosecute the men who committed crimes in the Donbas warzone .
The plan allegedly was to first trick them into boasting of own crimes and then lure them into one group under the pretext of another contract job overseas where they would travel transiting Belarus before eventually make a plane carrying the group land in Ukraine to detain the men .
Read alsoBloody trail of Russian military in Libya – mediaThe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Belarusian law enforcers arrested the whole group as the men were allegedly waiting for a transit flight '' .
The raid was allegedly a result of a leak to a foreign power that came from the President 's Office following a last-minute report by Ukraine intel chiefs on operation plans .
The story this way fits Russia 's line of defense claiming Moscow had no plans to destabilize Belarus in the heat of election campaign , using mercenaries with combat experience to do provocations and sow chaos .
In response to allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the logistics and deployment to any war is a very complex procedure so there can never be some random recruiter there ... Secondly , the new head of the GUR [ military intelligence ] Budanov , who barely got rid of [ former chief Vasyl ] Burba ( not completely , I figure ) , says there is no paperwork in the agency on such mission ... Thirdly , the entire media part of this story was initially launched by the Russian site of the KP [ Komsomolskaya Pravda ] .
Details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... For what aim ?
... Fourthly , certain outlets here [ in Ukraine ] started happily spinning the story without any verification .
First of all , these are the outlets that in one way or another were focused on 'leaks ' coming from Burba , '' Podoliak wrote on Facebook .
According to the advisor , `` it is quite possible to say that the externally-designed media provocation was picked up in Ukraine by an offended individual with certain media capabilities . ''
`` Fifthly , what would be the ultimate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real ?
The capture of the Wagner men would definitely mean a direct conflict with Belarusians , Europeans , Turks ( who would also be suspected of complicity ) [ the plane carrying the group was allegedly bound for Turkey ] .
And this would be the pretext for Russia to abandon the [ Donbas ] truce .
With the Republic of Belarus ( at that time it was not yet engulfed in protests ) it would almost be like declaring an act of war , '' Podoliak noted .
As he added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this media 'evil ' was invented by Russians , and the goal was to turn everyone against us . ''
`` The emphasis is solely on the media component and the loser attitude of a part of our society .
Sometimes we crave so much to offend certain leaders that we do n't care about the logic ...
There 's no doubt that as a result of all this brilliant act , designed by someone from beyond , we would get in parallel lines ( to Belarus ) our own burning streets situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On August 5 , President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Vasyl Burba from the top post in military intelligence , appointing Kyrylo Budanov to replace him .
In his post , Yuriy Butusov alleged that the president had sacked the intelligence chief for his demands to investigate the possible leak .
On July 29 , 2020 , a group of militants with the Wagner PMC were detained in Belarus , 32 – outside Minsk , another one – in the south of the country .
Among them were those who fought against Ukraine in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement , they had been tipped about the deployment of over 200 militants to destabilize the country amid the election campaign .
Belarus turned to the Ukrainian authorities to verify the involvement of the detainees in crimes committed in Ukraine .
On July 30 , Ukraine began consultations with Belarus on the extradition .
On August 7 , President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus said Ukraine must prove the guilt of the detained mercenaries to seal extradition .
On August 9 , Lukashenko said he had received a five-page letter from Vladimir Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detention of Wagner troops .
On August 11 , the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine sent inquiries to their Belarus counterparts appealing for the extradition of 28 fighters with the Wagner PMC .
All 28 , including nine citizens of Ukraine , had been charged with participation in a terrorist organization .
On August 14 , Belarus handed 32 Wagner troops over to Russia .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Belarus ' move a `` strange , politically incorrect , and definitely unacceptable thing to do in friendly interstate relations .
@

They were "invented by Russians, and the goal was to turn everyone against us," the official stresses.
Allegations about the "disruption of a special operation" by Ukraine's intelligence aimed to arrest Wagner PMC militants are nothing but "media provocation", says an advisor to the Ukrainian President's Office chief, Mykhailo Podoliak.
Nature of allegations
On August 18, editor-in-chief of the Censor.Net outlet, Yuriy Butusov, took to Facebook to allege, citing unnamed sources, that the situation with the emergence of Wagner PMC's mercenaries in Belarus was part of a secret operation conducted by the SBU Security Service Of Ukraine and the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, aimed to arrest and prosecute the men who committed crimes in the Donbas warzone.
Видео дня
The plan allegedly was to first trick them into boasting of own crimes and then lure them into one group under the pretext of another contract job overseas where they would travel transiting Belarus before eventually make a plane carrying the group land in Ukraine to detain the men.
Read alsoBloody trail of Russian military in Libya – mediaThe mission, Butusov alleges, has failed after Belarusian law enforcers arrested the whole group as the men were allegedly waiting for a transit flight".
The raid was allegedly a result of a leak to a foreign power that came from the President's Office following a last-minute report by Ukraine intel chiefs on operation plans.
The story this way fits Russia's line of defense claiming Moscow had no plans to destabilize Belarus in the heat of election campaign, using mercenaries with combat experience to do provocations and sow chaos.
Allegations denounced
In response to allegations, the advisor wrote: "Firstly, the logistics and deployment to any war is a very complex procedure so there can never be some random recruiter there... Secondly, the new head of the GUR [military intelligence] Budanov, who barely got rid of [former chief Vasyl] Burba (not completely, I figure), says there is no paperwork in the agency on such mission... Thirdly, the entire media part of this story was initially launched by the Russian site of the KP [Komsomolskaya Pravda]. Details, conclusions, essence of the story... For what aim?... Fourthly, certain outlets here [in Ukraine] started happily spinning the story without any verification. First of all, these are the outlets that in one way or another were focused on 'leaks' coming from Burba," Podoliak wrote on Facebook.
According to the advisor, "it is quite possible to say that the externally-designed media provocation was picked up in Ukraine by an offended individual with certain media capabilities."
"Fifthly, what would be the ultimate goal of that operation if it were real? The capture of the Wagner men would definitely mean a direct conflict with Belarusians, Europeans, Turks (who would also be suspected of complicity) [the plane carrying the group was allegedly bound for Turkey]. And this would be the pretext for Russia to abandon the [Donbas] truce. With the Republic of Belarus (at that time it was not yet engulfed in protests) it would almost be like declaring an act of war," Podoliak noted.
As he added, "it is obvious that all this media 'evil' was invented by Russians, and the goal was to turn everyone against us."
"The emphasis is solely on the media component and the loser attitude of a part of our society. Sometimes we crave so much to offend certain leaders that we don't care about the logic... There's no doubt that as a result of all this brilliant act, designed by someone from beyond, we would get in parallel lines (to Belarus) our own burning streets situation in our country," emphasized Podolyak.
Latest intelligence reshuffle
On August 5, President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Vasyl Burba from the top post in military intelligence, appointing Kyrylo Budanov to replace him.
In his post, Yuriy Butusov alleged that the president had sacked the intelligence chief for his demands to investigate the possible leak.
Wagner PMC troops in Belarus: background
On July 29, 2020, a group of militants with the Wagner PMC were detained in Belarus, 32 – outside Minsk, another one – in the south of the country.
Among them were those who fought against Ukraine in the Donbas war.
According to Belarusian law enforcement, they had been tipped about the deployment of over 200 militants to destabilize the country amid the election campaign.
Belarus turned to the Ukrainian authorities to verify the involvement of the detainees in crimes committed in Ukraine.
On July 30, Ukraine began consultations with Belarus on the extradition.
On August 7, President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus said Ukraine must prove the guilt of the detained mercenaries to seal extradition.
On August 9, Lukashenko said he had received a five-page letter from Vladimir Putin with information on the situation around the detention of Wagner troops.
On August 11, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine sent inquiries to their Belarus counterparts appealing for the extradition of 28 fighters with the Wagner PMC. All 28, including nine citizens of Ukraine, had been charged with participation in a terrorist organization.
On August 14, Belarus handed 32 Wagner troops over to Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Belarus' move a "strange, politically incorrect, and definitely unacceptable thing to do in friendly interstate relations."


unian--2020-08-19--"May God save us": Mali president resigns, dissolves parliament amid coup – media

It comes hours after he and Prime Minister Boubou Cissé were taken to a military camp near the capital Bamako , drawing condemnation from regional powers and France .
Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta has resigned , after being detained by soldiers on Tuesday , state TV reports .
In a televised address , Mr. Keïta said he was also dissolving the government and parliament , the BBC reported .
`` I want no blood to be spilled to keep me in power , '' he added .
It comes hours after he and Prime Minister Boubou Cissé were taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bamako , drawing condemnation from regional powers and France .
Read alsoRussia setting up military bases in Africa – German intel report '' If today , certain elements of our armed forces want this to end through their intervention , do I really have a choice ? ''
said Mr. Keïta .
`` I hold no hatred towards anyone , my love of my country does not allow me to , '' he added .
`` May God save us . ''
Earlier , the mutinying soldiers took control of the Kati camp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speaker of the National Assembly , the foreign and finance ministers were reported to be among the other officials detained .
Kati camp was also the focus of a mutiny in 2012 by soldiers angry at the inability of the senior commanders to stop jihadists and Tuareg rebels taking control of northern Mali .
Read alsoLukashenko to protesters : `` No new vote unless you kill me '' When news first broke of the mutiny , the United Nations and African Union both called for the release of those held by the soldiers @

It comes hours after he and Prime Minister Boubou Cissé were taken to a military camp near the capital Bamako, drawing condemnation from regional powers and France.
Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta has resigned, after being detained by soldiers on Tuesday, state TV reports.
In a televised address, Mr. Keïta said he was also dissolving the government and parliament, the BBC reported.
"I want no blood to be spilled to keep me in power," he added.
Видео дня
It comes hours after he and Prime Minister Boubou Cissé were taken to a military camp near the capital Bamako, drawing condemnation from regional powers and France.
Read alsoRussia setting up military bases in Africa – German intel report"If today, certain elements of our armed forces want this to end through their intervention, do I really have a choice?" said Mr. Keïta.
"I hold no hatred towards anyone, my love of my country does not allow me to," he added. "May God save us."
Mutiny in Mali
Earlier, the mutinying soldiers took control of the Kati camp. The president's son, the speaker of the National Assembly, the foreign and finance ministers were reported to be among the other officials detained.
Kati camp was also the focus of a mutiny in 2012 by soldiers angry at the inability of the senior commanders to stop jihadists and Tuareg rebels taking control of northern Mali.
Read alsoLukashenko to protesters: "No new vote unless you kill me"When news first broke of the mutiny, the United Nations and African Union both called for the release of those held by the soldiers.


unian--2020-08-19--Ukraine reports over 1,900 new COVID-19 cases on Aug 19, setting new anti-record

The total number of confirmed cases grew to 96,403 .
Ukraine said 1,967 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of August 19 , 2020 , the highest daily rise ever reported .
The total number of confirmed cases grew to 96,403 .
As many as 49,737 patients , including 812 in the past day , have recovered , as seen on the interactive map compiled by the National Security and Defense Council .
The pandemic has taken 2,144 lives with 28 fatalities recorded over the past day .
In total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) tests have been run since the outbreak .
The overall incidence per region is as follows : 10,945 in the city of Kyiv ; Read alsoTown in Ukraine 's Lviv region refuses to toughen coronavirus quarantineData from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , the city of Sevastopol , parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available .
COVID-19 tests were run by the Public Health Center 's virological reference laboratory and regional laboratories .
As of the morning of August 19 , 2020 , the Center had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In total , there have been 154,246 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020 .
The adaptive quarantine was introduced on August 1 .
Ukrainian regions were split into the red , green , orange zones depending on hospital load , the average number of PCR and ELISA tests , the ascertainment rate of COVID-19 , and daily spread dynamics .
Quarantine-related curbs differ in each zone .
The mildest ones are in the green zone , the regions included in the red zone have to introduce the toughest restrictive measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine on August 17 .
Kyiv was included in the yellow zone .
In Ukrainian schools within the `` orange quarantine zone '' , teachers will be wearing protective face shields in class .

The total number of confirmed cases grew to 96,403.
Ukraine said 1,967 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of August 19, 2020, the highest daily rise ever reported.
The total number of confirmed cases grew to 96,403.
As many as 49,737 patients, including 812 in the past day, have recovered, as seen on the interactive map compiled by the National Security and Defense Council.
Видео дня
The pandemic has taken 2,144 lives with 28 fatalities recorded over the past day.
In total, 1,335,000 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests have been run since the outbreak.
The overall incidence per region is as follows:
3,323 cases in Vinnytsia region;
4,878 in Volyn region;
1,816 in Dnipropetrovsk region;
1,122 in Donetsk region (Ukrainian-controlled districts);
2,536 in Zhytomyr region;
6,552 in Zakarpattia region;
1,179 in Zaporizhia region;
7,122 in Ivano-Frankivsk region;
748 in Kirovohrad region;
10,945 in the city of Kyiv;
4,685 in Kyiv region;
12,448 in Lviv region;
194 in Luhansk region (Ukrainian-controlled districts);
857 in Mykolaiv region;
5,281 in Odesa region;
582 in Poltava region;
7,953 in Rivne region;
1,023 in Sumy region;
4,001 in Ternopil region;
6,607 in Kharkiv region;
312 in Kherson region;
1,678 in Khmelnytsky region;
8,108 in Chernivtsi region;
1,175 in Cherkasy region;
1,278 in Chernihiv region.
Read alsoTown in Ukraine's Lviv region refuses to toughen coronavirus quarantineData from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available.
COVID-19 tests were run by the Public Health Center's virological reference laboratory and regional laboratories. As of the morning of August 19, 2020, the Center had received 2,361 reports of suspected cases. In total, there have been 154,246 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020.
Quarantine in Ukraine
The adaptive quarantine was introduced on August 1. Ukrainian regions were split into the red, green, orange zones depending on hospital load, the average number of PCR and ELISA tests, the ascertainment rate of COVID-19, and daily spread dynamics.
Quarantine-related curbs differ in each zone. The mildest ones are in the green zone, the regions included in the red zone have to introduce the toughest restrictive measures.
Updated quarantine zoning became effective in Ukraine on August 17. Kyiv was included in the yellow zone.
In Ukrainian schools within the "orange quarantine zone", teachers will be wearing protective face shields in class.


unian--2020-08-19--Reuters: Britain to lead training program for Ukrainian Navy

The training will be undertaken by naval personnel from Sweden , Canada and Denmark .
Britain will lead a multinational program to help train the Ukrainian Navy , the Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday , seeking to bolster security in the region and improve Ukraineэs ability to defend itself against Russia .
`` The Maritime Training Initiative will enable even closer collaboration with the NATO Alliance and Armed Forces around the world , and allows us to build on Ukraine 's new NATO Enhanced Opportunities Partner status , '' defence minister Ben Wallace said during a visit to Kyiv @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be undertaken by naval personnel from Sweden , Canada and Denmark in areas such as navigation , operational planning , military diving , sea surveillance , fire-fighting and damage control .
British Royal Navy ships will also visit the region later this year .
The naval training initiative , and the resumption of an existing army training program that was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic , would be complemented by security assistance support provided by the United States , the MoD said .
`` This will further enhance Ukraine 's capabilities and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more effectively defend itself against Russian aggression , '' the MoD statement said .

The training will be undertaken by naval personnel from Sweden, Canada and Denmark.
Britain will lead a multinational program to help train the Ukrainian Navy, the Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday, seeking to bolster security in the region and improve Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russia.
"The Maritime Training Initiative will enable even closer collaboration with the NATO Alliance and Armed Forces around the world, and allows us to build on Ukraine's new NATO Enhanced Opportunities Partner status," defence minister Ben Wallace said during a visit to Kyiv, according to Reuters.
Read alsoOver 18,100 members of Ukraine's Armed Forces trained by UK's Operation ORBITAL
Видео дня
The training will be undertaken by naval personnel from Sweden, Canada and Denmark in areas such as navigation, operational planning, military diving, sea surveillance, fire-fighting and damage control.
British Royal Navy ships will also visit the region later this year.
The naval training initiative, and the resumption of an existing army training program that was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, would be complemented by security assistance support provided by the United States, the MoD said.
"This will further enhance Ukraine's capabilities and situational awareness in the maritime domain to more effectively defend itself against Russian aggression," the MoD statement said.


unian--2020-08-19--Hryvnia strengthens to UAH 27.23 to U.S. dollar on Aug 19

Hryvnia strengthens to UAH 27.23 to U.S. dollar on Aug 19
10:00, 19.08.20 13023
The official forex rate against the euro for Wednesday has been fixed at UAH 32.50 per euro.
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unian--2020-08-19--Russia's FSB plane reportedly lands in Minsk – media

The aircraft is part of the Russian Federation 's Special Flight Squadron .
A Tu-214PU aircraft belonging to Russia 's FSB Federal Security Service has arrived in the city of Minsk , Belarus , amid ongoing protests across that country .
`` A few minutes ago , a Tu-214PU ( serial number 523 , registration number RA-64523 ) belonging to the Russian FSB landed in Minsk .
Presumably , this is a special communications plane , designed to fly in a circle around certain points during field visits of the Russian Federation 's top officials , '' the Belarusian Telegram @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to Novaya Gazeta , the aircraft , which belongs to Russia 's Special Flight Squadron , may have been used by Russian FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov .
In 2015 , when Bortnikov took part in a summit on countering extremism in Washington , D.C. , the same plane had reportedly arrived in the U.S. capital .
• On August 9 , presidential elections were held in Belarus .
• The country 's Central Election Commission announced the final election results .
In particular , 80.1 % of voters supported incumbent President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , 1.67 % for Anna Kanopatskaya , 1.2 % for Andrey Dmitriev , and 1.14 % for Sergei Cherechnya .
Some 4.59 % voted against all candidates .
• Thousands of residents of Belarus took to the streets to protest what they believe is a rigged vote count .
Riot police violently cracked down on protesters .
• Belarus ' Ministry of Internal Affairs said about 7,000 protesters had been detained in different cities since August 9 .
On the evening of August 13 , the authorities started to release detainees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , at least five people were killed during clashes with riot police , seven more are in critical condition in intensive care units .
The activists say about 200-300 people were detained as political prisoners .
• Lukashenko has repeatedly warned against meddling in Belarus ' domestic affairs .
He had phone calls with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin .
As a result , the Kremlin assured it was ready to provide `` assistance in solving the problems '' in Belarus .
• On August 14 , the European Union announced it did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections in Belarus and said work had begun to introduce sanctions over electoral fraud and violence against protesters .

The aircraft is part of the Russian Federation's Special Flight Squadron.
A Tu-214PU aircraft belonging to Russia's FSB Federal Security Service has arrived in the city of Minsk, Belarus, amid ongoing protests across that country.
"A few minutes ago, a Tu-214PU (serial number 523, registration number RA-64523) belonging to the Russian FSB landed in Minsk. Presumably, this is a special communications plane, designed to fly in a circle around certain points during field visits of the Russian Federation's top officials," the Belarusian Telegram channel NEXTA Live said late on Tuesday.
The aircraft arrived from Moscow.
Видео дня
According to Novaya Gazeta, the aircraft, which belongs to Russia's Special Flight Squadron, may have been used by Russian FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov. In 2015, when Bortnikov took part in a summit on countering extremism in Washington, D.C., the same plane had reportedly arrived in the U.S. capital.
Belarus protests in brief


unian--2020-08-19--Donbas warzone update: No shots fired over past day

No casualties have been reported .
Ukraine has reported no ceasefire violations in the Joint Forces Operation zone ( JFO @ @ @ @ @ Donbas on Tuesday , August 18 .
There have been no casualties , the JFO @ @ @ @ @ update on Facebook on Wednesday , August 19 .
The Ukrainian military continue adhering to @ @ @ @ @ ready to respond to any enemy attack , the report said .
Read alsoRussia continues @ @ @ @ @ hardware to occupied Donbas – intelligenceSince Wednesday midnight , the parties have so far also @ @ @ @ @ ceasefire .
Since midnight on July 27 , a full and comprehensive ceasefire has been @ @ @ @ @ line in the zone of the Joint Forces Operation in Donbas .
Since the start @ @ @ @ @ there have been no combat losses or injuries among the Ukrainian military , according to @ @ @

No casualties have been reported.
Ukraine has reported no ceasefire violations in the Joint Forces Operation zone (JFO) in eastern Ukraine's Donbas on Tuesday, August 18.
There have been no casualties, the JFO Command said in a morning update on Facebook on Wednesday, August 19.
The Ukrainian military continue adhering to the ceasefire, while remaining ready to respond to any enemy attack, the report said.
Видео дня
Read alsoRussia continues to supply weapons, military hardware to occupied Donbas – intelligenceSince Wednesday midnight, the parties have so far also been observing full and comprehensive ceasefire.
Latest Donbas truce
Since midnight on July 27, a full and comprehensive ceasefire has been in force along the contact line in the zone of the Joint Forces Operation in Donbas.
Since the start of the latest truce, there have been no combat losses or injuries among the Ukrainian military, according to official reports.


unian--2020-08-19--Cyberpolice bust scheme of money-laundering through cryptocurrencies

Cyberpolice bust scheme of money-laundering through cryptocurrencies
09:00, 19.08.20 2290
Members of the criminal group are facing up to eight years in prison.
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unian--2020-08-20--Ukraine's Statistics Service: A mere 6.5% of Ukrainians earn US$1,000+ per month

One in five earns from US $ 183-US $ 220 .
Ukraine 's State Statistics Service says a mere 6.5 @ @ @ @ @ $ 1,000 and more per month .
`` Over 6.5 % of working Ukrainians get @ @ @ @ @ US $ 915 at the current forex rate as of August 20 ) , '' @ @ @ @ @ news service TSN reported .
Most often , it said , one in five earns @ @ @ @ @ $ 183 ) to UAH 6,000 ( US $ 220 ) .
`` According to @ @ @ @ @ average salary in Ukraine in June was UAH 11,000 ( US $ 403 ) , @ @ @ @ @ UNIAN reported earlier , President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky proposed holding a special parliament meeting @ @ @ @ @ on a bill to increase the minimum wage .

Ukraine's Statistics Service: A mere 6.5% of Ukrainians earn US$1,000+ per month
00:58, 20.08.20 3823
One in five earns from US$183-US$220.
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unian--2020-08-19--Lithuania to impose travel ban on Lukashenko

A list of national sanctions against the Belarusian regime has been drawn up .
Lithuania is to impose a travel ban on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko .
This was announced by Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius , the news outlet Delfi reported .
According to him , Lithuania has prepared a list of national sanctions against the Belarusian regime .
It was submitted for approval to the Ministry of Internal Affairs .
It lists the names of more than three dozen people .
`` We will not disclose the names .
I will only say that there are 32 names @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from those structures that are to be liable – security forces , i.e .
OMON ( riot police ) , the KGB , the election commission , '' the minister said .
The sanctions include travel bans , and the country 's Interior Ministry is to enact them .
• On August 9 , presidential elections were held in Belarus .
The country 's Central Election Commission announced the final election results .
In particular , 80.1 % of voters supported incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko , 10.1 % voted for Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % for Andrey Dmitriev , and 1.14 % for Sergei Cherechnya .
Some 4.59 % voted against all candidates .
• Thousands of residents of Belarus took to the streets to protest what they believe is a rigged vote count .
Riot police violently cracked down on protesters .
• Belarus ' Ministry of Internal Affairs said about 7,000 protesters had been detained in different cities since August 9 .
On the evening of August 13 , the authorities started to release detainees .
• On August 14 , the European Union announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidential elections in Belarus and said work had begun to introduce sanctions over electoral fraud and violence against protesters .
• The March of Freedom , the largest protest in the history of Belarus , took place on August 16 in Minsk .
Hundreds of thousands of people joined in .

A list of national sanctions against the Belarusian regime has been drawn up.
Lithuania is to impose a travel ban on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
This was announced by Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius, the news outlet Delfi reported.
Read alsoCoordination Council of Belarusian opposition voices requirements
Видео дня
According to him, Lithuania has prepared a list of national sanctions against the Belarusian regime. It was submitted for approval to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It lists the names of more than three dozen people.
"We will not disclose the names. I will only say that there are 32 names, including Alexander Lukashenko and other officials from those structures that are to be liable – security forces, i.e. OMON (riot police), the KGB, the election commission," the minister said.
The sanctions include travel bans, and the country's Interior Ministry is to enact them.
Belarus protests in brief


unian--2020-08-19--Coordination Council of Belarusian opposition voices requirements

Its demands include the release of all political prisoners .
The Coordination Council for the Transfer of Power in Belarus has voiced its main requirements .
A resolution issued following the first meeting of the council 's presidium was posted on the KYKY Kuluary Telegram channel .
Read alsoEU leaders agree to slap sanctions against Belarus over rigged vote results The Coordination Council says their main goal is `` to find ways to overcome the political crisis in Belarus and ensure harmony in society , '' rather than to change the country 's policy or constitutional order .
• End @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation into the incident ; • Release of all political prisoners and payment of compensation to victims ; • Non-recognition of the presidential elections on August 9 and the announcement of new elections according to international standards with a new composition of all election commissions , including the Central Election Commission .
The members of the presidium called on the Belarusian authorities to immediately begin negotiations with the opposition and warned that until new elections are called , the people of Belarus will continue to exercise their rights to strike , peaceful actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council of the Opposition and Lukashenko • On August 14 , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya announced the creation of the Coordination Council .
According to her , it will help transfer power in Belarus .
More than 30 Belarusians are included in it .
• Incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko said that he considers the Coordinating Council , which was announced by the Opposition , to be `` the seizure of power with all that it implies . ''
• On August 19 , the Coordination Council of the Belarusian opposition elected its presidium .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sergey Dylevsky , Maxim Znak , Olga Kovalkova , Maria Kolesnikova , Pavel Latushko .

Its demands include the release of all political prisoners.
The Coordination Council for the Transfer of Power in Belarus has voiced its main requirements.
A resolution issued following the first meeting of the council's presidium was posted on the KYKY Kuluary Telegram channel.
Read alsoEU leaders agree to slap sanctions against Belarus over rigged vote results
Видео дня
The Coordination Council says their main goal is "to find ways to overcome the political crisis in Belarus and ensure harmony in society," rather than to change the country's policy or constitutional order.
The Coordinating Council demands:
End of violence and political persecution, an investigation into the incident;
Release of all political prisoners and payment of compensation to victims;
Non-recognition of the presidential elections on August 9 and the announcement of new elections according to international standards with a new composition of all election commissions, including the Central Election Commission.
The members of the presidium called on the Belarusian authorities to immediately begin negotiations with the opposition and warned that until new elections are called, the people of Belarus will continue to exercise their rights to strike, peaceful actions and freedom of expression.
The Coordination Council of the Opposition and Lukashenko


unian--2020-08-19--Ukraine predicts smaller yield of grain over maize harvest losses

Tentative losses of maize across Ukraine may be about 2 million tonnes .
Ukraine 's Ministry for Development of Economy , Trade and Agriculture has revised downward its forecast for the yield of grain in the country , to 70 million tonnes , over possible maize harvest losses .
The previous forecast was 72.1 million tonnes , the ministry 's press service said on August 19 .
Cause behind declining yield of maize '' Weather conditions in recent weeks have caused either a loss of potential maize yields or its significant reduction .
If weather conditions this autumn are favorable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 35 million tonnes , while the total grain harvest at 70 million tonnes , '' the press service quoted Ukrainian Deputy Minister for Development of Economy , Trade and Agriculture Taras Vysotskyi as saying .
According to the ministry , the largest losses in the potential yield of maize are expected in Cherkasy region ( on 133,800 hectares ) , Odesa region ( 33,500 hectares ) , and Kirovohrad region ( 21,300 hectares ) .
At the same time , a significant decrease in the yield is reported in Cherkasy region ( 234,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hectares ) , and Poltava region ( 120,500 hectares ) .
`` In total , tentative losses of maize across Ukraine may be about 2 million tonnes , '' the ministry summed up .
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) raised its forecast for the maize yield in Ukraine by 0.5 million tonnes , to 39.5 million tonnes , according to the USDA World Agricultural Production report for August 2020 .
• Ukraine 's Ministry for Development of Economy , Trade and Agriculture in May 2020 projected the yield of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 68 million tonnes , while that of oilseeds was expected at 20 million tonnes .

Ukraine predicts smaller yield of grain over maize harvest losses
21:57, 19.08.20 1398
Tentative losses of maize across Ukraine may be about 2 million tonnes.
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unian--2020-08-19--Prominent Ukrainian academician Paton dies at 101

He would have turned 102 on November 14 this year .
Prominent Ukrainian academician , President of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Borys Paton has died at 101 .
This was announced on Facebook by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky .
`` Metallurgist , engineer , inventor , scientist , teacher .
The first who was awarded the Hero of Ukraine title .
Academician .
Genius .
Legend .
There are many words that can be used to describe Borys Yevhenovych Paton .
However , there are no words that could fully describe the dimension of his personality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that our country has suffered today .
At the age of 101 , the great Ukrainian has passed away , '' Zelensky stressed .
`` I am sincerely thankful in my life that I had the opportunity to personally communicate with Borys Yevhenovych .
He had a bright personality .
It is difficult to write about him in the past tense .
My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Borys Yevhenovych .
Eternal memory ! '
he wrote .
• He was born in Kyiv on November 14 , 1918 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Polytechnic Institute as an electrical engineer .
• Later he had a PhD .
• From 1963 to 1991 , he was a member of the USSR Academy of Sciences , headed Yevhen Paton Electric Welding Institute .
• Borys Paton was the first who was awarded the Hero of Ukraine title .
He is also one of those who developed electric welding of soft tissues in surgery .
• On November 14 , Boris Paton would have turned 102 .

He would have turned 102 on November 14 this year.
Prominent Ukrainian academician, President of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Borys Paton has died at 101.
This was announced on Facebook by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.
"Metallurgist, engineer, inventor, scientist, teacher. The first who was awarded the Hero of Ukraine title. Academician. Genius. Legend. There are many words that can be used to describe Borys Yevhenovych Paton. However, there are no words that could fully describe the dimension of his personality. And the dimension of the loss that our country has suffered today. At the age of 101, the great Ukrainian has passed away," Zelensky stressed.
"I am sincerely thankful in my life that I had the opportunity to personally communicate with Borys Yevhenovych. He had a bright personality. It is difficult to write about him in the past tense. My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Borys Yevhenovych. Eternal memory!' he wrote.
Biography of Borys Paton