unian--2020-04-29--Russian businessman Dmitry Potapenko: Nothing threatens the "collective Putin" – neither a pandemic

Russian businessman Dmitry Potapenko: Nothing threatens the "collective Putin" – neither a pandemic nor oil prices. Meanwhile, Russia is setting up a digital GULAG

High-profile Russian businessman Dmitry Potapenko is never shy about publicly slamming criticism on Russia 's economic policies .
The last time UNIAN spoke with Dmitry was in 2016 when he said that in Russia the conditional `` refrigerator '' will never win the fight with the `` TV '' .
And , in fact , he turned out to be right .
Now he has no doubt about the stability of Putin 's regime .
In his opinion , ordinary Russians will just have to get by somehow through all hardships as the authorities are not set to address their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do that .
Dmitry , now the whole world is in a `` perfect storm . ''
Everyone 's talking about a recession .
Everyone will suffer , but the Russian Federation is a very peculiar country , in the sense that here , two troubles have met .
I mean the fall in oil prices and the effects of quarantine , which are killing the economy of any state .
So what is worse for the Russian government , Russian state , and Russian political stability ?
Based on what we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of war .
When internal tensions arose in any kingdoms and states back in history , some kind of crusade was organized .
And here the coronavirus emerged just on time , which almost everyone succeeded in turning into an info-demic to bury their own problems .
The same officials who have been feeding off of health care are now being portrayed as saviors of their Fatherland .
Has at least some challenges emerged for the Russian authorities ?
No .
That 's because the Russian government is like a tight knot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while also slightly annoying each other .
Therefore , the tension within the political elites is quite weak .
Meanwhile , the so-called people , whom they 've always treated exclusively as feed , take no part in this game .
And therefore , the authorities could n't care less about their problems .
We , in Ukraine , are very keen on discussing and reflecting on the topic that Putin could soon be toppled .
It seems to me that it 's also important to address this issue so that people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also been doing business in Ukraine and regularly record podcasts on the Ukrainian economy , regularly communicating with foreigners , our emigrants , including in the U.S. What I hear is conditionally either pro-Putin or pro-Ukrainian .
As the saying goes , a plague a ' both of your houses !
The fact is that this is nonsense in both cases .
Russia is ruled by a `` collective Putin '' .
Once Putin is gone , it will become even worse , including for Ukraine as a state .
The reason is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fundamentals of the economy .
In Russia , there 's state-governed economy .
Here , the key is what is happening within the clans .
By the way , these are armed clans .
They are also mistakenly called oligarchs , which they are n't , in their pure form .
When someone talks about Putin 's possible resignation , for some reason they fail to notice what 's now happening in Russia .
A digital gulag is being created here .
To leave home , a person in Russia must obtain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security and law enforcement officials are allowed to move around completely freely .
We get permission to leave home in a non-personalized mode .
I 'd like to draw your attention – since we communicate with the Ukrainian audience – on the case files of Nuremberg trials .
One of the charges there was the assignment of numbers to people and their depersonalization .
So , now in Russia , every citizen , including me , has a QR code and a digital imprint .
It 's no better for us than for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : neither the international community nor the Russian public in any way respond to this .
Such a reaction is perhaps because Europeans believe that this is only for the period of the pandemic ... Russia is introducing the so-called digital passports , combined under the auspices of the tax service .
Now , household income and expenses will be consolidated into a single database , into a single register .
An exception will be applied to officials .
No one has publicly expressed indignation in Europe or America .
People there have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For them , this is a fetish : if Putin leaves , everything will change .
That 's not true .
Few people understand the underlying reasons for Putin 's existence .
And Putin is not just a person – in fact , it 's the collective management of the country .
Therefore , until all layers are analyzed , as long as there 's a personification of this evil , there will be no understanding .
Now many economists are watching Russian reserves .
It is believed that Putin 's stability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bank published an outlook : if oil is $ 15 per barrel , the reserves in the National Wealth Fund will be wasted within two years .
If it 's $ 30 – six years .
If this money runs out , what 's next ?
I 'd like to say send my greetings to Deutsche Bank and say that those who publish such outlooks are idiots .
Who told you that this little stash will be touched ?
This stash is personified , it is owned by the clan that is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hell would they suddenly , for no reason , give out these funds to feed anyone ?
It is necessary to realize that we in Russia all live in tribal relations .
It 's not even feudalism .
We are still far from feudal relations .
Therefore , this is their personal stash , and not a ruble will be spent from it .
Meanwhile , we will get tax hikes , higher gas prices , and so on .
Analysts think in a square-nested way , but here they need to look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be enough for as long as our elite is in power , and they will only be leaving solely for natural reasons .
We are yet to see a series of pompous funerals .
Another reason is also possible : their internal contradictions , but not the exhaustion of resources .
Oil may even drop to negative parameters , but they will simply collect the missing from the slaves .
Calculations by Deutsche Bank are absolutely mediocre , they are n't based on realities .
Nevertheless , Putin regularly holds meetings from his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy .
All the time , he keeps repeating the same thesis that the government will help everyone .
What can you say about these efforts by Russian authorities ?
They tell us : you have to pay taxes .
This is a usurious approach .
Because of quarantine , businesses have faced problems , but no one else cares about these problems .
They offer a loan .
You don ’ t have to pay anything back right now , but you can claim your teeth , your family or your dog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay , only later .
It 's in this manner that our government has been acting .
In terms of money , they promised they would defer payments of around RUB 2 trillion .
But here 's a question : where do we get the money ?
Authorities ordered that businesses keep all employees on board and pay them .
If you fire anyone , you 'll have prosecutors at your door right away .
We will be given compensation for salaries , which , in fact , equals our taxes – that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average salary in Russia is around RUB 35,000 .
And the tax on this RUB 35,000 is 43 % , this very RUB 12,100 .
That is , I have to support my employee , pay them the conditional RUB 31,000 , and my taxes will be in the region of RUB 12,100 .
That is , the state is n't giving me anything .
They only spin the money in a circle and take it all away .
So here it is , the basic principle of Russian government assistance .
Once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evaluate numbers – what lays beneath those number is what 's important .
This is exactly the same as personifying the administration regime by Vladimir Putin specifically .
Quarantine , albeit hybrid , is still real .
Everything is on lockdown .
You say that there will be no consequences for the authorities , but what awaits businesses ?
Our quarantine is tough .
You go out for a walk and your good neighbors call the police on you .
Thank God , they are n't being paid for reports yet .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure that for every fine the person who called the police is paid at least RUB 200 .
Given the huge number of unemployed , we will return to 1937 within 15 seconds .
Meanwhile , businesses will be dying out .
According to my estimates , 90 % of small businesses will die .
I had a discussion with my business colleagues – they believe some 20 % of legal entities will shut .
But there will be enterprises that will die de facto , although formally , legal entities will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall , even for those companies that were originally focused only on goods delivery : they have shrank profits from 30 % to 60 % .
And all the rest , simply put , wo n't come out of this alive .
That is , I expect massive bankruptcies in late summer – early fall .
Usually , when there 's nothing to eat , people take to the streets .
Unrest has already begun in Vladikavkaz .
Why are you so sure there 'll be no changes in Russia ?
Authorities need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of the migrant workers .
We 're already seeing the elderly engaged in food delivery .
They already have nothing to eat , and they still have debts .
They are given some hope : even a smaller income of some kind of pizza or sushi delivery man , or even a janitor .
You ca n't run from a submarine , right ?
We have 6 million migrant workers .
If the authorities react , they will simply replace migrant workers with our impoverished junior researchers or retirees .
That 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I 'm 100 % sure our authorities `` got talents '' .
This is some kind of ultimate zeroing , a return to the 1990s ... Then these problems had accumulated in one particular country .
Problems could be resolved through contacts with other states .
And now the whole world has its own problems .
Now there is no one to interact with .
By the way , Russian oligarchs also have issues , so we can expect redistribution of assets .
This will affect approximately 35 % of large businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from learning that someone will get knocked out from the Forbes list of wealthiest people .
I personally do n't care about a dozen oligarchs facing troubles .
I care about the country .
Without money from raw materials , we must survive a period of military and , now , digital junta .
I call current developments World Digital War 1 .
Now there 'll be just a digital junta , then there will be a period of war between influence groups in Russia .
And only , perhaps , in 2025-2026 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditional democratization of governance in the country .
What is your conclusion based on ?
In 2024 , the counter of Putin 's presidential terms will be reset to zero , starting his new era of another 12 years .
Let 's just say that oil prices are very low , but , nevertheless , they are in place .
Next year is a turning point for the economy because easily extracted oil is running out in Russia .
They need to acquire technology Russia lacks .
And it 's usually American technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China .
That 's what will lead to squabbles between clans .
I bet it will be in 2023 or 2024 .
Vladimir Putin can rule with almost no limits , but he is aging .
This means the young and brazen are emerging .
Therefore , I hope that some kind of turning point could occur .
In 2024 , Putin may again take office as president .
But in 2025-2026 , the clans will turn pale , and they will seek new blood .
That will be it .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concept of `` Kremlin towers '' is also used .
Could you elaborate for us ?
Some call them `` Kremlin towers '' , I call them clans .
The fact is that in every clan has both economists and security operatives .
For example , in ( head of Rosneft Corporation - UNIAN ) Igor Sechin 's clan that `` everyone loves '' , he is conditionally an economist , but he 's backed up by his own security system .
There 's a clan that is represented by , say , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also backed up by an economic bloc – people with the ministry of economic development .
According to my estimates , there are seven to nine such clans in Russian politics .
Moreover , they are transformed regularly .
And now there 's fermentation in them as some members are turning coats .
Take Dmitry Medvedev… After Vladimir Putin pushed him aside , he regularly , mind you , sides with him in public rhetoric .
And that 's the right thing for him to do because he realizes that today , Vladimir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player on this chessboard .
Things get messy from time to time between some clans .
Take Ramzan Kadyrov ( leader of Chechnya - UNIAN ) who 's in tense relations with Sechin , while Sergei Sobyanin ( mayor of Moscow - UNIAN ) is with Mikhail Mishustin ( Russian Prime Minister - UNIAN ) .
It is important to understand that these groups are unstable .
They do n't adhere to any intra-clan connections .
There are groups affiliated with the `` Ozero '' Cooperative , some – with the Foreign Intelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FSB .
These clans must be systematized by the number of `` bayonets '' .
It should n't be assumed that this is only about money .
In this case , money plays practically no role .
You say that these clans are actually waging a war between each other that will further escalate .
Could Russian authorities attempt to launch some `` small victorious war '' with an external enemy to reconcile everyone inside ?
Naturally , the question is in the context of confrontation with Ukraine .
Here , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the so-called `` LPR '' and `` DPR '' .
I believe that whoever gets these territories first will struggle .
The reason is very simple : in any case , there will be protest moods in these territories , and they will have to be suppressed .
The territory is completely in ruins , so investment is needed .
And it 's no prize – It 's looted junk .
Therefore , as you can see , none of the parties to the conflict seeks to escalate .
It all boils down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is taking any real action , including the so-called West .
Therefore , it 's not worth expecting that tanks will be deployed from there toward Kyiv .
What 's the point ?
Let me remind you that the first rule of any war , as Comrade von Clausewitz said , is to coerce the adversary to peace on terms favorable to the victor .
There is no point in grabbing Donbas .
This , in essence , would mean Russia would have to pay the administration 's salaries and keep their troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian state pays everyone in the occupied Donbas anyway – both civil servants and the military .
According to my estimates , this is a third of what they would have to pay if it was , conditionally speaking , Russian territory .
It is now to the Kremlin an awesome smoldering fire , which actually allows them to speculate on this .
It 's pretty much the same with Crimea , too .
If we proceed cynically from ambition , they would 've had to do the same thing they had done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's as if they are ours , but not exactly .
But what they did in Crimea was they moved the border , built a bridge , and pumped a bunch of dough in there .
Even today , there 's no longer a consensus on Crimea in Russia as it was before .
It is clear why the Crimean operation was carried out .
This was done in order for Putin to go down in history as `` the unifier of the Russian lands . ''
And now , even this effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been spent .
The ruling elites do n't give a damn about international sanctions .
They fly the world anyway , while Europe welcomes them warmly .
I told European politicians that the so-called sanctions are just - pardon me - a dirty deal .
See , if they wanted to change something , any sophomore economist would tell them what needs to be done so that the economy collapsed within 15 minutes .
They are n't doing any of that .
Therefore , let 's be honest : the West absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be .
The main thing for them is that nuclear missiles not be launched from the territory of the former post-Soviet space .
Actually , it 's because there was no nuclear potential in Ukraine that everything happened this way in Crimea .
Nuclear capability is an important deterrent .
So Kim Jong-il and all his followers , have been doing the right thing when they seek to have own nuclear potential for this small state ( North Korea - UNIAN ) .
Are there any risks to Putin ’ s “ nullification @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in the midst of a pandemic , change the law on the police , expanding the powers of law enforcement ?
Vladimir Putin 's `` zeroing '' plans are facing no risks .
They can rewrite the constitution 10 times a day .
In the morning we can wake up with one , and then fall asleep the same night with some other edition .
As regards the powers of the police , this is actually the right thing ( smiles sarcastically - UNIAN ) .
Because when clans clash , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care .
You know , before , sometimes slaves were hung on crosses so that other feudal lords would be afraid .
Therefore , the task here is for another feudal lord to see that `` my guardsmen are stronger '' , and , `` look , they can easily spill the guts of any random peasant . ''

A famous Russian businessman Dmitry Potapenko, who regularly criticizes the Kremlin's economic policies, told UNIAN how the "perfect storm" of the global crisis is killing the Russian economy, why are Russian authorities turning the country into a digital GULAG, how easy is it for the Kremlin to suppress any protest movement, and under what conditions could power change in Russia.
High-profile Russian businessman Dmitry Potapenko is never shy about publicly slamming criticism on Russia's economic policies. The last time UNIAN spoke with Dmitry was in 2016 when he said that in Russia the conditional "refrigerator" will never win the fight with the "TV". And, in fact, he turned out to be right. Now he has no doubt about the stability of Putin's regime. In his opinion, ordinary Russians will just have to get by somehow through all hardships as the authorities are not set to address their problems – there's just no need to do that.
Dmitry, now the whole world is in a "perfect storm." Everyone's talking about a recession. Everyone will suffer, but the Russian Federation is a very peculiar country, in the sense that here, two troubles have met. I mean the fall in oil prices and the effects of quarantine, which are killing the economy of any state. So what is worse for the Russian government, Russian state, and Russian political stability?
Based on what we see, this is generally a sublimation of war. When internal tensions arose in any kingdoms and states back in history, some kind of crusade was organized. And here the coronavirus emerged just on time, which almost everyone succeeded in turning into an info-demic to bury their own problems. The same officials who have been feeding off of health care are now being portrayed as saviors of their Fatherland.
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Has at least some challenges emerged for the Russian authorities?
No. That's because the Russian government is like a tight knot of kissing snakes. They complement each other, while also slightly annoying each other. Therefore, the tension within the political elites is quite weak. Meanwhile, the so-called people, whom they've always treated exclusively as feed, take no part in this game. And therefore, the authorities couldn't care less about their problems.
We are yet to see a series of pompous funerals
We, in Ukraine, are very keen on discussing and reflecting on the topic that Putin could soon be toppled. It seems to me that it's also important to address this issue so that people don't harbor illusions.
I've also been doing business in Ukraine and regularly record podcasts on the Ukrainian economy, regularly communicating with foreigners, our emigrants, including in the U.S. What I hear is conditionally either pro-Putin or pro-Ukrainian. As the saying goes, a plague a' both of your houses!
The fact is that this is nonsense in both cases. Russia is ruled by a "collective Putin". Once Putin is gone, it will become even worse, including for Ukraine as a state. The reason is very simple – no one is considering the fundamentals of the economy. In Russia, there's state-governed economy. Here, the key is what is happening within the clans. By the way, these are armed clans. They are also mistakenly called oligarchs, which they aren't, in their pure form.
When someone talks about Putin's possible resignation, for some reason they fail to notice what's now happening in Russia. A digital gulag is being created here. To leave home, a person in Russia must obtain a QR code, while government, security and law enforcement officials are allowed to move around completely freely. We get permission to leave home in a non-personalized mode. I'd like to draw your attention – since we communicate with the Ukrainian audience – on the case files of Nuremberg trials. One of the charges there was the assignment of numbers to people and their depersonalization. So, now in Russia, every citizen, including me, has a QR code and a digital imprint. It's no better for us than for prisoners in Nazi Germany. Take note: neither the international community nor the Russian public in any way respond to this.
Such a reaction is perhaps because Europeans believe that this is only for the period of the pandemic...
Russia is introducing the so-called digital passports, combined under the auspices of the tax service. Now, household income and expenses will be consolidated into a single database, into a single register. An exception will be applied to officials. No one has publicly expressed indignation in Europe or America. People there have been living in a completely different paradigm. For them, this is a fetish: if Putin leaves, everything will change. That's not true. Few people understand the underlying reasons for Putin's existence. And Putin is not just a person – in fact, it's the collective management of the country. Therefore, until all layers are analyzed, as long as there's a personification of this evil, there will be no understanding.
Now many economists are watching Russian reserves. It is believed that Putin's stability depends on them. Recently, Deutsche Bank published an outlook: if oil is $15 per barrel, the reserves in the National Wealth Fund will be wasted within two years. If it's $30 – six years. If this money runs out, what's next?
I'd like to say send my greetings to Deutsche Bank and say that those who publish such outlooks are idiots. Who told you that this little stash will be touched? This stash is personified, it is owned by the clan that is in control of the country. Why the hell would they suddenly, for no reason, give out these funds to feed anyone? It is necessary to realize that we in Russia all live in tribal relations. It's not even feudalism. We are still far from feudal relations.
Therefore, this is their personal stash, and not a ruble will be spent from it. Meanwhile, we will get tax hikes, higher gas prices, and so on.
Analysts think in a square-nested way, but here they need to look into tribal relations. The stash will be enough for as long as our elite is in power, and they will only be leaving solely for natural reasons. We are yet to see a series of pompous funerals. Another reason is also possible: their internal contradictions, but not the exhaustion of resources. Oil may even drop to negative parameters, but they will simply collect the missing from the slaves. Calculations by Deutsche Bank are absolutely mediocre, they aren't based on realities.
Nevertheless, Putin regularly holds meetings from his bunker to support various sectors of Russian economy. All the time, he keeps repeating the same thesis that the government will help everyone. What can you say about these efforts by Russian authorities?
They tell us: you have to pay taxes. This is a usurious approach. Because of quarantine, businesses have faced problems, but no one else cares about these problems. They offer a loan. You don’t have to pay anything back right now, but you can claim your teeth, your family or your dog as collateral. You still have to pay, only later. It's in this manner that our government has been acting.
In terms of money, they promised they would defer payments of around RUB 2 trillion. But here's a question: where do we get the money? Authorities ordered that businesses keep all employees on board and pay them. If you fire anyone, you'll have prosecutors at your door right away. We will be given compensation for salaries, which, in fact, equals our taxes – that's RUB 12,130 per employee. The average salary in Russia is around RUB 35,000. And the tax on this RUB 35,000 is 43%, this very RUB 12,100. That is, I have to support my employee, pay them the conditional RUB 31,000, and my taxes will be in the region of RUB 12,100. That is, the state isn't giving me anything. They only spin the money in a circle and take it all away. So here it is, the basic principle of Russian government assistance.
Once again, you don't need to evaluate numbers – what lays beneath those number is what's important. This is exactly the same as personifying the administration regime by Vladimir Putin specifically.
90% of small businesses will die out
Quarantine, albeit hybrid, is still real. Everything is on lockdown. You say that there will be no consequences for the authorities, but what awaits businesses?
Our quarantine is tough. You go out for a walk and your good neighbors call the police on you. Thank God, they aren't being paid for reports yet. I have a theory: they need to ensure that for every fine the person who called the police is paid at least RUB 200. Given the huge number of unemployed, we will return to 1937 within 15 seconds.
Meanwhile, businesses will be dying out. According to my estimates, 90% of small businesses will die. I had a discussion with my business colleagues – they believe some 20% of legal entities will shut. But there will be enterprises that will die de facto, although formally, legal entities will continue to exist.
Now there's a fall, even for those companies that were originally focused only on goods delivery: they have shrank profits from 30% to 60%. And all the rest, simply put, won't come out of this alive. That is, I expect massive bankruptcies in late summer – early fall.
Usually, when there's nothing to eat, people take to the streets. Unrest has already begun in Vladikavkaz. Why are you so sure there'll be no changes in Russia?
Authorities need to do one simple thing: deport most of the migrant workers. We're already seeing the elderly engaged in food delivery. They already have nothing to eat, and they still have debts. They are given some hope: even a smaller income of some kind of pizza or sushi delivery man, or even a janitor. You can't run from a submarine, right? We have 6 million migrant workers. If the authorities react, they will simply replace migrant workers with our impoverished junior researchers or retirees. That's how we rolled back in the 1990s. I'm 100% sure our authorities "got talents".
This is some kind of ultimate zeroing, a return to the 1990s...
Then these problems had accumulated in one particular country. Problems could be resolved through contacts with other states. And now the whole world has its own problems. Now there is no one to interact with.
By the way, Russian oligarchs also have issues, so we can expect redistribution of assets. This will affect approximately 35% of large businesses. Perhaps average people might be happy from learning that someone will get knocked out from the Forbes list of wealthiest people. I personally don't care about a dozen oligarchs facing troubles. I care about the country. Without money from raw materials, we must survive a period of military and, now, digital junta. I call current developments World Digital War 1. Now there'll be just a digital junta, then there will be a period of war between influence groups in Russia. And only, perhaps, in 2025-2026 is there at least some chance of conditional democratization of governance in the country.
What is your conclusion based on? In 2024, the counter of Putin's presidential terms will be reset to zero, starting his new era of another 12 years.
Let's just say that oil prices are very low, but, nevertheless, they are in place. Next year is a turning point for the economy because easily extracted oil is running out in Russia. They need to acquire technology Russia lacks. And it's usually American technology. There's no such technology even in China. That's what will lead to squabbles between clans. I bet it will be in 2023 or 2024.
Vladimir Putin can rule with almost no limits, but he is aging. This means the young and brazen are emerging. Therefore, I hope that some kind of turning point could occur.
In 2024, Putin may again take office as president. But in 2025-2026, the clans will turn pale, and they will seek new blood. That will be it.
You're talking about clans, but the concept of "Kremlin towers" is also used. Could you elaborate for us?
Some call them "Kremlin towers", I call them clans. The fact is that in every clan has both economists and security operatives. For example, in (head of Rosneft Corporation - UNIAN) Igor Sechin's clan that "everyone loves", he is conditionally an economist, but he's backed up by his own security system. There's a clan that is represented by, say, the defense minister. But it is also backed up by an economic bloc – people with the ministry of economic development.
According to my estimates, there are seven to nine such clans in Russian politics. Moreover, they are transformed regularly. And now there's fermentation in them as some members are turning coats. Take Dmitry Medvedev… After Vladimir Putin pushed him aside, he regularly, mind you, sides with him in public rhetoric. And that's the right thing for him to do because he realizes that today, Vladimir Putin is the strongest and most difficult player on this chessboard. Things get messy from time to time between some clans. Take Ramzan Kadyrov (leader of Chechnya - UNIAN) who's in tense relations with Sechin, while Sergei Sobyanin (mayor of Moscow - UNIAN) is with Mikhail Mishustin (Russian Prime Minister - UNIAN).
It is important to understand that these groups are unstable. They don't adhere to any intra-clan connections. There are groups affiliated with the "Ozero" Cooperative, some – with the Foreign Intelligence Service, some, respectively, with the FSB. These clans must be systematized by the number of "bayonets". It shouldn't be assumed that this is only about money. In this case, money plays practically no role.
You say that these clans are actually waging a war between each other that will further escalate. Could Russian authorities attempt to launch some "small victorious war" with an external enemy to reconcile everyone inside? Naturally, the question is in the context of confrontation with Ukraine.
Here, the "litmus test" is Donbas, the so-called "LPR" and "DPR". I believe that whoever gets these territories first will struggle. The reason is very simple: in any case, there will be protest moods in these territories, and they will have to be suppressed. The territory is completely in ruins, so investment is needed. And it's no prize – It's looted junk. Therefore, as you can see, none of the parties to the conflict seeks to escalate. It all boils down to some public tirades. No one is taking any real action, including the so-called West.
Therefore, it's not worth expecting that tanks will be deployed from there toward Kyiv. What's the point? Let me remind you that the first rule of any war, as Comrade von Clausewitz said, is to coerce the adversary to peace on terms favorable to the victor. There is no point in grabbing Donbas. This, in essence, would mean Russia would have to pay the administration's salaries and keep their troops there in full deployment mode.
The so-called sanctions are just - pardon me - a dirty deal
The Russian state pays everyone in the occupied Donbas anyway – both civil servants and the military.
According to my estimates, this is a third of what they would have to pay if it was, conditionally speaking, Russian territory. It is now to the Kremlin an awesome smoldering fire, which actually allows them to speculate on this. It's pretty much the same with Crimea, too. If we proceed cynically from ambition, they would've had to do the same thing they had done in some Ossetia or Transnistria – it's as if they are ours, but not exactly. But what they did in Crimea was they moved the border, built a bridge, and pumped a bunch of dough in there. Even today, there's no longer a consensus on Crimea in Russia as it was before. It is clear why the Crimean operation was carried out. This was done in order for Putin to go down in history as "the unifier of the Russian lands." And now, even this effect is gone, while plenty of money has been spent.
The ruling elites don't give a damn about international sanctions. They fly the world anyway, while Europe welcomes them warmly. I told European politicians that the so-called sanctions are just - pardon me - a dirty deal. See, if they wanted to change something, any sophomore economist would tell them what needs to be done so that the economy collapsed within 15 minutes. They aren't doing any of that. Therefore, let's be honest: the West absolutely doesn't care whose territory should Crimea be. The main thing for them is that nuclear missiles not be launched from the territory of the former post-Soviet space.
Ukraine has long abandoned nuclear missiles.
Actually, it's because there was no nuclear potential in Ukraine that everything happened this way in Crimea. Nuclear capability is an important deterrent. So Kim Jong-il and all his followers, have been doing the right thing when they seek to have own nuclear potential for this small state (North Korea - UNIAN).
Are there any risks to Putin’s “nullification” and why should the authorities suddenly, in the midst of a pandemic, change the law on the police, expanding the powers of law enforcement?
Vladimir Putin's "zeroing" plans are facing no risks. They can rewrite the constitution 10 times a day. In the morning we can wake up with one, and then fall asleep the same night with some other edition. As regards the powers of the police, this is actually the right thing (smiles sarcastically - UNIAN). Because when clans clash, if someone shoots civilians, no one will care. You know, before, sometimes slaves were hung on crosses so that other feudal lords would be afraid. Therefore, the task here is for another feudal lord to see that "my guardsmen are stronger", and, "look, they can easily spill the guts of any random peasant."
Roman Tsymbaliuk, Moscow


unian--2020-04-30--Large-scale fire breaks out near arms depot in Kharkiv region

There is no threat of the fire spreading towards the depot .
A large-scale fire broke out near a massive arms depot in the town of Balakliya , Kharkiv region , which was a hot spot amid multiple ammunition explosions in autumn 2019 .
The new incident was reported at about 12:30 p.m. Kyiv time on April 29 , according to the news portal Suspilne.Media .
Dry grass reportedly caught fire on the outskirts of the town near the ring road .
Three units of the State Emergency Service were sent to put out the fire .
There is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depot , it said .
According to representative of the Emergency Service department in Kharkiv region Ihor Lupandin , the fire whose area is 350 square meters occurred on the other side of the depot .
As was reported earlier , the arms depot in Balakliya suffered from fires and explosions twice .
The first incident was reported on March 23 , 2017 , when a fire resulted in multiple ammunition blasts .
Hundreds of houses and buildings were damaged , and two women died then .
On November 15 , 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which three servicemen were killed .

There is no threat of the fire spreading towards the depot.
A large-scale fire broke out near a massive arms depot in the town of Balakliya, Kharkiv region, which was a hot spot amid multiple ammunition explosions in autumn 2019.
The new incident was reported at about 12:30 p.m. Kyiv time on April 29, according to the news portal Suspilne.Media.
Dry grass reportedly caught fire on the outskirts of the town near the ring road.
Read alsoOne of Ukraine's largest ammunition depots on fire, blasts reported – local authorities (Photos, video)
Three units of the State Emergency Service were sent to put out the fire. There is no threat of the fire spreading towards the depot, it said.
According to representative of the Emergency Service department in Kharkiv region Ihor Lupandin, the fire whose area is 350 square meters occurred on the other side of the depot.
As was reported earlier, the arms depot in Balakliya suffered from fires and explosions twice. The first incident was reported on March 23, 2017, when a fire resulted in multiple ammunition blasts. Hundreds of houses and buildings were damaged, and two women died then.
On November 15, 2019, there was another series of ammunition explosions in which three servicemen were killed.


unian--2020-04-30--Ukraine's foreign minister asks OSCE to push for release of political prisoners in occupied Crimea,

Ukraine's foreign minister asks OSCE to push for release of political prisoners in occupied Crimea, Russia

The minister thanked the organization for its efforts in the release of illegally detained persons in Donbas .
Ukrainian Foreign @ @ @ @ @ on OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger to use every effort to ensure the release of @ @ @ @ @ Crimea and the Russian Federation .
`` We can not forget about our people who @ @ @ @ @ Crimea and in Russia on fabricated charges , '' Kuleba told Greminger during talks via @ @ @ @ @ meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation , chaired by Ukraine , began on @ @ @ @ @ relatives and friends count on our joint efforts in this matter . ''
Read alsoZelensky @ @ @ @ @ swap with Russia under way Kuleba thanked the OSCE for its efforts in the release @ @ @ @ @ Russia-occupied Donbas .
In addition , the minister briefed the OSCE official on the priorities @ @ @ @ @ the Forum for Security Co-operation and received assurances that the Secretariat would provide practical support @ @ @ @

The minister thanked the organization for its efforts in the release of illegally detained persons in Donbas.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has called on OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger to use every effort to ensure the release of Ukrainian political prisoners in Russia-occupied Crimea and the Russian Federation.
"We cannot forget about our people who were illegally detained in occupied Crimea and in Russia on fabricated charges," Kuleba told Greminger during talks via video link before the first meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation, chaired by Ukraine, began on April 29. "Their relatives and friends count on our joint efforts in this matter."
Read alsoZelensky says talks on new prisoner swap with Russia under way
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Kuleba thanked the OSCE for its efforts in the release of illegally detained persons in Russia-occupied Donbas.
In addition, the minister briefed the OSCE official on the priorities of the Ukrainian Chairmanship of the Forum for Security Co-operation and received assurances that the Secretariat would provide practical support for their implementation.


unian--2020-04-29--Russia-led forces damage three houses in Zolote-4 on April 28

Zolote-4 is one of the first three disengagement sites in Ukraine 's east .
Russia-led forces on April 28 shelled a residential area of the town of Zolote-4 in Luhansk region , eastern Ukraine , having damaged civilians ' houses .
`` Yesterday , April 28 , three houses were damaged in shelling by the enemy .
Fortunately , no one was hurt , '' the press center of Ukraine 's Joint Forces Operation ( JFO ) Headquarters said on Facebook on April 29 .
Read alsoDonbas war update : One KIA after 17 enemy attacks on April 28 '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once again violated their commitments and shelled the outskirts of the town of Zolote-4 , '' the JFO HQ said .
`` Having opened fire from [ positions in ] a residential area in the occupied town of Zolote-5 , the invaders endangered civilians living near the contact line , '' it said .
According to the JFO HQ , Russia-controlled occupation forces have once again openly shown that they disregard the Minsk peace agreements and once again demonstrated `` a cynical attitude towards the life and health of civilians . ''
Zolote-4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sites in Ukraine 's east .

Zolote-4 is one of the first three disengagement sites in Ukraine's east.
Russia-led forces on April 28 shelled a residential area of the town of Zolote-4 in Luhansk region, eastern Ukraine, having damaged civilians' houses.
"Yesterday, April 28, three houses were damaged in shelling by the enemy. Fortunately, no one was hurt," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) Headquarters said on Facebook on April 29.
Read alsoDonbas war update: One KIA after 17 enemy attacks on April 28
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"Armed formations of the Russian Federation have once again violated their commitments and shelled the outskirts of the town of Zolote-4," the JFO HQ said.
"Having opened fire from [positions in] a residential area in the occupied town of Zolote-5, the invaders endangered civilians living near the contact line," it said.
According to the JFO HQ, Russia-controlled occupation forces have once again openly shown that they disregard the Minsk peace agreements and once again demonstrated "a cynical attitude towards the life and health of civilians."
Zolote-4 is one of the first three disengagement sites in Ukraine's east.


unian--2020-04-29--Ukraine's Cabinet to consider new steps to ease quarantine restrictions for businesses

The measures will be considered at the government 's next meeting .
Ukraine 's Cabinet of Ministers will consider new @ @ @ @ @ for businesses .
`` At the next meeting , we plan to consider a number @ @ @ @ @ restrictions , '' Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Facebook on April 29 .
@ @ @ @ @ ministries and departments to develop criteria for facilities that will be gradually opening .
As @ @ @ @ @ to open shops , hairdressers and cafes , we should create conditions under which people @ @ @ @ @ translate into a new outbreak of the [ coronavirus ] disease , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ , the Cabinet of Ministers on April 29 supported the criteria enabling food markets to @ @ @ @ @ .

The measures will be considered at the government's next meeting.
Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers will consider new steps to ease quarantine-related restrictions for businesses.
"At the next meeting, we plan to consider a number of decisions on easing quarantine restrictions," Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Facebook on April 29.
Read alsoPM Shmyhal reveals quarantine format change after May 11
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"I have already instructed ministries and departments to develop criteria for facilities that will be gradually opening. As we will not only have to open shops, hairdressers and cafes, we should create conditions under which people's visits there do not translate into a new outbreak of the [coronavirus] disease," he said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the Cabinet of Ministers on April 29 supported the criteria enabling food markets to re-open amid the COVID-19 lockdown.


unian--2020-04-29--Ukrainians ask Zelensky to transfer Kyiv Lavra to Orthodox Church of Ukraine

The petition was signed by over 26,000 people .
Over 26,000 Ukrainians have signed a petition asking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to consider the transfer of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate ( UOC-MP ) to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine ( OCU ) .
This is stated in the petition posted on the president 's website .
It was initiated by Oleksiy Kravchuk on April 15 ; the minimum required number of signatures is 25,000 .
The summary of the petition says that the OCU is an autocephalous Orthodox church in Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a Christian church service .
The Church of Constantinople considers the OCU the only canonical successor of the Orthodox Church founded in Kyiv in 988 AD .
`` It is quite true that the Orthodox shrine [ Lavra ] should be used by the Orthodox denomination that is recognized by Orthodoxy as an autocephalous Orthodox church in Ukraine .
In turn , the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate is not an autocephalous Orthodox Church in Ukraine , '' it says .
`` In addition , high-ranking members of the Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly caught making statements and actions directed against the Ukrainian people . ''
`` Given the above , the use of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate should be stopped by terminating the lease agreement and transferred to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine ( OCU ) , '' the petition says .
Further , the document sets out a detailed chronology of anti-Ukrainian , pro-Russian statements made by representatives of the Moscow Patriarchate .
As was reported , the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery saw a coronavirus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly violated the quarantine rules .

The petition was signed by over 26,000 people.
Over 26,000 Ukrainians have signed a petition asking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to consider the transfer of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).
This is stated in the petition posted on the president's website.
It was initiated by Oleksiy Kravchuk on April 15; the minimum required number of signatures is 25,000.
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Read alsoUOC-MP representative denies reports all Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra priests contract COVID-19
The summary of the petition says that the OCU is an autocephalous Orthodox church in Ukraine that ranks fifteenth among the churches mentioned during a Christian church service. The Church of Constantinople considers the OCU the only canonical successor of the Orthodox Church founded in Kyiv in 988 AD.
"It is quite true that the Orthodox shrine [Lavra] should be used by the Orthodox denomination that is recognized by Orthodoxy as an autocephalous Orthodox church in Ukraine. In turn, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate is not an autocephalous Orthodox Church in Ukraine," it says. "In addition, high-ranking members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate were repeatedly caught making statements and actions directed against the Ukrainian people."
"Given the above, the use of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate should be stopped by terminating the lease agreement and transferred to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU)," the petition says.
Further, the document sets out a detailed chronology of anti-Ukrainian, pro-Russian statements made by representatives of the Moscow Patriarchate.
As was reported, the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery saw a coronavirus outbreak after priests of the Moscow Patriarchate had repeatedly violated the quarantine rules.


unian--2020-04-29--Fitch revises outlooks on seven Ukrainian banks to stable, negative on FUIB

The rating actions follow Fitch 's revision of the outlook on Ukraine 's sovereign rating to stable from positive .
Fitch Ratings on April 29 revised the outlooks on seven Ukrainian banks to stable from positive and affirmed their Long-Term Issuer Default Ratings ( IDRs ) .
According to the rating agency , the affected banks are : Fitch also revised the outlook on Joint Stock Company First Ukrainian International Bank 's ( FUIB ) Long-Term IDR to negative from stable and affirmed the IDR at ' B ' .
According to Fitch , the rating actions follow its revision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rating to stable from positive in light of the anticipated adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Fitch says it expects the Ukrainian economy to contract by 6.5 % GDP in 2020 , compared with 3.2 % growth in 2019 , before recovering by 3.5 % in 2021 .
The economic policy response , including increased social spending and the formation of a coronavirus fund ( 1.6 % of GDP ) , could help to soften the economic shock .
However , there are material downside risks to our baseline forecasts , given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus crisis .
`` We have revised the sector outlook for Ukrainian banks to negative from stable as we expect that the economic downturn , weaker client activity , lower household incomes ( due to higher unemployment and lower remittances ) and exchange-rate pressures ( the hryvnia has depreciated by 11 % since the beginning of March , while Fitch forecasts depreciation of 25 % for FY20 ) will increase performance pressures for banks , '' Fitch experts said .
`` We expect that provision of additional liquidity to banks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and temporary regulatory forbearance should help banks manage problem loans and solvency ratios in local accounts , reducing the risk of capital breaches .
However , we believe that the risks to banks ' credit profiles have significantly increased . ''

The rating actions follow Fitch's revision of the outlook on Ukraine's sovereign rating to stable from positive.
Fitch Ratings on April 29 revised the outlooks on seven Ukrainian banks to stable from positive and affirmed their Long-Term Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs).
According to the rating agency, the affected banks are:
- JSC State Savings Bank of Ukraine (Oschad);
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- JSC The State Export-Import Bank of Ukraine (Ukrexim);
- JSC CB PrivatBank (Privat);
- Public Joint-Stock Company Joint Stock Bank Ukrgasbank (UGB);
- PJSC Credit Agricole Bank (CAB);
- ProCredit Bank (Ukraine) (PCBU);
- Pravex-Bank JSC (Pravex).
Fitch also revised the outlook on Joint Stock Company First Ukrainian International Bank's (FUIB) Long-Term IDR to negative from stable and affirmed the IDR at 'B'.
According to Fitch, the rating actions follow its revision of the outlook on Ukraine's sovereign rating to stable from positive in light of the anticipated adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read alsoFitch revises Ukraine's outlook to stable; affirms at 'B'
Fitch says it expects the Ukrainian economy to contract by 6.5% GDP in 2020, compared with 3.2% growth in 2019, before recovering by 3.5% in 2021. The economic policy response, including increased social spending and the formation of a coronavirus fund (1.6% of GDP), could help to soften the economic shock. However, there are material downside risks to our baseline forecasts, given the uncertainty around the extent and duration of the coronavirus crisis.
"We have revised the sector outlook for Ukrainian banks to negative from stable as we expect that the economic downturn, weaker client activity, lower household incomes (due to higher unemployment and lower remittances) and exchange-rate pressures (the hryvnia has depreciated by 11% since the beginning of March, while Fitch forecasts depreciation of 25% for FY20) will increase performance pressures for banks," Fitch experts said. "We expect that provision of additional liquidity to banks, as announced by the central bank, and temporary regulatory forbearance should help banks manage problem loans and solvency ratios in local accounts, reducing the risk of capital breaches. However, we believe that the risks to banks' credit profiles have significantly increased."


unian--2020-04-29--PM Shmyhal: Ukraine ready for talks on labor migration with Europe amid pandemic

Only Finland has officially contacted the Ukrainian government .
Ukraine 's Cabinet of Ministers is ready for negotiations with European countries that would like to officially invite Ukrainian migrant workers for seasonal works during the coronavirus pandemic .
`` An important prerequisite is legal employment for a period of three months in compliance with all social guarantees and working conditions for Ukrainians , '' Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said at a meeting with Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine and head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Matti Maasikas and U.S. Chargé d'Affaires , a.i .
Kristina A. Kvien @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine amount to $ 16 bln – World Bank '' This effort will be coordinated by the government office for European and Euro-Atlantic integration , '' Shmyhal said on April 29 , according to his official channel on Telegram .
The Ukrainian government has not received any official requests from countries other than Finland , he said .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Ukraine 's airlines , UIA , had to cancel its PS1118 flight from Kyiv to London on April 29 over a ban issued by the State Aviation Service of Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a U.K.-based employer were expected to fly to London on that day .
The flight was chartered by the employer .

Only Finland has officially contacted the Ukrainian government.
Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers is ready for negotiations with European countries that would like to officially invite Ukrainian migrant workers for seasonal works during the coronavirus pandemic.
"An important prerequisite is legal employment for a period of three months in compliance with all social guarantees and working conditions for Ukrainians," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said at a meeting with Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine and head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Matti Maasikas and U.S. Chargé d'Affaires, a.i. Kristina A. Kvien.
Read alsoRemittances from labor migrants to Ukraine amount to $16 bln – World Bank
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"This effort will be coordinated by the government office for European and Euro-Atlantic integration," Shmyhal said on April 29, according to his official channel on Telegram.
The Ukrainian government has not received any official requests from countries other than Finland, he said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukraine's airlines, UIA, had to cancel its PS1118 flight from Kyiv to London on April 29 over a ban issued by the State Aviation Service of Ukraine. Ukrainian citizens who have long-term contracts with a U.K.-based employer were expected to fly to London on that day. The flight was chartered by the employer.


unian--2020-04-29--Ukraine sees revenue from Russian gas transit decline in 2019 – Naftogaz's report

Income from gas transit fell by almost US $ 78 million last year .
National joint-stock company Naftogaz of Ukraine received UAH 2.1 billion , or US $ 77.6 million , less from transit shipments of Russian Gazprom 's gas via Ukrainian territory to European countries in 2019 against 2018 .
This is reported in the 2019 consolidated financial statements by the Naftogaz Group .
According to the report , transit payments transferred by Gazprom in 2019 totaled UAH 70.21 billion ( US $ 2.59 billion ) , whereas the Russian company paid Ukraine UAH 72.34 billion ( US $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2018 .
Naftogaz says that `` Gazprom was the only external customer with concentration of revenue exceeding 10 % of total revenues during the years ended December 31 , 2019 and 2018 . ''
In 2019 , Naftogaz revenue from transportation , oil refining and fuel sales decreased by 7.7 % , to UAH 11.95 billion ( US $ 441.8 million ) from UAH 12.95 billion ( US $ 478.7 million ) .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Naftogaz in 2019 posted UAH 63.3 billion , or US $ 2.34 billion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times more than in 2018 , as UAH 55.7 billion , or US $ 2.06 billion , came from the Gas Transit Arbitration against Russia 's Gazprom last year .

Income from gas transit fell by almost US$78 million last year.
National joint-stock company Naftogaz of Ukraine received UAH 2.1 billion, or US$77.6 million, less from transit shipments of Russian Gazprom's gas via Ukrainian territory to European countries in 2019 against 2018.
This is reported in the 2019 consolidated financial statements by the Naftogaz Group.
Read alsoNaftogaz boosts net profit by 5.5 times in 2019
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According to the report, transit payments transferred by Gazprom in 2019 totaled UAH 70.21 billion (US$2.59 billion), whereas the Russian company paid Ukraine UAH 72.34 billion (US$2.67 billion) for its gas transit in 2018.
Naftogaz says that "Gazprom was the only external customer with concentration of revenue exceeding 10% of total revenues during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018."
In 2019, Naftogaz revenue from transportation, oil refining and fuel sales decreased by 7.7%, to UAH 11.95 billion (US$441.8 million) from UAH 12.95 billion (US$478.7 million).
As UNIAN reported earlier, Naftogaz in 2019 posted UAH 63.3 billion, or US$2.34 billion, in net profit. It was 5.5 times more than in 2018, as UAH 55.7 billion, or US$2.06 billion, came from the Gas Transit Arbitration against Russia's Gazprom last year.


unian--2020-04-29--Belarus buys first oil from Saudi Arabia – media

The move reflects a competition in physical oil markets between Russia and Saudi Arabia .
Belarus , which has long relied on Russian oil , has purchased its first crude from Saudi Arabia , according to state refiner Belneftekhim .
It has bought 80,000 tonnes of Arab Light crude oil from Saudi Aramco for delivery to the port of Klaipeda in May , Belneftekhim told Reuters on Wednesday .
The move reflects a competition in physical oil markets between Russia and Saudi Arabia as both fight for market share amid falling global oil demand .
Minsk has put much effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its row with Moscow over oil prices , which led to a partial suspension of Russian oil supplies to Belarus .
In April the states reached an agreement and pipeline oil supplies of Russian oil to Belarus were resumed in full , but Minsk said it would preserve alternative oil supplies anyway .
`` It 's our first tanker ( with Arab oil ) , '' a Belneftekhim representative told Reuters .
Further cooperation with Saudi Aramco will depend on the `` market situation , '' he said .
The tanker Ionic Astrapi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27 and is expected to arrive at Klaipeda on May 11 , according to shipping data on the Refinitiv Eikon terminal .
The oil will be delivered to refineries by rail .
Arab Light crude oil is closest to Russia 's flagship Urals blend in terms of quality , which makes it the most suitable for Belarus refineries , traders said .
Saudi Aramco slashed its official selling prices for April volumes as a part of its oil price war with Russia , which made its oil attractive for Belarus refiners , despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saudi Aramco declined to comment .
Klaipedos Nafta , Klaipeda port operator , confirmed the arrival of Ionic Astrapi vessel on May 10-12 in an email to Reuters .
`` ( An ) oil parcel is destined for the oil refineries in Belarus , '' Klaipedos Nafta added .
Belarus started alternative oil purchases by buying Norway 's Johan Sverdrup oil via Klaipeda in January followed with several seaborne Urals cargoes .
Belneftekhim also purchased Azeri Light supplied via Ukraine 's Odesa port in March and April .

The move reflects a competition in physical oil markets between Russia and Saudi Arabia.
Belarus, which has long relied on Russian oil, has purchased its first crude from Saudi Arabia, according to state refiner Belneftekhim.
It has bought 80,000 tonnes of Arab Light crude oil from Saudi Aramco for delivery to the port of Klaipeda in May, Belneftekhim told Reuters on Wednesday.
The move reflects a competition in physical oil markets between Russia and Saudi Arabia as both fight for market share amid falling global oil demand.
Видео дня
Read alsoNaftogaz: Ukraine has huge crude oil storage capacities
Minsk has put much effort to diversify sources of crude oil amid its row with Moscow over oil prices, which led to a partial suspension of Russian oil supplies to Belarus.
In April the states reached an agreement and pipeline oil supplies of Russian oil to Belarus were resumed in full, but Minsk said it would preserve alternative oil supplies anyway.
"It's our first tanker (with Arab oil)," a Belneftekhim representative told Reuters.
Further cooperation with Saudi Aramco will depend on the "market situation," he said.
The tanker Ionic Astrapi loaded crude at Sidi Kerir on April 27 and is expected to arrive at Klaipeda on May 11, according to shipping data on the Refinitiv Eikon terminal.
The oil will be delivered to refineries by rail.
Arab Light crude oil is closest to Russia's flagship Urals blend in terms of quality, which makes it the most suitable for Belarus refineries, traders said.
Saudi Aramco slashed its official selling prices for April volumes as a part of its oil price war with Russia, which made its oil attractive for Belarus refiners, despite high freight costs, traders said.
Saudi Aramco declined to comment. Klaipedos Nafta, Klaipeda port operator, confirmed the arrival of Ionic Astrapi vessel on May 10-12 in an email to Reuters. "(An) oil parcel is destined for the oil refineries in Belarus," Klaipedos Nafta added.
Belarus started alternative oil purchases by buying Norway's Johan Sverdrup oil via Klaipeda in January followed with several seaborne Urals cargoes. Belneftekhim also purchased Azeri Light supplied via Ukraine's Odesa port in March and April.


unian--2020-04-29--Official forex rate of Ukraine's hryvnia set at UAH 26.97 per U.S. dollar for April 30

The Ukrainian currency has been strengthening for the third day in a row .
The National Bank of Ukraine has set the official forex rate of the hryvnia against the U.S. dollar at UAH 26.97 per U.S. dollar for Thursday , April 30 , which let the Ukrainian currency strengthen for the third day in a row .
The hryvnia gained eight kopiykas in value , it said .
Read alsoUkraine to put into circulation new UAH 10 coins ( Photos , video ) The official forex rate of the hryvnia against the euro set for April 30 is UAH @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukrainian currency become stronger by 19 kopiykas against April 29 .
As of 15:00 Kyiv time on April 29 , the hryvnia on the country 's interbank forex market was traded for UAH 26.96/26.99 per dollar , while quotations against the euro were UAH 29.26/29.29 per euro .
Retail forex rates in Kyiv 's currency exchange booths on the morning of Wednesday , April 29 , were UAH 27.25 per dollar and UAH 29.60 per euro .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the official forex rate on Wednesday , April 29 , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29.43 per euro .

Official forex rate of Ukraine's hryvnia set at UAH 26.97 per U.S. dollar for April 30
17:55, 29.04.20 4716
The Ukrainian currency has been strengthening for the third day in a row.
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unian--2020-04-29--Ukraine, Hungary preparing for virtual gas reverse flow

Such integration is one of the latest requirements prescribed by the Network Code for Capacity Allocation Mechanisms .
Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine ( GTSOU ) LLC says it has established jointly with the Hungarian transmission system operator , namely FGSZ LLC , a single virtual interconnection point `` Bereg '' on the Ukraine-Hungary border for a virtual natural gas reverse flow .
`` Following three months of intensive negotiations and setting up required regulatory framework , the Ukrainian and Hungarian transmission system operators , Gas TSO of Ukraine LLC and FGSZ Natural Gas Transmission Private Company Limited by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which prescribes uniting two existing interconnection points – IP Beregovo DN1400 and IP Beregdaróc DN800 – into one single virtual interconnection point– VIP 'Bereg , ' which comes into force on May 1 , 2020 , '' the Ukrainian operator 's press service said on its website on April 29 .
Such integration is one of the latest requirements prescribed by the Network Code for Capacity Allocation Mechanisms ( NC CAM ) .
In case of Ukraine and Hungary it became possible only in 2020 , because the same business rules started to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – Beregovo and Beregdaróc on January 1 , 2020 .
As UNIAN reported earlier , in December 2019 , Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine LLC and Hungarian FGSZ agreed on the terms of cooperation in the interconnection points Beregovo and Beregdaróc .

Ukraine, Hungary preparing for virtual gas reverse flow
16:40, 29.04.20 2134
Such integration is one of the latest requirements prescribed by the Network Code for Capacity Allocation Mechanisms.
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unian--2020-04-29--Wage arrears in Ukraine shrink to almost US$110 mln in March

At operating enterprises , arrears were estimated at US $ 67.1 million .
Ukrainian enterprises ' wage arrears before workers @ @ @ @ @ 1.8 % from February 2020 , to UAH 2.964 billion ( US $ 109.6 million @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 .
At operating enterprises , arrears were estimated at UAH 1.816 billion ( @ @ @ @ @ as of April 1 , 2020 , which was 3.9 % down from the figure @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 , the State Statistics Service reported .
Read alsoUkraine 's hryvnia strengthens to @ @ @ @ @ on April 29 The report does not include information from temporarily occupied areas in the @ @ @ @ @ the city of Sevastopol , and certain areas in Donetsk and Luhansk regions , it @ @ @ @ @ earlier , the minimum wage in Ukraine from January 1 , 2020 , increased by @ @ @ @ @ 20.33 ) , to UAH 4,723 ( US $ 175 ) per month , or @ @ @ @ @ 1.05 ) per hour .

Wage arrears in Ukraine shrink to almost US$110 mln in March
16:00, 29.04.20 8054
At operating enterprises, arrears were estimated at US$67.1 million.
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unian--2020-04-29--Ukraine's Cabinet appoints new tax chief

On April 27 , the Cabinet of Ministers announced a competition for the post of head of the State Fiscal Service .
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has appointed Oleksiy Liubchenko as the new head of the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine .
`` Oleksiy Mykolaiovych Liubchenko is the new head of the tax service , '' MP Oleksiy Honcharenko , who attended today 's government meeting , wrote on Telegram .
As UNIAN reported earlier , at an extraordinary meeting on Friday , April 24 , the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dismissed Head of the State Customs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Fiscal Service Serhiy Verlanov .
The work of two agencies had been criticized recently due to the failure to meet the revenue targets of the state budget .
Read also '' Political decision '' : Verlanov on own dismissal from top post in tax service On April 27 , the Cabinet of Ministers announced a competition for the post of head of the State Fiscal Service .
Only 24 hours was provided for candidates to file applications .
UNIAN memo .
Oleksiy Liubchenko worked as First Deputy Head of the Tax Administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 2003 to 2005 he headed the Tax Administration in Cherkasy region .
After that , he was appointed Deputy Chairman of Kirovohrad Regional State Administration .
In 2009-2011 , Liubchenko served as Deputy Chairman of the State Tax Administration .
In 2012-2014 , he was an assistant to MP Viktor Tymoshenko .
In 2015 , Liubchenko applied for the post of chairman of the State Fiscal Service .

Ukraine's Cabinet appoints new tax chief
15:40, 29.04.20 29985
On April 27, the Cabinet of Ministers announced a competition for the post of head of the State Fiscal Service.
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unian--2020-04-30--Healthcare workers make up 10% of all patients with COVID-19 in Kyiv

Twenty-two doctors are being treated in hospitals , while the rest are at home in self-isolation .
Healthcare workers make up 10 % of all patients with COVID-19 in the capital city of Kyiv .
`` A total of 10 % of Kyiv 's patients with COVID-19 are healthcare workers .
Some 148 doctors of communal medical institutions have a confirmed diagnosis , including doctors from the Oleksandrivska hospital , which was the first to take a hit since it was the first to start taking COVID-19 patients .
And also the medical personnel of the infectious departments of city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 , No .
6 , No .
9 and other medical institutions of the first wave of patients who took on the entire load , '' Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said during an online briefing , according to an UNIAN correspondent .
He said doctors and nurses from non-core departments , family doctors , as well as medics working in private clinics were among the infected .
According to the mayor , 22 doctors are being treated in hospitals , while the rest are at home in self-isolation .
Klitschko said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city had risen by 60 in the past day .
In total , there are 1,401 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kyiv .

Twenty-two doctors are being treated in hospitals, while the rest are at home in self-isolation.
Healthcare workers make up 10% of all patients with COVID-19 in the capital city of Kyiv.
"A total of 10% of Kyiv's patients with COVID-19 are healthcare workers. Some 148 doctors of communal medical institutions have a confirmed diagnosis, including doctors from the Oleksandrivska hospital, which was the first to take a hit since it was the first to start taking COVID-19 patients. And also the medical personnel of the infectious departments of city hospitals No. 4, No. 5, No. 6, No. 9 and other medical institutions of the first wave of patients who took on the entire load," Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said during an online briefing, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
Read alsoKyiv's major music fest postponed until July 2021 over coronavirus lockdown
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He said doctors and nurses from non-core departments, family doctors, as well as medics working in private clinics were among the infected.
According to the mayor, 22 doctors are being treated in hospitals, while the rest are at home in self-isolation.
Klitschko said the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city had risen by 60 in the past day. In total, there are 1,401 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kyiv.


unian--2020-04-30--Health Ministry: Ukraine seeing best-case scenario of coronavirus epidemic

The country is now on a plateau as it has n't yet faced a serious peak .
Ukraine 's Chief Medical Officer Viktor Liashko has said Ukraine is moving in keeping with the best-case scenario of the coronavirus epidemic in Ukraine as the number of new COVID-19 cases in Ukraine is gradually decreasing ; however , this does not indicate a stable tendency toward a general slide .
`` We have moved to a 'quiet ' plateau , recording new cases that , given the number of fatalities and recoveries , do n't exceed a daily 10 % growth rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care system will cope with the burden , '' the official told the Ukrainian online news outlet Obozrevatel on April 30 .
According to Liashko , the country is on a plateau because it has n't yet faced a serious peak in the incidence .
`` Due to the quarantine , the outbreak is developing slowly as we are stretching it in time , which means that our plateau [ period ] may be much longer than in European Union countries , '' he said .
There were already spikes and plateaus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the downward tendency of the COVID-19 incidence is being observed there .
`` We may have this process prolonged .
But we will slowly be easing quarantine measures so that the economy could revive , '' he said .
Liashko noted that , according to forecasts , Ukraine might have 180,000 coronavirus cases .
However , there are just over 10,000 cases for the time being .
So , no COVID-19 rapid spread occurred .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Ukraine 's Health Ministry reported 135 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total number to 10,406 .

The country is now on a plateau as it hasn't yet faced a serious peak.
Ukraine's Chief Medical Officer Viktor Liashko has said Ukraine is moving in keeping with the best-case scenario of the coronavirus epidemic in Ukraine as the number of new COVID-19 cases in Ukraine is gradually decreasing; however, this does not indicate a stable tendency toward a general slide.
"We have moved to a 'quiet' plateau, recording new cases that, given the number of fatalities and recoveries, don't exceed a daily 10% growth rate. In such a scenario, our health care system will cope with the burden," the official told the Ukrainian online news outlet Obozrevatel on April 30.
According to Liashko, the country is on a plateau because it hasn't yet faced a serious peak in the incidence.
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"Due to the quarantine, the outbreak is developing slowly as we are stretching it in time, which means that our plateau [period] may be much longer than in European Union countries," he said.
There were already spikes and plateaus in many European countries. So, the downward tendency of the COVID-19 incidence is being observed there.
Read alsoUkraine so far avoiding COVID-19 peak incidence – health minister
"We may have this process prolonged. But we will slowly be easing quarantine measures so that the economy could revive," he said.
Liashko noted that, according to forecasts, Ukraine might have 180,000 coronavirus cases. However, there are just over 10,000 cases for the time being. So, no COVID-19 rapid spread occurred.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukraine's Health Ministry reported 135 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, which brought the total number to 10,406.


unian--2020-04-30--Health officials warn Parliament against rushing with quarantine lift

It 's quite difficult to build up within two months the healthcare system capacities that would effectively and efficiently cope with the challenges the pandemic is posing .
The Ministry of Health of Ukraine is warning the Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , aginst making decisions on rapid quarantine lift .
`` Today we 're also working on quarantine lifting plans , and I would like to urge everyone that as we talk about a quarantine lift we need to find a balance between anti-epidemic measures and the economy .
We introduced quarantine on time .
This is confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be a shame to get out of quarantine faster than necessary .
So please , when we vote for any quarantine easing initiatives , we need to take into account the epidemic developments and the impact of commercial activity on the possible spread of the coronavirus , '' Ukrainian Deputy Health Minister Viktor Liashko told a meeting of the Conciliation Council of faction leaders and chairmen of parliamentary committees , according to an UNIAN correspondent .
Read alsoUkraine 's Cabinet to consider new steps to ease quarantine restrictions for businesses Separately , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving results .
`` Quarantine is working .
No matter what , no matter what they say , quarantine is working .
Today , 158 out of 2,133 intensive care beds are occupied , equipped with oxygen and mechanical ventilators .
Today , our Ukrainian medics do n't have to choose , whom to admit and treat , as was the case in some EU countries with developed healthcare systems , '' he said .
It 's quite difficult to build up within two months the healthcare system capacities that would effectively and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is posing , Liashko has concluded .

It's quite difficult to build up within two months the healthcare system capacities that would effectively and efficiently cope with the challenges the pandemic is posing.
The Ministry of Health of Ukraine is warning the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, aginst making decisions on rapid quarantine lift.
"Today we're also working on quarantine lifting plans, and I would like to urge everyone that as we talk about a quarantine lift we need to find a balance between anti-epidemic measures and the economy. We introduced quarantine on time. This is confirmed by the fatality rate, so it will be a shame to get out of quarantine faster than necessary. So please, when we vote for any quarantine easing initiatives, we need to take into account the epidemic developments and the impact of commercial activity on the possible spread of the coronavirus," Ukrainian Deputy Health Minister Viktor Liashko told a meeting of the Conciliation Council of faction leaders and chairmen of parliamentary committees, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
Read alsoUkraine's Cabinet to consider new steps to ease quarantine restrictions for businesses
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Separately, the official said that quarantine measures were giving results.
"Quarantine is working. No matter what, no matter what they say, quarantine is working. Today, 158 out of 2,133 intensive care beds are occupied, equipped with oxygen and mechanical ventilators. Today, our Ukrainian medics don't have to choose, whom to admit and treat, as was the case in some EU countries with developed healthcare systems," he said.
It's quite difficult to build up within two months the healthcare system capacities that would effectively and efficiently cope with the challenges the pandemic is posing, Liashko has concluded.


unian--2020-04-30--Sextortion scammers still shilling with stolen passwords – cybersecurity experts

The email includes the potential victim 's password as evidence of a hack , but there is more than meets the eye .
Earlier in April , a new sextortion scam campaign was detected making the rounds in countries on both sides of the Atlantic .
The spam emails that were detected by ESET 's research laboratory have been trying to dupe unwitting victims by referring to old passwords that have been part of old data breaches .
The campaign is not altogether new , since it repurposes old scams , ESET reports .
The first time that scammers made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a campaign that also included the victim 's password in the subject line .
The email itself claimed that the password was obtained by compromising one of the recipient 's devices using malware .
However frightening this may seem at first glance , these are just social engineering and scare tactics , employed by cybercriminals to generate panic in the recipients of these emails .
To put it simply , it is highly unlikely that your computer has either been accessed or compromised , at least not by the method suggested in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to panic .
The new extortion campaign borrows , or rather builds upon , the previous versions .
The scammers start with an alarming message right off the bat to get the victim 's attention , usually by including one of the victim 's old passwords that was probably stolen as part of a previous data breach .
Moving on , the fraudsters claim that the victim 's device was infected by some form of malware when visiting a porn website , and that allowed them to obtain both the victim 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The scammers then purport to have made a video of the victim and the alleged `` not safe for work '' content .
Read alsoRFE/RL : U.S. , Britain again accuse Russia of cyberattacks on Georgia Once the cybercriminals have scared their potential victims enough , they demand a sum to be paid within 24 hours or the embarrassing video will be released .
They usually want the payment to be made in bitcoin .
After analyzing some of the cases stemming from this new sextortion scam campaign , ESET researchers found that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or 9th of April .
They checked the bitcoin wallet addresses shared by the attackers and found that they were n't faring very well , to put it mildly .
By contrast , during the 2018 campaign the scammers were able to trick victims out of almost half a million dollars .
To reiterate , it is important to note that the password did not come from the potential victim 's compromised machine .
All of the breadcrumbs indicate that the campaign leverages credentials taken from large data leaks and older breaches , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rare occurrence .
ESET researchers entered some of the victims ' email addresses into to the Have I been pwned ?
website , and indeed found that their passwords and emails were gathered from services that suffered data breaches such as LinkedIn , Taringa , MyFitnessPal or Canva , among others .
Users are advised to go on Google or whatever search engine they prefer and enter the word scam , in quotes , along with an interesting phrase from the scam email .
They can then scroll through the results , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousand , and see if anything seems vaguely familiar .
Quite often examples can be found of similar scams that have been floating about and have already been scrutinized by a number of researchers and experts in the field .
ESET is a global leader in IT security .
The company was founded in Slovakia in 1992 and today it has representation in more than 180 countries .

The email includes the potential victim's password as evidence of a hack, but there is more than meets the eye.
Earlier in April, a new sextortion scam campaign was detected making the rounds in countries on both sides of the Atlantic. The spam emails that were detected by ESET's research laboratory have been trying to dupe unwitting victims by referring to old passwords that have been part of old data breaches.
The campaign is not altogether new, since it repurposes old scams, ESET reports. The first time that scammers made waves with these tactics was in 2018 with a campaign that also included the victim's password in the subject line. The email itself claimed that the password was obtained by compromising one of the recipient's devices using malware.
However frightening this may seem at first glance, these are just social engineering and scare tactics, employed by cybercriminals to generate panic in the recipients of these emails. To put it simply, it is highly unlikely that your computer has either been accessed or compromised, at least not by the method suggested in the email, so there is no need to panic.
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The new extortion campaign borrows, or rather builds upon, the previous versions. The scammers start with an alarming message right off the bat to get the victim's attention, usually by including one of the victim's old passwords that was probably stolen as part of a previous data breach. Moving on, the fraudsters claim that the victim's device was infected by some form of malware when visiting a porn website, and that allowed them to obtain both the victim's password and access to their device. The scammers then purport to have made a video of the victim and the alleged "not safe for work" content.
Read alsoRFE/RL: U.S., Britain again accuse Russia of cyberattacks on Georgia
Once the cybercriminals have scared their potential victims enough, they demand a sum to be paid within 24 hours or the embarrassing video will be released. They usually want the payment to be made in bitcoin.
After analyzing some of the cases stemming from this new sextortion scam campaign, ESET researchers found that it probably started sometime around the 8th or 9th of April. They checked the bitcoin wallet addresses shared by the attackers and found that they weren't faring very well, to put it mildly. By contrast, during the 2018 campaign the scammers were able to trick victims out of almost half a million dollars.
To reiterate, it is important to note that the password did not come from the potential victim's compromised machine. All of the breadcrumbs indicate that the campaign leverages credentials taken from large data leaks and older breaches, which, unfortunately, aren’' a rare occurrence. ESET researchers entered some of the victims' email addresses into to the Have I been pwned? website, and indeed found that their passwords and emails were gathered from services that suffered data breaches such as LinkedIn, Taringa, MyFitnessPal or Canva, among others.
Users are advised to go on Google or whatever search engine they prefer and enter the word scam, in quotes, along with an interesting phrase from the scam email. They can then scroll through the results, of which there may be a few thousand, and see if anything seems vaguely familiar. Quite often examples can be found of similar scams that have been floating about and have already been scrutinized by a number of researchers and experts in the field.
ESET is a global leader in IT security. The company was founded in Slovakia in 1992 and today it has representation in more than 180 countries.


unian--2020-04-30--Ukraine president's office: Ad hoc group elaborates creation of state air carrier operating Antonov

The aircraft could perform all intercity flights within Ukraine and those to foreign destinations within the region .
Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Tymoshenko has said an ad hoc group continues calculating the cost of and approaches to setting up a state-run air carrier that would solely operate aircraft manufactured at Kyiv-based state-owned Antonov .
`` We will report on the developments and present the air carrier and the approaches in this regard .
Everyone will be able to learn the cost of its founding , '' the President 's Office quoted Tymoshenko as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the official , Antonov aircraft are able to operate all intercity flights within Ukraine and those to foreign destinations within the region .
`` In any case , Antonov is a [ state-owned ] enterprise requiring certain resources .
But we would rather place an order and create an air carrier for these resources .
They will be working and building aircraft , while the air carrier will be carrying passengers , '' he said .
Read alsoWorld 's biggest plane brings 103 tonnes of protective gear from China to Ukraine ( Photos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national air carrier will also be the so-called government `` safeguard '' in case of any emergencies .
`` Yes , there is the market and there are air carriers .
But the state should always be sure : if something goes wrong , there is a state air carrier to rely on .
This is one of the reasons why it is being set up , '' he said .
As UNIAN reported , Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier said he would like that a state-owned air carrier with Antonov aircraft be @ @ @ @ @

Ukraine president's office: Ad hoc group elaborates creation of state air carrier operating Antonov aircraft
14:20, 30.04.20 1098
The aircraft could perform all intercity flights within Ukraine and those to foreign destinations within the region.
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