unian--2020-09-04--Travel amid COVID-19 restrictions: Ukraine updates list of red, green zone countries

In total , 150 countries + Ukraine are now in the green zone .
Ukraine 's Health Ministry has updated the list of countries in terms of the level of coronavirus spread and corresponding travel restrictions applied .
Albania has returned to the green zone , as reported by the State Agency for Tourism Development on Telegram .
In total , 150 countries + Ukraine got into the green zone , whereas there were 123 of them two weeks ago .
Upon arrival , someone does not need to self-isolate or undergo a test for COVID-19 .
Albania has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukrainians can fly on vacation this week .
Bulgaria , Egypt and Turkey are also in this list .
So far , there are 50 countries in the red zone .
Upon returning from these countries , Ukrainians must go for 14-day self-isolation using the Dii Vdoma mobile application .
Early termination of the self-isolation period is possible after a negative PCR test returns .
Croatia and Montenegro are among popular tourist destinations where Ukrainians are allowed to fly on vacation .
• Cabinet temporarily bans foreigners from entering Ukraine , but with @

In total, 150 countries + Ukraine are now in the green zone.
Ukraine's Health Ministry has updated the list of countries in terms of the level of coronavirus spread and corresponding travel restrictions applied.
Albania has returned to the green zone, as reported by the State Agency for Tourism Development on Telegram.
Green zone
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In total, 150 countries + Ukraine got into the green zone, whereas there were 123 of them two weeks ago. Upon arrival, someone does not need to self-isolate or undergo a test for COVID-19.
Albania has been put back to the green zone where Ukrainians can fly on vacation this week. Bulgaria, Egypt and Turkey are also in this list.
Red zone
So far, there are 50 countries in the red zone. Upon returning from these countries, Ukrainians must go for 14-day self-isolation using the Dii Vdoma mobile application. Early termination of the self-isolation period is possible after a negative PCR test returns.
Croatia and Montenegro are among popular tourist destinations where Ukrainians are allowed to fly on vacation.
COVID-19 zoning, restrictions: other news


unian--2020-09-05--Sixth anniversary of Minsk Protocol: U.S. calls on Russia to withdraw weapons, forces from Ukraine

The United States ' support for Ukraine 's sovereignty and territorial integrity remains ironclad .
Marking the sixth anniversary of the Minsk Protocol 's signing , the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv called on Russia to withdraw its weapons and troops from the country and return to Ukraine full control over its borders.Read alsoMinsk talks on Donbas may change location over protests in Belarus – Kravchuk '' On the sixth anniversary of the Minsk Protocol 's signing we urge Russia to fully implement its Minsk commitments , withdraw its weapons and the forces it leads from Ukraine , and return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the Embassy wrote on Facebook on September 5 .
`` The United States ' support for Ukraine 's sovereignty and territorial integrity remains ironclad , '' the Embassy said .
• A preliminary protocol to a ceasefire agreement was signed at a meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group ( TCG ) on Donbas settlement on September 5 , 2014 .
• The document was signed by OSCE envoy Heidi Tagliavini , former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma , and Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabov .
• The Minsk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 .
The Memorandum contains nine points related to a ban on the use of all types of weapons and offensive actions .
• According to the Memorandum , the parties shall withdraw their heavy military equipment from the contact line by at least 15 kilometres on each side .
An OSCE monitoring mission consisting of OSCE observers shall be deployed in the ceasefire zone within 24 hours of the approval of this Memorandum , the document said .

The United States' support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity remains ironclad.
Marking the sixth anniversary of the Minsk Protocol's signing, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv called on Russia to withdraw its weapons and troops from the country and return to Ukraine full control over its borders.Read alsoMinsk talks on Donbas may change location over protests in Belarus – Kravchuk
"On the sixth anniversary of the Minsk Protocol's signing we urge Russia to fully implement its Minsk commitments, withdraw its weapons and the forces it leads from Ukraine, and return to Ukraine full control of its internationally-recognized borders," the Embassy wrote on Facebook on September 5.
"The United States' support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity remains ironclad," the Embassy said.
Minsk agreements: background


unian--2020-09-05--Kyiv mayor reports 315 new COVID-19 cases, four fatalities in past day

As of today , the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 14,792 .
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has said the number of confirmed coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases in the city rose by 315 in the past day .
`` In the past day , another 315 residents of Kyiv tested positive for coronavirus , including seven healthcare workers .
There were four fatalities , '' Klitschko wrote on Telegram on September 5 .
`` As of today , the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 14,792 . ''
According to Klitschko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 132 men aged 19 to 86 are among those infected .
Read alsoDaily COVID-19 spike in Ukraine hits new high with over 2,800 cases on Sept 5Nine girls ( from one to 15 years old ) and 11 boys ( from four to 17 years old ) have tested positive .
Klitschko said 42 new patients had been hospitalized , while the rest are self-isolating , undergoing treatment at home under medical supervision .
Ninety-seven people recovered from the disease in the past day , he said .
In total , 4,713 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highest number of the new cases in Kyiv was registered in Desniansky district ( 57 ) , Darnytsky district ( 55 ) , and Obolonsky district ( 39 ) .
The total death toll in the city is 234 cases .
• 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
• On August 26 , the Cabinet of Ministers extended the adaptive quarantine until November 1 .

As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 14,792.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has said the number of confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the city rose by 315 in the past day.
"In the past day, another 315 residents of Kyiv tested positive for coronavirus, including seven healthcare workers. There were four fatalities," Klitschko wrote on Telegram on September 5. "As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 14,792."
According to Klitschko, 163 women aged 22 to 89 and 132 men aged 19 to 86 are among those infected.
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Read alsoDaily COVID-19 spike in Ukraine hits new high with over 2,800 cases on Sept 5Nine girls (from one to 15 years old) and 11 boys (from four to 17 years old) have tested positive.
Klitschko said 42 new patients had been hospitalized, while the rest are self-isolating, undergoing treatment at home under medical supervision.
Ninety-seven people recovered from the disease in the past day, he said.
In total, 4,713 Kyiv residents have already recovered.
The highest number of the new cases in Kyiv was registered in Desniansky district (57), Darnytsky district (55), and Obolonsky district (39).
The total death toll in the city is 234 cases.
Quarantine in Ukraine: background


unian--2020-09-05--Donbas truce: Ukraine reports enemy provocation on Sept 4

No casualties were reported in the past day .
Ukraine has reported one enemy provocation on Friday , September 4 , as Russia 's hybrid military forces violated the newly-agreed truce in Donbas , eastern Ukraine .
In particular , the enemy opened fire using grenade launchers and small arms near the town of Avdiyivka .
Read alsoTrilateral Contact Group agrees on four new disengagement sites in Donbas – Zelensky 's OfficeUkrainian military did not return fire .
No casualties were reported in the past day .
Since Sunday midnight , no attacks by Russian Federation 's armed formations have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the same time , the JFO HQ says efforts to put out wildfires in Donetsk and Luhansk regions are underway .
`` The units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine , together with the firefighters of the State Emergency Service , are participating in extinguishing fires near the settlements of Lopaskine , Triokhizbenka , Novhorodske , and Krasnohorivka .
The required number of personnel and equipment has been involved in extinguishing the fires , '' the command said .
In addition , Ukrainian sappers have cleared over 10 hectares in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explosive objects found in the JFO zone .
JFO rescuers are also engaged in the restoration of residential buildings and infrastructure damaged in artillery shelling of previous years .
They repaired 11 houses in the past day .
Works on nine other sites are underway .
• Participants in the Trilateral Contact Group ( Ukraine , Russia , and the OSCE ) on the peace settlement in Donbas on July 22 agreed on a full and comprehensive ceasefire along the contact line from 00:01 on Monday , July 27 .
• The new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time on July 27 .
• On the very first day of the newly-agreed truce , Russia 's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas , eastern Ukraine .

No casualties were reported in the past day.
Ukraine has reported one enemy provocation on Friday, September 4, as Russia's hybrid military forces violated the newly-agreed truce in Donbas, eastern Ukraine.
"Over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian military recorded a ceasefire violation by the Russian Federation's armed formations," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation Command reported in a Facebook update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on September 5, 2020.
In particular, the enemy opened fire using grenade launchers and small arms near the town of Avdiyivka.
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Read alsoTrilateral Contact Group agrees on four new disengagement sites in Donbas – Zelensky's OfficeUkrainian military did not return fire.
No casualties were reported in the past day.
Since Sunday midnight, no attacks by Russian Federation's armed formations have been recorded, the JFO HQ said.
At the same time, the JFO HQ says efforts to put out wildfires in Donetsk and Luhansk regions are underway.
"The units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, together with the firefighters of the State Emergency Service, are participating in extinguishing fires near the settlements of Lopaskine, Triokhizbenka, Novhorodske, and Krasnohorivka. The required number of personnel and equipment has been involved in extinguishing the fires," the command said.
In addition, Ukrainian sappers have cleared over 10 hectares in the front-line area and handed for disposal 51 explosive objects found in the JFO zone.
JFO rescuers are also engaged in the restoration of residential buildings and infrastructure damaged in artillery shelling of previous years. They repaired 11 houses in the past day. Works on nine other sites are underway.
Donbas ceasefire: background


unian--2020-09-05--Daily COVID-19 spike in Ukraine hits new high with over 2,800 cases on Sept 5

The total number of confirmed cases grew to 133,787 .
Ukraine said 2,836 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of September 5 , 2020 , marking yet another highest daily rise .
The total number of confirmed cases grew to 133,787 , as seen on the interactive map compiled by the National Security and Defense Council .
Read alsoUkrainians may now travel to 48 countries , foreign ministry saysAs many as 61,649 patients , including 1,036 in the past day , have recovered .
The pandemic has taken 2,811 lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
There were 69,327 active cases as of September 5 .
In total , there have been 195,757 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020 .
The highest number of new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered in Kharkiv region ( 380 cases ) and the city of Kyiv ( 315 ) .
The overall incidence per region is as follows : • 14,792 ( +315 ) in the city of Kyiv ; Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , the city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regions – is not available .
COVID-19 tests were conducted by the Public Health Center 's virological reference laboratory and regional laboratories .
• 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures .
• Updated quarantine zoning became effective in Ukraine on August 17 .
Kyiv was included in the yellow zone .
• On August 26 , the Cabinet of Ministers extended the adaptive quarantine until November 1 .

The total number of confirmed cases grew to 133,787.
Ukraine said 2,836 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of September 5, 2020, marking yet another highest daily rise.
The total number of confirmed cases grew to 133,787, as seen on the interactive map compiled by the National Security and Defense Council.
Read alsoUkrainians may now travel to 48 countries, foreign ministry saysAs many as 61,649 patients, including 1,036 in the past day, have recovered.
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The pandemic has taken 2,811 lives with 50 fatalities recorded over the past day.
There were 69,327 active cases as of September 5. In total, there have been 195,757 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020.
The highest number of new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered in Kharkiv region (380 cases) and the city of Kyiv (315).
The overall incidence per region is as follows:
15,507 (+195) cases in Lviv region;
14,792 (+315) in the city of Kyiv;
10,958 (+172) in Chernivtsi region;
10,692 (+380) in Kharkiv region;
10,011 (+166) in Ivano-Frankivsk region;
9,634 (+99) in Rivne region;
8,260 (+222) in Odesa region;
7,988 (+100) in Zakarpattia region;
7,067 (+226) in Ternopil region;
6,105 (+88) in Kyiv region;
5,791 (+68) in Volyn region;
4,324 (+55) in Vinnytsia region;
3,622 (+72) in Zhytomyr region;
2,979 (+131) in Khmelnytsky region;
2,625 (+55) in Dnipropetrovsk region;
2,230 (+80) in Chernihiv region;
1,849 (+93) in Cherkasy region;
1,848 (+80) in Zaporizhia region;
1,769 (+89) in Sumy region;
1,591 (+15) in Donetsk region (Ukrainian-controlled districts);
1,504 (+58) in Mykolayiv region;
916 (+30) in Poltava region;
846 (+5) in Kirovohrad region;
464 (+20) in Kherson region;
415 (+22) in Luhansk region (Ukrainian-controlled districts).
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available.
COVID-19 tests were conducted by the Public Health Center's virological reference laboratory and regional laboratories.
Quarantine in Ukraine: background


unian--2020-09-05--Number of COVID-19 cases confirmed worldwide exceeds 26.6 mln

As many as 188 countries have been affected by the virus .
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world exceeded 26.6 million patients as of September 5 .
Read alsoTravel amid COVID-19 restrictions : Ukraine updates list of red , green zone countriesAs many as 26,610,845 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported as of 08:28 on September 5 , according to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering ( CSSE ) at Johns Hopkins University .
The overall death toll is 874,379 people , while 17,717,911 coronavirus patients have already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded in the United States ( 187,765 people ) , Brazil ( 125,502 ) , India ( 69,561 ) , Mexico ( 66,851 ) , the United Kingdom ( 41,626 ) , Italy ( 35,518 ) , and France ( 30,730 ) .
The countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic include the United States ( 6,201,727 confirmed cases ) , Brazil ( 4,091,801 ) , India ( 4,023,179 ) , Russia ( 1,011,987 ) , Peru ( 670,145 ) , Colombia ( 641,574 ) , South Africa ( 635,078 ) , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as 188 countries have been affected by the virus .

As many as 188 countries have been affected by the virus.
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world exceeded 26.6 million patients as of September 5.
Read alsoTravel amid COVID-19 restrictions: Ukraine updates list of red, green zone countriesAs many as 26,610,845 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported as of 08:28 on September 5, according to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.
The overall death toll is 874,379 people, while 17,717,911 coronavirus patients have already recovered.
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The highest death toll was recorded in the United States (187,765 people), Brazil (125,502), India (69,561), Mexico (66,851), the United Kingdom (41,626), Italy (35,518), and France (30,730).
The countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic include the United States (6,201,727 confirmed cases), Brazil (4,091,801), India (4,023,179), Russia (1,011,987), Peru (670,145), Colombia (641,574), South Africa (635,078), and Mexico (623,090).
As many as 188 countries have been affected by the virus.


unian--2020-09-05--Ukraine convenes TCG meeting over puppet "DPR" leader's threats to open fire on JFO units in Donbas

The Ukrainian delegation will try to prevent shelling of JFO unit .
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says Ukraine is initiating an extraordinary meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group ( TCG ) on Donbas settlement over threats voiced by the self-styled `` leader '' of the so-called `` Donetsk People 's Republic '' ( `` DPR '' ) Denis Pushilin to open fire on the positions of Ukraine 's Joint Forces Operation ( JFO ) near the village of Shumy .
`` Our president [ Volodymyr Zelensky ] was informed about the issue , and he is very concerned about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Ukraine will convene an extraordinary meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group , literally tomorrow , '' he said on TV Channel Pryamiy on September 5 .
According to Kuleba , the Ukrainian delegation will try to prevent shelling of JFO units at the TCG extraordinary meeting on September 6 .
Leader of Russian-backed militants in Donbas Pushilin earlier threatened to engage fire on Ukrainian positions at 08:00 Kyiv time on September 7 .
According to Pushilin , the reason is the alleged violation by the Ukrainian side of the ceasefire agreements reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ armed forces demanded that Ukrainian military bury the trenches that were allegedly dug after July 22 , and then also warned that they `` have every right '' to eliminate `` these violations on their own . ''
The `` DPR '' leader added that he expected the requirements to be met , but received no confirmation from the Ukrainian side .
The militants are going to open targeted fire on `` illegally erected engineering structures '' in the vicinity of Shumy .
• Participants in the Trilateral Contact Group ( Ukraine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the peace settlement in Donbas on July 22 agreed on a full and comprehensive ceasefire along the contact line from 00:01 on Monday , July 27 .
• The new ceasefire regime was enforced at 00:01 Kyiv time on July 27 .
• On the very first day of the newly-agreed truce , Russia 's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas , eastern Ukraine .

The Ukrainian delegation will try to prevent shelling of JFO unit.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says Ukraine is initiating an extraordinary meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) on Donbas settlement over threats voiced by the self-styled "leader" of the so-called "Donetsk People's Republic" ("DPR") Denis Pushilin to open fire on the positions of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) near the village of Shumy.
Read alsoDonbas truce: Ukraine reports enemy provocation on Sept 4 (Video)
"Our president [Volodymyr Zelensky] was informed about the issue, and he is very concerned about this. We immediately made a move: Ukraine will convene an extraordinary meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group, literally tomorrow," he said on TV Channel Pryamiy on September 5.
According to Kuleba, the Ukrainian delegation will try to prevent shelling of JFO units at the TCG extraordinary meeting on September 6.
"We'll never make unacceptable concessions, but the ceasefire must operate," he added.
Pushilin's threats against Ukrainian Army
Leader of Russian-backed militants in Donbas Pushilin earlier threatened to engage fire on Ukrainian positions at 08:00 Kyiv time on September 7. According to Pushilin, the reason is the alleged violation by the Ukrainian side of the ceasefire agreements reached on July 22.
Pushilin claims his armed forces demanded that Ukrainian military bury the trenches that were allegedly dug after July 22, and then also warned that they "have every right" to eliminate "these violations on their own."
The "DPR" leader added that he expected the requirements to be met, but received no confirmation from the Ukrainian side.
The militants are going to open targeted fire on "illegally erected engineering structures" in the vicinity of Shumy.
Donbas ceasefire: background


unian--2020-09-05--Women's peace march, students' protests take place in Minsk

New protests were sparked , in particular , by yesterday 's detention of students of the Minsk State Linguistic University .
Student solidarity rallies and a women 's peace march are taking place simultaneously in Minsk , the capital city of Belarus .
Read alsoBelarus protests : Students take to streets in Minsk on Sept 1 ( Photo , video ) A number of Belarusian Telegram channels , namely NEXTA Live , Onliner and Nasha Niva reported on the events on Saturday , September 5 .
First , several hundred students gathered in downtown Minsk .
University teaches joined them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ columns and moved along the central streets of the city , shouting slogans and holding white-red-white flags .
Some protesters were singing the anthem Kupalinka ( Belarusian folk song ) .
Then the first detentions of protests began .
About 4,000 women took part in the march , which stated at about 15:00 .
They also marched through the capital of Belarus , holding white-red-white flags and official state flags of Belarus .
The women call on the authorities to bring to justice those responsible for the violence against participants in the rallies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
New protests were sparked , in particular , by yesterday 's detention of students of the Minsk State Linguistic University ( MSLU ) , when riot police officers broke into the hall of the building , while the MSLU administrative personnel just watched what was happening .
Earlier , Blarusian students took to the streets of Minsk on Knowledge Day , September 1 , to demand that political prisoners be released from custody and fair elections be held in the country .
• On August 9 , presidential elections were held in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 took to the streets to protest what many believe was a rigged vote count .
Riot police violently cracked down on protesters .
• Belarus ' Ministry of Internal Affairs said about 7,000 protesters had been detained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On the evening of August 13 , the authorities started to release detainees .
• On August 14 , the European Union announced it did not recognize the outcome of the presidential elections in Belarus .
• 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 .
• On August 20 , the Prosecutor General 's Office opened a criminal probe into the attempt by the opposition to `` seize power . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ interference '' in the election and the external efforts to foment protests .
He spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin who had promised him comprehensive assistance upon request .
• Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin has warned of the possible use of army to disperse protesters rallying under the flags he claims were once used by Nazi troops .
• Ukraine 's Foreign Ministry said it was freezing all contacts with Belarus amid the moves and statements by the Belarusian side .

New protests were sparked, in particular, by yesterday's detention of students of the Minsk State Linguistic University.
Student solidarity rallies and a women's peace march are taking place simultaneously in Minsk, the capital city of Belarus.
Read alsoBelarus protests: Students take to streets in Minsk on Sept 1 (Photo, video)A number of Belarusian Telegram channels, namely NEXTA Live, Onliner and Nasha Niva reported on the events on Saturday, September 5.
First, several hundred students gathered in downtown Minsk. University teaches joined them as well.
Видео дня
The activists arranged in columns and moved along the central streets of the city, shouting slogans and holding white-red-white flags. Some protesters were singing the anthem Kupalinka (Belarusian folk song).
Then the first detentions of protests began.
About 4,000 women took part in the march, which stated at about 15:00. They also marched through the capital of Belarus, holding white-red-white flags and official state flags of Belarus.
The women call on the authorities to bring to justice those responsible for the violence against participants in the rallies to protest over the fraudulent presidential election.
New protests were sparked, in particular, by yesterday's detention of students of the Minsk State Linguistic University (MSLU), when riot police officers broke into the hall of the building, while the MSLU administrative personnel just watched what was happening.
Earlier, Blarusian students took to the streets of Minsk on Knowledge Day, September 1, to demand that political prisoners be released from custody and fair elections be held in the country.
Belarus protests: background


unian--2020-09-05--Fitch affirms Ukraine at 'B' with stable outlook

The agency expects Ukraine 's international reserves may reach US $ 27.4 billion at the end of 2020 against US $ 29 billion in early September .
Fitch Ratings has affirmed Ukraine 's Long-Term Foreign-Currency ( LTFC ) Issuer Default Rating ( IDR ) at ' B ' with a Stable Outlook .
`` The ratings of Ukraine reflect its credible macroeconomic policy framework that had lowered inflation and narrowed fiscal deficits prior to the coronavirus shock , and a record of multilateral support , '' Fitch Ratings said on September 4 .
Read alsoUkraine 's Economy Ministry publishes revised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2021According to the agency , `` these strengths are set against low external liquidity relative to high financing needs associated with large sovereign debt repayments , a vulnerable , albeit improving , banking sector , and weak governance indicators . ''
`` The coronavirus shock has at least temporarily reversed Ukraine 's improvements made in recent years in terms of a declining debt burden , normalization of growth prospects after the 2014-2015 geopolitical and economic crises , and reduced growth volatility , '' the report said .
Fitch expects Ukraine 's international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the end of 2020 against US $ 29 billion in early September .
`` Fitch considers that continued engagement with the IMF is key for Ukraine to maintain access to external financing .
However , the IMF SBA implementation risks are significant given Ukraine 's poor record from previous programs and potential judicial rulings and legislative initiatives that lead to reform reversals , '' it said .
`` Inflationary pressures remain subdued ( 2.4 % y-o-y in July ; core 3 % ) , but inflation is expected to approach the 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher energy and food prices as well as recovering domestic demand .
Fitch expects inflation to average 5.3 % in 2021 and 5.7 % in 2022 , above the forecast 4.4 % and 4.8 % ' B ' medians , '' the agency added .
• On March 21 , 2020 , S & P Global Ratings predicted a 5.5 % decline in Ukraine 's economy in 2020 with its subsequent recovery by 5 % in 2021 , and further by 3 % in 2022 .
• Fitch Ratings in connection with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in global GDP in 2020 on year , which is 2.7 percentage points worse than the agency 's forecast released in April .

The agency expects Ukraine's international reserves may reach US$27.4 billion at the end of 2020 against US$29 billion in early September.
Fitch Ratings has affirmed Ukraine's Long-Term Foreign-Currency (LTFC) Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'B' with a Stable Outlook.
"The ratings of Ukraine reflect its credible macroeconomic policy framework that had lowered inflation and narrowed fiscal deficits prior to the coronavirus shock, and a record of multilateral support," Fitch Ratings said on September 4.
Read alsoUkraine's Economy Ministry publishes revised forecast, predicts 4.6% GDP growth in 2021According to the agency, "these strengths are set against low external liquidity relative to high financing needs associated with large sovereign debt repayments, a vulnerable, albeit improving, banking sector, and weak governance indicators."
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"The coronavirus shock has at least temporarily reversed Ukraine's improvements made in recent years in terms of a declining debt burden, normalization of growth prospects after the 2014-2015 geopolitical and economic crises, and reduced growth volatility," the report said.
Fitch expects Ukraine's international reserves may reach US$27.4 billion at the end of 2020 against US$29 billion in early September.
"Fitch considers that continued engagement with the IMF is key for Ukraine to maintain access to external financing. However, the IMF SBA implementation risks are significant given Ukraine's poor record from previous programs and potential judicial rulings and legislative initiatives that lead to reform reversals," it said.
"Inflationary pressures remain subdued (2.4% y-o-y in July; core 3%), but inflation is expected to approach the 5% NBU target by end-2020 due to higher energy and food prices as well as recovering domestic demand. Fitch expects inflation to average 5.3% in 2021 and 5.7% in 2022, above the forecast 4.4% and 4.8% 'B' medians," the agency added.
Other forecasts


unian--2020-09-06--Navalny poisoning: Ukrainian envoy to Germany calls for blocking Russian oil, gas supplies

According to the diplomat , blocking the Nord Stream 2 project would not be enough .
Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany Andrij Melnyk has called for a three-month embargo on oil and gas supplies from Russia in response to the poisoning of opposition leader Aleksei Navalny .
`` The time has come to finally hit the gentlemen in the Kremlin with a tough response , '' the Ukrainian ambassador told dpa agency , according to Deutsche Welle .
In his opinion , the termination of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project required by a number of German politicians would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine 's position on Navalny poisoningPutin 's regime `` should be deprived of a major source of income for its aggressive policies . ''
The Ukrainian diplomat also demanded to put all European investments in the Russian economy to a halt .
`` The insidious attempt to poison Navalny with a chemical weapon of mass destruction is not only an overt death threat to all Putin critics .
It 's a blow to the face of the [ German ] chancellor , the federal government , and the German public , who were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In his opinion , Putin has already clearly demonstrated he was not affected by Berlin 's reaction to his previous actions .
• Russian opposition 's Alexei Navalny felt sick on board the plane he was flying to the city of Tomsk on August 20 .
His rapidly deteriorating condition forced the captain to perform an emergency landing in Omsk .
• Navalny 's press secretary assumed the politician 's tea had been laced with poison .
• Navalny was evacuated from Omsk to Germany on an ambulance aircraft for further medical treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Experts with the Bundeswehr laboratory found in Navalny 's body traces of poison from the novichok group .
In this regard , Berlin called on Moscow to explain the circumstances of the poisoning of the Russian opposition figure.to fully investigate the poisoning of the opposition politician .
• German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said that the refusal to probe the incident could lead to a revision of Berlin 's stance on the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline .

According to the diplomat, blocking the Nord Stream 2 project would not be enough.
Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany Andrij Melnyk has called for a three-month embargo on oil and gas supplies from Russia in response to the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
"The time has come to finally hit the gentlemen in the Kremlin with a tough response," the Ukrainian ambassador told dpa agency, according to Deutsche Welle.
In his opinion, the termination of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project required by a number of German politicians would not be enough.
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Read alsoFM Kuleba voices Ukraine's position on Navalny poisoningPutin's regime "should be deprived of a major source of income for its aggressive policies."
The Ukrainian diplomat also demanded to put all European investments in the Russian economy to a halt.
"The insidious attempt to poison Navalny with a chemical weapon of mass destruction is not only an overt death threat to all Putin critics. It's a blow to the face of the [German] chancellor, the federal government, and the German public, who were deliberately humiliated," Melnyk stressed.
In his opinion, Putin has already clearly demonstrated he was not affected by Berlin's reaction to his previous actions.
Navalny poisoning: background


unian--2020-09-06--U.S. strategic bombers fly over Ukraine, edging close to occupied Crimea

The planes `` integrated with Ukrainian fighters , '' the official report reads .
Three U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber aircraft from the 5th Bomb Wing , Minot Air Force Base , North Dakota , flew over Ukrainian airspace , including to the de-facto border with the occupied Crimea and the contact line in the Donbas warzone on Friday , September 4 .
They conducted `` vital integration training with Ukrainian fighters '' , says the report by US European Command ( USEUCOM ) .
According to The Drive outlet , the mission involved a number of U.S. aerial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ISR ) assets , as well as those from the United Kingdom , that were seen operating in the area at the time .
The report noted a Tweet by Petri Mäkelä who claimed : `` This is the most intensive SIGINT [ signals intelligence ] bait I 've seen in a while .
At least two USAF RC-135V/W Rivet Joint SIGINT planes recording the Russian emissions ( radar , comms etc . )
from Crimea and Russia as a flight of B-52H bombers circle along the Azov coast in Ukrainian airspace .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ could help planners determine how to suppress or destroy Russian air-defenses in the region , '' Forbes wrote .
EUCOM 's official report says the B52 bombers ' mission `` provided partners valuable midair training . ''
`` In addition , the mission demonstrated how forward-located aircraft and crews , such as those in the B-52 units , enable collective defense capabilities and provide the U.S. , NATO Allies and partners strategic and operational breadth to deter Russia and assure Allies and partners , '' the report reads .
More than 200 related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Task Force launched operations in the European theater two years ago , the U.S. European Command says .
In May 2020 , two USAF heavy bombers conducted a flight over Ukraine in integration with Ukrainian fighter jets .
`` This marked the first time that a Bomber Task Force mission integrated with Ukrainian Su-27 Flankers and MiG-29 Fulcrums and Turkish KC-135s , '' the U.S. embassy reported .
On August 28 , Ukraine 's Air Force held military exercises in Rivne region , involving landing and take-off of Su-27 fighter jets on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` come in handy for war pilots in the event of a large-scale enemy invasion , '' Ukrainian media reported .

The planes "integrated with Ukrainian fighters," the official report reads.
Three U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber aircraft from the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, flew over Ukrainian airspace, including to the de-facto border with the occupied Crimea and the contact line in the Donbas warzone on Friday, September 4.
They conducted "vital integration training with Ukrainian fighters", says the report by US European Command (USEUCOM).
According to The Drive outlet, the mission involved a number of U.S. aerial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets, as well as those from the United Kingdom, that were seen operating in the area at the time.
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The report noted a Tweet by Petri Mäkelä who claimed: "This is the most intensive SIGINT [signals intelligence] bait I've seen in a while. At least two USAF RC-135V/W Rivet Joint SIGINT planes recording the Russian emissions (radar, comms etc.) from Crimea and Russia as a flight of B-52H bombers circle along the Azov coast in Ukrainian airspace."
"In wartime, this information could help planners determine how to suppress or destroy Russian air-defenses in the region," Forbes wrote.
EUCOM's official report says the B52 bombers' mission "provided partners valuable midair training."
"In addition, the mission demonstrated how forward-located aircraft and crews, such as those in the B-52 units, enable collective defense capabilities and provide the U.S., NATO Allies and partners strategic and operational breadth to deter Russia and assure Allies and partners," the report reads.
2x 🇺🇸 #USAF Boeing B-52H Stratofortress entering the territory of Ukraine from Poland.
JULIA51/61-0034
JULIA53/60-0044 pic.twitter.com/3euYH3Q6Fv — Status-6 (@Archer83Able) September 4, 2020
More than 200 related missions have been conducted since the Bomber Task Force launched operations in the European theater two years ago, the U.S. European Command says.
Air forces: other news
In May 2020, two USAF heavy bombers conducted a flight over Ukraine in integration with Ukrainian fighter jets.
"This marked the first time that a Bomber Task Force mission integrated with Ukrainian Su-27 Flankers and MiG-29 Fulcrums and Turkish KC-135s," the U.S. embassy reported.
On August 28, Ukraine's Air Force held military exercises in Rivne region, involving landing and take-off of Su-27 fighter jets on the Kyiv-Chop highway. Skills worked out would "come in handy for war pilots in the event of a large-scale enemy invasion," Ukrainian media reported.


unian--2020-09-06--COVID-19 in Ukraine: Total number of cases reaches 135,000

Ukraine reported a total of 135,894 COVID-19 cases as of the morning of September 6 .
The interactive map compiled by the National Security and Defense Council shows 2,107 new active cases reported over the past day alone .
The overall death toll has reached 2,846 , with 35 fatalities reported in the past 24 hours ) .
Read alsoTravel amid COVID-19 restrictions : Ukraine updates list of red , green zone countriesRecoveries stand at 62,227 ( +578 in past day ) .
Health officials say 70,821 patients are being treated for COVID-19 at the moment , while197,863 patients await @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were recorded in Lviv region ( 15,695 , +188 in past day ) .
Kyiv is a runner-up with ( 15,032 , +240 in past day ) , while Chernivtsi region closes TOP 3 with 11,109 cases ( +151 in past day ) .
• The adaptive quarantine was introduced on August 1 .
• Ukrainian regions were split into the red , orange , yellow , and green zones depending on hospital load , the average number of PCR and ELISA tests , the ascertainment rate of COVID-19 , and daily spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each zone .
The mildest ones are in the green zone , the regions included in the red zone have to introduce the toughest restrictive measures .
• On August 26 , the Cabinet of Ministers extended the adaptive quarantine until November 1 .
• On September 3 , the government reviewed the list of quarantine zones in view of the epidemiological situation in regions .
The red zone has been expanded .

Over the past day, 2,107 tests returned positive.
Ukraine reported a total of 135,894 COVID-19 cases as of the morning of September 6.
The interactive map compiled by the National Security and Defense Council shows 2,107 new active cases reported over the past day alone.
The overall death toll has reached 2,846, with 35 fatalities reported in the past 24 hours).
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Read alsoTravel amid COVID-19 restrictions: Ukraine updates list of red, green zone countriesRecoveries stand at 62,227 (+578 in past day).
Health officials say 70,821 patients are being treated for COVID-19 at the moment, while197,863 patients await their tests to return.
Most cases were recorded in Lviv region (15,695, +188 in past day). Kyiv is a runner-up with (15,032, +240 in past day), while Chernivtsi region closes TOP 3 with 11,109 cases (+151 in past day).
Quarantine in Ukraine: background


unian--2020-09-06--Donbas update: Ukrainian military fighting wildfires, two troops gone missing

No enemy attacks have been reported .
The Ukrainian military , together with the State Emergency Service , continue to fight large-scale forest and steppe fires .
No enemy shelling has been reported over the past day , the Joint Forces Operation Command reported on Facebook on September 6 .
Wildfires near Krasnohorivka , Hladosove , Valuiske , and Novhorodske , have already been put out .
Read alsoUkraine convenes TCG meeting over puppet `` DPR '' leader 's threats to open fire on JFO units in DonbasAs of Sunday morning , fire was also extinguished in the area of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid emergency response efforts after they were cut off by fire from the rest of their unit .
The search and rescue operation is underway .
From day-start on Sunday , silence regime was fully preserved along the entire line of contact .
No combat losses or injuries have been reported .
• On September 2 , two dozen outbursts of wildfire were recorded on an area of about 1,200 hectares .
• On September 3 , while extinguishing a fire , two Ukrainian military sustained thermal injuries .
They were provided first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in satisfactory condition .
• The Joint Forces Operation headquarters said massive wildfires could be a result of deliberate arson by the enemy .

No enemy attacks have been reported.
The Ukrainian military, together with the State Emergency Service, continue to fight large-scale forest and steppe fires.
No enemy shelling has been reported over the past day, the Joint Forces Operation Command reported on Facebook on September 6.
Wildfires near Krasnohorivka, Hladosove, Valuiske, and Novhorodske, have already been put out.
Видео дня
Read alsoUkraine convenes TCG meeting over puppet "DPR" leader's threats to open fire on JFO units in DonbasAs of Sunday morning, fire was also extinguished in the area of Verkhniotoretske.
Two Ukrainian troops went missing amid emergency response efforts after they were cut off by fire from the rest of their unit.
The search and rescue operation is underway.
From day-start on Sunday, silence regime was fully preserved along the entire line of contact.
No combat losses or injuries have been reported.
Donbas wildfire: background


unian--2020-09-06--Week's balance: Ukraine pays off $2 bln in foreign debt, hryvnia loses positions, while NBU keeps ke

Week's balance: Ukraine pays off $2 bln in foreign debt, hryvnia loses positions, while NBU keeps key rate unchanged

The Ministry of Finance redeemed the second series of external government loan bonds totaling more than $ 2 billion , the hryvnia continued its slide , while the National Bank kept the key rate at 6 % – these are the main economic developments of the outgoing week .
The first week of autumn brought a number of important economic events that will further shape the country 's economic course .
One of them was the central bank 's decision to keep the key rate at 6 % , for the second time in a row .
The NBU reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's macro-financial stability , as before , is the aggravation of the coronavirus pandemic and the strengthening of quarantine measures .
It is noted that the increase in the coronavirus incidence in Ukraine over the past months has not affected the rate of economic recovery .
However , the new COVID-19 wave could contain consumer demand and slow down the recovery in sectors focused on the domestic market , primarily in the service sector .
Therefore , taking into account the stable trend toward consumer demand recovery and the existing risks , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep the key rate unchanged .
`` Keeping the key rate below neutral indicates the stimulating nature of monetary policy and leaves room for a further decrease in interest rates in the economy , '' NBU Governor Kyrylo Shevchenko told a briefing on Thursday .
It is noted that previous reductions in the discount rate continue to be reflected in the dynamics of market rates .
Thus , the cost of government borrowings in national currency and rates on hryvnia deposits have already reached record low levels , while the cost of credit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the NBU report , further monetary policy will depend , first of all , on the developments with the COVID-19 spread .
Also the main assumption that the Board takes into account remains continued cooperation with the International Monetary Fund .
The NBU stressed that cooperation with the Fund is important not only in terms of financing the state budget deficit , but also ensuring support from other international partners and investors .
The funds received from them will be used both to finance anti-epidemic measures and to infrastructure projects that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The National Bank has announced that 25 kopiykas coins and all hryvnia banknotes introduced into circulation before 2003 will be taken off circulation from from October 1 , 2020 .
According to the National Bank , these coins and banknotes will be withdrawn from circulation from October 1 , 2020 , while the National Bank will actively withdraw from circulation UAH 1 and UAH 2 paper notes and UAH 1 coins of the 1996 sample , replacing them with the corresponding coins of the 2018 sample .
`` We continue to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring it to world standards .
The main goal of our solutions is to simplify cash payments and enhance their convenience for users .
We also care about the feasibility and improving quality of cash in circulation , '' said Deputy Head of the National Bank 's Board Oleksiy Shaban .
According to him , these decisions are continue long-term efforts to optimize cash circulation .
`` The banknote and coin range of the hryvnia will be reduced from 17 denominations to 12 .
In total , six denominations of coins and six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which corresponds to international practice .
It will become orderly and convenient , '' he said .
In the first working week of autumn , Ukrainians saw a weakening of the national currency rate .
From August 28 to September 4 , the NBU lowered the rate from UAH 27.46 to UAH 27.69 per U.S. dollar .
During the same period , the exchange rate on the interbank foreign exchange market fell from UAH 27.5 to UAH 27.7 to the dollar .
In Kyiv exchange booths on Friday , dollar rose to UAH @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was possible to buy a dollar for UAH 27.6 .
At the same time , Minister of Economic Development , Trade and Agriculture Igor Petrashko noted that the current decrease in the hryvnia is no disaster and that it is in line with the government 's projections .
`` We even adjusted the macro forecast because we see the situation : UAH 27.8 , it seems , for this year and for the next year as well , as I remember , the figures are the same , '' Petrashko said .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gradual devaluation in the range from UAH 27 to UAH 30 per dollar .
Analysts with the ICU Group expect slight devaluation in the fall and the exchange rate in the range of UAH 29-30 per dollar by year-end .
According to the head of the ICU Group 's macroeconomic research department Serhiy Nikolaychuk , such expectations are associated with the start of a new business season and the projected surge in consumer imports in the near future .
Meanwhile , the Eavex Capital investment company predicts for this autumn the rate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 28.4 to the dollar , given the positive trend seen in the current account of Ukraine 's balance of payments , namely , a record surplus of $ 4.3 billion for the second quarter .
Last week , the Ministry of Finance redeemed the second series of external government bonds issued during the 2015 restructuring .
The payment totaled more than $ 2 billion , including $ 1.69 billion of eurobond redemption and $ 400 million of interest payments on bonds maturing in 2020-2027 .
`` By the end of the year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state debt is about $ 1.6 billion , '' the finance ministry said .
The ministry also recalled that the issue of eurobonds maturing in 2020 with a total nominal value of $ 1.78 billion was carried out in 2015-2016 at 7.75 % .
In 2017 , as part of the first-ever active public debt management operation , the Ministry of Finance redeemed $ 420 million worth of eurobonds .
In August 2020 , the Ministry of Finance placed additional eurobonds maturing in 2020 in the amount of $ 330 billion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the redemption of government derivatives ( GDP warrants ) on the open market , which became possible due to the amendments made to the law on the state budget of Ukraine in April 2020 .
It is worth noting that according to the forecast by the International Monetary Fund , public and government-guaranteed debt of Ukraine in 2020 will grow to 65.4 % of GDP against 50.4 % of GDP in 2019 .
According to the IMF , Ukraine 's state budget deficit in 2020 will amount to 7.7 % of GDP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while Ukraine 's gold and foreign exchange reserves by the end of 2020 will stand at $ 19.3 billion , which is $ 6 billion below the figure reported at the end of 2019 .
Last week , Parliament backed a number of bills that are supposed to support the economy amid the crisis caused by the coronavirus spread .
Thus , the Verkhovna Rada passed as a basis a bill that provides tax incentives for major investors .
The bill proposes from January 1 , 2021 , to January 1 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the period and volume of state support specified in a special investment agreement ) to exempt from value added tax imports of equipment for large investment projects .
Also , Parliament adopted a law on state guarantees on a portfolio basis for loans before banks .
The bill provides for the provision in 2020 of state guarantees for loans to micro , small , and medium-sized businesses in the amount of up to UAH 5 billion on a portfolio basis .
Such guarantees will be provided by Cabinet decision , agreed with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law grants the Ministry of Finance the right to issue , by Cabinet decision , domestic government loan bonds in excess of the volumes established by the annex to the state budget .
Also , the Verkhovna Rada passed at first reading a bill setting up the Economic Security Bureau , tasked with preventing , identifying , suppressing , investigating , and solving crimes in the financial sector .
It is expected that the new agency will relieve businesses from pressure from a flock of law enforcement bodies , such as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine , Tax Police , and the Prosecutor 's Office .
Next week promises to be no less eventful .
Despite the absence of parliamentary meetings , the government will pursue its efforts to tackle the crisis caused by the pandemic , while the State Statistics Service will release data on the dynamics of consumer prices .

The Ministry of Finance redeemed the second series of external government loan bonds totaling more than $2 billion, the hryvnia continued its slide, while the National Bank kept the key rate at 6% – these are the main economic developments of the outgoing week.
The first week of autumn brought a number of important economic events that will further shape the country's economic course. One of them was the central bank's decision to keep the key rate at 6%, for the second time in a row.
The NBU reported that the key risk to the country's macro-financial stability, as before, is the aggravation of the coronavirus pandemic and the strengthening of quarantine measures.
It is noted that the increase in the coronavirus incidence in Ukraine over the past months has not affected the rate of economic recovery. However, the new COVID-19 wave could contain consumer demand and slow down the recovery in sectors focused on the domestic market, primarily in the service sector.
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Therefore, taking into account the stable trend toward consumer demand recovery and the existing risks, the Board of the National Bank decided to keep the key rate unchanged.
"Keeping the key rate below neutral indicates the stimulating nature of monetary policy and leaves room for a further decrease in interest rates in the economy," NBU Governor Kyrylo Shevchenko told a briefing on Thursday.
It is noted that previous reductions in the discount rate continue to be reflected in the dynamics of market rates. Thus, the cost of government borrowings in national currency and rates on hryvnia deposits have already reached record low levels, while the cost of credit resources continues to go down.
According to the NBU report, further monetary policy will depend, first of all, on the developments with the COVID-19 spread. Also the main assumption that the Board takes into account remains continued cooperation with the International Monetary Fund.
The NBU stressed that cooperation with the Fund is important not only in terms of financing the state budget deficit, but also ensuring support from other international partners and investors. The funds received from them will be used both to finance anti-epidemic measures and to infrastructure projects that will revive the investment flow that remains weak.
National Bank takes 25 kopiyka coins off circulation
The National Bank has announced that 25 kopiykas coins and all hryvnia banknotes introduced into circulation before 2003 will be taken off circulation from from October 1, 2020.
According to the National Bank, these coins and banknotes will be withdrawn from circulation from October 1, 2020, while the National Bank will actively withdraw from circulation UAH 1 and UAH 2 paper notes and UAH 1 coins of the 1996 sample, replacing them with the corresponding coins of the 2018 sample.
"We continue to put things in order in cash circulation and bring it to world standards. The main goal of our solutions is to simplify cash payments and enhance their convenience for users. We also care about the feasibility and improving quality of cash in circulation," said Deputy Head of the National Bank's Board Oleksiy Shaban.
According to him, these decisions are continue long-term efforts to optimize cash circulation.
"The banknote and coin range of the hryvnia will be reduced from 17 denominations to 12. In total, six denominations of coins and six of banknotes will remain in place, which corresponds to international practice. It will become orderly and convenient," he said.
Hryvnia slide
In the first working week of autumn, Ukrainians saw a weakening of the national currency rate. From August 28 to September 4, the NBU lowered the rate from UAH 27.46 to UAH 27.69 per U.S. dollar. During the same period, the exchange rate on the interbank foreign exchange market fell from UAH 27.5 to UAH 27.7 to the dollar.
In Kyiv exchange booths on Friday, dollar rose to UAH 27.8, while on August 28 it was possible to buy a dollar for UAH 27.6.
At the same time, Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture Igor Petrashko noted that the current decrease in the hryvnia is no disaster and that it is in line with the government's projections.
"We even adjusted the macro forecast because we see the situation: UAH 27.8, it seems, for this year and for the next year as well, as I remember, the figures are the same," Petrashko said.
At the same time, experts predict a gradual devaluation in the range from UAH 27 to UAH 30 per dollar.
Analysts with the ICU Group expect slight devaluation in the fall and the exchange rate in the range of UAH 29-30 per dollar by year-end.
According to the head of the ICU Group's macroeconomic research department Serhiy Nikolaychuk, such expectations are associated with the start of a new business season and the projected surge in consumer imports in the near future.
Meanwhile, the Eavex Capital investment company predicts for this autumn the rate in the range from UAH 27.1 to UAH 28.4 to the dollar, given the positive trend seen in the current account of Ukraine's balance of payments, namely, a record surplus of $4.3 billion for the second quarter.
Ukraine pays its debts
Last week, the Ministry of Finance redeemed the second series of external government bonds issued during the 2015 restructuring. The payment totaled more than $2 billion, including $1.69 billion of eurobond redemption and $400 million of interest payments on bonds maturing in 2020-2027.
"By the end of the year, the balance of foreign exchange payments on the state debt is about $1.6 billion," the finance ministry said.
The ministry also recalled that the issue of eurobonds maturing in 2020 with a total nominal value of $1.78 billion was carried out in 2015-2016 at 7.75%. In 2017, as part of the first-ever active public debt management operation, the Ministry of Finance redeemed $420 million worth of eurobonds.
In August 2020, the Ministry of Finance placed additional eurobonds maturing in 2020 in the amount of $330 billion, which were fully used to complete settlements for the redemption of government derivatives (GDP warrants) on the open market, which became possible due to the amendments made to the law on the state budget of Ukraine in April 2020.
It is worth noting that according to the forecast by the International Monetary Fund, public and government-guaranteed debt of Ukraine in 2020 will grow to 65.4% of GDP against 50.4% of GDP in 2019.
According to the IMF, Ukraine's state budget deficit in 2020 will amount to 7.7% of GDP and in 2021 – to 5.3%, while Ukraine's gold and foreign exchange reserves by the end of 2020 will stand at $19.3 billion, which is $6 billion below the figure reported at the end of 2019.
Productive Rada
Last week, Parliament backed a number of bills that are supposed to support the economy amid the crisis caused by the coronavirus spread.
Thus, the Verkhovna Rada passed as a basis a bill that provides tax incentives for major investors.
The bill proposes from January 1, 2021, to January 1, 2035, (but not more than the period and volume of state support specified in a special investment agreement) to exempt from value added tax imports of equipment for large investment projects.
Also, Parliament adopted a law on state guarantees on a portfolio basis for loans before banks. The bill provides for the provision in 2020 of state guarantees for loans to micro, small, and medium-sized businesses in the amount of up to UAH 5 billion on a portfolio basis. Such guarantees will be provided by Cabinet decision, agreed with the Rada's Budget Committee.
Also, the law grants the Ministry of Finance the right to issue, by Cabinet decision, domestic government loan bonds in excess of the volumes established by the annex to the state budget.
Also, the Verkhovna Rada passed at first reading a bill setting up the Economic Security Bureau, tasked with preventing, identifying, suppressing, investigating, and solving crimes in the financial sector. It is expected that the new agency will relieve businesses from pressure from a flock of law enforcement bodies, such as the National Police, the Security Service of Ukraine, Tax Police, and the Prosecutor's Office.
Next week promises to be no less eventful. Despite the absence of parliamentary meetings, the government will pursue its efforts to tackle the crisis caused by the pandemic, while the State Statistics Service will release data on the dynamics of consumer prices.
Ihor Orel


unian--2020-09-07--Prices of greenhouse cucumbers slump in Ukraine

Key market players do not rule out further decline in the prices .
Prices of greenhouse cucumbers in Ukraine have significantly slumped as of September 2020 due to their increased supply and low demand on the market .
`` Greenhouse complexes in Ukraine are forced to reduce selling prices of cucumbers .
The reason is the increase in the supply of cucumbers on the market and low demand in the segment , '' the Ukrainian TSN TV news service said on September 5 .
Key market players do not rule out further decline in prices of the said vegetable .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlookTo date , greenhouse farms offer cucumber at UAH 12-19 ( US $ 0.43 – US $ 0.69 ) per kilogram , which is 26 % down on average against the prices reported as of August 29 .
`` Noteworthy , the current price of greenhouse cucumbers in Ukraine is on average 1.7 times up from that reported as of early September last year .
However , according to forecasts , the price will continue to fall in September since the supply of the vegetable will be growing , '' the report said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cucumbers in July for the first time in the country 's history .
• In particular , the share of imported greenhouse cucumbers began to increase in high season .
• This trend , which is not typical for Ukraine , has been observed for the second consecutive year .

Prices of greenhouse cucumbers slump in Ukraine
16:30, 07.09.20 2080
Key market players do not rule out further decline in the prices.
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unian--2020-09-07--Georgian opposition nominates Saakashvili as candidate for prime minister

Saakashvili will soon talk about his plans on the return to Georgia .
Georgian opposition coalition 'Power in Unity ' has nominated former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili as the candidate for prime minister in the 2020 parliamentary elections .
`` The use of Saakashvili 's resources is absolutely necessary for the state if the country wants to achieve domestic and foreign policy goals , '' one of the leaders of the United National Movement ( UNM ) party , Grigol Vashadze , announced at a briefing on September 7 , according to Georgia Today .
Read alsoUkraine 's FM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked how the former president is going to return to Georgia , Vashadze answered that he will talk about his plans himself .
• Saakashvili left Georgia in 2013 .
A number of criminal cases were opened against him .
The former president was accused of abuse of power in dispersing a 2007 opposition rally , destroying the Imedi TV company , and seizing assets of Badri Patarkatsishvili , the company 's founder .
• Saakashvili joined Ukraine 's politics in the spring of 2015 .
The then-Ukrainian President , Petro Poroshenko , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council and granted him Ukrainian citizenship .
In 2018 , the politician was deported from Ukraine to Poland for crossing the Ukrainian-Polish border with an `` invalid passport '' ( earlier reported as lost ) .
• In May 2019 , Ukrainian President Zelensky reinstated Saakashvili 's Ukrainian citizenship , after which the politician returned to Ukraine .
On May 7 , Zelensky by his decree appointed Saakashvili chairman of the Executive Reforms Committee , the advisory body created in 2014 .
• In August 2020 , Saakashvili made a statement amid media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .

Saakashvili will soon talk about his plans on the return to Georgia.
Georgian opposition coalition 'Power in Unity' has nominated former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili as the candidate for prime minister in the 2020 parliamentary elections.
"The use of Saakashvili's resources is absolutely necessary for the state if the country wants to achieve domestic and foreign policy goals," one of the leaders of the United National Movement (UNM) party, Grigol Vashadze, announced at a briefing on September 7, according to Georgia Today.
Read alsoUkraine's FM Kuleba comments on Saakashvili's controversial statementsWhen asked how the former president is going to return to Georgia, Vashadze answered that he will talk about his plans himself.
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Saakashvili in Georgia and Ukraine: background


unian--2020-09-07--Global economy may face US$35 trln in losses over coronavirus – media

Experts stressed states should continue to pursue a policy of fiscal support for businesses to prevent an economic collapse .
The global economy may face US $ 35 trillion in losses by 2025 over the coronavirus pandemic and its negative economic impact .
Read alsoInfectious disease expert suggests how to avoid new COVID-19 outbreak '' Even when a vaccine is devised , making it available worldwide on the necessary scale is going to take time , according to Warwick McKibbin of the Brookings Institution and Australia National University .
His models suggest that the virus could cost the world economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bloomberg wrote on September 6 .
`` You have to get quite a lot of the population vaccinated before the economic costs start to come down , '' the publication quoted McKibbin as saying .
Other experts interviewed by Bloomberg stressed that states should continue to pursue a policy of fiscal support for businesses to prevent an economic collapse .
• Fitch Ratings in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic predicts a 4.6 % fall in global GDP in 2020 year on year , which is 2.7 percentage points worse than the agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to World Bank forecasts , the global economy will shrink by 5.2 % this year .
That would represent the deepest recession since the Second World War .

Experts stressed states should continue to pursue a policy of fiscal support for businesses to prevent an economic collapse.
The global economy may face US$35 trillion in losses by 2025 over the coronavirus pandemic and its negative economic impact.
Read alsoInfectious disease expert suggests how to avoid new COVID-19 outbreak"Even when a vaccine is devised, making it available worldwide on the necessary scale is going to take time, according to Warwick McKibbin of the Brookings Institution and Australia National University. His models suggest that the virus could cost the world economy some US$35 trillion through 2025, Bloomberg wrote on September 6.
"You have to get quite a lot of the population vaccinated before the economic costs start to come down," the publication quoted McKibbin as saying.
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Other experts interviewed by Bloomberg stressed that states should continue to pursue a policy of fiscal support for businesses to prevent an economic collapse.
Other forecasts


unian--2020-09-07--Kyiv mayor reports 244 new COVID-19 cases, two fatalities in past day

As of today , the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 15,276 .
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has said the number of confirmed coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases in the city rose by 244 in the past day .
Read alsoHealth minister : Over 8,900 children , 12,000 healthcare workers contract COVID-19 '' In the past day , another 244 residents of Kyiv tested positive for coronavirus , including 14 healthcare workers .
There were two fatalities , '' he said during an online briefing on September 7 .
`` As of today , the total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city is 15,276 . ''
According to Klitschko , 138 women aged 19 to 81 and 95 men aged 18 to 96 are among those infected .
Seven girls ( from five to 17 years old ) and four boys ( from two to 16 years old ) have tested positive .
Klitschko said 24 new patients had been hospitalized , while the rest are self-isolating , undergoing treatment at home under medical supervision .
Twenty-eight people recovered from the disease in the past day , he said .
In total , 4,759 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highest number of the new cases in Kyiv was registered in Obolonsky district ( 50 ) , Darnytsky district ( 36 ) , and Solomyansky district ( 28 ) .
The total death toll in the city is 242 cases .
• The adaptive quarantine was introduced on August 1 .
• Ukrainian regions were split into the red , orange , yellow , and green zones depending on hospital load , the average number of PCR and ELISA tests , the ascertainment rate of COVID-19 , and daily spread dynamics .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The mildest ones are in the green zone , the regions included in the red zone have to introduce the toughest restrictive measures .
• On August 26 , the Cabinet of Ministers extended the adaptive quarantine until November 1 .
• On September 3 , the government reviewed the list of quarantine zones in view of the epidemiological situation in regions .
The red zone has been expanded .

As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 15,276.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has said the number of confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the city rose by 244 in the past day.
Read alsoHealth minister: Over 8,900 children, 12,000 healthcare workers contract COVID-19"In the past day, another 244 residents of Kyiv tested positive for coronavirus, including 14 healthcare workers. There were two fatalities," he said during an online briefing on September 7. "As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 15,276."
According to Klitschko, 138 women aged 19 to 81 and 95 men aged 18 to 96 are among those infected.
Seven girls (from five to 17 years old) and four boys (from two to 16 years old) have tested positive.
Klitschko said 24 new patients had been hospitalized, while the rest are self-isolating, undergoing treatment at home under medical supervision.
Twenty-eight people recovered from the disease in the past day, he said.
In total, 4,759 Kyiv residents have already recovered.
The highest number of the new cases in Kyiv was registered in Obolonsky district (50), Darnytsky district (36), and Solomyansky district (28).
The total death toll in the city is 242 cases.
Quarantine in Ukraine: background


unian--2020-09-07--Russian-led forces continue violating truce – Def. Ministry

The occupiers fired several shots from rifles and one from a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher .
Ukraine 's Defense Ministry says Russian-led forces continue violating truce in Donbas as one ceasefire violation has been recorded since Monday midnight .
`` Since the beginning of the current day , September 7 , as of 12:30 Kyiv time , one violation of the ceasefire by the Russian occupation forces has been recorded on the contact line , '' the ministry said in a report .
Read alsoFM Kuleba comments on escalation in DonbasAfter 09:10 Kyiv time , from the direction of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fired several shots from rifles and one from a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher near the village of Kamianka .
There were casualties among the Ukrainian military , it said .
• Participants in the Trilateral Contact Group ( Ukraine , Russia , and the OSCE ) on the peace settlement in Donbas on July 22 agreed on a full and comprehensive ceasefire along the contact line from 00:01 on Monday , July 27 .
• The new ceasefire regime was enforced at 00:01 Kyiv time on July 27 .
• On the very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia 's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas , eastern Ukraine .
• On September 6 , Russian Federation 's armed formations violated ceasefire agreements reached on July 22 .
One Ukrainian soldier was killed and another one was wounded as a result of the shelling .

The occupiers fired several shots from rifles and one from a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher.
Ukraine's Defense Ministry says Russian-led forces continue violating truce in Donbas as one ceasefire violation has been recorded since Monday midnight.
"Since the beginning of the current day, September 7, as of 12:30 Kyiv time, one violation of the ceasefire by the Russian occupation forces has been recorded on the contact line," the ministry said in a report.
Read alsoFM Kuleba comments on escalation in DonbasAfter 09:10 Kyiv time, from the direction of the village of Kruta Balka, the occupiers fired several shots from rifles and one from a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher near the village of Kamianka.
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There were casualties among the Ukrainian military, it said.
Donbas ceasefire: background


unian--2020-09-07--Health minister: Over 8,900 children, 12,000 healthcare workers contract COVID-19

In the past day , 2,174 people tested positive for the coronavirus , including 145 children and 77 healthcare workers @ @ @ @ @ Stepanov says 8,941 children and 12,069 healthcare workers have contracted the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
`` In the past day , 2,174 people tested positive for the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ 77 healthcare workers .
Some 269 new patients were hospitalized .
There were 31 deaths @ @ @ @ @ he said at a briefing on September 7 , as reported by the Health Ministry @ @ @ @ @ reports three new COVID-19 cases in armed forces as of Sept 7The overall death toll @ @ @ @ @ many as 62,606 patients have already recovered .
• Ukraine said 2,174 new active COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ the country in the past 24 hours as of September 7 , 2020 .
• @ @ @ @ @ cases grew to 138,068 .

In the past day, 2,174 people tested positive for the coronavirus, including 145 children and 77 healthcare workers.
Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov says 8,941 children and 12,069 healthcare workers have contracted the coronavirus (COVID-19) since the start of the pandemic.
"In the past day, 2,174 people tested positive for the coronavirus, including 145 children and 77 healthcare workers. Some 269 new patients were hospitalized. There were 31 deaths and 379 recoveries," he said at a briefing on September 7, as reported by the Health Ministry on Facebook.
Read alsoUkraine reports three new COVID-19 cases in armed forces as of Sept 7The overall death toll is 2,877 people.
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As many as 62,606 patients have already recovered.
Background


unian--2020-09-07--Ukrainians sell US$151.2 mln more currency than they buy in Aug

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Ukrainians sell US$151.2 mln more currency than they buy in Aug
14:00, 07.09.20 848
Sales of foreign currency have been exceeding the purchases for the ninth consecutive month.
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unian--2020-09-07--Ukraine reports three new COVID-19 cases in armed forces as of Sept 7

Some 654 servicemen are now isolated ( including self-isolation ) .
The number of COVID-19 coronavirus cases registered in the Armed Forces of Ukraine rose by three as of the morning of September 7 .
`` As of 10:00 Kyiv time on September 7 , some 638 people in the Armed Forces of Ukraine had acute respiratory illness COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus .
In total , 1,306 people have recovered and six have died during the pandemic , '' the press service of the Medical Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine wrote on Facebook on September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were registered in the past 24 hours . ''
Read alsoHealth minister lists top Ukrainian regions in lead by new COVID-19 casesOf those newly-infected , two people have been hospitalized , while another one is self-isolating , undergoing treatment at home under doctors ' supervision .
Currently , their state of health is satisfactory .
Some 654 servicemen are now isolated ( including self-isolation ) .
The number of those whose isolation term is expiring in the next three days is 58 people .
• Ukraine said 2,174 new active COVID-19 cases had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past 24 hours as of September 7 , 2020 .
• The total number of confirmed cases grew to 138,068 .

Some 654 servicemen are now isolated (including self-isolation).
The number of COVID-19 coronavirus cases registered in the Armed Forces of Ukraine rose by three as of the morning of September 7.
"As of 10:00 Kyiv time on September 7, some 638 people in the Armed Forces of Ukraine had acute respiratory illness COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. In total, 1,306 people have recovered and six have died during the pandemic," the press service of the Medical Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine wrote on Facebook on September 7. "Three new COVID-19 cases were registered in the past 24 hours."
Read alsoHealth minister lists top Ukrainian regions in lead by new COVID-19 casesOf those newly-infected, two people have been hospitalized, while another one is self-isolating, undergoing treatment at home under doctors' supervision. Currently, their state of health is satisfactory.
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Some 654 servicemen are now isolated (including self-isolation). The number of those whose isolation term is expiring in the next three days is 58 people.
Background


unian--2020-09-07--Ukrzaliznytsia top official elaborates on company's issues

Ukrzaliznytsia top official elaborates on company's issues
13:10, 07.09.20 1254
The government is working on the 2021 budget programs to upgrade the company's passenger rolling stock and infrastructure.
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unian--2020-09-07--Health minister lists top Ukrainian regions in lead by new COVID-19 cases

In total , 19,006 tests were conducted in the country in the past day .
Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov has listed the regions that are in the lead by the number of new COVID-19 cases confirmed in the past day .
`` Speaking per each region , the highest number of confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered in the city of Kyiv ( 244 cases ) , Lviv region ( 186 ) , Ternopil region ( 165 ) , Chernivtsi region ( 163 ) , and Ivano-Frankivsk region ( 161 ) , '' he said at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported by the Health Ministry on Facebook .
Read alsoUkraine 's Cabinet not planning to introduce second COVID-19 lockdown – PM ShmyhalIn total , 19,006 tests were conducted in the country in the past day .
In particular , there were 15,224 tests done with the use of the polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) method and 3,782 with the application of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ) method .
• Ukraine said 2,174 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of confirmed cases grew to 138,068 .

In total, 19,006 tests were conducted in the country in the past day.
Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov has listed the regions that are in the lead by the number of new COVID-19 cases confirmed in the past day.
"Speaking per each region, the highest number of confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered in the city of Kyiv (244 cases), Lviv region (186), Ternopil region (165), Chernivtsi region (163), and Ivano-Frankivsk region (161)," he said at a briefing on September 7, as reported by the Health Ministry on Facebook.
Read alsoUkraine's Cabinet not planning to introduce second COVID-19 lockdown – PM ShmyhalIn total, 19,006 tests were conducted in the country in the past day. In particular, there were 15,224 tests done with the use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and 3,782 with the application of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.
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Background


unian--2020-09-07--Ukrainian gas stocks grow by 2.6% to over 26 bcm over week

Ukrainian gas stocks grow by 2.6% to over 26 bcm over week
12:20, 07.09.20 1140
USFs were filled by 84.1% as of September 5, 2020.
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unian--2020-09-07--Belarusian protest leader detained by unidentified people – media

Police in Minsk said they were looking into reports she had been abducted .
Unidentified people detained Belarusian protest leader Maria Kolesnikova in central Minsk on Monday and drove her off in a minivan , the Belarusian Tut.By media outlet cited a witness as saying .
Read alsoBelarus opposition leader calls for U.N. monitoring mission – mediaKolesnikova 's allies said they were checking the report , Reuters reported .
Police in Minsk said they were also looking into reports she had been abducted , the RIA news agency reported .
• On August 9 , presidential elections were held in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 took to the streets to protest what many believe was a rigged vote count .
Riot police violently cracked down on protesters .
• Belarus ' Ministry of Internal Affairs said about 7,000 protesters had been detained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On the evening of August 13 , the authorities started to release detainees .
• On August 14 , the European Union announced it did not recognize the outcome of the presidential elections in Belarus .
• 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 .
• On August 20 , the Prosecutor General 's Office opened a criminal probe into the attempt by the opposition to `` seize power . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ interference '' in the election and the external efforts to foment protests .
He spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin who had promised him comprehensive assistance upon request .
• Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin has warned of the possible use of army to disperse protesters rallying under the flags he claims were once used by Nazi troops .
• On Sunday , September 6 , the March of Unity was held in the cities of Belarus .
According to various sources , a total of nearly 100,000 protesters took part in the @ @

Police in Minsk said they were looking into reports she had been abducted.
Unidentified people detained Belarusian protest leader Maria Kolesnikova in central Minsk on Monday and drove her off in a minivan, the Belarusian Tut.By media outlet cited a witness as saying.
Read alsoBelarus opposition leader calls for U.N. monitoring mission – mediaKolesnikova's allies said they were checking the report, Reuters reported.
Police in Minsk said they were also looking into reports she had been abducted, the RIA news agency reported.
Видео дня
Belarus protests: background


unian--2020-09-07--FM Kuleba comments on escalation in Donbas

Kuleba has initiated an urgent conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss the current situation and ways out of it .
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has commented on the escalation in Donbas .
The minister called enemy provocations , as a result of which one Ukrainian soldier was killed and another one was wounded , `` obvious attempts to disrupt the ceasefire and create significant obstacles to the peace process . ''
`` I emphasize : Ukraine stands for unconditional and strict observance of the ceasefire .
The path to peace and the end of occupation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begins exactly when the weapon is silent , '' he wrote on Facebook .
Read alsoRussian-controlled forces breach truce in Donbas , Ukrainian soldier killed ( UPDATED ) Kuleba reiterated Ukraine had already activated a coordination mechanism to respond to ceasefire violations with the assistance of the Joint Center for Control and Coordination ( JCCC ) of the ceasefire and stabilization along the contact line in Donbas and informed the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission ( SMM ) to Ukraine about the incident .
`` In addition , I have initiated an urgent conversation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discuss the current situation and ways out of it , '' the minister said .
• Participants in the Trilateral Contact Group ( Ukraine , Russia , and the OSCE ) on the peace settlement in Donbas on July 22 agreed on a full and comprehensive ceasefire along the contact line from 00:01 on Monday , July 27 .
• The new ceasefire regime was enforced at 00:01 Kyiv time on July 27 .
• On the very first day of the newly-agreed truce , Russia 's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine .
• On September 6 , Russian Federation 's armed formations violated ceasefire agreements reached on July 22 .
One Ukrainian soldier was killed and another one was wounded as a result of the shelling .

Kuleba has initiated an urgent conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss the current situation and ways out of it.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has commented on the escalation in Donbas.
The minister called enemy provocations, as a result of which one Ukrainian soldier was killed and another one was wounded, "obvious attempts to disrupt the ceasefire and create significant obstacles to the peace process."
"I emphasize: Ukraine stands for unconditional and strict observance of the ceasefire. The path to peace and the end of occupation of our territories is thorny, but it begins exactly when the weapon is silent," he wrote on Facebook.
Read alsoRussian-controlled forces breach truce in Donbas, Ukrainian soldier killed (UPDATED)Kuleba reiterated Ukraine had already activated a coordination mechanism to respond to ceasefire violations with the assistance of the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) of the ceasefire and stabilization along the contact line in Donbas and informed the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine about the incident.
"In addition, I have initiated an urgent conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss the current situation and ways out of it," the minister said.
Donbas ceasefire: background


unian--2020-09-07--Ukraine reports over 2,100 new COVID-19 cases on Sept 7

The total number of confirmed cases grew to 138,068 .
Ukraine said 2,174 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of September 7 , 2020 .
The total number of confirmed cases grew to 138,068 , as seen on the interactive map compiled by the National Security and Defense Council .
Read alsoUkraine 's Cabinet not planning to introduce second COVID-19 lockdown – PM ShmyhalAs many as 62,606 patients , including 379 in the past day , have recovered .
The pandemic has taken 2,877 lives with 31 fatalities recorded over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active cases as of September 7 .
In total , there have been 199,986 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020 .
The highest number of new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered the city of Kyiv ( 244 cases ) , and Lviv region ( 186 ) .
The overall incidence per region is as follows : • 15,276 ( +244 ) in the city of Kyiv ; Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , the city of Sevastopol , parts of Donetsk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
COVID-19 tests were run by the Public Health Center 's virological reference laboratory and regional laboratories .
As of the morning of September 7 , 2020 , the Center had received 2,123 reports of suspected cases .
In total , there have been 199,986 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 , orange , yellow , and green zones depending on hospital load , the average number of PCR and ELISA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 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 .
• On August 26 , the Cabinet of Ministers extended the adaptive quarantine until November 1 .
• On September 3 , the government reviewed the list of quarantine zones in view of the epidemiological situation in regions .
The red zone has been expanded .

The total number of confirmed cases grew to 138,068.
Ukraine said 2,174 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of September 7, 2020.
The total number of confirmed cases grew to 138,068, as seen on the interactive map compiled by the National Security and Defense Council.
Read alsoUkraine's Cabinet not planning to introduce second COVID-19 lockdown – PM ShmyhalAs many as 62,606 patients, including 379 in the past day, have recovered.
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The pandemic has taken 2,877 lives with 31 fatalities recorded over the past day.
There were 72,585 active cases as of September 7. In total, there have been 199,986 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020.
The highest number of new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered the city of Kyiv (244 cases), and Lviv region (186).
The overall incidence per region is as follows:
15,881 (+186) cases in Lviv region;
15,276 (+244) in the city of Kyiv;
11,272 (+163) in Chernivtsi region;
10,972 (+139) in Kharkiv region;
10,348 (+161) in Ivano-Frankivsk region;
9,762 (+102) in Rivne region;
8,525 (+125) in Odesa region;
8,091 (+42) in Zakarpattia region;
7,390 (+165) in Ternopil region;
6,278 (+86) in Kyiv region;
5,883 (+55) in Volyn region;
4,406 (+31) in Vinnytsia region;
3,746 (+68) in Zhytomyr region;
3,195 (+95) in Khmelnytsky region;
2,767 (+70) in Dnipropetrovsk region;
2,372 (+86) in Chernihiv region;
1,950 (+56) in Cherkasy region;
1,931 (+49) in Zaporizhia region;
1,963 (+105) in Sumy region;
1,630 (+3) in Donetsk region (Ukrainian-controlled districts);
1,665 (+84) in Mykolayiv region;
973 (+28) in Poltava region;
858 (+4) in Kirovohrad region;
500 (+4) in Kherson region;
434 (+3) in Luhansk region (Ukrainian-controlled districts).
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available.
COVID-19 tests were run by the Public Health Center's virological reference laboratory and regional laboratories. As of the morning of September 7, 2020, the Center had received 2,123 reports of suspected cases. In total, there have been 199,986 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020.
Quarantine in Ukraine: background


unian--2020-09-07--Another stage of water supply restrictions introduced in occupied Crimea

Drinking water will be supplied to residents by the hour .
The third , most severe , stage of water supply restrictions has been introduced in the town of Simferopol , and Bakhchisarai and Simferopol districts in occupied Crimea from September 7 over drought and shallowing of water reservoirs .
Drinking water will be supplied to residents by the hour , as reported by RFE/RL 's Russian service with reference to the website of the Russian government of Crimea .
Read also '' Not a chance '' : Leading party chair says Rada not to consider resumption of water supplies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town will get water for three hours in the morning and evening .
According to the Russian authorities in Simferopol , water consumption will drop to 100,000 cubic meters per day instead of 160,000 cubic meters .
• Restoration of water supply to Crimea would be possible only in the context of the occupied peninsula 's de-occupation , says Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba .
• At the same time , there is no humanitarian crisis with freshwater in occupied Crimea whatsoever , chief of Ukraine 's diplomacy emphasizes .
• `` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invented by Russian propaganda in order to convince the world that water supplies to Crimea are necessary . ''
• On August 7 , Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal expressed the opinion that Ukraine could resume water supplies to temporarily occupied Crimea for the needs of the population in the event of a humanitarian disaster .
• At the same time , the head of government said that the supply of water for industrial purposes is off the table .
• On August 24 , Head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine should resume freshwater supplies to Crimea in case a humanitarian disaster strikes the peninsula .

Drinking water will be supplied to residents by the hour.
The third, most severe, stage of water supply restrictions has been introduced in the town of Simferopol, and Bakhchisarai and Simferopol districts in occupied Crimea from September 7 over drought and shallowing of water reservoirs.
Drinking water will be supplied to residents by the hour, as reported by RFE/RL's Russian service with reference to the website of the Russian government of Crimea.
Read also"Not a chance": Leading party chair says Rada not to consider resumption of water supplies to CrimeaIn Simferopol, part of the town will get water for three hours in the morning and evening.
Видео дня
According to the Russian authorities in Simferopol, water consumption will drop to 100,000 cubic meters per day instead of 160,000 cubic meters.
Water supplies to Crimea: statements


unian--2020-09-07--Hryvnia weakens to UAH 27.73 to U.S. dollar on Sept 7

Hryvnia weakens to UAH 27.73 to U.S. dollar on Sept 7
10:15, 07.09.20 10230
The official forex rate against the euro for Monday has been fixed at UAH 32.86 per euro.
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unian--2020-09-07--Number of COVID-19 cases confirmed worldwide exceeds 27.1 mln

As many as 188 countries have been affected by the virus .
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world exceeded 27.1 million patients as of September 7 .
Read alsoInfectious disease expert suggests how to avoid new COVID-19 outbreakAs many as 27,105,151 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported as of 09:28 on September 7 , according to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering ( CSSE ) at Johns Hopkins University .
The overall death toll is 883,529 people , while 18,139,392 coronavirus patients have already recovered .
The highest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States ( 188,941 people ) , Brazil ( 126,650 ) , India ( 71,642 ) , Mexico ( 67,558 ) , the United Kingdom ( 41,640 ) , Italy ( 35,541 ) , and France ( 30,730 ) .
The countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic include the United States ( 6,276,835 confirmed cases ) , India ( 4,204,613 ) , Brazil ( 4,137,521 ) , Russia ( 1,022,228 ) , Peru ( 689,977 ) , Colombia ( 666,521 ) , South Africa ( 638,517 ) , and Mexico ( 634,023 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been affected by the virus .

As many as 188 countries have been affected by the virus.
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world exceeded 27.1 million patients as of September 7.
Read alsoInfectious disease expert suggests how to avoid new COVID-19 outbreakAs many as 27,105,151 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported as of 09:28 on September 7, according to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.
The overall death toll is 883,529 people, while 18,139,392 coronavirus patients have already recovered.
Видео дня
The highest death toll was recorded in the United States (188,941 people), Brazil (126,650), India (71,642), Mexico (67,558), the United Kingdom (41,640), Italy (35,541), and France (30,730).
The countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic include the United States (6,276,835 confirmed cases), India (4,204,613), Brazil (4,137,521), Russia (1,022,228), Peru (689,977), Colombia (666,521), South Africa (638,517), and Mexico (634,023).
As many as 188 countries have been affected by the virus.


unian--2020-09-07--Escalation amid Donbas truce: Ukraine reports enemy provocations on Sept 6

The situation is under full control of the Ukrainian military .
Ukraine has reported enemy provocations on Sunday , September 6 , as Russia 's hybrid military forces violated the newly-agreed truce in Donbas , eastern Ukraine .
`` On September 6 , Russian Federation 's armed formations violated ceasefire agreements reached on July 22 , '' the press center of Ukraine 's Joint Forces Operation Command reported in a Facebook update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on September 7 , 2020 .
In particular , the enemy opened fire from an automatic grenade launcher near the town of Krasnohorivka @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wounded .
Read alsoUkraine Army reports on fate of two soldiers gone missing amid wildfiresAlso , the enemy used rifles to shell the Ukrainian positions near the village of Prychepylivka in Luhansk region .
One Ukrainian soldier was killed as a result of the shelling .
Moreover , the Russian occupation forces fired two provocative shots from an under-barrel grenade launcher near the village of Shumy .
The Joint Forces are abiding by the ceasefire , being ready to adequately respond to possible attacks by the adversary , it said .
Since Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's armed formations have been recorded , the JFO HQ said .
The situation is under full control of the Ukrainian military .
• Participants in the Trilateral Contact Group ( Ukraine , Russia , and the OSCE ) on the peace settlement in Donbas on July 22 agreed on a full and comprehensive ceasefire along the contact line from 00:01 on Monday , July 27 .
• The new ceasefire regime was enforced at 00:01 Kyiv time on July 27 .
• On the very first day of the newly-agreed truce , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas , eastern Ukraine .

The situation is under full control of the Ukrainian military.
Ukraine has reported enemy provocations on Sunday, September 6, as Russia's hybrid military forces violated the newly-agreed truce in Donbas, eastern Ukraine.
"On September 6, Russian Federation's armed formations violated ceasefire agreements reached on July 22," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation Command reported in a Facebook update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on September 7, 2020.
In particular, the enemy opened fire from an automatic grenade launcher near the town of Krasnohorivka, resulting in one Ukrainian soldier was wounded.
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Read alsoUkraine Army reports on fate of two soldiers gone missing amid wildfiresAlso, the enemy used rifles to shell the Ukrainian positions near the village of Prychepylivka in Luhansk region. One Ukrainian soldier was killed as a result of the shelling.
Moreover, the Russian occupation forces fired two provocative shots from an under-barrel grenade launcher near the village of Shumy.
The Joint Forces are abiding by the ceasefire, being ready to adequately respond to possible attacks by the adversary, it said.
Since Monday midnight, no attacks by Russian Federation's armed formations have been recorded, the JFO HQ said.
The situation is under full control of the Ukrainian military.
Donbas ceasefire: background