southfront--2020-04-02--Mandatory Lockdown In Russia Is Extended Until April 30

Russia is put on a nationwide mandatory lockdown until April 30 .
On April 2 , Russian President Vladimir Putin made a televised address to the citizens of Russia in connection with the spread of coronavirus infection .
The head of state said that the measures announced during the weekend , allowed for the reduction of risks and gain time for action against the epidemic , but its peak , including in Russia , has not yet been passed .
In particular , he said , in Moscow it has not yet been possible to “ turn the tide ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the following measures that will either be extended or introduced .
In his words , all of these are to support citizens , and as such should be followed : • authorities and enterprises with continuous production , as well essential services , hospitals , grocery stores and pharmacies will continue to work ( non-government bodies and other enterprises remain closed ) ; • if the epidemiological situation allows , the number of non-working days can be reduced , additional decisions will be made depending on the situation ; • heads of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian Federation will be given additional powers ( in fact emergency powers ) : they must determine the list of their own specific measures for coronavirus by the end of the week ; • presidential envoys will coordinate the work of the regions on COVID-19 , all information on decisions to be made should fall to the coordination council under the Cabinet ; • if it is required to further limit the work of essential businesses , regions are required to coordinate this with the federal government .
Putin emphasized the need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the authorities and health authorities .
Additionally , Putin signed a decree “ On measures to ensure the sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population in the Russian Federation in connection with the spread of a new coronavirus infection ( COVID-19 ) .
” The text of the decree , in its entirety is the following : “ In order to ensure the sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population in the Russian Federation in connection with the spread of a new coronavirus infection ( COVID-19 ) , in accordance with Article @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federation , I hereby decide : • To establish from April 4th to April 30th , 2020 inclusively non-working days with preservation of wages for employees .
• To the highest officials ( heads of the highest executive bodies of state power ) of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation , taking into account the provisions of this Decree , based on the sanitary-epidemiological situation and the characteristics of the spread of new coronavirus infection ( COVID-19 ) in the constituent entity of the Russian Federation , ensure the development and implementation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events , primarily : • determine within the boundaries of the respective constituent entity of the Russian Federation the territories on which the implementation of a set of restrictive and other measures is envisaged to ensure the sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population ( hereinafter referred to as the relevant territory ) , including under the conditions of the introduction of a high alert , emergency ; • suspend ( limit ) the activities of individual establishments located in the relevant territory , regardless of the legal form of ownership and form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entrepreneurs , taking into account the provisions of paragraphs 4 and 5 of this Decree ; • establish a special procedure for the movement of persons and vehicles in the relevant territory , with the exception of vehicles engaged in inter-regional transportation .
• Restrictive and other measures may be implemented at different periods of time within the general period established by paragraph 1 of this Decree .
• This Decree does not apply to the following establishments ( employers and their employees ) : • establishments providing the population with food and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work in emergency situations and ( or ) when there is a threat of the spread of a disease that poses a danger to others , or in other cases that endanger the life , health or normal living conditions of the population ; • establishments that provide financial services in terms of emergency functions ( primarily settlement and payment services ) ; • other establishments determined by decisions of the supreme executive body of state power of a constituent entity of the Russian Federation based on the sanitary-epidemiological situation and the specifics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection ( COVID-19 ) in a constituent entity of the Russian Federation .
• This Decree may apply to system-forming , as well as scientific and educational establishments in coordination with the Government of the Russian Federation .
• To designate the number of federal public servants and employees who ensure the functioning of these bodies from April 4th to April 30th , 2020 , and notify the federal state bodies and bodies of state extra-budgetary funds .
• The state bodies of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation and local authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the distribution of the new coronavirus infection ( COVID-19 ) in the relevant territory of the Russian Federation , designate the number of state and municipal employees providing from April 4th to April 30th , 2020 to continue in order to guarantee the functioning of the respective institutions .
• Establishments engaged in the production and release of mass media shall designate the number of employees who ensure the functioning of the same organizations from April 4th to April 30th , 2020 .
• This Decree shall enter into force on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a majority of the Russian population ( excluding some categories of citizens ) was put on a strict quarantine .
The new round of anti-COVID-19 measures , including additional powers to regional authorities and self-isolation of the regions , leads to the decentralization of the Russian state and the creation of de-facto borders between different regions .
A high number of people in Moscow and the Moscow region that do not have savings and place of a permanent registration ( and thus facing administrative difficulties during the regime of self-isolation ) were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ account the economic crisis and lots of gastarbeiters that are locked in the city and lost an opportunity to work to get money , the social and security situation may deteriorate fast .
The growth of criminal activities and violent crimes ( like robberies with use of force ) is a possible scenario .
In this case , authorities will likely deploy additional forces of Police and the National Guard to the capital .
It is not currently possible to predict to what consequences this scenario will lead .
Putin ’ s national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Russian segment of the Internet .
Russian users write that if the situation is so bad , why doesn ’ t he impose the state of emergency ?
The state of emergency will allow to all levels of Russian authorities to act within the framework of the Russian Constitution and federal laws .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • While the World Is In Disarray , COVID-19 Is Breaking Up Russia • How Did The “ Three Little Piglets ” Prepare For The “ Wolf ” : Russia , U.S. , @ @ @ @ @ @

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Russia is put on a nationwide mandatory lockdown until April 30.
On April 2, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a televised address to the citizens of Russia in connection with the spread of coronavirus infection. The head of state said that the measures announced during the weekend, allowed for the reduction of risks and gain time for action against the epidemic, but its peak, including in Russia, has not yet been passed. In particular, he said, in Moscow it has not yet been possible to “turn the tide”.

HINT: The video has an English voice-over.
In his speech, Putin announced the following measures that will either be extended or introduced. In his words, all of these are to support citizens, and as such should be followed:
extend the mandatory paid leave until April 30;
authorities and enterprises with continuous production, as well essential services, hospitals, grocery stores and pharmacies will continue to work (non-government bodies and other enterprises remain closed);
if the epidemiological situation allows, the number of non-working days can be reduced, additional decisions will be made depending on the situation;
heads of the constituent entities (local governments) of the Russian Federation will be given additional powers (in fact emergency powers): they must determine the list of their own specific measures for coronavirus by the end of the week;
presidential envoys will coordinate the work of the regions on COVID-19, all information on decisions to be made should fall to the coordination council under the Cabinet;
if it is required to further limit the work of essential businesses, regions are required to coordinate this with the federal government.
Putin emphasized the need for citizens to comply with the recommendations of the authorities and health authorities.
“We will continue to act in a coordinated and reliable manner, and most importantly, we will be proactive,” he summed up.
Additionally, Putin signed a decree “On measures to ensure the sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population in the Russian Federation in connection with the spread of a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19).”
The text of the decree, in its entirety is the following:
“In order to ensure the sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population in the Russian Federation in connection with the spread of a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19), in accordance with Article 80 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, I hereby decide:
To establish from April 4th to April 30th, 2020 inclusively non-working days with preservation of wages for employees. To the highest officials (heads of the highest executive bodies of state power) of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, taking into account the provisions of this Decree, based on the sanitary-epidemiological situation and the characteristics of the spread of new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in the constituent entity of the Russian Federation, ensure the development and implementation of a set of restrictive and other events, primarily: determine within the boundaries of the respective constituent entity of the Russian Federation the territories on which the implementation of a set of restrictive and other measures is envisaged to ensure the sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population (hereinafter referred to as the relevant territory), including under the conditions of the introduction of a high alert, emergency; suspend (limit) the activities of individual establishments located in the relevant territory, regardless of the legal form of ownership and form of ownership, as well as individual entrepreneurs, taking into account the provisions of paragraphs 4 and 5 of this Decree; establish a special procedure for the movement of persons and vehicles in the relevant territory, with the exception of vehicles engaged in inter-regional transportation. Restrictive and other measures may be implemented at different periods of time within the general period established by paragraph 1 of this Decree. This Decree does not apply to the following establishments (employers and their employees): continuously operating establishments; medical and pharmacy establishments; establishments providing the population with food and essential goods; establishments performing emergency work in emergency situations and(or) when there is a threat of the spread of a disease that poses a danger to others, or in other cases that endanger the life, health or normal living conditions of the population; establishments engaged in emergency repair and handling operations; establishments that provide financial services in terms of emergency functions (primarily settlement and payment services); other establishments determined by decisions of the supreme executive body of state power of a constituent entity of the Russian Federation based on the sanitary-epidemiological situation and the specifics of the spread of a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in a constituent entity of the Russian Federation. This Decree may apply to system-forming, as well as scientific and educational establishments in coordination with the Government of the Russian Federation. To designate the number of federal public servants and employees who ensure the functioning of these bodies from April 4th to April 30th, 2020, and notify the federal state bodies and bodies of state extra-budgetary funds. The state bodies of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation and local authorities based on the sanitary and epidemiological situation and the distribution of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in the relevant territory of the Russian Federation, designate the number of state and municipal employees providing from April 4th to April 30th, 2020 to continue in order to guarantee the functioning of the respective institutions. Establishments engaged in the production and release of mass media shall designate the number of employees who ensure the functioning of the same organizations from April 4th to April 30th, 2020. This Decree shall enter into force on the day of its official publication.
Therefore, a majority of the Russian population (excluding some categories of citizens) was put on a strict quarantine. The new round of anti-COVID-19 measures, including additional powers to regional authorities and self-isolation of the regions, leads to the decentralization of the Russian state and the creation of de-facto borders between different regions.
A high number of people in Moscow and the Moscow region that do not have savings and place of a permanent registration (and thus facing administrative difficulties during the regime of self-isolation) were put in dire conditions. Taking into account the economic crisis and lots of gastarbeiters that are locked in the city and lost an opportunity to work to get money, the social and security situation may deteriorate fast. The growth of criminal activities and violent crimes (like robberies with use of force) is a possible scenario. In this case, authorities will likely deploy additional forces of Police and the National Guard to the capital. It is not currently possible to predict to what consequences this scenario will lead. Putin’s national address caused a wave of negative comments in the Russian segment of the Internet. Russian users write that if the situation is so bad, why doesn’t he impose the state of emergency? The state of emergency will allow to all levels of Russian authorities to act within the framework of the Russian Constitution and federal laws.
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southfront--2020-04-02--Explosion Rocks Busy Market In SDF-Held Northeast Syria (Video)

On April 2 morning , an explosion rocked a busy market in the town of al-Busayrah in the southeastern countryside @ @ @ @ @ to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Right ( SOHR ) , the explosion was @ @ @ @ @ , which was parked by unknown operatives to target a vehicle of the Syrian Democratic @ @ @ @ @ The motorcycle prematurely exploded , missing its target .
The explosion , however , injured @ @ @ @ @ and a child .
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack , so far @ @ @ @ @ the main suspect .
The group ’ s cells are known to be highly-active in @ @ @ @ @ , ISIS cells abducted and beheaded two fighters of the SDF in the southern al-Hasakah @ @ @ @ @ the U.S.-led coalition responded by launching a large-scale combing operation in the region .
The @ @ @ @ @ are intensifying their operations against ISIS remnants in northeast Syria .
However , the terrorist @ @ @ @ @ still on the rise .
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On April 2 morning, an explosion rocked a busy market in the town of al-Busayrah in the southeastern countryside of Deir Ezzor.
According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Right (SOHR), the explosion was caused by a booby-trapped motorcycle, which was parked by unknown operatives to target a vehicle of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The motorcycle prematurely exploded, missing its target. The explosion, however, injured two civilians, a woman and a child.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, so far. However, ISIS remains the main suspect. The group’s cells are known to be highly-active in northeast Syria.
Last week, ISIS cells abducted and beheaded two fighters of the SDF in the southern al-Hasakah countryside. The SDF and the U.S.-led coalition responded by launching a large-scale combing operation in the region.
The SDF and the U.S.-led coalition are intensifying their operations against ISIS remnants in northeast Syria. However, the terrorist group’s influence is still on the rise.
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southfront--2020-04-02--Map Update: COVID-19 Outbreak In Greater Middle East As Of April 2, 2020

Click to see the full-size image This map provides a general look at the current situation with the COVID-19 outbreak @ @ @ @ @ as of April 2 , 2020 .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Map Update @ @ @ @ @ Middle East As Of April 1 , 2020

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This map provides a general look at the current situation with the COVID-19 outbreak across the Greater Middle East as of April 2, 2020.
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southfront--2020-04-02--Turkish Forces Deploy More Building Blocks, Engineering Equipment In Syria’s Greater Idlib (Video, P

Turkish Forces Deploy More Building Blocks, Engineering Equipment In Syria’s Greater Idlib (Video, Photos)

The Turkish military is deploying building blocks and engineering equipment in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib .
According to several opposition sources , two convoys loaded with the said material entered Greater Idlib through the Kafr Lusin border crossing on April 1 and 2 .
The sources shared photos and a video showing one of the convoys .
Theses building blocks and engineering equipment are being deployed along the militant-held part of the M4 highway , which links the port city of Lattakia with Aleppo city .
The Turkish military is allegedly planning to establish a series of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completely secure it .
Under the March 5 agreement with Russia , Turkey committed to secure the M4 , so that its military and Russian forces can conduct joint patrol on it .
This is yet to happen as the highway is still blocked by opposition supporters and radical militants .
If Turkey fail to fulfil it commitment , the Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) and its allies will likely move to open the M4 by force .
This could lead to a new confrontation with Turkish forces in Greater Idlib .
@ @ @ @ @

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The Turkish military is deploying building blocks and engineering equipment in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib.
According to several opposition sources, two convoys loaded with the said material entered Greater Idlib through the Kafr Lusin border crossing on April 1 and 2. The sources shared photos and a video showing one of the convoys.
Theses building blocks and engineering equipment are being deployed along the militant-held part of the M4 highway, which links the port city of Lattakia with Aleppo city. The Turkish military is allegedly planning to establish a series of barracks and posts along the highway to completely secure it.
Under the March 5 agreement with Russia, Turkey committed to secure the M4, so that its military and Russian forces can conduct joint patrol on it. This is yet to happen as the highway is still blocked by opposition supporters and radical militants.
If Turkey fail to fulfil it commitment, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies will likely move to open the M4 by force. This could lead to a new confrontation with Turkish forces in Greater Idlib.
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southfront--2020-04-02--While the World Is In Disarray, COVID-19 Is Breaking Up Russia

Since first being recorded in China in December 2019 , the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) outbreak has spread around the world , been declared a pandemic and sent billions of people into lockdown .
As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases around the world is nearing one million , more and more draconian measures limiting the basic freedoms ( like the freedom of movement and freedom of speech ) of citizens are being introduced under the pretext of the need to contain the pandemic .
These swift and unprecedented changes of the social-political system around the world give rise to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the pre-COVID-19 state and ‘ temporary measures ’ imposed to ‘ contain the COVID-19 threat ’ may turn into our new reality .
As of April 2 morning , there have been 936,865 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 47,263 deaths around the world .
The United States , Italy , Spain with 215,344 , 110,574 and 104,118 cases respectively .
At the same time , the death rate in Italy and Spain is much higher than in the United States .
This high death rate ( every 8.4th infected in Italy and every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries into a center of fear fueled by mainstream media reports designed to generate hype and attract the viewers ’ attention amid the developing crisis .
Bare figures provided by media without any additional context contribute to the growth of fear among the audience and justify further restrictions and emergency measures to contain the pandemic .
At the same time , a more detailed look at the situation and commentaries by medical experts and scientists indicate that the real COVID-19 threat is lower than media paint it .
The global COVID-19 numbers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influenza seasons in the United States only : 61,099 people died during the 2017-2018 season ( an approximately 6-month period ) and 34,157 – during the 2018-2019 season ( another 6-month period ) .
As of April 2 , the 2017-2018 influenza season killed 12 times more people in the United States than the current COVID-19 outbreak .
The 2018-2019 influenza season killed approximately 7 times more people than the COVID-19 outbreak .
The sky-high COVID-19 death toll in Italy also could be a result of several contributing factors : 1 .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is constituted of older people ( 65yo+ ) that present severe underlying diseases and thus remain in the group of risk in the event of any new disease .
The CDC ’ s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report study says that 45 % of hospitalizations , 53 % of admissions to the intensive care unit ( ICU ) , and 80 % of deaths associated with COVID-19 were among adults aged 65 years and older .
2 .
According to the report by the Italian Ministry of Health , the 2019-2020 flu season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warm weather , led to the deaths of fewer older Italians than average .
In Italy ’ s northern cities that have borne the most part of Italy ’ s more than 12,000 deaths , overall mortality among people age 65 and over was 6 % below a baseline from previous years .
In central and southern Italy , the deaths were 3 % below normal .
Thus , elderly people and those with severe underlying diseases who were spared death by the flu and mild weather from November through January became an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February and March .
The drop in deaths from the 2019-2020 flu season led to an increase in the pool of the most vulnerable people for COVID-19 .
Therefore , this part of the Italians found themselves exposed to COVID-19 starting from the end of February , and that may have contributed to an increase in the impact of the epidemic on the elderly .
The Robert Koch Institute , a German federal government agency and research institute responsible for disease control and prevention , confirms the aforementioned facts .
In the report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Koch Institute says that 86 % of deaths occurred in persons aged 70 years or older .
As of April 2 , there have been 77,981 COVID-19 cases and 931 COVID-19-related deaths in Germany .
In comparison , the 2017-2018 influenza season affected 9,000,000 people ( they requested medical aid ) and led to 25,1000 deaths .
Igor Alekseevich Gundarov , a Doctor of Medicine , professor , member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences , a specialist in the field of epidemiology and medical statistics , notes that the new coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ successes in the field of combating the flu .
The new virus simply filled the created vacuum in the virus micro world that surrounds humanity .
According to Gundarov , the current crisis , which caused the pandemic of fear additionally to the COVID-19 pandemic , is the result of the specific media coverage and political-motivated decisions of particular actors .
Even countries that are almost not affected impose strict measures and limit freedoms of their citizens due to the COVID-19 outbreak .
A curious situation is developing inside Russia .
As of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases that led 30 deaths only .
There is no official data showing some kind of dramatic spread of the disease .
All people that died from the COVID-19 outbreak are elderly or/and people with the severe underlying diseases ( cancer , severe forms of diabetes , heart diseases , etc . )
: In response to the situation , on March 30 , Moscow ( official population – over 13 million , estimated – up to 18 million ) was put under mandatory lockdown .
Under the rules , people would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergencies or to buy groceries or medication and only from the nearest shops and pharmacies .
People can still leave the capital , and go to work ( if this is needed ) .
People are restricted to an area within 100m of their home .
The authorities also plan to introduce a “ smart control system , ” after which residents will not be allowed to leave their homes without permits .
On April 2 , Moscow mayor Sergey Sobyanin announced administrative fines for violations of the regime of ‘ self-isolation ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a law of Moscow city ) was published on the mayor ’ s official website .
The law provides for a fine for violators of up to 5,000 rubles ( ~ 65 USD ) , and for organizations – up to 500,000 rubles ( 6,410 USD ) .
Meanwhile , in another Russian region , Krasnadar Krai , a fine for violators of the regime of ‘ self-isolation ’ is 15,000 rubles ( ~192 USD ) and more .
Local authorities justified the move with the need to prevent the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people that violate the regime of self-isolation and other important anti-pandemic measures .
This is an important task .
However , under the Constitution , local authorities do not have the right to introduce such restrictions .
In the following few days , several other Russian regions introduced measures of this kind .
Some of them even entered a mandatory regime of ‘ administrative self-isolation ’ .
For example , the Republic of Chechnya announced that it is closing its administrative borders from April 5 .
The Republic of Crimea announced a regime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a checkpoint on the bridge with the mainland where all people entering and leaving the Republic are checked .
The Republic of Tatarstan overcame even Moscow .
The regime of self-isolation was introduced there on April 1 .
People there can leave their homes only for emergency medical care , or in cases of a direct threat to their lives , visit the closest shop to buy food and other essential products , walking pets ( 100m from home ) and move their trash to the nearest place of accumulation of waste .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ distance and for a longer time only under a special permission received via a special SMS service .
Meanwhile , the government is imposing severe punishments for spreading false information about the coronavirus and breaking quarantine rules as most regions have gone into lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus .
The legislation was approved by both houses of the Parliament on March 31 and signed by President Vladimir Putin on April 1 .
Here is a brief overview of the new measures prepared by The Moscow Times : What happens if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules ?
— You will be fined up to 40,000 rubles ( $ 640 ) .
Companies and public officials face fines of up to 150,000 rubles ( $ 2,400 ) , while legal entities face fines of up to half a million rubles ( $ 7,900 ) .
— If the violation causes health issues or death , you will be fined up to 300,000 rubles ( $ 4,800 ) .
Companies and public officials will be fined up to half a million rubles and 1 million rubles , respectively .
— @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watchdog has said applies only to legal entities and public officials , quarantine dodging can also result in up to two years in prison .
— If the violation causes one death , prison terms increase to up to five years .
— If the violation causes two or more deaths , flouting quarantine rules results in prison terms of up to seven years .
What happens if you ’ re convicted of spreading false information about Covid-19 ?
— Under one amendment , you will be jailed for up to three years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and safety ” with false information .
You will also be fined up to 700,000 rubles ( $ 11,200 ) .
— Under the other amendment , you will be jailed for up to five years “ for distributing deliberately false information of public significance ” if it leads to death or “ other grave consequences.
” You will also be fined up to 2 million rubles ( $ 32,000 ) .
Who can declare an emergency situation ?
— Putin , and now the cabinet of ministers .
In addition to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers have rushed through bills that grant the Russian government the authority to enact a nationwide state of emergency or “ high-alert regime.
” — The Kremlin said it supported expanding the government ’ s emergency powers .
Putin has been criticized for falling short of declaring a national emergency or imposing lockdown rules similar to those now in place across U.S. , European and other cities .
The measures approved by the Federal Government demonstrate that the Russian leadership fully understand the threat of fake news attacks and foreign-instigated panic , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separate persons and organizations that intentionally ignore the anti-pandemic measures .
On the other hand , the ‘ administrative self-isolation ’ measures employed by some regions contribute to the de-facto fragmentation of the Russian Federation and the introduction of Orwellian control measures over people living in the key regions , like Moscow , the Moscow region and the Republic of Tatarstan .
These actions of regional authorities violate both the Russian Constitution and the federal laws .
The spreading ‘ administrative self-isolation ’ regime of Russian regions seems to be initiated by some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the federal center and the Putin team ) .
Heads of particular regions act in the way that looks like they implement pre-planned actions aiming to dramatically increase their own political power and wrest authority from the central government .
The central government enables this behavior under the pressure of the media and political hysteria around the world or remains misinformed about the real situation .
All of these developments came in a very sensitive time for Russia , which is now passing through the constitutional reform and suffering from the dramatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposed anti-COVID-19 measures also damage the local business and the job market throwing people out of their positions .
In the event of the negative scenario , this may rapidly lead to the deterioration of the social and economic situation across the country .
Authorities say that introduced surveillance measures and limitations of freedoms will be canceled after the end of the COVID-19 outbreak .
Nevertheless , the historical practice demonstrates that there is a nonzero probability that they will remain , or will be only partially lifted , even after the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Russian political culture , a complex tangle of contradictions within the Russian regional and federal elites , as well as the fact that a significant part of the Russian elites is affiliated with the collective West contribute to this scenario .
Therefore , the developments triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to the deformation of the political and administrative structure of the Russian Federation , and lead to notable social and economic tensions .
If this scenario turns into reality , the stability of the entire Eurasian region will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • How Did The “ Three Little Piglets ” Prepare For The “ Wolf ” : Russia , U.S. , China ’ s Response To COVID-19

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Since first being recorded in China in December 2019, the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has spread around the world, been declared a pandemic and sent billions of people into lockdown. As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases around the world is nearing one million, more and more draconian measures limiting the basic freedoms (like the freedom of movement and freedom of speech) of citizens are being introduced under the pretext of the need to contain the pandemic.
These swift and unprecedented changes of the social-political system around the world give rise to concerns that the world will never return to the pre-COVID-19 state and ‘temporary measures’ imposed to ‘contain the COVID-19 threat’ may turn into our new reality.
As of April 2 morning, there have been 936,865 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 47,263 deaths around the world. The United States, Italy, Spain with 215,344, 110,574 and 104,118 cases respectively. At the same time, the death rate in Italy and Spain is much higher than in the United States. This high death rate (every 8.4th infected in Italy and every 11th infected in Spain) turned the countries into a center of fear fueled by mainstream media reports designed to generate hype and attract the viewers’ attention amid the developing crisis. Bare figures provided by media without any additional context contribute to the growth of fear among the audience and justify further restrictions and emergency measures to contain the pandemic.
At the same time, a more detailed look at the situation and commentaries by medical experts and scientists indicate that the real COVID-19 threat is lower than media paint it.
The global COVID-19 numbers are yet to overcome the average effect of influenza seasons in the United States only: 61,099 people died during the 2017-2018 season (an approximately 6-month period) and 34,157 – during the 2018-2019 season (another 6-month period).
As of April 2, the 2017-2018 influenza season killed 12 times more people in the United States than the current COVID-19 outbreak. The 2018-2019 influenza season killed approximately 7 times more people than the COVID-19 outbreak.
The sky-high COVID-19 death toll in Italy also could be a result of several contributing factors:
1. A large part of COVID-19-infected people in Italy is constituted of older people (65yo+) that present severe underlying diseases and thus remain in the group of risk in the event of any new disease. The CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report study says that 45% of hospitalizations, 53% of admissions to the intensive care unit (ICU), and 80% of deaths associated with COVID-19 were among adults aged 65 years and older.
2. According to the report by the Italian Ministry of Health, the 2019-2020 flu season, which was marked by an unusually warm weather, led to the deaths of fewer older Italians than average. In Italy’s northern cities that have borne the most part of Italy’s more than 12,000 deaths, overall mortality among people age 65 and over was 6% below a baseline from previous years. In central and southern Italy, the deaths were 3% below normal.
Thus, elderly people and those with severe underlying diseases who were spared death by the flu and mild weather from November through January became an outsize target for the COVID-19 outbreak in February and March.
The drop in deaths from the 2019-2020 flu season led to an increase in the pool of the most vulnerable people for COVID-19. Therefore, this part of the Italians found themselves exposed to COVID-19 starting from the end of February, and that may have contributed to an increase in the impact of the epidemic on the elderly.
The Association of Epidemiologists says that the total number of elderly dead in Italy because of the COVID-19 outbreak exceeded the mortality rate from influenza over the past two years, but this figure still has not reached the mortality rate three years ago.
The Robert Koch Institute, a German federal government agency and research institute responsible for disease control and prevention, confirms the aforementioned facts. In the report released on April 1, the Robert Koch Institute says that 86% of deaths occurred in persons aged 70 years or older.
As of April 2, there have been 77,981 COVID-19 cases and 931 COVID-19-related deaths in Germany. In comparison, the 2017-2018 influenza season affected 9,000,000 people (they requested medical aid) and led to 25,1000 deaths.
Igor Alekseevich Gundarov, a Doctor of Medicine, professor, member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, a specialist in the field of epidemiology and medical statistics, notes that the new coronavirus expansion may be linked with the previous successes in the field of combating the flu.
The new virus simply filled the created vacuum in the virus micro world that surrounds humanity. According to Gundarov, the current crisis, which caused the pandemic of fear additionally to the COVID-19 pandemic, is the result of the specific media coverage and political-motivated decisions of particular actors.
Even countries that are almost not affected impose strict measures and limit freedoms of their citizens due to the COVID-19 outbreak. A curious situation is developing inside Russia. As of April 2, there were 3,548 COVID-19 cases that led 30 deaths only.
There is no official data showing some kind of dramatic spread of the disease. All people that died from the COVID-19 outbreak are elderly or/and people with the severe underlying diseases (cancer, severe forms of diabetes, heart diseases, etc.):
A man of unknown age, who died in St. Petersburg, and it was discovered that he had COVID-19 due to a post-mortem test;
An 84-year-old woman in Moscow, who suffered diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma and cardiovascular diseases;
A 48-year-old-man in Vladimir region. He died on March 27th from pneumonia, he had a chronic illness and was hospitalized into the general department of the hospital in Kovrovo, it was discovered he had COVID-19 in a post-mortem test;
A 52-year-old man in Pskov, he had severe underlying conditions in his lungs, but also COVID-19;
A 90-year-old man in Moscow. He was suffering from chronic cerebral ischemia, encephalopathy and parkinsonism;
A 69-year-old woman in Moscow for whom there is no other information;
A 57-year-old man in Orenburg, who had several chronic conditions;
A 73-year-old man in St. Petersburg, who returned from Thailand on March 1st. He suffered from several chronic conditions, including coronary heart disease and chronic heart failure, he died of acute heart failure, but had COVID-19, so he was registered as a victim of the virus;
A 56-year-old woman in Moscow. One of her lungs had been extracted previously due to cancer, she was confirmed with a left-sided pneumonia when admitted to hospital;
A 70-year-old woman in Moscow. She suffered from diabetes for 20 years, had terminal renal failure and other underlying conditions, she was registered as a COVID-19 victim;
An 88-year-old man in Moscow, with several underlying conditions;
A 73-year-old man in Moscow, also with several underlying conditions;
A 75-year-old male in Penza with numerous chronic diseases;
Three 76 – 86 years old people in Moscow. All patients had chronic diseases, in particular cardiovascular. Chronic pyelonephritis, bronchial asthma, chronic brain ischemia were also among concomitant diseases. Two of the patients suffered from diabetes;
A 65-year-old woman in the Moscow region. She had diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases and suffered a heart attack in 2019;
Three 63-72 years old people in Moscow. All patients had concomitant diseases, including cardiovascular;
An 82-year-old woman in Chechnya;
Five people of 61 – 74 years old. All patients had concomitant diseases, including cardiosclerosis, hypertension and diabetes mellitus;
A 59-year-old man in the Moscow region. He had chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system, kidneys and liver;
A 45-year-old man in Pskov. Before being infected with COVID-19, he was diagnosed with lung disease;
A 48-year-old main in Perm. He had severe oncological problems.
In response to the situation, on March 30, Moscow (official population – over 13 million, estimated – up to 18 million) was put under mandatory lockdown. Under the rules, people would be allowed to only leave home for medical emergencies or to buy groceries or medication and only from the nearest shops and pharmacies. People can still leave the capital, and go to work (if this is needed). People are restricted to an area within 100m of their home. The authorities also plan to introduce a “smart control system,” after which residents will not be allowed to leave their homes without permits.
On April 2, Moscow mayor Sergey Sobyanin announced administrative fines for violations of the regime of ‘self-isolation’ in the city. The document (a law of Moscow city) was published on the mayor’s official website. The law provides for a fine for violators of up to 5,000 rubles (~ 65 USD), and for organizations – up to 500,000 rubles (6,410 USD). Meanwhile, in another Russian region, Krasnadar Krai, a fine for violators of the regime of ‘self-isolation’ is 15,000 rubles (~192 USD) and more.
Local authorities justified the move with the need to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak and minimize possible damage from people that violate the regime of self-isolation and other important anti-pandemic measures. This is an important task. However, under the Constitution, local authorities do not have the right to introduce such restrictions.
In the following few days, several other Russian regions introduced measures of this kind. Some of them even entered a mandatory regime of ‘administrative self-isolation’.
For example, the Republic of Chechnya announced that it is closing its administrative borders from April 5.
The Republic of Crimea announced a regime of self-isolation from April 3, establishing a checkpoint on the bridge with the mainland where all people entering and leaving the Republic are checked.
The Republic of Tatarstan overcame even Moscow. The regime of self-isolation was introduced there on April 1. People there can leave their homes only for emergency medical care, or in cases of a direct threat to their lives, visit the closest shop to buy food and other essential products, walking pets (100m from home) and move their trash to the nearest place of accumulation of waste. People can leave home for a longer distance and for a longer time only under a special permission received via a special SMS service.
Meanwhile, the government is imposing severe punishments for spreading false information about the coronavirus and breaking quarantine rules as most regions have gone into lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus. The legislation was approved by both houses of the Parliament on March 31 and signed by President Vladimir Putin on April 1.
Here is a brief overview of the new measures prepared by The Moscow Times:
What happens if you’re convicted of breaking quarantine rules? — You will be fined up to 40,000 rubles ($640). Companies and public officials face fines of up to 150,000 rubles ($2,400), while legal entities face fines of up to half a million rubles ($7,900). — If the violation causes health issues or death, you will be fined up to 300,000 rubles ($4,800). Companies and public officials will be fined up to half a million rubles and 1 million rubles, respectively. — In what Russia’s consumer protection watchdog has said applies only to legal entities and public officials, quarantine dodging can also result in up to two years in prison. — If the violation causes one death, prison terms increase to up to five years. — If the violation causes two or more deaths, flouting quarantine rules results in prison terms of up to seven years. What happens if you’re convicted of spreading false information about Covid-19? — Under one amendment, you will be jailed for up to three years “for threatening people’s lives and safety” with false information. You will also be fined up to 700,000 rubles ($11,200). — Under the other amendment, you will be jailed for up to five years “for distributing deliberately false information of public significance” if it leads to death or “other grave consequences.” You will also be fined up to 2 million rubles ($32,000). Who can declare an emergency situation? — Putin, and now the cabinet of ministers. In addition to the stiffer fines and long jail terms, lawmakers have rushed through bills that grant the Russian government the authority to enact a nationwide state of emergency or “high-alert regime.” — The Kremlin said it supported expanding the government’s emergency powers. Putin has been criticized for falling short of declaring a national emergency or imposing lockdown rules similar to those now in place across U.S., European and other cities.
The measures approved by the Federal Government demonstrate that the Russian leadership fully understand the threat of fake news attacks and foreign-instigated panic, as well as treats seriously destructive actions of separate persons and organizations that intentionally ignore the anti-pandemic measures.
On the other hand, the ‘administrative self-isolation’ measures employed by some regions contribute to the de-facto fragmentation of the Russian Federation and the introduction of Orwellian control measures over people living in the key regions, like Moscow, the Moscow region and the Republic of Tatarstan. These actions of regional authorities violate both the Russian Constitution and the federal laws.
The spreading regime of ‘administrative self-isolation’ in the Russian regions seems to have been initiated by some of the regional elites (i.e.not by the federal center or Putin and his team). The way that the heads of particular regions are acting makes it look like they are implementing pre-planned actions aimed at dramatically increasing their own political power and wresting authority away from the central government.
The central government enables this behavior under the pressure of the media and political hysteria around the world or remains misinformed about the real situation.
All of these developments came in a very sensitive time for Russia, which is now passing through the constitutional reform and suffering from the dramatic fall of the oil prices. The imposed anti-COVID-19 measures also damage the local business and the job market throwing people out of their positions. In the event of the negative scenario, this may rapidly lead to the deterioration of the social and economic situation across the country.
Authorities say that introduced surveillance measures and limitations of freedoms will be canceled after the end of the COVID-19 outbreak. Nevertheless, the historical practice demonstrates that there is a nonzero probability that they will remain, or will be only partially lifted, even after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The specific of the Russian political culture, a complex tangle of contradictions within the Russian regional and federal elites, as well as the fact that a significant part of the Russian elites is affiliated with the collective West contribute to this scenario.
Therefore, the developments triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to the deformation of the political and administrative structure of the Russian Federation, and lead to notable social and economic tensions. If this scenario turns into reality, the stability of the entire Eurasian region will be undermined.
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southfront--2020-04-02--Afrin Liberation Forces Announce New Operations Against Turkish-Backed Militants (Video)

The Afrin Liberation Forces ( ALF ) announced on April 2 that its units had carried out a series of attacks on Turkish-backed militants in northern Aleppo .
In the first attack , which took place on March 26 , ALF fighters stormed a position of Turkish forces in the town of Omra in the district Sherawa in the southern part of occupied Afrin .
Three militants were killed in the raid .
On April 1 , the Krudish group ’ s cells struck an SUV carrying a militant commander known as Abu Khalid in the town of Burj Haidar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( IED ) .
The commander and three of his guards were killed .
A fourth militant was also injured .
On the same day , ALF operatives detonated a second IED near a headquarters of Turkish forces in the al-Mahmudiyah neighborhood in Afrin city .
The attack resulted in material losses only .
The ALF is launching its attacks from a strip of land in southern Afrin jointly controlled by the Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) and the Kurdish People ’ s Liberation Units ( YPG ) .
The group also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Turkish military is doing nothing to address the threat of the ALF , likely because most of the group ’ s operations are targeting its expendable proxies .
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The Afrin Liberation Forces (ALF) announced on April 2 that its units had carried out a series of attacks on Turkish-backed militants in northern Aleppo.
In the first attack, which took place on March 26, ALF fighters stormed a position of Turkish forces in the town of Omra in the district Sherawa in the southern part of occupied Afrin. Three militants were killed in the raid.
On April 1, the Krudish group’s cells struck an SUV carrying a militant commander known as Abu Khalid in the town of Burj Haidar in Sherawa with an improvised explosive device (IED). The commander and three of his guards were killed. A fourth militant was also injured.
On the same day, ALF operatives detonated a second IED near a headquarters of Turkish forces in the al-Mahmudiyah neighborhood in Afrin city. The attack resulted in material losses only.
The ALF is launching its attacks from a strip of land in southern Afrin jointly controlled by the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the Kurdish People’s Liberation Units (YPG). The group also has a network of cells within Afrin.
The Turkish military is doing nothing to address the threat of the ALF, likely because most of the group’s operations are targeting its expendable proxies.
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southfront--2020-04-03--With Friends Like These: U.S. Hijacks Medical Supplies Aimed For France, Germany, Brazil

Starting from April 2nd , the United States began pirating medical supplies intended for other countries .
And not just any countries , but it ’ s allies .
Coronavirus masks that France ordered from China were bought at the last minute by the United States as they waited to be loaded onto cargo planes .
On April 2nd , a planeload of Chinese-made face masks were bought up right on the tarmac just as the much needed protective gear was about to set off for France .
The US , which currently has more than a quarter million cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to bulk its stocks .
The east of France nonetheless received 2 million masks from China on the previous day .
France has ordered more than one billion face masks , a quarter from China , as it battles the pandemic and currently has less than three weeks worth of supplies .
The US isn ’ t concerned by that , however .
The head of the south-eastern Provence-Alpes-Côte d ’ Azur region Renaud Muselier told RT France that he ordered around 60 million masks but has also experienced delivery problems .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks by this April 4th Muselier has opted for a different route , passing by the sea instead .
Canada ’ s prime minister Justin Trudeau described such reports as “ concerning and asked officials to look into similar claims that masks were being diverted away from his country .
At a press conference in Brazil on April 1st , the health minister , Luiz Henrique Mandetta , said recent attempts by Brasília to purchase protection gear such as gloves and masks from China had fallen through .
On April 3rd , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks from China – types FFP2 and FFP3 .
They were designed to protect medical personnel from being infected with the coronavirus .
However , the shipment was intercepted by the United States and redirected .
The goods are said to have been intercepted by the Americans on the way from the manufacturer to Germany and brought to the USA .
The Berlin authorities assure that the current stock of protective equipment is still sufficient .
But the fire brigade had to get expired masks from the warehouses .
The issue of masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical supplies that were purchased from Turkey are also not arriving .
But not because the US hijacked them , rather because Ankara banned all such exports .
Reports by the Belgian newspaper Le Soir and the Italian daily Corriere della Sera said Turkish-made masks destined for those countries had never arrived .
In Italy , it took more than two weeks following a phone call from the prime minister , Giuseppe Conte , to the Turkish president , Recep Tayyip Erdoğan , for the masks to be released .
Earlier , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Czech Republic .
The authorities denied that they had stolen the masks .
They said the masks had made their way to a warehouse north of Prague , where they were confiscated in an anti-trafficking operation .
The foreign minister , Tomáš Petříček , later said his government had sent 110,000 masks to Rome as compensation .
A similar incident occurred in Kenya , where a shipment of up to 6m masks bound for Germany mysteriously disappeared while passing through the east African country , although there has been no suggestion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ON THE TOPIC :

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Starting from April 2nd, the United States began pirating medical supplies intended for other countries.
And not just any countries, but it’s allies.
It began with France.
Coronavirus masks that France ordered from China were bought at the last minute by the United States as they waited to be loaded onto cargo planes.
“Americans pay three or four times the amount we pay, and in cash,” said Jean Rottner, head of France’s eastern region, one of the areas worst affected by the coronavirus outbreak, according to reports by France Info.
On April 2nd, a planeload of Chinese-made face masks were bought up right on the tarmac just as the much needed protective gear was about to set off for France.
“We’re working around the clock to ensure these masks arrive,” says Rottner, blaming unfair competition for delays.
The US, which currently has more than a quarter million cases is disruption deliveries to other nations in order to bulk its stocks.
The east of France nonetheless received 2 million masks from China on the previous day.
“I was very happy to see that airplane arriving in our region last night,” Rottner said.
France has ordered more than one billion face masks, a quarter from China, as it battles the pandemic and currently has less than three weeks worth of supplies.
The US isn’t concerned by that, however.
The head of the south-eastern Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region Renaud Muselier told RT France that he ordered around 60 million masks but has also experienced delivery problems.
“The icing on the cake, there is a foreign country that paid three times the price of the cargo on the tarmac,” Rénaud Muselier said.
To ensure the delivery of 4 million masks by this April 4th Muselier has opted for a different route, passing by the sea instead.
“At least that way, I can be sure that no one will steal my masks from the tarmac,” he said.
Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau described such reports as “concerning and asked officials to look into similar claims that masks were being diverted away from his country.
“We need to make sure that equipment that is destined for Canada gets to and stays in Canada, and I’ve asked ministers to follow up on these particular reports,” he said.
At a press conference in Brazil on April 1st, the health minister, Luiz Henrique Mandetta, said recent attempts by Brasília to purchase protection gear such as gloves and masks from China had fallen through.
“Today the US sent 23 of their biggest cargo planes to China to pick up the material they had acquired. Many of our purchases, which we had hoped to confirm in order to supply [our health system], fell through,” he said. “The whole world wants [these things] too. There is a problem of hyper-demand.”
On April 3rd, the State of Berlin said it had ordered masks from China – types FFP2 and FFP3.
They were designed to protect medical personnel from being infected with the coronavirus.
However, the shipment was intercepted by the United States and redirected.
The goods are said to have been intercepted by the Americans on the way from the manufacturer to Germany and brought to the USA.
The Berlin authorities assure that the current stock of protective equipment is still sufficient. But the fire brigade had to get expired masks from the warehouses.
The issue of masks and disinfectants is strictly limited.
Some medical supplies that were purchased from Turkey are also not arriving. But not because the US hijacked them, rather because Ankara banned all such exports.
Reports by the Belgian newspaper Le Soir and the Italian daily Corriere della Sera said Turkish-made masks destined for those countries had never arrived.
In Italy, it took more than two weeks following a phone call from the prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, to the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, for the masks to be released.
Earlier, a shipment from China to Italy was seized by the Czech Republic. The authorities denied that they had stolen the masks.
They said the masks had made their way to a warehouse north of Prague, where they were confiscated in an anti-trafficking operation. The foreign minister, Tomáš Petříček, later said his government had sent 110,000 masks to Rome as compensation.
A similar incident occurred in Kenya, where a shipment of up to 6m masks bound for Germany mysteriously disappeared while passing through the east African country, although there has been no suggestion that the government was responsible.
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southfront--2020-04-03--Russian Sending Medical Aid And Specialists To Serbia Departed With 11 IL-76 Flights

On April 3rd , the first Russian IL-76 with equipment and specialists departed from Chkalovsky airfield to Serbia .
The purpose is to help the country in the battle against COVID-19 .
In total , the Ministry of Defense will transfer 87 military virologists and doctors , equipment , special equipment , protective equipment and 16 units of military equipment with eleven flights .
According to the latest data from the Ministry of Health of Serbia , 31 people died from coronavirus in the country , the total number of patients reached 1,171 .
On April 2nd , Russian President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Serbian President Alexander Vučić .
The presidents discussed the measures taken by the two countries to counter the coronavirus pandemic as well as opportunities for practical cooperation in this area .
The two leaders agreed on the provision of humanitarian aid to Serbia in order to fight the spread of the infection in the spirit of traditional friendly bilateral relations .
This aid , including sending experts , will mostly be provided by the Russian Defense Ministry .
This came in follow up of a call by the Serbian Ministry of Internal affairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help .
According to a note circulated in Serbia , at the cabinet meeting headed by Prime Minister Ana Brnabic , the Ministry of the Interior presented the proposal to seek Russian support on specific issues , based on the cooperation agreement between the two countries in emergency situations .
On March 24th , the Serbian army deployed a reception center in the Belgrade Fair and Exhibition Center to isolate 3,000 infected people .
Serbian President Aleksandr Vučić called for strict adherence to self-isolation rules for arrivals from abroad and emphasized that criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result in 3 to 12 years in prison .
Serbia , earlier called for assistance from China , and it received help in the form of 6 doctors , ventilators and medical masks .
Vucic was very vocal in the EU ’ s inability to offer any assistance to Serbia , in addition to even limiting exports of medical supplies , so that they can be used by the countries in the bloc .
“ I sent a letter to President Xi , in which for the first time I officially called him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a brother , and not only my personal friend but also a friend and brother of this country , ” Vucic said on March 16th .
“ As of today , as you know , we can not even import goods , according to the European Union ’ s decisions , [ European Commission president ] Ursula von der Leyen said this a while ago , we can not import medical equipment from EU countries , ” he added .
In Serbia , under the state of emergency measures announced by Vucic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , except diplomats , people with residence permits , and Chinese citizens “ who we will be begging to come and help us with everything ” .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Serbia To Ask Russia For Assistance Against COVID-19 • Serbian President Says European Solidarity Doesn ’ t Exist , Asks China For Help Against COVID-19

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On April 3rd, the first Russian IL-76 with equipment and specialists departed from Chkalovsky airfield to Serbia.
The purpose is to help the country in the battle against COVID-19.
“The plane will deliver a forward group of military medics, virologists and epidemiologists with the modern equipment for epidemiological diagnostics and disinfection measures to the Batajnica aerodrome (20 km northwest of Belgrade),” the ministry said.
In total, the Ministry of Defense will transfer 87 military virologists and doctors, equipment, special equipment, protective equipment and 16 units of military equipment with eleven flights.
According to the latest data from the Ministry of Health of Serbia, 31 people died from coronavirus in the country, the total number of patients reached 1,171.
On April 2nd, Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Serbian President Alexander Vučić.
The presidents discussed the measures taken by the two countries to counter the coronavirus pandemic as well as opportunities for practical cooperation in this area.
The two leaders agreed on the provision of humanitarian aid to Serbia in order to fight the spread of the infection in the spirit of traditional friendly bilateral relations. This aid, including sending experts, will mostly be provided by the Russian Defense Ministry.
This came in follow up of a call by the Serbian Ministry of Internal affairs for the government to ask Russia for help.
“At today’s meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Serbia, it invited the government to ask for help from the Russian Federation because of the situation with the coronavirus,” a representative of the Serbian Interior Ministry told RIA on March 26th.
According to a note circulated in Serbia, at the cabinet meeting headed by Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, the Ministry of the Interior presented the proposal to seek Russian support on specific issues, based on the cooperation agreement between the two countries in emergency situations.
On March 24th, the Serbian army deployed a reception center in the Belgrade Fair and Exhibition Center to isolate 3,000 infected people.
Serbian President Aleksandr Vučić called for strict adherence to self-isolation rules for arrivals from abroad and emphasized that criminal liability for violation of the regime could result in 3 to 12 years in prison.
Serbia, earlier called for assistance from China, and it received help in the form of 6 doctors, ventilators and medical masks.
“A big thank you to President Xi Jinping, the Chinese communist party and the Chinese people,” Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on March 21st.
Vucic was very vocal in the EU’s inability to offer any assistance to Serbia, in addition to even limiting exports of medical supplies, so that they can be used by the countries in the bloc.
“I sent a letter to President Xi, in which for the first time I officially called him not only a dear friend but also a brother, and not only my personal friend but also a friend and brother of this country,” Vucic said on March 16th. “As of today, as you know, we cannot even import goods, according to the European Union’s decisions, [European Commission president] Ursula von der Leyen said this a while ago, we cannot import medical equipment from EU countries,” he added.
In Serbia, under the state of emergency measures announced by Vucic, Serbia has banned entrance to all foreigners, except diplomats, people with residence permits, and Chinese citizens “who we will be begging to come and help us with everything”.
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southfront--2020-04-03--In Video: Libyan National Army Destroyed Turkish-made ACV-15 Armoured Vehicle Of GNA Forces

The Libyan National Army has destroyed another Turkish armoured vehicle supplied by Ankara to its proxies in Libya .
This @ @ @ @ @ armoured combat vehicle operated by the Government of National Accord near Tripoli .
Turkey has @ @ @ @ @ of military equipment and heavy weapons to pro-Turkish forces in Libya .
It has also @ @ @ @ @ members of Turkish-backed Syrian miltiant groups to the country .
However , Turkish-led forces have @ @ @ @ @ of the conflict and regain the initiative from the Libyan National Army .
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The Libyan National Army has destroyed another Turkish armoured vehicle supplied by Ankara to its proxies in Libya. This time it was the ACV-15 armoured combat vehicle operated by the Government of National Accord near Tripoli.
Turkey has been supplying dozens of pieces of military equipment and heavy weapons to pro-Turkish forces in Libya. It has also deployed a few thousands of members of Turkish-backed Syrian miltiant groups to the country. However, Turkish-led forces have failed to turn the tide of the conflict and regain the initiative from the Libyan National Army.
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southfront--2020-04-03--Alternative Responses To COVID-19: Sweden, Netherlands, Japan And More

The most mainstream strategy to handle the COVID-19 pandemic is almost complete isolation of every citizen , so that the spread can be limited as much as possible .
This , however , isn ’ t the only approach that countries throughout the world are applying .
In Europe , Sweden has chosen the most unconventional approach to the fight against coronavirus .
The country ’ s authorities insist that strict quarantine is not needed , because in the long term , the infection can be defeated either through universal vaccination , or through the acquisition of immunity as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practically does not introduce restrictions , but instead gives recommendations : if possible , switch to remote work , avoid contact with older people over 70 and so on .
Kindergartens , schools , restaurants and bars , public transport continue to work .
Until April 2 , ski resorts worked .
In addition , Sweden did not begin to close the border , as its neighbors Norway and Denmark did .
Until March 27th , events with participation of up to 500 people were allowed in the country , after which a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduced .
At the same time , the Swedes as a whole do not strive once again to go out .
About half of Stockholm ’ s population has already switched to remote work .
In the city , the metro congestion fell by 50 % .
In Norway , on March 12th , all kindergartens , schools and universities were closed , public events were banned , bars and restaurants stopped working .
In Denmark , universal quarantine was announced the day before , on March 11th , when almost the entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On April 2nd , in Norway , a country with a population of 5.3 million people , has 4898 cases of infection and 45 deaths , in Denmark the population is 5.6 million and has 3542 cases , and 104 of them ended in death .
In Sweden , where more than 10 million people live , 4947 became ill , 239 died .
Since the beginning of the epidemic in Sweden , relatively few tests for coronavirus have been carried out – as of March 30th , they were around 35,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people live , about half a million people are checked every week – this , by the way , is one of the possible explanations for low mortality from coronavirus in the country .
The Swedish government ordered the increase in the number of inspections only on March 31st .
The country ’ s chief epidemiologist Anders Tegnell believes that most Swedes should go through coronavirus in order for them to form collective immunity .
This approach appeals to the sense of personal responsibility of the Swedes , he says .
“ So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sweden .
Our entire system of combating infectious diseases is based on voluntary action .
The immunization system is completely voluntary , but has 98 percent coverage , ” he explained .
The country ’ s professional community , however , is concerned .
More than 2,000 Swedish doctors , scientists and professors , including Karl-Henrik Heldin , Chairman of the Board of the Nobel Foundation , have signed a petition calling for tougher quarantines .
No such plans have been announced so far .
In the Netherlands , the government of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only to be contained , it is necessary to make the infection controlled , but only in those groups of the population that are at risk .
Conceptually , this is similar to what the Swedes are offering , but , apart from the preamble about controlled infection in the approach described by the government , it is practically no different from universal quarantine measures introduced in Europe and around the world .
The government is asking people to stay at home as long as possible , if possible , switch to remote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home .
Museums and theaters , concert halls , sports clubs and more are closed until the end of April .
Schools and universities are closed , meetings are allowed , but in limited form – including church services , funerals and weddings , the number of which does not exceed 30 people .
However , there is no ban on leaving the house – this is the main difference between the Dutch approach and the classic lockdown .
In total , more than 12,000 people were infected , of whom 1173 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 175 people died from the virus , and the increase in cases was 845 .
The country has one of the worst mortality rates in the world , almost twice the global rate , more than 8 % .
It is only higher in Europe only in Spain and Italy .
At the same time , the Netherlands is comparable with France in the number of cases per 1 million people , where now more than 52,000 people are sick .
In South America , the main opponent of the measures taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolsonaro .
It was in his country that on February 26th the first individual on the continent was diagnosed with the new coronavirus – a 61-year-old man who returned from a business trip to Italy , fell ill and was sent to a hospital in São Paulo .
Now , Brazil , with a population of 209 million people is the leader in the number of sick and dead on the continent – nearly 8,000 cases and nearly 330 dead .
The president himself had a suspicion of a coronavirus , he underwent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even after that Bolsonaro did not change his approach ; on Sunday , March 29th , he took another walk to one of the markets of the capital of the country , where he shook hands and talked , not observing any “ social distance ” .
However , the president has disagreements not only with other countries , but also with his own government and state governors .
If Health Minister Luis Enrique Mandetta insists on maintaining a distance and warns that , while maintaining the current dynamics , the health system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the president says no additional quarantine measures are required .
“ Those under the age of 40 have almost zero chance to die .
So there is no reason not to let these people work .
In the end , the virus kills as much as hunger , ” Bolsonaro believes .
Local authorities , within their powers , impose their own restrictions .
For example , public parks and recreation areas , fitness clubs have been closed in Rio de Janeiro since March 18th , restaurants are restricted .
With Bolsonaro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gangs in the Cidade de Deus ( City of God ) favela in western Rio are ordering residents to remain indoors after 8pm .
In the Morro dos Prazeres , gang members have told residents only circulate in groups of two while in Rocinha , one of Latin America ’ s biggest favelas , traffickers have also decreed a curfew .
Thus , Brazilian criminal gangs are enforcing social distancing , quarantine and a lockdown in order to limit the spread of the virus .
In Santa Marta , a favela that sits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christ the Redeemer statue , traffickers have been handing out soap and have placed signs near a public water fountain at the community ’ s entrance that say : “ Please wash your hands before entering the favela.
” In Mexico , with a population of 129 million people , President Andres Lopez Obrador is also a supporter of continued economic activity .
“ If you have the economic opportunity , continue to take families to restaurants because you will strengthen your families and economy , ” he called on fellow citizens in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precautions .
In the capital , Mexico City , city authorities switched to a limited mode of operation from March 23rd to April 19th or stopped working all together .
From March 20th to April 20th , classes in schools were canceled .
Since April 1st , shopping centers have been closed in the capital , restaurants should only run away , meetings throughout the country involving more than 50 people are prohibited .
Despite being close to China , Japan has a rather mild quarantine regime .
The first case of infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of January , by the beginning of February the number of cases had increased to 20 , by March more than 200 patients had been identified .
In early March , authorities closed schools and banned mass events , but strict restrictions on the movement of people or the work of public institutions were still not introduced .
This distinguishes the country from China and Western Europe , where the epidemic developed more rapidly and the authorities imposed strict quarantine measures against companies and citizens .
Russia is another example of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in this case , they are likely a result of media hype and political motivation of local elites rather than the real COVID-19 outbreak in the country .
Analysts provide two explanations for low rates .
First , Japan conducted fewer tests than other countries .
For example , more than 300,000 people were tested in South Korea , while less than 20,000 were checked in Japan .
Another explanation is that Japan traditionally takes “ social distance ” and hygiene seriously .
In mid-March , Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures to fight the virus .
However , on March 28th , he called for preparations for a “ battle ” with the coronavirus , “ which could drag on for a long time.
” He stated this after the number of virus diseases recorded in one day in the country exceeded 100 for the first time .
Due to the threat of a growing epidemic , the resumption date for Japanese schools may be delayed , Japan Times writes .
On March 31st , a representative of the Executive Board of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged Abe to introduce a state of emergency to fight the virus .
What did Shinzo Abe do ?
He turned into a meme – he announced on April 1st ( and not as an April ’ s Fools joke ) that the government would distribute two cloth masks to every household in Japan to fight the COVID-19 spread .
Presiding over a COVID-19 meeting at the Prime Minister ’ s Office , Abe revealed a batch of measures the government would be taking to alleviate the nationwide shortage of face masks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surgical masks to medical institutions across the nation next week .
He also said financial support for domestic manufacturers had led to a supply of 600 million masks last month .
But it was the unexpected distribution of two cloth — therefore washable — face masks to approximately 50 million households nationwide that has left many online aghast .
Abe , for his part , insisted the distribution of cloth masks , announced before the comprehensive economic package is mapped out , would be “ extremely effective ” in easing the ongoing shortage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be reused if washed properly with detergent .
The government is set to announce its biggest-ever economic package , which is likely to include cash handouts to households and relief measures for businesses .
It ’ s expected to take place after April 5th .
Due to the epidemic , schools and churches were closed in South Korea , but no serious restrictions on the movement of people were introduced in the country .
Instead of mass bans , a large-scale virus testing system was launched in the country to identify cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who contacted them .
Tests for the virus are publicly available , there ’ s special road checkpoints .
In case of a positive result , the patient receives a notification from the authorities , and he or she is obliged to isolate themself .
Patients are monitored through a special application .
In total , South Korea conducted more than 300,000- more than any other country .
South Korea has just upwards of 10,000 cases , out of which less than 4,000 are active and it ’ s fatalities sit at 174 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was detected at the end of January , at the end of February the pace of disease began to increase , and on March 1st , the number of people infected during the day increased to 730 people .
The authorities managed to slow down the pace of the epidemic , so that on March 11th the number of new infections was 162 people , March 31st – 102 .
Because of the ongoing epidemic , authorities in Seoul have postponed the opening of schools planned for early April , but they do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Disagreements With COVID-19 Response In Russia , And U.S. , For Different Reasons • Local Authorities Delays Plan To Introduce Special Pass System Limiting Movement Across Moscow After Massive Negative Reaction Of Citizens • Mandatory Lockdown In Russia Is Extended Until April 30

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The most mainstream strategy to handle the COVID-19 pandemic is almost complete isolation of every citizen, so that the spread can be limited as much as possible.
This, however, isn’t the only approach that countries throughout the world are applying.
In Europe, Sweden has chosen the most unconventional approach to the fight against coronavirus.
The country’s authorities insist that strict quarantine is not needed, because in the long term, the infection can be defeated either through universal vaccination, or through the acquisition of immunity as a result of the disease.
The government practically does not introduce restrictions, but instead gives recommendations: if possible, switch to remote work, avoid contact with older people over 70 and so on.
Kindergartens, schools, restaurants and bars, public transport continue to work. Until April 2, ski resorts worked.
Only higher education institutions are closed.
In addition, Sweden did not begin to close the border, as its neighbors Norway and Denmark did.
Until March 27th, events with participation of up to 500 people were allowed in the country, after which a more stringent restriction of 50 people was introduced.
At the same time, the Swedes as a whole do not strive once again to go out. About half of Stockholm’s population has already switched to remote work. In the city, the metro congestion fell by 50%.
In Norway, on March 12th, all kindergartens, schools and universities were closed, public events were banned, bars and restaurants stopped working.
In Denmark, universal quarantine was announced the day before, on March 11th, when almost the entire public sector was closed in the country.
On April 2nd, in Norway, a country with a population of 5.3 million people, has 4898 cases of infection and 45 deaths, in Denmark the population is 5.6 million and has 3542 cases, and 104 of them ended in death.
In Sweden, where more than 10 million people live, 4947 became ill, 239 died.
Since the beginning of the epidemic in Sweden, relatively few tests for coronavirus have been carried out – as of March 30th, they were around 35,000.
In Germany, where 84 million people live, about half a million people are checked every week – this, by the way, is one of the possible explanations for low mortality from coronavirus in the country.
The Swedish government ordered the increase in the number of inspections only on March 31st.
The country’s chief epidemiologist Anders Tegnell believes that most Swedes should go through coronavirus in order for them to form collective immunity.
This approach appeals to the sense of personal responsibility of the Swedes, he says.
“So that’s how we work in Sweden. Our entire system of combating infectious diseases is based on voluntary action. The immunization system is completely voluntary, but has 98 percent coverage,” he explained.
The country’s professional community, however, is concerned. More than 2,000 Swedish doctors, scientists and professors, including Karl-Henrik Heldin, Chairman of the Board of the Nobel Foundation, have signed a petition calling for tougher quarantines.
No such plans have been announced so far.
In the Netherlands, the government of the country believes that the virus needs not only to be contained, it is necessary to make the infection controlled, but only in those groups of the population that are at risk.
Conceptually, this is similar to what the Swedes are offering, but, apart from the preamble about controlled infection in the approach described by the government, it is practically no different from universal quarantine measures introduced in Europe and around the world.
The government is asking people to stay at home as long as possible, if possible, switch to remote work, if sick, get treatment at home.
Museums and theaters, concert halls, sports clubs and more are closed until the end of April.
Schools and universities are closed, meetings are allowed, but in limited form – including church services, funerals and weddings, the number of which does not exceed 30 people.
However, there is no ban on leaving the house – this is the main difference between the Dutch approach and the classic lockdown.
In total, more than 12,000 people were infected, of whom 1173 died.
On Tuesday, March 31st, 175 people died from the virus, and the increase in cases was 845.
The country has one of the worst mortality rates in the world, almost twice the global rate, more than 8%. It is only higher in Europe only in Spain and Italy.
At the same time, the Netherlands is comparable with France in the number of cases per 1 million people, where now more than 52,000 people are sick.
In South America, the main opponent of the measures taken in most countries is Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
It was in his country that on February 26th the first individual on the continent was diagnosed with the new coronavirus – a 61-year-old man who returned from a business trip to Italy, fell ill and was sent to a hospital in São Paulo.
Now, Brazil, with a population of 209 million people is the leader in the number of sick and dead on the continent – nearly 8,000 cases and nearly 330 dead.
The president himself had a suspicion of a coronavirus, he underwent a test that was negative.
But even after that Bolsonaro did not change his approach; on Sunday, March 29th, he took another walk to one of the markets of the capital of the country, where he shook hands and talked, not observing any “social distance”.
However, the president has disagreements not only with other countries, but also with his own government and state governors.
If Health Minister Luis Enrique Mandetta insists on maintaining a distance and warns that, while maintaining the current dynamics, the health system will collapse by the end of April, the president says no additional quarantine measures are required.
“Those under the age of 40 have almost zero chance to die. So there is no reason not to let these people work. In the end, the virus kills as much as hunger,” Bolsonaro believes.
Local authorities, within their powers, impose their own restrictions. For example, public parks and recreation areas, fitness clubs have been closed in Rio de Janeiro since March 18th, restaurants are restricted.
With Bolsonaro blocking attempts to limit spread, local gangs in the Cidade de Deus (City of God) favela in western Rio are ordering residents to remain indoors after 8pm.
In the Morro dos Prazeres, gang members have told residents only circulate in groups of two while in Rocinha, one of Latin America’s biggest favelas, traffickers have also decreed a curfew.
Thus, Brazilian criminal gangs are enforcing social distancing, quarantine and a lockdown in order to limit the spread of the virus.
In Santa Marta, a favela that sits in the shadow of Rio’s Christ the Redeemer statue, traffickers have been handing out soap and have placed signs near a public water fountain at the community’s entrance that say:
“Please wash your hands before entering the favela.”
In Mexico, with a population of 129 million people, President Andres Lopez Obrador is also a supporter of continued economic activity.
“If you have the economic opportunity, continue to take families to restaurants because you will strengthen your families and economy,” he called on fellow citizens in March.
Local authorities take their own precautions. In the capital, Mexico City, city authorities switched to a limited mode of operation from March 23rd to April 19th or stopped working all together.
From March 20th to April 20th, classes in schools were canceled.
Since April 1st, shopping centers have been closed in the capital, restaurants should only run away, meetings throughout the country involving more than 50 people are prohibited.
Mexico just passed 1,500 cases and 50 fatalities.
Despite being close to China, Japan has a rather mild quarantine regime.
The first case of infection in the country was recorded at the end of January, by the beginning of February the number of cases had increased to 20, by March more than 200 patients had been identified.
In early March, authorities closed schools and banned mass events, but strict restrictions on the movement of people or the work of public institutions were still not introduced.
This distinguishes the country from China and Western Europe, where the epidemic developed more rapidly and the authorities imposed strict quarantine measures against companies and citizens. Russia is another example of the country with strict quarantine measures. Nonetheless, in this case, they are likely a result of media hype and political motivation of local elites rather than the real COVID-19 outbreak in the country.
Japan has 2,600 cases and 63 fatalities.
Analysts provide two explanations for low rates. First, Japan conducted fewer tests than other countries.
For example, more than 300,000 people were tested in South Korea, while less than 20,000 were checked in Japan.
Another explanation is that Japan traditionally takes “social distance” and hygiene seriously.
In mid-March, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said there were no reasons to take emergency measures to fight the virus.
However, on March 28th, he called for preparations for a “battle” with the coronavirus, “which could drag on for a long time.”
He stated this after the number of virus diseases recorded in one day in the country exceeded 100 for the first time.
Due to the threat of a growing epidemic, the resumption date for Japanese schools may be delayed, Japan Times writes.
On March 31st, a representative of the Executive Board of the Japan Medical Association, Satoshi Kamayachi, urged Abe to introduce a state of emergency to fight the virus.
What did Shinzo Abe do? He turned into a meme – he announced on April 1st (and not as an April’s Fools joke) that the government would distribute two cloth masks to every household in Japan to fight the COVID-19 spread.
Presiding over a COVID-19 meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office, Abe revealed a batch of measures the government would be taking to alleviate the nationwide shortage of face masks, including plans to dole out 15 million surgical masks to medical institutions across the nation next week. He also said financial support for domestic manufacturers had led to a supply of 600 million masks last month.
But it was the unexpected distribution of two cloth — therefore washable — face masks to approximately 50 million households nationwide that has left many online aghast.
Abe, for his part, insisted the distribution of cloth masks, announced before the comprehensive economic package is mapped out, would be “extremely effective” in easing the ongoing shortage because, unlike surgical masks, they can be reused if washed properly with detergent.
The government is set to announce its biggest-ever economic package, which is likely to include cash handouts to households and relief measures for businesses. It’s expected to take place after April 5th.
Due to the epidemic, schools and churches were closed in South Korea, but no serious restrictions on the movement of people were introduced in the country.
Instead of mass bans, a large-scale virus testing system was launched in the country to identify cases at an early stage and track those who contacted them.
Tests for the virus are publicly available, there’s special road checkpoints.
In case of a positive result, the patient receives a notification from the authorities, and he or she is obliged to isolate themself.
Patients are monitored through a special application. In total, South Korea conducted more than 300,000- more than any other country.
South Korea has just upwards of 10,000 cases, out of which less than 4,000 are active and it’s fatalities sit at 174.
The first case of the disease was detected at the end of January, at the end of February the pace of disease began to increase, and on March 1st, the number of people infected during the day increased to 730 people.
The authorities managed to slow down the pace of the epidemic, so that on March 11th the number of new infections was 162 people, March 31st – 102.
Because of the ongoing epidemic, authorities in Seoul have postponed the opening of schools planned for early April, but they do not plan to introduce larger-scale prohibitive measures.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
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southfront--2020-04-03--In Photos: Venezuela Tests Combat Readiness Of Its S-300SV Air Defense Systems

The HARM only has a range of a 150km .
The S-300 has twice of that , so no jet @ @ @ @ @ close enough to launch it .
Even if it does there is the BUK , @ @ @ @ @ to take them out .
Problem is numbers .
A low number of launchers can @ @ @ @ @ cruise missiles .
Not a problem in case of Russia with thousends of launchers .
@ @ @ @ @ few dozen launchers are a different story .
As NAM has showed it you need @ @ @ @ @ and SAM sites with at least a100 jets working in tandem to fight off large @ @ @ @ @ more launchers the better .

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The Air Defense Forces of the Venezuelan Military have recently tested the combat readiness of their military equipment, including S-300SV air defense systems.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
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southfront--2020-04-03--Beijing Ramps Up South China Sea War Drills As Pandemic Swallows West

China conducted war drills in the South China Sea this week as the COVID-19 pandemic terrorizes the US , forcing the Pentagon to divert its attention to the Homeland to manage the public health crisis that is unfolding rather than countering Beijing in the open seas .
Asia Times reports that in recent days China ramped up military drills and deployed military assets in the highly contested waters of the South China Sea , specifically in areas that are known to have massive fossil fuel reserves .
While China conducted maritime exercises , countries surrounding the South China Sea , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fossil fuel reserves in the contested waters , are in countrywide lockdowns enforced by their respective militaries .
This is an instance where military assets of Western powers and allies are preoccupied in their own countries , as Beijing sails around the South China Sea uncontested .
Many people don ’ t realize , the Chinese virus unleashed a nuclear bomb on America , but did not destroy any physical assets .
Instead , it imploded the financial economy .
And without China firing a shot , the US Navy has likely lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a massive nuclear aircraft carrier stationed in Guam .
At least 1,000 sailors have been evacuated from the vessel for fear of contracting the virus .
The virus is a giant distraction from the Pentagon ’ s freedom of navigation missions that are used to counter China in the South China Sea .
With most of its time and effort focused on fighting the virus on the Homeland and maintaining social order – America ’ s power overseas diminishes .
The Western world is melting down over a virus outbreak .
China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one shot – as it now seizes this opportunity to increase its power in the South China Sea : China ’ s bid to opportunize on the Covid-19 crisis which originated in its Wuhan city has been on display on multiple fronts .
On one hand , Beijing has launched a concerted attempt to reshape the pandemic ’ s narrative , including the bizarre suggestion by top Chinese officials that the US military planted the virus in China .
This has gone hand-in-hand with attempts to drive a diplomatic wedge between the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which have recently committed naval vessels to US-led freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea .
-Asia Times The People ’ s Liberation Army flexed its muscles in the northern portions of the South China Sea last month , saying : The Global Times described the latest war drill as part of fighting the pandemic .
And just like that , a Chinese virus implodes the American economy , takes out an aircraft carrier in the Pacific , and China makes a big move in the South China Sea .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fired by Beijing in

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Originally appeared at ZeroHedge
China conducted war drills in the South China Sea this week as the COVID-19 pandemic terrorizes the US, forcing the Pentagon to divert its attention to the Homeland to manage the public health crisis that is unfolding rather than countering Beijing in the open seas.
Asia Times reports that in recent days China ramped up military drills and deployed military assets in the highly contested waters of the South China Sea, specifically in areas that are known to have massive fossil fuel reserves.
While some see China’s nationalistic messaging as a bid to rally its people during difficult Covid-19 times, others view the increasingly aggressive naval maneuvers as a bid to exploit America’s weakened condition to secure new advantage in the hot spot theater. -Asia Times
While China conducted maritime exercises, countries surrounding the South China Sea, who also have staked rights to the fossil fuel reserves in the contested waters, are in countrywide lockdowns enforced by their respective militaries. This is an instance where military assets of Western powers and allies are preoccupied in their own countries, as Beijing sails around the South China Sea uncontested.
Many people don’t realize, the Chinese virus unleashed a nuclear bomb on America, but did not destroy any physical assets. Instead, it imploded the financial economy. And without China firing a shot, the US Navy has likely lost the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), a massive nuclear aircraft carrier stationed in Guam. At least 1,000 sailors have been evacuated from the vessel for fear of contracting the virus.
The virus is a giant distraction from the Pentagon’s freedom of navigation missions that are used to counter China in the South China Sea. With most of its time and effort focused on fighting the virus on the Homeland and maintaining social order – America’s power overseas diminishes.
The Western world is melting down over a virus outbreak. China didn’t even have to fire one shot – as it now seizes this opportunity to increase its power in the South China Sea:
China’s bid to opportunize on the Covid-19 crisis which originated in its Wuhan city has been on display on multiple fronts. On one hand, Beijing has launched a concerted attempt to reshape the pandemic’s narrative, including the bizarre suggestion by top Chinese officials that the US military planted the virus in China. This has gone hand-in-hand with attempts to drive a diplomatic wedge between the US and its traditional transatlantic allies, some of which have recently committed naval vessels to US-led freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea. -Asia Times
The People’s Liberation Army flexed its muscles in the northern portions of the South China Sea last month, saying:
Training for war preparedness will not be stopped even in the middle of the Covid-19 epidemic, and the training of carrier-based fighter pilots must continue.
The Global Times described the latest war drill as part of fighting the pandemic.
An aircraft carrier is a large warship with many people concentrated in its cabins, making it vulnerable to infectious diseases. Being able to successfully conduct related missions indicated that the Liaoning has done a great job in controlling the epidemic. – Beijing-based naval expert Li Jie told Global Times.
And just like that, a Chinese virus implodes the American economy, takes out an aircraft carrier in the Pacific, and China makes a big move in the South China Sea. Is the virus the first silent shot fired by Beijing in World War III?
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