tass--2020-06-19--Latest Pantsyr-SM surface-to-air missile/gun system to be presented at Moscow V-Day parade

MOSCOW , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
The latest Pantsyr-SM surface-to-air missile/gun system armed with small missiles to tackle mini-drones will be rolled out for the first time during the Victory Parade in Moscow on June 24 .
The Pantsyr-SM is a heavily modernized version of the Pantsyr-S surface-to-air missile/gun system .
As was reported earlier , the new system will get new longer-range missiles and will be capable of spotting , tracking and hitting a greater number of targets at a larger distance .
The Pantsyr-SM is also expected to feature greater capabilities for intercepting artillery munitions , missiles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Defense Systems at the Shipunov Design Bureau of Instrument-Making ( part of High Precision Systems Company within the state hi-tech corporation Rostec ) Valery Slugin told TASS in January that mounted on the Tornado-K new wheeled chassis , the upgraded system was unveiled to the public at the Army-2019 international arms show .
According to Slugin , the new Pantsyr received the capability of effectively striking all types of drones , taking into account the experience gained in Syria .
Its striking range was extended to 30 km .
The Pantsyr is designated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including long-range air defense systems , from all modern and future air attack weapons .
It consists of 12 surface-to-air missiles ( six missiles in two transport and launch containers each ) .
The Pantsyr is also armed with two 30mm guns , each of which is capable of firing up to 40 rounds per second .
Russia postponed its military parade traditionally held on Moscow ’ s Red Square on May 9 for a later date due to the coronavirus pandemic .
At a video conference with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced that the anticipated Victory Parade would be held on Moscow ’ s Red Square on June 24 .
The head of state explained he had chosen this date because June 24 was the day when in 1945 the legendary historic parade of victors took place , when soldiers , who fought for Moscow and defended Leningrad , who stood their ground for Stalingrad , liberated Europe and stormed Berlin , marched on Red Square .
The Russian president instructed the defense chief to make sure that there weren ’ t any risks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s participants .

MOSCOW, June 19. /TASS/. The latest Pantsyr-SM surface-to-air missile/gun system armed with small missiles to tackle mini-drones will be rolled out for the first time during the Victory Parade in Moscow on June 24.
The Pantsyr-SM is a heavily modernized version of the Pantsyr-S surface-to-air missile/gun system. As was reported earlier, the new system will get new longer-range missiles and will be capable of spotting, tracking and hitting a greater number of targets at a larger distance.
The Pantsyr-SM is also expected to feature greater capabilities for intercepting artillery munitions, missiles and drones.
Chief Designer for Air Defense Systems at the Shipunov Design Bureau of Instrument-Making (part of High Precision Systems Company within the state hi-tech corporation Rostec) Valery Slugin told TASS in January that mounted on the Tornado-K new wheeled chassis, the upgraded system was unveiled to the public at the Army-2019 international arms show.
According to Slugin, the new Pantsyr received the capability of effectively striking all types of drones, taking into account the experience gained in Syria. Its striking range was extended to 30 km.
The Pantsyr is designated to shield military and civilian facilities, including long-range air defense systems, from all modern and future air attack weapons. It consists of 12 surface-to-air missiles (six missiles in two transport and launch containers each). The Pantsyr is also armed with two 30mm guns, each of which is capable of firing up to 40 rounds per second.
Russia postponed its military parade traditionally held on Moscow’s Red Square on May 9 for a later date due to the coronavirus pandemic.
At a video conference with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on May 26, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the anticipated Victory Parade would be held on Moscow’s Red Square on June 24.
The head of state explained he had chosen this date because June 24 was the day when in 1945 the legendary historic parade of victors took place, when soldiers, who fought for Moscow and defended Leningrad, who stood their ground for Stalingrad, liberated Europe and stormed Berlin, marched on Red Square.
The Russian president instructed the defense chief to make sure that there weren’t any risks to the health of the military parade’s participants.


tass--2020-06-19--Truth on history of World War II needed to everyone - Putin

MOSCOW , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin says he has no intention to become an arbiter on the history of the World War II , but he believes that the truth about the war is needed to everyone .
Putin said so in his article on the history of the War , published in The National Interest journal .
`` I by no means intend to take on the role of a judge , to accuse or acquit anyone , let alone initiate a new round of international information confrontation in the historical field that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I believe that it is academics with a wide representation of respected scientists from different countries of the world who should search for a balanced assessment of what happened .
We all need the truth and objectivity , '' Putin wrote .
`` On my part , I have always encouraged my colleagues to build a calm , open and trust-based dialogue , to look at the common past in a self-critical and unbiased manner. ''
.
Crimes of Nazi collaborators can not be justified , and there is no statute of limitations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Today as well , our position remains unchanged - there can be no excuse for the criminal acts of Nazi collaborators , there is no statute of limitations for them .
It is therefore bewildering that in certain countries those who are smirched with cooperation with the Nazis are suddenly equated with the Second World War veterans .
I believe that it is unacceptable to equate liberators with occupants , '' Putin wrote .
Names of all citizens of the Soviet who perished during the World War II must be determined , Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ painstaking work should be continued to restore the names and fates of all who have perished - Red Army soldiers , partisans , underground fighters , prisoners of war and concentration camps , and civilians killed by the death squads .
It is our duty , '' the President said , adding that the Soviet casualties during the Great Patriotic War were almost 27 million people .
Displays of historic revisionism of the outcomes of the World War II in the West are dangerous because they blatantly and cynically distort the understanding of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the Yalta and San Francisco conferences , Putin said .
`` Historical revisionism , the manifestations of which we now observe in the West , and primarily with regard to the subject of the Second World War and its outcome , is dangerous because it grossly and cynically distorts the understanding of the principles of peaceful development , laid down at the Yalta and San Francisco conferences in 1945 , '' Putin noted .
USSR and the Red Army made a decisive contribution to destruction of the Nazi Germany during the World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempts to prove otherwise , Putin said .
`` The Soviet Union and the Red Army , no matter what anyone is trying to prove today , made the main and crucial contribution to the defeat of Nazism , '' Putin said .
He underscored that Russia contends `` for genuine , unvarnished , or whitewashed truth about war .
`` .

MOSCOW, June 19. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin says he has no intention to become an arbiter on the history of the World War II, but he believes that the truth about the war is needed to everyone. Putin said so in his article on the history of the War, published in The National Interest journal.
"I by no means intend to take on the role of a judge, to accuse or acquit anyone, let alone initiate a new round of international information confrontation in the historical field that could set countries and peoples at loggerheads. I believe that it is academics with a wide representation of respected scientists from different countries of the world who should search for a balanced assessment of what happened. We all need the truth and objectivity," Putin wrote. "On my part, I have always encouraged my colleagues to build a calm, open and trust-based dialogue, to look at the common past in a self-critical and unbiased manner."
Crimes of Nazi collaborators cannot be justified, and there is no statute of limitations for them, Putin said.
"Today as well, our position remains unchanged. There can be no excuse for the criminal acts of Nazi collaborators, and there is no statute of limitations for them. It is therefore bewildering that in certain countries those who are disgraced by collaborating with the Nazis are suddenly equated with World War II veterans. I believe that it is unacceptable to equate liberators with occupying invaders," Putin wrote.
Names of all citizens of the Soviet Union who perished during World War II must be identified, Putin said in his article. "This painstaking work must be continued to restore the names and fates of all who have perished - Red Army soldiers, partisans, underground fighters, prisoners of war, internees of concentration camps, and civilians killed by death squads. It is our duty," the president said, adding that the USSR’s casualties during the Great Patriotic War were practically 27 million people.
Displays of historic revisionism of the outcomes of the World War II in the West are dangerous because they blatantly and cynically distort the understanding of principles of peaceful development, laid down during the Yalta and San Francisco conferences, Putin said.
"Historical revisionism, the manifestations of which we now observe in the West, and primarily with regard to the subject of the Second World War and its outcome, is dangerous because it grossly and cynically distorts the understanding of the principles of peaceful development, laid down at the Yalta and San Francisco conferences in 1945," Putin noted.
The USSR and the Red Army made a decisive contribution to destruction of the Nazi Germany during the World War II, despite anyone’s attempts to prove otherwise, Putin said.
"The Soviet Union and the Red Army, no matter what anyone is trying to prove today, made the main and crucial contribution to the defeat of Nazism," Putin said. He underscored that Russia contends "for genuine, unvarnished, or whitewashed truth about war."


tass--2020-06-19--Putin proposes UN Five to discuss common principles in world affairs

MOSCOW , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
/TASS/ .
Russia proposes to discuss the common principles in world affairs during the upcoming summit of the UN Security Council permanent members - Russia , China , France , the US and the UK , President Vladimir Putin says in his article on the history of the World War II , published in The National Interest journal .
`` First of all , in our opinion , it would be useful to discuss steps to develop collective principles in world affairs '' , Putin wrote about the proposed agenda of the upcoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frankly about the issues of preserving peace , strengthening global and regional security , strategic arms control , as well as joint efforts in countering terrorism , extremism and other major challenges and threats . ''
According to the head of state , the situation in the global economy , including `` overcoming the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic '' is a `` special item on the agenda. ''
.
Modern system of international relations is one of the most important outcomes of the World War II , and today ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be preserved and improved , Putin said .
`` The creation of the modern system of international relations is one of the major outcomes of the Second World War , '' the article says .
`` It is a duty of ours - all those who take political responsibility and primarily representatives of the victorious powers in the Second World War - to guarantee that this system is maintained and improved . ''
Calls to strip the permanent members of the UN Security Council of the veto power are irresponsible , Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been made quite often in recent years to abolish the veto power , to deny special opportunities to permanent members of the Security Council are actually irresponsible , '' the Russian leader writes .
`` After all , if that happens , the United Nations would in essence become the League of Nations - a meeting for empty talk without any leverage on the world processes .
How it ended is well known. ''
.
Russia calls on all nations to step up the process of declassification of archives on prewar and wartime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a broad international cooperation in this field , Putin said .
`` We urge all states to step up the process of making their archives public and publishing previously unknown documents of the war and pre-war periods - the way Russia has done it in recent years , '' Putin said .
`` In this context , we are ready for broad cooperation and joint research projects engaging historians. ''
.
The article is published in the National Interest journal in English .

MOSCOW, June 19. /TASS/. /TASS/. Russia proposes to discuss the common principles in world affairs during the upcoming summit of the UN Security Council permanent members - Russia, China, France, the US and the UK, President Vladimir Putin says in his article on the history of the World War II, published in The National Interest journal.
"First of all, in our opinion, it would be useful to discuss steps to develop collective principles in world affairs", Putin wrote about the proposed agenda of the upcoming summit. He proposed to " speak frankly about the issues of preserving peace, strengthening global and regional security, strategic arms control, as well as joint efforts in countering terrorism, extremism and other major challenges and threats."
According to the head of state, the situation in the global economy, including "overcoming the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic" is a "special item on the agenda.".
Modern system of international relations is one of the most important outcomes of the World War II, and today’s world leaders must guarantee that it will be preserved and improved, Putin said.
"The creation of the modern system of international relations is one of the major outcomes of the Second World War," the article says. "It is a duty of ours - all those who take political responsibility and primarily representatives of the victorious powers in the Second World War - to guarantee that this system is maintained and improved."
Calls to strip the permanent members of the UN Security Council of the veto power are irresponsible, Putin said.
"The calls that have been made quite often in recent years to abolish the veto power, to deny special opportunities to permanent members of the Security Council are actually irresponsible," the Russian leader writes. "After all, if that happens, the United Nations would in essence become the League of Nations - a meeting for empty talk without any leverage on the world processes. How it ended is well known.".
Russia calls on all nations to step up the process of declassification of archives on prewar and wartime periods, and it is ready for a broad international cooperation in this field, Putin said.
"We urge all states to step up the process of making their archives public and publishing previously unknown documents of the war and pre-war periods - the way Russia has done it in recent years," Putin said. "In this context, we are ready for broad cooperation and joint research projects engaging historians.".
The article is published in the National Interest journal in English.


tass--2020-06-19--Putin commented negatively on Zelensky’s remarks on USSR’s involvement in starting WWII

MOSCOW , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
Remarks made Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky regarding the alleged involvement of the USSR @ @ @ @ @ have negative effect both for relations of Moscow and Kiev , and for the Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Putin says in the upcoming documentary `` Russia .
Kremlin .
Putin , '' @ @ @ @ @ channel Thursday .
Speaking to journalists , the Russian president said that Zelensky ’ s @ @ @ @ @ impact the bilateral relations .
`` I think that there is also no good for @ @ @ @ @ himself , considering Ukraine itself suffered greatly during the World War II , '' Putin @ @ @ @ @ to Poland in January this year , Zelensky accused the USSR of starting the World @ @ @ @ @ the Nazi Germany .
According to the Ukrainian President , Poland and the Polish people @ @ @ @ @ the `` conspiracy of the totalitarian regimes '' that led to the outbreak of the @ @

MOSCOW, June 19. /TASS/. Remarks made Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky regarding the alleged involvement of the USSR in starting World War II have negative effect both for relations of Moscow and Kiev, and for the Ukrainian leader himself, Russian President Vladimir Putin says in the upcoming documentary "Russia. Kremlin. Putin," teased on Rossiya 1 TV channel Thursday.
Speaking to journalists, the Russian president said that Zelensky’s remarks will "negatively" impact the bilateral relations.
"I think that there is also no good for Vladimir Alexandrovich [Zelensky] himself, considering Ukraine itself suffered greatly during the World War II," Putin added.
During his visit to Poland in January this year, Zelensky accused the USSR of starting the World War II on par with the Nazi Germany. According to the Ukrainian President, Poland and the Polish people were the first to experience the "conspiracy of the totalitarian regimes" that led to the outbreak of the war.


tass--2020-06-18--Putin reveals his secret office in upcoming documentary

MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed his `` secret '' office in the Kremlin ’ s building number 1 .
The head of state does not conduct public meetings in this office , so its doors remained closed to journalists until now .
Putin made an exception during the interview for the `` Russia .
Kremlin .
Putin '' documentary , teased on Rossiya 1 TV channel Thursday .
The President started his conversation with the journalists in an office , where he usually conducts working meetings with a small number of attendees .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rooms beyond the doors .
`` There is a kitchen and a lounge .
But , be warned , I did not prepare anything there , so there is… working atmosphere there , '' the head of state noted .
`` You are probably here for the first time . ''
Next to the President ’ s desk were children ’ s arts and crafts : gifts to the President .
A portrait of Peter the Great decorates the room .
Answering a question about the Kremlin ’ s energy , Putin replied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it . ''
Instead , he disclosed that `` tough talks '' with the President ’ s subordinates take place in the Kremlin .
The documentary will be aired on Rossiya 1 TV channel Sunday and will include several interviews with the head of state .

MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed his "secret" office in the Kremlin’s building number 1. The head of state does not conduct public meetings in this office, so its doors remained closed to journalists until now.
Putin made an exception during the interview for the "Russia. Kremlin. Putin" documentary, teased on Rossiya 1 TV channel Thursday. The President started his conversation with the journalists in an office, where he usually conducts working meetings with a small number of attendees. He disclosed that there are several more rooms beyond the doors.
"There is a kitchen and a lounge. But, be warned, I did not prepare anything there, so there is… working atmosphere there," the head of state noted. "You are probably here for the first time."
Next to the President’s desk were children’s arts and crafts: gifts to the President. A portrait of Peter the Great decorates the room.
Answering a question about the Kremlin’s energy, Putin replied that he "does not think about it." Instead, he disclosed that "tough talks" with the President’s subordinates take place in the Kremlin.
The documentary will be aired on Rossiya 1 TV channel Sunday and will include several interviews with the head of state.


tass--2020-06-18--Claims of Russia’s involvement in killing of Georgian in Berlin ungrounded, envoy says

`` The indictment contains a statement that the assassination was conducted by the order of Russian government structures .
However , this , just like before , was not supported by any facts or evidence , '' the envoy said .
BERLIN , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
Claims made by the German Public Prosecutor General ’ s Office regarding Russia ’ s involvement in killing of a Georgian national in Summer 2019 in Berlin are ungrounded , Russian Ambassador to Germany Sergey Nechayev said Thursday , according to the embassy ’ s press service .
`` We consider the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unfounded , '' Nechayev , who was previously summoned to the German Foreign Ministry , added .
`` Just like the recent story , heavily promoted in Germany , regarding the so-called Russian hackers and intelligence services behind them , [ these allegations ] completely fail to facilitate positive development of already complicated Russian-German relations , '' the envoy said .
`` As for the threats of further measures against Russia one can hear in Berlin , should they be implemented , they will not be left without response , '' Nechayev pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was killed on August 23 , 2019 .
The same day , the Berlin prosecutor ’ s office announced that the suspect was apprehended .
According to the Prosecutor ’ s Office the culprit was a 49-year old Russian national .
Russia repeatedly denied its involvement in the Berlin event .
On Thursday , the Prosecutor General ’ s Office charged Vadim K. , apprehended one year ago .
He is suspected of murder and weapon smuggling .
According to the investigation , `` at an unidentified moment in time , Russian central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Georgian national . ''
Russian Ambassador was summoned to the German Foreign Ministry after the hearing .

"The indictment contains a statement that the assassination was conducted by the order of Russian government structures. However, this, just like before, was not supported by any facts or evidence," the envoy said.
BERLIN, June 18. /TASS/. Claims made by the German Public Prosecutor General’s Office regarding Russia’s involvement in killing of a Georgian national in Summer 2019 in Berlin are ungrounded, Russian Ambassador to Germany Sergey Nechayev said Thursday, according to the embassy’s press service.
"We consider the allegations against Russian state structures ungrounded and unfounded," Nechayev, who was previously summoned to the German Foreign Ministry, added.
"Just like the recent story, heavily promoted in Germany, regarding the so-called Russian hackers and intelligence services behind them, [these allegations] completely fail to facilitate positive development of already complicated Russian-German relations," the envoy said.
"As for the threats of further measures against Russia one can hear in Berlin, should they be implemented, they will not be left without response," Nechayev pointed out.
Murder in Tiergarten
The 40-year old Georgian national was killed on August 23, 2019. The same day, the Berlin prosecutor’s office announced that the suspect was apprehended. According to the Prosecutor’s Office the culprit was a 49-year old Russian national. Russia repeatedly denied its involvement in the Berlin event.
On Thursday, the Prosecutor General’s Office charged Vadim K., apprehended one year ago. He is suspected of murder and weapon smuggling. According to the investigation, "at an unidentified moment in time, Russian central governmental agencies ordered the defendant to eliminate the Georgian national."
Russian Ambassador was summoned to the German Foreign Ministry after the hearing.


tass--2020-06-18--Significant damage to aquatic biological resources caused by Norilsk spill, scientists say

`` During a field survey from June 11 to 18 , employees of the Krasnoyarsk and Tyumen branches of the All-Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography conducted research by taking hydrobiological samples at 15 stations at the mouth of the Ambarnaya River and in Lake Pyasino .
According to scientists , the damage the region ’ s water biological resources from the accident are significant , '' the report said .
MOSCOW , June 18 .
/ TASS / .
Scientists estimate the damage to aquatic biological resources due to the accident at CNPP-3 in Norilsk to be significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography told TASS on Thursday .
It is noted that during the study period 24 samples of zoobenthos , 34 samples of zooplankton , 15 samples of phytoplankton , 11 samples of soil for the content of oil products were selected .
To continue the research , the head of the Federal Agency for Fishery agreed on an expedition , the route of which will go from the strait to the confluence of the Pyasin River in the Kara Sea , through water bodies of the Nadezhdinsky stream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Pyasino lake .
The duration of the expedition will be 30-40 days , depending on weather conditions .
The loss of containment of the diesel fuel tank occurred on the territory of the combined heat and power plant CHPP-3 [ owned by the Norilsk-Taimyr Energy Company , a member of the Norilsk Nickel Group ] in Norilsk on May 29 .
About 21,000 tonnes of fuel were spilled in total on the area of 180,000 square meters of soil and penetrated water objects , causing pollution and damage to the environment @

"During a field survey from June 11 to 18, employees of the Krasnoyarsk and Tyumen branches of the All-Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography conducted research by taking hydrobiological samples at 15 stations at the mouth of the Ambarnaya River and in Lake Pyasino. According to scientists, the damage the region’s water biological resources from the accident are significant," the report said.
MOSCOW, June 18. / TASS /. Scientists estimate the damage to aquatic biological resources due to the accident at CNPP-3 in Norilsk to be significant, the press service of the All-Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography told TASS on Thursday.
It is noted that during the study period 24 samples of zoobenthos, 34 samples of zooplankton, 15 samples of phytoplankton, 11 samples of soil for the content of oil products were selected.
To continue the research, the head of the Federal Agency for Fishery agreed on an expedition, the route of which will go from the strait to the confluence of the Pyasin River in the Kara Sea, through water bodies of the Nadezhdinsky stream, the Daldykan river, Ambarnaya river, and Pyasino lake. The duration of the expedition will be 30-40 days, depending on weather conditions.
The loss of containment of the diesel fuel tank occurred on the territory of the combined heat and power plant CHPP-3 [owned by the Norilsk-Taimyr Energy Company, a member of the Norilsk Nickel Group] in Norilsk on May 29. About 21,000 tonnes of fuel were spilled in total on the area of 180,000 square meters of soil and penetrated water objects, causing pollution and damage to the environment.


tass--2020-06-18--UK coronavirus cases pass 300,000 mark

UK coronavirus cases pass 300,000 mark

LONDON , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus infections in the United Kingdom has topped 300,000 , while coronavirus-related fatalities have exceeded 42,200 , the national health department said Thursday , adding that 135 deaths were registered in the past 24 hours .
`` 300,469 people have tested positive .
As of 5pm on 17 June , of those who tested positive for coronavirus in the UK , across all settings , 42,288 have died , '' the statement reads .
Moreover , the country carried out 7.2 million coronavirus tests .
On Wednesday , the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British government points to the continuous trend of decreasing daily fatalities and infections observed for two months now .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people have been infected worldwide and more than 450,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 4,430,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

LONDON, June 18. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus infections in the United Kingdom has topped 300,000, while coronavirus-related fatalities have exceeded 42,200, the national health department said Thursday, adding that 135 deaths were registered in the past 24 hours.
"300,469 people have tested positive. As of 5pm on 17 June, of those who tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, across all settings, 42,288 have died," the statement reads. Moreover, the country carried out 7.2 million coronavirus tests.
On Wednesday, the health department informed about 183 deaths. The British government points to the continuous trend of decreasing daily fatalities and infections observed for two months now.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 8,450,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 450,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 4,430,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-06-18--Moscow shooter possessed firearm legally, says National Guard

MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
The shooter who killed three and committed suicide in Moscow Thursday , possessed @ @ @ @ @ with the law , the National Guard of Russia ’ s press service told TASS @ @ @ @ @ possessed firearm legally .
His purchase and storage permit was obtained in accordance with the @ @ @ @ @ , '' the agency said .

MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. The shooter who killed three and committed suicide in Moscow Thursday, possessed his firearm legally in accordance with the law, the National Guard of Russia’s press service told TASS Thursday,
"The man possessed firearm legally. His purchase and storage permit was obtained in accordance with the law of the Russian Federation," the agency said.


tass--2020-06-18--Globe can cope with crisis triggered by pandemic only through joint efforts, says Lavrov

MOSCOW , June 18./TASS/ .
The global community will be able to cope with the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic only through pooling efforts , Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an address to the participants of a high-level video conference within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative .
The text was uploaded to the website of the Foreign Ministry on Thursday .
`` The situation necessitates that we all join efforts .
It is important to also see new possibilities in the current difficulties - understanding of inadmissibility of discriminatory approaches in foreign trade , giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and finance , fast digitalization of all sides of life , '' Lavrov noted .
`` Deep inter-regional cooperation , encouragement of integration processes is among the effective , time proved means of overcoming economic crises .
We can emerge from the current difficult situation stronger and self-confident only together , through harmonizing interests and synchronizing actions , '' Lavrov stressed .
According to the top Russian diplomat , Moscow supports the moves taken by Beijing within the Belt and Road Initiative , and deems them as timely .
Russia favors the creation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is already taking shape through the creation of regional organizations and the signing of trade and economic agreements among states .
Russia believes that the Greater Eurasian Partnership must be an ‘ integration of integrations ’ - a common economic space that any interested state can join .
`` Within this context , we give priority attention to conjugating the Belt and Road construction and plans to develop the Eurasian Economic Union - one of the most advanced regional integration unions , '' he went on to say .
`` An agreement on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People ’ s Republic of China came into effect in October 2019 and now the Eurasian Economic Commission , the executive body of the Union , and the Chinese government are forming joint working bodies , '' the foreign minister said .
`` Work is to be launched on concrete sectoral projects within the framework of these mechanisms .
We expect to soon see the tangible results of these efforts , '' he summed up .

MOSCOW, June 18./TASS/. The global community will be able to cope with the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic only through pooling efforts, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an address to the participants of a high-level video conference within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. The text was uploaded to the website of the Foreign Ministry on Thursday.
"The situation necessitates that we all join efforts. It is important to also see new possibilities in the current difficulties - understanding of inadmissibility of discriminatory approaches in foreign trade, giving up on currency monopoly in foreign trade and finance, fast digitalization of all sides of life," Lavrov noted.
"Deep inter-regional cooperation, encouragement of integration processes is among the effective, time proved means of overcoming economic crises. We can emerge from the current difficult situation stronger and self-confident only together, through harmonizing interests and synchronizing actions," Lavrov stressed.
According to the top Russian diplomat, Moscow supports the moves taken by Beijing within the Belt and Road Initiative, and deems them as timely. Russia favors the creation of the Greater Eurasian Partnership, which is already taking shape through the creation of regional organizations and the signing of trade and economic agreements among states. Russia believes that the Greater Eurasian Partnership must be an ‘integration of integrations’ - a common economic space that any interested state can join.
"Within this context, we give priority attention to conjugating the Belt and Road construction and plans to develop the Eurasian Economic Union - one of the most advanced regional integration unions," he went on to say. "An agreement on trade-economic cooperation between the EEU and the People’s Republic of China came into effect in October 2019 and now the Eurasian Economic Commission, the executive body of the Union, and the Chinese government are forming joint working bodies," the foreign minister said. "Work is to be launched on concrete sectoral projects within the framework of these mechanisms. We expect to soon see the tangible results of these efforts," he summed up.


tass--2020-06-18--Putin notes selfless work of Russian medical society amid coronavirus pandemic

`` This prestigious , authoritative award prize is being award to the representatives of one of the most humane and noble professions on Earth for the 20th time .
Medics , specialists , scientists , organizers are among the laureates ; these are talented people , endlessly dedicated to their job , professional and moral duty , '' the President noted .
MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a greeting telegram to the participants and guests of the Prizvaniye medical prize awarding ceremony .
The telegram was published at the Kremlin ’ s website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the medical workers , including the Prize laureates `` stay at their workplaces , fight for lives and health of their patients , display the highest professional and personal qualities , total commitment and real courage , '' Putin added .
The head of state thanked the participants for their selfless work , noting that the Russian medical society provided a worthy response to the outer challenges .
`` This colossal experience will certainly be in demand in the future - for development of science , increase of quality of the medical aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestic healthcare system , for resolution of its pressing issues , '' the President said .
Prizvaniye is the Russia ’ s main medical prize , where professional medics and organizers of healthcare evaluate their colleagues ’ work .
The best medics are awarded `` for unique lifesaving surgery , '' `` for creation of new treatment method , '' `` for creation of new diagnostic method , '' `` for dedication to profession .
`` .

"This prestigious, authoritative award prize is being award to the representatives of one of the most humane and noble professions on Earth for the 20th time. Medics, specialists, scientists, organizers are among the laureates; these are talented people, endlessly dedicated to their job, professional and moral duty," the President noted.
MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a greeting telegram to the participants and guests of the Prizvaniye medical prize awarding ceremony. The telegram was published at the Kremlin’s website Thursday.
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the medical workers, including the Prize laureates "stay at their workplaces, fight for lives and health of their patients, display the highest professional and personal qualities, total commitment and real courage," Putin added.
The head of state thanked the participants for their selfless work, noting that the Russian medical society provided a worthy response to the outer challenges.
"This colossal experience will certainly be in demand in the future - for development of science, increase of quality of the medical aid, strengthening of competitive advantages of the domestic healthcare system, for resolution of its pressing issues," the President said.
Prizvaniye is the Russia’s main medical prize, where professional medics and organizers of healthcare evaluate their colleagues’ work. The best medics are awarded "for unique lifesaving surgery," "for creation of new treatment method," "for creation of new diagnostic method," "for dedication to profession.".


tass--2020-06-18--Russian Northern Fleet rescuers assist submarine in distress during Arctic drills

MURMANSK , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
The Northern Fleet ’ s search and rescue forces entered the Motovsky Bay in the Barents Sea to practice providing assistance to a submarine in distress during drills , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Thursday .
`` The Northern Fleet ’ s search and rescue forces are practicing special tactical exercises to search for and provide assistance to a submarine lying on the seabed , '' the press office said in a statement .
`` The exercise is traditionally being held in the Eina Gulf of the Motovsky Bay in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The exercise involves 10 combat and support ships , including the diesel-electric submarine Kaluga that is simulating a sub in distress lying on the seabed , '' the statement says .
The drills also involve the rescue vessel Mikhail Rudnitsky with an AS-34 autonomous deep-submergence rescue vehicle , the rescue tug Nikolai Chiker , the hydrographic boat Nikolai Timoshenko , diving boats , harbor tugs and drone aircraft , the press office specified .
During the drills , the Northern Fleet will check the system of exercising command and control of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when carrying out a rescue operation and assess the search and rescue forces ’ readiness for their designated operations .
For safety purposes , all underwater works and training episodes with the involvement of the personnel will be practiced at a depth of no more than 40 meters .
`` The drills consist of two stages that are divided into seven separate episodes .
At the first stage , the main attention will be paid to the search for a submarine in distress lying on the seabed and also to the search for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independently come to the sea surface through torpedo tubes .
The rescue vessel Mikhail Rudnitsky will set up a field hospital to admit rescued sailors and render them medical assistance , '' the press office said .
The second stage of the drills will be devoted to the exercise of docking the AS-34 submersible through the coaming platform to the submarine lying on the seabed , evacuating the submariners and lifting the sub to the surface , the press office explained .

MURMANSK, June 18. /TASS/. The Northern Fleet’s search and rescue forces entered the Motovsky Bay in the Barents Sea to practice providing assistance to a submarine in distress during drills, the Fleet’s press office reported on Thursday.
"The Northern Fleet’s search and rescue forces are practicing special tactical exercises to search for and provide assistance to a submarine lying on the seabed," the press office said in a statement.
"The exercise is traditionally being held in the Eina Gulf of the Motovsky Bay in the Barents Sea near the Sredny Peninsula. The exercise involves 10 combat and support ships, including the diesel-electric submarine Kaluga that is simulating a sub in distress lying on the seabed," the statement says.
The drills also involve the rescue vessel Mikhail Rudnitsky with an AS-34 autonomous deep-submergence rescue vehicle, the rescue tug Nikolai Chiker, the hydrographic boat Nikolai Timoshenko, diving boats, harbor tugs and drone aircraft, the press office specified.
During the drills, the Northern Fleet will check the system of exercising command and control of its multiservice forces from the regional defense center when carrying out a rescue operation and assess the search and rescue forces’ readiness for their designated operations. For safety purposes, all underwater works and training episodes with the involvement of the personnel will be practiced at a depth of no more than 40 meters.
"The drills consist of two stages that are divided into seven separate episodes. At the first stage, the main attention will be paid to the search for a submarine in distress lying on the seabed and also to the search for and the rescue of submariners who have independently come to the sea surface through torpedo tubes. The rescue vessel Mikhail Rudnitsky will set up a field hospital to admit rescued sailors and render them medical assistance," the press office said.
The second stage of the drills will be devoted to the exercise of docking the AS-34 submersible through the coaming platform to the submarine lying on the seabed, evacuating the submariners and lifting the sub to the surface, the press office explained.


tass--2020-06-18--Russia, Serbia sign agreement to combat terrorism

BELGRADE , June 18./TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic signed an agreement on combatting terrorism on Thursday , TASS reports .
The agreement was signed during Lavrov ’ s visit to Belgrade .
`` We are signing a major agreement on cooperation in the fight against terrorism .
It will make it possible to ensure a stable legal framework between our services , including regarding foreign terrorists , who are spreading their ideology , also in the Balkans , '' Lavrov said after the signing .
According to him , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services of Serbia with Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) , the Federal Protective Service , the Security Council of the Russian Federation '' .
According to Stefanovic , who is also Serbia ’ s Interior Minister , the signing of the document is a major chapter in relations between the countries .
`` The document will facilitate a quick exchange of information between the Serbian Interior Ministry and other services with the Russian agency , '' he noted .
`` That will help us to ensure a prompt and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interests , '' the minister said .

BELGRADE, June 18./TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic signed an agreement on combatting terrorism on Thursday, TASS reports.
The agreement was signed during Lavrov’s visit to Belgrade.
"We are signing a major agreement on cooperation in the fight against terrorism. It will make it possible to ensure a stable legal framework between our services, including regarding foreign terrorists, who are spreading their ideology, also in the Balkans," Lavrov said after the signing. According to him, "the agreement secures stable cooperation between respective services of Serbia with Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), the Federal Protective Service, the Security Council of the Russian Federation".
According to Stefanovic, who is also Serbia’s Interior Minister, the signing of the document is a major chapter in relations between the countries. "The document will facilitate a quick exchange of information between the Serbian Interior Ministry and other services with the Russian agency," he noted. "That will help us to ensure a prompt and efficient protection of both Russian and Serbian interests," the minister said.


tass--2020-06-18--Leader of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Serbs confirms will attend Moscow’s Victory Parade

BELGRADE , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
leader of the Bosnian Serbs , Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia @ @ @ @ @ had a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Thursday to confirm that he will @ @ @ @ @ part in the rescheduled Victory Parade on June 24 .
`` I am grateful for @ @ @ @ @ in a couple of days already , '' he said , adding that he will @ @ @ @ @ Red Square .
Dodik also extended gratitude to Russian specialists who helped Republika Srpska ( @ @ @ @ @ that make up Bosnia and Herzegovina ) to `` go through the pandemic easier .
@ @ @ @ @ Russian position to defend the international law , it helps the world not to slide @ @ @ @ @ underscored .

BELGRADE, June 18. /TASS/. leader of the Bosnian Serbs, Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Milorad Dodik has had a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Thursday to confirm that he will travel to Moscow to take part in the rescheduled Victory Parade on June 24.
"I am grateful for the invitation to visit Moscow in a couple of days already," he said, adding that he will visit the parade in the Red Square.
Dodik also extended gratitude to Russian specialists who helped Republika Srpska (one of the two entities that make up Bosnia and Herzegovina) to "go through the pandemic easier." "We appreciate the Russian position to defend the international law, it helps the world not to slide into chaos," he underscored.


tass--2020-06-18--Tehran, IAEA should settle dispute of access to two Iranian sites, says Russian envoy

VIENNA , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA ) should settle the issue of two disputed objects , which has no direct relation to the monitoring of the Iranian nuclear program , Russian Permanent Representative to international organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov said during the IAEA online Board of Governors meeting Thursday .
`` Deeply disappointed and concerned that # Tehran and the Secretariat are yet to resolve the issue of access to two locations in Iran that are of interest to the Agency .
However there are no reasons whatsoever to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We would like to emphasize once again the need for # Iran and the Secretariat to resolve the current problems immediately.
`` `` We are puzzled that for over a year the Board has been involved in issues that are far from risks of nuclear proliferation .
We are talking about historical research , which is of third importance in terms of monitoring the current state of the [ Iranian ] nuclear program , '' the envoy added .
Today , the Board reviews the report of the agency ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to two objects in Iran , where the agency suspects possible storage of undocumented nuclear material .
On June 5 , AFP and Reuters published the IAEA confidential report on nuclear inspections in Iran .
According to the report , Iranian stockpile of enriched uranium exceeded the limit , allowed by the Iranian Nuclear Deal , by eight times .
The Agency expressed its concern that Iran still does not allow the experts to access two objects , where undocumented nuclear materials could be stored .
The report calls on Iran to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full , including providing access to the mentioned sites .
On June 15 , IAEA Director General once again called on Iran to provide access to the two possible nuclear storages .
According to the official , the situation has a negative impact on the Agency ’ s ability to provide reliable guarantees of absence of an undocumented nuclear activity at these Iranian objects .
Grossi also explained that the issue of access is not connected to Iran ’ s implementation of the Nuclear Deal , but rather a part of the agency @ @ @ @ @

VIENNA, June 18. /TASS/. Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) should settle the issue of two disputed objects, which has no direct relation to the monitoring of the Iranian nuclear program, Russian Permanent Representative to international organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov said during the IAEA online Board of Governors meeting Thursday.
"Deeply disappointed and concerned that #Tehran and the Secretariat are yet to resolve the issue of access to two locations in Iran that are of interest to the Agency. However there are no reasons whatsoever to overdramatize the situation," Ulyanov tweeted. "We would like to emphasize once again the need for #Iran and the Secretariat to resolve the current problems immediately. "
"We are puzzled that for over a year the Board has been involved in issues that are far from risks of nuclear proliferation. We are talking about historical research, which is of third importance in terms of monitoring the current state of the [Iranian] nuclear program," the envoy added.
Today, the Board reviews the report of the agency’s Director General Rafael Grossi regarding problems with access to two objects in Iran, where the agency suspects possible storage of undocumented nuclear material.
Access to disputed objects
On June 5, AFP and Reuters published the IAEA confidential report on nuclear inspections in Iran. According to the report, Iranian stockpile of enriched uranium exceeded the limit, allowed by the Iranian Nuclear Deal, by eight times. The Agency expressed its concern that Iran still does not allow the experts to access two objects, where undocumented nuclear materials could be stored. The report calls on Iran to immediately begin cooperating with the Agency in full, including providing access to the mentioned sites.
On June 15, IAEA Director General once again called on Iran to provide access to the two possible nuclear storages. According to the official, the situation has a negative impact on the Agency’s ability to provide reliable guarantees of absence of an undocumented nuclear activity at these Iranian objects. Grossi also explained that the issue of access is not connected to Iran’s implementation of the Nuclear Deal, but rather a part of the agency’s guarantees jurisdiction.


tass--2020-06-18--Putin sends telegram to Kazakhstan’s Nazarbayev, wishing him speedy recovery

MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a telegram to first President of Kazakhstan @ @ @ @ @ message of support after the news emerged that Nazarbayev contracted coronavirus , the Kremlin press @ @ @ @ @ I would like to express my support for you sincerely and as a friend in @ @ @ @ @ am certain that your extraordinary life energy , high spirits and optimism will help you @ @ @ @ @ .
I wish you full recovery and good health for many years to come from @ @ @ @ @ , '' the telegram particularly says .
On Thursday , the news broke out that @ @ @ @ @ had contracted coronavirus and was self-isolating , according to his official website .
At the @ @ @ @ @ clarified that Nazarbayev continues working remotely .

MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a telegram to first President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, containing a message of support after the news emerged that Nazarbayev contracted coronavirus, the Kremlin press service said Thursday.
"I would like to express my support for you sincerely and as a friend in this difficult moment. I am certain that your extraordinary life energy, high spirits and optimism will help you to defeat the virus soon. I wish you full recovery and good health for many years to come from the bottom of my heart," the telegram particularly says.
On Thursday, the news broke out that the first president of Kazakhstan had contracted coronavirus and was self-isolating, according to his official website. At the same time, the announcement clarified that Nazarbayev continues working remotely.


tass--2020-06-18--Production of vaccine against coronavirus may begin in August, says deputy PM

MOSCOW , June 18./TASS/ .
The end of clinical trials of a vaccine against coronavirus and the start of its large-scale production is planned for August-September 2020 , Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova told journalists on Thursday .
`` Vektor [ Institute ] and their other colleagues are doing their best , and they are trying to be ready by August-September , so that we have a possibility to preventively protect the population , first of all , '' the deputy prime minister said .
The schedule that has just been approved in line with an instruction from the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the first trials , and then the start of full-scale production in August—September , '' she said .
Earlier , Golikova said that as to the emergence of a vaccine on the market already this year , hopes were pinned on the Gamalei National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology , the state-run Vektor Research Center , St. Petersburg Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera and the Federal Medical Biological Agency .
To date , 553,301 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 304,342 patients having recovered from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicates 7,478 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, June 18./TASS/. The end of clinical trials of a vaccine against coronavirus and the start of its large-scale production is planned for August-September 2020, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova told journalists on Thursday.
"Vektor [Institute] and their other colleagues are doing their best, and they are trying to be ready by August-September, so that we have a possibility to preventively protect the population, first of all," the deputy prime minister said. The schedule that has just been approved in line with an instruction from the president, "it envisages August - the end of the first trials, and then the start of full-scale production in August—September," she said.
Earlier, Golikova said that as to the emergence of a vaccine on the market already this year, hopes were pinned on the Gamalei National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, the state-run Vektor Research Center, St. Petersburg Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera and the Federal Medical Biological Agency.
To date, 553,301 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 304,342 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 7,478 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-06-18--Russian embassy sent note to UK about Skripals ‘moving’ to New Zealand, says envoy

`` Indeed , we sent a note to the British Foreign Office , asking it [ to explain ] what ’ s happening , '' he said .
MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian embassy in London has sent a note to the UK Foreign Office , demanding a comment regarding reports that emerged in the media , claiming that Russian citizens Sergei and Yulia Skripals possibly moved to New Zealand , Russian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Andrei Kelin said Thursday in an open interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman .
Kelin underlined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of notes to the UK side , demanding explanations on the Skripals case .
`` We are not getting any answers , '' the diplomat lamented .
The ambassador also recalled that New Zealand ’ s leadership had already refuted the claims that the former spy and his daughter moved there .
Speaking separately about the BBC mini-series about the incident in Salisbury that came out recently , Kelin pointed out that `` we didn ’ t see or learn '' anything new .
`` This is a replay of the same old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the point of view of the local emergency department and sanitary services .
I have been here for six months [ as ambassador to the UK ] , and we have not received a single piece of new information about the Skripals or the case itself , '' the diplomat stressed .
On March 4 , 2018 , former GRU ( Russia ’ s Main Intelligence Directorate ) officer Sergei Skripal , who had been convicted in Russia of spying for Great Britain and later swapped for Russian intelligence officers , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the so-called Novichok nerve agent in the British city of Salisbury .
Claiming that the substance used in the attack had been a nerve agent allegedly developed in Russia , London rushed to accuse Moscow of being involved in the incident .
The Russian side dismissed all of the United Kingdom ’ s accusations , saying that a program aimed at developing such a substance had existed neither in the Soviet Union nor in Russia .
Britain ’ s military chemical laboratory at Porton Down failed to pinpoint the origin of the substance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 7 , British Sunday Times published a report citing a high-ranking source in the UK government that Sergei and Yulia Skripals had moved to New Zealand under new identities with new documents .

"Indeed, we sent a note to the British Foreign Office, asking it [to explain] what’s happening," he said.
MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. The Russian embassy in London has sent a note to the UK Foreign Office, demanding a comment regarding reports that emerged in the media, claiming that Russian citizens Sergei and Yulia Skripals possibly moved to New Zealand, Russian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Andrei Kelin said Thursday in an open interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman.
Kelin underlined that the embassy had previously sent dozens of notes to the UK side, demanding explanations on the Skripals case. "We are not getting any answers," the diplomat lamented.
The ambassador also recalled that New Zealand’s leadership had already refuted the claims that the former spy and his daughter moved there.
Speaking separately about the BBC mini-series about the incident in Salisbury that came out recently, Kelin pointed out that "we didn’t see or learn" anything new. "This is a replay of the same old episodes at a slightly different angle, from the point of view of the local emergency department and sanitary services. I have been here for six months [as ambassador to the UK], and we have not received a single piece of new information about the Skripals or the case itself," the diplomat stressed.
On March 4, 2018, former GRU (Russia’s Main Intelligence Directorate) officer Sergei Skripal, who had been convicted in Russia of spying for Great Britain and later swapped for Russian intelligence officers, and his daughter Yulia suffered the effects of the so-called Novichok nerve agent in the British city of Salisbury. Claiming that the substance used in the attack had been a nerve agent allegedly developed in Russia, London rushed to accuse Moscow of being involved in the incident. The Russian side dismissed all of the United Kingdom’s accusations, saying that a program aimed at developing such a substance had existed neither in the Soviet Union nor in Russia. Britain’s military chemical laboratory at Porton Down failed to pinpoint the origin of the substance that allegedly poisoned the Skripals.
On June 7, British Sunday Times published a report citing a high-ranking source in the UK government that Sergei and Yulia Skripals had moved to New Zealand under new identities with new documents.


tass--2020-06-18--The British respect memory of alliance with Soviet Union in WW2 — envoy

`` The memory is strong not only about the war itself but also about the sacrifices the British made .
At the same time , the memory still lives on about our cooperation as allies in those times , '' Kelin noted .
MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
The United Kingdom respects memory of the alliance between Moscow and London in the Second World War , Russian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Andrei Kelin said Thursday in an open interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman .
According to the diplomat , the UK is respectful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t see any attempts to erode history or attempts to rewrite it .
They are very respectful about this here , just as about any other war that the UK took part in , '' the ambassador stressed .
Speaking about the events held in the country to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the WW2 victory , the Russian envoy stressed that all of them were positive and acknowledged that he had been stunned by the minute of silence observed across the country when everything came to a standstill .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they had to be downsized , of course .
We planned to lay wreaths with a lot of people , a few thousands of people , in presence of Princess Anne to the monument of fallen Soviet soldiers .
As a result , we laid the wreaths with our colleagues from the CIS [ Commonwealth of Independent States — TASS ] , having agreed this with local authorities and the foreign office .
Moreover , Princess Anne sent a very warm letter to us , '' Kelin added .

"The memory is strong not only about the war itself but also about the sacrifices the British made. At the same time, the memory still lives on about our cooperation as allies in those times," Kelin noted.
MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. The United Kingdom respects memory of the alliance between Moscow and London in the Second World War, Russian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Andrei Kelin said Thursday in an open interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman.
According to the diplomat, the UK is respectful about preserving history. "I don’t see any attempts to erode history or attempts to rewrite it. They are very respectful about this here, just as about any other war that the UK took part in," the ambassador stressed.
Speaking about the events held in the country to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the WW2 victory, the Russian envoy stressed that all of them were positive and acknowledged that he had been stunned by the minute of silence observed across the country when everything came to a standstill.
"We planned many events to mark this, they had to be downsized, of course. We planned to lay wreaths with a lot of people, a few thousands of people, in presence of Princess Anne to the monument of fallen Soviet soldiers. As a result, we laid the wreaths with our colleagues from the CIS [Commonwealth of Independent States — TASS], having agreed this with local authorities and the foreign office. Moreover, Princess Anne sent a very warm letter to us," Kelin added.


tass--2020-06-18--Pandemic couldn’t halt Russian-Ethiopian business ties, says envoy

MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
Economic cooperation between Russia and Ethiopia did not cease during the pandemic , and both sides are maintaining their working relationship , Ethiopian Ambassador to Russia Alemayehu Tegenu Aargau said in his interview with TASS .
As the diplomat mentioned , the Russian-Ethiopian relationship is in good shape , as the leaders of the two countries discussed in a `` telephone conversation very recently . ''
The envoy noted that `` economic relation [ s ] with Russia during the pandemic '' are still continuing , and so are their business connections .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cargos flights '' operated `` two times a week bringing the cargoes from Africa to Russia , from Russia to Africa , '' he said .
According to him , the embassy organized an online business forum , where 6,000 people from both countries participated .
The Ethiopian ambassador highlighted the cultural sphere of cooperation .
Dialogue between Russia and Ethiopia , he stressed , is built on strong ties , symbolized by the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin .
He emphasized that : `` Alexander Pushkin is also much loved in Ethiopia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bond between the two nations . ''
The diplomat added that the Day of Russian Language held on June 6 is also regularly celebrated in Ethiopia .
`` We celebrate the day with Russian friends , students , professors , African members of the Ethiopian community .
This year it is difficult to meet physically but we watched online celebration of Pushkin on Russian Language Day .
It was very fantastic , '' the envoy said .

MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. Economic cooperation between Russia and Ethiopia did not cease during the pandemic, and both sides are maintaining their working relationship, Ethiopian Ambassador to Russia Alemayehu Tegenu Aargau said in his interview with TASS.
As the diplomat mentioned, the Russian-Ethiopian relationship is in good shape, as the leaders of the two countries discussed in a "telephone conversation very recently." The envoy noted that "economic relation[s] with Russia during the pandemic" are still continuing, and so are their business connections. He pointed out that "Ethiopian Airlines cargos flights" operated "two times a week bringing the cargoes from Africa to Russia, from Russia to Africa," he said. According to him, the embassy organized an online business forum, where 6,000 people from both countries participated.
The Ethiopian ambassador highlighted the cultural sphere of cooperation. Dialogue between Russia and Ethiopia, he stressed, is built on strong ties, symbolized by the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. He emphasized that: "Alexander Pushkin is also much loved in Ethiopia. [His figure] is a bond between the two nations."
The diplomat added that the Day of Russian Language held on June 6 is also regularly celebrated in Ethiopia. "We celebrate the day with Russian friends, students, professors, African members of the Ethiopian community. This year it is difficult to meet physically but we watched online celebration of Pushkin on Russian Language Day. It was very fantastic," the envoy said.


tass--2020-06-18--Russian, South Korean diplomats discuss deterioration on Korean Peninsula

MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov and South Korean Ambassador to Russia Lee @ @ @ @ @ call on Thursday to discuss the recent deterioration on the Korean Peninsula .
`` Opinions @ @ @ @ @ on the Korean Peninsula taking into account the recent tensions in the inter-Korean relations as @ @ @ @ @ on the bilateral agenda , '' the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ Seoul .
On Tuesday , North Korea blew up the joint liaison office with the @ @ @ @ @ Industrial Complex in retaliation to dissemination of propaganda leaflets by South Korean activists .
South @ @ @ @ @ expressed regret about the move but also criticized the actions of activists .
Moreover , @ @ @ @ @ after Pyongyang announced plans to deploy army units in Kumgangsan and Kaesong , restart all @ @ @ @ @ the border with South and reinstate security posts in the most dangerous areas of the @ @ @ @ @ taken down in accordance with agreements with Seoul .

MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov and South Korean Ambassador to Russia Lee Sok-bae have had a phone call on Thursday to discuss the recent deterioration on the Korean Peninsula.
"Opinions were exchanged on the situation on the Korean Peninsula taking into account the recent tensions in the inter-Korean relations as well as the current issues on the bilateral agenda," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.
The conversation was initiated by Seoul.
On Tuesday, North Korea blew up the joint liaison office with the South located in the Kaesong Industrial Complex in retaliation to dissemination of propaganda leaflets by South Korean activists. South Korea, in turn, expressed regret about the move but also criticized the actions of activists. Moreover, tensions became even more heightened after Pyongyang announced plans to deploy army units in Kumgangsan and Kaesong, restart all kinds of military drills near the border with South and reinstate security posts in the most dangerous areas of the demilitarized zone that were previously taken down in accordance with agreements with Seoul.


tass--2020-06-18--Ethiopia looks forward to aid from Russia to battle pandemic, says ambassador

MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow promised to assist Addis Ababa in its fight against the pandemic , and Ethiopia expects deliveries from Russia , Ethiopian Ambassador to Russia Alemayehu Tegenu Aargau said in his interview with TASS .
The envoy said that Ethiopia `` still requires some support from friendly countries .
The leaders of the two countries [ Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ] had a telephone conversation very recently and one of the issues [ was ] cooperation to combat the pandemic .
The Russian side promised to assist Ethiopia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I believe that we expect material equipment from Russia .
We are waiting for it , '' he said .
The ambassador said that nobody in the entire world was ready for this challenge , which is why mutual support between countries facing a common threat is very important .
He noted that earlier Ethiopia had received deliveries from China and other friendly powers which enabled it to significantly boost its testing volumes of the large population .
`` Test indicators , ventilators , and other support are welcome , '' the diplomat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still in the early stages of the pandemic and the number of infections will grow in the coming weeks .
Nonetheless , the country is taking measures to efficiently brace for the development of this situation .
`` There is a challenge , but the government commitment is very high .
Hopefully it [ the virus ] will be contained , '' Alemayehu Tegenu Aargau added .
The envoy also said that there was no incidence of COVID-19 among Ethiopian diplomats in Moscow .
He stressed that the embassy ’ s staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulations to prevent the spread of the infection .
`` We are also closely working with Ethiopian students and members of the diaspora community .
We are OK. We don ’ t have any problem reported to our embassy , '' he concluded .
Earlier , Spokeswoman for Russia ’ s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova reported at a briefing that Moscow had received appeals to aid the fight against the pandemic from 29 African states .

MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. Moscow promised to assist Addis Ababa in its fight against the pandemic, and Ethiopia expects deliveries from Russia, Ethiopian Ambassador to Russia Alemayehu Tegenu Aargau said in his interview with TASS.
The envoy said that Ethiopia "still requires some support from friendly countries. The leaders of the two countries [Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed] had a telephone conversation very recently and one of the issues [was] cooperation to combat the pandemic. The Russian side promised to assist Ethiopia in its fight against the pandemic. I believe that we expect material equipment from Russia. We are waiting for it," he said.
The ambassador said that nobody in the entire world was ready for this challenge, which is why mutual support between countries facing a common threat is very important. He noted that earlier Ethiopia had received deliveries from China and other friendly powers which enabled it to significantly boost its testing volumes of the large population. "Test indicators, ventilators, and other support are welcome," the diplomat noted.
He pointed out that Ethiopia is still in the early stages of the pandemic and the number of infections will grow in the coming weeks. Nonetheless, the country is taking measures to efficiently brace for the development of this situation. "There is a challenge, but the government commitment is very high. Hopefully it [the virus] will be contained," Alemayehu Tegenu Aargau added.
The envoy also said that there was no incidence of COVID-19 among Ethiopian diplomats in Moscow. He stressed that the embassy’s staff followed all of Russia’s official regulations to prevent the spread of the infection. "We are also closely working with Ethiopian students and members of the diaspora community. We are OK. We don’t have any problem reported to our embassy," he concluded.
Earlier, Spokeswoman for Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova reported at a briefing that Moscow had received appeals to aid the fight against the pandemic from 29 African states.


tass--2020-06-18--Eighteen volunteers vaccinated against coronavirus at Moscow’s Medical University

MOSCOW , June 18./TASS/ .
Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University ( Sechenov University ) has launched clinical trials of a vaccine against coronavirus .
Eighteen volunteers have been vaccinated , Director of the university ’ s Institute for Translational Medicine and Biotechnology , Vadim Tarasov , said on Thursday .
`` Study of a vaccine against the coronavirus infection was launched at Sechenov University of the Russian Ministry of Health .
Thirty-eight volunteers take part in it , of whom 18 were vaccinated today .
The vaccination of another 20 people is scheduled for the next week , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health cited him as saying .
The volunteers will remain at a clinic of the university ’ s Center of Interventional Cardio-Angiology within 28 days under the control of medics .
The male and female participants are aged 18 to 65 and come from different Russian cities .
The vaccination is carried out with their written consent and with the compliance with all requirements of the Russian law and international rules of ethics .
`` It is very important for us to study how efficiently the immunity develops .
If after the vaccination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a high risk remains amid the pandemic , and later it will be impossible to say what caused the immunity — the disease or the vaccine .
For this , the volunteers stay at a clinic within 28 days , where they are isolated from other social contacts , '' the press service quotes Tarasov as saying .
Results of the clinical trials of the novel coronavirus vaccine , developed by the Gamalei National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology , are expected by August .
Then the ministry will assess the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be possible to use the vaccine .
According to the latest statistics , over 8,300,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 446,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 4,440,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , 561,091 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 313,963 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 7,660 fatalities nationwide .

MOSCOW, June 18./TASS/. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University) has launched clinical trials of a vaccine against coronavirus. Eighteen volunteers have been vaccinated, Director of the university’s Institute for Translational Medicine and Biotechnology, Vadim Tarasov, said on Thursday.
"Study of a vaccine against the coronavirus infection was launched at Sechenov University of the Russian Ministry of Health. Thirty-eight volunteers take part in it, of whom 18 were vaccinated today. The vaccination of another 20 people is scheduled for the next week," the press service of the Ministry of Health cited him as saying.
The volunteers will remain at a clinic of the university’s Center of Interventional Cardio-Angiology within 28 days under the control of medics. The male and female participants are aged 18 to 65 and come from different Russian cities. The vaccination is carried out with their written consent and with the compliance with all requirements of the Russian law and international rules of ethics.
"It is very important for us to study how efficiently the immunity develops. If after the vaccination the person remains in their habitual environment, a high risk remains amid the pandemic, and later it will be impossible to say what caused the immunity — the disease or the vaccine. For this, the volunteers stay at a clinic within 28 days, where they are isolated from other social contacts," the press service quotes Tarasov as saying.
Results of the clinical trials of the novel coronavirus vaccine, developed by the Gamalei National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, are expected by August. Then the ministry will assess the results and will decide on whether it will be possible to use the vaccine.
According to the latest statistics, over 8,300,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 446,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 4,440,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe. To date, 561,091 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 313,963 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 7,660 fatalities nationwide.


tass--2020-06-18--Russian Baltic Fleet ships return to home bases after monitoring NATO drills

KALININGRAD , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
The Baltic Fleet ships that monitored NATO ’ s Baltops 2020 drills in the Baltic Sea returned to their home bases in the Kaliningrad Region , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Thursday .
`` The Baltic Fleet ’ s ships completed accomplishing assignments at the Fleet ’ s naval ranges and returned to the main naval base , the city of Baltiysk , and switched to routine combat training measures and everyday activity , '' the press office said in a statement .
The Baltic Fleet held its drills amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that involved 17 member states and 2 partner countries , about 30 warships , up to 30 aircraft and helicopters and also around 3,000 personnel .
During the drills , the crews of the Baltic Fleet ships practiced a set of combat training missions and checked the forces ’ readiness for anti-submarine warfare and air defense .
During the combat training at sea , the Fleet ’ s minesweepers and small anti-submarine warfare ships practiced assignments for defending the water area .
Also , the Fleet ’ s strike groups practiced delivering missile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a notional enemy ’ s ships .
The small missile ships armed with Kalibr cruise missiles conducted electronic launches against simulated facilities deep in the mainland .
The ships ’ crews held a series of exercises for anti-saboteur defense during the anchorage in an unsafe roadstead .
The drills during this period involved about 20 aircraft and helicopters of the Baltic Fleet ’ s naval aviation .

KALININGRAD, June 18. /TASS/. The Baltic Fleet ships that monitored NATO’s Baltops 2020 drills in the Baltic Sea returned to their home bases in the Kaliningrad Region, the Fleet’s press office reported on Thursday.
"The Baltic Fleet’s ships completed accomplishing assignments at the Fleet’s naval ranges and returned to the main naval base, the city of Baltiysk, and switched to routine combat training measures and everyday activity," the press office said in a statement.
The Baltic Fleet held its drills amid NATO’s ongoing Baltops 2020 exercise that involved 17 member states and 2 partner countries, about 30 warships, up to 30 aircraft and helicopters and also around 3,000 personnel.
During the drills, the crews of the Baltic Fleet ships practiced a set of combat training missions and checked the forces’ readiness for anti-submarine warfare and air defense. During the combat training at sea, the Fleet’s minesweepers and small anti-submarine warfare ships practiced assignments for defending the water area.
Also, the Fleet’s strike groups practiced delivering missile strikes jointly with its naval aviation against a notional enemy’s ships. The small missile ships armed with Kalibr cruise missiles conducted electronic launches against simulated facilities deep in the mainland.
The ships’ crews held a series of exercises for anti-saboteur defense during the anchorage in an unsafe roadstead. The drills during this period involved about 20 aircraft and helicopters of the Baltic Fleet’s naval aviation.


tass--2020-06-18--Russian embassy in UK receiving threats, says ambassador

MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian embassy in London has been receiving threats for the past several weeks , Russian Ambassador to the UK Andrei Kelin said on Thursday in an open interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman .
`` I must say that we are receiving threats online or by mail seemingly unrelated to these events [ mass protests within the Black Lives Matter movement — TASS ] , '' he said .
`` There are some cyber attacks , I would say .
They have been taking place in the past weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
We are working with the local police and intelligence services .
The situation is not very calm , but we are taking measures . ''
The diplomat noted that mass protests in London had not affected the work of the embassy in the past weeks .
`` This does not affect the embassy , because we are located far from those events , all of them are taking place near Big Ben , in the very center .
There are clashes between the police and the crowd , that is true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kelin , the embassy is taking `` all necessary measures , '' adding that the employees of the embassy do not go out to the city center these days unless for an urgent reason .
Over the past weeks , supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement have been taking to London 's streets , which led to clashes with the police .
As a result of the clashes , several people have been injured , including law enforcement officers .

MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. The Russian embassy in London has been receiving threats for the past several weeks, Russian Ambassador to the UK Andrei Kelin said on Thursday in an open interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman.
"I must say that we are receiving threats online or by mail seemingly unrelated to these events [mass protests within the Black Lives Matter movement — TASS]," he said. "There are some cyber attacks, I would say. They have been taking place in the past weeks. I cannot say what caused them. We are working with the local police and intelligence services. The situation is not very calm, but we are taking measures."
The diplomat noted that mass protests in London had not affected the work of the embassy in the past weeks. "This does not affect the embassy, because we are located far from those events, all of them are taking place near Big Ben, in the very center. There are clashes between the police and the crowd, that is true," he said. According to Kelin, the embassy is taking "all necessary measures," adding that the employees of the embassy do not go out to the city center these days unless for an urgent reason.
Over the past weeks, supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement have been taking to London's streets, which led to clashes with the police. As a result of the clashes, several people have been injured, including law enforcement officers.


tass--2020-06-18--US Navy amphibious assault ship begins transit into Black Sea

WASHINGTON , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
The US Navy ’ s amphibious assault ship Oak Hill has begun its @ @ @ @ @ where it will join the guided-missile destroyer USS Porter , the press office of the @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
`` The dock landing ship USS Oak Hill began its northbound transit into @ @ @ @ @ 18 , to conduct maritime security operations and strengthen [ US ] relationships with region @ @ @ @ @ Hill will join the guided-missile destroyer USS Porter , which entered the Black Sea on @ @ @ @ @ 6th Fleet said in a statement .
The visit by the Oak Hill will be @ @ @ @ @ US Navy ships into the Black Sea since early 2020 .
The ship is organically @ @ @ @ @ ready group in the Mediterranean Sea .
Russia ’ s National Defense Control Center announced @ @ @ @ @ Military District ’ s forces and capabilities started tracking the US guided-missile destroyer Porter that @ @ @ @ @ .

WASHINGTON, June 18. /TASS/. The US Navy’s amphibious assault ship Oak Hill has begun its transit into the Black Sea where it will join the guided-missile destroyer USS Porter, the press office of the US 6th Fleet reported on Thursday.
"The dock landing ship USS Oak Hill began its northbound transit into the Black Sea, June 18, to conduct maritime security operations and strengthen [US] relationships with region partners and allies. Oak Hill will join the guided-missile destroyer USS Porter, which entered the Black Sea on June 17," the 6th Fleet said in a statement.
The visit by the Oak Hill will be the fourth entry of the US Navy ships into the Black Sea since early 2020. The ship is organically assigned to the Bataan amphibious ready group in the Mediterranean Sea.
Russia’s National Defense Control Center announced on Wednesday that the Southern Military District’s forces and capabilities started tracking the US guided-missile destroyer Porter that had entered the Black Sea.


tass--2020-06-18--Moscow shooting suspect obtained weapon despite earlier pickpocketing sentence

MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
The young man , suspected of killing three on Priorova Street in Moscow @ @ @ @ @ ; despite that , he somehow managed to get his hands on a firearm , @ @ @ @ @ enforcement told TASS Thursday .
`` The suspect , Sevastian Putintsev , was sentenced for @ @ @ @ @ .
Still , he got access to a firearm .
The entrance surveillance camera recorded @ @ @ @ @ a hunting carbine in a case .
Supposedly , he used the carbine to commit @ @ @ @ @ source said .
On Thursday , a man opened fire in an apartment on the @ @ @ @ @ building on Priorova Street in northern Moscow .
After that , he barricaded himself in @ @ @ @ @ of 6 to 7 shots were fired .
Four people died in the shooting — @ @ @ @ @ and child and the shooter himself , who committed suicide .

MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. The young man, suspected of killing three on Priorova Street in Moscow was previously sentenced for theft; despite that, he somehow managed to get his hands on a firearm, a source in the law enforcement told TASS Thursday.
"The suspect, Sevastian Putintsev, was sentenced for [pickpocketing] in 2017. Still, he got access to a firearm. The entrance surveillance camera recorded him entering the building with a hunting carbine in a case. Supposedly, he used the carbine to commit the murder," the source said.
On Thursday, a man opened fire in an apartment on the 7th floor of a residential building on Priorova Street in northern Moscow. After that, he barricaded himself in the apartment. A total of 6 to 7 shots were fired. Four people died in the shooting — a woman, her mother and child and the shooter himself, who committed suicide.


tass--2020-06-18--EU’s Borrell had no complaints against Russia, China over coronavirus pandemic — Lavrov

BELGRADE , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell expressed no complaints against Russia and China over the coronavirus pandemic during the recent video call , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Thursday .
`` The day before yesterday , I had a lengthy videoconference with Josep Borrell .
[ … ] He expressed no complaints either against [ Russia ] or the People ’ s Republic of China over the coronavirus fight , '' he said .
According to Lavrov , a whole number of Western countries characterize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic to Serbia , Italy and other nations as mere propaganda , a Potemkin village .
`` If some Western analytics believe that when someone helps someone something must be paid in return , this only means that such are the values in the liberal circles .
In our circle , with Serbia and other countries that adhere to truly Christian values , selfless aid is a normal thing between friends , '' the foreign minister noted .
Earlier , Lavrov said in his article for the Global Times that some Western nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia for help with the coronavirus pandemic .
According to the minister , some even put forth absurd allegations that Russia seeks to use the humanitarian and medical aid to `` strengthen its geopolitical influence . ''

BELGRADE, June 18. /TASS/. High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell expressed no complaints against Russia and China over the coronavirus pandemic during the recent video call, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Thursday.
"The day before yesterday, I had a lengthy videoconference with Josep Borrell. […] He expressed no complaints either against [Russia] or the People’s Republic of China over the coronavirus fight," he said.
According to Lavrov, a whole number of Western countries characterize the aid Russia provides amid the coronavirus pandemic to Serbia, Italy and other nations as mere propaganda, a Potemkin village.
"If some Western analytics believe that when someone helps someone something must be paid in return, this only means that such are the values in the liberal circles. In our circle, with Serbia and other countries that adhere to truly Christian values, selfless aid is a normal thing between friends," the foreign minister noted.
Earlier, Lavrov said in his article for the Global Times that some Western nations are forbidden by their allies to ask Russia for help with the coronavirus pandemic. According to the minister, some even put forth absurd allegations that Russia seeks to use the humanitarian and medical aid to "strengthen its geopolitical influence."


tass--2020-06-18--No talks on restoration of air service with UK currently, says envoy

MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
Negotiation process with the UK on restoration of air service is not underway @ @ @ @ @ Ambassador to the UK Andrey Kelin told TASS Thursday .
`` There is no negotiation @ @ @ @ @ service at this moment , '' he said .
According to the envoy , some @ @ @ @ @ Russia from London via repatriation flights .

MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. Negotiation process with the UK on restoration of air service is not underway at the moment, Russian Ambassador to the UK Andrey Kelin told TASS Thursday.
"There is no negotiation process on resumption of air service at this moment," he said.
According to the envoy, some 760 people were brought to Russia from London via repatriation flights.


tass--2020-06-18--Moscow sees positive trend in coronavirus situation, says mayor

MOSCOW , June 18./TASS/ .
Specialists note a positive trend in the battle against the novel coronavirus in Moscow , @ @ @ @ @ all respects , Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin told Rossiya-24 television on Thursday .
`` Over @ @ @ @ @ situation [ with coronavirus ] improved by about 25 % to 30 % over all @ @ @ @ @ the new cases , hospitalizations and pneumonia cases .
In all respects without exception , @ @ @ @ @ right direction despite the lifting of restrictions , '' the mayor stressed .

MOSCOW, June 18./TASS/. Specialists note a positive trend in the battle against the novel coronavirus in Moscow, the situation has improved on all respects, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin told Rossiya-24 television on Thursday.
"Over the past week, the situation [with coronavirus] improved by about 25% to 30% over all main parameters. This concerns the new cases, hospitalizations and pneumonia cases. In all respects without exception, Moscow is moving in the right direction despite the lifting of restrictions," the mayor stressed.


tass--2020-06-18--Vucic says asked Russia to protect Orthodox Church in Balkans

BELGRADE , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic asked Russia to protect the Orthodox Church on the Balkans , Vucic said during his joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Belgrade .
`` I asked Russia to protect the Orthodox Church , considering everything that is happening in Montenegro and the entire region , '' Vucic said .
The congregation of the Serbian Orthodox Church ( SOC ) conduct mass protests in Montenegro , Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina ’ s Republika Srpska against oppression of the SOC in Montenegro , where , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parliament passed the controversial Freedom of Religion Law .
The law was passed by 45 lawmakers out of 45 present after the police detained all opposition lawmakers .
On December 28 , President of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic signed the bill into law .
The president accused the SOC of an attempt to retain religious monopoly in the country .
He claimed that he would seek autocephaly for the `` church of Montenegro '' similarly to that in Ukraine .
The Freedom of Religion Law also includes confiscation of over 650 sanctuaries from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ostrog monastery , widely known in the Orthodox world .

BELGRADE, June 18. /TASS/. President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic asked Russia to protect the Orthodox Church on the Balkans, Vucic said during his joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Belgrade.
"I asked Russia to protect the Orthodox Church, considering everything that is happening in Montenegro and the entire region," Vucic said.
The congregation of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) conduct mass protests in Montenegro, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Republika Srpska against oppression of the SOC in Montenegro, where, on December 27, 2019, the parliament passed the controversial Freedom of Religion Law. The law was passed by 45 lawmakers out of 45 present after the police detained all opposition lawmakers. On December 28, President of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic signed the bill into law.
The president accused the SOC of an attempt to retain religious monopoly in the country. He claimed that he would seek autocephaly for the "church of Montenegro" similarly to that in Ukraine. The Freedom of Religion Law also includes confiscation of over 650 sanctuaries from the SOC to the state, including the Ostrog monastery, widely known in the Orthodox world.


tass--2020-06-18--One child, three adults killed in shooting in northern Moscow

MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
One child and three adults died in the shooting in an apartment on @ @ @ @ @ , Russian Investigative Committee ’ s Main Investigative Directorate spokeswoman Yulia Ivanova told TASS .
@ @ @ @ @ man and one child died in the shooting , '' she said .
According to @ @ @ @ @ committed suicide .
According to Ivanova , the neighbors heard loud claps and called the @ @ @ @ @ the police that a roommate came to the woman ’ s apartment , '' the @ @ @ @ @ the law enforcement , the man shot the 26-year old woman , her 4-year old @ @ @ @ @ and then committed suicide .
According to the preliminary investigation , the man started shooting @ @ @ @ @ Deputy head of the Main investigative Directorate and head of the Forensics Moscow Directorate departed @ @ @ @ @ criminal case on charges of murder of two and more people has been initiated .

MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. One child and three adults died in the shooting in an apartment on Priorova Street in northern Moscow, Russian Investigative Committee’s Main Investigative Directorate spokeswoman Yulia Ivanova told TASS.
"Two women, one man and one child died in the shooting," she said. According to preliminary investigation, the man committed suicide.
According to Ivanova, the neighbors heard loud claps and called the police.
"They told the police that a roommate came to the woman’s apartment," the spokeswoman said.
According to the law enforcement, the man shot the 26-year old woman, her 4-year old child and her mother, and then committed suicide. According to the preliminary investigation, the man started shooting over a domestic conflict.
Deputy head of the Main investigative Directorate and head of the Forensics Moscow Directorate departed to the scene. A criminal case on charges of murder of two and more people has been initiated.


tass--2020-06-18--Russia to supply 5.75 mln tonnes of oil to Belarus in Q3 2020 over pipeline

MINSK , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Energy Ministry agreed the schedule of oil supplies to Belarusian refineries @ @ @ @ @ the amount of 5.75 mln tonnes in the third quarter of 2020 , Belneftekhim Holding @ @ @ @ @ The schedule of oil supplies over main oil pipelines to Belarusian refineries was determined together @ @ @ @ @ with the volume of 5.75 mln tonnes in the third quarter of 2020 ( 2.875 @ @ @ @ @ ) , '' the company said .

MINSK, June 18. /TASS/. The Russian Energy Ministry agreed the schedule of oil supplies to Belarusian refineries over main oil pipelines in the amount of 5.75 mln tonnes in the third quarter of 2020, Belneftekhim Holding said on Thursday.
"The schedule of oil supplies over main oil pipelines to Belarusian refineries was determined together with the Russian Energy Ministry with the volume of 5.75 mln tonnes in the third quarter of 2020 (2.875 mln tonnes to each refinery)," the company said.