tass--2020-12-24--New approaches to mammoth tusk value may harm business in Yakutia, experts say

MOSCOW , December 24 .
/TASS/ .
/TASS/ .
New regulations of cultural property ’ s evaluation , which will come into force on January 1 , 2021 , may put an end to the legal mammoth ivory business in Yakutia , experts told TASS .
`` Under the criteria set [ in the document ] , mammoth tusks are cultural property of special importance .
Those criteria are effective for intact tusks and even their fragments , whose export is outlawed .
The criteria , which come into effect on January 1 , 2021 , may put an end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal export , thus badly affecting scientific research , '' head of the Mammoth Fauna Department at Yakutia ’ s Academy of Sciences , Albert Protopopov , told TASS .
According to the document , tusks of fossil animals , weighing 100 kilos and more , and tusks measuring 300 cm along the external curvature will be considered cultural property of special importance .
Here will also belong tusks and their fragments with growth and development deviations , tusks of animals at early stages of ontogenesis , and tusks of dwarf forms of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condition ) , as well as tusks and fragments on the basis of which alveoli features could be determined .
The expert called the new parameters `` excessively vast . ''
`` This way , a significant part of mammoth tusks becomes cultural property of special importance .
In my opinion , the criteria should be changed .
< … > Of special importance could be the tusks with deviations in growth or those of outstanding sizes , like , for example , those 4 meters long and weighing over 100 kg .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ while hundreds others [ smaller ones ] are found annually , '' he added .
The business community shares this opinion .
`` Under the new regulations , tusks and their fragments , regardless of the condition , weight or size are viewed as cultural property - natural materials of special scientific importance - if their length and the alveoli diameters can be determined .
These criteria are applicable to all the unearthed mammoth fossils , which completely outlaws the legal export of paleontological discoveries of the mammoth fauna , '' Executive Director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Processors and Exporters of Mammoth Fauna Nikolai Stepanov said .
The Union was established in August 2019 .
It includes more than 20 members - collectors of the mammoth fauna and those who carve the ivory .
The new regulations `` practically outlaw legal export and production of souvenirs from the mammoth ivory , '' the Union said .
`` Thus , the move will entail criminalization of the sector , decline in income of the Arctic regions ’ residents , slashing of jobs and unemployment growth . ''
More than 1,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including those who get seasonal jobs , Stepanov added .
According to Yakutia ’ s Ministry of Industry and Geology , 80 % of Russia ’ s tusk resources are in Yakutia .
The resources there are estimated at about 500,000 tonnes , the total value is more than 1 trillion rubles ( $ 13.7 billion ) .
The production continues in the region ’ s eleven Arctic districts .
`` As of 2020 , Yakutia has 110 companies , which work under 695 licenses to collect mammoth tusks and remains of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sychevsky said .
Over 100 tonnes worth more than 600 million rubles ( $ 8 million ) are collected annually .
According to the minister , in late November , Yakutia ’ s authorities asked Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to review the regulations .
`` The introduced criteria fail to clearly distinguish between regular property and property of exclusive importance for science and cultural heritage , and thus mammoth tusks , thousands of which are collected a year , are referred to as especially valuable cultural property , and tusk fragments , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are referred to as cultural property , '' the minister quoted the letter to the prime minister .
The new regulations may push mammoth ivory production into the `` shadow market , '' the authors write .
Thus , truly cultural property may be hidden or destroyed , as gatherers would not be interested in reporting unique findings , the authorities stressed in the letter .

MOSCOW, December 24. /TASS/. /TASS/. New regulations of cultural property’s evaluation, which will come into force on January 1, 2021, may put an end to the legal mammoth ivory business in Yakutia, experts told TASS.
"Under the criteria set [in the document], mammoth tusks are cultural property of special importance. Those criteria are effective for intact tusks and even their fragments, whose export is outlawed. The criteria, which come into effect on January 1, 2021, may put an end to the legal business and ruin the legal export, thus badly affecting scientific research," head of the Mammoth Fauna Department at Yakutia’s Academy of Sciences, Albert Protopopov, told TASS.
According to the document, tusks of fossil animals, weighing 100 kilos and more, and tusks measuring 300 cm along the external curvature will be considered cultural property of special importance. Here will also belong tusks and their fragments with growth and development deviations, tusks of animals at early stages of ontogenesis, and tusks of dwarf forms of mammoths (regardless of the size and condition), as well as tusks and fragments on the basis of which alveoli features could be determined.
The expert called the new parameters "excessively vast." "This way, a significant part of mammoth tusks becomes cultural property of special importance. In my opinion, the criteria should be changed. <…> Of special importance could be the tusks with deviations in growth or those of outstanding sizes, like, for example, those 4 meters long and weighing over 100 kg. Such tusks are not found every year while hundreds others [smaller ones] are found annually," he added.
Impact on the sector
The business community shares this opinion. "Under the new regulations, tusks and their fragments, regardless of the condition, weight or size are viewed as cultural property - natural materials of special scientific importance - if their length and the alveoli diameters can be determined. These criteria are applicable to all the unearthed mammoth fossils, which completely outlaws the legal export of paleontological discoveries of the mammoth fauna," Executive Director of Yakutia’s Union of Collectors, Processors and Exporters of Mammoth Fauna Nikolai Stepanov said.
The Union was established in August 2019. It includes more than 20 members - collectors of the mammoth fauna and those who carve the ivory.
The new regulations "practically outlaw legal export and production of souvenirs from the mammoth ivory," the Union said. "Thus, the move will entail criminalization of the sector, decline in income of the Arctic regions’ residents, slashing of jobs and unemployment growth." More than 1,000 people have been employed with the sector, including those who get seasonal jobs, Stepanov added.
Authorities take
According to Yakutia’s Ministry of Industry and Geology, 80% of Russia’s tusk resources are in Yakutia. The resources there are estimated at about 500,000 tonnes, the total value is more than 1 trillion rubles ($13.7 billion). The production continues in the region’s eleven Arctic districts.
"As of 2020, Yakutia has 110 companies, which work under 695 licenses to collect mammoth tusks and remains of the mammoth fauna," Minister Andrei Sychevsky said. Over 100 tonnes worth more than 600 million rubles ($8 million) are collected annually.
According to the minister, in late November, Yakutia’s authorities asked Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to review the regulations.
"The introduced criteria fail to clearly distinguish between regular property and property of exclusive importance for science and cultural heritage, and thus mammoth tusks, thousands of which are collected a year, are referred to as especially valuable cultural property, and tusk fragments, which do not have any importance for science, are referred to as cultural property," the minister quoted the letter to the prime minister. The new regulations may push mammoth ivory production into the "shadow market," the authors write. Thus, truly cultural property may be hidden or destroyed, as gatherers would not be interested in reporting unique findings, the authorities stressed in the letter.


tass--2020-12-24--One launch of heavy rocket Angara-A5 still close to $100 million, says designer

MOSCOW , December 24 .
/TASS/ .
The costs of launching one heavy rocket Angara-A5 is still close to $ 100 million for the time being , but they will certainly go down when serial production begins , the general designer of the design bureau Salyut at the Khrunichev Center , Sergey Kuznetsov , said on Thursday .
He explained that the costs of launching one heavy rocket lay between $ 50 million and $ 100 million .
`` Angara was produced by an experimental unit .
The costs are closer to the upper limit , but preparations for batch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the round-the-clock television news channel Rossiya-24 in an interview , adding that Proton and Falcon-9 were closer to the bottom of this price range .
Kuznetsov is certain that as production volumes grow , the costs will go down .
`` This is easy to explain : there is an industrial plant that spent four years making one rocket .
One rocket is to compensate for all that was spent on electricity and on keeping the production facility going .
If four to six rockets are made a year , the price will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A memorandum containing explanations of the Khrunichev Center ’ s financial accounting for 2019 earlier said that Angara ’ s costs would go down from 7 billion rubles to 4 billion .
The Russian space corporation Roscosmos earlier said that in the process of research and development the Khrunichev center would build several Angara rockets 5 billion rubles apiece .

MOSCOW, December 24. /TASS/. The costs of launching one heavy rocket Angara-A5 is still close to $100 million for the time being, but they will certainly go down when serial production begins, the general designer of the design bureau Salyut at the Khrunichev Center, Sergey Kuznetsov, said on Thursday.
He explained that the costs of launching one heavy rocket lay between $50 million and $100 million.
"Angara was produced by an experimental unit. The costs are closer to the upper limit, but preparations for batch production are underway," Kuznetsov told the round-the-clock television news channel Rossiya-24 in an interview, adding that Proton and Falcon-9 were closer to the bottom of this price range.
Kuznetsov is certain that as production volumes grow, the costs will go down.
"This is easy to explain: there is an industrial plant that spent four years making one rocket. One rocket is to compensate for all that was spent on electricity and on keeping the production facility going. If four to six rockets are made a year, the price will certain go down," he said.
A memorandum containing explanations of the Khrunichev Center’s financial accounting for 2019 earlier said that Angara’s costs would go down from 7 billion rubles to 4 billion. The Russian space corporation Roscosmos earlier said that in the process of research and development the Khrunichev center would build several Angara rockets 5 billion rubles apiece.


tass--2020-12-24--Russian army is not going to get involved in arms race, says chief of General Staff

MOSCOW , December 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will push ahead with its efforts for stabilizing the world situation and @ @ @ @ @ getting involved in the arms race , the chief of Russia ’ s General Staff @ @ @ @ @ a news briefing for foreign military attaches on Thursday .
`` Next year Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ ahead with efforts to create conditions for stabilizing the situation at the global and regional @ @ @ @ @ steady and balanced development of the army and the navy for the sake of the @ @ @ @ @ development without getting involved in a costly arms race , '' Gerasimov said .
He @ @ @ @ @ armed forces were capable of neutralizing any threats to the country ’ s security and @ @ @ @ @ of Russia and its allies .

MOSCOW, December 24. /TASS/. Russia will push ahead with its efforts for stabilizing the world situation and developing its armed forces without getting involved in the arms race, the chief of Russia’s General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, told a news briefing for foreign military attaches on Thursday.
"Next year Russia’s Defense Ministry will go ahead with efforts to create conditions for stabilizing the situation at the global and regional levels and to ensure the steady and balanced development of the army and the navy for the sake of the country’s peaceful socio-economic development without getting involved in a costly arms race," Gerasimov said.
He said that Russia’s armed forces were capable of neutralizing any threats to the country’s security and firmly protecting the national interests of Russia and its allies.


tass--2020-12-24--US steps up confrontation with Russia at sea for higher defense spending, says diplomat

MOSCOW , December 24 .
/TASS/ .
The US is afraid to lose its maritime supremacy due to the increasing capabilities of the Russian Navy and inflate fuel the confrontation in order to increase the military spending , Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday .
`` Strategists in Washington are most concerned that the growing Russian naval capabilities can challenge US ’ s superiority at sea , '' she noted .
`` Apparently , they have never heard about such principles as equal safety or parity , or , if they have , they must have misunderstood them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Ministry pointed at the December 17 updated joint Navy , Coast guard and Marine Corps strategy .
This strategy describes the forces ’ joint plan of preparation for countering Russia and China , which Washington defines `` two most significant threats to the era of global peace and prosperity , '' Zakharova said .
According to the diplomat , the confrontational idea of competition of superpowers is a leitmotif of the entire document .
`` According to the Americans , Russia allegedly displays aggression by implementing is programs on development of nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air defense , '' the diplomat continued .
`` Meanwhile , our country is once again attributed with the idea of ‘ escalation for de-escalation , ’ meaning an intention to use nuclear weapons in case of a military conflict in order to stop the hostilities on conditions that benefit Russia ; this is a deliberate lie . ''
`` In the past few years , we repeatedly noted similar American assessments in regard to a standoff with Russia , copied in many doctrine and budget documents , and the rhetoric of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zakharova noted .
`` Such ‘ strategies , ’ if we can call them that , are being produced with a single goal : to justify the course for further increase already absurdly high US military expenses , exercised under the idea of ensuring Washington ’ s global domination .
Such approach is deliberately fruitless , and it not only not contributes to the use of the world ocean in order to bring various communities closer , it also provides a long-term foundation for growing confrontation at sea , which could have extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new US administration should thoroughly reconsider this approach , the spokeswoman said .

MOSCOW, December 24. /TASS/. The US is afraid to lose its maritime supremacy due to the increasing capabilities of the Russian Navy and inflate fuel the confrontation in order to increase the military spending, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday.
"Strategists in Washington are most concerned that the growing Russian naval capabilities can challenge US’s superiority at sea," she noted. "Apparently, they have never heard about such principles as equal safety or parity, or, if they have, they must have misunderstood them."
In this regard, Russian Foreign Ministry pointed at the December 17 updated joint Navy, Coast guard and Marine Corps strategy. This strategy describes the forces’ joint plan of preparation for countering Russia and China, which Washington defines "two most significant threats to the era of global peace and prosperity," Zakharova said. According to the diplomat, the confrontational idea of competition of superpowers is a leitmotif of the entire document.
"According to the Americans, Russia allegedly displays aggression by implementing is programs on development of nuclear missile weapons, submarines, aviation and air defense," the diplomat continued. "Meanwhile, our country is once again attributed with the idea of ‘escalation for de-escalation,’ meaning an intention to use nuclear weapons in case of a military conflict in order to stop the hostilities on conditions that benefit Russia; this is a deliberate lie."
"In the past few years, we repeatedly noted similar American assessments in regard to a standoff with Russia, copied in many doctrine and budget documents, and the rhetoric of these documents becomes harsher every time," Zakharova noted. "Such ‘strategies,’ if we can call them that, are being produced with a single goal: to justify the course for further increase already absurdly high US military expenses, exercised under the idea of ensuring Washington’s global domination. Such approach is deliberately fruitless, and it not only not contributes to the use of the world ocean in order to bring various communities closer, it also provides a long-term foundation for growing confrontation at sea, which could have extremely dangerous consequences."
Russia believes that the new US administration should thoroughly reconsider this approach, the spokeswoman said.


tass--2020-12-24--Russian Antarctic researchers beef up measures after reports of COVID at Chilean station

ST. PETERSBURG , December 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s research stations in the Antarctic have ramped up anti-coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus tests at a Chilean station , a spokesperson for the Arctic and Antarctic Research @ @ @ @ @ .
According to media reports , 36 people at Chile ’ s General Bernardo O'Higgins @ @ @ @ @ .
`` No coronavirus cases have been recorded at Russian research stations so far .
@ @ @ @ @ quarantine in St. Petersburg and aboard a ship before arriving at the station .
The @ @ @ @ @ limited contacts with other research facilities , '' the spokesperson pointed out .
According to @ @ @ @ @ Institute , personnel at the Bellingshausen station , which is located close to other countries @ @ @ @ @ to maintain contact with foreign researchers only through online communication means .
The Vostok and @ @ @ @ @ away from foreign stations .
There are five permanent Russian research stations in the Antarctic @ @ @ @ @ are seasonal .
The Russian Antarctic Expedition operates on the continent year-round .

ST. PETERSBURG, December 24. /TASS/. Russia’s research stations in the Antarctic have ramped up anti-coronavirus measures following reports of positive coronavirus tests at a Chilean station, a spokesperson for the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute told TASS on Thursday.
According to media reports, 36 people at Chile’s General Bernardo O'Higgins base tested positive for coronavirus.
"No coronavirus cases have been recorded at Russian research stations so far. Staff members will undergo a quarantine in St. Petersburg and aboard a ship before arriving at the station. The Novolazarevskaya and Progress stations have limited contacts with other research facilities," the spokesperson pointed out. According to the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, personnel at the Bellingshausen station, which is located close to other countries’ bases, have decided to maintain contact with foreign researchers only through online communication means. The Vostok and Mirny stations are located far away from foreign stations.
There are five permanent Russian research stations in the Antarctic, while another five stations are seasonal. The Russian Antarctic Expedition operates on the continent year-round.


tass--2020-12-24--Lavrov to meet with top diplomat of Libya’s Government of National Accord on Dec 30

MOSCOW , December 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will hold a meeting with top diplomat of @ @ @ @ @ National Accord Mohamed Siala in Moscow on December 30 , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday .
`` On December 30 , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will hold @ @ @ @ @ minister of Libya ’ s Government of National Accord , who will be on a @ @ @ @ @ '' she said .
`` The parties are expected to exchange views on the situation @ @ @ @ @ including efforts to strengthen the ceasefire and boost the political process based on the decisions @ @ @ @ @ conference and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2510 , with a focus on ways to @ @ @ @ @ in assisting efforts to find a speedy solution to the situation in Libya , '' @ @ @ @ @ and Libyan top diplomats also plan to discuss relations between the two countries in various @ @

MOSCOW, December 24. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will hold a meeting with top diplomat of Libya’s Government of National Accord Mohamed Siala in Moscow on December 30, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Thursday.
"On December 30, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will hold a meeting with the foreign minister of Libya’s Government of National Accord, who will be on a working visit to Moscow," she said.
"The parties are expected to exchange views on the situation in Libya and beyond, including efforts to strengthen the ceasefire and boost the political process based on the decisions made at the Berlin peace conference and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2510, with a focus on ways to increase Russia’s role in assisting efforts to find a speedy solution to the situation in Libya," Zakharova added.
The Russian and Libyan top diplomats also plan to discuss relations between the two countries in various fields.


tass--2020-12-24--Armenia ranked third in countries where Russia is most loved, poll shows

YEREVAN , December 24 .
/TASS/ .
Rossotrudnichestvo , Russia ’ s state agency responsible for overseeing promotion of cultural @ @ @ @ @ published the results of a poll entitled ‘ Which countries love Russia the most ?
@ @ @ @ @ third , the Russian cultural center in Yerevan told TASS Thursday .
`` We thank @ @ @ @ @ the competition .
Tajikistan won the first place in the competition , followed by Serbia @ @ @ @ @ in the list of countries that love Russia the most , '' the agency was @ @ @ @ @ , Moldova , Syria , Ukraine , Bulgaria and China are among the other top @ @

YEREVAN, December 24. /TASS/. Rossotrudnichestvo, Russia’s state agency responsible for overseeing promotion of cultural ties and exchanges, has published the results of a poll entitled ‘Which countries love Russia the most?’, Armenia was placed third, the Russian cultural center in Yerevan told TASS Thursday.
"We thank everyone who took part in the competition. Tajikistan won the first place in the competition, followed by Serbia and Armenia was placed third in the list of countries that love Russia the most," the agency was told. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Syria, Ukraine, Bulgaria and China are among the other top countries.


tass--2020-12-24--Russian businessmen, Hainan's Haikou hold first investment seminar

HAIKOU , December 24 .
/TASS/ .
Representatives of the Russian business community and the administrative center of Hainan 's free trade port held the first online videoconference with a presentation of the mutual potential on investment cooperation , the Hainan Daily reported on Thursday .
According to the newspaper , about 70 representatives from 40 companies and organizations from Russia took part in the event .
The seminar was held in the `` Haikou - Moscow '' format , where the prospects of holding the first China International Consumer Expo , to be held in May on Hainan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Haikou presented its capabilities , presenting to the Russian businessmen the advantages of bilateral cooperation , taking into account the local resource base , preferences , level of infrastructure development , industry structure , business climate and production factors .
Hainan 's Department of International Economic Development outlined the key tasks of economic cooperation cooperation with Russia .
According to the newspaper , Russian businessmen have expressed interest in strengthening ties with Haikou .
In November , the administrative center of Hainan launched an official channel to promote investment cooperation with Russia and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used in everyday communication .
In order to enhance cooperation in this area , the Haikou Investment Cooperation Promotion Office has entered into agreements online with the Russian Solidarity Bank , the Russian-Asian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs , as well as with China Huaming International Investment .
In accordance with the agreements reached , the Russian bank and the RAUIE will work out issues related to the creation of their representative offices .
They will help Russian companies and a number of other countries to develop the investment potential of Hainan 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in January-November , the Haikou authorities registered about 530 companies with foreign capital that invested in Hainan 's economy .
Thus , the number of new market entities in the city for 11 months increased by 158 % compared to the same period last year .

HAIKOU, December 24. /TASS/. Representatives of the Russian business community and the administrative center of Hainan's free trade port held the first online videoconference with a presentation of the mutual potential on investment cooperation, the Hainan Daily reported on Thursday.
According to the newspaper, about 70 representatives from 40 companies and organizations from Russia took part in the event. The seminar was held in the "Haikou - Moscow" format, where the prospects of holding the first China International Consumer Expo, to be held in May on Hainan, were discussed.
During the conference, Haikou presented its capabilities, presenting to the Russian businessmen the advantages of bilateral cooperation, taking into account the local resource base, preferences, level of infrastructure development, industry structure, business climate and production factors. Hainan's Department of International Economic Development outlined the key tasks of economic cooperation cooperation with Russia.
According to the newspaper, Russian businessmen have expressed interest in strengthening ties with Haikou.
In November, the administrative center of Hainan launched an official channel to promote investment cooperation with Russia and countries where the Russian language is actively used in everyday communication. In order to enhance cooperation in this area, the Haikou Investment Cooperation Promotion Office has entered into agreements online with the Russian Solidarity Bank, the Russian-Asian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, as well as with China Huaming International Investment. In accordance with the agreements reached, the Russian bank and the RAUIE will work out issues related to the creation of their representative offices. They will help Russian companies and a number of other countries to develop the investment potential of Hainan's free trade port.
According to statistics, in January-November, the Haikou authorities registered about 530 companies with foreign capital that invested in Hainan's economy. Thus, the number of new market entities in the city for 11 months increased by 158% compared to the same period last year.


tass--2020-12-25--Russia donates 2mln Swiss francs to ICRC to address humanitarian needs in Karabakh

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has made a contribution of two million Swiss francs ( $ 2.25mln ) to the International Committee of the Red Cross ( ICRC ) to tackle humanitarian issues in Nagorno-Karabakh .
Russia ’ s task in Karabakh is to restore peace as soon as possible — Emergencies Ministry '' In accordance with the decision of the government of the Russian Federation , a voluntary contribution worth two million Swiss francs was made to the ICRC to finance the costs related to the measures taken to offset the humanitarian impact of the Nagorno-Karabakh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement on Friday .
The Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out that the field was one of the priorities in `` fruitful cooperation of the Russian Federation with the ICRC . ''
`` Our country is taking extensive efforts to help the civilian population and to restore civilian infrastructure in the region , '' the ministry said adding that Moscow is open to cooperation with the ICRC in the future and hopes that the committee ’ s efficient work will be continued .
On November 24 , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rossiya-24 channel that during ICRC President Peter Maurer ’ s visit to Moscow Russian President Vladimir Putin supported the proposal to earmark a voluntary contribution for the IRCR efforts in Nagorno-Karabakh .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. Russia has made a contribution of two million Swiss francs ($2.25mln) to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to tackle humanitarian issues in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Russia’s task in Karabakh is to restore peace as soon as possible — Emergencies Ministry
"In accordance with the decision of the government of the Russian Federation, a voluntary contribution worth two million Swiss francs was made to the ICRC to finance the costs related to the measures taken to offset the humanitarian impact of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday.
The Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out that the field was one of the priorities in "fruitful cooperation of the Russian Federation with the ICRC."
"Our country is taking extensive efforts to help the civilian population and to restore civilian infrastructure in the region," the ministry said adding that Moscow is open to cooperation with the ICRC in the future and hopes that the committee’s efficient work will be continued.
On November 24, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in a televised interview with Rossiya-24 channel that during ICRC President Peter Maurer’s visit to Moscow Russian President Vladimir Putin supported the proposal to earmark a voluntary contribution for the IRCR efforts in Nagorno-Karabakh.


tass--2020-12-25--UNSC decision on Darfur mission dictated by improvement in Sudan, says Russian ministry

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
The decision of the UN Security Council to terminate the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur ( UNAMID ) follows an improvement in Sudan , the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Friday .
`` The decision was planned and is dictated by positive trends in the developments in Sudan generally and Darfur in particular .
The parameters of ending the mission are agreed with the Sudanese authorities and take into account their approaches to this issue , '' the diplomatic agency noted .
Therefore , the Russian ministry pointed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest peacekeeping operations , which particularly involved Russian representatives , is shutting down .
The UNSC adopted the resolution to end the mission Tuesday .
UNAMID was greenlighted by the UNSC Resolution 1768 on July 31 , 2007 .
In the document , the Security Council welcomed the peace agreement signed by the Sudanese transitional government and rebels on October 3 , 2020 and also expressed support to moving from peacekeeping to peacebuilding in Darfur .
The peacekeeping troops ’ withdrawal is set to begin on January 1 , 2021 and is expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. The decision of the UN Security Council to terminate the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) follows an improvement in Sudan, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Friday.
"The decision was planned and is dictated by positive trends in the developments in Sudan generally and Darfur in particular. The parameters of ending the mission are agreed with the Sudanese authorities and take into account their approaches to this issue," the diplomatic agency noted.
Therefore, the Russian ministry pointed out, one of the most complicated and largest peacekeeping operations, which particularly involved Russian representatives, is shutting down.
The UNSC adopted the resolution to end the mission Tuesday. UNAMID was greenlighted by the UNSC Resolution 1768 on July 31, 2007. In the document, the Security Council welcomed the peace agreement signed by the Sudanese transitional government and rebels on October 3, 2020 and also expressed support to moving from peacekeeping to peacebuilding in Darfur. The peacekeeping troops’ withdrawal is set to begin on January 1, 2021 and is expected to be completed by June 30.


tass--2020-12-25--Court sentences historian Sokolov to 12.5 years in prison for murder, possession of arms

Russian army is not going to get involved in arms race , says chief of General Staff He said that @ @ @ @ @ were capable of neutralizing any threats to the country ’ s security and firmly protecting @ @ @ @ @ and its allies

Biden says alternative to sanctions against Russia would be Third World War
"Russia will pay a serious price for this short term and long term, particularly long term," the US leader stressed
Read more


tass--2020-12-25--This week in photos: Putin’s hockey game, Biden’s TV jab, Jupiter and Saturn’s conjunction

Russian President Vladimir Putin playing hockey with 9-year old Dmitry Ashchepkov from Chelyabinsk at the skating rink in Red Square during `` The Christmas Tree of Wishes campaign '' , Moscow , December 21 .
According to information from Kremlin , Dmitry Ashchepkov dreamed of visiting Red Square to skate and see where the President works © Alexei Nikolsky/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS Crews of T-72B3 tanks competing at Sergeyevsky training ground in a Tank Biathlon qualifying round for the Russian selection for the 2021 International Army Games , Primorye territory , December 23 © Yuri Smityuk/TASS Watched by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen opening a Christmas box containing her daily meat portion in the Nyiregyhaza Animal Park in Nyiregyhaza , Hungary , December 23 © EPA-EFE/Attila Balazs Joe Biden receives his first dose of the coronavirus vaccine at ChristianaCare Christiana Hospital in Newark , December 21 © AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster People attending a flower laying ceremony at the tomb of Joseph Stalin by the Kremlin Wall marking his 141st birthday , Moscow , December 21 © Mikhail Tereshchenko/TASS Dancers of the Czech National Ballet performing during a general rehearsal for a live broadcast of 'The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Theatre in Prague , Czech Republic , December 21 © EPA-EFE/MARTIN DIVISEK Skywatchers were wowed with a special year-end treat .
Jupiter and Saturn appeared about one-tenth of a degree apart during an astronomical event known as the Great Conjunction , on December 21 .
The planets , which remain about 450 million miles apart in space , have not appeared this close together from Earth 's vantage point since 1623 , and it 's been nearly 800 years since the alignment occurred at night .
These giant planets will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ © Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images Russia 's Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin , Russia 's Emergency Situations Minister Yevgeny Zinichev , Russia 's Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov and Russia 's Deputy Emergency Situations Minister Alexander Chupriyan viewing modern Russian firefighting and rescue equipment at the National Crisis Management Center of the Russian Emergencies Ministry , Moscow , December 22 © Alexander Astafyev/POOL/TASS Lorries are parked after the Port of Dover was closed and access to the Eurotunnel terminal suspended following the French government 's announcement , Dover , December 21 © AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the LenExpo exhibition centre that has been converted into a field hospital for patients with COVID-19 infection who can not self-isolate at home , St Petersburg , December 22 © Alexander Demianchuk/TASS

Russian President Vladimir Putin playing hockey with 9-year old Dmitry Ashchepkov from Chelyabinsk at the skating rink in Red Square during "The Christmas Tree of Wishes campaign", Moscow, December 21. According to information from Kremlin, Dmitry Ashchepkov dreamed of visiting Red Square to skate and see where the President works © Alexei Nikolsky/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS
Crews of T-72B3 tanks competing at Sergeyevsky training ground in a Tank Biathlon qualifying round for the Russian selection for the 2021 International Army Games, Primorye territory, December 23 © Yuri Smityuk/TASS
Watched by her cubs, an African lioness is seen opening a Christmas box containing her daily meat portion in the Nyiregyhaza Animal Park in Nyiregyhaza, Hungary, December 23 © EPA-EFE/Attila Balazs
Joe Biden receives his first dose of the coronavirus vaccine at ChristianaCare Christiana Hospital in Newark, December 21 © AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster
People attending a flower laying ceremony at the tomb of Joseph Stalin by the Kremlin Wall marking his 141st birthday, Moscow, December 21 © Mikhail Tereshchenko/TASS
Dancers of the Czech National Ballet performing during a general rehearsal for a live broadcast of 'The Nutcracker - A Christmas Carol' at the National Theatre in Prague, Czech Republic, December 21 © EPA-EFE/MARTIN DIVISEK
Rhythmic gymnast Anastasia Guzenkova performing during the Ice and Flame ice skating show featuring Olympic champions at Irina Viner-Usmanova Rhythmic Gymnastics Center, Moscow, December 24 © Anton Novoderezhkin/TASS
People watching an eruption from Kilauea volcano on the Big Island, Hawaii, December 21 © Janice Wei/National Park Service via AP
Skywatchers were wowed with a special year-end treat. Jupiter and Saturn appeared about one-tenth of a degree apart during an astronomical event known as the Great Conjunction, on December 21. The planets, which remain about 450 million miles apart in space, have not appeared this close together from Earth's vantage point since 1623, and it's been nearly 800 years since the alignment occurred at night. These giant planets will not appear this close together again until 2080 © Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images
Russia's Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Russia's Emergency Situations Minister Yevgeny Zinichev, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov and Russia's Deputy Emergency Situations Minister Alexander Chupriyan viewing modern Russian firefighting and rescue equipment at the National Crisis Management Center of the Russian Emergencies Ministry, Moscow, December 22 © Alexander Astafyev/POOL/TASS
Israeli police shooting a water cannon towards ultra-Orthodox Jewish men blocking the road during a demonstration in Jerusalem, December 22 © AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean
Lorries are parked after the Port of Dover was closed and access to the Eurotunnel terminal suspended following the French government's announcement, Dover, December 21 © AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth
A floating nativity scene standing in the waters around Burano in Venice, December 21 © Stefano Mazzola/Awakening/Getty Images
Medical staff in protective gear at work in the LenExpo exhibition centre that has been converted into a field hospital for patients with COVID-19 infection who can not self-isolate at home, St Petersburg, December 22 © Alexander Demianchuk/TASS


tass--2020-12-25--Watchdog quarantines all those arriving from Britain for 14 days

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
All those arriving in Russia from Britain will be quarantined for 14 days @ @ @ @ @ home , as follows from a resolution by the chief of Russia ’ s consumer @ @ @ @ @ Anna Popova , uploaded to the official portal of legal information on Friday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the territory of Russia ( except @ @ @ @ @ obliged to observe self-isolation rules at home for a period of 14 days , '' @ @ @ @ @ measure is effective starting from the next day following the official news release .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. All those arriving in Russia from Britain will be quarantined for 14 days and obliged to stay at home, as follows from a resolution by the chief of Russia’s consumer rights watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, Anna Popova, uploaded to the official portal of legal information on Friday.
"All persons arriving from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the territory of Russia (except for air crews) are obliged to observe self-isolation rules at home for a period of 14 days," the resolution says.
The measure is effective starting from the next day following the official news release.


tass--2020-12-25--Russia fully implemented obligations to destroy chemical weapons stockpiles — diplomat

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow has fully implemented its obligations to destroy chemical weapons stockpiles , Russian @ @ @ @ @ said on Friday , commenting on a statement by British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace .
@ @ @ @ @ point out that Russia has fully and faithfully implemented its obligations to destroy the country @ @ @ @ @ and the process was completed three years ago under the supervision of the Organization for @ @ @ @ @ ( OPCW ) , '' she noted .
`` At the same time , according @ @ @ @ @ ] Convention , Russia continues to receive OPCW inspections at former chemical weapons production facilities @ @ @ @ @ been converted for non-prohibited purposes , and at the production areas of chemical facilities that @ @ @ @ @ s criteria .
No violations have been detected , '' Zakharova emphasized .
British Defense @ @ @ @ @ in an interview with the Daily Telegraph that the United Kingdom wanted a relationship `` @ @ @ @ @ it would not be easy following the Salisbury incident .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. Moscow has fully implemented its obligations to destroy chemical weapons stockpiles, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday, commenting on a statement by British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace.
"I would like to point out that Russia has fully and faithfully implemented its obligations to destroy the country’s chemical weapons stockpiles. The process was completed three years ago under the supervision of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)," she noted.
"At the same time, in line with the [Chemical Weapons] Convention, Russia continues to receive OPCW inspectors at former chemical weapons production facilities, including those that have been converted for non-prohibited purposes, and at the production areas of chemical facilities that fall under the convention’s criteria. No violations have been detected," Zakharova emphasized.
British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said earlier in an interview with the Daily Telegraph that the United Kingdom wanted a relationship "with Russian people" but it would not be easy following the Salisbury incident.
Russia’s 'concerning' behavior
Moscow is puzzled by the statements made by UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace who claimed that Russia is engaged in ‘concerning’ behavior in British skies and waters, Maria Zakharova said.
According to her, London continues to resort to unfounded accusations to put pressure on Russia and fan the flames of Russophobic sentiments in British society. Zakharova pointed out that the end goal of these actions is to justify NATO’s aggressive policy in general and in the UK in particular.
"Ben Wallace’s statement on Russia’s alleged ‘concerning behavior’ manifested in increased activity in British waters and skies is puzzling," the diplomat stressed in light of Wallace’s interview for The Daily Telegraph.
In this regard, Zakharova recalled promises made by Western countries that NATO will not be expanded to the east. At the same time, she pointed out, the alliance continues to grow - its military infrastructure is being modernized and is creeping closer to the Russian border. Multinational contingents are deployed in the Baltic Region, advanced centers of heavy weapons spring up in Europe, intensity of exercises increases, while military budgets of the allies are swelling.
According to the diplomat, this creates preconditions for outbreak of incidents and exacerbates the already complicated situation on the continent. "We are forced to react to mitigate emerging threats to our security. This is a legitimate right of any sovereign state," she emphasized.
According to Zakharova, the British defense secretary’s interview generally reaffirms London’s position to avoid constructive discussions on existing problems and disagreements through professional dialogue.


tass--2020-12-25--Rosatom may put stages I, II of nuclear center in Bolivia into operation in 2021

`` Despite two revolutions , work continues in Bolivia .
Next year we will start commissioning facilities of the first and second stages of the Center for Nuclear Research and Technologies , '' he said .
MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
The Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation is continuing the construction of the Center for Nuclear Research and Technologies in Bolivia , despite the difficult political situation in that country .
Next year the company plans to commission the first and second stages of the facility , Head of Rosatom Alexey Likhachev said on Friday .
In mid-February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TASS that Rosatom continues its project to build the Center for Nuclear Research and Technologies in Bolivia .
`` Rosatom goes ahead with implementing the project to build the Center for Nuclear Research and Technologies in Bolivia .
We have received no official notifications about the project ’ s suspension from our Bolivian partners , '' the Russian state corporation said .
In turn , a nuclear industry source told TASS that the Bolivian governmental body in charge of the project - the Energy Ministry - had made no statements about the possibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same time , about a week ago , the head of Bolivia ’ s regulator AETN visited the construction site and spoke positively about the work , '' the source added .
Bolivia ’ s nuclear energy agency ( ABEN ) earlier posted a statement on the official website , noting that it ends work on this project .
The document cites ABEN Executive Director Juan Alfredo Jordan Romero as saying that the previous government violated the country ’ s constitution , because the decision to invest $ 351 mln in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s approval .
`` Jordan said that it was ordered to suspend the construction of the Center for Nuclear Research and Technologies until the Plurinational Legislative Assembly ( parliament ) and the Prosecutor General ’ s Office have their say , '' the statement reads .
On March 6 , 2016 , Russia and Bolivia concluded an inter-governmental agreement on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and building a nuclear research center in El Alto , at an altitude of 4,100 meters above sea level .
The Bolivian government-funded $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia ’ s nuclear power corporation Rosatom .
According to earlier reports , Rosatom was expected to launch two radiation technologies for the needs of healthcare and agricultural sectors .
The center was expected to reach full capacity in 2022 .
The project to build the center is unique for the global nuclear sector .
It will include a nuclear research facility based on a water-cooled reactor with a capacity of 200 kW , a multipurpose radiation center featuring industrial gamma-ray equipment and various research laboratories .
The center will ensure extensive use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , industry , environment and other vital areas .

"Despite two revolutions, work continues in Bolivia. Next year we will start commissioning facilities of the first and second stages of the Center for Nuclear Research and Technologies," he said.
MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. The Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation is continuing the construction of the Center for Nuclear Research and Technologies in Bolivia, despite the difficult political situation in that country. Next year the company plans to commission the first and second stages of the facility, Head of Rosatom Alexey Likhachev said on Friday.
In mid-February, spokesperson for the state corporation told TASS that Rosatom continues its project to build the Center for Nuclear Research and Technologies in Bolivia. "Rosatom goes ahead with implementing the project to build the Center for Nuclear Research and Technologies in Bolivia. We have received no official notifications about the project’s suspension from our Bolivian partners," the Russian state corporation said.
In turn, a nuclear industry source told TASS that the Bolivian governmental body in charge of the project - the Energy Ministry - had made no statements about the possibility of halting the construction. "At the same time, about a week ago, the head of Bolivia’s regulator AETN visited the construction site and spoke positively about the work," the source added.
Bolivia’s nuclear energy agency (ABEN) earlier posted a statement on the official website, noting that it ends work on this project. The document cites ABEN Executive Director Juan Alfredo Jordan Romero as saying that the previous government violated the country’s constitution, because the decision to invest $351 mln in the nuclear center was made without the parliament’s approval.
"Jordan said that it was ordered to suspend the construction of the Center for Nuclear Research and Technologies until the Plurinational Legislative Assembly (parliament) and the Prosecutor General’s Office have their say," the statement reads.
Nuclear project in Bolivia
On March 6, 2016, Russia and Bolivia concluded an inter-governmental agreement on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and construction of a nuclear research center in El Alto, at an altitude of 4,100 meters above sea level. The Bolivian government-funded $300-million project will be implemented jointly with Russia’s nuclear power corporation Rosatom.
According to earlier reports, Rosatom was expected to launch two radiation technologies for the needs of healthcare and agricultural sectors. The center was expected to reach full capacity in 2022.
The project to build the center is unique for the global nuclear sector. It will include a nuclear research facility based on a water-cooled reactor with a capacity of 200 kW, a multipurpose radiation center featuring industrial gamma-ray equipment and various research laboratories. The center will ensure extensive use of radiation technologies in agriculture, medicine, industry, environment and other vital areas.


tass--2020-12-25--Mutation of coronavirus in UK insignificant, WHO representative says

`` To date , the SARS-CoV-2 virus has mutated very insignificantly and its changes so far do not influence the effectiveness of the existing diagnostic tools , medicinal preparations and vaccines being developed , '' she said .
MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
A mutation of the coronavirus detected in the UK is insignificant and does not influence the effectiveness of diagnostic tools , pharmaceuticals and vaccines , Melita Vujnovic , World Health Organization ( WHO ) representative in Russia , said in an interview with TASS on Friday .
According to her , the WHO recommends to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social measures including testing and tracking the contacts with the subsequent isolation as well as individual measures of protection , such as hand hygiene , physical distancing and wearing a mask .
`` The WHO recommends to all countries to increase the sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 viruses if possible and to exchange information on sequences at an international level , for instance , report the detection of similar mutations that cause concern , '' the WHO representative added .
On December 14 , Britain ’ s Secretary of State for Health and Social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified a new coronavirus strain that might be to blame for high infection rates in southeastern England .
On December 19 , UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that , according to the current findings , the new strain might be 70 % more contagious , however , there is no proof yet of a greater risk of lethal outcome .
About 50 countries , including the majority of the EU states , Russia , Australia , Argentina , Canada and Turkey , announced a temporary suspension of the air service with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there .
Expert of the World Health Organization Maria Van Kerkhove stated that the mutated version was detected in southeastern England back in September and later spread to Denmark , the Netherlands and Australia .

"To date, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has mutated very insignificantly and its changes so far do not influence the effectiveness of the existing diagnostic tools, medicinal preparations and vaccines being developed," she said.
MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. A mutation of the coronavirus detected in the UK is insignificant and does not influence the effectiveness of diagnostic tools, pharmaceuticals and vaccines, Melita Vujnovic, World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Russia, said in an interview with TASS on Friday.
According to her, the WHO recommends to continue implementation of all basic medical and social measures including testing and tracking the contacts with the subsequent isolation as well as individual measures of protection, such as hand hygiene, physical distancing and wearing a mask. "The WHO recommends to all countries to increase the sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 viruses if possible and to exchange information on sequences at an international level, for instance, report the detection of similar mutations that cause concern," the WHO representative added.
On December 14, Britain’s Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock said British scientists had identified a new coronavirus strain that might be to blame for high infection rates in southeastern England. On December 19, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that, according to the current findings, the new strain might be 70% more contagious, however, there is no proof yet of a greater risk of lethal outcome.
About 50 countries, including the majority of the EU states, Russia, Australia, Argentina, Canada and Turkey, announced a temporary suspension of the air service with the UK due to the new strain detected there. Expert of the World Health Organization Maria Van Kerkhove stated that the mutated version was detected in southeastern England back in September and later spread to Denmark, the Netherlands and Australia.


tass--2020-12-25--News on vaccines allow to see ‘light at the end of the tunnel,’ WHO representative says

`` The latest news on vaccines give us hope and we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel , and this light is becoming even brighter because even more countries undertake steps to organize and conduct inoculation , '' she said .
MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
The latest news on vaccines against the coronavirus inspire hope , `` the light at the end of the tunnel '' in the pandemic situation is becoming brighter , Melita Vujnovic , World Health Organization ( WHO ) representative in Russia , said in an interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same time she urged to keep in mind that the vaccines can end the pandemic but currently they do not represent an absolute solution of the problem .
`` Since the COVID-19 crisis continues , we still have to undertake all the necessary measures in order to prevent the spread of the virus and deaths .
One can not stop , it is necessary to continue to practice physical distancing , remain at home , if this is necessary , observing all measures that are introduced in order to ensure our safety , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reiterated the necessity to secure support of all countries in the issue of providing a fair access to the vaccines for the most vulnerable groups .
According to the latest global statistics , about 79.4 mln people have been infected worldwide and over 1.7 mln deaths have been reported .
To date , 2,992,706 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 2,398,254 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 53,659 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

"The latest news on vaccines give us hope and we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and this light is becoming even brighter because even more countries undertake steps to organize and conduct inoculation," she said.
MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. The latest news on vaccines against the coronavirus inspire hope, "the light at the end of the tunnel" in the pandemic situation is becoming brighter, Melita Vujnovic, World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Russia, said in an interview with TASS on Friday.
At the same time she urged to keep in mind that the vaccines can end the pandemic but currently they do not represent an absolute solution of the problem. "Since the COVID-19 crisis continues, we still have to undertake all the necessary measures in order to prevent the spread of the virus and deaths. One cannot stop, it is necessary to continue to practice physical distancing, remain at home, if this is necessary, observing all measures that are introduced in order to ensure our safety," she explained.
The WHO representative reiterated the necessity to secure support of all countries in the issue of providing a fair access to the vaccines for the most vulnerable groups.
According to the latest global statistics, about 79.4 mln people have been infected worldwide and over 1.7 mln deaths have been reported. To date, 2,992,706 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 2,398,254 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 53,659 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-12-25--Russian investment fund suspends Avifavir drug export due to high domestic demand

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) has suspended export of Avifavir @ @ @ @ @ high internal demand but intends to resume supplies over time , CEO of the Fund @ @ @ @ @ in an interview with the Rossiya-24 TV Channel .
Russia has already supplied Avifavir to @ @ @ @ @ for it is very high .
`` We have suspended supplies to overseas market at @ @ @ @ @ huge demand in Russia .
Accordingly , we make supplies on the territory of Russia @ @ @ @ @ when we will scale up volumes and there will be more of such drug in @ @ @ @ @ international deliveries , '' Dmitriev says .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) has suspended export of Avifavir coronavirus infection drug because of high internal demand but intends to resume supplies over time, CEO of the Fund Kirill Dmitriev says on Friday in an interview with the Rossiya-24 TV Channel.
Russia has already supplied Avifavir to 15 countries and the demand for it is very high. "We have suspended supplies to overseas market at the moment because of the huge demand in Russia. Accordingly, we make supplies on the territory of Russia only. Further on, when we will scale up volumes and there will be more of such drug in Russia, we will resume international deliveries," Dmitriev says.


tass--2020-12-25--Erdogan reveals he also believes Putin to be a man of his word

Putin says Erdogan always keeps his word despite differing views ANKARA , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Turkish President Recep @ @ @ @ @ counterpart Vladimir Putin to be an honest man who keeps his word .
Earlier , @ @ @ @ @ conference that Erdogan is a person `` who sticks to his word '' despite the @ @ @ @ @ can differ on certain issues . ''
`` In fact , these are the words @ @ @ @ @ - TASS ] as well , '' Erdogan told reporters after his Friday prayer .
@ @ @ @ @ , this is what I learnt about him .
He is indeed an honest man @ @ @ @ @ that Russia has become `` a rare country to keep its promises . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ `` strong ties '' were established with Moscow .
`` We [ Turkey and Russia @ @ @ @ @ our goals and I am certain we will continue to do so , '' he @ @

Putin says Erdogan always keeps his word despite differing views
ANKARA, December 25. /TASS/. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan believes his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to be an honest man who keeps his word.
Earlier, Putin told his annual press conference that Erdogan is a person "who sticks to his word" despite the fact that their views "can differ on certain issues."
"In fact, these are the words that describe him [Putin - TASS] as well," Erdogan told reporters after his Friday prayer. "After meeting Mr. Putin, this is what I learnt about him. He is indeed an honest man."
Erdogan also stressed that Russia has become "a rare country to keep its promises." The Turkish leader also noted that "strong ties" were established with Moscow. "We [Turkey and Russia] are confidently moving towards our goals and I am certain we will continue to do so," he added.


tass--2020-12-25--More than 260,000 conscripts drafted into Russian army during pandemic

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
More than 260,000 conscripts were drafted into Russia ’ s armed forces during the two military draft campaigns held amid the pandemic , Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said during a teleconference on Friday .
`` Amid the complex epidemiological situation two draft campaigns were held successfully .
In 2020 , more than 260,000 conscripts were drafted into the army , as expected , '' Shoigu said .
The military personnel ’ s social problems continued to be addressed this year .
`` Military servicemen ’ s wives were given jobs as promised and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for their children .
More than 111,000 servicemen were provided with housing , '' Shoigu said .
He noted the ongoing struggle against the coronavirus pandemic .
`` Strict quarantine regime was imposed at military academies and a reserve of beds at military hospitals , including some for civilians , was created .
PCR laboratories have been deployed .
About 6,000 tests are made there a day , '' Shoigu said .
He stressed that mass vaccination of the military personnel was continuing .
`` We have managed to bring down the average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a level below the nation ’ s average , '' Shoigu said .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. More than 260,000 conscripts were drafted into Russia’s armed forces during the two military draft campaigns held amid the pandemic, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said during a teleconference on Friday.
"Amid the complex epidemiological situation two draft campaigns were held successfully. In 2020, more than 260,000 conscripts were drafted into the army, as expected," Shoigu said.
The military personnel’s social problems continued to be addressed this year. "Military servicemen’s wives were given jobs as promised and places at kindergartens and schools were reserved for their children. More than 111,000 servicemen were provided with housing," Shoigu said.
He noted the ongoing struggle against the coronavirus pandemic. "Strict quarantine regime was imposed at military academies and a reserve of beds at military hospitals, including some for civilians, was created. PCR laboratories have been deployed. About 6,000 tests are made there a day," Shoigu said.
He stressed that mass vaccination of the military personnel was continuing. "We have managed to bring down the average infection rate in the armed forces to a level below the nation’s average," Shoigu said.


tass--2020-12-25--About 58% of Russian population already inoculated against flu, top sanitary doctor says

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
About 58 % of Russian population have been inoculated against the flu to @ @ @ @ @ Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Anna Popova said in @ @ @ @ @ TV channel aired on Friday .
`` There was an assignment of the President of @ @ @ @ @ I can say that 58 % of the total population of the Russian Federation have @ @ @ @ @ , we practically completed the task .
This is very important because the combination of @ @ @ @ @ unpleasant , complicated , '' she said .
The top sanitary doctor noted that it @ @ @ @ @ , despite the complicated epidemiological situation , it was possible to implement the vaccination schedule @ @ @ @ @ calendar .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. About 58% of Russian population have been inoculated against the flu to date, Head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Anna Popova said in an interview with the Russia-24 TV channel aired on Friday.
"There was an assignment of the President of the Russian Federation. Today I can say that 58% of the total population of the Russian Federation have been vaccinated against the flu, we practically completed the task. This is very important because the combination of two viruses may be extremely unpleasant, complicated," she said.
The top sanitary doctor noted that it is important that this year, despite the complicated epidemiological situation, it was possible to implement the vaccination schedule in accordance with the national calendar.


tass--2020-12-25--Putin keeps tabs on prices for socially vital goods, says Kremlin

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
The issue of price dynamics for socially significant goods is under constant control of Russian President Vladimir Putin , Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday .
`` The issue , of course , is under the constant control of the president and the government .
There is regular monitoring on this topic , so yes , it is controlled , '' Peskov said .
On December 22 , Russia ’ s State Duma ( lower house of parliament ) approved in the second reading the bill on state regulation of staple food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ document was issued as amendments to the second reading of the law on statistical accounting .
`` To stabilize retail prices for certain types of socially important foods on the territory of a substituent entity of the Russian Federation or on the territories of substituent entities of the Russian Federation the government of the Russian Federation has the right to set retail price ceilings for the period not exceeding 90 calendar days , '' the document reads .
Currently the Russian government can exercise that right only if growth of prices for mentioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 consecutive calendar days .
The amendments will enable the government to more rapidly respond to increases in price , First Deputy Speaker of the Duma Alexander Zhukov said earlier .
On December 9 , Russian President Vladimir Putin called for prevention of situations when country residents do not have enough money for foods .
He associated the food price hike in particular with an attempt to align domestic prices with the global market situation .
On December 16 , Russia ’ s Industry and Trade Ministry , Agriculture Ministry , the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ producers signed agreements stabilizing prices of sugar and sunflower oil .
The agreements will remain in force by the end of the first quarter of 2021 .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. The issue of price dynamics for socially significant goods is under constant control of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.
"The issue, of course, is under the constant control of the president and the government. There is regular monitoring on this topic, so yes, it is controlled," Peskov said.
On December 22, Russia’s State Duma (lower house of parliament) approved in the second reading the bill on state regulation of staple food prices initiated by the government. The document was issued as amendments to the second reading of the law on statistical accounting.
"To stabilize retail prices for certain types of socially important foods on the territory of a substituent entity of the Russian Federation or on the territories of substituent entities of the Russian Federation the government of the Russian Federation has the right to set retail price ceilings for the period not exceeding 90 calendar days," the document reads.
Currently the Russian government can exercise that right only if growth of prices for mentioned goods totals or exceeds 30% for 30 consecutive calendar days. The amendments will enable the government to more rapidly respond to increases in price, First Deputy Speaker of the Duma Alexander Zhukov said earlier.
On December 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin called for prevention of situations when country residents do not have enough money for foods. He associated the food price hike in particular with an attempt to align domestic prices with the global market situation.
On December 16, Russia’s Industry and Trade Ministry, Agriculture Ministry, the country’s largest retail chains and food producers signed agreements stabilizing prices of sugar and sunflower oil. The agreements will remain in force by the end of the first quarter of 2021.


tass--2020-12-25--First batch-produced Su-57 delivered to regiment in Southern Military District — source

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
The first batch-produced multi-role fifth-generation fighter jet Sukhoi-57 has been delivered to a regiment in the Southern Military District , a source in the defense-industrial complex told TASS on Friday .
`` The Aerospace Force has obtained the first batch-produced Sukhoi-57 plane .
It was delivered to a regiment in the Southern Military district , '' the source said , adding that another four such jets would be provided for the Aerospace Force in 2021 .
On December 7 , the CEO of the corporation Rostec , Sergey Chemezov , said that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage engine would be provided for the Russian military by the end of 2020 , and the first Sukhoi-57 equipped with the second stage engine would be assembled in 2022 .
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told the Defense Ministry ’ s board meeting that a total of 22 Sukhoi-57 planes would be provided by the end of 2024 .
Under a contract concluded in 2019 a total of 76 Sukhoi-57s are to be delivered by the end of 2028 .
The fifth generation Sukhoi-57 fighter jet is designed for destroying any type of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a supersonic cruising speed , intra-fuselage weapons , radar absorbing coating ( stealth technology ) and the newest set of onboard equipment .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. The first batch-produced multi-role fifth-generation fighter jet Sukhoi-57 has been delivered to a regiment in the Southern Military District, a source in the defense-industrial complex told TASS on Friday.
"The Aerospace Force has obtained the first batch-produced Sukhoi-57 plane. It was delivered to a regiment in the Southern Military district," the source said, adding that another four such jets would be provided for the Aerospace Force in 2021.
On December 7, the CEO of the corporation Rostec, Sergey Chemezov, said that the first serially manufactured Sukhoi-57 with a first stage engine would be provided for the Russian military by the end of 2020, and the first Sukhoi-57 equipped with the second stage engine would be assembled in 2022. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told the Defense Ministry’s board meeting that a total of 22 Sukhoi-57 planes would be provided by the end of 2024. Under a contract concluded in 2019 a total of 76 Sukhoi-57s are to be delivered by the end of 2028.
The fifth generation Sukhoi-57 fighter jet is designed for destroying any type of air and surface targets. It has a supersonic cruising speed, intra-fuselage weapons, radar absorbing coating (stealth technology) and the newest set of onboard equipment.


tass--2020-12-25--Russian armed forces coped with all tasks Putin had set for 2020, says defence chief

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s armed forces have coped with all of the tasks the @ @ @ @ @ year , Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said during a distance conference on Friday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ the supreme commander-in-chief had set for this period have been coped with , '' Shoigu @ @ @ @ @ at the enlarged meeting of the Defense Ministry ’ s board the head of state @ @ @ @ @ professionalism and smooth performance .
Shoigu said that the armed forces ’ combat capabilities grew @ @ @ @ @ `` The expected level of defense capability is maintained .
The nuclear triad guarantees strategic @ @ @ @ @ troops continued as scheduled , '' Shoigu said .
He recalled that the share of @ @ @ @ @ been increased to 70.1 % and 95 % of military equipment was in order .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. Russia’s armed forces have coped with all of the tasks the supreme commander-in-chief set for this year, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said during a distance conference on Friday.
"All of the tasks that the supreme commander-in-chief had set for this period have been coped with," Shoigu said.
He recalled that at the enlarged meeting of the Defense Ministry’s board the head of state thanked the military personnel for professionalism and smooth performance.
Shoigu said that the armed forces’ combat capabilities grew 13% this year.
"The expected level of defense capability is maintained. The nuclear triad guarantees strategic deterrence. The rearmament of troops continued as scheduled," Shoigu said.
He recalled that the share of newly-made or upgraded weapons had been increased to 70.1% and 95% of military equipment was in order.


tass--2020-12-25--Russia’s 2020 GDP contraction outlook upgraded to 3.8%, says minister

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Economic Development Ministry has upgraded its 2020 GDP contraction outlook to 3.8 % from 3.9 % projected earlier , Minister Maksim Reshetnikov said addressing members of the Federation Council on Friday .
`` After a decline in the second quarter , the economy is gradually recovering .
Our 2020 GDP projection is minus 3.8 % , which almost coincides with the outlook provided in August [ -3.9 % - TASS ] , '' he said .
`` The crisis did not become systemic , and its hitting systemic sectors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached last year ’ s level in 11 months of 2020 , agriculture gained 1.5 % , construction [ growth ] rates also stabilized , '' the minister said , adding that the OPEC+ crude output cuts agreement is restraining the recovery of physical indicators of the industry .
A representative of the Economic Development Ministry explained later that its monthly GDP projections , as well as quarterly GDP figures provided by Rosstat , are based on a number of assumptions on the dynamics of components , complete data on which are available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all about small businesses ) .
Moreover , by the moment when annual results are summarized actual data on certain such components become available - as a result annual projection may deviate from the ministry ’ s estimation of 12 months and from Rosstat ’ s estimation of 9 months .
`` This year such a scenario is highly probable due to strong uncertainty and changes in structural relations in the economy .
That is why the Economic Development Ministry sticks to a conservative approach to GDP estimations overall for the year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the ministry noted .
Earlier the ministry said that Russia ’ s GDP contraction slowed down to 3.7 % in annual terms in November after the revised 4.5 % in October , whereas in 11 months the contraction amounted to 3.5 % .
According to the ministry ’ s projections provided in September , Russia ’ s GDP contraction was expected at 3.9 % in 2020 .
In 2021 , GDP is expected to grow by 3.3 % .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. Russia’s Economic Development Ministry has upgraded its 2020 GDP contraction outlook to 3.8% from 3.9% projected earlier, Minister Maksim Reshetnikov said addressing members of the Federation Council on Friday.
"After a decline in the second quarter, the economy is gradually recovering. Our 2020 GDP projection is minus 3.8%, which almost coincides with the outlook provided in August [-3.9% - TASS]," he said.
"The crisis did not become systemic, and its hitting systemic sectors and enterprises was prevented. Manufacturing output almost reached last year’s level in 11 months of 2020, agriculture gained 1.5%, construction [growth] rates also stabilized," the minister said, adding that the OPEC+ crude output cuts agreement is restraining the recovery of physical indicators of the industry.
A representative of the Economic Development Ministry explained later that its monthly GDP projections, as well as quarterly GDP figures provided by Rosstat, are based on a number of assumptions on the dynamics of components, complete data on which are available on a yearly basis (first of all about small businesses). Moreover, by the moment when annual results are summarized actual data on certain such components become available - as a result annual projection may deviate from the ministry’s estimation of 12 months and from Rosstat’s estimation of 9 months.
"This year such a scenario is highly probable due to strong uncertainty and changes in structural relations in the economy. That is why the Economic Development Ministry sticks to a conservative approach to GDP estimations overall for the year, despite more positive 11M dynamics than expected," the ministry noted.
Earlier the ministry said that Russia’s GDP contraction slowed down to 3.7% in annual terms in November after the revised 4.5% in October, whereas in 11 months the contraction amounted to 3.5%.
According to the ministry’s projections provided in September, Russia’s GDP contraction was expected at 3.9% in 2020. In 2021, GDP is expected to grow by 3.3%.


tass--2020-12-25--Kremlin specifies Lancet article not official response to Russia’s request in Navalny case

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
The West has not yet provided an official response to Moscow 's request @ @ @ @ @ s alleged poisoning , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday , adding that @ @ @ @ @ Lancet journal could not be viewed as a response .
`` We don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ Peskov said , when asked if the Kremlin believed that the article was reason enough @ @ @ @ @ `` It is a journal for health professionals and we are not medical workers , @ @ @ @ @ stressed that the information the Kremlin had requested through official channels `` is not publicly @ @ @ @ @ still haven ’ t received it , so nothing has changed in this regard , @ @ @ @ @ the same time , the Russian presidential spokesman said that the Kremlin did not consider @ @ @ @ @ doctors to analyze The Lancet article .
`` We see no point in that , @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. The West has not yet provided an official response to Moscow's request concerning blogger Alexey Navalny’s alleged poisoning, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday, adding that an article published in The Lancet journal could not be viewed as a response.
"We don’t read medical journals," Peskov said, when asked if the Kremlin believed that the article was reason enough to open an investigation. "It is a journal for health professionals and we are not medical workers," he emphasized.
Peskov stressed that the information the Kremlin had requested through official channels "is not publicly available." "We still haven’t received it, so nothing has changed in this regard," he specified.
At the same time, the Russian presidential spokesman said that the Kremlin did not consider it necessary to ask Russia doctors to analyze The Lancet article. "We see no point in that," he stressed.


tass--2020-12-25--Vaccination not to influence COVID-19 situation at first, German expert thinks

BERLIN , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Vaccination which starts on December 27 in Germany `` at first won ’ t influence the epidemic '' of the coronavirus infection , President of the German Association for the Control of Viral Diseases Helmut Fickenscher said in an interview with the DPA news agency on Friday .
`` This is related to the fact that we simply need to inoculate a very large number of people and that for a long time we won ’ t have a sufficient amount of vaccine , '' he said .
According to him , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largely depends on how many residents will be inoculated , whether it will be 60 % or 80 % of the country ’ s population before the winter of 2021-2022 .
The expert thinks that it is unlikely that quarantine measures will be relaxed in Germany before April .
In Germany , since December 16 through January 10 at least a lockdown is in effect .
All retail enterprises are closed except for stores selling groceries , household goods , and basic necessities .
Hair salons , massage , beauty , and tattoo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , post offices , auto repair shops , gas stations , newsstands , pet shops remain open .
At private homes and apartments no more than five people can gather at once representing no more than two households .
This rule doesn ’ t apply to children under 14 .
During the period from December 24 to 26 , authorities allowed gatherings of 10 residents at the most , provided they are related .

BERLIN, December 25. /TASS/. Vaccination which starts on December 27 in Germany "at first won’t influence the epidemic" of the coronavirus infection, President of the German Association for the Control of Viral Diseases Helmut Fickenscher said in an interview with the DPA news agency on Friday.
"This is related to the fact that we simply need to inoculate a very large number of people and that for a long time we won’t have a sufficient amount of vaccine," he said. According to him, a positive development of the situation next year largely depends on how many residents will be inoculated, whether it will be 60% or 80% of the country’s population before the winter of 2021-2022. The expert thinks that it is unlikely that quarantine measures will be relaxed in Germany before April.
In Germany, since December 16 through January 10 at least a lockdown is in effect. All retail enterprises are closed except for stores selling groceries, household goods, and basic necessities. Hair salons, massage, beauty, and tattoo parlors are closed. Banks, pharmacies, post offices, auto repair shops, gas stations, newsstands, pet shops remain open.
At private homes and apartments no more than five people can gather at once representing no more than two households. This rule doesn’t apply to children under 14. During the period from December 24 to 26, authorities allowed gatherings of 10 residents at the most, provided they are related.


tass--2020-12-25--US unlikely to abide by collective decisions under Biden, says Lavrov

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
The United States won ’ t be willing to abide by collective decisions after Joe Biden takes office as president even if Washington rejoins organizations and agreements it left under Donald Trump , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a video conference meeting with participants in the Dialogue in the Name of the Future event , hosted by the Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund on Friday .
He emphasized that the US had withdrawn from UNESCO , the UN Human Rights Council , and the Paris Climate Agreement .
`` Some say that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inclined to return to international institutions but the current trend shows that even if the US rejoins some international organizations , the signal is clear that it is unwilling to abide by collective decisions that don ’ t fully reflect US interests , and such decisions are impossible to make , '' Lavrov added .
The Russian top diplomat also pointed to the United States ’ position within the World Trade Organization ( WTO ) .
`` The WTO Dispute Settlement Body has been non-operational for years for one simple reason : a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it efficient and the US keeps blocking efforts to form a quorum .
And since the mechanism is inefficient , it is impossible to consider grievances against the US that the EU and other countries file with the WTO , '' Lavrov stressed .
According to him , such actions create chaos in global trade and those who control key financial tools such as the dollar and the SWIFT system seek to take advantage of it .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. The United States won’t be willing to abide by collective decisions after Joe Biden takes office as president even if Washington rejoins organizations and agreements it left under Donald Trump, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a video conference meeting with participants in the Dialogue in the Name of the Future event, hosted by the Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund on Friday.
He emphasized that the US had withdrawn from UNESCO, the UN Human Rights Council, and the Paris Climate Agreement. "Some say that the new US administration will be more inclined to return to international institutions but the current trend shows that even if the US rejoins some international organizations, the signal is clear that it is unwilling to abide by collective decisions that don’t fully reflect US interests, and such decisions are impossible to make," Lavrov added.
The Russian top diplomat also pointed to the United States’ position within the World Trade Organization (WTO). "The WTO Dispute Settlement Body has been non-operational for years for one simple reason: a quorum is required in order to make it efficient and the US keeps blocking efforts to form a quorum. And since the mechanism is inefficient, it is impossible to consider grievances against the US that the EU and other countries file with the WTO," Lavrov stressed.
According to him, such actions create chaos in global trade and those who control key financial tools such as the dollar and the SWIFT system seek to take advantage of it.


tass--2020-12-25--Combat crews of S-400 air defense systems enter duty in the Urals

YEKATERINBURG , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Combat crews of the air defense missile systems S-400 Triumf , provided for @ @ @ @ @ the Central Military District in the Urals , have entered duty in the Sverdlovsk Region @ @ @ @ @ s press-service said in a news release on Friday .
`` In a special ceremony @ @ @ @ @ duty was read out to the personnel .
S-400 Triumf combat crews alerted the air @ @ @ @ @ perform the task of guarding the airspace in the Urals air defense zone of responsibility @ @ @ @ @ runs .

YEKATERINBURG, December 25. /TASS/. Combat crews of the air defense missile systems S-400 Triumf, provided for an air defense regiment of the Central Military District in the Urals, have entered duty in the Sverdlovsk Region, the military district’s press-service said in a news release on Friday.
"In a special ceremony the order to enter combat duty was read out to the personnel. S-400 Triumf combat crews alerted the air defense systems and began to perform the task of guarding the airspace in the Urals air defense zone of responsibility," the news release runs.


tass--2020-12-25--TASS sums up 2020’s most significant moments in pictures

An army conscript has his eyes checked while undergoing a medical examination at a regional recruiting office ahead of his @ @ @ @ @ base for service in the Russian Aerospace Forces , Ivanovo , May 20 © Vladimir @ @ @ @ @ and all Russia with a miracle-working icon of the Mother of God circles Moscow in @ @ @ @ @ from the COVID-19 pandemic , April 3 © Oleg Varov/Press Office of the Patriarch of @ @ @ @

Russian Emergency Situations Ministry employees carrying out disinfection of Kiyevsky Railway Station amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic in Moscow, May 18 © Vyacheslav Prokofyev/TASS
An aerial view of believers observing social distancing in front of the Assumption Cathedral during a religious service in Kolomna, June 7 © Dmitry Serebryakov/TASS
Employees in protective suits are seen during the funeral of a deceased COVID-19 patient at the Novoye Kolpinskoye cemetery in St Petersburg, May 6 © Peter Kovalev/TASS
A medical worker is sprayed with disinfectant at an entrance to the Clean Zone of a temporary hospital for COVID-19 patients at the Crocus Expo Exhibition Center, Moscow, May 25 © Valery Sharifulin/TASS
A medical worker in an intensive care unit at a temporary medical facility established for COVID-19 patients at Moscow City Clinical Hospital No 15 (Filatov Hospital), June 1 © Sergei Bobylev/TASS
US astronaut Christina Koch is seen after the landing of the space capsule of the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft carrying the ISS Expedition 61 crew members in a steppe, Kazakhstan, February 6 © Alexander Ryumin/TASS
An industrial climber clearing ice from suspension cables on Zolotoy Bridge across the Golden Horn Bay to Russky Island, Vladivostok, December 6 © Yuri Smityuk/TASS
Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft is seen from the International Space Station, October 14 © Ivan Vagner/Roscosmos/TASS
A polar bear is seen at Leningrad Zoo, St Petersburg, February 27 © Peter Kovalev/TASS
The burning of a large dead wood bridge made by performance artist Oleg Zhukovsky and his theatre La Pushkin, as part of the Maslenitsa celebrations at the Nikola-Lenivets Art Park, Kaluga region, February 29 © Dmitry Serebryakov/TASS
A man and a child dip in waters of the Neva River during Epiphany celebrations, St Petersburg, January 19 © Alexander Demianchuk/TASS
Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev are seen ahead of a meeting with Russian government members, their collective resignation announced, Moscow, January 15 © Dmitry Astakhov/POOL/TASS
Examining board member Taras Belousov is pictured behind a screen during entrance auditions for the Acting Department of the Russian University of Theatre Arts (GITIS), Moscow, July 1 © Vyacheslav Prokofyev/TASS
Pianist Denis Matsuev performing during a live broadcast from the empty Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, Moscow, March 20 © Valery Sharifulin/TASS
A man in protective gear disinfecting a train car at the Yerevan Metro, Yerevan, March 14 © Artur Harutyunyan/Yerevan City Administration/TASS
Road traffic on Trinity Bridge over the Neva River, St Petersburg, February 5 © Peter Kovalev/TASS
A patient at an intensive care unit of the COVID-19 treatment facility at Vinogradov City Clinical Hospital No 64, Moscow, April 28 © Valery Sharifulin/TASS
A worker cutting a tree, against the background of the Worker and Kolkhoz Woman monument, Moscow, April 9 © Artyom Geodakyan/TASS
Boys watching Msta-S self-propelled howitzers passing by during a rehearsal of a military parade marking the 75th anniversary of the victory in World War II, April 14 © Donat Sorokin/TASS
Women selling Orthodox icons amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Moscow, March 22 © Sergei Fadeichev/TASS
An Orthodox believer is seen at the entrance to the Transfiguration Church in Bolvanovka on the eve of Easter, Moscow, April 18 © Sergei Fadeichev/TASS
WWII veteran Grigory Bashkatov, 92, dancing during a celebration on Victory Day marking the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, Stavropol, May 9 © Alexander Pogozhev/TASS
Mi-8 helicopters flying over central Moscow during the dress rehearsal of the Victory Day air show marking the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, Moscow, June 20 © Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS
Stand up paddle boarders taking part in the 2020 Fontanka-SUP surfing festival on the Fontanka River, St Petersburg, August 8 © Peter Kovalev/TASS
An army conscript has his eyes checked while undergoing a medical examination at a regional recruiting office ahead of his departure to Ivanovo Severny air base for service in the Russian Aerospace Forces, Ivanovo, May 20 © Vladimir Smirnov/TASS
Sukhoi fighter jets of Lipetsk Aviation Centre flying in formation over Moscow's Bolshaya Dmitrovskaya Street during a Victory Day air show marking the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, May 9 © Sergei Fadeichev/TASS
An honour guard is seen at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier outside the Moscow Kremlin, May 5 © Mikhail Metzel/TASS
Patients are seen at a temporary medical facility set up at the Krylatskoye Ice Palace to treat COVID-19, Moscow, November 23 © Sergei Bobylev/TASS
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia with a miracle-working icon of the Mother of God circles Moscow in a car for the deliverance from the COVID-19 pandemic, April 3 © Oleg Varov/Press Office of the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia/TASS
Russia's President Vladimir Putin visiting a polling station at the Russian Academy of Sciences to vote in the 2020 Russian constitutional referendum, a national vote on proposed amendments to the Russian constitution, Moscow, July 1 © Alexei Druzhinin/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS
A manul cat with a two-month-old kitten at Novosibirsk Zoo, July 27 © Kirill Kukhmar/TASS
A bus with Zenit St Petersburg's players moving along Nevsky Avenue after their 2019/2020 Russian Premier League Round 27 football match against FC Sochi, St Petersburg, July 8. FC Zenit St Petersburg won FC Krasnodar 4-2, claiming the title of the Russian football champion four rounds before the actual final © Peter Kovalev/TASS
The towers of Russky Bridge are seen over the fog covered Vladivostok, May 26 © Yuri Smityuk/TASS
Participants in the Fun night race (20km) as part of the L'Etape Moscow by Tour de France in central Moscow, September 5 © Maxim Grigoryev/TASS
A live broadcast of Russian President Vladimir Putin's annual address to Russian Federal Assembly, seen on the screen of Leader Tower, St Petersburg, January 15 © Peter Kovalev/TASS
A young girl drinking from a large snifter during a graduation ceremony at the Margelov Ryazan Guards Higher Airborne Command School, Ryazan, May 9 © Alexander Ryumin/TASS
An aerial view of Norilsk, June 6 © Kirill Kukhmar/TASS
Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko planting young trees in Pripyatsky National Park in southern Belarus, April 25 © Maxim Guchek/BELTA/TASS
A lion cub seen in an enclosure at a safari zoo in Nadezhdinsky District, Primorye territory, May 14 © Yuri Smityuk/TASS
Law enforcement officers detaining a participant in the Bright March for Women’s Solidarity opposition event, Minsk, September 19 © Natalia Fedosenko/TASS
Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko making the V-signs during a rally of his supporters in Independence Square, Minsk, August 16 © Valery Sharifulin/TASS
Demonstrators protesting against the end of war in Nagorno Karabakh break into the building housing the residence of the Armenian prime minister and government offices in Yerevan, November 10 © Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS
Paralympic athlete Alexei Talai is pictured during a swimming pool training session, Minsk, July 27 © Natalia Fedosenko/TASS
Northern Lights, or Aurora borealis, is seen in the sky over Mount Lisya, Murmansk region, February 19 © Lev Fedoseyev/TASS
Russia's President Vladimir Putin is seen during his visit to the Center of Martial Arts sports school in Cherepovets, February 4 © Mikhail Metzel/TASS
A 2020 Rugby Europe Championship match between the men’s teams of Russia and Spain at Fish Stadium, Sochi, February 1 © Dmitry Feoktistov/TASS
Rescuers working at the site of an explosion in the city port of Beirut, August 6 © Maxim Grigoryev/TASS
A missile fragment of a BM-30 Smerch rocket by the Mingachevir Hydro Power Station, Azerbaijan, October 5 © Valery Sharifulin/TASS
People attending a ceremony to open an exhibition titled "Salvador Dali. The Magic Art" at the Moscow Manege Central Exhibition Hall, January 27 © Vyacheslav Prokofyev/TASS


tass--2020-12-25--Program for testing missile Tsirkon in 2020 completed successfully, source says

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
The program for flight-testing the hypersonic missile Tsirkon in 2020 has been completed , with three successful launches from the Northern Fleet ’ s frigate The Admiral Gorshkov carried out , a source in the defense-industrial complex told TASS .
`` In the outgoing year three scheduled launches were made : two against naval targets and one against an on-land surface target , '' the source said .
`` The accuracy was amazing .
All missiles hit the bull ’ s eye . ''
The military-industrial corporation NPO Mashinostroyeniya ( an affiliate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developed and manufactures the Tsirkon has refrained from comment .
For the first time a hypersonic cruise missile Tsirkon was launched from the frigate The Admiral Gorshkov at the beginning of October 2020 .
The missile , fired from the White Sea , hit a naval target in the Barents Sea .
It developed a maximum speed of Mach 8 and rose to an altitude of 28 kilometers .
The next launch followed in November .
The Tsirkon hit a naval target 450 kilometers away and developed a speed of above Mach 8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December 11 the Defense Ministry said there had been a third launch .
Test launches from The Admiral Gorshkov will be completed in 2021 .
Later , the missile will begin to be launched from the nuclear-powered submarine The Severodvinsk .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. The program for flight-testing the hypersonic missile Tsirkon in 2020 has been completed, with three successful launches from the Northern Fleet’s frigate The Admiral Gorshkov carried out, a source in the defense-industrial complex told TASS.
"In the outgoing year three scheduled launches were made: two against naval targets and one against an on-land surface target," the source said. "The accuracy was amazing. All missiles hit the bull’s eye."
The military-industrial corporation NPO Mashinostroyeniya (an affiliate of the Tactical Missiles Corporation), which developed and manufactures the Tsirkon has refrained from comment.
For the first time a hypersonic cruise missile Tsirkon was launched from the frigate The Admiral Gorshkov at the beginning of October 2020. The missile, fired from the White Sea, hit a naval target in the Barents Sea. It developed a maximum speed of Mach 8 and rose to an altitude of 28 kilometers. The next launch followed in November. The Tsirkon hit a naval target 450 kilometers away and developed a speed of above Mach 8, the Defense Ministry said. On December 11 the Defense Ministry said there had been a third launch.
Test launches from The Admiral Gorshkov will be completed in 2021. Later, the missile will begin to be launched from the nuclear-powered submarine The Severodvinsk.