tass--2020-07-27--Press review: US keeps threatening Nord Stream 2 and how a Biden win would impact Russia

Izvestia : Washington ’ s looming sanctions against Nord Stream 2 stir up rift between US , EU The United States continues its crusade against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project .
In the coming days , both houses of Congress are expected to agree on a bill expanding sanctions against European players in the pipeline ’ s construction .
According to Izvestia , Washington 's tough line opposing the project has already spoiled and may further undermine relations between the United States and Europe .
American senators have put forward restrictions against all participants in the pipe-laying work , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ships and technical equipment .
According to the US , the main reason for these restrictions against the pipeline is the desire to prevent Europe from becoming dependent on Russian energy supplies .
At the same time , Washington is clearly protecting the interests of its own liquefied natural gas producers eyeing the European market , Izvestia wrote .
Gazprom 's European partners will be the main targets of the new American sanctions .
Germany , the largest EU economy , met the looming sanctions with hostility .
According to Oliver Hermes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Washington ’ s threats create investment risks for the EU to the tune of roughly 12 bln euro , and the sanctions may affect about 120 companies from 12 European countries .
If the new US threats become a reality , Europe could introduce counter-sanctions , the newspaper wrote .
One of the most obvious options is a new hike in import duties on US goods - for example , on LNG .
The `` war of duties '' is already familiar territory for Europe and the United States , the question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Izvestia noted .
Analyst from Grand Capital Vladimir Rozhankovsky told the newspaper , such a confrontation may result in `` the nationalism of markets - Europe will roll out the ‘ Buy European ’ label as a slogan , while the United States will say ‘ Buy American ’ , and China , respectively , will push ‘ Buy Chinese ‘ `` .
Izvestia notes that this pattern of production and consumption will only lead to even greater self-isolation of national and regional economies against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffer the most , including the US itself .
Thus , by trying to `` turn off '' Russian gas to Europe , Washington is cutting the very branch on which they are sitting , Izvestia wrote .
Izvestia : Charter flights to popular Turkish resorts from Russia to resume on August 10 Turkish officials will permit charter flights from Russian cities to enter the country starting on August 10 , the Federal Air Transport Agency told Izvestia .
This will allow charter companies to load their planes and tour operators to increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flights were announced , sales began to soar , according to ticket aggregators .
However , experts caution that profitability on these flights will be high for the first two weeks , after which the passenger traffic may dry up .
The Federal Air Transport Agency told Izvestia , that charter flights to Turkey will open on August 10 to popular resorts , such as Antalya , Dalaman , and Bodrum .
Meanwhile , flights to London , Istanbul , Ankara , and the island of Zanzibar ( Tanzania ) will begin on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources in the aviation industry believe that passenger traffic to Turkey will be constrained .
`` If the authorities had warned about the resumption of flights a month in advance , passenger traffic on these international routes would have been significantly higher .
By the end of July , some tourists lost hope for open borders and chose vacations inside the country , having already booked flights and hotels , '' a source in one of the airport holdings told Izvestia .
Aeroflot spokesman Mikhail Demin called the government 's decision on opening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restoring full-fledged air traffic .
`` Of course , a complete recovery will take time .
Nevertheless , Aeroflot has always assumed that we must be operationally ready for the restoration of flights .
On August 1 , we will fly to London and Istanbul and will await further government decisions , '' he said .
According to experts , high demand in the first days after the resumption of flights was due to delayed demand .
General Director of Friendly Avia Support Alexander Lanetsky told the newspaper that many foreigners who were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a hurry to return home , taking advantage of the opportunity .
As of July 26 , since the beginning of the pandemic , 16.1 mln people have been infected with coronavirus around the world , and 645,000 people have died .
Hundreds of companies in dozens of countries are rushing to create a vaccine .
The first batches could be available to a limited number of consumers in a few weeks .
According to Vedomosti , the world 's first vaccination program for risk groups ( in particular , doctors ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A vector-based vaccine was developed at Oxford University and has been tested by AstraZeneca for more than three months .
A vaccine of the same type was created at the Moscow Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology .
Russia plans to manufacture both of these vaccines .
The Oxford vaccine will be produced by the R-Pharm company .
`` Now all the resources we have are used for vaccine production .
Later , we plan to introduce new capacities for the production of vaccines and drugs for the treatment of coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directors of the R-Pharm group of companies Alexey Repik told Vedomosti .
The project will be financed from the company 's own funds and by the Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) .
He did not say which of the vaccines will be manufactured first .
`` We are only at the beginning of the road .
In the fall , we hope to ensure commercial production so that representatives of risk groups can get the vaccine .
Our goal is to reach the monthly total volume of 100 mln doses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of AstraZeneca for Russia and Eurasia Irina Panarina , Russia will be one of the hubs for the production and supply of vaccines to international markets .
Exports are planned to more than 30 countries , including the Middle East , the Balkan region , and CIS countries .
Kommersant : What a Joe Biden election victory would mean for Russia With the US presidential election scheduled for November 3 , just over three months away , the outcome appears to be increasingly unpredictable .
Starting from June , former Vice President Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opinion polls .
According to experts interviewed by Kommersant , Biden ’ s potential victory could turn out to be disappointing for bilateral relations with Russia .
Biden is not expected to radically reconsider Washington ’ s sanctions policy against Russia .
According to Director of Programs at the Russian International Affairs Council Ivan Timofeev , Moscow will face one of two scenarios : either a moderately negative one or radically negative one .
A moderately negative scenario , according to him , is possible in the absence of a new `` crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the status quo in key areas of relations between the two countries .
`` Especially those that are the direct causes of the sanctions .
Among them are the situations in Ukraine and Syria .
It is also important that there are no new crises like the Skripal case , '' he said .
Any sort of easing of the sanctions or a normalization of relations will definitely not happen after the elections , the expert added .
At the same time , some space for maneuvering may appear in certain areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may be less inclined to put pressure on the European Union .
Perhaps , he could turn a blind eye to Nord Stream 2 , '' Timofeev added .
Arms control and the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction are perhaps the only areas where Biden can be expected to make progress that is beneficial to Russia , Kommersant wrote .
This concerns the New START ( Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty ) deal , which Biden has already promised to extend if elected .
As for American nuclear weapons in Poland , along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contingent there , Biden 's advisers have already promised to revise these plans .
Overall , his administration will try to make up for the damage done to Euro-Atlantic relations by Donald Trump , the newspaper wrote .
The share of unprofitable organizations in Russia in January-May 2020 amounted to 36 % .
At the same time , the profits of Russian enterprises more than halved , according to statistics .
Recovery of the service sector will be the longest among all basic economic activities , experts told Vedomosti .
However , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gas industry , as well as in the transportation sector .
In January-May 2020 , the financial results of organizations dropped by 51.6 % and amounted to 3.246 trillion rubles ( $ 45.35 bln ) compared to 6.702 trillion rubles ( $ 93.63 bln ) in January-May 2019 , according to the operational data of the Russian State Statistics Service .
Alim Bishenov , member of the general council of Delovaya Rossiya , told the newspaper that oil and gas companies reduced their profits due to falling energy demand and political agreements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the situation is complicated by the fact that companies can not plan their activities due to the likelihood of a second wave of coronavirus in the fall .
According to Georgiy Ostapkovich , head of the Center for Market Studies at the Higher School of Economics , personal services to the population suffered most from the coronavirus pandemic .
According to his forecasts , `` the process of recovery of the service sector will be the longest and most uncertain among all the consolidated basic types of economic activity '' and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , massive bankruptcies will be avoided , experts told Vedomosti .
`` State support kept many organizations afloat , less than 6 % of companies will leave the market , '' Bishenov said .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews

Izvestia: Washington’s looming sanctions against Nord Stream 2 stir up rift between US, EU The United States continues its crusade against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project. In the coming days, both houses of Congress are expected to agree on a bill expanding sanctions against European players in the pipeline’s construction. According to Izvestia, Washington's tough line opposing the project has already spoiled and may further undermine relations between the United States and Europe. American senators have put forward restrictions against all participants in the pipe-laying work, as well as companies engaged in insuring ships and technical equipment. According to the US, the main reason for these restrictions against the pipeline is the desire to prevent Europe from becoming dependent on Russian energy supplies. At the same time, Washington is clearly protecting the interests of its own liquefied natural gas producers eyeing the European market, Izvestia wrote. Gazprom's European partners will be the main targets of the new American sanctions. Germany, the largest EU economy, met the looming sanctions with hostility. According to Oliver Hermes, Chairman of the German Eastern Business Association, Washington’s threats create investment risks for the EU to the tune of roughly 12 bln euro, and the sanctions may affect about 120 companies from 12 European countries. If the new US threats become a reality, Europe could introduce counter-sanctions, the newspaper wrote. One of the most obvious options is a new hike in import duties on US goods - for example, on LNG. The "war of duties" is already familiar territory for Europe and the United States, the question is where it can lead to, Izvestia noted. Analyst from Grand Capital Vladimir Rozhankovsky told the newspaper, such a confrontation may result in "the nationalism of markets - Europe will roll out the ‘Buy European’ label as a slogan, while the United States will say ‘Buy American’, and China, respectively, will push ‘Buy Chinese‘". Izvestia notes that this pattern of production and consumption will only lead to even greater self-isolation of national and regional economies against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. The economies focused on the international market might suffer the most, including the US itself. Thus, by trying to "turn off" Russian gas to Europe, Washington is cutting the very branch on which they are sitting, Izvestia wrote. Izvestia: Charter flights to popular Turkish resorts from Russia to resume on August 10 Turkish officials will permit charter flights from Russian cities to enter the country starting on August 10, the Federal Air Transport Agency told Izvestia. This will allow charter companies to load their planes and tour operators to increase sales to the country. After the flights were announced, sales began to soar, according to ticket aggregators. However, experts caution that profitability on these flights will be high for the first two weeks, after which the passenger traffic may dry up.
Read also Aeroflot to resume flights to London and Istanbul from August 1
The Federal Air Transport Agency told Izvestia, that charter flights to Turkey will open on August 10 to popular resorts, such as Antalya, Dalaman, and Bodrum. Meanwhile, flights to London, Istanbul, Ankara, and the island of Zanzibar (Tanzania) will begin on August 1. The newspaper’s sources in the aviation industry believe that passenger traffic to Turkey will be constrained. "If the authorities had warned about the resumption of flights a month in advance, passenger traffic on these international routes would have been significantly higher. By the end of July, some tourists lost hope for open borders and chose vacations inside the country, having already booked flights and hotels," a source in one of the airport holdings told Izvestia. Aeroflot spokesman Mikhail Demin called the government's decision on opening flights an important and long-awaited step towards restoring full-fledged air traffic. "Of course, a complete recovery will take time. Nevertheless, Aeroflot has always assumed that we must be operationally ready for the restoration of flights. On August 1, we will fly to London and Istanbul and will await further government decisions," he said. According to experts, high demand in the first days after the resumption of flights was due to delayed demand. General Director of Friendly Avia Support Alexander Lanetsky told the newspaper that many foreigners who were waiting out the pandemic in Russia are in a hurry to return home, taking advantage of the opportunity. Vedomosti: Russia could launch COVID-19 vaccination program in August As of July 26, since the beginning of the pandemic, 16.1 mln people have been infected with coronavirus around the world, and 645,000 people have died. Hundreds of companies in dozens of countries are rushing to create a vaccine. The first batches could be available to a limited number of consumers in a few weeks. According to Vedomosti, the world's first vaccination program for risk groups (in particular, doctors) might be launched in Russia in August.
Read also Russian medical center files bid for WHO tender for coronavirus vaccine
A vector-based vaccine was developed at Oxford University and has been tested by AstraZeneca for more than three months. A vaccine of the same type was created at the Moscow Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. Russia plans to manufacture both of these vaccines. The Oxford vaccine will be produced by the R-Pharm company. "Now all the resources we have are used for vaccine production. Later, we plan to introduce new capacities for the production of vaccines and drugs for the treatment of coronavirus," Chairman of the board of directors of the R-Pharm group of companies Alexey Repik told Vedomosti. The project will be financed from the company's own funds and by the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). He did not say which of the vaccines will be manufactured first. "We are only at the beginning of the road. In the fall, we hope to ensure commercial production so that representatives of risk groups can get the vaccine. Our goal is to reach the monthly total volume of 100 mln doses," he said. According to CEO of AstraZeneca for Russia and Eurasia Irina Panarina, Russia will be one of the hubs for the production and supply of vaccines to international markets. Exports are planned to more than 30 countries, including the Middle East, the Balkan region, and CIS countries. Kommersant: What a Joe Biden election victory would mean for Russia With the US presidential election scheduled for November 3, just over three months away, the outcome appears to be increasingly unpredictable. Starting from June, former Vice President Joe Biden has consistently outpaced Donald Trump in opinion polls. According to experts interviewed by Kommersant, Biden’s potential victory could turn out to be disappointing for bilateral relations with Russia.
Biden is not expected to radically reconsider Washington’s sanctions policy against Russia. According to Director of Programs at the Russian International Affairs Council Ivan Timofeev, Moscow will face one of two scenarios: either a moderately negative one or radically negative one. A moderately negative scenario, according to him, is possible in the absence of a new "crisis of interference" and with the maintenance of the status quo in key areas of relations between the two countries. "Especially those that are the direct causes of the sanctions. Among them are the situations in Ukraine and Syria. It is also important that there are no new crises like the Skripal case," he said. Any sort of easing of the sanctions or a normalization of relations will definitely not happen after the elections, the expert added. At the same time, some space for maneuvering may appear in certain areas. "For example, Joe Biden may be less inclined to put pressure on the European Union. Perhaps, he could turn a blind eye to Nord Stream 2," Timofeev added. Arms control and the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction are perhaps the only areas where Biden can be expected to make progress that is beneficial to Russia, Kommersant wrote. This concerns the New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) deal, which Biden has already promised to extend if elected. As for American nuclear weapons in Poland, along with transferring a part of the US contingent there, Biden's advisers have already promised to revise these plans. Overall, his administration will try to make up for the damage done to Euro-Atlantic relations by Donald Trump, the newspaper wrote. Vedomosti: Total profit of Russian enterprises halved due to pandemic The share of unprofitable organizations in Russia in January-May 2020 amounted to 36%. At the same time, the profits of Russian enterprises more than halved, according to statistics. Recovery of the service sector will be the longest among all basic economic activities, experts told Vedomosti. However, the situation might soon improve in the oil and gas industry, as well as in the transportation sector. In January-May 2020, the financial results of organizations dropped by 51.6% and amounted to 3.246 trillion rubles ($45.35 bln) compared to 6.702 trillion rubles ($93.63 bln) in January-May 2019, according to the operational data of the Russian State Statistics Service.


tass--2020-07-27--Russian forest fires more than double in size in one week, says source

MOSCOW , July 27 .
/TASS/ .
Forest fires in Russia more than doubled in size in the past week @ @ @ @ @ TASS on Monday .
`` Forest fires more than doubled in size in one week @ @ @ @ @ East are facing the most difficult situation , '' he pointed out .
According to @ @ @ @ @ , a total of 148 forest fires engulfing 67,913 hectares were active in Russia as @ @ @ @ @ According to earlier reports , wildfires swelled from 18,000 hectares to 44,500 hectares in the @ @ @ @ @ same time , the area affected by fires shrank in the Yakutia region .

MOSCOW, July 27. /TASS/. Forest fires in Russia more than doubled in size in the past week, a forestry official told TASS on Monday.
"Forest fires more than doubled in size in one week. Siberia and the Far East are facing the most difficult situation," he pointed out.
According to the Aerial Forest Protection Service, a total of 148 forest fires engulfing 67,913 hectares were active in Russia as of the Monday morning. According to earlier reports, wildfires swelled from 18,000 hectares to 44,500 hectares in the Chukotka region. At the same time, the area affected by fires shrank in the Yakutia region.


tass--2020-07-27--Coronavirus cases in Armenia reach 37,390

YEREVAN , July 27 .
/TASS/ .
Coronavirus cases in Armenia grew by 73 in the past twenty-four hours to 37,390 , the republic ’ s Health Ministry reported on Monday .
`` In the past twenty-four hours , 73 new coronavirus cases were identified and 187 patients recovered from the illness .
To date , 26,665 people have recovered from the disease while the total number of infected people stands at 37,390 , '' the statement says .
Six coronavirus patients died at Armenian hospitals in the past day , bringing fatalities to 711 since the start of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data indicate .
The Armenian population equals 2.9 million people , which means that the coronavirus infection has been identified among about 1.2 % of the republic ’ s residents since the start of the pandemic in the country .
Over this time , about 157,000 coronavirus tests have been conducted in Armenia and about 24 % of them have been positive .
The Armenian government made a decision on July 13 to extend the emergency regime in the republic until August 12 due to the tense coronavirus situation .
In late December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 16,431,700 people have been infected worldwide and more than 652,400 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 10,056,300 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the globe .

YEREVAN, July 27. /TASS/. Coronavirus cases in Armenia grew by 73 in the past twenty-four hours to 37,390, the republic’s Health Ministry reported on Monday.
"In the past twenty-four hours, 73 new coronavirus cases were identified and 187 patients recovered from the illness. To date, 26,665 people have recovered from the disease while the total number of infected people stands at 37,390," the statement says.
A day earlier, Armenia reported 321 new coronavirus cases.
Six coronavirus patients died at Armenian hospitals in the past day, bringing fatalities to 711 since the start of the pandemic in the republic, the latest data indicate.
The Armenian population equals 2.9 million people, which means that the coronavirus infection has been identified among about 1.2% of the republic’s residents since the start of the pandemic in the country. Over this time, about 157,000 coronavirus tests have been conducted in Armenia and about 24% of them have been positive.
The Armenian government made a decision on July 13 to extend the emergency regime in the republic until August 12 due to the tense coronavirus situation.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 16,431,700 people have been infected worldwide and more than 652,400 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 10,056,300 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-07-27--About 300,000 foreigners obtained Russian citizenship this year

MOSCOW , July 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russian citizenship was obtained by over 300,000 people over the past six months which is almost twice the number compared to the previous year , head of the Russian Interior Ministry 's department on migration Valentina Kazakova said in an interview with the Rossiyskaya Gazeta daily .
`` We see an increase in applicants for the Russian citizenship , approximately more than twice the number compared to last year .
To put it in raw numbers , this [ means that ] about more than 300,000 people obtained Russian citizenship during the half-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to her , this situation is caused by the changes in the legislation that occurred during this year , including the reduction of the processing period of citizenship applications from six to three months .
Additionally , citizens of Belarus and Ukraine are exempted from the interview procedure if they can qualify as native speakers of Russian .
Additionally the official noted that since March because of the border closing due to the pandemic not many foreigners were entering Russia .
The main work concerns those who are in the country already .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that specified a special procedure for defining a legal status of foreign citizens on Russian territory , all migration subdivisions receive foreign citizens .
Since March , over 1.5 mln foreign nationals applied who want to regulate their legal status , that is , to receive permits , accordingly , to extend their visas , '' she noted saying that the decrease in applications of foreign nationals for various state services is approximately 30 % .

MOSCOW, July 27. /TASS/. Russian citizenship was obtained by over 300,000 people over the past six months which is almost twice the number compared to the previous year, head of the Russian Interior Ministry's department on migration Valentina Kazakova said in an interview with the Rossiyskaya Gazeta daily.
"We see an increase in applicants for the Russian citizenship, approximately more than twice the number compared to last year. To put it in raw numbers, this [means that] about more than 300,000 people obtained Russian citizenship during the half-year period," she said.
According to her, this situation is caused by the changes in the legislation that occurred during this year, including the reduction of the processing period of citizenship applications from six to three months. Additionally, citizens of Belarus and Ukraine are exempted from the interview procedure if they can qualify as native speakers of Russian.
Additionally the official noted that since March because of the border closing due to the pandemic not many foreigners were entering Russia. The main work concerns those who are in the country already.
"Considering the president’s decrees that specified a special procedure for defining a legal status of foreign citizens on Russian territory, all migration subdivisions receive foreign citizens. Since March, over 1.5 mln foreign nationals applied who want to regulate their legal status, that is, to receive permits, accordingly, to extend their visas," she noted saying that the decrease in applications of foreign nationals for various state services is approximately 30%.


tass--2020-07-27--Russia confirms over 5,600 COVID-19 cases in the past day

MOSCOW , July 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s coronavirus cases rose by 5,635 COVID-19 in the past day @ @ @ @ @ anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Monday .
According to the crisis center , the @ @ @ @ @ past six days did not exceed 0.7 % .
New 694 COVID-19 cases were confirmed @ @ @ @ @ Moscow , 252 in the Sverdlovsk Region , 188 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region , @ @ @ @ @ Region and 172 in St. Petersburg .
The lowest growth rate in the 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ Autonomous Region ( 0 % ) , the Moscow Region ( 0.2 % ) , @ @ @ @ @ % ) , Moscow ( 0.3 % ) , the Kaluga Region ( 0.3 % @ @ @ @ @ % ) , the Trans-Baikal Region ( 0.3 % ) , the Lipetsk Region ( @ @ @ @ @ ( 0.3 % ) .
To date , 201,437 people diagnosed with COVID-19 are ill @

MOSCOW, July 27. /TASS/. Russia’s coronavirus cases rose by 5,635 COVID-19 in the past day, reaching 818,120, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Monday.
According to the crisis center, the daily growth rate in the past six days did not exceed 0.7%.
New 694 COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the past day in Moscow, 252 in the Sverdlovsk Region, 188 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, 188 in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region and 172 in St. Petersburg. The lowest growth rate in the 24 hours was recorded in the Nenets Autonomous Region (0%), the Moscow Region (0.2%), the Lipetsk Region (0.2%), Moscow (0.3%), the Kaluga Region (0.3%), Kabardino-Balkaria (0.3%), the Trans-Baikal Region (0.3%), the Lipetsk Region (0.3%) and Sevastopol (0.3%).
To date, 201,437 people diagnosed with COVID-19 are ill.


tass--2020-07-27--Over 27 mln COVID-19 tests carried out in Russia

MOSCOW , July 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russian specialists have carried out more than 27 mln tests for the novel @ @ @ @ @ said on Monday .
Russian medical center files bid for WHO tender for coronavirus vaccine @ @ @ @ @ tests for the coronavirus have been conducted in Russia , '' the Federal Service for @ @ @ @ @ and Human Wellbeing reported .
Over the past day 239,000 tests were carried out .
@ @ @ @ @ sanitary watchdog reported that the number of conducted tests exceeded 26 mln .
According to @ @ @ @ @ people remain under medical supervision in Russia over a suspected coronavirus infection .

MOSCOW, July 27. /TASS/. Russian specialists have carried out more than 27 mln tests for the novel coronavirus, the sanitary watchdog said on Monday.
Russian medical center files bid for WHO tender for coronavirus vaccine
"More than 27.1 mln tests for the coronavirus have been conducted in Russia," the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing reported. Over the past day 239,000 tests were carried out.
On July 23, the sanitary watchdog reported that the number of conducted tests exceeded 26 mln.
According to the watchdog, some 263,759 people remain under medical supervision in Russia over a suspected coronavirus infection.


tass--2020-07-27--Hainan registers 107,000 market units over the past six months

HAIKOU , July 27 .
/TASS/ .
The Hainan authorities registered over 107,000 new private companies in January-June , which is by 22.27 % more than in the same period last year .
This was announced on Monday by the propaganda department of the provincial party committee .
According to data published during a government meeting devoted to boosting economic growth , there are already more than 1 million commercial organizations on Hainan , of which more than 980,000 are companies , retail outlets and other facilities that are not state-owned .
`` The private sector acts as a powerful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to changes in the market situation , '' reads a news article published on the official page on WeChat .
It clarifies that in six months , the added value of enterprises owned by private businesses on Hainan exceeded 163.9 billion yuan ( $ 23.4 billion at the current exchange rate ) .
`` This corresponds to about 68 % of the gross regional product .
Companies have shown stable growth in almost all industries , which indicates a positive trend , '' the island 's administration noted .
Moreover , acording to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of taxes received from January to June in the regional budget fell on private business .
`` The private sector is an indispensable component of the social and economic development of Hainan , '' the article underlines .
Earlier , the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Сhinese State Council published the “ General Program for the Establishment of a Free Port on Hainan , ” according to which the island ’ s administration intends to create an effective system to fulfill a number of important social and economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years to decisively enhance the innovative mechanisms for the region 's development .
By 2025 , the Chinese government intends to create an `` international center for tourism and consumption '' on Hainan .
In order to do so , the `` Eastern Hawaii '' with their unique natural landscapes , thick rainforests and great climate will establish a developed network of hotels , which blend perfectly with white sandy beaches stretching along the coastline .
The combination of an exotic subtropical nature and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the world .

HAIKOU, July 27. /TASS/. The Hainan authorities registered over 107,000 new private companies in January-June, which is by 22.27% more than in the same period last year. This was announced on Monday by the propaganda department of the provincial party committee.
According to data published during a government meeting devoted to boosting economic growth, there are already more than 1 million commercial organizations on Hainan, of which more than 980,000 are companies, retail outlets and other facilities that are not state-owned.
"The private sector acts as a powerful driver of development, it responds flexibly to changes in the market situation," reads a news article published on the official page on WeChat.
It clarifies that in six months, the added value of enterprises owned by private businesses on Hainan exceeded 163.9 billion yuan ($ 23.4 billion at the current exchange rate). "This corresponds to about 68% of the gross regional product. Companies have shown stable growth in almost all industries, which indicates a positive trend," the island's administration noted.
Moreover, acording to the authorities, up to 87% of taxes received from January to June in the regional budget fell on private business. "The private sector is an indispensable component of the social and economic development of Hainan," the article underlines.
Earlier, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Сhinese State Council published the “General Program for the Establishment of a Free Port on Hainan,” according to which the island’s administration intends to create an effective system to fulfill a number of important social and economic goals by 2025, and within 10 years to decisively enhance the innovative mechanisms for the region's development.
By 2025, the Chinese government intends to create an "international center for tourism and consumption" on Hainan. In order to do so, the "Eastern Hawaii" with their unique natural landscapes, thick rainforests and great climate will establish a developed network of hotels, which blend perfectly with white sandy beaches stretching along the coastline. The combination of an exotic subtropical nature and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to the island from the most distant parts of the world.


tass--2020-07-27--Kazakhstan’s coronavirus cases exceed 83,100

NUR-SULTAN , July 27 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Kazakhstan rose by 1,402 to 83,122 in the past 24 hours , the government ’ s interagency commission on coronavirus response said in a statement on Monday .
`` As many as 1,402 coronavirus patients were identified in the past day , 589 of them don ’ t have any symptoms .
A total of 83,122 cases have been confirmed in the country so far , '' the statement reads .
According to the commission , the number of recoveries has reached 52,571 .
A total of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as of July 26 .
Kazakh Health Minister Alexei Tsoi said on July 21 that the country ’ s coronavirus death toll had climbed to 610 .
According to the Russian Health Ministry , about 100 Russian doctors have been dispatched to Kazakhstan to help combat the pandemic .
In addition , Russia has provided medicine and personal protective equipment to the country .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

NUR-SULTAN, July 27. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Kazakhstan rose by 1,402 to 83,122 in the past 24 hours, the government’s interagency commission on coronavirus response said in a statement on Monday.
"As many as 1,402 coronavirus patients were identified in the past day, 589 of them don’t have any symptoms. A total of 83,122 cases have been confirmed in the country so far," the statement reads.
According to the commission, the number of recoveries has reached 52,571. A total of 1,894,815 coronavirus tests were conducted in Kazakhstan as of July 26.
Kazakh Health Minister Alexei Tsoi said on July 21 that the country’s coronavirus death toll had climbed to 610.
According to the Russian Health Ministry, about 100 Russian doctors have been dispatched to Kazakhstan to help combat the pandemic. In addition, Russia has provided medicine and personal protective equipment to the country.
Coronavirus pandemic
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-07-27--Russians evacuated from New York to Moscow by Aeroflot’s flight

NEW YORK , July 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russian nationals , who wished to return home , flew from New York to Moscow on Sunday by Aeroflot ’ s evacuation flight , according to information on John F. Kennedy International Airport ’ s website .
The flight has departed and is scheduled to arrive in Moscow ’ s Sheremetyevo Airport at 11:55 a.m. Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said in a statement published on his Facebook page that this was the 16th evacuation flight from the US .
`` Today 298 people stranded in the US at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including 17 infants , are coming back to their motherland , '' the ambassador said .
Among the passengers 40 people were on a humanitarian list drawn up by diplomats , Antonov noted .
`` It includes Russians , who need immediate repatriation due to urgent reasons .
As always , our special focus is on fellow countrymen from the most vulnerable social groups : ill and handicapped persons , old people and those who are facing a difficult situation .
Among the passengers of today ’ s flight is a family from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undergone a life-saving surgery in the US , '' he said .
Nearly 4,000 people have been evacuated `` since the start of organized evacuation of Russians from the US , '' Antonov said on July 5 .
After that a number of other evacuation flights were arranged .

NEW YORK, July 27. /TASS/. Russian nationals, who wished to return home, flew from New York to Moscow on Sunday by Aeroflot’s evacuation flight, according to information on John F. Kennedy International Airport’s website.
The flight has departed and is scheduled to arrive in Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport at 11:55 a.m.
Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said in a statement published on his Facebook page that this was the 16th evacuation flight from the US. "Today 298 people stranded in the US at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, including 17 infants, are coming back to their motherland," the ambassador said.
Among the passengers 40 people were on a humanitarian list drawn up by diplomats, Antonov noted. "It includes Russians, who need immediate repatriation due to urgent reasons. As always, our special focus is on fellow countrymen from the most vulnerable social groups: ill and handicapped persons, old people and those who are facing a difficult situation. Among the passengers of today’s flight is a family from Yekaterinburg with a baby, who had undergone a life-saving surgery in the US," he said.
Nearly 4,000 people have been evacuated "since the start of organized evacuation of Russians from the US," Antonov said on July 5. After that a number of other evacuation flights were arranged.


tass--2020-07-27--US State Department confirms closure of consulate general in China’s Chengdu

NEW YORK , July 27 .
/TASS/ .
US Department of State confirmed that the US consulate general in Chinese @ @ @ @ @ Monday , according to the Associated Press report .
Department of State announced that the @ @ @ @ @ time .
According to the AP report , the US diplomatic agency expressed its regret @ @ @ @ @ the consulate , adding that other missions in China will continue to operate .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ the consulate downed the US flag due to the closure .
On July 21 , @ @ @ @ @ its consulate general in Houston , citing alleged theft of US technologies , improper use @ @ @ @ @ and what it called an employee behavior , incompatible with a standard practice of diplomatic @ @ @ @ @ , Beijing demanded that the US close its consulate general in Chengdu .

NEW YORK, July 27. /TASS/. US Department of State confirmed that the US consulate general in Chinese city of Chengdu ceased operations Monday, according to the Associated Press report.
Department of State announced that the mission closed at 10:00 local time. According to the AP report, the US diplomatic agency expressed its regret in regards to closure of the consulate, adding that other missions in China will continue to operate.
Earlier, Chinese television reported that the consulate downed the US flag due to the closure.
On July 21, Washington demanded China to close its consulate general in Houston, citing alleged theft of US technologies, improper use of the student exchange system and what it called an employee behavior, incompatible with a standard practice of diplomatic behavior. The same day, Beijing demanded that the US close its consulate general in Chengdu.


tass--2020-07-27--Steven Seagal eyes Far East homestead program in Russia’s Buryatia

ULAN UDE , July 27 .
/TASS/ .
Hollywood actor and director Steven Seagal , who holds American , Serbian and Russian citizenship , announced his interest in the Far East Hectare program , which makes it possible to acquire a portion of land , during his visit to Russia ’ s Buryatia Region , the local government press service said Monday .
He arrived in Buryatia on July 21 , intending to visit Lake Baikal and the Ivolginsky Datsan , and also to familiarize himself with the culture and traditions of the Old Believers .
`` Steven Seagal is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Far East Hectare .
The Hollywood star would like to teach martial arts to the children of Buryatia and to protect Lake Baikal , '' the press service said .
Since the Far East Hectare program began , over 2,100 people have received land in Buryatia , and over 3,200 people were granted land in the Trans-Baikal Region .
Most often , the plots of land are acquired for residential construction .
The high filing activity in the Trans-Baikal Region is attributed to the fact that there is no buffer zone near the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , making it possible to obtain land 30 minutes away from the city center .
The buffer zone surrounding Buryatia ’ s capital city of Ulan Ude is being diminshed , as well .
On November 3 , 2018 , Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an order , transferring the two regions from the Siberian Federal District to the Far Eastern Federal District .
As of August 1 , land is to be offered via the Far East Hectare program there .
Locals can obtain land within 42 days of filing an application @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for five years .
Starting from February 1 , 2020 , all residents of the Far Eastern Federal District became eligible for the program .
As of August 1 , 2020 , the program will cover all Russian citizens and compatriots living abroad .

ULAN UDE, July 27. /TASS/. Hollywood actor and director Steven Seagal, who holds American, Serbian and Russian citizenship, announced his interest in the Far East Hectare program, which makes it possible to acquire a portion of land, during his visit to Russia’s Buryatia Region, the local government press service said Monday.
He arrived in Buryatia on July 21, intending to visit Lake Baikal and the Ivolginsky Datsan, and also to familiarize himself with the culture and traditions of the Old Believers.
"Steven Seagal is not ruling out his participation in the Far East Hectare. The Hollywood star would like to teach martial arts to the children of Buryatia and to protect Lake Baikal," the press service said.
Since the Far East Hectare program began, over 2,100 people have received land in Buryatia, and over 3,200 people were granted land in the Trans-Baikal Region. Most often, the plots of land are acquired for residential construction. The high filing activity in the Trans-Baikal Region is attributed to the fact that there is no buffer zone near the Region’s capital city of Chita, making it possible to obtain land 30 minutes away from the city center. The buffer zone surrounding Buryatia’s capital city of Ulan Ude is being diminshed, as well.
On November 3, 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an order, transferring the two regions from the Siberian Federal District to the Far Eastern Federal District. As of August 1, land is to be offered via the Far East Hectare program there. Locals can obtain land within 42 days of filing an application. They are exempt from land tax for five years. Starting from February 1, 2020, all residents of the Far Eastern Federal District became eligible for the program. As of August 1, 2020, the program will cover all Russian citizens and compatriots living abroad.


tass--2020-07-27--Kim Jong Un pays tribute to Pyongyang’s fallen soldiers in Korean war

TASS , July 27 .
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un took part in memorial events , dedicated to the 67th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement ( which country celebrates as the Victory Day ) , KCNA reported Monday .
According to the report , Kim Jong Un visited a burial site and laid flowers in remembrance of the fallen .
He noted that the feat of the soldiers is immortal and that their heroic combat spirit will forever be remembered in the DPRK .
The North Korean leader also awarded a number of Army commanders with award handguns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holiday , officially named the Day of Victory in the Patriotic Liberation War .
The war began on June 25 , 1950 and ended on July 27 , 1953 .
The Coalition of 177 UN nations , led by the US , fought on the South Korean side , while China and the Soviet Union supported the North .
The combat ended with the signing of the armistice in the border settlement of Panmunjom in the demilitarized zone between the North and the South of Korea .
Formally , the war continues to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has never been signed .

TASS, July 27. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un took part in memorial events, dedicated to the 67th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement (which country celebrates as the Victory Day), KCNA reported Monday.
According to the report, Kim Jong Un visited a burial site and laid flowers in remembrance of the fallen. He noted that the feat of the soldiers is immortal and that their heroic combat spirit will forever be remembered in the DPRK.
The North Korean leader also awarded a number of Army commanders with award handguns.
The armistice anniversary is a national holiday, officially named the Day of Victory in the Patriotic Liberation War. The war began on June 25, 1950 and ended on July 27, 1953. The Coalition of 177 UN nations, led by the US, fought on the South Korean side, while China and the Soviet Union supported the North.
The combat ended with the signing of the armistice in the border settlement of Panmunjom in the demilitarized zone between the North and the South of Korea. Formally, the war continues to this day, because the peace treaty has never been signed.


tass--2020-07-28--Putin: Work on ITER fusion reactor undisrupted despite COVID-19 pandemic

MOSCOW , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted the participants of the ceremony , dedicated to launching the assembly of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor ( ITER ) .
The head of state noted that the restrictions , introduced over the coronavirus pandemic , did not affect the work on the reactor and that the goals will be achieved in previously defined time span .
The president ’ s message was published on the Kremlin website Tuesday .
`` Today , the ITER project enters the crucial stage of its implementation .
Despite the coronavirus pandemic-related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the required pace of works .
This makes it possible to expect that the project ’ s goals will be achieved in the previously determined time span , and that , in foreseeable perspective , we will get a source of energy of unique power and safety , which will , undoubtedly , help solve the tasks of sustainable economic development and improve the quality of lives of millions of people , '' the message reads .
The president also noted that ITER is the largest international scientific and technical project , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mutually beneficial multilateral cooperation .
`` As you know , Russia as one of the founding countries of this initiative , aimed at making an important contribution to the humanity ’ s energy security , plays an active role in this initiative ’ s implementation , '' the message runs .
Putin underscored that the project is based on the tokamak device concept , invented in Russia .
The head of state thanked everyone who worked on the ITER project , and expressed special gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron , the leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the reactor .
The ITER project was established by an agreement between China , the EU , India , Japan , South Korea , Russia and the US .
The reactor is based on the tokamak device , invented by Soviet and Russian scientists , which is believed to be the most promising device for controlled thermonuclear fusion .
The project aims to show that thermonuclear energy could be used at an industrial scale .
The scale of the ITER project could be compared to the International Space Station and the Large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production and shipment of 25 high-tech systems for the future installation .
The installation is being constructed in southern France , near the Cadarache research center .

MOSCOW, July 28. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted the participants of the ceremony, dedicated to launching the assembly of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). The head of state noted that the restrictions, introduced over the coronavirus pandemic, did not affect the work on the reactor and that the goals will be achieved in previously defined time span. The president’s message was published on the Kremlin website Tuesday.
"Today, the ITER project enters the crucial stage of its implementation. Despite the coronavirus pandemic-related restrictions, it was possible to preserve the required pace of works. This makes it possible to expect that the project’s goals will be achieved in the previously determined time span, and that, in foreseeable perspective, we will get a source of energy of unique power and safety, which will, undoubtedly, help solve the tasks of sustainable economic development and improve the quality of lives of millions of people," the message reads.
The president also noted that ITER is the largest international scientific and technical project, which is a shining example of efficient and mutually beneficial multilateral cooperation. "As you know, Russia as one of the founding countries of this initiative, aimed at making an important contribution to the humanity’s energy security, plays an active role in this initiative’s implementation," the message runs.
Putin underscored that the project is based on the tokamak device concept, invented in Russia.
The head of state thanked everyone who worked on the ITER project, and expressed special gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron, the leader of the country that provided a site for the reactor.
The ITER project was established by an agreement between China, the EU, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the US. The reactor is based on the tokamak device, invented by Soviet and Russian scientists, which is believed to be the most promising device for controlled thermonuclear fusion. The project aims to show that thermonuclear energy could be used at an industrial scale.
The scale of the ITER project could be compared to the International Space Station and the Large Hadron Collider. Russia was tasked with production and shipment of 25 high-tech systems for the future installation. The installation is being constructed in southern France, near the Cadarache research center.


tass--2020-07-28--Air defense division goes on high alert in Volga area drills

MOSCOW , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
The Central Military District ’ s air defense division stationed in the Samara and Saratov regions went on high alert during tactical drills , the District ’ s press office reported on Tuesday .
`` Two regiments armed with S-400 and S-300 air defense systems were put on high alert , '' the press office said in a statement .
The air defense troops will make a march to new positioning areas , carry out engineer reconnaissance of the terrain , practice procedures within the required time limits for deploying surface-to-air missile systems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within their responsibility area , the statement says .
The drills that will end in mid-September involve over 500 personnel and about 100 items of military hardware .
At the third stage of the drills , the anti-aircraft gunners will hold a live-fire exercise at a training range in the Astrakhan Region against the targets that will simulate a notional enemy ’ s air attack weapons , the press office specified .
The S-300 is a long-range surface-to-air missile system designated to defend vital civilian and military installations against any air attack weapons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and unmanned aerial vehicles .
The S-400 ‘ Triumf ’ is the most advanced long-range air defense missile system that went into service in Russia in 2007 .
It is designed to destroy aircraft , cruise and ballistic missiles , including medium-range weapons , and can also be used against ground installations .
The S-400 can engage targets at a distance of 400 km and at an altitude of up to 30 km .

MOSCOW, July 28. /TASS/. The Central Military District’s air defense division stationed in the Samara and Saratov regions went on high alert during tactical drills, the District’s press office reported on Tuesday.
"Two regiments armed with S-400 and S-300 air defense systems were put on high alert," the press office said in a statement.
The air defense troops will make a march to new positioning areas, carry out engineer reconnaissance of the terrain and practice procedures within the required time limits for deploying surface-to-air missile systems and assuming combat duty for air defense within their responsibility area, the statement says.
The drills that will end in mid-September involve over 500 personnel and about 100 items of military hardware. At the third stage of the drills, the anti-aircraft gunners will hold a live-fire exercise at a training range in the Astrakhan Region against the targets that will simulate a notional enemy’s air attack weapons, the press office specified.
The S-300 is a long-range surface-to-air missile system designated to defend vital civilian and military installations against any air attack weapons: ballistic and cruise missiles, aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles.
The S-400 ‘Triumf’ is the most advanced long-range air defense missile system that went into service in Russia in 2007. It is designed to destroy aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, including medium-range weapons, and can also be used against ground installations. The S-400 can engage targets at a distance of 400 km and at an altitude of up to 30 km.


tass--2020-07-28--Share of imported vaccines on Russian market down to 17% in 2019

MOSCOW , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
The total share of imported vaccines in Russia contracted to 17 % in 2019 from 69 % in 2015 , Chief Executive Officer of the Russian state-run corporation Rostec Sergei Chemezov said on Tuesday at the meeting with President Vladimir Putin .
`` The share of our medical products is also growing ; it holds about 10 % on the market in present .
We have been actually close to zero just recently , '' the top manager said .
`` The pharmaceutical function also demonstrates successes .
The share of imported vaccines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be reduced from 69 % in 2015 to 17 % [ in 2019 - TASS ] , '' Chemezov noted .
The performance level of the state defense order for 2019 reached 99.5 % and the total number of contracts in this sphere increased by about 3,000 in the last year , as compared to 2019 , the top manager said .
`` Certainly , all the contracts under the state defense order were accomplished in due time .
The performance level covers almost all [ contracts ] - 99.5 % .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then there were 29,170 contracts in 2019 .
That is , we had a significant increase in the number of contracts , including growth of the contract performance level , '' he added .

MOSCOW, July 28. /TASS/. The total share of imported vaccines in Russia contracted to 17% in 2019 from 69% in 2015, Chief Executive Officer of the Russian state-run corporation Rostec Sergei Chemezov said on Tuesday at the meeting with President Vladimir Putin.
"The share of our medical products is also growing; it holds about 10% on the market in present. We have been actually close to zero just recently," the top manager said. "The pharmaceutical function also demonstrates successes. The share of imported vaccines on the Russian market was managed to be reduced from 69% in 2015 to 17% [in 2019 - TASS]," Chemezov noted.
The performance level of the state defense order for 2019 reached 99.5% and the total number of contracts in this sphere increased by about 3,000 in the last year, as compared to 2019, the top manager said.
"Certainly, all the contracts under the state defense order were accomplished in due time. The performance level covers almost all [contracts] - 99.5%. While we had 26,220 contracts in 2018, then there were 29,170 contracts in 2019. That is, we had a significant increase in the number of contracts, including growth of the contract performance level," he added.


tass--2020-07-28--Yars, Topol-M mobile ICBM systems embark on combat patrol in central Russia drills

MOSCOW , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
Topol-M and Yars mobile intercontinental ballistic missile ( ICBM ) systems embarked on combat patrol in drills that kicked off for the Strategic Missile Force in the Ivanovo Region , Russia ’ s Defense Ministry reported on Tuesday .
`` The drills of the Strategic Missile Force started in the Ivanovo Region .
During the maneuvers , the autonomous launchers of Topol-M and Yars mobile missile systems entered combat patrol routes , '' the ministry said in a statement .
The maneuvers involve about 100 items of military hardware , Russia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A column of Yars road-mobile missile systems overcame a notionally contaminated terrain section during the march .
Under the drills ’ scenario , notional saboteurs used chemical agents at distant approaches to field positions , '' the statement says .
After the military hardware exited the radioactive contamination area , the radiological , chemical and biological protection troops carried out full-scale disinfection of the missile systems ’ hardware , including the autonomous launchers , the ministry said .
During the drills , the personnel also detected , blocked and eliminated notional saboteurs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taifun-M combat anti-sabotage vehicles equipped with drones , Russia ’ s Defense Ministry said .
The RS-24 Yars is a Russian strategic missile system comprising a mobile or silo-based solid-propellant intercontinental ballistic missile with MIRV ( multiple independently targetable vehicle ) warheads .
The ICBM was developed by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology under the supervision of academician at the Russian Academy of Sciences Yuri Solomonov .
The Yars is a modification of the Topol-M missile system .

MOSCOW, July 28. /TASS/. Topol-M and Yars mobile intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) systems embarked on combat patrol in drills that kicked off for the Strategic Missile Force in the Ivanovo Region, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on Tuesday.
"The drills of the Strategic Missile Force started in the Ivanovo Region. During the maneuvers, the autonomous launchers of Topol-M and Yars mobile missile systems entered combat patrol routes," the ministry said in a statement.
The maneuvers involve about 100 items of military hardware, Russia’s Defense Ministry specified for TASS.
"A column of Yars road-mobile missile systems overcame a notionally contaminated terrain section during the march. Under the drills’ scenario, notional saboteurs used chemical agents at distant approaches to field positions," the statement says.
After the military hardware exited the radioactive contamination area, the radiological, chemical and biological protection troops carried out full-scale disinfection of the missile systems’ hardware, including the autonomous launchers, the ministry said.
During the drills, the personnel also detected, blocked and eliminated notional saboteurs, employing, in particular, the latest Taifun-M combat anti-sabotage vehicles equipped with drones, Russia’s Defense Ministry said.
The RS-24 Yars is a Russian strategic missile system comprising a mobile or silo-based solid-propellant intercontinental ballistic missile with MIRV (multiple independently targetable vehicle) warheads. The ICBM was developed by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology under the supervision of academician at the Russian Academy of Sciences Yuri Solomonov. The Yars is a modification of the Topol-M missile system.


tass--2020-07-28--Russia to restore air service with wider list of countries shortly — Foreign Ministry

`` We negotiate with a number of countries at the level of relevant ministries .
As soon as agreements are @ @ @ @ @ again .
It is the turn of the UK , Turkey and Tanzania .
I @ @ @ @ @ or weeks we will engage a wider list [ of countries ] , '' he @ @ @ @ @ service with the UK , Turkey and Tanzania since August 1 .
The citizens of @ @ @ @ @ to obtain visas and file invitations again .
In late March , Russia completely shut @ @ @ @ @ countries over the pandemic , allowing only repatriation , cargo and mail flights .

"We negotiate with a number of countries at the level of relevant ministries. As soon as agreements are reached, bilateral service begins again. It is the turn of the UK, Turkey and Tanzania. I believe that in several days or weeks we will engage a wider list [of countries]," he said.
Russia restores air service with the UK, Turkey and Tanzania since August 1. The citizens of these countries will be able to obtain visas and file invitations again.
In late March, Russia completely shut down air service with other countries over the pandemic, allowing only repatriation, cargo and mail flights.


tass--2020-07-28--Kiev brushes aside evidence damning Poroshenko on orders from West, says opposition

KIEV , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
Ukrainian law enforcement agencies refuse to react to the evidence of politicians who expose former president Pyotr Poroshenko ’ s actions during the 2014 'Maidan , ' and later , during his tenure as the head of state , at the behest of the West and incumbent president Vladimir Zelensky personally , Opposition Platform - For Life political party announced Tuesday .
Poroshenko before 'Maidan ' asked Yanukovich to let him become Kiev mayor , ex-lawmaker says '' The Ukrainian law enforcement agencies simply ignore the tapes of Onishchenko and Derkach , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ … ] Such silence is a deliberate policy of the Ukrainian authorities and Vladimir Zelensky in particular , '' the statement runs .
The party claims it is obvious that this happens `` under direct instructions of the Western strategic partners of Ukraine , '' who were interested in the 2014 coup d ’ etat in the country .
Earlier , former lawmaker and associate of Poroshenko David Zhvania made a series of claims , in which he accused the former president of corruption and called him one of the organizers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he himself , together with Pavel Klimkin , then-envoy to Germany who later became the Minister of Foreign Affairs , was involved in the handover of `` 5 million euro for then-senior European official through the Ukrainian embassy in Germany , in a bid to secure the EU ’ s support of Poroshenko ’ s presidential candidacy . ''
The former lawmaker also revealed how exactly Poroshenko and his associates , whom he called a criminal group , came to power in 2014 .
According to Zhvania , all of them sought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used the 'Maidan ' protesters as `` extras . ''
The former lawmaker claimed that Poroshenko received about $ 4 billion through corruption during his time in office .
The opposition party demanded that President Zelensky and all his `` entourage '' resigned voluntarily and that a `` total reboot of power '' via snap presidential and parliamentary elections took place .

KIEV, July 28. /TASS/. Ukrainian law enforcement agencies refuse to react to the evidence of politicians who expose former president Pyotr Poroshenko’s actions during the 2014 'Maidan,' and later, during his tenure as the head of state, at the behest of the West and incumbent president Vladimir Zelensky personally, Opposition Platform - For Life political party announced Tuesday.
Poroshenko before 'Maidan' asked Yanukovich to let him become Kiev mayor, ex-lawmaker says
"The Ukrainian law enforcement agencies simply ignore the tapes of Onishchenko and Derkach, and now the confessions of David Zhvania. […] Such silence is a deliberate policy of the Ukrainian authorities and Vladimir Zelensky in particular," the statement runs.
The party claims it is obvious that this happens "under direct instructions of the Western strategic partners of Ukraine," who were interested in the 2014 coup d’etat in the country.
Earlier, former lawmaker and associate of Poroshenko David Zhvania made a series of claims, in which he accused the former president of corruption and called him one of the organizers of the 2014 coup.
The politician disclosed that he himself, together with Pavel Klimkin, then-envoy to Germany who later became the Minister of Foreign Affairs, was involved in the handover of "5 million euro for then-senior European official through the Ukrainian embassy in Germany, in a bid to secure the EU’s support of Poroshenko’s presidential candidacy."
The former lawmaker also revealed how exactly Poroshenko and his associates, whom he called a criminal group, came to power in 2014. According to Zhvania, all of them sought to grab power for personal enrichment and used the 'Maidan' protesters as "extras." The former lawmaker claimed that Poroshenko received about $4 billion through corruption during his time in office.
The opposition party demanded that President Zelensky and all his "entourage" resigned voluntarily and that a "total reboot of power" via snap presidential and parliamentary elections took place.


tass--2020-07-28--Russian Black Sea Fleet frigate holds air defense drills in Mediterranean Sea

`` Under the drills ’ scenario , the frigate ’ s air defense alert team spotted a notional enemy ’ s aircraft approaching the ship , following which the personnel accomplished measures for repelling an air attack , '' the press office said in a statement .
SEVASTOPOL , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
The crew of the Black Sea Fleet ’ s frigate Admiral Makarov accomplishing missions within the Russian Navy ’ s permanent Mediterranean taskforce held drills for the ship ’ s air defense during its sea transit , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team of the combat information post detected and identified the notional target while the air defense crew successfully eliminated it with electronic launches of surface-to-air missiles when the adversary plane came within the destruction distance , the statement says .
The frigate Admiral Makarov is accomplishing assignments as part of the Russian Navy ’ s standing Mediterranean taskforce , the press office said .
The warships like the Admiral Makarov represent a new series of Project 11356R/M frigates ( the Project 11357 designation is also used ) .
These frigates are designed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ submarines and ground installations , carry out patrols and defend sea lanes .
The frigates of this Project are armed with eight launchers of Kalibr-NK cruise missiles that are capable of striking surface , coastal and underwater targets at a distance of up to 2,600 km .
The warships of this Project are also armed with Shtil-1 , Palash and AK-630M air defense missile and artillery systems , A-190 100mm universal artillery guns , torpedo tubes and RBU-6000 rocket launchers .
The frigates also have a take-off and landing strip and a hangar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or Ka-31 ) .
The Soviet Navy ’ s 5th Mediterranean Squadron served as a prototype for the Russian Navy ’ s permanent Mediterranean taskforce operating at present .
The 5th operational Soviet Squadron dealt with the tasks of naval presence in the Mediterranean theater of operations during the Cold War period .
Its main rival was the US Navy ’ s 6th Fleet .
The Soviet Squadron was disbanded on December 31 , 1992 , a year after the disintegration of the Soviet Union .
In 2013 , Russia started to create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s new permanent Squadron is dealing with planned and urgent combat missions arising in the Mediterranean theater of operations , including warding off threats to Russia ’ s national and military security .

"Under the drills’ scenario, the frigate’s air defense alert team spotted a notional enemy’s aircraft approaching the ship, following which the personnel accomplished measures for repelling an air attack," the press office said in a statement.
SEVASTOPOL, July 28. /TASS/. The crew of the Black Sea Fleet’s frigate Admiral Makarov accomplishing missions within the Russian Navy’s permanent Mediterranean taskforce held drills for the ship’s air defense during its sea transit, the Fleet’s press office reported on Tuesday.
During the drills, the shipboard team of the combat information post detected and identified the notional target while the air defense crew successfully eliminated it with electronic launches of surface-to-air missiles when the adversary plane came within the destruction distance, the statement says.
The frigate Admiral Makarov is accomplishing assignments as part of the Russian Navy’s standing Mediterranean taskforce, the press office said.
The warships like the Admiral Makarov represent a new series of Project 11356R/M frigates (the Project 11357 designation is also used). These frigates are designed to destroy enemy surface ships and vessels, submarines and ground installations, carry out patrols and defend sea lanes.
The frigates of this Project are armed with eight launchers of Kalibr-NK cruise missiles that are capable of striking surface, coastal and underwater targets at a distance of up to 2,600 km.
The warships of this Project are also armed with Shtil-1, Palash and AK-630M air defense missile and artillery systems, A-190 100mm universal artillery guns, torpedo tubes and RBU-6000 rocket launchers. The frigates also have a take-off and landing strip and a hangar for an anti-submarine warfare helicopter (Ka-27 or Ka-31).
Russian Navy’s Mediterranean Squadron
The Soviet Navy’s 5th Mediterranean Squadron served as a prototype for the Russian Navy’s permanent Mediterranean taskforce operating at present. The 5th operational Soviet Squadron dealt with the tasks of naval presence in the Mediterranean theater of operations during the Cold War period. Its main rival was the US Navy’s 6th Fleet. The Soviet Squadron was disbanded on December 31, 1992, a year after the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
In 2013, Russia started to create a new operational Mediterranean taskforce. Russia’s new permanent Squadron is dealing with planned and urgent combat missions arising in the Mediterranean theater of operations, including warding off threats to Russia’s national and military security.


tass--2020-07-28--UK Embassy in Moscow receives protest note from Foreign Ministry over LGBT flag display

MOSCOW , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
The UK Embassy in Moscow received a protest note from the Russian Ministry @ @ @ @ @ LGBT pride flag displayed on the embassy building in late June , a diplomatic source @ @ @ @ @ State Duma lawmaker Vasily Piskarev said that protest notes over displayed pride flags were sent @ @ @ @ @ , the US and Canada .
The UK Embassy in Moscow displayed the LGBT flag @ @ @ @ @ that , the US mission also raised the flag , recalling that the flag was @ @ @ @ @ activist Gilbert Baker and was first raised as a symbol of hope and diversity on @ @ @ @ @ during the 1978 Gay Freedom Parade in San Francisco .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said @ @ @ @ @ of the law banning gay propaganda among minors is unacceptable .

MOSCOW, July 28. /TASS/. The UK Embassy in Moscow received a protest note from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the LGBT pride flag displayed on the embassy building in late June, a diplomatic source told TASS.
Earlier, State Duma lawmaker Vasily Piskarev said that protest notes over displayed pride flags were sent to embassies of the UK, the US and Canada.
The UK Embassy in Moscow displayed the LGBT flag in late June. Before that, the US mission also raised the flag, recalling that the flag was created by US artist and activist Gilbert Baker and was first raised as a symbol of hope and diversity on June 25, 1978, during the 1978 Gay Freedom Parade in San Francisco.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in this regard that violation of the law banning gay propaganda among minors is unacceptable.


tass--2020-07-28--Russia provides coronavirus testing systems to 33 countries

MOSCOW , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has provided more than 800,000 coronavirus testing systems for free to 33 @ @ @ @ @ Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Anna Popova said during @ @ @ @ @ of the COVID-19 pandemic and HIV on the Sustainable Development Goals 3.3 on Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ our foreign partners by providing them with highly effective testing systems for free .
More @ @ @ @ @ been provided to 33 countries , '' Popova pointed out .
The watchdog chief earlier @ @ @ @ @ testing systems over to 32 countries .

MOSCOW, July 28. /TASS/. Russia has provided more than 800,000 coronavirus testing systems for free to 33 countries, Head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Anna Popova said during a virtual symposium dubbed Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and HIV on the Sustainable Development Goals 3.3 on Tuesday.
"We offer assistance to our foreign partners by providing them with highly effective testing systems for free. More than 800,000 testing systems have been provided to 33 countries," Popova pointed out.
The watchdog chief earlier said that Russia had handed testing systems over to 32 countries.


tass--2020-07-28--Kremlin holds back assessments on Belarusian presidential campaign

`` The election has not taken place yet .
We do not provide assessments of the electoral campaign .
We do not meddle in our closest ally ’ s internal affairs and will not do that in the future , '' he told journalists .
MOSCOW , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
Russia does not meddle in the Belarusian presidential campaign and provides no assessments , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists Tuesday .
Meanwhile , Peskov underscored that Belarus , the Union State , and further integration processes both within the Commonwealth of Independent States ( CIS ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as on the bilateral level , are important for Russia .
`` Of course , we hold those Belarusian representatives who reciprocate in high regard , as well as those who advocate further deepening of our allied relations , '' the spokesman said .
The presidential election in Belarus will take place on August 9 .
On July 14 , the Central Electoral Commission registered five presidential candidates , including incumbent president Alexander Lukashenko .
Two challengers - Viktor Babariko and Alexander Tsepkalo - were denied registration .
Representatives of the OSCE Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe stated that they will not be able to observe the election .
Instead , CIS representatives will observe the election .

"The election has not taken place yet. We do not provide assessments of the electoral campaign. We do not meddle in our closest ally’s internal affairs and will not do that in the future," he told journalists.
MOSCOW, July 28. /TASS/. Russia does not meddle in the Belarusian presidential campaign and provides no assessments, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Peskov underscored that Belarus, the Union State, and further integration processes both within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Eurasian Economic Union, as well as on the bilateral level, are important for Russia.
"Of course, we hold those Belarusian representatives who reciprocate in high regard, as well as those who advocate further deepening of our allied relations," the spokesman said.
The presidential election in Belarus will take place on August 9. On July 14, the Central Electoral Commission registered five presidential candidates, including incumbent president Alexander Lukashenko. Two challengers - Viktor Babariko and Alexander Tsepkalo - were denied registration.
Representatives of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe stated that they will not be able to observe the election. Instead, CIS representatives will observe the election.


tass--2020-07-28--Russia may re-open air service with South Korea and Maldives, says source

MOSCOW , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
At the next stage of reviving international air travel , Russia may restore @ @ @ @ @ the Maldives , a source close to the aviation authorities told TASS .
Earlier reports @ @ @ @ @ 1 , flights would be re-opened to Turkey , the United Kingdom , and Tanzania @ @ @ @ @ the Maldives may become the next countries we open air service with , '' the @ @ @

MOSCOW, July 28. /TASS/. At the next stage of reviving international air travel, Russia may restore flights to South Korea and the Maldives, a source close to the aviation authorities told TASS.
Earlier reports stated that starting from August 1, flights would be re-opened to Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Tanzania.
"South Korea and the Maldives may become the next countries we open air service with," the source said.


tass--2020-07-28--Press review: Can Turkey’s opened skies harm Russian tourism and Covid cuts Russia’s goals

The coronavirus pandemic could change Russia ’ s strategy for its national goals .
The Expert RA rating agency in their report dubbed `` National Projects : Expectations , Results , and Prospects '' forecast a reduction in funding for these projects in 2020 by 150 bln rubles ( $ 2.1 bln ) , and next year financing is anticipated to diminish by 100 bln rubles ( $ 1.3 bln ) , Izvestia wrote .
According to the authors of the report , future investments will provide the country 's economy with moderate support : in 2020 , the drop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 4.5 % , and next year , the implementation of the strategic goals will add 0.6 % .
This figure was previously planned to be almost three times higher , the newspaper wrote .
According to Expert RA ’ s analysts , the implementation of the National Projects was slowed both because the projects were not ready and because of the changes in priorities in the 2020 presidential message and in the new government , followed immediately by the pandemic .
Its consequences turned out to be multi-layered .
The budget went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and enormous spending was required , Izvestia wrote .
Some National Projects were bound for revision even before the pandemic , and the crisis only accelerated it , like with the Digital Economy project , associate professor at the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics Olga Lebedinskaya told the newspaper .
`` In 2019 , the budget for the program was cut by more than 50 % - from 3.5 bln to 1.6 bln rubles , '' she recalled .
Head of the Department of Corporate Finance and Corporate Governance at the Moscow Financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closer at the role of National Projects in Russians ’ current life .
`` The expected contribution to GDP from National Projects is not related to their efficiency or return on investment , but only arithmetically reflects the amount of funds spent that were previously collected by the state and withdrawn from economic circulation , '' he explained .
According to the expert , the National Projects should be adapted to the development strategy of small and medium-sized businesses , as well as the introduction of universal basic income for people who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support for automation .
Analysts continue to assess the costs for the Russian economy if the EU introduces a border carbon tax on carbon-intensive imports .
According to BCG consultants , monetary losses may be moderate , however , the outlook is pessimistic in terms of the time lost by the authorities and business to prepare for the innovations .
Russia , which has ignored the EU 's announcement of tighter carbon regulations for more than a decade , is now giving in to China , which has been preparing for a tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kommersant wrote .
According to BCG consultants , Russian exporters will suffer the most significant losses from the onset of these tighter regulations .
Russia ranks second after China in carbon-intensive supplies to the EU .
BCG analysts expect that the European Union will impose a tax of $ 30 per tonne at the end of 2021-early 2022 .
This will affect not only carbon-intensive supplies but indirectly all sectors of the Russian economy .
BCG calculated the direct losses of Russian exporters at $ 3-4.8 bln per year .
The oil and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bln , the ferrous metals and mining sector could shed $ 0.6-0.8 bln , the non-ferrous metals sector could see a hit of $ 0.3-0.4 bln , and the rest might lose $ 0.8-1.1 bln .
According to Kommersant , the situation for Russian exporters is complicated by the fact that with the advent of the tax , they will begin to lose not only money but also markets .
The losses to the Russian economy can exceed China ’ s due to the lack of efforts by the authorities and businesses to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to comply with international requirements , the newspaper wrote .
Although the EU has been warning about the potential introduction of such a tax for more than a decade , Russian carbon regulation continues to be under discussion .
Vedomosti : Lukoil intends to pour millions of dollars into Senegalese project Vagit Alekperov 's Lukoil will buy a 40 % stake in the RSSD ( Rufisque , Sangomar and Sangomar Deep ) hydrocarbon project in Senegal for $ 300 mln .
The agreement with Cairn Energy Plc also stipulates that after the start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bonus of $ 100 mln .
Lukoil ’ s press service told Vedomosti that the bonus payment and its value depend on the start date of production and the average oil price during the first six months of output .
The move is consistent with the company ’ s recent Africa venture .
The recoverable hydrocarbon reserves of the Sangomar field are about 500 mln boe ( barrels of oil equivalent ) .
The launch is set for 2023 , the planned production volume will be 5 mln tonnes of oil per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is being implemented under a production sharing agreement ( PSA ) .
Woodside , the project ’ s operator , owns 35 % of the shares , FAR has a 15 % stake , and the Senegalese state-owned company Petrosen owns 10 % .
The PSA guarantees a return on investment , but limits the amount of profitability , Raiffeisenbank ’ s Andrey Polishchuk told Vedomosti .
According to him , the average profitability of such projects in Russia , which is considered good , is about 16 % per year in foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at AMarkets Artem Deev recalled that in recent years , Lukoil has been intensively buying up promising projects on the African continent and in the Gulf of Mexico .
`` On the one hand , the company has a large free cash flow and can afford it .
On the other hand , in Russia , Lukoil no longer has the opportunity to expand its resource base : there are almost no large unallocated deposits left , and it is difficult to access the existing ones due to competition from state-owned companies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Karpunin , an expert at BCS Broker , said that the project that Lukoil is investing in was relatively small in comparison with the company 's financial indicators ( EBITDA for 2019 is almost $ 20 bln ) , so it will not affect capitalization .
Meanwhile , the company ’ s main owner and CEO Vagit Alekperov noted that the purchase of a stake in a project with a proven resource base at an early stage is fully consistent with the company ’ s strategy and enables it to strengthen Lukoil ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian government announced that flights to Turkey would be resumed , Antalya became the most popular destination among Russians .
At the same time , ticket prices to Antalya from Moscow shot up 42 % , and to Istanbul they were 30 % higher than last year , the Tutu.ru ticket aggregator told Izvestia .
Nonetheless , interest in Russian domestic destinations in August will remain high .
The Russian Association of Tour Operators ( ATOR ) assured the newspaper that the resumption of flights to Turkey would not hurt domestic tourism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been closed .
The Turkish parliament told Izvestia that the flow of passengers will not be one-way - businessmen will go from Turkey to Russia .
According to Tutu.ru , ticket prices to popular Russian resorts are lower than last year .
Nevertheless , the service recorded a drop in demand for flights to domestic destinations .
After the announcement of the resumption of air travel with Turkey , the demand for tickets to Simferopol , Sochi and Kaliningrad decreased by 10 % , the company noted .
Meanwhile , ATOR does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harm domestic tourism .
Russians had planned their vacations in advance , so there is no need to expect that August bookings will be shifted in favor of Turkey , Vice President of the association Dmitry Gorin explained to Izvestia .
`` Opening new destinations will not affect the flow of tourists to Crimea or to the Krasnodar Region , where 17 mln Russians went on vacation last year , while only 7 mln headed to Turkey .
Tourists picked Russia .
And this trend has been observed for the past three years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing to do with it , '' the expert emphasized .
Gorin also added that having a foreign alternative will have a positive impact on the Russian travel industry , because this will stimulate competition .
Reviving flights between Russia and Turkey will help strengthen economic ties , in particular , the inflow of investments , Turkish lawmaker Ozturk Yilmaz told Izvestia .
According to him , not only are Russians interested in Turkish resorts , but Turkish businessmen will also visit Russia .
The volume of mutual investments between Russia and Turkey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ankara became Russia ’ s fifth largest foreign trade partner .
The entry of Russian meat to the Chinese market has changed the general structure of buyers for this product .
China has become the largest export market for domestic poultry farmers , ahead of the former leader , Ukraine and the Donbass republics .
In the first half of 2020 , Russia more than doubled its meat exports , and the largest number of deliveries went to China , the Center for Industry Expertise of the Russian Agricultural Bank told RBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this period accounted for about 45 % of meat exported from Russia , yet with Hong Kong included that totaled 54 % .
Earlier , Ukraine was the top buyer of Russian meat , but in the first half of 2020 its share decreased from 28 % to 16 % , while rising in monetary terms from $ 42 mln to $ 53 mln .
From January to June 2020 , Ukraine imported 40,900 tonnes of meat from Russia , while deliveries to China amounted to 79,900 tonnes , which is 11 times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchases last year ( 7,000 tonnes ) , the newspaper wrote with reference to the federal center , Agroexport .
In total , in the first six months of 2020 , Russian enterprises exported meat and meat by-products to the tune of $ 336 mln , yet for the same period last year , supplies amounted to $ 149 mln .
On November 7 , 2018 , Moscow and Beijing signed protocols on veterinary and sanitary requirements for mutual supplies of frozen poultry meat and dairy products .
Thanks to the documents , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , goat and sheep milk , as well as products made from it received export opportunities to China .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews .

Izvestia: Coronavirus tests Russia’s National Projects
Read also Losses of Russian economy from pandemic less than in other countries — Central Bank
The coronavirus pandemic could change Russia’s strategy for its national goals. The Expert RA rating agency in their report dubbed "National Projects: Expectations, Results, and Prospects" forecast a reduction in funding for these projects in 2020 by 150 bln rubles ($2.1 bln), and next year financing is anticipated to diminish by 100 bln rubles ($1.3 bln), Izvestia wrote. According to the authors of the report, future investments will provide the country's economy with moderate support: in 2020, the drop in GDP will be 3.8% instead of 4.5%, and next year, the implementation of the strategic goals will add 0.6%. This figure was previously planned to be almost three times higher, the newspaper wrote. According to Expert RA’s analysts, the implementation of the National Projects was slowed both because the projects were not ready and because of the changes in priorities in the 2020 presidential message and in the new government, followed immediately by the pandemic. Its consequences turned out to be multi-layered. The budget went from a surplus to a deficit, and enormous spending was required, Izvestia wrote. Some National Projects were bound for revision even before the pandemic, and the crisis only accelerated it, like with the Digital Economy project, associate professor at the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics Olga Lebedinskaya told the newspaper. "In 2019, the budget for the program was cut by more than 50% - from 3.5 bln to 1.6 bln rubles," she recalled. Head of the Department of Corporate Finance and Corporate Governance at the Moscow Financial University Konstantin Ordov urges everyone to look closer at the role of National Projects in Russians’ current life. "The expected contribution to GDP from National Projects is not related to their efficiency or return on investment, but only arithmetically reflects the amount of funds spent that were previously collected by the state and withdrawn from economic circulation," he explained. According to the expert, the National Projects should be adapted to the development strategy of small and medium-sized businesses, as well as the introduction of universal basic income for people who have lost earnings against the background of state support for automation. Kommersant: EU carbon regulation might cost Russia roughly $4 bln annually
Read also Back to the caves? Putin warns ditching hydrocarbons would end civilization
Analysts continue to assess the costs for the Russian economy if the EU introduces a border carbon tax on carbon-intensive imports. According to BCG consultants, monetary losses may be moderate, however, the outlook is pessimistic in terms of the time lost by the authorities and business to prepare for the innovations. Russia, which has ignored the EU's announcement of tighter carbon regulations for more than a decade, is now giving in to China, which has been preparing for a tax in partnership with the European Union, Kommersant wrote. According to BCG consultants, Russian exporters will suffer the most significant losses from the onset of these tighter regulations. Russia ranks second after China in carbon-intensive supplies to the EU. BCG analysts expect that the European Union will impose a tax of $30 per tonne at the end of 2021-early 2022. This will affect not only carbon-intensive supplies but indirectly all sectors of the Russian economy. BCG calculated the direct losses of Russian exporters at $3-4.8 bln per year. The oil and gas sector might annually lose $1.4-2.5 bln, the ferrous metals and mining sector could shed $0.6-0.8 bln, the non-ferrous metals sector could see a hit of $0.3-0.4 bln, and the rest might lose $0.8-1.1 bln. According to Kommersant, the situation for Russian exporters is complicated by the fact that with the advent of the tax, they will begin to lose not only money but also markets. The losses to the Russian economy can exceed China’s due to the lack of efforts by the authorities and businesses to create an internal carbon market and mechanisms to comply with international requirements, the newspaper wrote. Although the EU has been warning about the potential introduction of such a tax for more than a decade, Russian carbon regulation continues to be under discussion. Vedomosti: Lukoil intends to pour millions of dollars into Senegalese project
Read also Azerbaijan’s Socar signs memorandum with Lukoil on three new Caspian projects
Vagit Alekperov's Lukoil will buy a 40% stake in the RSSD (Rufisque, Sangomar and Sangomar Deep) hydrocarbon project in Senegal for $300 mln. The agreement with Cairn Energy Plc also stipulates that after the start of production, it can be paid a bonus of $100 mln. Lukoil’s press service told Vedomosti that the bonus payment and its value depend on the start date of production and the average oil price during the first six months of output. The move is consistent with the company’s recent Africa venture. The recoverable hydrocarbon reserves of the Sangomar field are about 500 mln boe (barrels of oil equivalent). The launch is set for 2023, the planned production volume will be 5 mln tonnes of oil per year, Lukoil said. The project is being implemented under a production sharing agreement (PSA). Woodside, the project’s operator, owns 35% of the shares, FAR has a 15% stake, and the Senegalese state-owned company Petrosen owns 10%. The PSA guarantees a return on investment, but limits the amount of profitability, Raiffeisenbank’s Andrey Polishchuk told Vedomosti. According to him, the average profitability of such projects in Russia, which is considered good, is about 16% per year in foreign currency. Head of the analytical department at AMarkets Artem Deev recalled that in recent years, Lukoil has been intensively buying up promising projects on the African continent and in the Gulf of Mexico. "On the one hand, the company has a large free cash flow and can afford it. On the other hand, in Russia, Lukoil no longer has the opportunity to expand its resource base: there are almost no large unallocated deposits left, and it is difficult to access the existing ones due to competition from state-owned companies," the expert told Vedomosti. Vasily Karpunin, an expert at BCS Broker, said that the project that Lukoil is investing in was relatively small in comparison with the company's financial indicators (EBITDA for 2019 is almost $20 bln), so it will not affect capitalization. Meanwhile, the company’s main owner and CEO Vagit Alekperov noted that the purchase of a stake in a project with a proven resource base at an early stage is fully consistent with the company’s strategy and enables it to strengthen Lukoil’s presence in West Africa. Izvestia: Flight resumption to Turkey might undermine Russia’s domestic tourism sector After the Russian government announced that flights to Turkey would be resumed, Antalya became the most popular destination among Russians. At the same time, ticket prices to Antalya from Moscow shot up 42%, and to Istanbul they were 30% higher than last year, the Tutu.ru ticket aggregator told Izvestia. Nonetheless, interest in Russian domestic destinations in August will remain high. The Russian Association of Tour Operators (ATOR) assured the newspaper that the resumption of flights to Turkey would not hurt domestic tourism, since bookings for August have already been closed. The Turkish parliament told Izvestia that the flow of passengers will not be one-way - businessmen will go from Turkey to Russia.
Read also Aeroflot to resume flights to London and Istanbul from August 1
According to Tutu.ru, ticket prices to popular Russian resorts are lower than last year. Nevertheless, the service recorded a drop in demand for flights to domestic destinations. After the announcement of the resumption of air travel with Turkey, the demand for tickets to Simferopol, Sochi and Kaliningrad decreased by 10%, the company noted. Meanwhile, ATOR does not believe that opening up overseas flights will harm domestic tourism. Russians had planned their vacations in advance, so there is no need to expect that August bookings will be shifted in favor of Turkey, Vice President of the association Dmitry Gorin explained to Izvestia. "Opening new destinations will not affect the flow of tourists to Crimea or to the Krasnodar Region, where 17 mln Russians went on vacation last year, while only 7 mln headed to Turkey. Tourists picked Russia. And this trend has been observed for the past three years, that is, the coronavirus has nothing to do with it," the expert emphasized. Gorin also added that having a foreign alternative will have a positive impact on the Russian travel industry, because this will stimulate competition. Reviving flights between Russia and Turkey will help strengthen economic ties, in particular, the inflow of investments, Turkish lawmaker Ozturk Yilmaz told Izvestia. According to him, not only are Russians interested in Turkish resorts, but Turkish businessmen will also visit Russia. The volume of mutual investments between Russia and Turkey exceeds $20 mln. Last year, Ankara became Russia’s fifth largest foreign trade partner. RBC: China overtakes Ukraine as largest Russian meat buyer