tass--2020-06-16--North Korea vows to deploy forces to demilitarized zones

PYONGYANG , June 16 .
/TASS/ .
North Korea has announced plans to deploy its forces to the zones that had been demilitarized under the inter-Korean agreement , the General Staff of the Korean People 's Army said in a statement published by the Korean Central News Agency ( KCNA ) on Tuesday .
The Korean People 's Army is studying `` an action plan for taking measures to make the army advance again into the zones that had been demilitarized under the north-south [ Korea ] agreement , turn the front line into a fortress and further heighten the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the statement said .
`` Our army is keeping a close watch on the current situation in which the north-south relations are turning worse and worse , and getting itself fully ready for providing a sure military guarantee to any external measures to be taken by the Party and government , '' it said .
`` We will map out the military action plans for rapidly carrying out the said opinions to receive approval from the Party Central Military Commission . ''
On Monday , North Korea warned the South that its armed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over spreading leaflets insulting its supreme leadership .
On Saturday , the younger sister of Kim Jong-un , Kim Yo-jong , who is First Vice Director of the United Front Department of the Workers ' Party of Korea ( WPK ) , warned that Pyongyang was planning to take the next step soon .
She stressed the need to halt all ties with the South , announcing that further decisions would be made by the General Staff .
On June 9 , North Korea cut all lines of communications with Seoul in response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a hostile act violating inter-Korean peace agreements .
After the Pyongyang summit in September 2018 , the leaders of North and South Korea , Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in , signed a deal on withdrawing all troops from the demilitarized zone , disarming the servicemen on duty in the border village of Panmunjom and also reducing the number of observation posts in the demilitarized zone .

PYONGYANG, June 16. /TASS/. North Korea has announced plans to deploy its forces to the zones that had been demilitarized under the inter-Korean agreement, the General Staff of the Korean People's Army said in a statement published by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Tuesday.
The Korean People's Army is studying "an action plan for taking measures to make the army advance again into the zones that had been demilitarized under the north-south [Korea] agreement, turn the front line into a fortress and further heighten the military vigilance against the south," the statement said.
"Our army is keeping a close watch on the current situation in which the north-south relations are turning worse and worse, and getting itself fully ready for providing a sure military guarantee to any external measures to be taken by the Party and government," it said. "We will map out the military action plans for rapidly carrying out the said opinions to receive approval from the Party Central Military Commission."
On Monday, North Korea warned the South that its armed forces were preparing an act of retaliation over spreading leaflets insulting its supreme leadership. On Saturday, the younger sister of Kim Jong-un, Kim Yo-jong, who is First Vice Director of the United Front Department of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), warned that Pyongyang was planning to take the next step soon. She stressed the need to halt all ties with the South, announcing that further decisions would be made by the General Staff.
On June 9, North Korea cut all lines of communications with Seoul in response to its leaflets, which it condemned as a hostile act violating inter-Korean peace agreements.
After the Pyongyang summit in September 2018, the leaders of North and South Korea, Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in, signed a deal on withdrawing all troops from the demilitarized zone, disarming the servicemen on duty in the border village of Panmunjom and also reducing the number of observation posts in the demilitarized zone.


tass--2020-06-16--CSTO chief blasts West’s aggressive information policy

MOSCOW , June 16 .
/TASS/ .
Western countries pursue aggressive information policy against the member-states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization ( CSTO ) , the post-Soviet security bloc ’ s Secretary-General Stanislav Zas told a meeting of the organization ’ s Council of Parliamentary Assembly .
Political and military tensions have been on the rise in the eastern European direction , Zas noted .
`` The line towards the region ’ s militarization and developing military infrastructure continues .
The information aggression by certain Western states intensifies , '' the CSTO chief said .
One of destabilizing factors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alliance carried out near the borders of Belarus and Russia , Defender Europe-2020 , he noted .
The United States planned to use more than 28,000 troops , 287 tanks , 449 armored personnel carriers and 95 helicopters in these drills .
Another 17 countries planned to create their contingents and five multinational units were expected to be sent by the joint NATO forces in Europe .
However , the plans were reviewed over the coronavirus pandemic .
Earlier , the Russian General Staff noted that NATO member-states practiced striking targets on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drills near the Russian borders .
Moreover , during the preparations for the drills the attempts were recorded to bypass the provisions of the Vienna Document by splitting major maneuvers into smaller ones and also involving neutral states into the maneuvers .

MOSCOW, June 16. /TASS/. Western countries pursue aggressive information policy against the member-states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the post-Soviet security bloc’s Secretary-General Stanislav Zas told a meeting of the organization’s Council of Parliamentary Assembly.
Political and military tensions have been on the rise in the eastern European direction, Zas noted. "The line towards the region’s militarization and developing military infrastructure continues. The information aggression by certain Western states intensifies," the CSTO chief said.
One of destabilizing factors is massive military drills of the North-Atlantic Alliance carried out near the borders of Belarus and Russia, Defender Europe-2020, he noted.
The United States planned to use more than 28,000 troops, 287 tanks, 449 armored personnel carriers and 95 helicopters in these drills. Another 17 countries planned to create their contingents and five multinational units were expected to be sent by the joint NATO forces in Europe. However, the plans were reviewed over the coronavirus pandemic.
Earlier, the Russian General Staff noted that NATO member-states practiced striking targets on the territory of Russia during the Defender-Europe 20 drills near the Russian borders. Moreover, during the preparations for the drills the attempts were recorded to bypass the provisions of the Vienna Document by splitting major maneuvers into smaller ones and also involving neutral states into the maneuvers.


tass--2020-06-16--Nearly 37,000 Russians return home by evacuation flights since April

MOSCOW , June 16 .
/TASS/ .
Some 37,000 Russian nationals have come back home by evacuation flights over the past two months and a half , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told YouTube channel `` Solovyov LIVE . ''
`` We continue the evacuation endeavor .
Basically , we can say that most goals as of early April have been almost achieved .
Just over the past week 3,500 people returned .
Since the start of this effort our Russian flights have evacuated 32,000 people .
Another 5,000 were evacuated by foreign flights .
So , nearly 37,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early June , '' Zakharova said .
In case there are no direct flights from a country to Russia , Russian nationals can contact the embassy through a portal of state services and request assistance .
`` Our embassy in the country , where they are staying , where there are no regular or direct flights to Russia , will provide assistance < ... > by connecting these regular flights of a local country with our evacuation flights in the second or third countries , '' she explained .
This scheme helped to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australia , New Zealand , Canada , Singapore , the Philippines , Ireland and China , including Taiwan , Zakharova said .
Moscow remains a major hub for this evacuation effort and the work is underway to create several other centers for carrying out these flights , the diplomat noted .
Since March 27 , Russia has fully closed regular and charter international flights , and airlines can only perform special flights to bring passengers back home .

MOSCOW, June 16. /TASS/. Some 37,000 Russian nationals have come back home by evacuation flights over the past two months and a half, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told YouTube channel "Solovyov LIVE."
"We continue the evacuation endeavor. Basically, we can say that most goals as of early April have been almost achieved. Just over the past week 3,500 people returned. Since the start of this effort our Russian flights have evacuated 32,000 people. Another 5,000 were evacuated by foreign flights. So, nearly 37,000 people returned in April, May and early June," Zakharova said.
In case there are no direct flights from a country to Russia, Russian nationals can contact the embassy through a portal of state services and request assistance. "Our embassy in the country, where they are staying, where there are no regular or direct flights to Russia, will provide assistance <...> by connecting these regular flights of a local country with our evacuation flights in the second or third countries," she explained.
This scheme helped to evacuate some 150 people to Russia from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Singapore, the Philippines, Ireland and China, including Taiwan, Zakharova said.
Moscow remains a major hub for this evacuation effort and the work is underway to create several other centers for carrying out these flights, the diplomat noted.
Since March 27, Russia has fully closed regular and charter international flights, and airlines can only perform special flights to bring passengers back home.


tass--2020-06-16--Wife of jailed Russian national Bout ready to ask US to exchange him for Whelan

MOSCOW , June 16 .
/TASS/ .
Wife of Russian national Viktor Bout jailed in the United States is ready to send a request to the US authorities on exchanging her husband for US citizen Paul Whelan sentenced for espionage in Russia .
`` If this is needed , then certainly , I ’ m ready to write any request and any statement to the US president and the US Congress .
Because I want to recall that Viktor Bout has been jailed for 12 years and a half .
This is nearly half of his sentence , '' Alla @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Viktor , who is serving his sentence in Marion medium-security federal prison , Illinois , hardly knows about Whelan ’ s sentence , she said .
`` Unfortunately , Viktor now has no opportunity to get any information .
He is practically fully isolated , '' she noted .
`` Over the past weeks , we have not been in touch with him .
We had just one phone call a week ago for some 12 minutes .
The jail ’ s authorities explained this by the situation currently observed in the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I believe that everything here depends on the US political will because I know that our diplomats have addressed the US State Department and other agencies many times .
Unfortunately , so far no answers from the US to the Russian embassy ’ s requests have been officially received , as far as I know , '' she said .
On Monday , the Moscow City Court found Paul Whelan guilty of spying against Russia and sentenced him to 16 years in prison .
US citizen Paul Whelan , who also holds British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detained by the Russian Federal Security Service ( FSB ) on December 28 , 2018 in Moscow while on an alleged spy mission .
A criminal investigation was launched against him on espionage charges carrying a punishment of up to 20 years behind bars .
Whelan denied all the charges .
His defense insisted that the case had been fabricated , while Whelan ’ s activity in Russia was of a strictly humanitarian nature .
Viktor Bout was detained in Thailand ’ s capital Bangkok on the basis of an arrest warrant issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US request .
He was charged with illegal supplying weapons to a group called the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia , which Washington designated as a terrorist organization .
In 2010 , Bout was extradited to the United States .
In April 2012 , he was sentenced to 25 years in prison and fined $ 15 million .

MOSCOW, June 16. /TASS/. Wife of Russian national Viktor Bout jailed in the United States is ready to send a request to the US authorities on exchanging her husband for US citizen Paul Whelan sentenced for espionage in Russia.
"If this is needed, then certainly, I’m ready to write any request and any statement to the US president and the US Congress. Because I want to recall that Viktor Bout has been jailed for 12 years and a half. This is nearly half of his sentence," Alla Bout told RTVI television on Monday.
Viktor, who is serving his sentence in Marion medium-security federal prison, Illinois, hardly knows about Whelan’s sentence, she said. "Unfortunately, Viktor now has no opportunity to get any information. He is practically fully isolated," she noted. "Over the past weeks, we have not been in touch with him. We had just one phone call a week ago for some 12 minutes. The jail’s authorities explained this by the situation currently observed in the US, besides the pandemic."
"I believe that everything here depends on the US political will because I know that our diplomats have addressed the US State Department and other agencies many times. Unfortunately, so far no answers from the US to the Russian embassy’s requests have been officially received, as far as I know," she said.
On Monday, the Moscow City Court found Paul Whelan guilty of spying against Russia and sentenced him to 16 years in prison.
US citizen Paul Whelan, who also holds British, Canadian and Irish citizenship, was detained by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) on December 28, 2018 in Moscow while on an alleged spy mission. A criminal investigation was launched against him on espionage charges carrying a punishment of up to 20 years behind bars.
Whelan denied all the charges. His defense insisted that the case had been fabricated, while Whelan’s activity in Russia was of a strictly humanitarian nature.
Viktor Bout was detained in Thailand’s capital Bangkok on the basis of an arrest warrant issued by a local court based on a US request. He was charged with illegal supplying weapons to a group called the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, which Washington designated as a terrorist organization. In 2010, Bout was extradited to the United States. In April 2012, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison and fined $15 million.


tass--2020-06-15--Number of COVID-2019 cases across globe up by over 132,000 in past day

GENEVA , June 15 .
/TASS/ .
More than 132,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on June 15 , with the overall number of such cases exceeding 7.82 million , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Monday .
As of 11:00 Moscow time on June 15 , as many as 7,823,289 novel coronavirus cases and 431,541 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by 132,581 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 3,911 .
The WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the countries .
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 3,781,538 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 69,770 and the number of deaths - by 2,596 and reached 201,848 .
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 2,416,920 and the number of fatalities is 188,350 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 18,141 and the number of deaths - by 349 .
The East Mediterranean region has 778,200 cases and 17,077 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 19,649 and the number of deaths - by 437 .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States ( 2,057,838 ) , Brazil ( 850,514 ) , Russia ( 537,210 ) , India ( 332,424 ) , the United Kingdom ( 295,893 ) , Spain ( 243,928 ) , Italy ( 236,989 ) , Peru ( 225,132 ) , Iran ( 187,427 ) , and Germany ( 186,461 ) .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December 2019 .
Since then , cases of the new coronavirus have been reported from nearly all parts of the world .
On March 11 , 2020 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

GENEVA, June 15. /TASS/. More than 132,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on June 15, with the overall number of such cases exceeding 7.82 million, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Monday.
As of 11:00 Moscow time on June 15, as many as 7,823,289 novel coronavirus cases and 431,541 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 132,581 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 3,911.
The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries.
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 3,781,538. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 69,770 and the number of deaths - by 2,596 and reached 201,848.
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 2,416,920 and the number of fatalities is 188,350. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 18,141 and the number of deaths - by 349.
The East Mediterranean region has 778,200 cases and 17,077 fatalities as of June 15. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 19,649 and the number of deaths - by 437.
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States (2,057,838), Brazil (850,514), Russia (537,210), India (332,424), the United Kingdom (295,893), Spain (243,928), Italy (236,989), Peru (225,132), Iran (187,427), and Germany (186,461).
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019. Since then, cases of the new coronavirus have been reported from nearly all parts of the world. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-06-15--52 more coronavirus patients die in Moscow in past day

MOSCOW , June 15 .
/TASS/ .
Fifty-two more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day , bringing @ @ @ @ @ 3,386 , the city ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Monday .
`` Fifty-two @ @ @ @ @ have died in Moscow , '' it said , adding that the overall number of @ @ @ @ @ .
As of June 15 , as many as 207,264 coronavirus cases have been confirmed @ @ @ @ @ during the past day .
A total of 123,240 patients have recovered .
A campaign @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus antibodies continues in the capital city .
To date , 537,210 coronavirus cases have @ @ @ @ @ with 284,539 patients having recovered from the disease .
Earlier , the Russian government set @ @ @ @ @ keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, June 15. /TASS/. Fifty-two more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day, bringing the death toll up to 3,386, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Monday.
"Fifty-two coronavirus-positive patients diagnosed with pneumonia have died in Moscow," it said, adding that the overall number of coronavirus-related deaths has reached 3,386.
As of June 15, as many as 207,264 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Moscow, including 1,359 during the past day. A total of 123,240 patients have recovered. A campaign of voluntary testing for the coronavirus antibodies continues in the capital city.
To date, 537,210 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 284,539 patients having recovered from the disease. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-06-15--Coronavirus may not go after vaccine is developed, says expert

MOSCOW , June 15 .
/TASS/ .
The novel coronavirus may not go even after an efficient vaccine is developed , Tatiana Ruzhentsova , head of clinical research department of the Russian sanitary watchdog ’ s research institute of epidemiology , said on Monday .
`` By far not all vaccines and not all medicines we have can exterminate an infecting agent totally , '' she said in an interview with the Moskva-24 television channel .
`` Even when a vaccine and an efficient medicine are developed , there is a very small probability that the virus will be gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violation of sanitary and protective measures `` may trigger a surge [ in morbidity ] , which we see in other countries . ''
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said earlier that it was planned to launch production of an anti-coronavirus vaccine that was developed by the Vektor institute in September .
Mass production of a vaccine developed by the St. Petersburg research institute of vaccines of the Federal Medical Biological Agency will be launched in December 2020 .
To date , 537,210 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 7,091 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, June 15. /TASS/. The novel coronavirus may not go even after an efficient vaccine is developed, Tatiana Ruzhentsova, head of clinical research department of the Russian sanitary watchdog’s research institute of epidemiology, said on Monday.
"By far not all vaccines and not all medicines we have can exterminate an infecting agent totally," she said in an interview with the Moskva-24 television channel. "Even when a vaccine and an efficient medicine are developed, there is a very small probability that the virus will be gone for good."
She warned that violation of sanitary and protective measures "may trigger a surge [in morbidity], which we see in other countries."
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said earlier that it was planned to launch production of an anti-coronavirus vaccine that was developed by the Vektor institute in September. Mass production of a vaccine developed by the St. Petersburg research institute of vaccines of the Federal Medical Biological Agency will be launched in December 2020.
To date, 537,210 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 284,539 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 7,091 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-06-15--China Eastern, partners to set up new airline on Hainan

SANYA , June 15 .
/TASS/ .
China Eastern Airlines , together with four partners , including the largest China-based travel agency Trip.com Group , will set up an international airline for Hainan 's free trade port , www.hinews.cn reported .
The framework agreement on cooperation which will be called Sanya International Airline was signed between the parties last Saturday .
At least 51 % of the shares in this joint venture will be owned by China Eastern , the rest of the shares will be owned by Juneyao Airlines , Trip.Com , as well as Hainan Transportation Investment Holding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capital of the new airline , according to Shanghai Itzai Global , will account for 3-6 billion yuan ( from about $ 42- 846 million ) .
This agreement became part of a package of documents totaling 6.4 billion yuan ( about $ 903 million ) signed on Saturday for various projects in Haikou .
These are 35 agreements relating to the construction of a free trade port , industrial development and public services .
Earlier , the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Сhinese State Council published the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
In April 2018 , President Xi Jinping said that the Chinese authorities intend to actively involve Hainan in globalization and to draw foreign investors to the island province .
By 2050 , according to the authorities , the island should become a unique @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developed tourism , top-notch scientific , technical and financial potential , and modern medicine .
The branches of the best universities and offices of the most powerful corporations in the world will be located on the Island of Hainan .

SANYA, June 15. /TASS/. China Eastern Airlines, together with four partners, including the largest China-based travel agency Trip.com Group, will set up an international airline for Hainan's free trade port, www.hinews.cn reported.
The framework agreement on cooperation which will be called Sanya International Airline was signed between the parties last Saturday. At least 51% of the shares in this joint venture will be owned by China Eastern, the rest of the shares will be owned by Juneyao Airlines, Trip.Com, as well as Hainan Transportation Investment Holding and Sanya Development Holdings. The registered capital of the new airline, according to Shanghai Itzai Global, will account for 3-6 billion yuan (from about $ 42- 846 million).
This agreement became part of a package of documents totaling 6.4 billion yuan (about $ 903 million) signed on Saturday for various projects in Haikou. These are 35 agreements relating to the construction of a free trade port, industrial development and public services.
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.
In April 2018, President Xi Jinping said that the Chinese authorities intend to actively involve Hainan in globalization and to draw foreign investors to the island province. By 2050, according to the authorities, the island should become a unique international cluster with an advanced economy, developed tourism, top-notch scientific, technical and financial potential, and modern medicine. The branches of the best universities and offices of the most powerful corporations in the world will be located on the Island of Hainan.


tass--2020-06-15--Crashed US F-15’s pilot body found in North Sea

LONDON , June 15 .
/TASS/ .
The body of the pilot of the US F-15 that crashed in a @ @ @ @ @ been found in the North Sea off the British coast , the US Air Force @ @ @ @ @ the British Lakenheath air force base said via Twitter .
`` The pilot of the @ @ @ @ @ 48th Fighter Wing has been located , and confirmed deceased .
This is a tragic @ @ @ @ @ Wing community , and our deepest condolences go out to the pilot 's family and @ @ @ @ @ '' the fighter wing noted via its social media account .
It is specified that @ @ @ @ @ will not be disclosed until his family is informed about the accident .

LONDON, June 15. /TASS/. The body of the pilot of the US F-15 that crashed in a training flight on Monday has been found in the North Sea off the British coast, the US Air Force 48th Fighter Wing deployed at the British Lakenheath air force base said via Twitter.
"The pilot of the downed F-15C Eagle from the 48th Fighter Wing has been located, and confirmed deceased. This is a tragic loss for the 48th Fighter Wing community, and our deepest condolences go out to the pilot's family and the 493rd Fighter Squadron," the fighter wing noted via its social media account. It is specified that the pilot’s name will not be disclosed until his family is informed about the accident.


tass--2020-06-15--Coronavirus circulation level in Moscow down by 20 times on mid-March - expert

MOSCOW , June 15 .
/TASS/ .
Coronavirus circulation level among the population has decreased by 20 times in Moscow @ @ @ @ @ Alexander Gorelov , a deputy director of the Russian sanitary watchdog ’ s research institute @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
`` A key parameter that has been overlooked in official statistics is the @ @ @ @ @ not be confused with the number of cases .
Circulation after the 1,000th patient , @ @ @ @ @ has decreased by now by some 20 times , '' he said in an interview @ @ @ @ @ TV Channel One .
Currently , this index stands at less than one percent , @ @ @ @ @ in the capital city has stabilized , he added .
To date , 537,210 coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ Russia , with 284,539 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest @ @ @ @ @ .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, June 15. /TASS/. Coronavirus circulation level among the population has decreased by 20 times in Moscow as compared with mid-March, Alexander Gorelov, a deputy director of the Russian sanitary watchdog’s research institute of epidemiology, said on Monday.
"A key parameter that has been overlooked in official statistics is the virus circulation. It should not be confused with the number of cases. Circulation after the 1,000th patient, which was in mid-March, has decreased by now by some 20 times," he said in an interview with the Dok-Tok program on TV Channel One.
Currently, this index stands at less than one percent, which indicates that the situation in the capital city has stabilized, he added.
To date, 537,210 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 284,539 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 7,091 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-06-15--Russia sends note of protest to Ukrainian Foreign Ministry over Russophobic actions

MOSCOW , June 15 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Embassy in Kiev has referred a note of protest to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry following another Russophobic action staged in front of the Russian embassy on June 12 , the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday .
`` Following this action the Russian Embassy sent a note of protest to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry .
It points to the Ukrainian side ’ s unwillingness to implement its international liabilities to ensure normal operation of Russian diplomatic missions , as required by the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which Russia and Ukraine are signatories , '' the ministry said .
`` Another revolting anti-Russian action '' took place in Kiev on June 12 , Russia Day , the ministry recalled .
`` With the acquiescence of the authorities , a series of insulting Russophobic images were projected on the building of the Russian Embassy with the use of special equipment .
The counterintelligence department of Ukraine ’ s Security Service also demonstrated its ‘ creativity ’ having placed its logo on the buildings and billboards near Russian consulates general in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ministry noted .
`` We hope that Ukraine , a host of diplomatic and consular missions of other countries , will finally take due measures to prevent any violations of their normal operation or insulting actions , and will provide proper conditions for their normal work , relying on the principles of reciprocity and diplomacy traditions , '' the ministry said .

MOSCOW, June 15. /TASS/. Russia’s Embassy in Kiev has referred a note of protest to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry following another Russophobic action staged in front of the Russian embassy on June 12, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
"Following this action the Russian Embassy sent a note of protest to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry. It points to the Ukrainian side’s unwillingness to implement its international liabilities to ensure normal operation of Russian diplomatic missions, as required by the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, of which Russia and Ukraine are signatories," the ministry said.
"Another revolting anti-Russian action" took place in Kiev on June 12, Russia Day, the ministry recalled. "With the acquiescence of the authorities, a series of insulting Russophobic images were projected on the building of the Russian Embassy with the use of special equipment. The counterintelligence department of Ukraine’s Security Service also demonstrated its ‘creativity’ having placed its logo on the buildings and billboards near Russian consulates general in Kharkov, Odessa and Lvov," the ministry noted.
"We hope that Ukraine, a host of diplomatic and consular missions of other countries, will finally take due measures to prevent any violations of their normal operation or insulting actions, and will provide proper conditions for their normal work, relying on the principles of reciprocity and diplomacy traditions," the ministry said.


tass--2020-06-15--Moscow shooter who attacked police officers used powerful less-lethal gun

`` According to the information available , the attacker used T12 gun manufactured in Slovakia .
As of today , it is one of the most powerful less-lethal weapons that can be legally purchased in Russia .
It uses 12 mm caliber bullets .
It is possible that the perpetrator also used powerful munitions , which are currently banned in Russia , '' the source said .
MOSCOW , June 15 .
/TASS/ .
The man who shot at traffic police officers in Moscow on Monday used T12 less-lethal gun , which can potentially be lethal , a law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is underway to determine whether the shooter had a license to possess the weapon .
Earlier on Monday , traffic police officers stopped a taxi for violating traffic rules .
A passer-by then took out a traumatic gun and started shooting at the officers .
Three people , including two police officers , were wounded as a result .
One of them managed to apprehend the attacker .
According to the source , one of the police officers is in critical condition .
The shooter is said to have fired around 10 bullets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the retaliatory fire , apprehended and taken to hospital .
The source added that the assailant , 25 , came from Russia ’ s Ingushetia and was deliberately shooting at the officers without any obvious reason .
Criminal proceedings were launched into the shooting .

"According to the information available, the attacker used T12 gun manufactured in Slovakia. As of today, it is one of the most powerful less-lethal weapons that can be legally purchased in Russia. It uses 12 mm caliber bullets. It is possible that the perpetrator also used powerful munitions, which are currently banned in Russia," the source said.
MOSCOW, June 15. /TASS/. The man who shot at traffic police officers in Moscow on Monday used T12 less-lethal gun, which can potentially be lethal, a law enforcement agency source told TASS.
The probe is underway to determine whether the shooter had a license to possess the weapon.
Earlier on Monday, traffic police officers stopped a taxi for violating traffic rules. A passer-by then took out a traumatic gun and started shooting at the officers. Three people, including two police officers, were wounded as a result. One of them managed to apprehend the attacker.
According to the source, one of the police officers is in critical condition. The shooter is said to have fired around 10 bullets at the officers. He was injured in the retaliatory fire, apprehended and taken to hospital. The source added that the assailant, 25, came from Russia’s Ingushetia and was deliberately shooting at the officers without any obvious reason.
Criminal proceedings were launched into the shooting.


tass--2020-06-15--US Department of Justice declines to comment on speculations about prisoner exchanges

`` We decline comment .
Thank you , '' Nicole Navas Oxman , Senior Communications Advisor for International Law Enforcement/Spokesperson in the Department of Justice , told TASS on Monday when asked whether the US administration was looking into the option of exchanging inmates in Russian and US jails .
WASHINGTON , June 15./TASS/ .
The US Department of Justice declines to comment on guesswork concerning the possibility of exchanging Russian and US inmates in the light of the jail sentence for espionage passed on Paul Whelan on Monday .
Spy swap in the offing ?
Exchange for Whelan to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meanwhile , US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan said on Monday that he was in no position to discuss prisoner exchanges .
`` Paul has now just become a convict in the Russian system .
I ’ m advocating for justice for Paul .
.
.
.
What we ’ re looking for is not an exchange , we ’ re looking for justice for Paul Whelan . ''
Earlier , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that the charges brought against Whelan were `` proven in and accepted by the court '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a political prisoner .
At the same time , Peskov declined to comment on the court ’ s decision and Whelan ’ s future .
On Monday , the Moscow City Court found Whelan guilty of spying against Russia and sentenced him to 16 years in prison .
US citizen Paul Whelan , who also holds British , Canadian and Irish citizenship , was detained by the Russian Federal Security Service ( FSB ) on December 28 , 2018 in Moscow while on a spy mission .
A criminal investigation was launched against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of up to 20 years behind bars .
Whelan ’ s attorney Vladimir Zherebenkov told TASS on Monday that a deal to swap Paul Whelan for Russian nationals Viktor Bout or Konstantin Yaroshenko incarcerated in American prisons could be looked into after the sentence came into effect .

"We decline comment. Thank you," Nicole Navas Oxman, Senior Communications Advisor for International Law Enforcement/Spokesperson in the Department of Justice, told TASS on Monday when asked whether the US administration was looking into the option of exchanging inmates in Russian and US jails.
WASHINGTON, June 15./TASS/. The US Department of Justice declines to comment on guesswork concerning the possibility of exchanging Russian and US inmates in the light of the jail sentence for espionage passed on Paul Whelan on Monday.
Spy swap in the offing? Exchange for Whelan to be considered after sentence, says lawyer
Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan said on Monday that he was in no position to discuss prisoner exchanges. "Paul has now just become a convict in the Russian system. I’m advocating for justice for Paul. . . . What we’re looking for is not an exchange, we’re looking for justice for Paul Whelan."
Earlier, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that the charges brought against Whelan were "proven in and accepted by the court" and that he could not be considered as a political prisoner. At the same time, Peskov declined to comment on the court’s decision and Whelan’s future.
On Monday, the Moscow City Court found Whelan guilty of spying against Russia and sentenced him to 16 years in prison. US citizen Paul Whelan, who also holds British, Canadian and Irish citizenship, was detained by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) on December 28, 2018 in Moscow while on a spy mission. A criminal investigation was launched against him on espionage charges carrying a punishment of up to 20 years behind bars.
Whelan’s attorney Vladimir Zherebenkov told TASS on Monday that a deal to swap Paul Whelan for Russian nationals Viktor Bout or Konstantin Yaroshenko incarcerated in American prisons could be looked into after the sentence came into effect.


tass--2020-06-15--Moscow shooter who attacked police officers acted alone, had no accomplices

`` Preliminary reports suggest that the man who opened fire and wounded two police officers on Moscow ’ s Leninsky Prospekt acted alone without any accomplices , '' TASS was told .
MOSCOW , June 15 .
/TASS/ .
The man who opened fire at police officers in Moscow was a lone wolf and did not have any accomplices , a source in the law enforcement agencies told TASS .
Earlier on Monday , traffic police officers stopped a taxi for violating traffic rules .
A passer-by then took out a traumatic gun and started shooting , wounding two police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apprehend the attacker .
According to the source , one of the police officers is in critical condition .
The shooter is said to have fired around 10 bullets at the officers .
He was injured in the retaliatory fire , apprehended and taken to hospital .
The source added that the perpetrator , 25 , came from Russia ’ s Ingushetia and was deliberately shooting at the officers without any obvious reason .
The police clarified that he used a weapon reconfigured into a combat one .
The man had no previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wanted list , a source in Ingushetia ’ s law enforcement told TASS .
`` The regional branch of the Interior Ministry received a request for an inquiry from Moscow .
The man never came to the attention of law enforcement officers , was not a member of illegal armed groups , was not prosecuted and was not on the wanted list , '' TASS was told .
Criminal proceedings were launched into the shooting .

"Preliminary reports suggest that the man who opened fire and wounded two police officers on Moscow’s Leninsky Prospekt acted alone without any accomplices," TASS was told.
MOSCOW, June 15. /TASS/. The man who opened fire at police officers in Moscow was a lone wolf and did not have any accomplices, a source in the law enforcement agencies told TASS.
Earlier on Monday, traffic police officers stopped a taxi for violating traffic rules. A passer-by then took out a traumatic gun and started shooting, wounding two police officers. One of them managed to apprehend the attacker.
According to the source, one of the police officers is in critical condition. The shooter is said to have fired around 10 bullets at the officers. He was injured in the retaliatory fire, apprehended and taken to hospital. The source added that the perpetrator, 25, came from Russia’s Ingushetia and was deliberately shooting at the officers without any obvious reason. The police clarified that he used a weapon reconfigured into a combat one.
The man had no previous criminal record and wasn’t on the wanted list, a source in Ingushetia’s law enforcement told TASS. "The regional branch of the Interior Ministry received a request for an inquiry from Moscow. The man never came to the attention of law enforcement officers, was not a member of illegal armed groups, was not prosecuted and was not on the wanted list," TASS was told.
Criminal proceedings were launched into the shooting.


tass--2020-06-15--Foreign Ministry decries as absurd western media allegations about Whelan trial ‘stalled’

`` Despite the difficult sanitary-epidemiological conditions caused by the coronavirus infection , the court procedure was conducted within the established deadlines , in strict compliance with the Russian law and with the necessary proceedings , '' the ministry said .
`` We hold accusations in western media of ‘ stalling ’ the trial that started on March 30 as absurd and unfounded .
It is known that it took Whelan as long as half-a-year to familiarize himself with court documents , he was in no hurry reading it from September of the previous year until March of this year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to accusations of an excessively harsh verdict that the Moscow City Court pronounced in the case of US national Paul Whelan the Russian Foreign Ministry underscored that in the US decades in prison without the right to pardon are envisaged for espionage .
`` As for the allegations about injustice or an excessive harshness of the verdict , it is necessary to emphasize that in the US , as well as in other western countries , the punishment for similar deeds envisages decades in prison or even a life sentence , without the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a commentary circulated on Monday .
It pointed out that staffers from the embassies of the countries whose citizenships Whelan holds contacted him on a regular basis .
`` Diplomats from the embassies of the UK , Ireland , Canada and the US can use the right to a consular visit in full .
He was offered the opportunity to talk with the relatives on the phone , '' the ministry added .
It also noted that during Whelan ’ s stay in a pre-trial detention center , he had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while on May 28 he was operated on after his condition had worsened due to disease recurrence .
Earlier , he had refused to undergo this simple surgical procedure .
On Monday , the Moscow City Court found Whelan guilty of spying against Russia and sentenced him to 16 years in prison .
US citizen Paul Whelan , who also holds British , Canadian and Irish citizenship , was detained by the Russian Federal Security Service ( FSB ) on December 28 , 2018 in Moscow while on a spy mission .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on espionage charges carrying a punishment of up to 20 years behind bars .

"Despite the difficult sanitary-epidemiological conditions caused by the coronavirus infection, the court procedure was conducted within the established deadlines, in strict compliance with the Russian law and with the necessary proceedings," the ministry said.
"We hold accusations in western media of ‘stalling’ the trial that started on March 30 as absurd and unfounded. It is known that it took Whelan as long as half-a-year to familiarize himself with court documents, he was in no hurry reading it from September of the previous year until March of this year," the ministry said.
In reply to accusations of an excessively harsh verdict that the Moscow City Court pronounced in the case of US national Paul Whelan the Russian Foreign Ministry underscored that in the US decades in prison without the right to pardon are envisaged for espionage. "As for the allegations about injustice or an excessive harshness of the verdict, it is necessary to emphasize that in the US, as well as in other western countries, the punishment for similar deeds envisages decades in prison or even a life sentence, without the right to pardon," the ministry said in a commentary circulated on Monday.
It pointed out that staffers from the embassies of the countries whose citizenships Whelan holds contacted him on a regular basis. "Diplomats from the embassies of the UK, Ireland, Canada and the US can use the right to a consular visit in full. He was offered the opportunity to talk with the relatives on the phone," the ministry added.
It also noted that during Whelan’s stay in a pre-trial detention center, he had been provided with the necessary qualified medical assistance, while on May 28 he was operated on after his condition had worsened due to disease recurrence. Earlier, he had refused to undergo this simple surgical procedure.
On Monday, the Moscow City Court found Whelan guilty of spying against Russia and sentenced him to 16 years in prison. US citizen Paul Whelan, who also holds British, Canadian and Irish citizenship, was detained by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) on December 28, 2018 in Moscow while on a spy mission. A criminal investigation was launched against him on espionage charges carrying a punishment of up to 20 years behind bars.


tass--2020-06-15--Buk-M3 anti-aircraft systems intercept long-range spy drones in western Russia drills

MOSCOW , June 15 .
/TASS/ .
The teams of Buk-M3 surface-to-air missile systems practiced striking a notional enemy ’ s long-range spy drones during drills in the Kursk Region in western Russia , the press office of Russia ’ s Western Military District reported on Monday .
`` The exercise to search for and detect unmanned aerial vehicles reconnoitering the terrain at high speeds and at long ranges was held for the first time and demonstrated the high abilities of the teams of the anti-aircraft missile systems to act under scenario injects , '' the press office said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operating under enemy intensive jamming , the statement runs .
`` The anti-aircraft personnel accomplished over 15 scenario injects to eliminate high-speed and high-altitude targets .
The operators of Buk-M3 air defense systems locked on and tracked aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles as targets , '' the press office specified .
The anti-aircraft gunners also practised missions to detect small-size low-flying objects at a distance of up to 15 km thanks to the launcher ’ s capability to deliver fire against four small-size targets at a time , the statement says .
Overall , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 20 items of armament , military and special hardware .
The Buk-M3 surface-to-air missile system is designated to intercept all types of cruise missiles and aerodynamic targets .
The Buk-M3 launcher carries 12 missiles while the self-propelled fire unit is armed with six missiles .
As compared to their previous versions , the new anti-aircraft missile systems feature the chassis ’ increased capacity to carry a larger number of missiles , an improved control system and the crew ’ s enhanced anti-blast protection .

MOSCOW, June 15. /TASS/. The teams of Buk-M3 surface-to-air missile systems practiced striking a notional enemy’s long-range spy drones during drills in the Kursk Region in western Russia, the press office of Russia’s Western Military District reported on Monday.
"The exercise to search for and detect unmanned aerial vehicles reconnoitering the terrain at high speeds and at long ranges was held for the first time and demonstrated the high abilities of the teams of the anti-aircraft missile systems to act under scenario injects," the press office said in a statement.
The anti-aircraft gunners practised operating under enemy intensive jamming, the statement runs. "The anti-aircraft personnel accomplished over 15 scenario injects to eliminate high-speed and high-altitude targets. The operators of Buk-M3 air defense systems locked on and tracked aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles as targets," the press office specified.
The anti-aircraft gunners also practised missions to detect small-size low-flying objects at a distance of up to 15 km thanks to the launcher’s capability to deliver fire against four small-size targets at a time, the statement says.
Overall, the drills involved over 600 personnel and more than 20 items of armament, military and special hardware.
The Buk-M3 surface-to-air missile system is designated to intercept all types of cruise missiles and aerodynamic targets. The Buk-M3 launcher carries 12 missiles while the self-propelled fire unit is armed with six missiles. As compared to their previous versions, the new anti-aircraft missile systems feature the chassis’ increased capacity to carry a larger number of missiles, an improved control system and the crew’s enhanced anti-blast protection.


tass--2020-06-15--Russia’s Su-27 fighters scrambled to intercept US bombers over Baltic Sea

`` On June 15 , 2020 , the quick reaction alert air defense forces of the Western Military District timely uncovered the operations of US Air Force B-52H bombers and reconnaissance aircraft of foreign states over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea , following which they were shadowed by Russian fighters , '' the ministry said in a statement .
KALININGRAD , June 15 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Su-27 fighter jets were scrambled to intercept US Air Force B-52H bombers and foreign spy aircraft over the Baltic Sea , the Defense Ministry of Russia reported on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state border of the Russian Federation , the aircraft of foreign states were continuously tracked by Russian radar stations .
Su-27 fighters of the Baltic Fleet ’ s naval aviation were scrambled to intercept the targets in the air , '' the statement runs .
The spy aircraft and bombers of the US Air Force and NATO countries conducted flights over the Baltic Sea as part of NATO ’ s Baltops 2020 exercise , the ministry said .
The Su-27 fighters did not allow the violation of Russia ’ s state border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planes performed flights in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace , Russia ’ s Defense Ministry stressed .
It was earlier reported that the Russian Baltic Fleet ’ s forces and capabilities were tracking the exercise Baltops 2020 of the US Navy and European countries running in the southern and central parts of the Baltic Sea .
NATO ’ s ongoing Baltops 2020 naval exercise involves 17 member states and two partner countries .
A total of 28 warships and 28 aircraft and helicopters and around 3,000 personnel are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 drills .

"On June 15, 2020, the quick reaction alert air defense forces of the Western Military District timely uncovered the operations of US Air Force B-52H bombers and reconnaissance aircraft of foreign states over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea, following which they were shadowed by Russian fighters," the ministry said in a statement.
KALININGRAD, June 15. /TASS/. Russia’s Su-27 fighter jets were scrambled to intercept US Air Force B-52H bombers and foreign spy aircraft over the Baltic Sea, the Defense Ministry of Russia reported on Monday.
"At a considerable distance from the state border of the Russian Federation, the aircraft of foreign states were continuously tracked by Russian radar stations. Su-27 fighters of the Baltic Fleet’s naval aviation were scrambled to intercept the targets in the air," the statement runs.
The spy aircraft and bombers of the US Air Force and NATO countries conducted flights over the Baltic Sea as part of NATO’s Baltops 2020 exercise, the ministry said.
The Su-27 fighters did not allow the violation of Russia’s state border. The crews of the Russian combat planes performed flights in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace, Russia’s Defense Ministry stressed.
It was earlier reported that the Russian Baltic Fleet’s forces and capabilities were tracking the exercise Baltops 2020 of the US Navy and European countries running in the southern and central parts of the Baltic Sea.
NATO’s ongoing Baltops 2020 naval exercise involves 17 member states and two partner countries. A total of 28 warships and 28 aircraft and helicopters and around 3,000 personnel are taking part in NATO’s Baltops 2020 drills.


tass--2020-06-15--Minister lauds return of Miroslav Gospel page as Serbia’s great success

BELGRADE , June 15 .
/TASS/ .
The agreement to exchange renowned artist Nicholas Roerich ’ s paintings housed in Serbia for the 166th page of the Miroslav Gospel , Serbia ’ s national treasure , that has been in Russia for a long time , is a major success of the Serbian cultural policy , Serbian Minister of Culture and the Media Vladan Vukosavljevic told TASS Monday .
`` Our ministry ’ s key success in the past four years is undeniably the completion of restauration of two major national museums — National Museum and Museum of Contemporary Art @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decentralization of the cultural policy .
Our international activity was also deserving of attention — revival of Serbia ’ s cultural centers around the world , opening of the cultural center in Beijing and plans to launch a cultural center in Moscow , Berlin and other global capitals , '' the minister said .
`` The agreement signed by the Russian and Serbian culture ministers to return the missing page of the ancient Serbian handwritten book , Miroslav Gospel , also has symbolic meaning in the international cooperation sphere .
The project is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it is up to the Russian lower house of parliament to greenlight the agreement , which is expected soon , and then the technical exchange will take place .
`` Serbia approved this agreement in parliament , the exchange of ratification instruments is coming next .
The Russian parliament is yet to pass the agreement but it is already put on the plenary session agenda .
We expect this agreement to be greenlighted quickly , in a couple of weeks , and later the conditions for the technical exchange will be laid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Now it is up to the diplomats of the two countries who will assess when this exchange will have the largest symbolic and political meaning , these are technical details .
Meanwhile , we completed the work that laid foundation for such an exchange , the rest is up to diplomats , '' the minister noted .
Commenting on the western media attempts to misinterpret the cultural treasure exchange , the minister praised it as a `` big event for the culture of the two countries . ''
`` Many countries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clever , crucial or good happens , 3 , 5 or 7 % of people , a part of society , start viciously attacking such an initiative , trying to mar and repudiate it .
It is definitely a big and essential agreement for the two countries in the culture sphere , important for Russia and very important for Serbia .
It is definitely for that reason that no critics had the courage to come out for debates or a televised duel since their arguments are completely pointless , '' he underscored .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ good cooperation with Russia ’ s former Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky that resulted in this agreement .
The agreement to exchange the treasures was reached by Belgrade and Moscow during Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s visit to the Serbian capital on January 17 .
The agreement itself to hand a page of the medieval Cyrillic manuscript back to Belgrade was inked during then Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev ’ s Belgrade visit in October .
The document also states that Serbia will hand over seven early Roerich paintings to Russia .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ancient Cyrillic manuscript to Belgrade had been discussed for decades .
As for Roerich ’ s paintings , they simply vanished in 1941 until in March 2017 a TASS correspondent discovered the masterpieces in Serbia ’ s National Museum .
Miroslav Gospel was written in approximately 1180 .
It is Serbia ’ s oldest manuscript written in Cyrillic , which is housed at the National Museum of Serbia in Belgrade .
In 2005 , Miroslav Gospel was added to the UNESCO Memory of the World list .
Lately , a new tradition emerged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gospel ’ s copy to take the oath of the office when inaugurated .
Written by deacon Gregory , the manuscript was commissioned by Prince Miroslav Zavidovic , a brother of Stefan Nemanja , the founder of the Nemanjic dynasty .
Later , the Gospel was named after Prince Miroslav .
In about 1845 , Archimandrite Porphyrius ( Uspensky ) discovered the manuscript at the Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos .
He extracted one page from it and brought it to Russia .
The fate of Nicholas Roerich 's paintings in question , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Museum of Serbia , remained unknown since the moment Nazi Germany attacked Yugoslavia in April 1941 .
The seven paintings on the list are Berendej Village ( 1921 ) , Holy Guests ( 1923 ) , Church Bells Tolling ( 1919 ) , Burgustan in Caucasus ( 1913 ) , St. Sergius of Radonezh ( 1922 ) , and two costume sketches for Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov ’ s opera Snow Maiden ( 1921 ) .
One of the paintings on the list was reportedly Roerich ’ s gift to the Belgrade Museum .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal exhibition .
World War II prevented the exhibits ’ return to Russia .

BELGRADE, June 15. /TASS/. The agreement to exchange renowned artist Nicholas Roerich’s paintings housed in Serbia for the 166th page of the Miroslav Gospel, Serbia’s national treasure, that has been in Russia for a long time, is a major success of the Serbian cultural policy, Serbian Minister of Culture and the Media Vladan Vukosavljevic told TASS Monday.
"Our ministry’s key success in the past four years is undeniably the completion of restauration of two major national museums — National Museum and Museum of Contemporary Art — and the actively applied principle of decentralization of the cultural policy. Our international activity was also deserving of attention — revival of Serbia’s cultural centers around the world, opening of the cultural center in Beijing and plans to launch a cultural center in Moscow, Berlin and other global capitals," the minister said. "The agreement signed by the Russian and Serbian culture ministers to return the missing page of the ancient Serbian handwritten book, Miroslav Gospel, also has symbolic meaning in the international cooperation sphere. The project is being implemented now."
Vukosavljevic informed that it is up to the Russian lower house of parliament to greenlight the agreement, which is expected soon, and then the technical exchange will take place.
"Serbia approved this agreement in parliament, the exchange of ratification instruments is coming next. The Russian parliament is yet to pass the agreement but it is already put on the plenary session agenda. We expect this agreement to be greenlighted quickly, in a couple of weeks, and later the conditions for the technical exchange will be laid out, during the upcoming high-level visit. Now it is up to the diplomats of the two countries who will assess when this exchange will have the largest symbolic and political meaning, these are technical details. Meanwhile, we completed the work that laid foundation for such an exchange, the rest is up to diplomats," the minister noted.
Commenting on the western media attempts to misinterpret the cultural treasure exchange, the minister praised it as a "big event for the culture of the two countries." "Many countries, including Serbia, have it when something clever, crucial or good happens, 3, 5 or 7% of people, a part of society, start viciously attacking such an initiative, trying to mar and repudiate it. It is definitely a big and essential agreement for the two countries in the culture sphere, important for Russia and very important for Serbia. It is definitely for that reason that no critics had the courage to come out for debates or a televised duel since their arguments are completely pointless," he underscored.
The culture minister also lauded his exceptionally good cooperation with Russia’s former Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky that resulted in this agreement.
The agreement to exchange the treasures was reached by Belgrade and Moscow during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Serbian capital on January 17. The agreement itself to hand a page of the medieval Cyrillic manuscript back to Belgrade was inked during then Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s Belgrade visit in October. The document also states that Serbia will hand over seven early Roerich paintings to Russia.
The issue of returning the page from the ancient Cyrillic manuscript to Belgrade had been discussed for decades. As for Roerich’s paintings, they simply vanished in 1941 until in March 2017 a TASS correspondent discovered the masterpieces in Serbia’s National Museum.
Miroslav Gospel
Miroslav Gospel was written in approximately 1180. It is Serbia’s oldest manuscript written in Cyrillic, which is housed at the National Museum of Serbia in Belgrade. In 2005, Miroslav Gospel was added to the UNESCO Memory of the World list. Lately, a new tradition emerged of Serbian presidents swearing in on the gospel’s copy to take the oath of the office when inaugurated.
Written by deacon Gregory, the manuscript was commissioned by Prince Miroslav Zavidovic, a brother of Stefan Nemanja, the founder of the Nemanjic dynasty. Later, the Gospel was named after Prince Miroslav. In about 1845, Archimandrite Porphyrius (Uspensky) discovered the manuscript at the Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos. He extracted one page from it and brought it to Russia.
Roerich’s paintings
The fate of Nicholas Roerich's paintings in question, discovered in the collection of the National Museum of Serbia, remained unknown since the moment Nazi Germany attacked Yugoslavia in April 1941. The seven paintings on the list are Berendej Village (1921), Holy Guests (1923), Church Bells Tolling (1919), Burgustan in Caucasus (1913), St. Sergius of Radonezh (1922), and two costume sketches for Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s opera Snow Maiden (1921). One of the paintings on the list was reportedly Roerich’s gift to the Belgrade Museum. The others had been brought there for a personal exhibition. World War II prevented the exhibits’ return to Russia.


tass--2020-06-15--Military expedition to Novaya Zemlya is planned for August

MOSCOW , June 15 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Northern Fleet , the Defense Ministry ’ s Chief Department , responsible for nuclear security , and the Russian Geographic Society will organize an expedition to Novaya Zemlya in 2020 , the Fleet ’ s press service told reporters .
`` In mid-August , 2020 , the Northern Fleet will send another Arctic expedition to islands of the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago , '' the press service said .
`` The expedition will also feature representatives of the Russian Defense Ministry 's 12th Chief Department , of the Russian Geographic Society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and experts from research institutes . ''
The expedition will continue for two or three weeks .
It will follow the route of the Arctic ’ s prominent explorer Vladimir Rusanov ’ s expedition ( 1910 ) .
Besides , the expedition members will visit winter camps of Russian expeditions led by Avgust Tsivolko ( 1838 ) and Georgy Sedov ( 1912 ) , and will study locations , related to Willem Barentsz ’ s Arctic routes ( 1594-1597 ) .
Experts will monitor cultural and nature heritage objects on Novaya Zemlya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will also try special equipment , which can repel polar bears without any harm to the animals , and will study the Arctic predators ’ migration routes .
`` Specialists of the Defense Ministry ’ s 12th Chief Department will monitor the radio-ecology situation and will measure radiation at locations across the archipelago , '' the press service said .
The 12th Chief Department and the Northern Fleet have organized joint expeditions , including a complex expedition to Novaya Zemlya in 2018 .

MOSCOW, June 15. /TASS/. Russia’s Northern Fleet, the Defense Ministry’s Chief Department, responsible for nuclear security, and the Russian Geographic Society will organize an expedition to Novaya Zemlya in 2020, the Fleet’s press service told reporters.
"In mid-August, 2020, the Northern Fleet will send another Arctic expedition to islands of the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago," the press service said. "The expedition will also feature representatives of the Russian Defense Ministry's 12th Chief Department, of the Russian Geographic Society, of the Russian Arctic National Park, and experts from research institutes."
The expedition will continue for two or three weeks. It will follow the route of the Arctic’s prominent explorer Vladimir Rusanov’s expedition (1910). Besides, the expedition members will visit winter camps of Russian expeditions led by Avgust Tsivolko (1838) and Georgy Sedov (1912), and will study locations, related to Willem Barentsz’s Arctic routes (1594-1597). Experts will monitor cultural and nature heritage objects on Novaya Zemlya and will conduct biology studies. They will also try special equipment, which can repel polar bears without any harm to the animals, and will study the Arctic predators’ migration routes.
"Specialists of the Defense Ministry’s 12th Chief Department will monitor the radio-ecology situation and will measure radiation at locations across the archipelago," the press service said.
The 12th Chief Department and the Northern Fleet have organized joint expeditions, including a complex expedition to Novaya Zemlya in 2018.


tass--2020-06-15--Two policemen wounded in shooting incident in southwestern Moscow

`` Both policemen are in serious condition .
They received about seven bullets , '' the source said .
MOSCOW , June 15 .
/TASS/ .
Two traffic policemen were wounded in southwestern Moscow when an unidentified shooter opened gunfire at them .
Both are in serious condition , a source in the city ’ s medical services told TASS on Monday .
The shooting incident took place earlier on Monday on Moscow ’ s Leninsky Prospekt when a traffic police patrol stopped a taxi after it had violated traffic rules .
A passerby opened fire at the policemen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooter made about ten shots at the policemen , wounding two .
The policemen fired back at the shooter , who had presumably been drunk or under the influence of drugs , and wounded him .
The man died in hospital .
`` Despite receiving timely medical care , the shooter died in hospital , '' TASS was told .
According to the source , the assailant was shot in the stomach three times .
A criminal case was opened on charges of attempting on the life of a policeman ( article 317 @ @ @ @ @ @ @

"Both policemen are in serious condition. They received about seven bullets," the source said.
MOSCOW, June 15. /TASS/. Two traffic policemen were wounded in southwestern Moscow when an unidentified shooter opened gunfire at them. Both are in serious condition, a source in the city’s medical services told TASS on Monday.
The shooting incident took place earlier on Monday on Moscow’s Leninsky Prospekt when a traffic police patrol stopped a taxi after it had violated traffic rules. A passerby opened fire at the policemen, presumably from a non-lethal gun. The shooter made about ten shots at the policemen, wounding two.
The policemen fired back at the shooter, who had presumably been drunk or under the influence of drugs, and wounded him. The man died in hospital. "Despite receiving timely medical care, the shooter died in hospital," TASS was told. According to the source, the assailant was shot in the stomach three times.
A criminal case was opened on charges of attempting on the life of a policeman (article 317 of the Russian Criminal Code).


tass--2020-06-15--Whelan’s brother looks to President Trump to ‘act to bring Paul home’

NEW YORK , June 15./TASS/ .
The relatives of Paul Whelan , sentenced to 16 years in jail for espionage against Russia , expect that US President Donald Trump would act to bring him home , Whelan ’ s brother David said in a letter e-mailed to a TASS correspondent on Monday .
David Whelan maintained that the sentence from the Moscow City Court was politicized .
`` We understand that Paul 's lawyers may appeal this decision within the next two weeks .
We hope that , in their continued search for justice for Paul , that the appeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to say .
`` We will look to President Trump , who alone can act to bring Paul home .
We hope he will do so swiftly , '' he wrote .
He also expressed hope that the US government would `` immediately take steps to bring Paul home . ''
Spy swap in the offing ?
Exchange for Whelan to be considered after sentence , says lawyer Earlier , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Whelan faced charges that were `` proven in and accepted by the court . ''
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the court ’ s decision and Whelan ’ s future .
The United States is outraged by the verdict of US citizen and former marine Paul Whelan over charges of espionage against Russia and demands that he be immediately freed , US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement issued Monday .
`` The United States is outraged by the decision of a Russian court today to convict U.S. citizen Paul Whelan , '' he underlined .
`` We demand Paul Whelan ’ s immediate release , '' Pompeo added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court found Whelan guilty of spying against Russia and sentenced him to 16 years in prison .
US citizen Paul Whelan , who also holds British , Canadian and Irish citizenship , was detained by the Russian Federal Security Service ( FSB ) on December 28 , 2018 in Moscow while on a spy mission .
A criminal investigation was launched against him on espionage charges carrying a punishment of up to 20 years behind bars .
A deal to swap Whelan for Russian nationals Viktor Bout or Konstantin Yaroshenko incarcerated in American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentence comes into effect , Whelan ’ s attorney Vladimir Zherebenkov told TASS on Monday .

NEW YORK, June 15./TASS/. The relatives of Paul Whelan, sentenced to 16 years in jail for espionage against Russia, expect that US President Donald Trump would act to bring him home, Whelan’s brother David said in a letter e-mailed to a TASS correspondent on Monday.
David Whelan maintained that the sentence from the Moscow City Court was politicized. "We understand that Paul's lawyers may appeal this decision within the next two weeks. We hope that, in their continued search for justice for Paul, that the appeal is successful," he went on to say.
"We will look to President Trump, who alone can act to bring Paul home. We hope he will do so swiftly," he wrote. He also expressed hope that the US government would "immediately take steps to bring Paul home."
Spy swap in the offing? Exchange for Whelan to be considered after sentence, says lawyer
Earlier, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Whelan faced charges that were "proven in and accepted by the court." At the same time, he declined to comment on the court’s decision and Whelan’s future.
The United States is outraged by the verdict of US citizen and former marine Paul Whelan over charges of espionage against Russia and demands that he be immediately freed, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement issued Monday.
"The United States is outraged by the decision of a Russian court today to convict U.S. citizen Paul Whelan," he underlined. "We demand Paul Whelan’s immediate release," Pompeo added.
On Monday, the Moscow City Court found Whelan guilty of spying against Russia and sentenced him to 16 years in prison. US citizen Paul Whelan, who also holds British, Canadian and Irish citizenship, was detained by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) on December 28, 2018 in Moscow while on a spy mission. A criminal investigation was launched against him on espionage charges carrying a punishment of up to 20 years behind bars.
A deal to swap Whelan for Russian nationals Viktor Bout or Konstantin Yaroshenko incarcerated in American prisons will be looked into after the sentence comes into effect, Whelan’s attorney Vladimir Zherebenkov told TASS on Monday.


tass--2020-06-15--Kalashnikov gunmaker delivers 35,000 latest AK-12 assault rifles to Russian troops

KRASNODAR , June 15 .
/TASS/ .
The Kalashnikov Group ( part of the state hi-tech corporation Rostec ) has delivered about 35,000 latest AK-12 assault rifles to the troops , Kalashnikov Group CEO Dmitry Tarasov told TASS on Monday .
`` We have already closed the contract for this year , i.e .
we have made all the deliveries for 2020 , '' he said .
`` About 35,000 , '' he added .
The Kalashnikov chief executive announced in April this year that the gunmaker had made the 2020 deliveries of the latest AK-12 assault rifles to Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In April 2019 , he said that the company planned to deliver 112,500 AK-12 assault rifles to the Russian troops in 2019-2021 .
Russia ’ s Defense Ministry announced on June 1 that the Airborne Force received about 10,000 AK-12 assault rifles during 2019 and in the first half of 2020 .
The AK-12 was unveiled to the public at the Victory Parade in Moscow on May 9 last year when about 400 paratroopers of an Airborne Force consolidated regiment marched with these assault rifles across Red Square .
The new assault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared to its AK-74M and AKM predecessors .
The assault rifle ’ s upgrade has increased its accuracy of fire and the survivability of its barrel whose production is now based on new technology .
The AK-12 is outfitted with an additional equipment set that includes a domestically-produced collimator sight , which allows delivering aimed fire at a distance of up to 500 meters .
The assault rifle also includes a new magazine that allows visually controlling the ammunition consumption .

KRASNODAR, June 15. /TASS/. The Kalashnikov Group (part of the state hi-tech corporation Rostec) has delivered about 35,000 latest AK-12 assault rifles to the troops, Kalashnikov Group CEO Dmitry Tarasov told TASS on Monday.
"We have already closed the contract for this year, i.e. we have made all the deliveries for 2020," he said. "About 35,000," he added.
The Kalashnikov chief executive announced in April this year that the gunmaker had made the 2020 deliveries of the latest AK-12 assault rifles to Russia’s Defense Ministry ahead of schedule. In April 2019, he said that the company planned to deliver 112,500 AK-12 assault rifles to the Russian troops in 2019-2021. Russia’s Defense Ministry announced on June 1 that the Airborne Force received about 10,000 AK-12 assault rifles during 2019 and in the first half of 2020.
The AK-12 was unveiled to the public at the Victory Parade in Moscow on May 9 last year when about 400 paratroopers of an Airborne Force consolidated regiment marched with these assault rifles across Red Square.
The new assault rifle is distinguished by its improved ergonomics compared to its AK-74M and AKM predecessors. The assault rifle’s upgrade has increased its accuracy of fire and the survivability of its barrel whose production is now based on new technology.
The AK-12 is outfitted with an additional equipment set that includes a domestically-produced collimator sight, which allows delivering aimed fire at a distance of up to 500 meters. The assault rifle also includes a new magazine that allows visually controlling the ammunition consumption.


tass--2020-06-15--Brazilian, Russian presidents discuss BRICS, fight against coronavirus

MOSCOW , June 15 .
/TASS/ .
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said he had discussed with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus and the upcoming BRICS summit .
`` I spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin @ @ @ @ @ Bolsonaro said in a tweet .
`` We agreed about deeper cooperation between our countries @ @ @ @ @ issue of ] fight against COVID-19 .
We also discussed the results that we want @ @ @ @ @ summit of BRICS in St. Petersburg , '' the president wrote on Twitter .
The @ @ @ @ @ Organization ( SCO ) and BRICS ( Brazil , Russia , India , China and @ @ @ @ @ to take place in St. Petersburg on July 21-23 .
On May 27 , the @ @ @ @ @ both summits would be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` The new dates @ @ @ @ @ on the development of the epidemiological situation in the member countries and in general across @ @ @ @ @ Kremlin said .

MOSCOW, June 15. /TASS/. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said he had discussed with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday the fight against coronavirus and the upcoming BRICS summit.
"I spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin this morning," Jair Bolsonaro said in a tweet. "We agreed about deeper cooperation between our countries, including in [the issue of] fight against COVID-19. We also discussed the results that we want to achieve at the upcoming summit of BRICS in St. Petersburg," the president wrote on Twitter.
The summits of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) were due to take place in St. Petersburg on July 21-23. On May 27, the Kremlin press service said that both summits would be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. "The new dates for the summits will depend on the development of the epidemiological situation in the member countries and in general across the globe," the Kremlin said.


tass--2020-06-15--First launch of Russia’s upgraded Rokot-M carrier rocket planned for 2022

MOSCOW , June 15 .
/TASS/ .
The Rokot-M upgraded carrier rocket with the Russian control system may blast off for the first time in 2022 , CEO of the Khrunichev Space Center ( the rocket ’ s developer ) Alexei Varochko said on Monday .
`` The first launch of the Rokot-M space rocket is planned for 2022 .
We consider the Rokot carrier as the optimal solution for launching low-orbit small and medium space vehicles into sun-synchronous and near-polar orbits , '' the chief executive said .
Considering the prospects of developing this segment of the satellite market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ satellite systems , national space agencies , organizations and research institutes may be among the potential customers of Rokot-M rockets , '' Varochko said .
Specialists of Russia ’ s Khrunichev Center have completed the technical design of an upgraded Russian Rokot-M carrier rocket that will get a domestic control system instead of the Ukrainian version installed on previous launch vehicles , the Khrunichev Center CEO informed .
`` Currently , the technical design work has been completed and the issuance of working design documentation has begun .
In order to implement the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same cooperation [ of enterprises ] but the Briz-KM booster will be outfitted with the domestic control system developed by the Academician Pilyugin Scientific and Production Center of Automatics and Instrument-Making , '' the chief executive said .
The Khrunichev Space Center said in its materials presented at the Army 2018 military and technical forum in August 2018 that it was carrying out work on creating the Rokot-2 carrier rocket with a new control system to replace the Ukrainian equipment installed on Rokot launch vehicles .
The Rokot light carrier rocket has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the program of re-converting military hardware into civil products .
The first launch of a Rokot rocket took place from the Plesetsk spaceport in northern Russia on May 16 , 2000 .
Overall , the Khrunichev Space Center produced and launched 31 rockets with the Ukrainian control system under the Rokot project .
The last liftoff of the baseline Rokot launch vehicle took place from the Plesetsk spaceport on December 27 , 2019 when it delivered Gonets-M communications satellites and a military space vehicle into orbit .

MOSCOW, June 15. /TASS/. The Rokot-M upgraded carrier rocket with the Russian control system may blast off for the first time in 2022, CEO of the Khrunichev Space Center (the rocket’s developer) Alexei Varochko said on Monday.
"The first launch of the Rokot-M space rocket is planned for 2022. We consider the Rokot carrier as the optimal solution for launching low-orbit small and medium space vehicles into sun-synchronous and near-polar orbits," the chief executive said.
Considering the prospects of developing this segment of the satellite market, "Russian and foreign operators of satellite systems, national space agencies, organizations and research institutes may be among the potential customers of Rokot-M rockets," Varochko said.
Technical design
Specialists of Russia’s Khrunichev Center have completed the technical design of an upgraded Russian Rokot-M carrier rocket that will get a domestic control system instead of the Ukrainian version installed on previous launch vehicles, the Khrunichev Center CEO informed.
"Currently, the technical design work has been completed and the issuance of working design documentation has begun. In order to implement the Rokot-M project, we are planning the same cooperation [of enterprises] but the Briz-KM booster will be outfitted with the domestic control system developed by the Academician Pilyugin Scientific and Production Center of Automatics and Instrument-Making," the chief executive said.
The Khrunichev Space Center said in its materials presented at the Army 2018 military and technical forum in August 2018 that it was carrying out work on creating the Rokot-2 carrier rocket with a new control system to replace the Ukrainian equipment installed on Rokot launch vehicles.
The Rokot light carrier rocket has been derived from the RS-18 intercontinental ballistic missile under the program of re-converting military hardware into civil products.
The first launch of a Rokot rocket took place from the Plesetsk spaceport in northern Russia on May 16, 2000. Overall, the Khrunichev Space Center produced and launched 31 rockets with the Ukrainian control system under the Rokot project. The last liftoff of the baseline Rokot launch vehicle took place from the Plesetsk spaceport on December 27, 2019 when it delivered Gonets-M communications satellites and a military space vehicle into orbit.


tass--2020-06-15--Russian companies to expand presence on Chinese market using e-commerce

BEIJING , June 15 .
/TASS/ .
Online trade platforms will enable Russian companies to boost exports and expand presence on the Chinese market , Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in the People 's Republic of China Sergey Iniushin told reporters on Monday .
`` Russia ’ s small and mid-sized businesses should not fight their way to the Chinese market separately .
Future belongs to expansion of Russia ’ s presence on the Chinese market with the help of large e-commerce operators that would start conducting logistics operations primarily in the Chinese direction , meaning that they would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he explained .
The Russian side keeps in close touch with Alibaba and assumes that the cooperation has good future prospects , Trade Representative said .
`` The issue is about large market participants that know how to quickly deliver goods to consumers .
They are familiar with the habits of the ultimate consumer , '' he said , adding that the mission `` focuses much on that area , encouraging Chinese operators to supply not only from the People ’ s Republic of China , but in the opposite direction as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue of creating `` a full-fledged Russian bank '' in China is becoming increasingly relevant , Iniushin said .
`` When we speak about the targeted trade turnover of $ 200 bln , the necessity to establish in the People ’ s Republic of China our own banking structure able to solve problems related to mutual settlements arises .
A Russian bank like that will also have the functions of providing support to clients , it will help the participants of international economic activities , '' he noted .

BEIJING, June 15. /TASS/. Online trade platforms will enable Russian companies to boost exports and expand presence on the Chinese market, Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in the People's Republic of China Sergey Iniushin told reporters on Monday.
"Russia’s small and mid-sized businesses should not fight their way to the Chinese market separately. Future belongs to expansion of Russia’s presence on the Chinese market with the help of large e-commerce operators that would start conducting logistics operations primarily in the Chinese direction, meaning that they would supply Russian products to China," he explained.
The Russian side keeps in close touch with Alibaba and assumes that the cooperation has good future prospects, Trade Representative said. "The issue is about large market participants that know how to quickly deliver goods to consumers. They are familiar with the habits of the ultimate consumer," he said, adding that the mission "focuses much on that area, encouraging Chinese operators to supply not only from the People’s Republic of China, but in the opposite direction as well."
Amid this background, the issue of creating "a full-fledged Russian bank" in China is becoming increasingly relevant, Iniushin said. "When we speak about the targeted trade turnover of $200 bln, the necessity to establish in the People’s Republic of China our own banking structure able to solve problems related to mutual settlements arises. A Russian bank like that will also have the functions of providing support to clients, it will help the participants of international economic activities," he noted.


tass--2020-06-15--Putin likens business support amid pandemic to industry mobilization during World War II

Speaking via a video conference , Sergei Belanov , director of Kaliningrad ’ s Albatros sports club , expressed fascination over large-scale business support measures , deployed promptly after the onset of the pandemic .
NOVO-OGARYOVO , June 15 .
/TASS/ .
Russian authorities could not afford to mess up the organization of support for businesses amid the pandemic , having the example of efficient mobilization of industry during the World War II era , Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday during a meeting on implementation of measures of support of the economy and the social sphere .
In response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ War , in a matter of mere weeks , almost all industrial enterprises were evacuated from the European part [ of Russia ] into the clear field , and immediately launched production , delivering tanks to the frontline .
`` Therefore , in our [ current ] circumstances , we had to provide it [ support measures ] and to work even better , '' the head of state said , thanking the businessman for high appraisal of the authorities ’ actions .
`` I am very pleased to hear that , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expressed hope that `` gradually , but as swiftly as possible , in strict compliance with the medics ' recommendations , sport clubs will return to full-scale operations without restrictions . ''
`` You will be back on your feet , everything will be fine , '' the president said , addressing the Kaliningrad businessman .

Speaking via a video conference, Sergei Belanov, director of Kaliningrad’s Albatros sports club, expressed fascination over large-scale business support measures, deployed promptly after the onset of the pandemic.
NOVO-OGARYOVO, June 15. /TASS/. Russian authorities could not afford to mess up the organization of support for businesses amid the pandemic, having the example of efficient mobilization of industry during the World War II era, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday during a meeting on implementation of measures of support of the economy and the social sphere.
In response, Putin noted that "during the War, in a matter of mere weeks, almost all industrial enterprises were evacuated from the European part [of Russia] into the clear field, and immediately launched production, delivering tanks to the frontline.
"Therefore, in our [current] circumstances, we had to provide it [support measures] and to work even better," the head of state said, thanking the businessman for high appraisal of the authorities’ actions. "I am very pleased to hear that," Putin said.
The head of state expressed hope that "gradually, but as swiftly as possible, in strict compliance with the medics' recommendations, sport clubs will return to full-scale operations without restrictions."
"You will be back on your feet, everything will be fine," the president said, addressing the Kaliningrad businessman.


tass--2020-06-15--South American pop star Natalia Oreiro applies for Russian citizenship

MOSCOW , June 15./TASS/ .
Latin American singer and actress Natalia Oreiro has filed for Russian citizenship , she said in an interview with TASS .
`` Once I went to the embassy ( of Russia to Argentina - TASS ) over various issues .
I travel so extensively and have so many ties with Russia that I was asked that maybe I would like to formalize this .
I said that it would be an honor for me .
So , I filed a host of papers that I was asked to turn over , and now this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the interview .
The celebrity reiterated that it all had started with a joke at the ‘ Urgant Late Night Show ’ on Channel One TV .
`` I was a guest on Ivan Urgant ’ s program , and he said that I was the most Russian among the female foreign nationals .
I answered that I had no doubts about it .
And I said that Putin could grant me the citizenship .
I meant it as a joke , not as a request , but of course I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she stressed .
Natalia Oreiro said that Russian border guards were often giving her souvenir passports as a gift .
`` At the moment , I have a lot of Russian passports I have received from my fans as a gift , about 15 .
But none of them are real , '' the singer said .
Natalia Oreiro was born on May 19 , 1977 in Montevideo , the capital city of Uruguay .
At the age of 16 , the teenage actress moved to Argentina where she became a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21st century , Oreiro became famous across the globe thanks to the Argentinian soap opera called ‘ Wild Angel ’ in which she played the role of Milagros .
Oreiro has combined her acting and singing career , releasing four records .
Oreiro ’ s first visit to Russia came in 2001 , and she says that she felt spiritually close to the country right away .
`` I felt very close to these people , to their culture and history .
The history of Russia is a powerful history , full of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have always admired not only how [ Russia ] surmounted the pain of war , but also its art .
I am a fan of Russian writers and poets , '' she emphasized .
Since then , Oreiro has been visiting Russia on tours almost every year , and she has a huge fan club .
Her fans call her ‘ our Natasha ’ for sincerity in her work and for being an easy person to deal with .
She is learning Russian , and has performed Russian-language versions of her hits .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sang ‘ We need one victory for all ’ - a famous war song by renowned Soviet poet , writer , songwriter and singer Bulat Okudzhava .

MOSCOW, June 15./TASS/. Latin American singer and actress Natalia Oreiro has filed for Russian citizenship, she said in an interview with TASS.
"Once I went to the embassy (of Russia to Argentina - TASS) over various issues. I travel so extensively and have so many ties with Russia that I was asked that maybe I would like to formalize this. I said that it would be an honor for me. So, I filed a host of papers that I was asked to turn over, and now this is being considered," the singer said in the interview.
The celebrity reiterated that it all had started with a joke at the ‘Urgant Late Night Show’ on Channel One TV. "I was a guest on Ivan Urgant’s program, and he said that I was the most Russian among the female foreign nationals. I answered that I had no doubts about it. And I said that Putin could grant me the citizenship. I meant it as a joke, not as a request, but of course I would want very much to have Russian citizenship," she stressed.
Natalia Oreiro said that Russian border guards were often giving her souvenir passports as a gift. "At the moment, I have a lot of Russian passports I have received from my fans as a gift, about 15. But none of them are real," the singer said.
‘Our Natasha’
Natalia Oreiro was born on May 19, 1977 in Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay. At the age of 16, the teenage actress moved to Argentina where she became a success. At the turn of the 21st century, Oreiro became famous across the globe thanks to the Argentinian soap opera called ‘Wild Angel’ in which she played the role of Milagros. Oreiro has combined her acting and singing career, releasing four records. Oreiro’s first visit to Russia came in 2001, and she says that she felt spiritually close to the country right away.
"I felt very close to these people, to their culture and history. The history of Russia is a powerful history, full of bravery, courage and resilience. I have always admired not only how [Russia] surmounted the pain of war, but also its art. I am a fan of Russian writers and poets," she emphasized. Since then, Oreiro has been visiting Russia on tours almost every year, and she has a huge fan club. Her fans call her ‘our Natasha’ for sincerity in her work and for being an easy person to deal with. She is learning Russian, and has performed Russian-language versions of her hits. For the 75th Victory anniversary, she sang ‘We need one victory for all’ - a famous war song by renowned Soviet poet, writer, songwriter and singer Bulat Okudzhava.


tass--2020-06-15--50% of grave COVID-19 patients entered recovery after plasma infusion — Moscow mayor

He noted that the Moscow blood service is one of the biggest and most efficient in the world , as the city provides its own supply of blood and other transfusion materials .
The Mayor also congratulated city residents and medical workers on the Blood Donor Day .
`` As the doctors told me , 50 % of [ infected ] people who for sure would have been placed in the intensive care unit , began recovering after infusion of blood plasma with antibodies .
This is great .
An unexpected turn we owe to the blood service , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the Mayor said .
`` I would like to congratulate both the donors and the medics on the Donor Day and to thank over 80,000 Moscow residents who donate blood every year , saving those ill and contributing enormously to their recuperation .
Special thanks to those who donate the blood plasma with antibodies , which saves people with severe coronavirus cases .
Thanks to the medics that have established the blood service : the office at hospital No .
52 is one of Moscow ’ s oldest , celebrating its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
According to the Mayor ’ s Office press service , over 160,000 liters of whole blood are being stored in Moscow every year , with about 200 liters distributed to medical organizations every day .
Last year , about 86,700 people became blood donors , 83,300 of whom donated blood for free .
Of those , 38,400 became first-time donors .
`` More donors chose donation of thrombocytes ; there were over 5,500 such donors last year , with the yearly increase of up to 15 % .
In 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ components were performed .
This volume makes it possible to satisfy the demand of medical organizations in quality blood components , '' the press service said .

He noted that the Moscow blood service is one of the biggest and most efficient in the world, as the city provides its own supply of blood and other transfusion materials. The Mayor also congratulated city residents and medical workers on the Blood Donor Day.
"As the doctors told me, 50% of [infected] people who for sure would have been placed in the intensive care unit, began recovering after infusion of blood plasma with antibodies. This is great. An unexpected turn we owe to the blood service, which was always needed and always saved people," the Mayor said.
"I would like to congratulate both the donors and the medics on the Donor Day and to thank over 80,000 Moscow residents who donate blood every year, saving those ill and contributing enormously to their recuperation. Special thanks to those who donate the blood plasma with antibodies, which saves people with severe coronavirus cases. Thanks to the medics that have established the blood service: the office at hospital No. 52 is one of Moscow’s oldest, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year," Sobyanin said.
According to the Mayor’s Office press service, over 160,000 liters of whole blood are being stored in Moscow every year, with about 200 liters distributed to medical organizations every day. Last year, about 86,700 people became blood donors, 83,300 of whom donated blood for free. Of those, 38,400 became first-time donors.
"More donors chose donation of thrombocytes; there were over 5,500 such donors last year, with the yearly increase of up to 15%. In 2019, over 186,200 donations of blood and its components were performed. This volume makes it possible to satisfy the demand of medical organizations in quality blood components," the press service said.