tass--2020-06-11--Kremlin hoping that new sanctions proposed in US will not translate into action

MOSCOW , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
The Kremlin is hoping that the new anti-Russian sanctions proposed by the Republicans in the US House of Representatives will not be imposed .
Moreover , such impulses do not improve bilateral relations , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov is certain .
`` Of course , we can only regret that these new impulses are out there advanced by certain people in the general US policy , '' he said Thursday .
According to Peskov , `` this definitely does not contribute to normalization of bilateral ties . ''
`` We are hoping that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will not be implemented in any way , '' he stressed .
The Russian-American relations are being sacrificed for the benefit of certain political forces , Peskov noted .
`` Overall , as presidential campaign in the US progresses , our country and the Russian-American relations traditionally become a proverbial lamb that must be sacrificed , if one wants to achieve any success in the electoral business , '' the Kremlin spokesman commented .
`` This is regrettable , '' he added .
TASS earlier reported that Republicans in the US House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Russia , Iran and China in the history of the US legislature .
The proposal is laid out in the 120-page long report entitled ‘ Strengthening America & Countering Global Threats ’ published by the Republican research committee gathering around 150 Republican congresspeople .
The initiatives set out in the document are recommendations but not a bill submitted to Congress .
`` We are following the reports about such ideas and proposals [ to impose ] new restrictions , '' Peskov added .
`` We generally beleive that such restrictions are illegal @ @ @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. The Kremlin is hoping that the new anti-Russian sanctions proposed by the Republicans in the US House of Representatives will not be imposed. Moreover, such impulses do not improve bilateral relations, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov is certain.
"Of course, we can only regret that these new impulses are out there advanced by certain people in the general US policy," he said Thursday. According to Peskov, "this definitely does not contribute to normalization of bilateral ties." "We are hoping that these plans will not translate into action and will not be implemented in any way," he stressed.
The Russian-American relations are being sacrificed for the benefit of certain political forces, Peskov noted. "Overall, as presidential campaign in the US progresses, our country and the Russian-American relations traditionally become a proverbial lamb that must be sacrificed, if one wants to achieve any success in the electoral business," the Kremlin spokesman commented. "This is regrettable," he added.
TASS earlier reported that Republicans in the US House of Representatives suggested imposing unprecedentedly tough sanctions against Russia, Iran and China in the history of the US legislature. The proposal is laid out in the 120-page long report entitled ‘Strengthening America & Countering Global Threats’ published by the Republican research committee gathering around 150 Republican congresspeople. The initiatives set out in the document are recommendations but not a bill submitted to Congress. "We are following the reports about such ideas and proposals [to impose] new restrictions," Peskov added. "We generally believe that such restrictions are illegal from the international law viewpoint."


tass--2020-06-11--Statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis in Virginia toppled by protesters

According to the channel , the statue was thrown into a nearby lake .
The police arrived at the site .
TASS , June 11 .
Protesters in Richmond ( Virginia ) have torn down the monument erected to the only President of the Confederate States of America , Jefferson Davis ( 1808-1889 ) , local WRIC TV said Wednesday .
The Confederate States of America existed between 1861 and 1865 .
During the US Civil War , soldiers of the slave-owning South fought the North were slavery was outlawed .
Despite losing the war and nationwide abolition of slavery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flags and statues , remained in some southern states in spite of protests of those branding them as racist .
Earlier on Wednesday , the TV channel also informed that a group of demonstrators tossed a Christopher Columbus statue into the lake .
Native Americans often call him a colonizer and a murderer .
Widespread unrest has engulfed many US states over the death of an African American Minneapolis man named George Floyd , who died after a police officer kneeled on his neck and choked him to death during his arrest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the deadly arrest were fired .
On May 29 , the policeman in question , Derek Chauvin , was arrested on third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges .
However , on June 3 , Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison upped the charge against Chauvin to second-degree murder .
The three other officers involved in the fatal incident were arrested as well and are now facing charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder .
To counter the riots , local law enforcement is often supported by the National Guard .

According to the channel, the statue was thrown into a nearby lake. The police arrived at the site.
TASS, June 11. Protesters in Richmond (Virginia) have torn down the monument erected to the only President of the Confederate States of America, Jefferson Davis (1808-1889), local WRIC TV said Wednesday.
The Confederate States of America existed between 1861 and 1865. During the US Civil War, soldiers of the slave-owning South fought the North were slavery was outlawed. Despite losing the war and nationwide abolition of slavery, various Confederate symbols, including the flags and statues, remained in some southern states in spite of protests of those branding them as racist.
Earlier on Wednesday, the TV channel also informed that a group of demonstrators tossed a Christopher Columbus statue into the lake. Native Americans often call him a colonizer and a murderer.
Widespread unrest has engulfed many US states over the death of an African American Minneapolis man named George Floyd, who died after a police officer kneeled on his neck and choked him to death during his arrest. On May 26, all officers involved in the deadly arrest were fired. On May 29, the policeman in question, Derek Chauvin, was arrested on third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges. However, on June 3, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison upped the charge against Chauvin to second-degree murder. The three other officers involved in the fatal incident were arrested as well and are now facing charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder.
To counter the riots, local law enforcement is often supported by the National Guard.


tass--2020-06-11--Press review: Republicans take aim at Moscow and is Russia’s gas export kingship in danger

Kommersant : Republicans drawing up plans to crack down on Russia The Republican Study Committee ( RSC ) in the United States Congress has proposed a foreign policy vision and strategy to counter its US opponents .
According to Kommersant , another blacklist is in the making and the honors of second place ( after China ) on this list goes to Russia .
The newspaper reported that this document would allow the Republican party to have a clear agenda ready for the fall elections .
This conservative congressional caucus is the largest association within the Republican faction of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 150 members of Congress .
They had hammered out the strategy published on Wednesday for about a year and a half .
According to their document , Russia is stepping on US interests around the world - from Syria and Libya to Venezuela and Montenegro .
And if the threat from China is considered by the authors of the strategy more as a long-term , then the United States is already feeling the damage from Russia ’ s actions , Kommersant wrote .
Under the current conditions , they do not believe in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia and the United States .
To counter Russia , a number of specific measures are proposed .
Among them would be to recognize Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism , introduce secondary sanctions against companies supporting special Russian oil and gas projects , slap sanctions on new Russian public debt , put Vnesheconombank on the sanctions list , impose restrictive measures against `` leaders of Russian propaganda '' , and continue assistance to Ukraine and Georgia , and others .
However , the proposed document is just a list of recommendations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November elections , when not only the president is up for election , but so are one-third of the Senate and the entire House of Representatives , the Republican Party will be able to come up with a clearly formulated foreign policy agenda , Kommersant wrote .
According to Ivan Timofeev , program director of the Russian Council on Foreign Affairs , the published report `` broke many records by its offensiveness . ''
`` Real US diplomacy is built on a more realistic basis .
However , you need to understand that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
More populism is inevitable , and radical ideas are not uncommon , '' he explained to Kommersant .
`` It 's not about Russia .
Both Congress and the administration are united in their assessment of Russia as a key opponent of the United States .
However , the executive authorities are well aware that radical sanctions , for example , disconnecting Russia from SWIFT , blocking large banks , banning transactions with energy companies or secondary sanctions against Russia 's partners , can hurt the United States itself , its allies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the expert added .
Nezavisimaya Gazeta : Russia might cede superiority in gas exports to US , says IEA The International Energy Agency ( IEA ) expects the largest drop in global gas demand in history by the end of the year .
This demand will experience a 4-percent plunge or 150 bln cubic meters .
Part of the lost demand will be recovered in 2021 , and China will become the main driver of this recovery .
However , in the coming years , Russia will cede its gas exporting leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the IEA .
Nevertheless , experts interviewed by the newspaper believe that the real situation could be worse due to a possible second wave of the pandemic .
In particular , the IEA report mentioned Gazprom ’ s plans for the development of its largest fields , its deliveries to China through the Power of Siberia , which should reach the projected level of 38 bln cubic meters by 2025 annually , and the launch of the Arctic LNG 2 by Novatek and its foreign partners .
Russia , despite being in second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain one of the world ’ s largest gas suppliers .
It will account for slightly more than 20 % of global gas production growth until 2025 .
Experts interviewed by Nezavisimaya Gazeta believe that the rather optimistic IEA scenario is quite feasible , but , a second COVID-19 wave may create difficulties .
`` Restoring demand during the second half of 2020 and 2021 is quite possible if there is no second wave of restrictions across the globe due to the novel coronavirus , '' expert at the Financial University and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the newspaper .
Meanwhile , cheap gas production and pipeline transportation will work to maintain Russia ’ s status as the largest source of imported gas for Europe , Mitrakhovich added .
`` China is already clearly showing that , given the coronavirus pandemic , it does not consider itself obligated to fulfill its commitments made to Trump in early 2020 to purchase US hydrocarbons to the tune of $ 52 bln over two years , '' he said .
President of the Russian-Asian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Vitaly Mankevich told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase domestic production , the market share of imports there will be steadily growing .
Izvestia : Kiev dealt major financial blow during coronavirus recession due to plunging exports to Russia Since 2014 , Ukrainian exports to Russia have plunged by 80 % .
Last year ’ s forfeited revenue that Ukraine suffered is estimated at $ 13 bln , according to a report on the potential for restoring trade between countries , which was put together specially for Izvestia by analysts of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank .
Recently , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to restore exports to Russia , without which it is impossible to stimulate the economy in the era of the coronavirus pandemic .
According to experts , hypothetically , within five years , Kiev could have increased it several times .
Russia now ranks third on Ukraine ’ s exporting list after China and Poland .
Russian exports to Ukraine in 2019 come to almost $ 7 bln .
At the same time , calculations show that the reduction in supplies from Russia to the neighboring state was significantly less than the loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimates of the report prepared for the newspaper , both countries received less than $ 26 bln last year from breaking export-import chains .
Head of the Center for Post-Soviet Studies , Institute of Economics at RAS Leonid Vardomsky told the newspaper that he believed that the volume of trade in peak values in 2011 , when it approached the benchmark of $ 50 bln , is now out of the question .
`` If there is some kind of recovery , it will not be very significant , '' the expert believes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could increase exports to Russia several times over five years - up to about $ 5 bln .
This could include light industry , building materials , chemical products , and metallurgy .
Obviously , under favorable conditions , the neighboring state could count on the restoration of tourist flows from our country , '' he added .
And yet , despite the continued decline in trade , Russia and Ukraine remain significant trading partners , preserving the potential for the development of cooperation , President of the Black Sea Trade and Development @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The growth of mutual trade is possible in the current conditions between the private sector enterprises of the two countries in traditional areas , including railway , metallurgical machinery , boilers and equipment .
The basic principle is that contracts should not depend on political decisions or lifting restrictions , '' the expert said .
Following an online meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin , the IT and communications industries will be included in the nationwide economic recovery plan .
The Internet business , software developers and the telecom industry , contrary to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refused to acknowledge that they were affected by the pandemic , Kommersant wrote .
But they can compensate for the 20 % fall in demand this year through state orders , simplifying access for providers to apartment blocks and allowing data centers into the wholesale electricity market .
In the future , companies should be assisted by special legal arrangements for testing new technologies and a revised federal project for the development of artificial intelligence .
A comprehensive plan to support the IT and communications industries will be included in the nationwide economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Russian President Vladimir Putin said following a June 10 meeting with government and market participants .
It was attended by 11 company representatives from renowned Russian corporations such as Yandex , Mail.ru Group , 1C , InfoWatch , Rostelecom , MTS , MegaFon , Vimpelcom and others .
The telecommunications sector can in no way be considered a victim of the pandemic , President of Rostelecom Mikhail Oseevsky said .
At the same time , he also asked the head of state about regulatory measures to accelerate simplifying access for providers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state to work out legislation on teleworking , and to allow data centers into the wholesale electricity market .
Minister of Communications Maksut Shadaev , recalled that after the president ’ s order in 2018 , state-owned companies prepared import substitution plans , the total cost of which until 2021 is about 80 bln rubles ( $ 1.16 bln ) .
According to him , this level is necessary for the IT industry to compensate for lost revenue .
As part of the package of measures , the federal AI development project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Consulting at KPMG in Russia and the CIS Nikolai Legkodimov told the newspaper .
Kommersant : Russia still waiting for Turkey to resume flights Turkey resumed international flights on Wednesday and now expects a sharp influx of tourists .
Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , Azerbaijan and the Baltic states are among the first countries whose residents will be able to visit Turkey ’ s popular resorts in June , but not Russia , Kommersant wrote .
The authorities hope to restore air communication with Turkey in July , but the exact date is still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no more quarantine restrictions in Turkey , yet social distancing is in effect , and you can visit restaurants , beaches , and museums .
Russian officials have provided any specific dates , the newspaper wrote .
`` The competent Russian and Turkish authorities and departments are in perpetual contact , on the possibility of resuming cooperation in tourism and ensuring the safety and health of Russian tourists in Turkey , among other topics , '' the Russian Embassy in Ankara told Kommersant .
`` Specific dates for restoring air communications will apparently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as those specific measures that the parties can resort to in order to make flights as safe as possible from the point of view of sanitary and epidemiological standards , '' the diplomatic mission added .
So far , the measures announced by Turkey ’ s Minister of Tourism and Culture Mehmet Ersoy , look rather soft , the newspaper wrote .
A certificate indicating the absence of COVID-19 at the entrance to Turkey will not be required .
Instead , a traveler ’ s temperature will be checked and only if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be asked to take an analysis right on the spot at the airport .
The results , according to the Turkish minister , should not take more than an hour .
Tourists might not have to face tangible quarantine restrictions within the country either .
The authorities opened almost everything necessary for recreation , for example , beaches , pools , restaurants , museums , markets and parks , on June 1 , obliging visitors only to observe social distancing .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews

Kommersant: Republicans drawing up plans to crack down on Russia The Republican Study Committee (RSC) in the United States Congress has proposed a foreign policy vision and strategy to counter its US opponents. According to Kommersant, another blacklist is in the making and the honors of second place (after China) on this list goes to Russia. The newspaper reported that this document would allow the Republican party to have a clear agenda ready for the fall elections. This conservative congressional caucus is the largest association within the Republican faction of the House of Representatives, which includes about 150 members of Congress. They had hammered out the strategy published on Wednesday for about a year and a half. According to their document, Russia is stepping on US interests around the world - from Syria and Libya to Venezuela and Montenegro. And if the threat from China is considered by the authors of the strategy more as a long-term, then the United States is already feeling the damage from Russia’s actions, Kommersant wrote. Under the current conditions, they do not believe in the possibility of mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and the United States. To counter Russia, a number of specific measures are proposed. Among them would be to recognize Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, introduce secondary sanctions against companies supporting special Russian oil and gas projects, slap sanctions on new Russian public debt, put Vnesheconombank on the sanctions list, impose restrictive measures against "leaders of Russian propaganda", and continue assistance to Ukraine and Georgia, and others.
Read also Trump states very good relationship between US and Russia
However, the proposed document is just a list of recommendations, not a bill. By the November elections, when not only the president is up for election, but so are one-third of the Senate and the entire House of Representatives, the Republican Party will be able to come up with a clearly formulated foreign policy agenda, Kommersant wrote. According to Ivan Timofeev, program director of the Russian Council on Foreign Affairs, the published report "broke many records by its offensiveness." "Real US diplomacy is built on a more realistic basis. However, you need to understand that Congress is an institution of public policy. More populism is inevitable, and radical ideas are not uncommon," he explained to Kommersant. "It's not about Russia. Both Congress and the administration are united in their assessment of Russia as a key opponent of the United States. However, the executive authorities are well aware that radical sanctions, for example, disconnecting Russia from SWIFT, blocking large banks, banning transactions with energy companies or secondary sanctions against Russia's partners, can hurt the United States itself, its allies, as well as world markets," the expert added. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Russia might cede superiority in gas exports to US, says IEA The International Energy Agency (IEA) expects the largest drop in global gas demand in history by the end of the year. This demand will experience a 4-percent plunge or 150 bln cubic meters. Part of the lost demand will be recovered in 2021, and China will become the main driver of this recovery. However, in the coming years, Russia will cede its gas exporting leadership to the United States, according to the IEA. Nevertheless, experts interviewed by the newspaper believe that the real situation could be worse due to a possible second wave of the pandemic. In particular, the IEA report mentioned Gazprom’s plans for the development of its largest fields, its deliveries to China through the Power of Siberia, which should reach the projected level of 38 bln cubic meters by 2025 annually, and the launch of the Arctic LNG 2 by Novatek and its foreign partners. Russia, despite being in second place after the United States, will remain one of the world’s largest gas suppliers. It will account for slightly more than 20% of global gas production growth until 2025. Experts interviewed by Nezavisimaya Gazeta believe that the rather optimistic IEA scenario is quite feasible, but, a second COVID-19 wave may create difficulties. "Restoring demand during the second half of 2020 and 2021 is quite possible if there is no second wave of restrictions across the globe due to the novel coronavirus," expert at the Financial University and the National Energy Security Fund Stanislav Mitrakhovich told the newspaper. Meanwhile, cheap gas production and pipeline transportation will work to maintain Russia’s status as the largest source of imported gas for Europe, Mitrakhovich added. "China is already clearly showing that, given the coronavirus pandemic, it does not consider itself obligated to fulfill its commitments made to Trump in early 2020 to purchase US hydrocarbons to the tune of $52 bln over two years," he said. President of the Russian-Asian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Vitaly Mankevich told the newspaper that despite Beijing's efforts to increase domestic production, the market share of imports there will be steadily growing. Izvestia: Kiev dealt major financial blow during coronavirus recession due to plunging exports to Russia Since 2014, Ukrainian exports to Russia have plunged by 80%. Last year’s forfeited revenue that Ukraine suffered is estimated at $13 bln, according to a report on the potential for restoring trade between countries, which was put together specially for Izvestia by analysts of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank. Recently, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine had demanded to restore exports to Russia, without which it is impossible to stimulate the economy in the era of the coronavirus pandemic. According to experts, hypothetically, within five years, Kiev could have increased it several times. Russia now ranks third on Ukraine’s exporting list after China and Poland. Russian exports to Ukraine in 2019 come to almost $7 bln. At the same time, calculations show that the reduction in supplies from Russia to the neighboring state was significantly less than the loss of Ukrainian exports. According to the estimates of the report prepared for the newspaper, both countries received less than $26 bln last year from breaking export-import chains.
Read also IMF approves $5-billion loan for Ukraine
Head of the Center for Post-Soviet Studies, Institute of Economics at RAS Leonid Vardomsky told the newspaper that he believed that the volume of trade in peak values in 2011, when it approached the benchmark of $50 bln, is now out of the question. "If there is some kind of recovery, it will not be very significant," the expert believes. "For example, Ukraine hypothetically could increase exports to Russia several times over five years - up to about $ 5 bln. This could include light industry, building materials, chemical products, and metallurgy. Obviously, under favorable conditions, the neighboring state could count on the restoration of tourist flows from our country," he added. And yet, despite the continued decline in trade, Russia and Ukraine remain significant trading partners, preserving the potential for the development of cooperation, President of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank Dmitry Pankin told Izvestia. "The growth of mutual trade is possible in the current conditions between the private sector enterprises of the two countries in traditional areas, including railway, metallurgical machinery, boilers and equipment. The basic principle is that contracts should not depend on political decisions or lifting restrictions," the expert said. Kommersant: Russia’s economic recovery plan to include IT sector Following an online meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the IT and communications industries will be included in the nationwide economic recovery plan. The Internet business, software developers and the telecom industry, contrary to the usual rhetoric of other businesses, refused to acknowledge that they were affected by the pandemic, Kommersant wrote. But they can compensate for the 20% fall in demand this year through state orders, simplifying access for providers to apartment blocks and allowing data centers into the wholesale electricity market. In the future, companies should be assisted by special legal arrangements for testing new technologies and a revised federal project for the development of artificial intelligence.
Read also Putin approves Cabinet’s plan as basis for economic recovery
A comprehensive plan to support the IT and communications industries will be included in the nationwide economic development plan, prepared by June 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin said following a June 10 meeting with government and market participants. It was attended by 11 company representatives from renowned Russian corporations such as Yandex, Mail.ru Group, 1C, InfoWatch, Rostelecom, MTS, MegaFon, Vimpelcom and others. The telecommunications sector can in no way be considered a victim of the pandemic, President of Rostelecom Mikhail Oseevsky said. At the same time, he also asked the head of state about regulatory measures to accelerate simplifying access for providers to multiple residential housing units. He urged the state to work out legislation on teleworking, and to allow data centers into the wholesale electricity market. Minister of Communications Maksut Shadaev, recalled that after the president’s order in 2018, state-owned companies prepared import substitution plans, the total cost of which until 2021 is about 80 bln rubles ($1.16 bln). According to him, this level is necessary for the IT industry to compensate for lost revenue. As part of the package of measures, the federal AI development project is also noteworthy, Head of Technology Consulting at KPMG in Russia and the CIS Nikolai Legkodimov told the newspaper. Kommersant: Russia still waiting for Turkey to resume flights Turkey resumed international flights on Wednesday and now expects a sharp influx of tourists. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan and the Baltic states are among the first countries whose residents will be able to visit Turkey’s popular resorts in June, but not Russia, Kommersant wrote. The authorities hope to restore air communication with Turkey in July, but the exact date is still unknown. Meanwhile, there are practically no more quarantine restrictions in Turkey, yet social distancing is in effect, and you can visit restaurants, beaches, and museums.


tass--2020-06-11--Russia’s upgraded Ka-52 gunship with long-range cruise missile to complete trials in 2022

`` Taking part in state joint trials of upgraded Ka-52M helicopters .
Finalizing the helicopters following the results of the state joint trials .
The time limits for the contractual work : December 1 , 2020 as its beginning and September 30 , 2022 as its completion , '' the documents say .
MOSCOW , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
The Kamov Ka-52M upgraded combat helicopter armed with a new long-range cruise missile is due to complete state trials by October 2022 , according to the data posted on the government ’ s procurement website on Thursday .
During its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new long-range cruise missile codenamed ‘ item 305 , ’ with which the Mi-28NM gunship was earlier armed with .
The government procurement materials indicate that the upgraded helicopter will get an interface device for this missile , an airborne launcher and a command radio link for employing the missile .
The upgraded helicopter will also be furnished with a new round-the-clock sight system , the latest onboard communications and data exchange systems , satellite navigation equipment and other devices .
As the materials indicate , the first two helicopters will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year by re-equipping and finalizing the operational rotorcraft .
The gunships are due to enter flight tests before May 31 , 2021 .
A TASS source reported in February that the upgrade would allow the Ka-52M to carry the latest ‘ item 305 ’ airborne cruise missiles with an operational range of up to 100 km .
As another source in the domestic defense industry told TASS in March 2019 , the latest Russian airborne missile ‘ item 305 ’ was undergoing trials aboard a Mi-28NM helicopter in a real warfare environment in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko said in May last year that the Defense Ministry was going to conclude a contract with Russian Helicopters Group rotorcraft manufacturer ( part of the state hi-tech corporation Rostec ) on the delivery of 114 Ka-52M helicopters .
Russian Helicopters Group CEO Andrei Boginsky specified at the time that specialists were taking into account the Syrian combat experience in developing the gunship and the upgraded version would get new target detection and identification systems and longer-range weapons .
By its weapons suite , the Ka-52M will be standardized with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Ka-52 , its upgraded version will feature enhanced protection , the chief executive said .

"Taking part in state joint trials of upgraded Ka-52M helicopters. Finalizing the helicopters following the results of the state joint trials. The time limits for the contractual work: December 1, 2020 as its beginning and September 30, 2022 as its completion," the documents say.
MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. The Kamov Ka-52M upgraded combat helicopter armed with a new long-range cruise missile is due to complete state trials by October 2022, according to the data posted on the government’s procurement website on Thursday.
During its upgrade, the Ka-52 helicopter will get a new long-range cruise missile codenamed ‘item 305,’ with which the Mi-28NM gunship was earlier armed with. The government procurement materials indicate that the upgraded helicopter will get an interface device for this missile, an airborne launcher and a command radio link for employing the missile.
The upgraded helicopter will also be furnished with a new round-the-clock sight system, the latest onboard communications and data exchange systems, satellite navigation equipment and other devices.
As the materials indicate, the first two helicopters will be upgraded before the end of November this year by re-equipping and finalizing the operational rotorcraft. The gunships are due to enter flight tests before May 31, 2021.
A TASS source reported in February that the upgrade would allow the Ka-52M to carry the latest ‘item 305’ airborne cruise missiles with an operational range of up to 100 km. As another source in the domestic defense industry told TASS in March 2019, the latest Russian airborne missile ‘item 305’ was undergoing trials aboard a Mi-28NM helicopter in a real warfare environment in Syria at that time.
Ka-52M attack helicopter
Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko said in May last year that the Defense Ministry was going to conclude a contract with Russian Helicopters Group rotorcraft manufacturer (part of the state hi-tech corporation Rostec) on the delivery of 114 Ka-52M helicopters.
Russian Helicopters Group CEO Andrei Boginsky specified at the time that specialists were taking into account the Syrian combat experience in developing the gunship and the upgraded version would get new target detection and identification systems and longer-range weapons.
By its weapons suite, the Ka-52M will be standardized with the Mi family of helicopters. Compared to the Ka-52, its upgraded version will feature enhanced protection, the chief executive said.


tass--2020-06-11--Shunde of China to build 10 ultra-large modern thematic industrial high standards parks

SHUNDE , China , June 11 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 11 , Shunde , a district of Foshan city in China 's Guangdong province , released the construction plan for ten ultra-large modern thematic industrial parks with new development philosophy , and interpreted related supporting policies .
According to the Information Office of the People 's Government of Shunde District , the total area of these ten industrial parks exceeds 32,000 mu ( 2133.33 hectares ) , each covering an area of over 1,000 mu ( 66.67 hectares ) with a clear leading industry under the guiding principle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry . ''
These parks strive to be built into a new carrier for high-quality development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area .
Since 2018 , upgrading the village-level industrial parks has been made the top priority of the party committee and government of Shunde district .
After two years ' hard-work , a total of 2626.2 hectares of land have been consolidated and 282.2 hectares turned into reclaimed and afforested areas .
Besides , 11.45 million square meters of new factories have been built and 7,944 backward and unreliable companies closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in building Guangdong provincial pilot area of systematic and institutional reform and innovation for high-quality development in full swing , and achieved phased results .
It is now sparing no effort in planning to build the provincial pilot area with new development philosophy in the new era .
At this moment , Shunde makes its global release of the industrial planning for the ten ultra-large thematic industrial parks , aiming to accelerate the construction of the parks in accordance with the new development philosophy , under the principles of setting planning and construction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ setting enterprise access standards and favorable supporting policies .
With a total area of over 2133.33 hectares and covering large-scale and continuous development space , these ten industrial parks are rarely seen in the Greater Bay Area .
The direction of the leading industry in each park is clarified , guided by the principles of `` one town with one thematic industry . ''
The proportion of the output value of the leading industry in its total will gradually exceed 60 % .
The ten major industrial parks are Shunde ( Daliang ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) & Chip Industrial Park , ( Lunjiao ) Intelligent Equipment Smart Home Industrial Park , ( Leliu ) Smart Home Industrial Park , ( Chencun ) Intelligent Equipment Industrial Park , ( Beijiao ) Robot Town Industrial Park ( Phase I ) , ( Lecong ) Biomedical Industrial Park , ( Longjiang ) Digital Equipment Park , ( Xingtan ) New Material & Smart Home Industrial Park , ( Jun'an ) Electronic Communication Equipment Industrial Park .
In order to plan and build these modern industrial parks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead in formulating standards to guide and regulate the construction .
Combining their respective characteristics , Shunde has introduced a package of supporting policies , whose intensity and breadth are nationally competitive , covering the entire process of project implementation .
Among them , the most important investment projects in the modern industrial parks will be granted a maximum of 30 % subsidy for fixed asset investment ; for the strategic emerging industry projects settled in the parks , a maximum of 30 % subsidies for R & D investment can be granted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these policies , it 's estimated that the district and township levels will invest more than 4 billion yuan in fund support in the next three years .
Link : http : //asianetnews.net/view-attachment ?
attach-id=365128 Caption : The design sketch of the Shunde ( Daliang ) Electronic Information Industrial Park under planning ( top ) .
The headquarters building of Guangdong Bright Dream Robotics Co. , Ltd. has been put into use in the Shunde ( Beijiao ) Robot Town Industrial Park ( bottom ) .

SHUNDE, China, June 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 11, Shunde, a district of Foshan city in China's Guangdong province, released the construction plan for ten ultra-large modern thematic industrial parks with new development philosophy, and interpreted related supporting policies. According to the Information Office of the People's Government of Shunde District, the total area of these ten industrial parks exceeds 32,000 mu (2133.33 hectares), each covering an area of over 1,000 mu (66.67 hectares) with a clear leading industry under the guiding principle of "one town with one thematic industry." These parks strive to be built into a new carrier for high-quality development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Since 2018, upgrading the village-level industrial parks has been made the top priority of the party committee and government of Shunde district. After two years' hard-work, a total of 2626.2 hectares of land have been consolidated and 282.2 hectares turned into reclaimed and afforested areas. Besides, 11.45 million square meters of new factories have been built and 7,944 backward and unreliable companies closed.
Shunde has been taking the lead in building Guangdong provincial pilot area of systematic and institutional reform and innovation for high-quality development in full swing, and achieved phased results. It is now sparing no effort in planning to build the provincial pilot area with new development philosophy in the new era. At this moment, Shunde makes its global release of the industrial planning for the ten ultra-large thematic industrial parks, aiming to accelerate the construction of the parks in accordance with the new development philosophy, under the principles of setting planning and construction standards, setting industry theme directions, setting enterprise access standards and favorable supporting policies.
With a total area of over 2133.33 hectares and covering large-scale and continuous development space, these ten industrial parks are rarely seen in the Greater Bay Area. The direction of the leading industry in each park is clarified, guided by the principles of "one town with one thematic industry." The proportion of the output value of the leading industry in its total will gradually exceed 60%.
The ten major industrial parks are Shunde (Daliang) Electronic Information Industrial Park, (Ronggui) Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Chip Industrial Park, (Lunjiao) Intelligent Equipment Smart Home Industrial Park, (Leliu) Smart Home Industrial Park, (Chencun) Intelligent Equipment Industrial Park, (Beijiao) Robot Town Industrial Park (Phase I), (Lecong) Biomedical Industrial Park, (Longjiang) Digital Equipment Park, (Xingtan) New Material & Smart Home Industrial Park, (Jun'an) Electronic Communication Equipment Industrial Park.
In order to plan and build these modern industrial parks with high standards, Shunde took the lead in formulating standards to guide and regulate the construction. Combining their respective characteristics, Shunde has introduced a package of supporting policies, whose intensity and breadth are nationally competitive, covering the entire process of project implementation. Among them, the most important investment projects in the modern industrial parks will be granted a maximum of 30% subsidy for fixed asset investment; for the strategic emerging industry projects settled in the parks, a maximum of 30% subsidies for R&D investment can be granted for three consecutive years.
According to these policies, it's estimated that the district and township levels will invest more than 4 billion yuan in fund support in the next three years.
Image Attachments Links:
Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=365128
Caption: The design sketch of the Shunde (Daliang) Electronic Information Industrial Park under planning (top). The headquarters building of Guangdong Bright Dream Robotics Co., Ltd. has been put into use in the Shunde (Beijiao) Robot Town Industrial Park (bottom).
CONTACT: Ms. Cui, +86-20-83107576


tass--2020-06-11--Armenia confirms 566 new coronavirus cases in past day

YEREVAN , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
Coronavirus cases in Armenia grew by 566 in the past twenty-four hours compared to 428 the day before , the republic ’ s Health Ministry reported on Thursday .
`` In the past twenty-four hours , 566 new coronavirus cases were identified and 240 patients recovered from the illness .
As many as 5,466 patients have recovered from the illness to date while the total number of infected individuals stands at 14,669 , '' the ministry said in a statement .
Eighteen coronavirus patients died at Armenian hospitals in the past twenty-four hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 245 .
Yerevan hospitals conducted over 2,200 coronavirus tests in the past day and their total number reached 75,389 since the start of the pandemic in the republic , the Health Ministry ’ s data indicate .
The situation with the coronavirus spread in Armenia remains tense .
In the past week , the republic would register from 200 to 400 new coronavirus cases daily and the total number of infections surpassed 14,600 , the latest date show .
Armenia registered the first coronavirus case on March 1 .
On March 16 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of emergency and a strict lockdown regime .
On May 18 , the Armenian government lifted all economic restrictions and public transport , the subway , restaurants and shopping centers resumed operation .
After the restrictions were lifted , the number of coronavirus cases grew significantly .
On May 25 , the Armenian authorities introduced mandatory regime of wearing face masks .
In early June , Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the scope of violations of epidemiological safety standards was disastrous and the country was on the verge of a humanitarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismissed on June 8 the heads of the country ’ s law enforcement agencies , saying that they had failed to keep the situation under control .
Armenia ’ s Health Ministry has said that the hospitals are swamped and hundreds of people are on the waiting lists for hospitalization .
In early June , Pashinyan announced that he and his family members had contracted the coronavirus .
A week later , it was reported that all of them had recovered .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 7,471,190 people have been infected worldwide and more than 419,260 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 3,788,860 individuals have recovered from the illness across the @ @

YEREVAN, June 11. /TASS/. Coronavirus cases in Armenia grew by 566 in the past twenty-four hours compared to 428 the day before, the republic’s Health Ministry reported on Thursday.
"In the past twenty-four hours, 566 new coronavirus cases were identified and 240 patients recovered from the illness. As many as 5,466 patients have recovered from the illness to date while the total number of infected individuals stands at 14,669," the ministry said in a statement.
Eighteen coronavirus patients died at Armenian hospitals in the past twenty-four hours, bringing total fatalities in the republic to 245. Yerevan hospitals conducted over 2,200 coronavirus tests in the past day and their total number reached 75,389 since the start of the pandemic in the republic, the Health Ministry’s data indicate.
The situation with the coronavirus spread in Armenia remains tense. In the past week, the republic would register from 200 to 400 new coronavirus cases daily and the total number of infections surpassed 14,600, the latest data show.
Armenia registered the first coronavirus case on March 1. On March 16, the Armenian authorities introduced a state of emergency and a strict lockdown regime. On May 18, the Armenian government lifted all economic restrictions and public transport, the subway, restaurants and shopping centers resumed operation. After the restrictions were lifted, the number of coronavirus cases grew significantly. On May 25, the Armenian authorities introduced mandatory regime of wearing face masks.
In early June, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the scope of violations of epidemiological safety standards was disastrous and the country was on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe. Amid these statements, he dismissed on June 8 the heads of the country’s law enforcement agencies, saying that they had failed to keep the situation under control. Armenia’s Health Ministry has said that the hospitals are swamped and hundreds of people are on the waiting lists for hospitalization.
In early June, Pashinyan announced that he and his family members had contracted the coronavirus. A week later, it was reported that all of them had recovered.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 7,471,190 people have been infected worldwide and more than 419,260 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 3,788,860 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-06-11--Bulgaria reports record high number of daily coronavirus cases

The bulk of cases were recorded in Smolyan — 41 , Sofia — 19 and Stara Zagora — 15 .
A total of 2,993 people have contracted COVID-19 , 1,664 have recovered and 167 have died .
Some 187 patients with coronavirus are in hospitals now , including 17 in intensive care .
`` A growing number of those ill shows that the coronavirus keeps circulating in the country and finds a chance for spreading locally , especially at enterprises where a large number of people are working compactly .
Probably , we are talking about the second wave of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me that now the virus has become less contagious and a bigger number of people have fewer symptoms .
We will continue the effort on limiting the spread of the disease and recording the cases , but we are not planning to impose tough quarantine measures .
We should learn how to live with the virus without blocking everyday work , '' chief sanitary doctor Angel Kunchev told bTV television .
Bulgaria reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 .
The authorities declared a state of emergency on March 13 until May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the epidemiological situation is in effect in Bulgaria , which was extended until the end of the month on Wednesday .
Observing social distance , as well as wearing face masks in indoor public facilities and on transport is compulsory .

The bulk of cases were recorded in Smolyan — 41, Sofia — 19 and Stara Zagora — 15. A total of 2,993 people have contracted COVID-19, 1,664 have recovered and 167 have died.
Some 187 patients with coronavirus are in hospitals now, including 17 in intensive care.
"A growing number of those ill shows that the coronavirus keeps circulating in the country and finds a chance for spreading locally, especially at enterprises where a large number of people are working compactly. Probably, we are talking about the second wave of infection. Besides, it seems to me that now the virus has become less contagious and a bigger number of people have fewer symptoms. We will continue the effort on limiting the spread of the disease and recording the cases, but we are not planning to impose tough quarantine measures. We should learn how to live with the virus without blocking everyday work," chief sanitary doctor Angel Kunchev told bTV television.
Bulgaria reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8. The authorities declared a state of emergency on March 13 until May 14.
Now a state of emergency over the epidemiological situation is in effect in Bulgaria, which was extended until the end of the month on Wednesday. Observing social distance, as well as wearing face masks in indoor public facilities and on transport is compulsory.


tass--2020-06-11--First batch of Avifavir antiviral drug delivered to hospitals

MOSCOW , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) and ChemRar Group have delivered the first batch of Avifavir drug against the coronavirus to Russian hospitals , RDIF said in a statement on Thursday .
Clinics and pharmaceutical organizations in the Moscow , Leningrad , Novgorod , Kirov and Nizhny Novgorod regions , as well as in the Republic of Tatarstan and Ekaterinburg , have already received the first deliveries of the drug , the Fund said .
As many as 60,000 courses of Avifavir will be delivered to Russian hospitals in June .
Production @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mln courses per year if necessary .
`` The drug is in high demand across Russia , with negotiations underway to arrange deliveries to almost all regions of the country .
We have also received requests for deliveries of Avifavir from more than ten countries .
The initial results of clinical trials make this drug one of the most promising in the world , '' Chief Executive Officer Kirill Dmitriev was quoted as saying .
Avifavir is produced by a joint venture of RDIF and ChemRar Group .
It is one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Avifavir has also become the first Favipiravir-based drug in the world approved for treatment of COVID-19 .
It has shown high efficacy in clinical trials , disrupting the reproduction mechanisms of coronavirus .
On May 29 , Avifavir received a registration certificate from Russia ’ s Ministry of Health and became the first Russian drug approved for treatment of COVID-19 patients .
On June 3 , the Ministry of Health included Avifavir in the seventh edition of the guidelines for the prevention , diagnosis and treatment of the novel coronavirus infection .

MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and ChemRar Group have delivered the first batch of Avifavir drug against the coronavirus to Russian hospitals, RDIF said in a statement on Thursday.
Clinics and pharmaceutical organizations in the Moscow, Leningrad, Novgorod, Kirov and Nizhny Novgorod regions, as well as in the Republic of Tatarstan and Ekaterinburg, have already received the first deliveries of the drug, the Fund said. As many as 60,000 courses of Avifavir will be delivered to Russian hospitals in June. Production of Avifavir could be increased to 2 mln courses per year if necessary.
"The drug is in high demand across Russia, with negotiations underway to arrange deliveries to almost all regions of the country. We have also received requests for deliveries of Avifavir from more than ten countries. The initial results of clinical trials make this drug one of the most promising in the world," Chief Executive Officer Kirill Dmitriev was quoted as saying.
Avifavir is produced by a joint venture of RDIF and ChemRar Group. It is one of the two registered COVID-19 drugs in the world. Avifavir has also become the first Favipiravir-based drug in the world approved for treatment of COVID-19. It has shown high efficacy in clinical trials, disrupting the reproduction mechanisms of coronavirus.
On May 29, Avifavir received a registration certificate from Russia’s Ministry of Health and became the first Russian drug approved for treatment of COVID-19 patients. On June 3, the Ministry of Health included Avifavir in the seventh edition of the guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the novel coronavirus infection.


tass--2020-06-11--Six convicted in Khabarovsk for joining terrorist organization

KHABAROVSK , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
Khabarovsk court has convicted six people to prison terms for joining an international terrorist organization , the press service for the regional branch of the Federal Security Service ( FSB ) said .
`` The Khabarovsk Region FSB branch detected and foiled activities of six people from Central Asia living in Khabarovsk < … > who colluded with the Islamic State international terrorist organization and did not notify [ the authorities ] about terrorist crimes they knew about , '' the statement reads .
The convicts were brainwashing their compatriots and one Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Islamic State fight .
One of the convicted individuals voluntarily pledged allegiance to the IS and was planning to head to Syria to join the fighting .
Three other people heard their verdicts last September .
They were fined to between 15,000 and 30,000 rubles ( $ 217-434 ) , were deported back home and were banned from entering Russia for 35 years .
Later , one of them was additionally convicted to four years behind bars , including two years in jail and another two years in a high-security penal colony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentenced to eight and eleven years in prison .
The court delivered the last verdict in June .

KHABAROVSK, June 11. /TASS/. Khabarovsk court has convicted six people to prison terms for joining an international terrorist organization, the press service for the regional branch of the Federal Security Service (FSB) said.
"The Khabarovsk Region FSB branch detected and foiled activities of six people from Central Asia living in Khabarovsk <…> who colluded with the Islamic State international terrorist organization and did not notify [the authorities] about terrorist crimes they knew about," the statement reads.
The convicts were brainwashing their compatriots and one Russian citizen to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State fight. One of the convicted individuals voluntarily pledged allegiance to the IS and was planning to head to Syria to join the fighting.
Three other people heard their verdicts last September. They were fined to between 15,000 and 30,000 rubles ($217-434), were deported back home and were banned from entering Russia for 35 years. Later, one of them was additionally convicted to four years behind bars, including two years in jail and another two years in a high-security penal colony, for crimes committed.
Others were sentenced to eight and eleven years in prison. The court delivered the last verdict in June.


tass--2020-06-11--Russia’s coronavirus cases surpass 500,000

MOSCOW , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s coronavirus cases rose by 8,779 in the past day , @ @ @ @ @ crisis center told reporters on Thursday .
According to the crisis center , the daily @ @ @ @ @ 1.8 % and a day earlier it stood at 1.7 % .
Some 1,436 new @ @ @ @ @ , taking the total case tally in the capital to 201,221 .
Currently , some @ @ @ @ @ Moscow .
In the past day , 724 cases were confirmed in the Moscow Region @ @ @ @ @ Region , 303 in St. Petersburg and 303 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region .
A @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 in Russia now .

MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. Russia’s coronavirus cases rose by 8,779 in the past day, reaching 502,436, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Thursday.
According to the crisis center, the daily growth in COVID-19 cases was 1.8% and a day earlier it stood at 1.7%.
Some 1,436 new cases were recorded in Moscow, taking the total case tally in the capital to 201,221. Currently, some 82,314 people are ill in Moscow.
In the past day, 724 cases were confirmed in the Moscow Region, 312 in the Sverdlovsk Region, 303 in St. Petersburg and 303 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region.
A total of 234,754 people have COVID-19 in Russia now.


tass--2020-06-11--Ukraine records highest daily coronavirus cases growth

KIEV , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
Ukraine ’ s doctors confirmed 689 new coronavirus cases in the past day @ @ @ @ @ during the pandemic in the country , the Health Ministry ’ s Center of Public @ @ @ @ @ Clinical tests of anti-coronavirus vaccine may begin in Spain in autumn The number of new @ @ @ @ @ was 23 % more compared with Wednesday , when 525 new cases were recorded .
@ @ @ @ @ of new patients rose 30 % compared with the day earlier , when 394 cases @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , 372 people recovered in the past day and 21 others died .
A @ @ @ @ @ contracted COVID-19 in Ukraine , 13,141 people have recovered and 854 others have died .

KIEV, June 11. /TASS/. Ukraine’s doctors confirmed 689 new coronavirus cases in the past day, the highest number registered during the pandemic in the country, the Health Ministry’s Center of Public Health said on Thursday.
Clinical tests of anti-coronavirus vaccine may begin in Spain in autumn
The number of new COVID-19 cases registered on Thursday was 23% more compared with Wednesday, when 525 new cases were recorded. On Wednesday, the number of new patients rose 30% compared with the day earlier, when 394 cases were confirmed.
As of Thursday, 372 people recovered in the past day and 21 others died.
A total of 29,070 people have contracted COVID-19 in Ukraine, 13,141 people have recovered and 854 others have died.


tass--2020-06-11--Russia to spend $6.2 bln on new support measures to restore economy

MOSCOW , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
The national plan of Russian economy restoration outlines new measures of support to the tune of 430 billion rubles ( $ 6.2 bln ) , including 133 bln rubles ( $ 1.9 bln ) in 2020 and 300 bln rubles ( $ 4.4 bln ) in 2021 , Head of the Russian Accounts Chamber Alexei Kudrin said in an interview with TASS .
`` According to the government , the national plan is worth 5 trln rubles ( $ 72.5 bln ) , including measures declared in three packages .
In 2020 some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) will be earmarked , including 133 bln ( $ 1.9 bln ) on events , which were not included in previous packages and 2.4 trln rubles ( $ 34.8 bln ) for 2021 , including nearly 300 bln rubles ( $ 4.4 bln ) on new measures , '' Kudrin said .
The national plan adds 430 bln rubles of support for two years , he said .
`` I believe that [ this plan ] should outline stronger changes in economy because 2021 should be used for changing the federal budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small and medium-sized businesses and reducing regulatory burden on enterprises . ''

MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. The national plan of Russian economy restoration outlines new measures of support to the tune of 430 billion rubles ($6.2 bln), including 133 bln rubles ($1.9 bln) in 2020 and 300 bln rubles ($4.4 bln) in 2021, Head of the Russian Accounts Chamber Alexei Kudrin said in an interview with TASS.
"According to the government, the national plan is worth 5 trln rubles ($72.5 bln), including measures declared in three packages. In 2020 some 2.8 trln rubles ($40.6 bln) will be earmarked, including 133 bln ($1.9 bln) on events, which were not included in previous packages and 2.4 trln rubles ($34.8 bln) for 2021, including nearly 300 bln rubles ($4.4 bln) on new measures," Kudrin said.
The national plan adds 430 bln rubles of support for two years, he said. "I believe that [this plan] should outline stronger changes in economy because 2021 should be used for changing the federal budget’s structure, significant support for small and medium-sized businesses and reducing regulatory burden on enterprises."


tass--2020-06-11--Brazil's coronavirus death toll nears 40,000

Another 32,913 cases were recorded in the country in the past 24 hours , brining the total to 772,416 .
@ @ @ @ @ have recovered .
RIO DE JANEIRO , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
The number of @ @ @ @ @ risen by 1,274 to 39,680 , according to the Health Ministry ’ s data .
@ @ @ @ @ coronavirus patient was identified on February 26 , has the second highest number of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ the third highest death toll after the United Sates and the United Kingdom .
In @ @ @ @ @ officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously @ @ @ @ @ of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
@ @ @ @ @ , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

Another 32,913 cases were recorded in the country in the past 24 hours, brining the total to 772,416. As many as 325,395 patients have recovered.
RIO DE JANEIRO, June 11. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus deaths in Brazil has risen by 1,274 to 39,680, according to the Health Ministry’s data.
Brazil, where the first coronavirus patient was identified on February 26, has the second highest number of COVID-19 cases after the US and the third highest death toll after the United Sates and the United Kingdom.
Coronavirus pandemic
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-06-11--Most Russians support coronavirus restrictions, poll indicates

MOSCOW , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
Most Russians largely support restrictions imposed in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic , a poll carried out by RGS Bank indicates .
`` Most of those surveyed ( 77 % ) largely agree with the previously imposed restrictions .
20 % said that the authorities should have enforced more restrictions , while 24 % disagree .
A total of 13 % of respondents don ’ t think that there was a need to introduce self-isolation rules , '' the bank said in a research note .
Twenty percent of Russians expected the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while 13 % thought they would have to spend the whole summer in self-isolation .
Nine percent of the poll ’ s participants said that new coronavirus waves would come in the future , prompting a return of restrictions .
Only six percent said there was no pandemic at all .
The poll involving 1,000 respondents over 18 years of age was conducted in Russian cities with a population of over 100,000 in May .
As of June 10 , a total of 493,657 coronavirus cases were confirmed in Russia , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 6,358 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. Most Russians largely support restrictions imposed in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic, a poll carried out by RGS Bank indicates.
"Most of those surveyed (77%) largely agree with the previously imposed restrictions. 20% said that the authorities should have enforced more restrictions, while 24% disagree. A total of 13% of respondents don’t think that there was a need to introduce self-isolation rules," the bank said in a research note.
Twenty percent of Russians expected the quarantine measures to be removed in May, while 13% thought they would have to spend the whole summer in self-isolation. Nine percent of the poll’s participants said that new coronavirus waves would come in the future, prompting a return of restrictions. Only six percent said there was no pandemic at all.
The poll involving 1,000 respondents over 18 years of age was conducted in Russian cities with a population of over 100,000 in May.
As of June 10, a total of 493,657 coronavirus cases were confirmed in Russia, with 252,783 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 6,358 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-06-11--US coronavirus cases pass two million

US coronavirus cases pass two million

TASS , June 11 .
The number of coronavirus cases in the United States has exceeded two million , according @ @ @ @ @ The number of cases reached 2,000,464 overnight into Thursday .
As many as 533,504 patients @ @ @ @ @ and 112,908 have died .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World @ @ @ @ @ about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in @ @ @ @ @ , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been @ @ @ @ @ the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the latest statistics , over 7,336,200 people have been infected worldwide and @ @ @ @ @ been reported .

TASS, June 11. The number of coronavirus cases in the United States has exceeded two million, according to Johns Hopkins University.
The number of cases reached 2,000,464 overnight into Thursday. As many as 533,504 patients have recovered in the country and 112,908 have died.
Coronavirus pandemic
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 7,336,200 people have been infected worldwide and more than 414,000 deaths have been reported.


tass--2020-06-11--No sign of increase in new coronavirus cases due to protests, US vice president says

NEW YORK , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
The US authorities haven ’ t seen a rise in new coronavirus cases due to the ongoing protests , US Vice President Michael Pence said in an interview with FOX Business .
`` Our team has been following the potential health implications of these protests very closely and I can tell you that at this point , we don ’ t see an increase in new cases now nearly two weeks on from where the first protests took effect , '' he pointed out .
`` Many people at protests were wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Pence added .
Widespread unrest has engulfed many US states over the death of African American George Floyd , who died after a police officer kneeled on his neck and choked him to death during his arrest .
On May 26 , all officers involved in the deadly arrest were fired .
On May 29 , the policeman in question , Derek Chauvin , was arrested on third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges .
However , on June 3 , Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison upped the charge against Chauvin to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved in the fatal incident were arrested as well and are facing charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder .
According to Johns Hopkins University , the United States has recorded over 1,990,000 coronavirus cases , more than 112,000 patients have died .

NEW YORK, June 11. /TASS/. The US authorities haven’t seen a rise in new coronavirus cases due to the ongoing protests, US Vice President Michael Pence said in an interview with FOX Business.
"Our team has been following the potential health implications of these protests very closely and I can tell you that at this point, we don’t see an increase in new cases now nearly two weeks on from where the first protests took effect," he pointed out.
"Many people at protests were wearing masks and engaging in some social distancing," Pence added.
Widespread unrest has engulfed many US states over the death of African American George Floyd, who died after a police officer kneeled on his neck and choked him to death during his arrest. On May 26, all officers involved in the deadly arrest were fired. On May 29, the policeman in question, Derek Chauvin, was arrested on third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges. However, on June 3, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison upped the charge against Chauvin to second-degree murder. The three other officers involved in the fatal incident were arrested as well and are facing charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder.
According to Johns Hopkins University, the United States has recorded over 1,990,000 coronavirus cases, more than 112,000 patients have died.


tass--2020-06-11--Crimean lawmaker slams EU sanctions as hypocritical

SIMFEROPOL , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
The European Union ’ s move to extend sanctions on Crimea highlights the hypocrisy of EU officials because many European investors are active in the region , said Russian State Duma ( the lower house of parliament ) member Andrei Kozenko , who represents Crimea .
On Wednesday , the 27 countries of the European Union agreed to extend sanctions against Crimea and the city of Sevastopol for another year , a source in the Council of the European Union told TASS earlier .
According to the source , the council will formally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will enter into force after publication in the EU Official Journal .
`` The ban on EU investment in Crimea is mere hypocrisy , '' Kozenko pointed out , adding that `` despite sanctions , Crimea continues to attract investors from many countries , including European ones . ''
According to the lawmaker , over 3,350 economic entities founded by businessmen from 60 countries are registered in Crimea .
Efforts are underway to implement 182 projects involving a total investment of about 150 bln rubles ( $ 2.2 bln ) .
Member of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ house of parliament ) Olga Kovitidi believes that the decision to extend sanctions is first and foremost harmful to the EU .
She emphasized the need for the EU `` to move to mutually beneficial trade with Russia , remove the disgraceful sanctions and launch a real fight against the coronavirus pandemic , '' she told TASS .
Kovitidi pointed out that Crimea would welcome tourists from EU countries if sanctions were lifted .
`` However , people in EU countries , who are tired of lockdowns and the coronavirus pandemic , have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new round of cold war against Russia , '' the senator noted .

SIMFEROPOL, June 11. /TASS/. The European Union’s move to extend sanctions on Crimea highlights the hypocrisy of EU officials because many European investors are active in the region, said Russian State Duma (the lower house of parliament) member Andrei Kozenko, who represents Crimea.
On Wednesday, the 27 countries of the European Union agreed to extend sanctions against Crimea and the city of Sevastopol for another year, a source in the Council of the European Union told TASS earlier. According to the source, the council will formally approve the decision next week and it will enter into force after publication in the EU Official Journal.
"The ban on EU investment in Crimea is mere hypocrisy," Kozenko pointed out, adding that "despite sanctions, Crimea continues to attract investors from many countries, including European ones." According to the lawmaker, over 3,350 economic entities founded by businessmen from 60 countries are registered in Crimea. Efforts are underway to implement 182 projects involving a total investment of about 150 bln rubles ($2.2 bln).
Member of the Russian Federation Council (the upper house of parliament) Olga Kovitidi believes that the decision to extend sanctions is first and foremost harmful to the EU. She emphasized the need for the EU "to move to mutually beneficial trade with Russia, remove the disgraceful sanctions and launch a real fight against the coronavirus pandemic," she told TASS. Kovitidi pointed out that Crimea would welcome tourists from EU countries if sanctions were lifted. "However, people in EU countries, who are tired of lockdowns and the coronavirus pandemic, have to face a contrived political agenda and a new round of cold war against Russia," the senator noted.


tass--2020-06-11--US House speaker calls for removal of Confederate statues from Capitol

WASHINGTON , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi has called for the removal of Confederate statues from the Capitol in the wake of the death of African American George Floyd .
`` The halls of Congress are the very heart of our democracy .
The statues in the Capitol should embody our highest ideals as Americans , expressing who we are and who we aspire to be as a nation , '' Pelosi said in a letter to the Congress Joint Committee on the Library .
`` Monuments to men who advocated cruelty and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end are a grotesque affront to these ideals , '' she added .
Pelosi first called for the removal of the statues in 2017 .
The statues include a figure of Jefferson Davis , the president of the Confederate States of America , which existed between 1861 and 1865 and fought against the United States during the American Civil War .
Widespread unrest has engulfed many US states over the death of George Floyd , who died after a police officer kneeled on his neck and choked him to death during his arrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved in the deadly arrest were fired .
On May 29 , the policeman in question , Derek Chauvin , was arrested on third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges .
However , on June 3 , Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison upped the charge against Chauvin to second-degree murder .
The three other officers involved in the fatal incident were arrested as well and are facing charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder .

WASHINGTON, June 11. /TASS/. US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi has called for the removal of Confederate statues from the Capitol in the wake of the death of African American George Floyd.
"The halls of Congress are the very heart of our democracy. The statues in the Capitol should embody our highest ideals as Americans, expressing who we are and who we aspire to be as a nation," Pelosi said in a letter to the Congress Joint Committee on the Library. "Monuments to men who advocated cruelty and barbarism to achieve such a plainly racist end are a grotesque affront to these ideals," she added.
Pelosi first called for the removal of the statues in 2017. The statues include a figure of Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederate States of America, which existed between 1861 and 1865 and fought against the United States during the American Civil War.
Widespread unrest has engulfed many US states over the death of George Floyd, who died after a police officer kneeled on his neck and choked him to death during his arrest. On May 26, all officers involved in the deadly arrest were fired. On May 29, the policeman in question, Derek Chauvin, was arrested on third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges. However, on June 3, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison upped the charge against Chauvin to second-degree murder. The three other officers involved in the fatal incident were arrested as well and are facing charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder.


tass--2020-06-10--More than 154 enterprises with foreign capital registered on Hainan in January-May

HAIKOU , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
The total number of enterprises with foreign capital in the first five months of 2020 on Hainan increased by 12.4 % in annual terms .
According to the provincial Department of Commerce , over the indicated period 154 new enterprises with foreign investments were set up on the island , www.hinews.cn reported on Wednesday .
Since the beginning of 2020 , the Hainan authorities have stepped up efforts to develop an investment strategy for the construction of Hainan 's free trade port .
The website indicates that the Hainan government has identified priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in particular , tourism , oil and gas and chemical industries , as well as the financial sector .
At the same time , the news outlet reports , local authorities are intensively working to overcome the negative consequences of the coronavirus pandemic , promoting online talks with foreign partners on projects related to the port 's construction .
According to the latest data from the provincial Department of Commerce , in January-May , the total amount of actually used foreign investments amounted to $ 319 million , which is by 146.6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same period of 2019 .
The local authorities believe that attracting foreign investment is a matter of great importance .
The Commerce Department created four channels to provide advisory services to foreign investors .
There is an integrated service for investments , an open account on WeChat , an email address of the website www.contacthainan.gov.cn , dedicated to investments and highly qualified personnel in Hainan 's free port project , and also a hotline ( 4008-413-413 ) .

HAIKOU, June 10. /TASS/. The total number of enterprises with foreign capital in the first five months of 2020 on Hainan increased by 12.4% in annual terms. According to the provincial Department of Commerce, over the indicated period 154 new enterprises with foreign investments were set up on the island, www.hinews.cn reported on Wednesday.
Since the beginning of 2020, the Hainan authorities have stepped up efforts to develop an investment strategy for the construction of Hainan's free trade port. The website indicates that the Hainan government has identified priority areas for attracting investments, which include, in particular, tourism, oil and gas and chemical industries, as well as the financial sector. At the same time, the news outlet reports, local authorities are intensively working to overcome the negative consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, promoting online talks with foreign partners on projects related to the port's construction.
According to the latest data from the provincial Department of Commerce, in January-May, the total amount of actually used foreign investments amounted to $ 319 million, which is by 146.6% higher than the figures for the same period of 2019. The local authorities believe that attracting foreign investment is a matter of great importance. The Commerce Department created four channels to provide advisory services to foreign investors. There is an integrated service for investments, an open account on WeChat, an email address of the website www.contacthainan.gov.cn, dedicated to investments and highly qualified personnel in Hainan's free port project, and also a hotline (4008-413-413).


tass--2020-06-10--Hainan summarizes preliminary results of Sanya's tropical marine farm work

SANYA , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
The Research Institute for the Study of the South China Sea at the Chinese Academy of Sciences has completed the first stage of creating a tropical marine farm in the water area near Wuzhizhou Island , reported Sanya Daily .
The Wuzhizhou farm is the first such project on Hainan .
At the same time , it is the only national-level marine farm in China created in a tropical climate zone .
The work of the staff of the Research Institute for the Study of the South China Sea over the past year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enrich the flora and fauna of the water area near Wuzhizhou Island .
In order to do so , the scientists cleaned up the coast , transplanted algae and corals underwater .
By the end of 2019 , they artificially created 1526 underwater coral reefs and also flooded 21 vessels and one frozen lava rock in the water .
These objects at the bottom serve as a kind of `` oases '' for the propagation of algae and corals , as they do not favor clean sandy soil .
According to scientists , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — fish populations are on average five times higher than in ordinary areas of the seabed in areas of such artificially created underwater rocks and reefs .

SANYA, June 10. /TASS/. The Research Institute for the Study of the South China Sea at the Chinese Academy of Sciences has completed the first stage of creating a tropical marine farm in the water area near Wuzhizhou Island, reported Sanya Daily.
The Wuzhizhou farm is the first such project on Hainan. At the same time, it is the only national-level marine farm in China created in a tropical climate zone.
The work of the staff of the Research Institute for the Study of the South China Sea over the past year has allowed us to significantly restore and enrich the flora and fauna of the water area near Wuzhizhou Island. In order to do so, the scientists cleaned up the coast, transplanted algae and corals underwater.
By the end of 2019, they artificially created 1526 underwater coral reefs and also flooded 21 vessels and one frozen lava rock in the water. These objects at the bottom serve as a kind of "oases" for the propagation of algae and corals, as they do not favor clean sandy soil.
According to scientists, their hard work has already brought results — fish populations are on average five times higher than in ordinary areas of the seabed in areas of such artificially created underwater rocks and reefs.


tass--2020-06-12--US Secretary of State congratulates Russians upon Russia Day

WASHINGTON , June 12 .
/TASS/ .
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has congratulated the people of Russia upon @ @ @ @ @ the US authorities .
`` On behalf of the U.S. government and the American people @ @ @ @ @ of Russia as you celebrate Russia Day , '' Pompeo ’ s statement runs .
@ @ @ @ @ holiday celebrated since 1992 on the day of the adoption of the declaration of state @ @ @ @ @

WASHINGTON, June 12. /TASS/. US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has congratulated the people of Russia upon Russia Day on behalf of the US authorities.
"On behalf of the U.S. government and the American people, I congratulate the citizens of Russia as you celebrate Russia Day," Pompeo’s statement runs.
Russia Day is a state holiday celebrated since 1992 on the day of the adoption of the declaration of state sovereignty of the RSFSR.


tass--2020-06-12--Western coalition must be brought to account for campaign in Iraq - Zakharova

MOSCOW , June 12 .
/TASS/ .
Keeping quiet about crimes committed by the Western coalition in Iraq is impermissible and those responsible must be brought to justice , Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a news briefing on Thursday .
She pointed to a recent statement by Britain ’ s director of the Service Prosecution Authority , who said that all inquiries and prosecution of British military personnel for crimes they may have committed over the years of the military campaign in Iraq would be wrapped up `` within weeks '' .
Zakharova said it was utterly unclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facts was to be terminated .
`` It is important to prevent crimes committed by the Western coalition in Iraq from being brushed under the carpet and to bring those responsible to justice , '' Zakharova said .
`` Currently a campaign is gaining momentum for investigating the causes of the coronavirus pandemic and some countries are accused and specific names mentioned .
Naturally all this is being done on a solid political basis .
Why shouldn ’ t then the same be done in relation to the events in Iraq that happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so much evidence .
So many people , including civilians of a sovereign state , lost their lives .
Isn ’ t it the right moment to bring some representatives of the Western coalition to justice ? ''
she asked .
Zakharova remarked that `` the statement by such a senior British official is clear evidence London is determined to conceal numerous instances of disgraceful conduct by British troops in Iraq . ''
There are 3,500 such incidents .
`` These are the most shameful pages that have been written down forever in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Armed Forces , '' Zakharova said , adding that London ’ s policy `` requires condemnation by the world human rights community .
`` .

MOSCOW, June 12. /TASS/. Keeping quiet about crimes committed by the Western coalition in Iraq is impermissible and those responsible must be brought to justice, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a news briefing on Thursday.
She pointed to a recent statement by Britain’s director of the Service Prosecution Authority, who said that all inquiries and prosecution of British military personnel for crimes they may have committed over the years of the military campaign in Iraq would be wrapped up "within weeks". Zakharova said it was utterly unclear why the investigation of specific incidents and facts was to be terminated.
"It is important to prevent crimes committed by the Western coalition in Iraq from being brushed under the carpet and to bring those responsible to justice," Zakharova said.
"Currently a campaign is gaining momentum for investigating the causes of the coronavirus pandemic and some countries are accused and specific names mentioned. Naturally all this is being done on a solid political basis. Why shouldn’t then the same be done in relation to the events in Iraq that happened over so many years? There is so much evidence. So many people, including civilians of a sovereign state, lost their lives. Isn’t it the right moment to bring some representatives of the Western coalition to justice?" she asked.
Zakharova remarked that "the statement by such a senior British official is clear evidence London is determined to conceal numerous instances of disgraceful conduct by British troops in Iraq." There are 3,500 such incidents. "These are the most shameful pages that have been written down forever in the history of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces," Zakharova said, adding that London’s policy "requires condemnation by the world human rights community.".


tass--2020-06-12--Dutch prosecutors keen to divert suspicion from Ukraine in MH17 case - Zakharova

MOSCOW , June 12 .
/TASS/ .
The Dutch prosecutor ’ s office in its statements concerning the investigation of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 disaster over Donbass tries to divert suspicion from the Ukrainian armed forces , while investigators ignore discrepancies in testimonies made by the Ukrainian side , Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a news briefing on Thursday .
In particular , she pointed to conflicting statements by prosecutors concerning the Ukrainian air defense systems Buk , which were in the zone of the tragedy .
`` In their statements Dutch prosecutors said - as far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to divert any suspicion from Ukraine - that the Ukrainian air defense systems in the area of the tragedy did not function on the day of the disaster , '' Zakharova said .
`` In the meantime , the whole world has seen video footage showing Ukrainian officials filmed posing in front of operational Buk systems deployed in the area of the so-called anti-terrorist operation ( Kiev ’ s military crackdown on Donbass - TASS ) .
The prosecution states outright that the air defense systems Buk were stationed not only around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close to it , '' Zakharova said .
She stressed that this is said against the background of accusations against Russia , which allegedly tries to mislead the investigation and juggles with facts .
`` How come the investigators who make such confusing statements for some reason have no questions addressed to Ukraine over many discrepancies ? ''
Zakharova said .
She stressed that the investigation was keen to sidestep the issue of Kiev ’ s responsibility for failure to close the airspace over the zone of hostilities on the ground .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a number of questions examined in court references were made to data received from the Ukrainian security service SBU , which is certainly a biased party , '' Zakharova said .
She pointed out that during the MH17 crash hearings which resumed in the Hague in June the prosecution tried to impress the court and rained it with the details of its work that often looked rather controversial .
`` Apparently , the investigation is concerned not so much about the power of its arguments , as the propaganda effect of hours-long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remarked that now it was essential to let the judges shape their own opinion of the investigation ’ s findings .
Zakharova recalled that Russia was not a party to the criminal proceedings underway at the Hague District Court .
Russia is monitoring the judicial proceedings from the standpoint of the observance of the rights of Russian citizens who face the charges .
A passenger Boeing-777 of Malaysia Airlines en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur ( flight MH17 ) was shot down over the Donetsk Region of Ukraine on July 17 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 298 people on board - citizens of ten countries .
A Joint Investigation Team was created by Australia , Belgium , Malaysia , the Netherlands and Ukraine to probe into the disaster .
In June 2019 , experts said they had identified a group of four suspected accomplices - former chief of the Donetsk People ’ s Republic militia ( sometimes referred to as the Donetsk Republic ’ s Defense Minister ) Igor Girkin , also known under the nickname Strelkov , and his subordinates Sergei Dubinsky , Oleg Pulatov and Leonid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first three men on the list three are Russian citizens , while Kharchenko has Ukrainian citizenship .
They are accused of allegedly delivering an air defense system Buk to Ukraine from Russia .
The trial began in the Netherlands on March 9 .
Oleg Pulatov is represented by a group of one Russian and two Dutch lawyers .
The three others are being tried in absentia .
Russian officials have repeatedly expressed distrust towards the JIT ’ s findings and pointed to the groundlessness of the charges and the reluctance to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, June 12. /TASS/. The Dutch prosecutor’s office in its statements concerning the investigation of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 disaster over Donbass tries to divert suspicion from the Ukrainian armed forces, while investigators ignore discrepancies in testimonies made by the Ukrainian side, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a news briefing on Thursday.
In particular, she pointed to conflicting statements by prosecutors concerning the Ukrainian air defense systems Buk, which were in the zone of the tragedy.
"In their statements Dutch prosecutors said - as far as we can understand, in order to divert any suspicion from Ukraine - that the Ukrainian air defense systems in the area of the tragedy did not function on the day of the disaster," Zakharova said.
"In the meantime, the whole world has seen video footage showing Ukrainian officials filmed posing in front of operational Buk systems deployed in the area of the so-called anti-terrorist operation (Kiev’s military crackdown on Donbass - TASS). The prosecution states outright that the air defense systems Buk were stationed not only around the site of the tragedy, but very close to it," Zakharova said.
She stressed that this is said against the background of accusations against Russia, which allegedly tries to mislead the investigation and juggles with facts.
"How come the investigators who make such confusing statements for some reason have no questions addressed to Ukraine over many discrepancies?" Zakharova said. She stressed that the investigation was keen to sidestep the issue of Kiev’s responsibility for failure to close the airspace over the zone of hostilities on the ground.
"It is no good that in relation to a number of questions examined in court references were made to data received from the Ukrainian security service SBU, which is certainly a biased party," Zakharova said.
She pointed out that during the MH17 crash hearings which resumed in the Hague in June the prosecution tried to impress the court and rained it with the details of its work that often looked rather controversial.
"Apparently, the investigation is concerned not so much about the power of its arguments, as the propaganda effect of hours-long statements," Zakharova said. She remarked that now it was essential to let the judges shape their own opinion of the investigation’s findings.
Zakharova recalled that Russia was not a party to the criminal proceedings underway at the Hague District Court. Russia is monitoring the judicial proceedings from the standpoint of the observance of the rights of Russian citizens who face the charges.
Disaster and investigation
A passenger Boeing-777 of Malaysia Airlines en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur (flight MH17) was shot down over the Donetsk Region of Ukraine on July 17, 2014. The disaster claimed the lives of 298 people on board - citizens of ten countries. A Joint Investigation Team was created by Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Ukraine to probe into the disaster.
In June 2019, experts said they had identified a group of four suspected accomplices - former chief of the Donetsk People’s Republic militia (sometimes referred to as the Donetsk Republic’s Defense Minister) Igor Girkin, also known under the nickname Strelkov, and his subordinates Sergei Dubinsky, Oleg Pulatov and Leonid Kharchenko. According to the investigators, the first three men on the list three are Russian citizens, while Kharchenko has Ukrainian citizenship. They are accused of allegedly delivering an air defense system Buk to Ukraine from Russia. The trial began in the Netherlands on March 9. Oleg Pulatov is represented by a group of one Russian and two Dutch lawyers. The three others are being tried in absentia.
Russian officials have repeatedly expressed distrust towards the JIT’s findings and pointed to the groundlessness of the charges and the reluctance to take into consideration Russia’s arguments.


tass--2020-06-12--Russian ambassador to USA addresses compatriots in message timed to Russia Day

WASHINGTON , June 12 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Ambassador to the USA Anatoly Antonov has addressed his compatriots in a special message timed to Russia Day celebrated on June 12 .
`` Dear compatriots , I would like to congratulate with Russia Day from the bottom of my heart .
This date unites everyone who treasures Russia , who speaks Russian as their native language , who carries Russian culture and history with them , '' the ambassador said in a video message published on Thursday on the official Youtube channel of the Russian diplomatic mission .
`` We commend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America in the life of our country .
< … > I would like to wish good health , prosperity and success in all endeavors to all our compatriots .
I hope you and your relatives and loved ones in Russia are well , and I wish you more opportunities to visit each other .
You represent our country in the USA , and in this sense , you are diplomats as well .
We count on your help in the improvement of Russian-American relations and in the fight against Russophobia .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this task together , '' Antonov said .
Russia Day is a national holiday in the Russian Federation celebrated on June 12 , the day the declaration of state sovereignty of RSFSR ( the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic ) was signed .

WASHINGTON, June 12. /TASS/. Russian Ambassador to the USA Anatoly Antonov has addressed his compatriots in a special message timed to Russia Day celebrated on June 12.
"Dear compatriots, I would like to congratulate with Russia Day from the bottom of my heart. This date unites everyone who treasures Russia, who speaks Russian as their native language, who carries Russian culture and history with them," the ambassador said in a video message published on Thursday on the official Youtube channel of the Russian diplomatic mission.
"We commend the involvement of the Russian community in America in the life of our country. <…> I would like to wish good health, prosperity and success in all endeavors to all our compatriots. I hope you and your relatives and loved ones in Russia are well, and I wish you more opportunities to visit each other. You represent our country in the USA, and in this sense, you are diplomats as well. We count on your help in the improvement of Russian-American relations and in the fight against Russophobia. I am sure that we will rise to this task together," Antonov said.
Russia Day is a national holiday in the Russian Federation celebrated on June 12, the day the declaration of state sovereignty of RSFSR (the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic) was signed.