tass--2020-05-26--Pandemic will not require more constitutional amendments — Kremlin

When asked if the Kremlin believed that there was a need for new amendments to the Constitution , he answered in the negative .
When speaking about society ’ s needs stemming from the pandemic , Peskov pointed out that `` society is not made of stone , it is a living thing . ''
`` Naturally , new needs keep emerging that people share with each other , they are taken into consideration , it is part of the normal flow of life and society ’ s development , '' the Russian presidential spokesman added .
While delivering his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federal Assembly in January , Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a number of constitutional amendments to bring the Constitution in line with today 's reality .
On March 11 , the Russian State Duma ( the lower house of parliament ) passed the final reading of a presidential bill on amending the Constitution after it had been discussed by the Duma ’ s special working group .
The bill was passed by the Federation Council ( the upper house of parliament ) on the same day and was later approved by all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the president .
Putin then signed an order setting April 22 as the date to hold a nationwide vote on constitutional amendments .
However , the president said in a televised address to the nation on March 25 that the vote had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic .
According to Putin , a new date will be set depending on the coronavirus situation .
The constitutional amendments will take effect only if approved in the nationwide vote .

When asked if the Kremlin believed that there was a need for new amendments to the Constitution, he answered in the negative.
When speaking about society’s needs stemming from the pandemic, Peskov pointed out that "society is not made of stone, it is a living thing." "Naturally, new needs keep emerging that people share with each other, they are taken into consideration, it is part of the normal flow of life and society’s development," the Russian presidential spokesman added.
While delivering his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly in January, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a number of constitutional amendments to bring the Constitution in line with today's reality. On March 11, the Russian State Duma (the lower house of parliament) passed the final reading of a presidential bill on amending the Constitution after it had been discussed by the Duma’s special working group. The bill was passed by the Federation Council (the upper house of parliament) on the same day and was later approved by all of Russia’s regional legislatures and submitted to the president. Putin then signed an order setting April 22 as the date to hold a nationwide vote on constitutional amendments. However, the president said in a televised address to the nation on March 25 that the vote had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to Putin, a new date will be set depending on the coronavirus situation. The constitutional amendments will take effect only if approved in the nationwide vote.


tass--2020-05-26--Johnson invites Putin to participate in vaccine summit

MOSCOW , May 26 .
/TASS/ .
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has officially invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to take part in a virtual summit devoted to research into a vaccine against the novel coronavirus , the British embassy in Moscow said on Telegram .
Volunteers for testing vaccine for COVID-19 to meet more than 20 requirements — expert '' On June 4 , the British government will hold the Global Vaccine Summit 2020 .
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has officially invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to participate in the virtual summit , '' the embassy said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to mobilize resources the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization will need to ensure universal availability of the vaccine against the novel coronavirus .
According to the latest statistics , over 5,601,800 people have been infected worldwide and more than 348,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 2,381,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , a total of 362,342 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 131,129 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, May 26. /TASS/. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has officially invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to take part in a virtual summit devoted to research into a vaccine against the novel coronavirus, the British embassy in Moscow said on Telegram.
Volunteers for testing vaccine for COVID-19 to meet more than 20 requirements — expert
"On June 4, the British government will hold the Global Vaccine Summit 2020. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has officially invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to participate in the virtual summit," the embassy said.
The main task of the summit is to mobilize resources the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization will need to ensure universal availability of the vaccine against the novel coronavirus.
According to the latest statistics, over 5,601,800 people have been infected worldwide and more than 348,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 2,381,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, a total of 362,342 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 131,129 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 3,807 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-05-26--Lavrov: Russia in active dialogue with post-Soviet bloc on US military biological activity

MOSCOW , May 26./TASS/ .
Russia conducts active bilateral consultations with the Collective Security Treaty Organization ( CSTO ) member @ @ @ @ @ near its borders , Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told journalists after an online conference of @ @ @ @ @ Ministers on Tuesday .
The strategy of collective security until 2025 approved by the CSTO @ @ @ @ @ the foreign ministries for joint actions aimed at strengthening the regulations of the Biological and @ @ @ @ @ noted .
`` Including work on the issues that will make it possible to advance @ @ @ @ @ states assume commitments within the framework of this convention to ensure full transparency of their @ @ @ @ @ , including around our borders , '' he explained .
`` We are engaged in @ @ @ @ @ our CSTO allies on these issues , '' the foreign minister stressed .

MOSCOW, May 26./TASS/. Russia conducts active bilateral consultations with the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member states on US military-biological activity near its borders, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told journalists after an online conference of the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers on Tuesday.
The strategy of collective security until 2025 approved by the CSTO leaders gives direct instructions to the foreign ministries for joint actions aimed at strengthening the regulations of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, Lavrov noted. "Including work on the issues that will make it possible to advance the initiative envisaging that all states assume commitments within the framework of this convention to ensure full transparency of their biological activity across the globe, including around our borders," he explained.
"We are engaged in an active bilateral dialogue with our CSTO allies on these issues," the foreign minister stressed.


tass--2020-05-26--Virtual celebrations and drive-by parties: Graduating the coronavirus lockdown way

Over half of Russian regions can begin to loosen up lockdowns , says top sanitary official 44 regions have grounds @ @ @ @ @ lifting the lockdowns

West was covering up crimes of Kiev regime that led to Ukraine’s tragedy, Lavrov says
"During this entire period, the population of DPR and LPR was subjected to abuse, perennial shelling on the part of the Kiev regime that openly adopted a course towards Russophobia and genocide," the Russian top diplomat noted
Read more


tass--2020-05-26--As many as 1.5 mln SMEs out of 6 mln receive state support in Russia

MOSCOW , May 26 .
/TASS/ .
As many as 1.5 mln out of 6 mln small and medium-sized enterprises @ @ @ @ @ anti-crisis support , President of the Opora Rossii business association Alexander Kalinin said on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ of small businesses are receiving state support in one way or other .
According to @ @ @ @ @ as 1.5 mln ( small and mid-sized ) enterprises receive ( state support ) out @ @ @ @ @ registered in the SME register as of March 1 , 2020 ) , '' he @ @

MOSCOW, May 26. /TASS/. As many as 1.5 mln out of 6 mln small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) receive state anti-crisis support, President of the Opora Rossii business association Alexander Kalinin said on Tuesday.
"A growing number of small businesses are receiving state support in one way or other. According to our estimates, as many as 1.5 mln (small and mid-sized) enterprises receive (state support) out of 6 mln entities (registered in the SME register as of March 1, 2020)," he said.


tass--2020-05-26--Russian troops receive over 750 latest weapon systems since start of year

MOSCOW , May 26 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian troops have received over 750 latest and upgraded weapon systems since @ @ @ @ @ Russia ’ s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday .
`` Since the beginning @ @ @ @ @ troops have received over 750 latest and upgraded items of armament : 58 aircraft and @ @ @ @ @ armored vehicles , more than 500 multi-purpose vehicles and also 75 systems with unmanned aerial @ @ @ @ @ chief reported to Russian President Vladimir Putin from the National Defense Control Center via a @ @ @ @ @ defense industry is utilizing 72 % of its production capacities amid anti-coronavirus restrictions , the @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, May 26. /TASS/. The Russian troops have received over 750 latest and upgraded weapon systems since the start of 2020, Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday.
"Since the beginning of the year, the troops have received over 750 latest and upgraded items of armament: 58 aircraft and helicopters, over 40 combat armored vehicles, more than 500 multi-purpose vehicles and also 75 systems with unmanned aerial vehicles," the defense chief reported to Russian President Vladimir Putin from the National Defense Control Center via a video link.
The Russian defense industry is utilizing 72% of its production capacities amid anti-coronavirus restrictions, the defense chief said.


tass--2020-05-26--Russia views amendments to Hong Kong law as China’s domestic affair — Lavrov

MOSCOW , May 26 .
/TASS/ .
The amendments to the law of Hong Kong are a domestic affair of the People ’ s Republic of China , while the United States ’ attempts to stir up a scandal don ’ t make Washington a reliable dialogue partner on any other issues , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after a video conference of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization .
`` The problems , which they are stirring up around Hong Kong , are related to China ’ s domestic affair , and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t think that the US attempts now to turn this problem into a scandal < ... > add reliability to dialogue with the US on any other issues , '' Lavrov said , commenting on a statement by White House National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien that the US could slap sanctions on China and Hong Kong if Beijing moved ahead with a proposed national security law that could infringe on Hong Kong ’ s autonomy .
Lavrov said it was difficult to comment on the statements by US officials at the moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sense of superiority and a sense of impunity , including the self-appropriated right to rate everyone and put demands on everyone — demands that are related to satisfying US interests .
< ... > We have experienced this more than once , and , unfortunately , what the United States is saying now about China does not surprise us , although , in general , this is , of course , unprecedented , '' the Russian foreign minister explained .
Earlier , White House National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien said that apparently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law to `` basically take over Hong Kong . ''
In this case , US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo `` will likely be unable to certify that Hong Kong maintains a high degree of autonomy , and if that happens there will be sanctions that will be imposed on Hong Kong and China . ''
Last week , a resolution on drafting a new bill on national security in Hong Kong was put forward at a session of the National People ’ s Congress in Beijing .
The Chinese authorities will consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bodies in the Special Administrative Region .
The Western nations and supporters of Hong Kong ’ s opposition viewed this idea as a violation of the `` one country , two systems '' principle and as a violation of the democratic rights and freedoms of the population of Hong Kong , which has been granted a high degree of autonomy until 2047 .
Beijing justified the importance of adopting this bill by the growing manifestation of separatism , terrorism and foreign meddling in Hong Kong , where a mass unrest sparked last year @

MOSCOW, May 26. /TASS/. The amendments to the law of Hong Kong are a domestic affair of the People’s Republic of China, while the United States’ attempts to stir up a scandal don’t make Washington a reliable dialogue partner on any other issues, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after a video conference of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
"The problems, which they are stirring up around Hong Kong, are related to China’s domestic affair, and we view them this way. I don’t think that the US attempts now to turn this problem into a scandal <...> add reliability to dialogue with the US on any other issues," Lavrov said, commenting on a statement by White House National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien that the US could slap sanctions on China and Hong Kong if Beijing moved ahead with a proposed national security law that could infringe on Hong Kong’s autonomy.
Lavrov said it was difficult to comment on the statements by US officials at the moment. "These statements are filled with a sense of superiority and a sense of impunity, including the self-appropriated right to rate everyone and put demands on everyone — demands that are related to satisfying US interests. <...> We have experienced this more than once, and, unfortunately, what the United States is saying now about China does not surprise us, although, in general, this is, of course, unprecedented," the Russian foreign minister explained.
Earlier, White House National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien said that apparently China sought to use the national security law to "basically take over Hong Kong." In this case, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo "will likely be unable to certify that Hong Kong maintains a high degree of autonomy, and if that happens there will be sanctions that will be imposed on Hong Kong and China."
Last week, a resolution on drafting a new bill on national security in Hong Kong was put forward at a session of the National People’s Congress in Beijing. The Chinese authorities will consider plans of setting up special state security bodies in the Special Administrative Region.
The Western nations and supporters of Hong Kong’s opposition viewed this idea as a violation of the "one country, two systems" principle and as a violation of the democratic rights and freedoms of the population of Hong Kong, which has been granted a high degree of autonomy until 2047. Beijing justified the importance of adopting this bill by the growing manifestation of separatism, terrorism and foreign meddling in Hong Kong, where a mass unrest sparked last year.


tass--2020-05-26--Russia’s latest Koalitsiya wheeled howitzer enters trials

MOSCOW , May 26 .
/TASS/ .
The Burevestnik Central Research Institute ( part of Uralvagonzavod defense manufacturer within the state hi-tech corporation Rostec ) has started the trials of the latest wheeled version of the Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled artillery system based on the Kamaz-6550 truck chassis , the Uralvagonzavod press office told TASS on Tuesday .
The Burevestnik Central Research Institute has decided to expand the range of the artillery system ’ s modifications : with all the positive qualities of the tracked howitzer , its version based on the Kamaz wheeled chassis has certain advantages , the Uralvagonzavod press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project and Department Head Vasily Nabatov as saying .
`` First of all , wheeled vehicles can be used on general-purpose roads .
They feature high mobility and large cruising endurance and have very high potential compared to tracked versions , '' Nabatov said .
As a result , the wheeled howitzer has turned out to be lighter , more mobile and easier to be transported by aircraft , which expands the range of its missions and the promptness of their fulfillment .
The artillery gun ’ s service life has also been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ designer said .
`` By way of comparison : a tracked vehicle has a service life of about 5,000 km of run before major repairs .
For a wheeled vehicle , 5,000 km is actually the completion of its run-in test , '' he said .
The Koalitsiya-SV 2S35 self-propelled howitzer is designated to destroy a potential enemy ’ s command posts , communications centers , artillery and mortar batteries , armor , including tanks , anti-tank weapons , air and ballistic missile defense systems and manpower .
The Koalitsiya-SV is armed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire of over 10 rounds per minute , which is higher than the speed of other artillery systems .
This rate of fire is ensured by the special design of the gun-loading mechanism .
The howitzer ’ s weapon suite also includes a remotely-controlled station with a Kord machine-gun .
As the press office of the Uralvagonzavod defense manufacturer earlier told TASS , the trials of the latest Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled artillery system will be completed in 2022 .

MOSCOW, May 26. /TASS/. The Burevestnik Central Research Institute (part of Uralvagonzavod defense manufacturer within the state hi-tech corporation Rostec) has started the trials of the latest wheeled version of the Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled artillery system based on the Kamaz-6550 truck chassis, the Uralvagonzavod press office told TASS on Tuesday.
The Burevestnik Central Research Institute has decided to expand the range of the artillery system’s modifications: with all the positive qualities of the tracked howitzer, its version based on the Kamaz wheeled chassis has certain advantages, the Uralvagonzavod press office quoted Burevestnik Chief Designer of the project and Department Head Vasily Nabatov as saying.
"First of all, wheeled vehicles can be used on general-purpose roads. They feature high mobility and large cruising endurance and have very high potential compared to tracked versions," Nabatov said.
As a result, the wheeled howitzer has turned out to be lighter, more mobile and easier to be transported by aircraft, which expands the range of its missions and the promptness of their fulfillment. The artillery gun’s service life has also been extended, the project’s chief designer said.
"By way of comparison: a tracked vehicle has a service life of about 5,000 km of run before major repairs. For a wheeled vehicle, 5,000 km is actually the completion of its run-in test," he said.
Koalitsiya-SV artillery system
The Koalitsiya-SV 2S35 self-propelled howitzer is designated to destroy a potential enemy’s command posts, communications centers, artillery and mortar batteries, armor, including tanks, anti-tank weapons, air and ballistic missile defense systems and manpower.
The Koalitsiya-SV is armed with a 152mm gun with a rate of fire of over 10 rounds per minute, which is higher than the speed of other artillery systems. This rate of fire is ensured by the special design of the gun-loading mechanism. The howitzer’s weapon suite also includes a remotely-controlled station with a Kord machine-gun.
As the press office of the Uralvagonzavod defense manufacturer earlier told TASS, the trials of the latest Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled artillery system will be completed in 2022.


tass--2020-05-26--Putin: Experts say Russia passed peak of COVID-19

NOVO-OGARYOVO , May 26 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that the peak of the coronavirus epidemic @ @ @ @ @ , citing expert opinions .
`` According to experts , our peak is considered passed @ @ @ @ @ said at a video conference meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, May 26. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that the peak of the coronavirus epidemic has been passed in Russia, citing expert opinions.
"According to experts, our peak is considered passed," the Russian leader said at a video conference meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.


tass--2020-05-26--Kremlin uncertain on chances of face-to-face summit of Security Council P5 in September

MOSCOW , May 26./TASS/ .
The possibility of a face-to-face summit among the leaders of the United Nations Security Council Permanent Five in September is meager , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday , adding that an online summit was not ruled out if the P5 leaders deemed it necessary .
`` September is ‘ unlikely ’ as they say .
We have already heard respective statements .
The possibility is absolutely meager given the pandemic situation , '' Peskov stressed .
However , holding the summit `` in other formats remains on the agenda , '' he added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the diplomatic level .
`` Anyhow , the holding of the summit must be preceded by work to coordinate certain joint documents or a certain joint document .
This work has not been finalized as of yet .
We have no concrete details in this respect either , '' Peskov added .
The spokesman did not rule out holding the summit in the online format .
`` This will firstly depend on the decision of the leaders , and secondly — on success of experts ’ activity to pave the way for such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he noted .
As for the agenda , Peskov said there were no concrete estimations `` either on the agenda , or on the format or the timeframe '' .
`` So , we must be patient , '' Peskov said in reply to the question about the agenda of the summit — whether it will focus on security in general or on the fight against the novel coronavirus .
On January 23 , Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a speech at the Jerusalem-hosted World Holocaust Forum when he proposed organizing a summit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UN Security Council in 2020 .
The five permanent members are now `` mulling over their contribution to formulating ways to fight coronavirus .
For this , a videoconference has been coordinated in principle .
The precise date for holding it is now under consideration , '' Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Larov said late in April .
According to the latest statistics , over 5,601,800 people have been infected worldwide and more than 348,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 2,381,000 individuals have recovered from the illness @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, May 26./TASS/. The possibility of a face-to-face summit among the leaders of the United Nations Security Council Permanent Five in September is meager, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday, adding that an online summit was not ruled out if the P5 leaders deemed it necessary.
"September is ‘unlikely’ as they say. We have already heard respective statements. The possibility is absolutely meager given the pandemic situation," Peskov stressed. However, holding the summit "in other formats remains on the agenda," he added.
Peskov specified that work continued at the diplomatic level. "Anyhow, the holding of the summit must be preceded by work to coordinate certain joint documents or a certain joint document. This work has not been finalized as of yet. We have no concrete details in this respect either," Peskov added.
The spokesman did not rule out holding the summit in the online format. "This will firstly depend on the decision of the leaders, and secondly — on success of experts’ activity to pave the way for such contacts at the summit level," he noted.
As for the agenda, Peskov said there were no concrete estimations "either on the agenda, or on the format or the timeframe". "So, we must be patient," Peskov said in reply to the question about the agenda of the summit — whether it will focus on security in general or on the fight against the novel coronavirus.
On January 23, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a speech at the Jerusalem-hosted World Holocaust Forum when he proposed organizing a summit for the five permanent members of the UN Security Council in 2020. The five permanent members are now "mulling over their contribution to formulating ways to fight coronavirus. For this, a videoconference has been coordinated in principle. The precise date for holding it is now under consideration," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Larov said late in April.
According to the latest statistics, over 5,601,800 people have been infected worldwide and more than 348,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 2,381,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-05-26--Russia to hold Victory Day Parade on June 24 — Putin

NOVO-OGARYOVO , May 26 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will hold on June 24 military parades on Moscow ’ s Red Square and in other cities across the country to mark the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union ’ s Victory over Nazi Germany in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War , President Vladimir Putin announced on Tuesday during a session with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu .
The Russian president announced a decision on April 16 to postpone the Victory Day Parade , which is held annually on May 9 , because the preparations for it could not be carried out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Victory Day would be celebrated in Russia later this year .
`` I command to start preparations for holding military parades in the capital of Russia and in other cities to mark the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War , '' Putin said adding that the date for the military parades is June 24 .
`` It will be on June 24 , which is the day when in 1945 the legendary historic parade of victors took place , when soldiers , who fought for Moscow and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and stormed Berlin , marched on Red Square , '' the Russian president said .
The Moscow parade on June 24 , 1945 was the largest and longest military parade ever held on Red Square .
It involved over 40,000 Soviet troops and over 1,850 military hardware .
Putin ordered Shoigu to exclude all possible risks threatening the health of the parade participants .
`` I order you to provide the most stringent requirements regarding the safety measures during the preparations for and the organization of the parade , '' the president said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must be minimal or excluded at all . ''
The president said he made the decision taking into account the fact that the situation in the majority of Russian regions and in the Armed Forces became stable after surpassing the climax of the outbreak .
Putin also stated it was important that `` during all these difficult weeks and months , the Russian Armed Forces carried on with the combat training and continued coping with the extremely important tasks of the Russian national defense , while the personnel and this year ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the infection ’ s spread due to preventive measures , which were put in place in advance . ''
The Russian president did not specify whether the Victory Parade would be held with or without spectators .
So far , lockdown restrictions are in effect in Moscow and other Russian regions amid the pandemic and all mass events are banned .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, May 26. /TASS/. Russia will hold on June 24 military parades on Moscow’s Red Square and in other cities across the country to mark the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s Victory over Nazi Germany in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War, President Vladimir Putin announced on Tuesday during a session with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
The Russian president announced a decision on April 16 to postpone the Victory Day Parade, which is held annually on May 9, because the preparations for it could not be carried out amid the coronavirus spread. Putin pledged that the Victory Day would be celebrated in Russia later this year.
"I command to start preparations for holding military parades in the capital of Russia and in other cities to mark the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War," Putin said adding that the date for the military parades is June 24.
"It will be on June 24, which is the day when in 1945 the legendary historic parade of victors took place, when soldiers, who fought for Moscow and defended Leningrad and Stalingrad, liberated Europe and stormed Berlin, marched on Red Square," the Russian president said.
The Moscow parade on June 24, 1945 was the largest and longest military parade ever held on Red Square. It involved over 40,000 Soviet troops and over 1,850 military hardware.
Putin ordered Shoigu to exclude all possible risks threatening the health of the parade participants.
"I order you to provide the most stringent requirements regarding the safety measures during the preparations for and the organization of the parade," the president said. "Possible risks for all participants must be minimal or excluded at all."
The president said he made the decision taking into account the fact that the situation in the majority of Russian regions and in the Armed Forces became stable after surpassing the climax of the outbreak.
Putin also stated it was important that "during all these difficult weeks and months, the Russian Armed Forces carried on with the combat training and continued coping with the extremely important tasks of the Russian national defense, while the personnel and this year’s conscripts were maximally protected from the threat of the infection’s spread due to preventive measures, which were put in place in advance."
The Russian president did not specify whether the Victory Parade would be held with or without spectators. So far, lockdown restrictions are in effect in Moscow and other Russian regions amid the pandemic and all mass events are banned.
Immortal Regiment march


tass--2020-05-26--Georgia negotiated 15% gas price reduction with Gazprom

TBILISI , May 26 .
/TASS/ .
Georgia has revised the current contract with the Russian gas holding Gazprom and @ @ @ @ @ imported gas price cut , Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia Natia Turnava @ @ @ @ @ `` Considering the intensified competition and the global decline of petroleum products prices , we @ @ @ @ @ Gazprom at present , which will facilitate the gas price reduction .
I will not @ @ @ @ @ on the basis of the commercial secret but I would like to say that the @ @ @ @ @ lowered approximately by 15 % , '' Turnava said .
In 2019 , Georgia purchased @ @ @ @ @ gas from Russia , which totaled about 5 % of total imports .
The country @ @ @ @ @ mln cubic meters of gas from Gazprom in this year .

TBILISI, May 26. /TASS/. Georgia has revised the current contract with the Russian gas holding Gazprom and negotiated an approximately 15% imported gas price cut, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia Natia Turnava told reporters on Tuesday.
"Considering the intensified competition and the global decline of petroleum products prices, we have revised the contract with Gazprom at present, which will facilitate the gas price reduction. I will not give specific figures to you on the basis of the commercial secret but I would like to say that the natural gas price will be lowered approximately by 15%," Turnava said.
In 2019, Georgia purchased 160 mln cubic meters of gas from Russia, which totaled about 5% of total imports. The country plans to buy about 170 mln cubic meters of gas from Gazprom in this year.


tass--2020-05-26--Hainan's Sanya launches environmental campaign to preserve lakes and rivers

HAIKOU , May 26 .
/TASS/ .
China 's resort ciry of Sanya announced the launch of a large-scale environmental campaign to increase the effectiveness of existing measures to protect rivers and freshwater bodies , reported the local administration .
According to the local administration 's website , the campaign is aimed at “ achieving real , not formal , positive changes ” in activities to improve the quality of water resources , which are supervised by officials .
According to the new order , close attention will be paid primarily to the implementation of modern methods of monitoring and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to improve the condition of rivers and lakes , to make more efforts to ensure the population thrives , ” Deputy Mayor of Sanya Zhou Yanhua said at the opening ceremony of the new green initiative .
According to the official , the government also plans to strengthen preventive measures , in particular , by holding special cultural and educational events for both officials and locals .
As expected , this will create a particularly favorable atmosphere for tourism in the city .
There are about 45 , 200 rivers in China , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exceeds 50 square kilometers .
According to estimates , in total they are 1.5 million km long .
What is more , the country has more than 2,800 natural reservoirs , the total area of the water mirror of which reaches 78,000 square kilometers .
The system of responsible persons for rivers and fresh water in China was launched in 2017 .
In accordance with the decision of the country 's top officials , party structures at all levels are required to appoint officials who are responsible for monitoring the quality of water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city or the whole province .
The goal of the national program is to avoid disturbing the ecological balance , as this can lead to dangerous mass diseases and reduces the regions ' economic efficiency .
At present , there are more than 1.2 million officials responsible for the rivers , and at least 60,000 people responsible for the lakes in China .

HAIKOU, May 26. /TASS/. China's resort ciry of Sanya announced the launch of a large-scale environmental campaign to increase the effectiveness of existing measures to protect rivers and freshwater bodies, reported the local administration.
According to the local administration's website, the campaign is aimed at “achieving real, not formal, positive changes” in activities to improve the quality of water resources, which are supervised by officials. According to the new order, close attention will be paid primarily to the implementation of modern methods of monitoring and control.
“Our key task is to improve the condition of rivers and lakes, to make more efforts to ensure the population thrives,” Deputy Mayor of Sanya Zhou Yanhua said at the opening ceremony of the new green initiative.
According to the official, the government also plans to strengthen preventive measures, in particular, by holding special cultural and educational events for both officials and locals. As expected, this will create a particularly favorable atmosphere for tourism in the city.
There are about 45, 200 rivers in China, the basin area of each of which exceeds 50 square kilometers. According to estimates, in total they are 1.5 million km long. What is more, the country has more than 2,800 natural reservoirs, the total area of the water mirror of which reaches 78,000 square kilometers.
The system of responsible persons for rivers and fresh water in China was launched in 2017. In accordance with the decision of the country's top officials, party structures at all levels are required to appoint officials who are responsible for monitoring the quality of water resources in the village, county, city or the whole province. The goal of the national program is to avoid disturbing the ecological balance, as this can lead to dangerous mass diseases and reduces the regions' economic efficiency. At present, there are more than 1.2 million officials responsible for the rivers, and at least 60,000 people responsible for the lakes in China.


tass--2020-05-27--Kremlin says no decision yet on date of constitutional vote

MOSCOW , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
No decision has been made yet on the date of a nationwide vote @ @ @ @ @ Constitution , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters .
`` No decision has yet been @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
A presidential law on amending the Russian Constitution was adopted in @ @ @ @ @ will take effect only if approved in a nationwide vote .
The vote was initially @ @ @ @ @ April 22 but had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Russian President @ @ @ @ @ a new date would be set depending on the coronavirus situation and based on expert @ @ @ @ @ , Russia ’ s Central Election Commission issued a statement on resuming preparations for the @ @ @

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. No decision has been made yet on the date for the anticipated nationwide vote on amendments to the Russian Constitution, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
"No decision has yet been made on the matter," he said.
A presidential law on amending the Russian Constitution was adopted in March 2020 but the amendments will take effect only if approved in a nationwide vote. The vote was initially scheduled to take place on April 22 but had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed out that a new date would be set depending on the coronavirus situation and based on expert recommendations. On May 21, Russia’s Central Election Commission issued a statement on resuming preparations for the nationwide vote.


tass--2020-05-27--Putin receives Johnson’s invitation to global vaccine summit, no decision yet — Kremlin

MOSCOW , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has received UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson ’ s invitation to attend an online summit on COVID-19 vaccine , but a decision on his participation will be announced later , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday .
`` It [ the invitation ] has been received via diplomatic channels , '' Peskov said .
`` As soon as the decision is formalized , we will inform you . ''
The British government will hold the Global Vaccine Summit 2020 on June 4 .
British Prime Minister Boris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the event .
The main task of the summit is to mobilize resources the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations will need to ensure universal availability of the vaccine against the novel coronavirus , the British embassy in Moscow said .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 5,701,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 352,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 2,445,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , a total of 370,680 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 142,208 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 3,968 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has received UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s invitation to attend an online summit on COVID-19 vaccine, but a decision on his participation will be announced later, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday.
"It [the invitation] has been received via diplomatic channels," Peskov said. "As soon as the decision is formalized, we will inform you."
The British government will hold the Global Vaccine Summit 2020 on June 4. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier officially invited Putin to participate in the event. The main task of the summit is to mobilize resources the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations will need to ensure universal availability of the vaccine against the novel coronavirus, the British embassy in Moscow said.
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 5,701,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 352,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 2,445,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, a total of 370,680 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 142,208 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 3,968 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-05-27--Kremlin expects COVID-19 situation to improve further before Victory Parade

MOSCOW , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
The Kremlin expects the coronavirus situation in the country to improve further before @ @ @ @ @ hold the Victory Parade on Moscow ’ s Red Square , Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry @ @ @ @ @ `` Speaking about the parade , we are talking about June 24 and still there @ @ @ @ @ this date , '' the Kremlin spokesman said .
‘ We see that the [ @ @ @ @ @ and it is developing in Moscow as well .
Moreover , a positive trend is @ @ @ @ @ , we believe that the situation will undergo further changes over a month and corresponding @ @ @ @ @ to the lockdown regime in Moscow ] , '' Peskov said .

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. The Kremlin expects the coronavirus situation in the country to improve further before June 24 when Russia will hold the Victory Parade on Moscow’s Red Square, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.
"Speaking about the parade, we are talking about June 24 and still there is a month ahead of this date," the Kremlin spokesman said.
‘We see that the [coronavirus] situation is developing and it is developing in Moscow as well. Moreover, a positive trend is observed. That is why, we believe that the situation will undergo further changes over a month and corresponding adjustments will be made [to the lockdown regime in Moscow]," Peskov said.
At a video conference with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on May 26, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the Victory Parade on Moscow’s Red Square to mark the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War would be held on June 24 and ordered to start preparations.
The head of state explained he had chosen this date because June 24 was the day when in 1945 the legendary historic parade of victors took place, when soldiers, who fought for Moscow and defended Leningrad and Stalingrad, liberated Europe and stormed Berlin, marched on Red Square.
Putin ordered the defense minister to exclude all possible risks threatening the health of the parade participants. The president noted he decided it was possible to hold the Victory Parade considering that the situation in most Russian regions and in the Armed Forces remained stable after the country had passed the peak in the infection’s spread.
The Kremlin so far expects to invite the leaders of the CIS states to the Victory Parade on Moscow’s Red Square on June 24, Peskov said.
"So far, we adhere to the criteria that invitations for the heads of CIS states to the Victory Parade will be re-extended," the Kremlin spokesman said, replying to a journalists’ question about who of the foreign leaders had been invited to the event.
The Russian presidential spokesman found it difficult to say whether Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky would be among those invited to the Victory Parade.
"I told you which principle we apply [to extend the invitation]," Peskov stressed.
Initially, many foreign leaders and heads of international organizations were invited to Moscow to attend the festivities on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the victory, which were subsequently postponed from May 9 to a later date due to the epidemiological situation.


tass--2020-05-27--Post-Soviet security bloc to train peacekeepers in Russia or Kazakhstan

MOSCOW , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
The Collective Security Treaty Organization ( CSTO ) plans to train its peacekeeping forces in Russia or Kazakhstan , CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas told TASS on Wednesday .
EU tried to dictate to Armenia its behavior in CSTO , EAEU , says Lavrov '' We are setting the task to create a single base of training peacekeeping forces as a whole , and , in particular , training peacekeepers for the UN .
Various options are being considered as to where this process will take place .
We already have peacekeepers ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In this regard , military specialists must have their say , '' he said .
The CSTO secretary general also noted that the organization would make a decision on choosing the basic center for training peacekeeping units under the UN standards until the end of the year .
`` We are setting ourselves the goal of completing all legal amendments in order to start practical steps [ for peacekeeping activity ] as soon as next year , '' he said .
The CSTO is currently finalizing its basic documents so that the organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missions under the UN aegis , he said .

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) plans to train its peacekeeping forces in Russia or Kazakhstan, CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas told TASS on Wednesday.
EU tried to dictate to Armenia its behavior in CSTO, EAEU, says Lavrov
"We are setting the task to create a single base of training peacekeeping forces as a whole, and, in particular, training peacekeepers for the UN. Various options are being considered as to where this process will take place. We already have peacekeepers’ training centers in Russia and Kazakhstan. In this regard, military specialists must have their say," he said.
The CSTO secretary general also noted that the organization would make a decision on choosing the basic center for training peacekeeping units under the UN standards until the end of the year.
"We are setting ourselves the goal of completing all legal amendments in order to start practical steps [for peacekeeping activity] as soon as next year," he said.
The CSTO is currently finalizing its basic documents so that the organization’s peacekeeping forces can implement their missions under the UN aegis, he said.
The CSTO comprises Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.


tass--2020-05-27--Africa’s coronavirus deaths top 3,500

Africa’s coronavirus deaths top 3,500

South Africa accounts for the biggest number of infections ( 24,264 ) and 524 deaths .
Egypt , meanwhile , has the biggest coronavirus death toll ( 783 ) and 17,967 infections .
Algeria reported 617 fatalities and 8,697 cases , while Morocco identified 7,556 cases and 202 deaths .
Sudan recorded 3,976 coronavirus infections and 170 deaths .
PRETORIA , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Africa has reached 118,927 after increasing by 3,690 in the past 24 hours , while 3,574 patients died from the virus-related causes , the World Health Organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Sub-Saharan Africa , Nigeria is ranked second after South Africa with 8,344 coronavirus infections and 249 fatalities , followed by Ghana ( 6,964 and 32 ) , Cameroon ( 5,436 and 177 ) , Guinea ( 3,358 and 20 ) , Senegal ( 3,161 and 37 ) , Ivory Coast ( 2,477 and 30 ) , the Democratic Republic of the Congo ( 2,403 and 67 ) and Gabon ( 2,238 and 14 ) .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 5,701,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 352,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 2,445,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

South Africa accounts for the biggest number of infections (24,264) and 524 deaths. Egypt, meanwhile, has the biggest coronavirus death toll (783) and 17,967 infections. Algeria reported 617 fatalities and 8,697 cases, while Morocco identified 7,556 cases and 202 deaths. Sudan recorded 3,976 coronavirus infections and 170 deaths.
PRETORIA, May 27. /TASS/. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Africa has reached 118,927 after increasing by 3,690 in the past 24 hours, while 3,574 patients died from the virus-related causes, the World Health Organization (WHO) Africa branch said Wednesday.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria is ranked second after South Africa with 8,344 coronavirus infections and 249 fatalities, followed by Ghana (6,964 and 32), Cameroon (5,436 and 177), Guinea (3,358 and 20), Senegal (3,161 and 37), Ivory Coast (2,477 and 30), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2,403 and 67) and Gabon (2,238 and 14).
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 5,701,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 352,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 2,445,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-05-27--Moscow ready for first and second stage of lifting coronavirus lockdown — sanitary doctor

MOSCOW , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow authorities are prepared for lifting restrictions imposed in the city over the @ @ @ @ @ s chief sanitary doctor Elena Andreyeva said on Wednesday .
`` If we look at @ @ @ @ @ are ready for the first stage and in general , in principle , we are @ @ @ @ @ one , '' Andreyeva , who heads the Moscow department of the Federal Service for @ @ @ @ @ and Human Wellbeing , told an online meeting of the Moscow City Duma .
To @ @ @ @ @ indicators allowing the city to end the lockdown in three stages outlined by the Russian @ @ @ @ @ are very balanced and are taken depending on the overall epidemiological situation in Moscow .
@ @ @ @ @ the rate of the coronavirus spread , which should be below 1 for at least @ @ @ @ @ rate in Moscow is 0.85 .
The two other indicators are the volume of free @ @ @ @ @ level of tests carried out among citizens , according to Andreyeva .

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. Moscow authorities are prepared for lifting restrictions imposed in the city over the coronavirus spread, Moscow’s chief sanitary doctor Elena Andreyeva said on Wednesday.
"If we look at these three figures, we are ready for the first stage and in general, in principle, we are even ready for the second one," Andreyeva, who heads the Moscow department of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, told an online meeting of the Moscow City Duma.
To date, there are three indicators allowing the city to end the lockdown in three stages outlined by the Russian sanitary watchdog. All decisions are very balanced and are taken depending on the overall epidemiological situation in Moscow.
One of these indicators is the rate of the coronavirus spread, which should be below 1 for at least 70 days. The average rate in Moscow is 0.85. The two other indicators are the volume of free beds at hospitals and the level of tests carried out among citizens, according to Andreyeva.


tass--2020-05-27--Georgia says has no plans to return to Open Skies Treaty

`` Georgia neither accepts Russia ’ s flights nor takes part in surveillance flights over Russia .
Georgia has been pursuing a consistent policy for all these years , so the 2012 decision remains in place , '' the statement reads .
TBILISI , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
Tbilisi has no plans to return to the Treaty on Open Skies , the Georgian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday .
Russia ’ s Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that Moscow was ready to allow surveillance flights within a ten-kilometer zone along the borders of Abkhazia and South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Open Skies , provided that Georgia returned to the treaty .
However , Georgia ’ s authorities are reluctant to accept this approach as they don ’ t recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia .
`` Yesterday ’ s statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry about allowing surveillance flights over the ten-kilometer zones is nothing new , '' the Georgian Foreign Ministry said .
`` Russia has said openly that efforts to legitimize the illegal recognition of Abkhazia and the Tskhinval region [ South Ossetia — TASS ] remain on its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Georgia unilaterally suspended cooperation with Russia under the Treaty on Open Skies in 2012 .
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani commented earlier that the move had been prompted by Moscow ’ s 2008 decision to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and ban Open Skies Treaty flights within a ten-kilometer zone bordering the two regions .
According to Zalkaliani , Russia explained the decision by the fact that neither Abkhazia nor South Ossetia were part of the treaty .
US President Donald Trump announced last week that Washington intended to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which allows member states to conduct surveillance flights over one another 's territories in order to verify arms control agreements implementation .
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo specified in a statement that the withdrawal would take effect in six months ’ time .
The US authorities cited Russia ’ s alleged violations of the treaty to justify their decision .
Moscow has repeatedly rejected such allegations .
In particular , Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry ’ s Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control Vladimir Yermakov stressed that US attempts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Skies Treaty as a response to Russia ’ s violations were completely groundless .

Georgia suspended cooperation with Russia under the Treaty on Open Skies in 2012 over Moscow’s 2008 decision to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and ban flights within a 10 km zone from the two regions
TBILISI, May 27. /TASS/. Tbilisi has no plans to return to the Treaty on Open Skies, the Georgian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. "Georgia neither accepts Russia’s flights nor takes part in surveillance flights over Russia. Georgia has been pursuing a consistent policy for all these years, so the 2012 decision remains in place," the statement reads.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that Moscow was ready to allow surveillance flights within a ten-kilometer zone along the borders of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in accordance with the Treaty on Open Skies, provided that Georgia returned to the treaty. However, Georgia’s authorities are reluctant to accept this approach as they don’t recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. "Yesterday’s statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry about allowing surveillance flights over the ten-kilometer zones is nothing new," the Georgian Foreign Ministry said. "Russia has said openly that efforts to legitimize the illegal recognition of Abkhazia and the Tskhinval region [South Ossetia — TASS] remain on its political agenda," the statement added.
Read also Russia confirms intention to implement Open Skies Treaty


tass--2020-05-27--Russia’s economic activity reaches 79% of pre-crisis figure, minister says

MOSCOW , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
Economic activity in Russia reached 79 % of the pre-crisis figure , Minister @ @ @ @ @ said on Wednesday .
`` From May 12 , when the regions started to gradually @ @ @ @ @ recovery began to appear .
At the moment , we have reached 79 % of @ @ @ @ @ activity , '' Reshetnikov said .
According to him , the epidemiological situation is gradually @ @ @ @ @ on business activities can be phased out .
`` At the same time , we @ @ @ @ @ significant part of the economy is , as they say , frozen .
Non-food retail @ @ @ @ @ , catering and tourism are out .
At the same time , the epidemiological situation @ @ @ @ @ means that now there are opportunities to remove previously adopted restrictions in stages , and @ @ @ @ @ opportunities , '' the minister said .

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. Economic activity in Russia reached 79% of the pre-crisis figure, Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov said on Wednesday.
"From May 12, when the regions started to gradually lift restrictions, signs of recovery began to appear. At the moment, we have reached 79% of the pre-crisis level of economic activity," Reshetnikov said.
According to him, the epidemiological situation is gradually improving and the restrictions imposed on business activities can be phased out.
"At the same time, we need to understand that a significant part of the economy is, as they say, frozen. Non-food retail sector is largely under restrictions, catering and tourism are out. At the same time, the epidemiological situation is gradually improving. This means that now there are opportunities to remove previously adopted restrictions in stages, and regions take advantage of these opportunities," the minister said.


tass--2020-05-27--Russia developing new reconnaissance armored vehicle

MOSCOW , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is developing the latest Mars-2000 reconnaissance combat vehicle based on the BTR-82 armored personnel carrier , CEO of Military Industrial Company ( the producer of the BTR-82 and vehicles on its basis ) Alexander Krasovitsky told TASS on Wednesday .
`` Work is underway to create the Mars-2000 new reconnaissance combat vehicle on the basis of the BTR-82 .
Also , an option is being considered to develop the Sosna short-range self-propelled surface-to-air missile system based on the BTR-82 , '' the chief executive said .
Special vehicles are also being developed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personnel carrier , he said .
`` The Taifun-M anti-saboteur combat vehicle based on the BTR-82 and created at the Strela Research and Production Association has been among newly-developed hardware .
It is designated to shield mobile missile systems of the Strategic Missile Force , '' Krasovitsky said .
`` As new weapon systems or special equipment appear and given the need to create their wheeled versions , the basis of the BTR-82 armored personnel carrier will be in demand because unlike other armored wheeled chassis , it can negotiate water obstacles afloat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At the same time , there are no plans to use the BTR-82 chassis for developing civilian wheeled vehicles , the chief executive said .
`` The development of civilian vehicles based on the BTR-82 is not being considered so far : the BTR-80 base copes with this task quite well .
In case of the need of developing a civilian vehicle based on the BTR-82 chassis , Military Industrial Company will do it , '' Krasovitsky said .

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. Russia is developing the latest Mars-2000 reconnaissance combat vehicle based on the BTR-82 armored personnel carrier, CEO of Military Industrial Company (the producer of the BTR-82 and vehicles on its basis) Alexander Krasovitsky told TASS on Wednesday.
"Work is underway to create the Mars-2000 new reconnaissance combat vehicle on the basis of the BTR-82. Also, an option is being considered to develop the Sosna short-range self-propelled surface-to-air missile system based on the BTR-82," the chief executive said.
Special vehicles are also being developed on the basis of the BTR-82 armored personnel carrier, he said.
"The Taifun-M anti-saboteur combat vehicle based on the BTR-82 and created at the Strela Research and Production Association has been among newly-developed hardware. It is designated to shield mobile missile systems of the Strategic Missile Force," Krasovitsky said.
"As new weapon systems or special equipment appear and given the need to create their wheeled versions, the basis of the BTR-82 armored personnel carrier will be in demand because unlike other armored wheeled chassis, it can negotiate water obstacles afloat," the chief executive added.
At the same time, there are no plans to use the BTR-82 chassis for developing civilian wheeled vehicles, the chief executive said.
"The development of civilian vehicles based on the BTR-82 is not being considered so far: the BTR-80 base copes with this task quite well. In case of the need of developing a civilian vehicle based on the BTR-82 chassis, Military Industrial Company will do it," Krasovitsky said.
Military Industrial Company is Russia’s largest producer of wheeled armored hardware.


tass--2020-05-27--OPEC+ countries discuss maintaining May quota to cut output until end of 2020

MOSCOW , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
OPEC+ countries are discussing preserving the maximum quota for reducing oil production — 9.7 mln bpd — until the end of 2020 , a source participating in the negotiations told TASS .
`` Until the end of 2020 it is very likely , '' the source said .
Two other sources confirmed that OPEC `` seriously '' wants to maintain the current quota after June .
According to the April agreements , OPEC+ countries reduce production by 9.7 mln bpd only in May-June , and use the reduced quota of 7.7 mln bpd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The agreement remains in effect until the end of April 2022 .
The position of Russia , the largest oil producer in the OPEC+ , on this issue is still unknown .
According to TASS sources , on Tuesday , Russian Minister of Energy Alexander Novak discussed this issue at a meeting with oil companies , but there was no common stance among Russian producers .
Meanwhile , presidential spokesman , Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the deal was effective , because thanks to it , a nosedive scenario was avoided .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 1 .
It implies a 9.7 mln bpd reduction of oil output from May to June .
Russia and Saudi Arabia , according to the agreement , will cut oil production by equal shares — 2.5 mln bpd from the base level of 11 mln bpd .

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. OPEC+ countries are discussing preserving the maximum quota for reducing oil production — 9.7 mln bpd — until the end of 2020, a source participating in the negotiations told TASS.
"Until the end of 2020 it is very likely,"the source said. Two other sources confirmed that OPEC "seriously" wants to maintain the current quota after June.
According to the April agreements, OPEC+ countries reduce production by 9.7 mln bpd only in May-June, and use the reduced quota of 7.7 mln bpd from July to the end of December. The agreement remains in effect until the end of April 2022.
The position of Russia, the largest oil producer in the OPEC+, on this issue is still unknown. According to TASS sources, on Tuesday, Russian Minister of Energy Alexander Novak discussed this issue at a meeting with oil companies, but there was no common stance among Russian producers. Meanwhile, presidential spokesman, Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the deal was effective, because thanks to it, a nosedive scenario was avoided.
The OPEC+ agreement entered into force on May 1. It implies a 9.7 mln bpd reduction of oil output from May to June. Russia and Saudi Arabia, according to the agreement, will cut oil production by equal shares — 2.5 mln bpd from the base level of 11 mln bpd.


tass--2020-05-27--Press review: Turkish air power threatens Haftar and China vows to tackle US meddling

Early this week , the Turkish Air Force set up a so-called `` air bridge '' from Istanbul to Libya .
Military and transport planes are performing several flights per day to airfields controlled by the Government of National Accord ( GNA ) .
The forces loyal to it have declared plans on launching a new large-scale offensive against Khalifa Haftar ’ s army on Wednesday .
The field marshal is backed by the United Arab Emirates and Egypt , which also boosted transport aviation flights to Libya .
Experts believe that new arms supplies to the conflicting sides will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Izvestia writes .
`` Turkey still decided to raise stakes and go all the way , '' military expert Vladislav Shurygin told the paper .
Most flights with military aid are heading to Misrata , which is not within reach of the Libyan National Army ’ s artillery fire .
Haftar ’ s aviation in May had attacked the air base several times , but now Turkish frigates are on duty near it , creating a so-called air defense `` umbrella . ''
So , planes and drones can act freely .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the GNA will fulfill its promises and will launch a new offensive against Haftar ’ s weakened army in the coming days .
Turkey ’ s direct armed interference in the conflict shifted the balance of power resulting in painful defeats for the LNA .
`` Now , Haftar has not only lost the territorial gains of the past year but also continues retreating .
The field marshal may have sought to reach a ceasefire , but the GNA is trying not to miss its chance and fully destroy the enemy , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gazeta : China vows to respond to potential US sanctions over Hong Kong law Hong Kong has become the eye of a storm between the United States and China .
After Washington had threatened to strip Hong Kong of a special trade status and voiced support for the protesters , the commander of the Chinese army garrison said that he would thwart any attempts at undermining the country ’ s sovereignty .
Later , journalists reported on the movement of military units .
According to experts , Beijing does not want bloodshed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to diplomatic protests , given the interests of its companies based in the Hong Kong financial hub , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes .
Western media outlets are guessing whether Beijing is going to quash the protests in Hong Kong .
Another question is how far US President Donald Trump is willing to go to punish China for its proposed new national security law that could allegedly infringe on democracy in Hong Kong .
In its turn , Beijing has warned that it would be forced to take countermeasures if Washington continued to harm China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Studies at the Higher School of Economy Andrei Karneyev noted that the emotional clash between China and the US over Hong Kong had kicked off last summer .
Back then , the demonstrators there were protesting against a law allowing the administration of the territory to hand over individuals to China suspected of anti-government activities .
The West supported the protesters .
However , Hong Kong was not a key reason at that time for the mounting tension between the two major economic powers .
The turmoil there bolsters Washington ’ s wish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and military might .
So how can China respond ?
The options are to sell US securities , curb the supplies of rare earth metals to the US and create obstacles for American companies in China .
But these measures would also hurt China .
Therefore , in real politics the sides will proceed with caution , especially Beijing , Karneyev noted .
Vedomosti : Kremlin struggles to set constitutional vote date due to coronavirus pandemic in regions Russian President Vladimir Putin has not yet announced the date of the nationwide vote on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Kremlin and the Moscow mayor attributed this to the fact that the coronavirus situation in the regions has not yet stabilized .
While in the past day the mortality rate from the infection declined in Moscow , it grew in other Russian regions , Vedomosti writes .
The possible dates for holding the vote are July 1 or July 8 .
However , June 24 when Russia is due to hold the Victory Day parade , should not be ruled out , some sources said .
It will take a while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases since the situation in the Russian regions lags two weeks behind the capital .
Now , Moscow has recorded a clear decline in COVID-19 cases .
The date of the vote is expected to be announced next week , but everything largely depends on the epidemiological situation , a source close to the Kremlin administration said .
September is also a less desirable option because Unified Election Day would have to be delayed .
However , this can be done more easily now .
Recently , the president signed a law on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible to postpone the gubernatorial election due to the bad epidemiological situation .
A source close to the Moscow mayor ’ s office believes that July 1 is the most likely date of the constitutional vote .
The presidential administration insists on holding the ballot as soon as possible , while the Moscow mayor ’ s office believes that it is too early to hold it due to the coronavirus situation .
A source in the administration says that it is necessary to hold the vote in June or July because the plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on January 15 and the longer this vote is delayed the more it will be `` taken off the agenda . ''
Another person close to the Kremlin administration explains that the authorities want to celebrate the so-called `` victory over the virus '' so that people could be in a cheerful mood and it would be more preferable to hold the constitutional vote against this background .
Moscow has the opportunity to arrange a digital vote and in any situation Muscovites will be able to cast their votes , a source close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the newspaper .
Izvestia : Russians losing interest in Chinese goods , sales could halve in 2020 The volume of Chinese goods purchased by Russians dropped 7.1 % to 323.3 mln items in 2019 mainly due to rising prices , a reduced limit on tax-free imports and long deliveries , Izvestia writes , citing the Association of Internet Trade Companies ( AITC ) .
`` The mood of consumers was affected by the long delivery of goods from China and the increasing prices on goods from this country .
The negative impact was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the end of the year .
Some people were just afraid of making orders in China while Chinese sellers were unable to deliver them .
The major volume of sales is always seen at the end of the year , '' AITC President Artem Sokolov told the newspaper .
The expert also noted that the current situation has been affected by new import rules , which Russia introduced last year , namely lowering the limit of tax-free imports from 1,000 euro to 500 euro per month .
According to Izvestia , AITC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grew 31 % in 2019 to 586 bln rubles ( $ 8.3 bln ) .
The most popular items were clothes and shoes ( 36.8 % ) as well as gadgets and household appliances ( 32.2 % ) .
However , the volume of cross-border trade on the Russian market still remains significant , Sokolov noted .
President of the National Association of Remote Trade Alexander Ivanov told the newspaper that an average check of purchases from overseas dropped from $ 9 to $ 7 , while the volume of deliveries by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Last year , Russians mainly purchased goods from China , which accounted for 59.7 % of the total volume .
During the upcoming June meeting of OPEC+ , Russia could back the idea of increasing oil production cuts .
Since July , the general quota of cuts under OPEC+ was expected to drop from 9.7 mln to 8 mln barrels per day , but now Russia is discussing the option of extending the current quota for another two months .
In the event that this quota remains in place , Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 mln tonnes in those two months and in 2020 the drop in output will reach 50 mln tonnes of oil .
Sources told Kommersant that the option to extend the quotas is advantageous for Saudi Arabia , which has been mostly affected by the declining oil prices .
Russia could keep the current level of oil output cuts under the OPEC+ deal until September 2020 , three sources in the oil sector told the paper .
This issue was discussed at a meeting between Energy Minister Alexander Novak and CEOs of oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be announced at the June meeting of OPEC+ delegates .
According to one of the sources , Moscow may tighten its position due to the pressure of its key partner in the deal , Saudi Arabia , which is dissatisfied with the current level of oil prices , although the demand has started to resume amid the gradual cancellation of restrictions over the coronavirus .
Meanwhile , Russian oil companies don ’ t share the position regarding the extension of the current quotas .
Rosneft was skeptical about the new deal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gazprom Neft acknowledged that it was necessary .
According to Vygon Consulting ’ s Darya Kozlova , now there is no sense in significantly reviewing the agreements reached in April since it is necessary to understand how the situation will develop in the summer months and only then make a decision .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews .

Izvestia: Turkey builds ‘air bridge’ ahead of major offensive in Libya
Early this week, the Turkish Air Force set up a so-called "air bridge" from Istanbul to Libya. Military and transport planes are performing several flights per day to airfields controlled by the Government of National Accord (GNA). The forces loyal to it have declared plans on launching a new large-scale offensive against Khalifa Haftar’s army on Wednesday. The field marshal is backed by the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, which also boosted transport aviation flights to Libya. Experts believe that new arms supplies to the conflicting sides will trigger fierce fighting in the coming days, Izvestia writes. "Turkey still decided to raise stakes and go all the way," military expert Vladislav Shurygin told the paper. Most flights with military aid are heading to Misrata, which is not within reach of the Libyan National Army’s artillery fire. Haftar’s aviation in May had attacked the air base several times, but now Turkish frigates are on duty near it, creating a so-called air defense "umbrella." So, planes and drones can act freely. The military specialist has no doubt that the GNA will fulfill its promises and will launch a new offensive against Haftar’s weakened army in the coming days. Turkey’s direct armed interference in the conflict shifted the balance of power resulting in painful defeats for the LNA. "Now, Haftar has not only lost the territorial gains of the past year but also continues retreating. The field marshal may have sought to reach a ceasefire, but the GNA is trying not to miss its chance and fully destroy the enemy," military historian Dmitry Boltenkov said. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: China vows to respond to potential US sanctions over Hong Kong law
Hong Kong has become the eye of a storm between the United States and China. After Washington had threatened to strip Hong Kong of a special trade status and voiced support for the protesters, the commander of the Chinese army garrison said that he would thwart any attempts at undermining the country’s sovereignty. Later, journalists reported on the movement of military units. According to experts, Beijing does not want bloodshed. Meanwhile, the US will confine itself to diplomatic protests, given the interests of its companies based in the Hong Kong financial hub, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. Western media outlets are guessing whether Beijing is going to quash the protests in Hong Kong. Another question is how far US President Donald Trump is willing to go to punish China for its proposed new national security law that could allegedly infringe on democracy in Hong Kong. In its turn, Beijing has warned that it would be forced to take countermeasures if Washington continued to harm China. Head of the School of Asian Studies at the Higher School of Economy Andrei Karneyev noted that the emotional clash between China and the US over Hong Kong had kicked off last summer. Back then, the demonstrators there were protesting against a law allowing the administration of the territory to hand over individuals to China suspected of anti-government activities. The West supported the protesters. However, Hong Kong was not a key reason at that time for the mounting tension between the two major economic powers. The turmoil there bolsters Washington’s wish to contain China’s growing economic and military might. So how can China respond? The options are to sell US securities, curb the supplies of rare earth metals to the US and create obstacles for American companies in China. But these measures would also hurt China. Therefore, in real politics the sides will proceed with caution, especially Beijing, Karneyev noted. Vedomosti: Kremlin struggles to set constitutional vote date due to coronavirus pandemic in regions
Read also Russia to hold Victory Day Parade on June 24 — Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin has not yet announced the date of the nationwide vote on the much-talked-about constitutional amendments. Sources close to the Kremlin and the Moscow mayor attributed this to the fact that the coronavirus situation in the regions has not yet stabilized. While in the past day the mortality rate from the infection declined in Moscow, it grew in other Russian regions, Vedomosti writes. The possible dates for holding the vote are July 1 or July 8. However, June 24 when Russia is due to hold the Victory Day parade, should not be ruled out, some sources said. It will take a while to achieve a decline in new coronavirus cases since the situation in the Russian regions lags two weeks behind the capital. Now, Moscow has recorded a clear decline in COVID-19 cases. The date of the vote is expected to be announced next week, but everything largely depends on the epidemiological situation, a source close to the Kremlin administration said. September is also a less desirable option because Unified Election Day would have to be delayed. However, this can be done more easily now. Recently, the president signed a law on amending the election legislation, making it possible to postpone the gubernatorial election due to the bad epidemiological situation. A source close to the Moscow mayor’s office believes that July 1 is the most likely date of the constitutional vote. The presidential administration insists on holding the ballot as soon as possible, while the Moscow mayor’s office believes that it is too early to hold it due to the coronavirus situation. A source in the administration says that it is necessary to hold the vote in June or July because the plans on amending the constitution were announced back on January 15 and the longer this vote is delayed the more it will be "taken off the agenda." Another person close to the Kremlin administration explains that the authorities want to celebrate the so-called "victory over the virus" so that people could be in a cheerful mood and it would be more preferable to hold the constitutional vote against this background. Moscow has the opportunity to arrange a digital vote and in any situation Muscovites will be able to cast their votes, a source close to the mayor’s office told the newspaper. Izvestia: Russians losing interest in Chinese goods, sales could halve in 2020
Read also Russia’s imports from China down amid coronavirus outbreak
The volume of Chinese goods purchased by Russians dropped 7.1% to 323.3 mln items in 2019 mainly due to rising prices, a reduced limit on tax-free imports and long deliveries, Izvestia writes, citing the Association of Internet Trade Companies (AITC). "The mood of consumers was affected by the long delivery of goods from China and the increasing prices on goods from this country. The negative impact was due to the news about the epidemic at the end of the year. Some people were just afraid of making orders in China while Chinese sellers were unable to deliver them. The major volume of sales is always seen at the end of the year," AITC President Artem Sokolov told the newspaper. The expert also noted that the current situation has been affected by new import rules, which Russia introduced last year, namely lowering the limit of tax-free imports from 1,000 euro to 500 euro per month. According to Izvestia, AITC believes that the market of cross-border trade grew 31% in 2019 to 586 bln rubles ($8.3 bln). The most popular items were clothes and shoes (36.8%) as well as gadgets and household appliances (32.2%). However, the volume of cross-border trade on the Russian market still remains significant, Sokolov noted. President of the National Association of Remote Trade Alexander Ivanov told the newspaper that an average check of purchases from overseas dropped from $9 to $7, while the volume of deliveries by the end of 2020 could decline 40-50%. Last year, Russians mainly purchased goods from China, which accounted for 59.7% of the total volume. Kommersant: Russia likely to seek tougher OPEC+ deal


tass--2020-05-27--Global oil consumption to fall by $1 trillion in 2020 due to pandemic, experts say

MOSCOW , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
Consumers ’ oil expenses will drop by $ 1 trillion in 2020 to $ 2.5 trillion as a result of the pandemic-related quarantine measures globally , the International Energy Agency ( IEA ) wrote in its report on energy investment on Wednesday .
After the Covid-19 crisis brought large swathes of the world economy to a standstill in a matter of months , the Agency now expects global investment to plummet by 20 % , or almost $ 400 bln , compared with last year .
Prior to the outbreak , its experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % in 2020 , which could have become the largest investment growth since the 2014 crisis .
`` A combination of falling demand , lower prices and a rise in cases of non-payment of bills means that energy revenues going to governments and industry are set to fall by well over $ 1 trillion in 2020 , '' according to the report .
Investment in the oil and gas sector is expected to drop by 32 % , or by almost $ 250 bln , whereas investment in the coal industry - by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 bln .
Overall , global energy will be short of 20 % of investment compared with the previous year as they will decline to $ 1.5 trillion , the Energy said .

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. Consumers’ oil expenses will drop by $1 trillion in 2020 to $2.5 trillion as a result of the pandemic-related quarantine measures globally, the International Energy Agency (IEA) wrote in its report on energy investment on Wednesday.
After the Covid-19 crisis brought large swathes of the world economy to a standstill in a matter of months, the Agency now expects global investment to plummet by 20%, or almost $400 bln, compared with last year. Prior to the outbreak, its experts projected energy investment to rise by 2% in 2020, which could have become the largest investment growth since the 2014 crisis.
"A combination of falling demand, lower prices and a rise in cases of non-payment of bills means that energy revenues going to governments and industry are set to fall by well over $1 trillion in 2020," according to the report.
Investment in the oil and gas sector is expected to drop by 32%, or by almost $250 bln, whereas investment in the coal industry - by 15%, or by almost $20 bln. Overall, global energy will be short of 20% of investment compared with the previous year as they will decline to $1.5 trillion, the Energy said.


tass--2020-05-27--10 cities in southern Russia to hold Victory Day parades on June 24

ROSTOV-ON-DON , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
Servicemen of the Southern Military District have started preparing for parades marking the @ @ @ @ @ the Great Patriotic War on June 24 in 10 cities of the district , the @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
`` In total , on June 24 ten military parades will be held @ @ @ @ @ , including in the hero cities of Volgograd , Kerch , Novorossiysk , Sevastopol , @ @ @ @ @ where staff of formations of the military district are deployed — Rostov-on-Don , Novocherkassk , @ @ @ @ @ and Kaspiysk , '' the statement reads .

ROSTOV-ON-DON, May 27. /TASS/. Servicemen of the Southern Military District have started preparing for parades marking the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War on June 24 in 10 cities of the district, the press service told reporters on Wednesday.
"In total, on June 24 ten military parades will be held in the Southern Military District, including in the hero cities of Volgograd, Kerch, Novorossiysk, Sevastopol, as well as the cities where staff of formations of the military district are deployed — Rostov-on-Don, Novocherkassk, Stavropol, Vladikavkaz, Simferopol and Kaspiysk," the statement reads.


tass--2020-05-27--Tupolev aircraft maker confirms testing upgraded Tu-22M3M bomber at supersonic speed

MOSCOW , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
The Tupolev Aircraft Company ( part of the United Aircraft Corporation ) confirmed on Wednesday it was testing the second prototype of the heavily upgraded Tu-22M3M long-range missile-carrying bomber at supersonic speed .
`` The press office of the Tupolev Aircraft Company confirms entering the stage of testing new equipment and systems in supersonic flight modes of the heavily upgraded plane , '' the Tupolev told TASS .
A TASS source said earlier on Wednesday that the second prototype of the heavily upgraded Tu-22M3M strategic bomber had undergone trials at supersonic speed during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already conducted .
As the source said , the upgraded bomber showed stability and controllability and the modernized systems and equipment operated in the normal mode during the trials .
The second prototype of the Tu-22M3M long-range missile-carrying bomber is undergoing the first stage of flight trials at the aerodrome of the Kazan Aviation Enterprise ( part of the Tupolev Aircraft Company ) .
The bomber performed its debut flight in March .
As the Tupolev press office specified back then , the flight 's aim was to assess the aircraft ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on-board information and control system , adding that the bomber would soon enter a cycle of test flights .
According to the data of the Tupolev Aircraft Company , the Tu-22M3M features expanded combat capabilities and an increased operating range .
Russia ’ s Aerospace Force ex-Commander Viktor Bondarev , currently Head of the Federation Council ’ s Defense and Security Committee , earlier said that the bomber ’ s upgraded version could carry Kh-32 cruise missiles and hypersonic weapons .
The Tu-22M3M is a modernized version of the Tu-22M3 long-range supersonic missile-carrying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its upgrade , the bomber will get new avionics and a capability to employ new missiles .

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. The Tupolev Aircraft Company (part of the United Aircraft Corporation) confirmed on Wednesday it was testing the second prototype of the heavily upgraded Tu-22M3M long-range missile-carrying bomber at supersonic speed.
"The press office of the Tupolev Aircraft Company confirms entering the stage of testing new equipment and systems in supersonic flight modes of the heavily upgraded plane," the Tupolev told TASS.
A TASS source said earlier on Wednesday that the second prototype of the heavily upgraded Tu-22M3M strategic bomber had undergone trials at supersonic speed during its fourth test flight out of five already conducted.
As the source said, the upgraded bomber showed stability and controllability and the modernized systems and equipment operated in the normal mode during the trials.
The second prototype of the Tu-22M3M long-range missile-carrying bomber is undergoing the first stage of flight trials at the aerodrome of the Kazan Aviation Enterprise (part of the Tupolev Aircraft Company). The bomber performed its debut flight in March. As the Tupolev press office specified back then, the flight's aim was to assess the aircraft’s take-off and landing characteristics and test the on-board information and control system, adding that the bomber would soon enter a cycle of test flights.
According to the data of the Tupolev Aircraft Company, the Tu-22M3M features expanded combat capabilities and an increased operating range. Russia’s Aerospace Force ex-Commander Viktor Bondarev, currently Head of the Federation Council’s Defense and Security Committee, earlier said that the bomber’s upgraded version could carry Kh-32 cruise missiles and hypersonic weapons.
The Tu-22M3M is a modernized version of the Tu-22M3 long-range supersonic missile-carrying bomber with the variable-sweep wing. During its upgrade, the bomber will get new avionics and a capability to employ new missiles.