tass--2020-12-11--Over 385,000 new COVID-19 cases registered worldwide in 24 hours - WHO

GENEVA , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection worldwide has surpassed @ @ @ @ @ 24 hours by more than 385,000 .
According to the data of the World Health @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday , the number of fatalities over 24 hours has increased by more than @ @ @ @ @ .
As of 19:46 Moscow time on December 10 , the WHO received reports of @ @ @ @ @ .
The number of infections over 24 hours has increased by 385,477 while the fatalities @ @ @ @ @ WHO statistics takes into account only officially confirmed data on incidence and fatalities submitted by @ @ @ @ @ of the infections were recorded in the US - 14,972,356 , followed by India ( @ @ @ @ @ 6,674,999 ) , Russia ( 2,541,199 ) , France ( 2,269,668 ) , Italy ( @ @ @ @ @ ( 1,750,245 ) , Spain ( 1,702,328 ) , Argentina ( 1,469,919 ) , Colombia @ @ @ @ @ ( 1,218,524 ) and Mexico ( 1,193 255 ) .

GENEVA, December 10. /TASS/. The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection worldwide has surpassed 68.16 mln, rising over 24 hours by more than 385,000. According to the data of the World Health Organization (WHO) published on Thursday, the number of fatalities over 24 hours has increased by more than 6,100, surpassing 1.557 mln.
As of 19:46 Moscow time on December 10, the WHO received reports of 68,165,877 infections and 1,557,385 fatalities. The number of infections over 24 hours has increased by 385,477 while the fatalities rose by 6,171.
The WHO statistics takes into account only officially confirmed data on incidence and fatalities submitted by the states.
The majority of the infections were recorded in the US - 14,972,356, followed by India (9,767,371), Brazil (6,674,999), Russia (2,541,199), France (2,269,668), Italy (1,757,394), the UK (1,750,245), Spain (1,702,328), Argentina (1,469,919), Colombia (1,384,610), Germany (1,218,524) and Mexico (1,193 255).


tass--2020-12-11--EU extends sanctions against Russia by another six months

BRUSSELS , December 10./TASS/ .
Leaders of the European Union have agreed to extend until July 1 , 2021 , sanctions against Russia , Barend Leyts , Spokesman for European Council President Charles Michel , said in a tweet on Thursday .
`` …agreement on conclusions EU-US relations and the roll over of the sanctions against Russia , '' Barend Leyts tweeted .
Now , it must be formally approved by the Council of the European Union .
European Union leaders would extend economic sanctions on Russia , set to expire in late January 2021 , at the December 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters in Brussels on Wednesday .
`` There will be a discussion regarding the implementation of the Minsk Agreements , based on which the sanctions are usually extended , '' he said , adding : `` No one has opposed an extension of sanctions . ''
In 2014 , the European Union slapped sanctions on Russia over the events in Ukraine and Crimea ’ s reunification with Russia .
Since then , these sanctions have been repeatedly extended and prolonged .
Talks on the cancellation of visas and a new basic agreement on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian officials were prohibited from visiting EU countries and their assets were frozen .
In addition , trading , financial and military restrictions were introduced .
In response , Moscow banned food imports from EU states .

BRUSSELS, December 10./TASS/. Leaders of the European Union have agreed to extend until July 1, 2021, sanctions against Russia, Barend Leyts, Spokesman for European Council President Charles Michel, said in a tweet on Thursday.
"…agreement on conclusions EU-US relations and the roll over of the sanctions against Russia," Barend Leyts tweeted. Now, it must be formally approved by the Council of the European Union.
European Union leaders would extend economic sanctions on Russia, set to expire in late January 2021, at the December 10 summit, a high-ranking EU official told reporters in Brussels on Wednesday.
"There will be a discussion regarding the implementation of the Minsk Agreements, based on which the sanctions are usually extended," he said, adding: "No one has opposed an extension of sanctions."
In 2014, the European Union slapped sanctions on Russia over the events in Ukraine and Crimea’s reunification with Russia. Since then, these sanctions have been repeatedly extended and prolonged. Talks on the cancellation of visas and a new basic agreement on cooperation were put on hold, some Russian officials were prohibited from visiting EU countries and their assets were frozen. In addition, trading, financial and military restrictions were introduced. In response, Moscow banned food imports from EU states.


tass--2020-12-11--Information attacks on Sputnik V attempt to hide problems with other vaccines, RDIF thinks

MOSCOW , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
Information attacks on the Russian Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus are attempts by other countries to hide problems emerging with the development of their vaccines , Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) Kirill Dmitriev told Channel One on Thursday .
`` This is an attempt to hide a number of problems emerging with their own vaccines , for instance , that not a single one of the other vaccines that have passed Phase Three [ of clinical trials ] has a long-term confirmed safety .
And that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allergic reaction to the vaccine by Pfizer in Great Britain , '' he said , commenting on the information attacks and fakes about the Sputnik V vaccine emerging abroad .
According to him , the attacks on the Russian vaccine are also related to the fact that the Western countries have to explain to their citizens why Russia has already launched inoculation of residents against the coronavirus , while they haven ’ t .
On August 11 , Russia became the first worldwide to register the vaccine against the coronavirus which was named @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry .
Post-registration trials began in Moscow on September 7 , the first vaccine was administered to volunteers on September 9 .
In all , 40,000 people participate in the program , with 10,000 of them receiving a placebo instead of the vaccine .
The effectiveness of the Sputnik V vaccine , according to the interim study results , surpasses 95 % on Day 42 after introducing the first dose of the preparation on the condition that a patient is @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. Information attacks on the Russian Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus are attempts by other countries to hide problems emerging with the development of their vaccines, Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Kirill Dmitriev told Channel One on Thursday.
"This is an attempt to hide a number of problems emerging with their own vaccines, for instance, that not a single one of the other vaccines that have passed Phase Three [of clinical trials] has a long-term confirmed safety. And that we see, for example, a strong allergic reaction to the vaccine by Pfizer in Great Britain," he said, commenting on the information attacks and fakes about the Sputnik V vaccine emerging abroad.
According to him, the attacks on the Russian vaccine are also related to the fact that the Western countries have to explain to their citizens why Russia has already launched inoculation of residents against the coronavirus, while they haven’t.
On August 11, Russia became the first worldwide to register the vaccine against the coronavirus which was named Sputnik V. The preparation was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry. Post-registration trials began in Moscow on September 7, the first vaccine was administered to volunteers on September 9. In all, 40,000 people participate in the program, with 10,000 of them receiving a placebo instead of the vaccine.
The effectiveness of the Sputnik V vaccine, according to the interim study results, surpasses 95% on Day 42 after introducing the first dose of the preparation on the condition that a patient is administered the second dose.


tass--2020-12-11--Kadyrov dubs US sanctions absurd, says they won’t affect Chechnya

GROZNY , December 10./TASS/ .
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has dubbed as absurd and shameful US sanctions against him and some people linked with him , adding that they don ’ t affect the development of Chechnya .
The US authorities have expanded the global Magnitsky Act sanction list , adding five people and six legal entities linked to head of Russia ’ s Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov , the US Department of the Treasury reported Thursday .
It was noted that Kadyrov , who is already facing sanctions by Washington , is also placed on the Magnitsky Act blacklist .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposed for `` serious human rights abuses '' .
`` Friends , America has started fighting against sports , wives , children , charitable organizations , athletes and horses .
There has never been anything more absurd in the history of humankind , '' Kadyrov wrote on his Telegram channel on Thursday .
`` I am not surprised by this development , nor am I intimidated .
This sanctions have not effect whatsoever on the Chechen Republic , '' Kadyrov stressed .
According to him , the region has been rebuilt after activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to play football , to help those in need .
`` It is strange that they can not understand that these sanctions don ’ t impede us , '' he added .
Kadyrov said that he was considering applying for a Guinness world record .
The record will be called `` The biggest number of blacklisted people and organizations from one and the same republic , '' he said .
Meanwhile , today ’ s shameful sanctions will backfire on the US , the Chechen leader stressed .

GROZNY, December 10./TASS/. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has dubbed as absurd and shameful US sanctions against him and some people linked with him, adding that they don’t affect the development of Chechnya.
The US authorities have expanded the global Magnitsky Act sanction list, adding five people and six legal entities linked to head of Russia’s Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov, the US Department of the Treasury reported Thursday.
It was noted that Kadyrov, who is already facing sanctions by Washington, is also placed on the Magnitsky Act blacklist. The American authorities claim that restrictions are imposed for "serious human rights abuses".
"Friends, America has started fighting against sports, wives, children, charitable organizations, athletes and horses. There has never been anything more absurd in the history of humankind," Kadyrov wrote on his Telegram channel on Thursday.
"I am not surprised by this development, nor am I intimidated. This sanctions have not effect whatsoever on the Chechen Republic," Kadyrov stressed.
According to him, the region has been rebuilt after activities of international terrorists, and Chechnya continues to play football, to help those in need. "It is strange that they cannot understand that these sanctions don’t impede us," he added.
Kadyrov said that he was considering applying for a Guinness world record. The record will be called "The biggest number of blacklisted people and organizations from one and the same republic," he said. Meanwhile, today’s shameful sanctions will backfire on the US, the Chechen leader stressed.


tass--2020-12-11--About 6.9 mln doses of Sputnik V vaccine to enter circulation in Russia by end of February

MOSCOW , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
Approximately 6.9 mln doses of the Sputnik V vaccine will enter civilian circulation @ @ @ @ @ of February , Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said at a briefing on Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ during the period from December until the end of February about 6.9 mln doses of @ @ @ @ @ enter civilian circulation , '' she said .
On August 11 , Russia became the @ @ @ @ @ vaccine against the coronavirus which was named Sputnik V. Post-registration trials began in Moscow on @ @ @ @ @ vaccine was administered to volunteers on September 9 .
In all , 40,000 people participate @ @ @ @ @ 10,000 of them receiving a placebo instead of the vaccine .

MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. Approximately 6.9 mln doses of the Sputnik V vaccine will enter civilian circulation in Russia before the end of February, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said at a briefing on Thursday.
"It is planned that during the period from December until the end of February about 6.9 mln doses of the Sputnik V vaccine will enter civilian circulation," she said.
On August 11, Russia became the first worldwide to register the vaccine against the coronavirus which was named Sputnik V. Post-registration trials began in Moscow on September 7, the first vaccine was administered to volunteers on September 9. In all, 40,000 people participate in the program, with 10,000 of them receiving a placebo instead of the vaccine.


tass--2020-12-10--Moscow firefighters save frozen raccoon who spent two days up a tree

MOSCOW , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
Firefighters in Moscow have successfully rescued a frozen raccoon who could not climb @ @ @ @ @ to spend two days on a branch , the Moscow Emergency Ministry office told TASS @ @ @ @ @ raccoon up a tree and tried to take him down themselves but failed and were @ @ @ @ @ .
Firefighters were coming back from a call when they saw a gathering of people @ @ @ @ @ animal down , deploying a long ladder .
`` The animal sat on a tree @ @ @ @ @ was very much frozen and terribly scared .
This seems to be why [ it @ @ @ @ @ tried to approach it , but the raccoon was rather far .
Therefore , we @ @ @ @ @ special net under the tree and use special equipment to push him down , '' @ @ @ @ @ the end , the raccoon grabbed onto a stick and was successfully rescued .
It @ @ @ @ @ the operation .

MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. Firefighters in Moscow have successfully rescued a frozen raccoon who could not climb down a tree and had to spend two days on a branch, the Moscow Emergency Ministry office told TASS.
Residents saw a lonely raccoon up a tree and tried to take him down themselves but failed and were later forced to call rescuers. Firefighters were coming back from a call when they saw a gathering of people and decided the help the animal down, deploying a long ladder.
"The animal sat on a tree for almost two days, was very much frozen and terribly scared. This seems to be why [it] barely resisted. We tried to approach it, but the raccoon was rather far. Therefore, we decided to set up a special net under the tree and use special equipment to push him down," the firefighters said.
In the end, the raccoon grabbed onto a stick and was successfully rescued. It immediately fled the scene after the operation.


tass--2020-12-10--Russian senator says no logic, grounds for US to expand sanction lists

MOSCOW , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
The latest Washington ’ s move to expand its sanction list to include @ @ @ @ @ entities , particularly those linked to head of Russia ’ s Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov , @ @ @ @ @ or legal grounds behind it , Chair of the Russian Federation Council ( upper house @ @ @ @ @ Committee Konstantin Kosachev told reporters .
`` I don ’ t understand or accept logic @ @ @ @ @ .
There are simply none , '' Kosachev stressed .

MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. The latest Washington’s move to expand its sanction list to include five people and six legal entities, particularly those linked to head of Russia’s Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov, is done without any logic or legal grounds behind it, Chair of the Russian Federation Council (upper house of parliament) Foreign Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev told reporters.
"I don’t understand or accept logic, motives or legal grounds. There are simply none," Kosachev stressed.


tass--2020-12-10--Putin explains why criminal case is not being launched over Navalny poisoning: HRC chief

MOSCOW , December 10./TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin told a meeting with members of the Council for Civil Society and Human Rights on Thursday that Russia was interested in clarifying the situation with the poisoning of Alexei Navalny .
The president said , however , that the possible grounds for initiating a criminal case were in Germany , which had left unanswered Russia ’ s requests regarding the case , Council ’ s chief Valery Fadeyev told TASS on Thursday .
He said that Nikolai Svanidze from the human rights council asked the president why a criminal case was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president gave an extensive and clear explanation why it is not being launched , '' Fadeyev said .
`` Because there are not enough grounds .
The grounds are not in our country , they are in Germany .
And , as we know , and the president has personally confirmed this , numerous requests were made , but there has been no answer whatsoever .
The president said that we were interested in clarifying this sad incident like no one else , '' Fadeyev added .
Opposition blogger Navalny was rushed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Omsk on August 20 after collapsing on a Moscow-bound flight from Tomsk .
He fell into a coma and was put on a ventilator in an intensive care unit .
On August 22 , he was airlifted to Berlin and admitted to the Charite hospital .
On September 2 , Berlin claimed that having examined Navalny ’ s test samples , German government toxicologists had come to the conclusion that the blogger had been affected by a toxic agent belonging to the Novichok family .
Berlin claimed this conclusion had been confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov repeatedly said that Russia was ready for comprehensive cooperation with Germany .
He pointed out that no poisonous substances had been detected in Navalny ’ s system prior to his transfer to Berlin .

MOSCOW, December 10./TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin told a meeting with members of the Council for Civil Society and Human Rights on Thursday that Russia was interested in clarifying the situation with the poisoning of Alexei Navalny. The president said, however, that the possible grounds for initiating a criminal case were in Germany, which had left unanswered Russia’s requests regarding the case, Council’s chief Valery Fadeyev told TASS on Thursday.
He said that Nikolai Svanidze from the human rights council asked the president why a criminal case was not being launched. .
"The president gave an extensive and clear explanation why it is not being launched," Fadeyev said. "Because there are not enough grounds. The grounds are not in our country, they are in Germany. And, as we know, and the president has personally confirmed this, numerous requests were made, but there has been no answer whatsoever. The president said that we were interested in clarifying this sad incident like no one else," Fadeyev added.
Opposition blogger Navalny was rushed to a local hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk on August 20 after collapsing on a Moscow-bound flight from Tomsk. He fell into a coma and was put on a ventilator in an intensive care unit. On August 22, he was airlifted to Berlin and admitted to the Charite hospital.
On September 2, Berlin claimed that having examined Navalny’s test samples, German government toxicologists had come to the conclusion that the blogger had been affected by a toxic agent belonging to the Novichok family. Berlin claimed this conclusion had been confirmed by laboratories in France and Sweden.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov repeatedly said that Russia was ready for comprehensive cooperation with Germany. He pointed out that no poisonous substances had been detected in Navalny’s system prior to his transfer to Berlin.


tass--2020-12-10--Baku, Ankara should form new cooperation platform in region, says Azerbaijani leader

BAKU , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
Azerbaijan and Turkey should create a new multilateral cooperation platform in the region @ @ @ @ @ , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev told a briefing in Baku Thursday following talks with his @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We are ready for the post-war period .
We should form a new @ @ @ @ @ region .
It can be a multilateral platform .
All countries in the region who @ @ @ @ @ only befit from it , '' he told the briefing .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan @ @ @ @ @ 27 in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
On November 9 , Russian President Vladimir @ @ @ @ @ Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire @ @ @ @ @ 10 .
The Russian leader said the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would maintain the positions @ @ @ @ @ and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region .

BAKU, December 10. /TASS/. Azerbaijan and Turkey should create a new multilateral cooperation platform in the region after hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh ended, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev told a briefing in Baku Thursday following talks with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
"We are ready for the post-war period. We should form a new platform of cooperation in the region. It can be a multilateral platform. All countries in the region who will participate in it can only befit from it," he told the briefing.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10. The Russian leader said the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would maintain the positions that they had held, and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region.


tass--2020-12-10--Top Armenian diplomat lauds Russia’s role in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

PARIS , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s efforts to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict helped to save thousands @ @ @ @ @ Minister Ara Aivazian said in an interview with Le Monde .
`` In the 44 @ @ @ @ @ President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made a lot of effort to achieve @ @ @ @ @ three attempts to establish it .
Their interference helped to save thousands of lives , @ @ @ @ @ clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh @ @ @ @ @ Russian President Vladimir Putin , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan @ @ @ @ @ a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10 .
The Russian leader said the @ @ @ @ @ maintain the positions that they had held , and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to @ @ @

PARIS, December 10. /TASS/. Russia’s efforts to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict helped to save thousands of lives, Armenian Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian said in an interview with Le Monde.
"In the 44 days of conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made a lot of effort to achieve a ceasefire. There were three attempts to establish it. Their interference helped to save thousands of lives," he underlined.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10. The Russian leader said the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would maintain the positions that they had held, and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region.


tass--2020-12-10--US imposes sanctions on people, entities linked to Russia’s Kadyrov

WASHINGTON , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
The US authorities have expanded the global Magnitsky Act sanction list , adding @ @ @ @ @ entities particularly from Russia linked to head of Russia ’ s Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov , @ @ @ @ @ Treasury reported Thursday .
It is noted that Kadyrov , who is already facing sanctions @ @ @ @ @ placed on the Magnitsky Act blacklist .
The American authorities claim that restrictions are imposed @ @ @ @ @ violations of human rights .

WASHINGTON, December 10. /TASS/. The US authorities have expanded the global Magnitsky Act sanction list, adding five people and six legal entities particularly from Russia linked to head of Russia’s Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov, the US Department of the Treasury reported Thursday.
It is noted that Kadyrov, who is already facing sanctions by Washington, is also placed on the Magnitsky Act blacklist. The American authorities claim that restrictions are imposed for being complicit in gross violations of human rights.


tass--2020-12-10--Brent oil surpasses $51 first time since March 5 on London’s ICE

MOSCOW , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
The price of a Brent oil futures contract with delivery in February 2021 @ @ @ @ @ $ 51.06 per barrel on London ’ s ICE .
The last time Brent was @ @ @ @ @ was on March 5 .
By 19:20 Moscow time , Brent crude oil slowed down @ @ @ @ @ 50.97 per barrel ( +4.32 % ) .
WTI crude oil increased by 4.42 % @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. The price of a Brent oil futures contract with delivery in February 2021 increased by 4.5% to $51.06 per barrel on London’s ICE.
The last time Brent was above $51 per barrel was on March 5.
By 19:20 Moscow time, Brent crude oil slowed down and was trading at $50.97 per barrel (+4.32%). WTI crude oil increased by 4.42% to $47.74 per barrel.


tass--2020-12-10--"I carry pistol at all times." Life and work in Russia’s northernmost nature reserve

MOSCOW , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
The severe and vicious Arctic climate , living far from the civilization , wild animals - this is what face people working in the Wrangel Island Nature Reserve in Chukotka ’ s north , between the Western and Eastern hemispheres .
A biologist from the Far East , Leonid Zaika , used to work in preservation of the Amur tiger .
On the Wrangel Island he studies the Arctic fauna .
The Arctic was his childhood dream .
Back then , he dug out `` dens '' in the snow and organized `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I get into dens , which Arctic bears make , '' he laughed .
`` My biggest impressions were from meeting animals .
I can remember the first time I met a roe - the heart beat like a drum , '' the biologist said .
`` Back then , I realized I want see with my own eyes all the wild animals . ''
After graduating from an agriculture academy and serving in the Army , for six months he was a volunteer at an organization , protecting the Amur tiger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff .
He used to catch and rehabilitate rare predators , provided hunting inspectors with equipment , and helped student groups that laid ecological paths in the Primorsky Region .
He sent out a CV to a few most interesting nature reserves in Russia , and received an invitation from Chukotka : he was offered a two-year contract to develop ecology tourism .
For almost nine months , Leonid has been living on the Arctic island .
`` I am incredibly happy to work here , among wonderful people and amazing animals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I am away from the civilization for quite a term , but here we have comfortable conditions for life and work .
I can not remember when it was last time that I read news or watched a video on YouTube , and this is great !
No information fuss . ''
The nature reserve on the Wrangel Island is the first of the kind in Russia .
It was organized to preserve the Arctic .
The most part is taken by mountains .
There is no permanent population , only the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military and meteorologists .
They come to the island by helicopters .
Food stock is delivered by sea only once a year .
`` At the central base , every staff member has a room with electricity and heating , '' Leonid said .
`` We have communication , the Internet is only by satellite - the signal is weak and unstable . ''
Inspectors and other staff care for themselves - they cook , bring water .
By the way , getting water is quite an adventure : in winter , melt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take rain water or go to the river .
Never ever drink water from the river .
`` Water from most rivers here is not good for drinking - it contains many salts and much iron .
Every staff member has a device to measure salts .
After such tests thorough boiling is a must , '' he said .
The island is covered with a net of cordons - special shelters , where inspectors work .
Getting from one to another may take a few days .
In winter - snow bikes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the spring mud season , inspectors may remain cut off the central base for two months .
Yet , every day , in the morning and in the evening , the cordons join communication sessions to check if everything is fine .
The inspectors register animals and birds , collect data for further studies , escort tourists and scientists .
`` In summer , I was lucky to participate in counting sea gregarious birds .
The Arctic does not have big coastal areas , and there are places called `` rookeries '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200-300 thousand or even almost half a million birds come here every year .
And inspectors count them .
Imagine the row there , what a beauty it is ! ''
Leonid exclaimed .
From a helicopter window , the Wrangel Island struck the biologist by its size : it seemed a tiny piece of land .
On the first night , the newcomers were informed about a bear cub , which wandered the island on its own , without the mom .
`` It happens quite often : cubs may lag behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They wander and cry for mom .
Most often they find each other , but such situations require our control - we must try not to allow the baby to the central base , to houses of our inspectors , '' Leonid said , telling us how he participated in that operation .
`` Happiness overwhelmed me - I will see a bear .
However , I tried to hide the emotions .
Everything went fine , and the baby found its mom , and I found another favorite animal : in my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aside to allow bears in .
Since that day , I have met different bears of different age and sex , but I will always remember the face of that - first - bear . ''
In autumn , before the sea freezes and bears could leave the island , they may come to the central base searching for food .
The animals may look inside houses through windows .
Thus , every window has grids with spikes , and every door has a strong latch .
`` The safety rule is elementary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wild animals , remember you are in a nature reserve and do not disturb animals .
In case of an interest towards you - walk away , but never run , do not shout .
Rather light a false-fire ( a special torch , which gives strong light and produces loud hissing - TASS ) , it will repel anyone , even a tiger , I ’ ve tested it myself .
Always carry a pepper spray , rarely - a gun , if you are licensed to have one .
I carry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leonid said .
The Arctic bear population on the Wrangel Island is about 400 , not to count those which migrate across the Arctic .
The nature reserve is called a `` maternity '' : every winter , between 300 and 500 future moms occupy dens there .
Leonid has come to a conclusion , which coincides with scientific data , Chukotka-Alaska bears are not aggressive , they are even skittish , which makes them different from other bears , for example those , which live on the Franz Josef Land .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will finish the move , even if somebody fires at it , '' Leonid said .
`` As for the Arctic bear , you may stop it : shout at it , raise hands , frighten it off somehow .
Sometimes to me they resemble dogs : for example you see it in a distance , welcome it , and look - here it is coming to you , even waving the tail . ''
Another challenge on the island is the Arctic climate , which requires wearing warm outfits .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drive a snow bike .
However , there are ways to survive in frosts .
A bigger challenge is to live over the polar day and night .
`` In autumn , daylight shrinks to 2-3 hours .
Later on , comes the polar night , which remains to May - the absolute darkness day and night .
And from mid-May , vice versa , the Sun would not disappear .
Those are interesting periods to test psychological and physical wellbeing , '' Leonid said .
Once , during one of such nights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the first time saw the polar lights .
The phenomenon continued for just 5-10 minutes , but those were unforgettable minutes : another childhood dream came true .
`` The lights here are not rich in colors , like in other latitudes .
But back then , I forgot I was 31 years of age , I was jumping with joy , like a child , I laughed , and like a typical urban boy hurried to make selfies .
The colleagues were shocked , but I could not control myself , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with seasons : spring and autumn are the time to count bears .
For a few months Leonid and his colleagues drive across the island searching for dens .
The task is not just to count the animals , but also to see how they live .
For that , Leonid crawls inside the dens , making sure no one is in .
Inside the narrow entrance , he measures the length , width and collects bio material .
`` I ’ ve been lucky to get into four dens - within just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Tourists , as a rule , come to the Wrangel Island by cruise vessels between June and late September .
The nature reserve offers nine eco routes .
The most popular is around the island with landing for short sightseeing tours .
Another route is fundamental - with accommodation in comfortable houses .
Travelers may see polar bears and grey whales , musk oxen and Arctic foxes .
`` Due to the coronavirus , many countries have been locked , and the staff did not have to spend time on tourists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeted at development of the tourism , scientific and technical infrastructures , '' he said .
In 2021 , the nature reserve will equip special platforms to survey birds , will build a visitor center , restore the museum and continue work with volunteers .
Two tourist cruises have been scheduled for 2021 .
The reserve ’ s staff plan to travel only in late December , when they will go to Pevek ( Chukotka ’ s north ) to file reports .
It will be the first escape to the mainland since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to travel home only another year later .
`` I have everything I need .
Without communication , I can focus on the main aspects .
I enjoy emotional balance here , I do not waste time on extras .
I ’ ve fallen in love with this place and want to stay here for another two years , '' the biologist said .
`` Here , I am in the natural environment , I can see unique animals .
Hearing the sounds of 5,000 walruses at a rookery is better than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` .

MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. The severe and vicious Arctic climate, living far from the civilization, wild animals - this is what face people working in the Wrangel Island Nature Reserve in Chukotka’s north, between the Western and Eastern hemispheres. A biologist from the Far East, Leonid Zaika, used to work in preservation of the Amur tiger. On the Wrangel Island he studies the Arctic fauna.
Childhood dream
The Arctic was his childhood dream. Back then, he dug out "dens" in the snow and organized "headquarters" there. "And now, I get into dens, which Arctic bears make," he laughed.
"My biggest impressions were from meeting animals. I can remember the first time I met a roe - the heart beat like a drum," the biologist said. "Back then, I realized I want see with my own eyes all the wild animals."
After graduating from an agriculture academy and serving in the Army, for six months he was a volunteer at an organization, protecting the Amur tiger. Later on, he joined the staff.
He used to catch and rehabilitate rare predators, provided hunting inspectors with equipment, and helped student groups that laid ecological paths in the Primorsky Region.
He sent out a CV to a few most interesting nature reserves in Russia, and received an invitation from Chukotka: he was offered a two-year contract to develop ecology tourism.
For almost nine months, Leonid has been living on the Arctic island. "I am incredibly happy to work here, among wonderful people and amazing animals," he told TASS. "Right, I am away from the civilization for quite a term, but here we have comfortable conditions for life and work. I cannot remember when it was last time that I read news or watched a video on YouTube, and this is great! No information fuss."
Life on the island
The nature reserve on the Wrangel Island is the first of the kind in Russia. It was organized to preserve the Arctic. The most part is taken by mountains. There is no permanent population, only the reserve’s staff, scientists, military and meteorologists. They come to the island by helicopters. Food stock is delivered by sea only once a year.
"At the central base, every staff member has a room with electricity and heating," Leonid said. "We have communication, the Internet is only by satellite - the signal is weak and unstable."
Inspectors and other staff care for themselves - they cook, bring water. By the way, getting water is quite an adventure: in winter, melt the snow, and in summer either take rain water or go to the river. Never ever drink water from the river.
"Water from most rivers here is not good for drinking - it contains many salts and much iron. Every staff member has a device to measure salts. After such tests thorough boiling is a must," he said.
The island is covered with a net of cordons - special shelters, where inspectors work. Getting from one to another may take a few days. In winter - snow bikes, in summer - four-wheel bikes. In the spring mud season, inspectors may remain cut off the central base for two months. Yet, every day, in the morning and in the evening, the cordons join communication sessions to check if everything is fine.
The inspectors register animals and birds, collect data for further studies, escort tourists and scientists.
"In summer, I was lucky to participate in counting sea gregarious birds. The Arctic does not have big coastal areas, and there are places called "rookeries" - for a few hundred years, 200-300 thousand or even almost half a million birds come here every year. And inspectors count them. Imagine the row there, what a beauty it is!" Leonid exclaimed.
I carry pistol at all times
From a helicopter window, the Wrangel Island struck the biologist by its size: it seemed a tiny piece of land. On the first night, the newcomers were informed about a bear cub, which wandered the island on its own, without the mom.
"It happens quite often: cubs may lag behind or get frightened and run away. They wander and cry for mom. Most often they find each other, but such situations require our control - we must try not to allow the baby to the central base, to houses of our inspectors," Leonid said, telling us how he participated in that operation. "Happiness overwhelmed me - I will see a bear. However, I tried to hide the emotions. Everything went fine, and the baby found its mom, and I found another favorite animal: in my heart tigers and leopards had to move aside to allow bears in. Since that day, I have met different bears of different age and sex, but I will always remember the face of that - first - bear."
In autumn, before the sea freezes and bears could leave the island, they may come to the central base searching for food. The animals may look inside houses through windows. Thus, every window has grids with spikes, and every door has a strong latch.
"The safety rule is elementary: always look around, never approach wild animals, remember you are in a nature reserve and do not disturb animals. In case of an interest towards you - walk away, but never run, do not shout. Rather light a false-fire (a special torch, which gives strong light and produces loud hissing - TASS), it will repel anyone, even a tiger, I’ve tested it myself. Always carry a pepper spray, rarely - a gun, if you are licensed to have one. I carry a pistol at all times," Leonid said.
The Arctic bear population on the Wrangel Island is about 400, not to count those which migrate across the Arctic. The nature reserve is called a "maternity": every winter, between 300 and 500 future moms occupy dens there.
Leonid has come to a conclusion, which coincides with scientific data, Chukotka-Alaska bears are not aggressive, they are even skittish, which makes them different from other bears, for example those, which live on the Franz Josef Land.
"If a tiger steps forward, it will finish the move, even if somebody fires at it," Leonid said. "As for the Arctic bear, you may stop it: shout at it, raise hands, frighten it off somehow. Sometimes to me they resemble dogs: for example you see it in a distance, welcome it, and look - here it is coming to you, even waving the tail."
Polar night and lights
Another challenge on the island is the Arctic climate, which requires wearing warm outfits. It is nothing extraordinary to get frostbites when you drive a snow bike.
However, there are ways to survive in frosts. A bigger challenge is to live over the polar day and night.
"In autumn, daylight shrinks to 2-3 hours. Later on, comes the polar night, which remains to May - the absolute darkness day and night. And from mid-May, vice versa, the Sun would not disappear. Those are interesting periods to test psychological and physical wellbeing," Leonid said.
Once, during one of such nights, while inspecting a den, Leonid for the first time saw the polar lights. The phenomenon continued for just 5-10 minutes, but those were unforgettable minutes: another childhood dream came true.
"The lights here are not rich in colors, like in other latitudes. But back then, I forgot I was 31 years of age, I was jumping with joy, like a child, I laughed, and like a typical urban boy hurried to make selfies. The colleagues were shocked, but I could not control myself," Leonid said.
Routine work changes with seasons: spring and autumn are the time to count bears. For a few months Leonid and his colleagues drive across the island searching for dens.
The task is not just to count the animals, but also to see how they live. For that, Leonid crawls inside the dens, making sure no one is in.
Inside the narrow entrance, he measures the length, width and collects bio material. "I’ve been lucky to get into four dens - within just a couple months," the biologist said.
Expecting guests
Tourists, as a rule, come to the Wrangel Island by cruise vessels between June and late September. The nature reserve offers nine eco routes. The most popular is around the island with landing for short sightseeing tours. Another route is fundamental - with accommodation in comfortable houses. Travelers may see polar bears and grey whales, musk oxen and Arctic foxes.
"Due to the coronavirus, many countries have been locked, and the staff did not have to spend time on tourists. Most efforts and reserves have been targeted at development of the tourism, scientific and technical infrastructures," he said.
In 2021, the nature reserve will equip special platforms to survey birds, will build a visitor center, restore the museum and continue work with volunteers. Two tourist cruises have been scheduled for 2021.
The reserve’s staff plan to travel only in late December, when they will go to Pevek (Chukotka’s north) to file reports. It will be the first escape to the mainland since spring, 2020. Leonid will be able to travel home only another year later.
"I have everything I need. Without communication, I can focus on the main aspects. I enjoy emotional balance here, I do not waste time on extras. I’ve fallen in love with this place and want to stay here for another two years," the biologist said. "Here, I am in the natural environment, I can see unique animals. Hearing the sounds of 5,000 walruses at a rookery is better than listening to your favorite rock group.".


tass--2020-12-10--Russia to take retaliatory steps following spying charges by the Netherlands

THE HAGUE , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will take retaliatory steps following the Netherlands ’ spying charges against @ @ @ @ @ embassy , the diplomatic mission said on Thursday .
The embassy confirmed it had received @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Ministry to the effect two embassy staffers had been declared personae non gratae for @ @ @ @ @ incompatible with their diplomatic status .

THE HAGUE, December 10. /TASS/. Russia will take retaliatory steps following the Netherlands’ spying charges against two staffers of the Russian embassy, the diplomatic mission said on Thursday.
The embassy confirmed it had received a note from the Dutch Foreign Ministry to the effect two embassy staffers had been declared personae non gratae for what was described as activities incompatible with their diplomatic status.


tass--2020-12-10--Vaccination in Russia to continue over winter holidays

MOSCOW , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
Inoculation against the coronavirus infection in Russian regions should not stop during the @ @ @ @ @ by the secretariat of Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova after a meeting of the committee @ @ @ @ @ healthcare said .
`` Since the vaccine consists of two doses , the regions should @ @ @ @ @ inoculation planning so that it won ’ t be suspended during the winter holidays , @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. Inoculation against the coronavirus infection in Russian regions should not stop during the winter holidays, the statement by the secretariat of Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova after a meeting of the committee of the national project on healthcare said.
"Since the vaccine consists of two doses, the regions should pay particular attention to the inoculation planning so that it won’t be suspended during the winter holidays," the statement said.


tass--2020-12-10--The Netherlands accuses two Russian diplomats of spying

THE HAGUE , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
The Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service has accused two Russian diplomats @ @ @ @ @ television and radio broadcasting corporation NTK said on Thursday .
They were declared personae non @ @ @ @ @ country , the broadcaster said .
It claimed that in reality the Russian diplomats were @ @ @ @ @ information in the field of high technologies , such as artificial intelligence , semiconductors and @ @

THE HAGUE, December 10. /TASS/. The Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service has accused two Russian diplomats of spying, the Dutch television and radio broadcasting corporation NTK said on Thursday.
They were declared personae non gratae and must leave the country, the broadcaster said. It claimed that in reality the Russian diplomats were foreign intelligence officers and gathered information in the field of high technologies, such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and nano-technologies.


tass--2020-12-10--Scientists say soil near fuel spill site in Norilsk not highly contaminated

MOSCOW , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
The Great Norilsk Expedition did not register high level of soil contamination near Norilsk , Acting Director of the Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch Vladimir Androkhanov said during a presentation of the expedition ’ s results on Thursday .
“ In August , the contamination remained near the accident site and in the Ambarnaya River ’ s floodplain , ” he said .
“ All the samples , collected from the Pyasina River ’ s headwaters to the mouth , are characterized as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signs of oil contamination.
” The evaluation and analysis of oil products in the soils along the river have not demonstrated ecologically hazardous levels even in areas close to the accident site , the expedition ’ s report reads .
“ Maximum concentrations of oil products often have been found not in the upper , but in lower soil layers .
Contamination of soil at the depth of more than 30-40cm has not been registered .
The shallow penetration of oil products into the soils could be explained by the soils ’ perennially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the oil products to get accumulated in the soils and to penetrate deeper into them , ” the report reads .
The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences has sent to the Taimyr Peninsula , at the invitation of Nornickel , a big scientific expedition to conduct a large-scale examination of the area .
Scientists will use the expedition ’ s results to present suggestions for industrial companies , working in the Arctic , on how to preserve the nature .
The expedition ’ s key points were watersheds of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lake Pyasino .
In August , experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch collected samples of soils , plants and sediments and began tests at the institutes ’ labs .

MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. The Great Norilsk Expedition did not register high level of soil contamination near Norilsk, Acting Director of the Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch Vladimir Androkhanov said during a presentation of the expedition’s results on Thursday.
“In August, the contamination remained near the accident site and in the Ambarnaya River’s floodplain,” he said. “All the samples, collected from the Pyasina River’s headwaters to the mouth, are characterized as having background levels and do not contain signs of oil contamination.”
The evaluation and analysis of oil products in the soils along the river have not demonstrated ecologically hazardous levels even in areas close to the accident site, the expedition’s report reads.
“Maximum concentrations of oil products often have been found not in the upper, but in lower soil layers. Contamination of soil at the depth of more than 30-40cm has not been registered. The shallow penetration of oil products into the soils could be explained by the soils’ perennially frozen state, which did not allow the oil products to get accumulated in the soils and to penetrate deeper into them,” the report reads.
Expedition to Taimyr
The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences has sent to the Taimyr Peninsula, at the invitation of Nornickel, a big scientific expedition to conduct a large-scale examination of the area. Scientists will use the expedition’s results to present suggestions for industrial companies, working in the Arctic, on how to preserve the nature.
The expedition’s key points were watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina, Norilka and Ambarnaya and Lake Pyasino. In August, experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch collected samples of soils, plants and sediments and began tests at the institutes’ labs.


tass--2020-12-10--Argentina signed contract with Russia for supply of Covid-19 vaccine

BUENOS AIRES , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
Argentina has signed an agreement with Russia on the supply of Russian vaccine against coronavirus , the TN TV channel reported on Thursday with reference to a statement by the country ’ s President Alberto Fernandez .
`` We inform you that yesterday we signed a contract that guarantees the supply of the Russian vaccine to Argentina , '' Fernandez wrote on Twitter .
According to him , the authorities of Argentina will receive enough doses of the vaccine to provide vaccination treatment to 10 million Argentines in January-February .
`` During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get 5 million people vaccinated , and the rest [ doses ] will be received in February , '' the Argentinean President said .
On November 3 , Fernandez wrote on Twitter that the country had the opportunity to purchase 25 million doses of Russia ’ s Sputnik V vaccine between December and January .
According to Kirill Dmitriev , head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) , vaccines for the South American republic will be produced by RDIF partners in India , China and South Korea .
Russia registered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the name of Sputnik V on August 11 .
The vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology .
Post-registration testing of the vaccine begun in Moscow on September 7 , with first volunteers getting the first vaccine shot on September 9 .
Preliminary results of the trials suggest that the effectiveness of the vaccine surpasses 95 % on the 42nd day after vaccination , provided that the patient received the second dose .

BUENOS AIRES, December 10. /TASS/. Argentina has signed an agreement with Russia on the supply of Russian vaccine against coronavirus, the TN TV channel reported on Thursday with reference to a statement by the country’s President Alberto Fernandez.
"We inform you that yesterday we signed a contract that guarantees the supply of the Russian vaccine to Argentina," Fernandez wrote on Twitter.
According to him, the authorities of Argentina will receive enough doses of the vaccine to provide vaccination treatment to 10 million Argentines in January-February.
"During January we will have enough doses to get 5 million people vaccinated, and the rest [doses] will be received in February," the Argentinean President said.
On November 3, Fernandez wrote on Twitter that the country had the opportunity to purchase 25 million doses of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine between December and January. According to Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), vaccines for the South American republic will be produced by RDIF partners in India, China and South Korea.
Russia registered the first COVID-19 vaccine in the world under the name of Sputnik V on August 11. The vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology. Post-registration testing of the vaccine begun in Moscow on September 7, with first volunteers getting the first vaccine shot on September 9. Preliminary results of the trials suggest that the effectiveness of the vaccine surpasses 95% on the 42nd day after vaccination, provided that the patient received the second dose.


tass--2020-12-10--Putin’s approach played important role in Nagorno-Karabakh settlement, says Erdogan

BAKU , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
The approach of Russian President Vladimir Putin has played a significant role in the settlement process in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh , Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a press conference in Baku Thursday .
`` I can not toss away approaches of Mr. Putin .
His positive attitude helped to steer this process towards a positive direction .
I would also like to attach significance to this platform [ meant to maintain regional security ] mentioned by my brother [ Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev ] .
This platform can unite Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia and , if it agrees to join , Armenia , '' Erdogan stressed .
The Turkish leader also noted that Ankara does not have any issues with the Armenian people .
`` We have issues with the Armenian leadership .
If they take positive steps , we can open our border with Armenia , '' the president added .
Moreover , Erdogan expressed confidence that `` the Azerbaijani authorities will revive the lands liberated from occupation in 3-5 years . ''
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November 9 , Russian President Vladimir Putin , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10 .
The Russian leader said the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would maintain the positions that they had held , and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region .
Besides , Baku and Yerevan must exchange prisoners and the bodies of those killed .

BAKU, December 10. /TASS/. The approach of Russian President Vladimir Putin has played a significant role in the settlement process in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a press conference in Baku Thursday.
"I cannot toss away approaches of Mr. Putin. His positive attitude helped to steer this process towards a positive direction. I would also like to attach significance to this platform [meant to maintain regional security] mentioned by my brother [Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev]. This platform can unite Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, Georgia and, if it agrees to join, Armenia," Erdogan stressed.
The Turkish leader also noted that Ankara does not have any issues with the Armenian people. "We have issues with the Armenian leadership. If they take positive steps, we can open our border with Armenia," the president added.
Moreover, Erdogan expressed confidence that "the Azerbaijani authorities will revive the lands liberated from occupation in 3-5 years."
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10. The Russian leader said the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would maintain the positions that they had held, and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region. Besides, Baku and Yerevan must exchange prisoners and the bodies of those killed.


tass--2020-12-10--Russian diplomat blasts Ukraine-initiated UN resolution on Crimea

MOSCOW , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has excoriated the resolution on the alleged militarization of Crimea submitted by Ukraine and approved by the UN General Assembly on December 7 .
`` The resolution is based entirely on distortion of facts and totally unsubstantiated accusations against our country , '' she told reporters at a press briefing on Thursday .
`` It is noteworthy that no consultations on the text were held , one may ask why .
Because it ’ s a shame to discuss this propaganda fake , there is nothing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one-third of the member-states had backed the motion .
`` That shows that most of the world community disagrees with the the world landscape that is being imposed by the Kiev authorities despite the overt pressure that Ukraine ’ s Western mentors are putting on many countries , '' she said .
According to that resolution , Crimea is part of Ukraine and Russia is `` the occupying power , '' Zakharova went on to say .
`` Nevertheless , despite the methods that are used to push through such documents , only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she noted .
`` The issue of Crimea ’ s status was resolved by residents of the peninsula themselves in 2014 .
Crimea is an integral part of Russia .
Russia has the right to conduct exercises , deploy any facilities , announce military conscription and organize patriotic education of young people within its borders , '' Zakharova stressed .

MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has excoriated the resolution on the alleged militarization of Crimea submitted by Ukraine and approved by the UN General Assembly on December 7.
"The resolution is based entirely on distortion of facts and totally unsubstantiated accusations against our country," she told reporters at a press briefing on Thursday. "It is noteworthy that no consultations on the text were held, one may ask why. Because it’s a shame to discuss this propaganda fake, there is nothing to discuss."
Zakharova noted that only one-third of the member-states had backed the motion. "That shows that most of the world community disagrees with the the world landscape that is being imposed by the Kiev authorities despite the overt pressure that Ukraine’s Western mentors are putting on many countries," she said.
According to that resolution, Crimea is part of Ukraine and Russia is "the occupying power," Zakharova went on to say. "Nevertheless, despite the methods that are used to push through such documents, only one-third of states support that," she noted.
"The issue of Crimea’s status was resolved by residents of the peninsula themselves in 2014. Crimea is an integral part of Russia. Russia has the right to conduct exercises, deploy any facilities, announce military conscription and organize patriotic education of young people within its borders," Zakharova stressed.


tass--2020-12-10--Putin labels attempts to bring high treason charges for public data transfer as ‘nonsense’

Journalist Yekaterina Vinokurova who participated in a meeting of the Russian leader with members of the Council for the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights on Thursday remarked that the notion of high treason and the relevant article of the Criminal Code needed to be finalized because it currently embraced information that could be found in open sources .
Responding to her remark , Putin stressed that high treason is a serious crime that constitutes the betrayal of one ’ s own people .
Traitors must always face severe punishment for all that they do , he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is no longer secret due to the fact of its publication is a different story , and , in this case , this is complete nonsense , '' the Russian president said .
A person `` who uses widely accessible information can not be held liable for its theft and transfer to anyone whoever this may be . ''
This is nonsense , of course .
I will necessarily pay attention to this , '' Putin said .
`` If you have found it somewhere , this is a tragicomedy .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin said .
Commenting on the comic example about aiding a grandmother who may be a CIA agent , Putin remarked : `` You understand that this does not happen . ''
`` Moreover , I have not seen our grandmothers spying , '' he added .
`` All of our grandmothers are patriotically minded and all of them fought against the enemy during the Great Patriotic War and worked on the home front without sparing their life and health and so let us not cite examples relative to our grandmothers .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Putin said .
The Russian president said at the same time that in general the right issue was raised and promised to pay attention to it .

Journalist Yekaterina Vinokurova who participated in a meeting of the Russian leader with members of the Council for the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights on Thursday remarked that the notion of high treason and the relevant article of the Criminal Code needed to be finalized because it currently embraced information that could be found in open sources.
Responding to her remark, Putin stressed that high treason is a serious crime that constitutes the betrayal of one’s own people. Traitors must always face severe punishment for all that they do, he said.
"The use of public domain information that is no longer secret due to the fact of its publication is a different story, and, in this case, this is complete nonsense," the Russian president said. A person "who uses widely accessible information cannot be held liable for its theft and transfer to anyone whoever this may be." This is nonsense, of course. I will necessarily pay attention to this," Putin said.
"If you have found it somewhere, this is a tragicomedy. But this must not be allowed," Putin said.
Commenting on the comic example about aiding a grandmother who may be a CIA agent, Putin remarked: "You understand that this does not happen." "Moreover, I have not seen our grandmothers spying," he added.
"All of our grandmothers are patriotically minded and all of them fought against the enemy during the Great Patriotic War and worked on the home front without sparing their life and health and so let us not cite examples relative to our grandmothers. We are proud of our grandmothers and grandfathers," Putin said.
The Russian president said at the same time that in general the right issue was raised and promised to pay attention to it.


tass--2020-12-10--Nornickel: Great Norilsk Expedition will introduce regulations for businesses in Arctic

MOSCOW , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
Recommendations from the Great Norilsk Expedition will form the basis for regulations of doing business in the Arctic , Nornickel ’ s Senior Vice President on Sustainable Development Andrei Bugrov said during a presentation of the expedition ’ s results on Thursday .
“ This work , probably , will result in regulations for doing business in the Arctic regions with a very fragile ecosystem , ” he said .
“ Probably , even legal acts .
The recommendations will form the basis for the actions , which we will undertake.
” He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to process the collected contaminated soil and to process diesel fuel .
“ This will take quite a long time , as we face a big task – to restore the biodiversity in the region of the anthropogenic accident , ” he said .
“ This task is set for years to come.
” The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences has sent to the Taimyr Peninsula , at the invitation of Nornickel , a big scientific expedition to conduct a large-scale examination of the area .
Scientists will use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggestions for industrial companies , working in the Arctic , on how to preserve the nature .
The expedition ’ s key points were watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina , Norilka and Ambarnaya and Lake Pyasino .
In August , experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch collected samples of soils , plants and sediments and began tests at the institutes ’ labs .

MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. Recommendations from the Great Norilsk Expedition will form the basis for regulations of doing business in the Arctic, Nornickel’s Senior Vice President on Sustainable Development Andrei Bugrov said during a presentation of the expedition’s results on Thursday.
“This work, probably, will result in regulations for doing business in the Arctic regions with a very fragile ecosystem,” he said. “Probably, even legal acts. The recommendations will form the basis for the actions, which we will undertake.”
He confirmed plans to revegetate the contaminated soil, to process the collected contaminated soil and to process diesel fuel.
“This will take quite a long time, as we face a big task – to restore the biodiversity in the region of the anthropogenic accident,” he said. “This task is set for years to come.”
Expedition to Taimyr
The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences has sent to the Taimyr Peninsula, at the invitation of Nornickel, a big scientific expedition to conduct a large-scale examination of the area. Scientists will use the expedition’s results to present suggestions for industrial companies, working in the Arctic, on how to preserve the nature.
The expedition’s key points were watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina, Norilka and Ambarnaya and Lake Pyasino. In August, experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch collected samples of soils, plants and sediments and began tests at the institutes’ labs.


tass--2020-12-10--Putin sees prospects for creating domestic human rights court in Russia

NOVO-OGARYOVO , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed looking into the creation of a special @ @ @ @ @ country .
The idea was put forward by one of the participants in a meeting @ @ @ @ @ Society and Human Rights chaired by the head of state .
`` Your idea to @ @ @ @ @ court naturally needs to be explored in detail , '' he said .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ to a certain system .
However , in principle , the idea itself is correct @ @ @ @ @ a report that had been published on the official website of the European Commission for @ @ @ @ @ to the Russian justice system as one of the most effective in the world , @ @ @ @ @ Europe . ''
Nevertheless , the head of state highlighted the need for continuing to @ @ @ @ @ .
`` If we fail to pay attention to any obvious violations , they will @ @ @ @ @ can not be permitted , '' he concluded .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, December 10. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed looking into the creation of a special human rights court in the country. The idea was put forward by one of the participants in a meeting of the Council for Civil Society and Human Rights chaired by the head of state.
"Your idea to create a Russian human rights court naturally needs to be explored in detail," he said. "This institution requires funding and changes to a certain system. However, in principle, the idea itself is correct."
Putin pointed out a report that had been published on the official website of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice referring to the Russian justice system as one of the most effective in the world, "or at least in Europe."
Nevertheless, the head of state highlighted the need for continuing to pinpoint faults in that system. "If we fail to pay attention to any obvious violations, they will become massive, and this cannot be permitted," he concluded.


tass--2020-12-10--Yukos ex-CEO Khodorkovsky indirectly admitted guilt ahead of pardon — Putin

On Thursday , journalist Yekaterina Vinokurova , one of the participants in the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights ' meeting with Putin , drew the president 's attention to the fact that pardons are barely used in Russia now .
According to her , convicts are often refused pardon because they do not plead guilty even though there is no such provision in the law .
Putin noted , in turn , `` pardon stipulates that the person is convicted . ''
`` How else to pardon ? ''
the president asked .
`` To be fair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exactly , but I think that it is in the law that a person should plead guilty .
Otherwise , if they don ’ t admit guilt , how can they be pardoned ? ''
In response to the comment that Khodorkovsky , who did not admit his guilt , was pardoned , Putin said , `` He did indirectly . ''
`` In a letter to me , he pleaded [ guilty ] and asked to release him before his prison term ended because his mom was ill and died , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Putin said .
`` So that he could speak to his mom . ''

On Thursday, journalist Yekaterina Vinokurova, one of the participants in the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights' meeting with Putin, drew the president's attention to the fact that pardons are barely used in Russia now. According to her, convicts are often refused pardon because they do not plead guilty even though there is no such provision in the law. Putin noted, in turn, "pardon stipulates that the person is convicted." "How else to pardon?" the president asked. "To be fair, I just don’t remember exactly, but I think that it is in the law that a person should plead guilty. Otherwise, if they don’t admit guilt, how can they be pardoned?"
In response to the comment that Khodorkovsky, who did not admit his guilt, was pardoned, Putin said, "He did indirectly." "In a letter to me, he pleaded [guilty] and asked to release him before his prison term ended because his mom was ill and died, and I did that, I pardoned him," Putin said. "So that he could speak to his mom."


tass--2020-12-10--Saint-Petersburg Exchange launches Airbnb shares trading

MOSCOW , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
Saint-Petersburg Exchange ( SPB Exchange ) has launched trading of shares of US @ @ @ @ @ an online rental platform for travelers ) after the start of trading on NASDAQ , @ @ @ @ @ statement on Thursday .
`` A class ordinary shares of Airbnb , Inc. will become @ @ @ @ @ Saint-Petersburg Exchange trading on December 10 , 2020 , though not earlier than the start @ @ @ @ @ Market LLC where those securities have been approved for listing , '' the statement said @ @ @ @ @ of the largest exchanges organizing trading of shares of international companies in Russia .
Currently @ @ @ @ @ issuers , including shares , depositary receipts and Eurobonds , are traded on the exchange @

MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. Saint-Petersburg Exchange (SPB Exchange) has launched trading of shares of US’ Airbnb (company operating an online rental platform for travelers) after the start of trading on NASDAQ, the exchange said in a statement on Thursday.
"A class ordinary shares of Airbnb, Inc. will become available for transactions on the Saint-Petersburg Exchange trading on December 10, 2020, though not earlier than the start of trading on Nasdaq Stock Market LLC where those securities have been approved for listing," the statement said.
SPB Exchange is one of the largest exchanges organizing trading of shares of international companies in Russia. Currently over 1,500 securities of foreign issuers, including shares, depositary receipts and Eurobonds, are traded on the exchange.


tass--2020-12-10--US relations with China rather deteriorated, hard to fix, says senior diplomat

MOSCOW , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
The United States has rather significantly damaged relations with China , it will @ @ @ @ @ tendency with the new administration , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said at a @ @ @ @ @ , first deputy head of the United Russia faction in the State Duma upper parliament @ @ @ @ @ format on Thursday .
`` I think that with China as well , the US @ @ @ @ @ in destroying once rather positive bilateral relations , '' he said .
`` And , @ @ @ @ @ be different turns in this sphere in the future , yet to stop this downward @ @ @ @ @ will be difficult even given some changes in the scale of American priorities , '' @ @ @ @ @ diplomat presumed that `` the current situation will remain in one variation or the other @ @ @ @ @ of Joe Biden ’ s presidency ] .
`` .

MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. The United States has rather significantly damaged relations with China, it will be difficult to shift this tendency with the new administration, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said at a meeting chaired by Adalbi Shkhagoshev, first deputy head of the United Russia faction in the State Duma upper parliament house held in a video format on Thursday.
"I think that with China as well, the US has already gone rather far in destroying once rather positive bilateral relations," he said. "And, of course, there may be different turns in this sphere in the future, yet to stop this downward trend in the US-Chinese relations will be difficult even given some changes in the scale of American priorities," he added.
The senior diplomat presumed that "the current situation will remain in one variation or the other during the upcoming period [of Joe Biden’s presidency].".


tass--2020-12-10--Foreign funding of organizations in Russia often pursues containment aims, says Putin

NOVO-OGARYOVO , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
The gist of the problems with the foreign funding of organizations operating in Russia is their sponsors by and large pursue the aim of containing Russia , President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with members of the Human Rights Council on Thursday .
In this way he replied to a statement by a member of the HRC ’ s presidium , Nataliya Yevdokimova , who suggested instructing the presidential staff to pool efforts with human rights activists to scrutinize the bills on foreign agents `` to ensure they should work for society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yevdokimova criticized the current versions of the bills in question .
`` I am certain that those people and those organizations who receive money from abroad for certain purposes , are , as a rule very decent and very honest and seek to achieve the solution of certain issues facing our country .
They have failed to find other sources of funding and receive money from abroad , hoping that with reliance on these sources they will be able to cope with the tasks our society is confronted with , '' Putin said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind and they organize their work well , but those who pay them as a rule are guided by different purposes : not making Russia stronger , but containing it , and this is the gist of the problem , '' he added .
Putin said that in certain fields of activity Russian organizations had relations with honest and decent foreign partners who `` unite to form professional cross-border communities . ''
In particular , this is true of such spheres as the health service , nature conservation , and child and mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delicate realm of activity , which requires precise and clear legal technique and the understanding of what is stated on paper and how it is translated into life , '' Putin said .
`` I ’ d like to promise you that I will be doing my utmost to right the wrongs .
On the one hand , domestic affairs and domestic policy must be protected from intervention , but on the other hand , the people must have a chance to work calmly without any fear of getting in trouble without a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a look at this once again .
The chiefs of the presidential staff hear us , and so does the State Duma ’ s leadership .
We will scrutinize all this once again , but there is no wish to prevent and prohibit indiscriminately .
There is the wish to protect from interference , '' Putin said .
The State Duma on December 8 adopted in the first reading a bill on the activity of foreign agents .
The list of foreign agents may be complemented by unregistered non-governmental organizations involved in political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such individuals .
An individual , regardless of citizenship or absence of any citizenship , can be recognized as a foreign agent , if the person conducts political activity in Russia `` in the interests of a foreign country , its official bodies of power , foreign agencies or an international or foreign organization , foreign citizens or stateless persons . ''
Another reason for being assigned the foreign status agent is `` systematic gathering of information about Russia ’ s military or military-technical activity which can be used by a foreign source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ except for information that constitutes a state secret .
Leaking state secrets is an offense punishable under the Criminal Code .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, December 10. /TASS/. The gist of the problems with the foreign funding of organizations operating in Russia is their sponsors by and large pursue the aim of containing Russia, President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with members of the Human Rights Council on Thursday.
In this way he replied to a statement by a member of the HRC’s presidium, Nataliya Yevdokimova, who suggested instructing the presidential staff to pool efforts with human rights activists to scrutinize the bills on foreign agents "to ensure they should work for society, and not against it." Yevdokimova criticized the current versions of the bills in question.
"I am certain that those people and those organizations who receive money from abroad for certain purposes, are, as a rule very decent and very honest and seek to achieve the solution of certain issues facing our country. They have failed to find other sources of funding and receive money from abroad, hoping that with reliance on these sources they will be able to cope with the tasks our society is confronted with," Putin said.
"Our people are honest and kind and they organize their work well, but those who pay them as a rule are guided by different purposes: not making Russia stronger, but containing it, and this is the gist of the problem," he added.
Putin said that in certain fields of activity Russian organizations had relations with honest and decent foreign partners who "unite to form professional cross-border communities." In particular, this is true of such spheres as the health service, nature conservation, and child and mother care.
"This is a very delicate realm of activity, which requires precise and clear legal technique and the understanding of what is stated on paper and how it is translated into life," Putin said. "I’d like to promise you that I will be doing my utmost to right the wrongs. On the one hand, domestic affairs and domestic policy must be protected from intervention, but on the other hand, the people must have a chance to work calmly without any fear of getting in trouble without a reason."
"Let us take a look at this once again. The chiefs of the presidential staff hear us, and so does the State Duma’s leadership. We will scrutinize all this once again, but there is no wish to prevent and prohibit indiscriminately. There is the wish to protect from interference," Putin said.
Bill on foreign agents
The State Duma on December 8 adopted in the first reading a bill on the activity of foreign agents. The list of foreign agents may be complemented by unregistered non-governmental organizations involved in political activity that receive foreign funding and also such individuals.
An individual, regardless of citizenship or absence of any citizenship, can be recognized as a foreign agent, if the person conducts political activity in Russia "in the interests of a foreign country, its official bodies of power, foreign agencies or an international or foreign organization, foreign citizens or stateless persons." Another reason for being assigned the foreign status agent is "systematic gathering of information about Russia’s military or military-technical activity which can be used by a foreign source against Russia’s security," except for information that constitutes a state secret. Leaking state secrets is an offense punishable under the Criminal Code.


tass--2020-12-10--Safronov accused of crimes committed during his time at Roscosmos, says Putin

NOVO-OGARYOVO , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
The accusations against Ivan Safronov , advisor to the head of Roscosmos and a former reporter , are not related to his journalistic work , he is accused of crimes committed during the time he worked for Roscosmos , Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday during a meeting with the members of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights .
The Russian leader stated that Safronov was accused `` not for his work as a reporter , not for his journalistic work , but for the period of his work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` For the information that he handed over , as far as we understand , to employees of one of the European special services .
For this , and not for his work at Kommersant , which he had left at that point , '' Putin explained .
On July 7 , Ivan Safronov was detained and charged with high treason .
Safronov pleaded not guilty .
The federal security service FSB says he was recruited in 2012 .
In 2017 , he collected and passed to his handlers information about Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the investigation , Safronov worked for the Czech Republic ’ s External Relations and Information Directorate .
The United States was the end recipient of the classified information .
In May 2020 , he was offered and took the job of an advisor to the chief of the Russian space corporation Roscosmos .
The corporation denied that his arrest was in any way linked to his short time in the organization .
Safronov used to work for two Russian dailies - Kommersant and Vedomosti and was writing about military and space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that his arrest is not tied to his professional duties .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, December 10. /TASS/. The accusations against Ivan Safronov, advisor to the head of Roscosmos and a former reporter, are not related to his journalistic work, he is accused of crimes committed during the time he worked for Roscosmos, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday during a meeting with the members of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights.
The Russian leader stated that Safronov was accused "not for his work as a reporter, not for his journalistic work, but for the period of his work as an advisor at Roscosmos." "For the information that he handed over, as far as we understand, to employees of one of the European special services. For this, and not for his work at Kommersant, which he had left at that point," Putin explained.
On July 7, Ivan Safronov was detained and charged with high treason. Safronov pleaded not guilty. The federal security service FSB says he was recruited in 2012. In 2017, he collected and passed to his handlers information about Russia’s military-technical cooperation with African countries. According to the investigation, Safronov worked for the Czech Republic’s External Relations and Information Directorate. The United States was the end recipient of the classified information.
In May 2020, he was offered and took the job of an advisor to the chief of the Russian space corporation Roscosmos. The corporation denied that his arrest was in any way linked to his short time in the organization. Safronov used to work for two Russian dailies - Kommersant and Vedomosti and was writing about military and space topics. An FSB investigator earlier underlined that his arrest is not tied to his professional duties.


tass--2020-12-10--Defense contractor delivers some 300,000 Ratnik combat outfits to troops over eight years

MOSCOW , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
The Central Research Institute of Precision Machine-Building ( TsNIITochMash , part of the state tech corporation Rostec ) delivered almost 300,000 Ratnik combat outfits to the Russian troops over eight years , the Rostec press office announced on Thursday .
`` The Central Research Institute of Precision Machine-Building ( TsNIITochMash ) of the state corporation Rostec has delivered almost 300,000 Ratnik combat outfits to the troops over eight years .
The Ratnik ’ s main specific feature is the ability to adapt the combat outfit to the physical properties of a serviceman and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the baseline gear , the commander ’ s version and the outfits for snipers , machine-gun operators and the crews of fighting vehicles have been developed , '' Rostec said .
The Ratnik combat outfit integrates over 60 elements : weapons , sights , individual protection gear , sets of autonomous sources of heat , communications devices and an active hearing protection systems , the press office quoted Rostec Industrial Director Bekkhan Ozdoyev as saying .
`` Today military specialists are developing operational requirements for the Sotnik gear , a principally new soldier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect to get the specifications for its development already in 2021 , '' Ozdoyev said .
Rostec announced in November that almost 18,000 Ratnik combat outfits had been delivered to the troops under the 2020 defense procurement plan ahead of schedule .
The Ratnik is a system of advanced protective and communications equipment , weapons and ammunition .
It comprises over 60 protective and life support elements and allows a soldier to get continuously updated about the situation on the battlefield .
In addition , the Ratnik includes a self-contained heater , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gas mask and a medical kit .
The second-generation Ratnik combat gear has been arriving for Russia ’ s ground forces , the Airborne Force and marines since 2016 .
An advanced Ratnik-3 combat gear with an integral exoskeleton and a helmet visor-mounted target designation system is currently being developed for Russia ’ s Armed Forces .

MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. The Central Research Institute of Precision Machine-Building (TsNIITochMash, part of the state tech corporation Rostec) delivered almost 300,000 Ratnik combat outfits to the Russian troops over eight years, the Rostec press office announced on Thursday.
"The Central Research Institute of Precision Machine-Building (TsNIITochMash) of the state corporation Rostec has delivered almost 300,000 Ratnik combat outfits to the troops over eight years. The Ratnik’s main specific feature is the ability to adapt the combat outfit to the physical properties of a serviceman and the assigned combat tasks. Aside from the baseline gear, the commander’s version and the outfits for snipers, machine-gun operators and the crews of fighting vehicles have been developed," Rostec said.
The Ratnik combat outfit integrates over 60 elements: weapons, sights, individual protection gear, sets of autonomous sources of heat, communications devices and an active hearing protection systems, the press office quoted Rostec Industrial Director Bekkhan Ozdoyev as saying.
"Today military specialists are developing operational requirements for the Sotnik gear, a principally new soldier of the future combat outfit. We expect to get the specifications for its development already in 2021," Ozdoyev said.
Rostec announced in November that almost 18,000 Ratnik combat outfits had been delivered to the troops under the 2020 defense procurement plan ahead of schedule.
The Ratnik is a system of advanced protective and communications equipment, weapons and ammunition. It comprises over 60 protective and life support elements and allows a soldier to get continuously updated about the situation on the battlefield. In addition, the Ratnik includes a self-contained heater, a backpack, an individual water filter, a gas mask and a medical kit.
The second-generation Ratnik combat gear has been arriving for Russia’s ground forces, the Airborne Force and marines since 2016.
An advanced Ratnik-3 combat gear with an integral exoskeleton and a helmet visor-mounted target designation system is currently being developed for Russia’s Armed Forces.


tass--2020-12-10--Putin says Russia fared better than other countries in shifting to remote work

NOVO-OGARYOVO , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that Russia came to be better prepared to @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic than the authorities expected .
`` The country turned out to be @ @ @ @ @ ourselves , and better prepared than many other states in the world to switch to @ @ @ @ @ but also in other spheres , '' he noted at a meeting with members of @ @ @ @ @ Society and Human Rights .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, December 10. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that Russia came to be better prepared to switch to working online during the coronavirus pandemic than the authorities expected.
"The country turned out to be better prepared than we expected ourselves, and better prepared than many other states in the world to switch to online not just in education but also in other spheres," he noted at a meeting with members of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights.


tass--2020-12-11--Case against Russian-speaking journalists in Latvia violated freedom of the press — envoy

VIENNA , December 11 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow has castigated Latvia ’ s case against Russian-language journalists on suspicion of violating the European Union ’ s sanctions as an infringement of freedom of the press and expression , Russian Permanent Representative to the OSCE Alexander Lukashevich said on Friday .
`` We consider the incident to be a vivid example of a flagrant infringement on the fundamentals of democratic society , that is , freedom of the press and freedom of expression .
We think it is absolutely unacceptable to say that the journalists of these media violated the European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said at an online meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council .
He recalled that the EU restrictions target only MIA Rossiya Segodnya Director General Dmitry Kiselev personally and can not be applied to all those who work for the media holding .
Putting aside the legality of such `` personal sanctions '' , it is categorically inadmissible to intimidate and persecute writers , columnists , stringers , photographers and public figures , he stressed .
`` As a matter of fact , they are freelance employees of the agency .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ photos , in other words , they do their job and exercise the right to [ freedom of ] expression , '' the Russian diplomat noted .
According to Lukashevich , this is the third time this year when Russia is forced to bring up the issue of Latvia ’ s aggressive crusade to wipe out alternative sources of information from its media space .
He recalled that Russia had already expressed concern over Riga ’ s economic pressure on Russian and Russian-language press outlets and over their discriminatory legislative initiatives geared against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can not ignore the blatant prosecution by the Latvian State Security Service ( VDD ) of employees of Sputnik Latvia , the Baltnews agency and a number of Russian-language journalists and public activists .
On December 3 , the Latvian intelligence services used the entire set of repressive measures : detentions , interrogations , searches and seizures of telephones , computers and storage devices with electronic data , '' the Russian diplomat noted .
Several Russian-speaking journalists were detained by the Latvian State Security Service ( VDD ) last week .
Among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baltnews.lv editor-in-chief for two years , journalists Andrei Solopenko and Alla Berezovskaya , who worked with this media outlet , as well as publicist , human rights activist and public figure Vladimir Linderman .
Later , all of them were released under travel restrictions .
The VDD said back then that their actions against seven persons had been sanctioned by a court on suspicion of their violation of international sanctions .
It said the journalists had been detained as part of a criminal case initiated back in January .

VIENNA, December 11. /TASS/. Moscow has castigated Latvia’s case against Russian-language journalists on suspicion of violating the European Union’s sanctions as an infringement of freedom of the press and expression, Russian Permanent Representative to the OSCE Alexander Lukashevich said on Friday.
"We consider the incident to be a vivid example of a flagrant infringement on the fundamentals of democratic society, that is, freedom of the press and freedom of expression. We think it is absolutely unacceptable to say that the journalists of these media violated the European Union’s ‘sanction’ regime," he said at an online meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council.
He recalled that the EU restrictions target only MIA Rossiya Segodnya Director General Dmitry Kiselev personally and cannot be applied to all those who work for the media holding. Putting aside the legality of such "personal sanctions", it is categorically inadmissible to intimidate and persecute writers, columnists, stringers, photographers and public figures, he stressed. "As a matter of fact, they are freelance employees of the agency. They write and edit texts, select photos, in other words, they do their job and exercise the right to [freedom of] expression," the Russian diplomat noted.
According to Lukashevich, this is the third time this year when Russia is forced to bring up the issue of Latvia’s aggressive crusade to wipe out alternative sources of information from its media space. He recalled that Russia had already expressed concern over Riga’s economic pressure on Russian and Russian-language press outlets and over their discriminatory legislative initiatives geared against unwanted media.
"This time, we cannot ignore the blatant prosecution by the Latvian State Security Service (VDD) of employees of Sputnik Latvia, the Baltnews agency and a number of Russian-language journalists and public activists. On December 3, the Latvian intelligence services used the entire set of repressive measures: detentions, interrogations, searches and seizures of telephones, computers and storage devices with electronic data," the Russian diplomat noted.
Several Russian-speaking journalists were detained by the Latvian State Security Service (VDD) last week. Among them were journalist Andrei Yakovlev who was Baltnews.lv editor-in-chief for two years, journalists Andrei Solopenko and Alla Berezovskaya, who worked with this media outlet, as well as publicist, human rights activist and public figure Vladimir Linderman. Later, all of them were released under travel restrictions.
The VDD said back then that their actions against seven persons had been sanctioned by a court on suspicion of their violation of international sanctions. It said the journalists had been detained as part of a criminal case initiated back in January.


tass--2020-12-11--Police apprehend head of Armenian Revolutionary Freedom party during protests in Yerevan

YEREVAN , December 11 .
/TASS/ .
The Armenian police apprehended Ishkhan Sagatelyan - the leader of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation ( Dashnaktsutyun ) political party - and other opposition activists during protests at the Yerevan ’ s Liberty Square , says Artur Vanetsyan , head of the Homeland political party and former National Security Service chief .
`` What has Sagatelyan done to be forcefully apprehended ? ''
Vanetsyan said .
Currently , several processions follow towards the Liberty Square in the center of Yerevan from several different points .
The protesters plan to begin a `` dignity March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Due to streets blocked by protesters , traffic got jammed in various parts of Yerevan .
Local news websites conduct livestreams from the streets .
The police apprehend some activist from time to time .
The opposition blames Pashinyan for economic and social problems the republic suffers .
The also claim that the November 9 trilateral joint statement on cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh effectively was a capitulation .
Amid the protests , the President of Armenia proposed to hold snap parliamentary election , and until then to hand over the power @ @ @ @ @ @ @

YEREVAN, December 11. /TASS/. The Armenian police apprehended Ishkhan Sagatelyan - the leader of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) political party - and other opposition activists during protests at the Yerevan’s Liberty Square, says Artur Vanetsyan, head of the Homeland political party and former National Security Service chief.
"What has Sagatelyan done to be forcefully apprehended?" Vanetsyan said.
Currently, several processions follow towards the Liberty Square in the center of Yerevan from several different points. The protesters plan to begin a "dignity March," demanding Pashinyan’s resignation. Due to streets blocked by protesters, traffic got jammed in various parts of Yerevan. Local news websites conduct livestreams from the streets. The police apprehend some activist from time to time.
The opposition blames Pashinyan for economic and social problems the republic suffers. The also claim that the November 9 trilateral joint statement on cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh effectively was a capitulation. Amid the protests, the President of Armenia proposed to hold snap parliamentary election, and until then to hand over the power to the government of national accord.