tass--2020-02-18--Ban on patenting genome editing know-how in Russia should be lifted — scientist

`` What obstacles to the development of these technologies do we see today ?
In Russia and elsewhere in the world for some reason there exists a ban on the legal protection and patenting of methods to modify human embryo cells .
I would like to point out that most experts are unanimous that such know-how will be authorized for use some day ( if not today , then in the foreseeable future ) .
The existence of such a ban greatly hinders research and development , '' he told the roundtable meeting Genome Editing Technologies : Ethical and Medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .
MOSCOW , February 18 .
/TASS/ .
The ban on patenting genome editing techniques in Russia hinders research and development in this field , the deputy chief for science of the N.I .
Pirogov Russian Research Medical University , molecular biologist Denis Rebrikov said .
Rebrikov specified that he was referring to the need for lifting a ban from patenting methods to modify human embryo cells under article 1349 of the Civil Code .
`` We are working on different know-hows .
Around the world and practically in all fields @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a result of intellectual activity , to patent them .
Meanwhile if we declare that this or that invention is aimed at correcting the embryo ’ s mutation , then our Civil Code and everybody around the world says that I can not apply for a patent .
As a result , this field is developing more slowly than it could have .
Both researchers and companies that order such research are unprepared to invest into fields where they are unable to protect their inventions , '' Rebrikov told reporters .
He explained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ edited embryos into the female body .
Embryos can be frozen until the moment the know-how ’ s feasibility and safety has been proven .
`` Frozen embryos might be kept at such a cryobank until the authorities rule it possible to use them .
In the meantime we may go ahead with polishing this procedure and testing it on the condition of the parents ’ consent , '' Rebrikov pointed out , adding that the genome editing might be used first thing to correct mutations resulting in grave hereditary diseases .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medical Genetics , president of the Russian Medical Genetics Association , Sergei Kutsev , opined that genome editing was certainly `` not an issue on tomorrow ’ s agenda , '' but at the same time agreed that such technologies might begin to be used in practice in five to ten years from now .

"What obstacles to the development of these technologies do we see today? In Russia and elsewhere in the world for some reason there exists a ban on the legal protection and patenting of methods to modify human embryo cells. I would like to point out that most experts are unanimous that such know-how will be authorized for use some day (if not today, then in the foreseeable future). The existence of such a ban greatly hinders research and development," he told the roundtable meeting Genome Editing Technologies: Ethical and Medical Aspects at Russia’s Civic Chamber on Tuesday.
MOSCOW, February 18. /TASS/. The ban on patenting genome editing techniques in Russia hinders research and development in this field, the deputy chief for science of the N.I. Pirogov Russian Research Medical University, molecular biologist Denis Rebrikov said.
Rebrikov specified that he was referring to the need for lifting a ban from patenting methods to modify human embryo cells under article 1349 of the Civil Code.
"We are working on different know-hows. Around the world and practically in all fields it is possible to protect know-hows as a result of intellectual activity, to patent them. Meanwhile if we declare that this or that invention is aimed at correcting the embryo’s mutation, then our Civil Code and everybody around the world says that I cannot apply for a patent. As a result, this field is developing more slowly than it could have. Both researchers and companies that order such research are unprepared to invest into fields where they are unable to protect their inventions," Rebrikov told reporters.
He explained that it was totally unnecessary to plant edited embryos into the female body. Embryos can be frozen until the moment the know-how’s feasibility and safety has been proven.
"Frozen embryos might be kept at such a cryobank until the authorities rule it possible to use them. In the meantime we may go ahead with polishing this procedure and testing it on the condition of the parents’ consent," Rebrikov pointed out, adding that the genome editing might be used first thing to correct mutations resulting in grave hereditary diseases.
The director of the Bochkov Research Center for Medical Genetics, president of the Russian Medical Genetics Association, Sergei Kutsev, opined that genome editing was certainly "not an issue on tomorrow’s agenda," but at the same time agreed that such technologies might begin to be used in practice in five to ten years from now.
Genome editing


tass--2020-02-18--Dutch court ruling in Yukos case won’t lead to seizure of Russia’s assets abroad — expert

`` This [ decision ] does not mean automatic seizure [ of assets ] around the world .
To do this , you must at least first apply to the courts of those countries for recognition and enforcement of the arbitral award , '' he explained .
MOSCOW , February 18 .
/TASS/ .
The decision of the Hague Court of Appeal obliging Russia to pay $ 50 bln to former shareholders of Yukos does not automatically mean launching the seizure of Russia ’ s assets abroad , head of the International Center for Legal Protection Andrey Kondakov told TASS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interests in the case of Yukos in foreign courts .
However , he recalled that France and Belgium are exceptions because earlier the authorities of those countries almost immediately allowed to seize Russian assets following the decision of a foreign arbitration court , bypassing coordination with national courts .
`` There were gaps in the legislation .
But thanks to what happened in 2015 , additional legislative norms were adopted that no longer automatically seize assets before national courts take appropriate decisions , '' Kondakov explained .
In the US and UK , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be first recognized by a local court , consideration of applications from former Yukos shareholders was temporarily frozen , he noted .
`` We hope there will not be any automatic seizures of property .
In the course of 'the Yukos saga ' we hired professional law firms in 11 jurisdictions [ countries — TASS ] so we have tools to react quickly in any country where some kind of action starts on behalf of the majority of Yukos shareholders , '' Kondakov stated .

Earlier The Hague Court of Appeal reinstated an order of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which in 2014 ordered Russia to pay $50 bln to the companies associated with former Yukos shareholders
MOSCOW, February 18. /TASS/. The decision of the Hague Court of Appeal obliging Russia to pay $50 bln to former shareholders of Yukos does not automatically mean launching the seizure of Russia’s assets abroad, head of the International Center for Legal Protection Andrey Kondakov told TASS. The center represents Russia’s interests in the case of Yukos in foreign courts. "This [decision] does not mean automatic seizure [of assets] around the world. To do this, you must at least first apply to the courts of those countries for recognition and enforcement of the arbitral award," he explained.
However, he recalled that France and Belgium are exceptions because earlier the authorities of those countries almost immediately allowed to seize Russian assets following the decision of a foreign arbitration court, bypassing coordination with national courts. "There were gaps in the legislation. But thanks to what happened in 2015, additional legislative norms were adopted that no longer automatically seize assets before national courts take appropriate decisions," Kondakov explained. In the US and UK, where a foreign court’s decision should be first recognized by a local court, consideration of applications from former Yukos shareholders was temporarily frozen, he noted. "We hope there will not be any automatic seizures of property. In the course of 'the Yukos saga' we hired professional law firms in 11 jurisdictions [countries — TASS] so we have tools to react quickly in any country where some kind of action starts on behalf of the majority of Yukos shareholders," Kondakov stated.
Read also The Hague opens hearings on $50-bln lawsuit by former Yukos shareholders against Russia


tass--2020-02-18--Sunon Charity Foundation Donates over $1.43 million to Fight the Novel Coronavirus

SHANGHAI , Feb. 18 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As the novel coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan spreads , Sunon Charity Foundation acted quickly and in unity to fight against this disease .
On January 28 , Sunon provided an initial $ 1.43million to relief and containment efforts .
Leveraging its global network and rapid response platform , it supplied over 120,000 face masks after the outbreak .
Sunon 's donation is going directly to support the current priorities of frontline health care workers in the battle against the coronavirus epidemic and to help address a severe shortage .
`` In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standing firmly with the whole country .
We Sunon as a company bears a social responsibility and we will do more to contain the spread of this epidemic .
Moreover , I think nonprofit collaborations are more effective and efficient .
Shared resources and collective influence will achieve a broader effect , '' said Zheng Mingzhi , Sunon Foundation 's chairman , at the donation ceremony .
The public health emergency drove an explosive demand for the medical supplies and buying surgical masks , protective goggles or others has become a challenge around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working together around the clock .
Some were looking for quality medical suppliers overseas during the past few days to ensure sustainable supply .
Some foreign partners have also provided necessary assistance and offered help with purchase for medical protective supplies .
All of these are voluntary actions , '' said Cindy , Managing Director of Sunon 's International Business Center .
She added that `` Right now we are still trying our best to use every possible channel domestically and overseas and will purchase more medical supplies '' .
Till now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suits from India , 22,000 masks from the United Arab Emirates , 4,700 protective suits from South Africa , and over 6,400 suits from Brazil .
Sunon 's team is still racing to buy more available protective masks and suits .
As a leading office solution supplier , Sunon is committed to achieving growth through sustainable practices and taking care of public health .
Making a positive impact on society and creating a healthier and happier environment are two integral parts of its day-to-day work .
Close collaboration with the government , global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commitment to shoulder its social responsibility and continue its efforts to combat this emerging epidemic .
Sunon Charity Foundation is known for its work on philanthropy .
For the past nine years , the Foundation has made several grants to disaster relief and emergency assistance .
After the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake and the 2013 Ya'an Earthquake , four hundred and thirty thousand dollars and two hundred and ninety thousand dollars were separately donated to build two kindergartens .
In 2019 , it contributed two hundred and ninety thousand dollars to help families affected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learn more about Sunon , please visit www.sunonglobal.com .

SHANGHAI, Feb. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As the novel coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan spreads, Sunon Charity Foundation acted quickly and in unity to fight against this disease. On January 28, Sunon provided an initial $1.43million to relief and containment efforts. Leveraging its global network and rapid response platform, it supplied over 120,000 face masks after the outbreak.
Sunon's donation is going directly to support the current priorities of frontline health care workers in the battle against the coronavirus epidemic and to help address a severe shortage.
"In the face of this emergency, Sunon is standing firmly with the whole country. We Sunon as a company bears a social responsibility and we will do more to contain the spread of this epidemic. Moreover, I think nonprofit collaborations are more effective and efficient. Shared resources and collective influence will achieve a broader effect," said Zheng Mingzhi, Sunon Foundation's chairman, at the donation ceremony.
The public health emergency drove an explosive demand for the medical supplies and buying surgical masks, protective goggles or others has become a challenge around the globe.
"Our team is working together around the clock. Some were looking for quality medical suppliers overseas during the past few days to ensure sustainable supply. Some foreign partners have also provided necessary assistance and offered help with purchase for medical protective supplies. All of these are voluntary actions," said Cindy, Managing Director of Sunon's International Business Center. She added that "Right now we are still trying our best to use every possible channel domestically and overseas and will purchase more medical supplies".
Till now, Sunon purchased 10,000 masks and 965 protective suits from India, 22,000 masks from the United Arab Emirates, 4,700 protective suits from South Africa, and over 6,400 suits from Brazil. Sunon's team is still racing to buy more available protective masks and suits.
As a leading office solution supplier, Sunon is committed to achieving growth through sustainable practices and taking care of public health. Making a positive impact on society and creating a healthier and happier environment are two integral parts of its day-to-day work. Close collaboration with the government, global partners and civil society is Sunon's commitment to shoulder its social responsibility and continue its efforts to combat this emerging epidemic.
About Sunon Charity Foundation
Sunon Charity Foundation is known for its work on philanthropy. For the past nine years, the Foundation has made several grants to disaster relief and emergency assistance. After the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake and the 2013 Ya'an Earthquake, four hundred and thirty thousand dollars and two hundred and ninety thousand dollars were separately donated to build two kindergartens. In 2019, it contributed two hundred and ninety thousand dollars to help families affected by Typhoon Lekima rebuild homes.
To learn more about Sunon, please visit www.sunonglobal.com.
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1091582/1.jpg
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1091581/2.jpg
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1091583/3.jpg
CONTACT: Vivienne Tang, vivienne.tang@isunon.com, +86-18857893192


tass--2020-02-18--Sanya authorities handle rent relief for business amid coronavirus

SANYA , February 18 .
/TASS/ .
Sanya authorities ( Hainan province , China ) decided to relieve the business from paying rent during the period when companies are closed temporarily amid coronavirus epidemic in the country , the local authorities announced on Tuesday .
`` Sanya is introducing support measures to help the business amid coronavirus outbreak .
The measures will include commercial rent relief during the time when the business was not functioning '' , the statement reads .
The measures are taken in order to support the business struggling amid coronavirus outbreak and will stay in effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Chinese authorities registered an outbreak of the novel coronavirus ( official name COVID-19 ) in Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 12 million people , in late December 2019 .
Cases of the novel coronavirus were found in 25 other countries and territories , including Russia .
The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern .
According to the latest data , the death toll from coronavirus has exceeded 1,800 and more than 73,000 people have been infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @

SANYA, February 18. /TASS/. Sanya authorities (Hainan province, China) decided to relieve the business from paying rent during the period when companies are closed temporarily amid coronavirus epidemic in the country, the local authorities announced on Tuesday.
"Sanya is introducing support measures to help the business amid coronavirus outbreak. The measures will include commercial rent relief during the time when the business was not functioning", the statement reads.
The measures are taken in order to support the business struggling amid coronavirus outbreak and will stay in effect until the businessmen resume their work.
The Chinese authorities registered an outbreak of the novel coronavirus (official name COVID-19) in Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 12 million people, in late December 2019. Cases of the novel coronavirus were found in 25 other countries and territories, including Russia. The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. According to the latest data, the death toll from coronavirus has exceeded 1,800 and more than 73,000 people have been infected. Nearly 13,000 people have recovered.


tass--2020-02-18--About 1,000 Russian motor rifle troops wrap up tactical drills in Tajikistan’s mountains

`` The servicemen practiced tactical measures in the defense and in the offensive , accomplishing assignments on various terrain , and also in populated areas , day and night , employing reconnaissance-fire and strike systems .
At the final stage of the drills , the units conducted a live-fire exercise , firing all types of small arms , grenade launchers , and also the guns of combat vehicles against the targets that simulated the notional enemy ’ s tracked and wheeled hardware and manpower , '' the press office said in a statement .
MOSCOW , February 18 .
/TASS/ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia ’ s 201st military base wrapped up their tactical drills at the Lyaur mountainous training range in Tajikistan , the press office of the Central Military District reported on Tuesday .
Over 2,000 controlled targets were set up at the training range for the drills .
The maneuvers involved more than 200 items of armament and military hardware , including Mi-8 and Mi-24 army aviation helicopters , T-72 tanks , BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles , Akatsiya self-propelled artillery guns , Sani mortars , AGS-17 and RPG-7 automatic and hand-held grenade launchers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Central Military District is based in the territory of the Volga , Urals and Siberian integrated federal districts and 29 Russian regions .
Structurally , the Central Military District also includes some overseas facilities : the 201st military base in Tajikistan , the Kant integrated military base in Kyrgyzstan and units stationed on the territory of Kazakhstan .
The 201st military base stationed in Tajikistan is Russia ’ s largest military facility outside its borders .
The military base is located in the cities of Dushanbe and Bokhtar .
The military base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BTR-82A armored personnel carriers , Grad multiple launch rocket systems , Gvozdika and Akatsiya artillery systems .
Under the agreement signed in October 2012 , Russia ’ s military base in Tajikistan will remain until 2042 .

"The servicemen practiced tactical measures in the defense and in the offensive, accomplishing assignments on various terrain, and also in populated areas, day and night, employing reconnaissance-fire and strike systems. At the final stage of the drills, the units conducted a live-fire exercise, firing all types of small arms, grenade launchers, and also the guns of combat vehicles against the targets that simulated the notional enemy’s tracked and wheeled hardware and manpower," the press office said in a statement.
MOSCOW, February 18. /TASS/. About 1,000 motorized infantry troops of Russia’s 201st military base wrapped up their tactical drills at the Lyaur mountainous training range in Tajikistan, the press office of the Central Military District reported on Tuesday.
Over 2,000 controlled targets were set up at the training range for the drills. The maneuvers involved more than 200 items of armament and military hardware, including Mi-8 and Mi-24 army aviation helicopters, T-72 tanks, BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, Akatsiya self-propelled artillery guns, Sani mortars, AGS-17 and RPG-7 automatic and hand-held grenade launchers, drones and small arms.
Russia’s Central Military District is based in the territory of the Volga, Urals and Siberian integrated federal districts and 29 Russian regions. Structurally, the Central Military District also includes some overseas facilities: the 201st military base in Tajikistan, the Kant integrated military base in Kyrgyzstan and units stationed on the territory of Kazakhstan.
The 201st military base stationed in Tajikistan is Russia’s largest military facility outside its borders. The military base is located in the cities of Dushanbe and Bokhtar. The military base’s armament includes T-72 tanks, BTR-82A armored personnel carriers, Grad multiple launch rocket systems, Gvozdika and Akatsiya artillery systems.
Under the agreement signed in October 2012, Russia’s military base in Tajikistan will remain until 2042.


tass--2020-02-18--Russia's Alrosa to be largest producer of color diamonds globally after 2020

MOSCOW , February 18 .
/TASS/ .
Alrosa will become the world ’ s largest producer of color diamonds worldwide after closure of Rio Tinto ’ s Argyle mine , Director of Alrosa ’ s cutting branch Pavel Vinikhin told TASS in an interview .
Argyle is operating in Australia since 1983 and is the world ’ s largest deposit of natural color diamonds .
The mine is scheduled for shutdown at the turn of 2020 in view of depletion , according to Rio Tinto .
`` Considering the closure of Argyle mine in Australia , we will become the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diamonds and can therefore go after leadership on the color diamond market .
We have assets rich with color diamonds - Severalmaz and Diamonds of Anabar , '' Vinikhin said .
A pink and a yellow diamonds comprised in The Spectacle collection were found on deposits of these companies , he added .
Alrosa is among the top three diamond mining companies globally .
Its share in the global diamond mining is 25 % , while 6 % more are accounted for Angola ’ s Catoca , where Alrosa holds 41 % .

MOSCOW, February 18. /TASS/. Alrosa will become the world’s largest producer of color diamonds worldwide after closure of Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine, Director of Alrosa’s cutting branch Pavel Vinikhin told TASS in an interview.
Argyle is operating in Australia since 1983 and is the world’s largest deposit of natural color diamonds. The mine is scheduled for shutdown at the turn of 2020 in view of depletion, according to Rio Tinto.
"Considering the closure of Argyle mine in Australia, we will become the world’s largest producer of color diamonds and can therefore go after leadership on the color diamond market. We have assets rich with color diamonds - Severalmaz and Diamonds of Anabar," Vinikhin said. A pink and a yellow diamonds comprised in The Spectacle collection were found on deposits of these companies, he added.
Alrosa is among the top three diamond mining companies globally. Its share in the global diamond mining is 25%, while 6% more are accounted for Angola’s Catoca, where Alrosa holds 41%.


tass--2020-02-18--Su-34 fighter-bombers wipe out ground installations in Urals drills

The crews of Su-34 fighter-bombers made solo and paired flights at an altitude of 400 meters to 8,000 meters to the area of the location of notional militant groups , the press office said in a statement .
MOSCOW , February 18 .
/TASS/ .
The pilots of Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bombers of the Central Military District ’ s composite air regiment practiced detecting and eliminating a notional enemy ’ s ground installations during drills that ended at a training range in the Kurgan Region , the District ’ s press office reported on Tuesday .
`` The pilots detected the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ command posts and armor and delivered bombing strikes by P-50T practice bombs from low altitudes and practiced complex maneuvers to dodge enemy air defenses , '' the statement reads .
The drills involved eight Su-34 fighter-bombers , a Su-24MR reconnaissance plane and about 100 servicemen from the flight control group , flight and ground personnel .
The crews of Su-34 planes performed over 30 sorties and struck about 60 ground targets during the drills , the press office specified .
The Su-34 multirole supersonic fighter-bomber is designated to effectively strike enemy ground and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weather conditions .
The Su-34 carries long-range air-to-surface and air-to-air missile armament with the multi-channel employment capability .
The Su-34 has an operating range of 4,000 km , can develop a maximum speed of 1,900 km/h and is capable of carrying a weapon payload of up to 8 tonnes .
The Su-34 is half as noisy as earlier models .

The crews of Su-34 fighter-bombers made solo and paired flights at an altitude of 400 meters to 8,000 meters to the area of the location of notional militant groups, the press office said in a statement.
MOSCOW, February 18. /TASS/. The pilots of Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bombers of the Central Military District’s composite air regiment practiced detecting and eliminating a notional enemy’s ground installations during drills that ended at a training range in the Kurgan Region, the District’s press office reported on Tuesday.
"The pilots detected the targets that simulated the enemy’s command posts and armor and delivered bombing strikes by P-50T practice bombs from low altitudes and practiced complex maneuvers to dodge enemy air defenses," the statement reads.
The drills involved eight Su-34 fighter-bombers, a Su-24MR reconnaissance plane and about 100 servicemen from the flight control group, flight and ground personnel. The crews of Su-34 planes performed over 30 sorties and struck about 60 ground targets during the drills, the press office specified.
The Su-34 multirole supersonic fighter-bomber is designated to effectively strike enemy ground and air targets day and night in any weather conditions.
The Su-34 carries long-range air-to-surface and air-to-air missile armament with the multi-channel employment capability. The Su-34 has an operating range of 4,000 km, can develop a maximum speed of 1,900 km/h and is capable of carrying a weapon payload of up to 8 tonnes. The Su-34 is half as noisy as earlier models.


tass--2020-02-18--Creation of designer babies by editing genome impossible, says Health Ministry expert

MOSCOW , February 18 .
/TASS/ .
Creating designer babies having certain properties with the use of genome editing is impossible at the moment , the director of the Research Center for Medical Genetics , President of the Russian Medical Genetics Association , Sergei Kutsev , said on Tuesday .
Russian scientists have spent many months arguing about the right to modify the embryo ’ s genome .
Russian molecular biologist Denis Rebrikov earlier said he was going to apply for and obtain permission to edit the genome of an embryo of a future baby of a married couple with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would ask the Health Ministry to impose a freeze on experiments to edit embryos ’ genome .
`` As far as the editing of the embryo ’ s genome and creating so-called designer babies are concerned , we should be aware that this belongs with the realm of science fiction and journalism .
It has nothing to do with security or ethical abuse .
I do not know if this is realistic from the scientific viewpoint or will ever be realistic .
There is no scientific base at the moment for requesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of smart and talented babies and so on and so forth .
We still lack the proper understanding the genome .
Our knowledge of different genes ’ interaction is not good enough .
That ’ s science fiction , '' Kutsev said at the round table discussion Genome Editing Technologies : Ethical and Medical Aspects at Russia ’ s Public Chamber .
In October 2019 , the Health Ministry said that granting permission to edit the human genome under clinical conditions would be premature and irresponsible , because at this stage of genome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and long term remained unexplored .
The Health Ministry said that the World Health Organization adhered to the same stance .

MOSCOW, February 18. /TASS/. Creating designer babies having certain properties with the use of genome editing is impossible at the moment, the director of the Research Center for Medical Genetics, President of the Russian Medical Genetics Association, Sergei Kutsev, said on Tuesday.
Russian scientists have spent many months arguing about the right to modify the embryo’s genome. Russian molecular biologist Denis Rebrikov earlier said he was going to apply for and obtain permission to edit the genome of an embryo of a future baby of a married couple with hereditary deafness. In response Kutsev said he would ask the Health Ministry to impose a freeze on experiments to edit embryos’ genome.
"As far as the editing of the embryo’s genome and creating so-called designer babies are concerned, we should be aware that this belongs with the realm of science fiction and journalism. It has nothing to do with security or ethical abuse. I do not know if this is realistic from the scientific viewpoint or will ever be realistic. There is no scientific base at the moment for requesting, as journalists say, the birth of smart and talented babies and so on and so forth. We still lack the proper understanding the genome. Our knowledge of different genes’ interaction is not good enough. That’s science fiction," Kutsev said at the round table discussion Genome Editing Technologies: Ethical and Medical Aspects at Russia’s Public Chamber.
In October 2019, the Health Ministry said that granting permission to edit the human genome under clinical conditions would be premature and irresponsible, because at this stage of genome editing technologies possible complications in the short and long term remained unexplored. The Health Ministry said that the World Health Organization adhered to the same stance.


tass--2020-02-19--Russian Baltic Fleet fighter aircraft strike enemy targets in drills

KALININGRAD , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
More than 10 Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30SM multirole fighters from a squadron of the Baltic Fleet ’ s naval aviation practiced intercepting high-speed craft and delivering strikes against naval and ground targets during drills in the Kaliningrad Region , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Wednesday .
`` Under the drills ’ scenario , the crews of Su-27 planes detected a target after getting into the designated search area and tracked it and also practiced measures to force a notional enemy ’ s aircraft to land on the aerodrome , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In turn , the crews of Su-30SM fighters notionally delivered strikes with air-launched weapons against naval and ground targets at the Fleet ’ s sea and land training ranges , the statement says .
The Su-27 is a fourth-generation multirole supersonic all-weather fighter aircraft armed with air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles of various types ( it has from 10 to 12 external hardpoints for missiles ) .
The fighter jet is also furnished with a 30mm automatic aircraft gun ( with a rate of fire of 1,500 rounds per minute and an ammunition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Su-30SM is a generation 4++ serial-produced and upgraded two-seat super-maneuverable fighter jet .
The Su-30SM is furnished with two AL-31FP thrust-vectoring reheated double-flow turbofan engines .
The fighter has an operating range of 1,500 km and a flight endurance of 3.5 hours without refueling .

KALININGRAD, February 19. /TASS/. More than 10 Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30SM multirole fighters from a squadron of the Baltic Fleet’s naval aviation practiced intercepting high-speed craft and delivering strikes against naval and ground targets during drills in the Kaliningrad Region, the Fleet’s press office reported on Wednesday.
"Under the drills’ scenario, the crews of Su-27 planes detected a target after getting into the designated search area and tracked it and also practiced measures to force a notional enemy’s aircraft to land on the aerodrome," the press office said in a statement.
In turn, the crews of Su-30SM fighters notionally delivered strikes with air-launched weapons against naval and ground targets at the Fleet’s sea and land training ranges, the statement says.
The Su-27 is a fourth-generation multirole supersonic all-weather fighter aircraft armed with air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles of various types (it has from 10 to 12 external hardpoints for missiles). The fighter jet is also furnished with a 30mm automatic aircraft gun (with a rate of fire of 1,500 rounds per minute and an ammunition load of 150 rounds).
The Su-30SM is a generation 4++ serial-produced and upgraded two-seat super-maneuverable fighter jet. The Su-30SM is furnished with two AL-31FP thrust-vectoring reheated double-flow turbofan engines. The fighter has an operating range of 1,500 km and a flight endurance of 3.5 hours without refueling.


tass--2020-02-19--USSR's first drifting polar station: When Soviets set their sights on the Arctic

Kremlin says new data on MH17 crash in Ukraine demonstrates that Russia was right Dmitry Peskov has commented on the @ @ @ @ @ Military Intelligence and Security Service

Biden says alternative to sanctions against Russia would be Third World War
"Russia will pay a serious price for this short term and long term, particularly long term," the US leader stressed
Read more


tass--2020-02-19--Russia supports Syria, which has to respond to inadmissible provocations in Idlib — Lavrov

MOSCOW , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow supports the Syrian army ’ s actions of responding to inadmissible provocations in Idlib , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters on Wednesday .
Russia ’ s top diplomat noted that militants continued to shell the positions of the Syrian army and civilian facilities .
He also pointed to attempts to attack Russia ’ s Hmeimym airbase .
`` It is only natural that the Syrian armed forces , reaffirming their commitment to the original agreements on Idlib , including an agreement on a ceasefire , respond to such inadmissible provocations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support them in this . ''
`` The Syrian army ’ s actions are a response to a flagrant violation of the agreements on Idlib , '' he went on to say .
`` Contrary to some estimates , let me emphasize that the Syrian troops are not pushing militants and terrorists back on a foreign territory but on their own soil , thereby reestablishing the legitimate Syrian government ’ s control over its territories . ''
Lavrov stressed that the coverage of developments in Idlib indicated that `` no one remembers what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 and October 2019 . ''
`` Judging by hysterical comments by some Western representatives , one can get the impression that , at some point , Russia and Turkey agreed to put the issue on the back burner , leave terrorists alone and let them do whatever they want , '' he said .
`` This is not true .
No one has ever promised to leave terrorists unscathed in the Idlib de-escalation zone . ''
The situation in Idlib deteriorated dramatically after the Russian and Turkish militaries had made another attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intensified their attacks instead , killing Russian and Turkish military specialists .
The Syrian government army took retaliatory actions against extremists and gained control of the city of Saraqib near Idlib on February 5 .
In the morning of February 11 , the Turkish-backed Syrian opposition launched mass-scale attacks on the Syrian government army .
The opposition ’ s offensive was carried out with the fire support from the Turkish artillery .
Militants from the Jabhat al-Nusra terror group ( outlawed in Russia ) took an active part in the fighting .
Syrian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sustaining heavy losses .

MOSCOW, February 19. /TASS/. Moscow supports the Syrian army’s actions of responding to inadmissible provocations in Idlib, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters on Wednesday. Russia’s top diplomat noted that militants continued to shell the positions of the Syrian army and civilian facilities. He also pointed to attempts to attack Russia’s Hmeimym airbase. "It is only natural that the Syrian armed forces, reaffirming their commitment to the original agreements on Idlib, including an agreement on a ceasefire, respond to such inadmissible provocations," Lavrov stressed. "We support them in this."
Read also NATO has no plans to provide military support to Turkey in Idlib — source
"The Syrian army’s actions are a response to a flagrant violation of the agreements on Idlib," he went on to say. "Contrary to some estimates, let me emphasize that the Syrian troops are not pushing militants and terrorists back on a foreign territory but on their own soil, thereby reestablishing the legitimate Syrian government’s control over its territories." Lavrov stressed that the coverage of developments in Idlib indicated that "no one remembers what kind of agreements were reached in September 2018 and October 2019." "Judging by hysterical comments by some Western representatives, one can get the impression that, at some point, Russia and Turkey agreed to put the issue on the back burner, leave terrorists alone and let them do whatever they want," he said. "This is not true. No one has ever promised to leave terrorists unscathed in the Idlib de-escalation zone." Situation in Idlib
Read also Kremlin views possible Turkish operation in Syria’s Idlib as worst scenario


tass--2020-02-19--Latest tugboat to enter service with Russia’s Black Sea Fleet on February 21

SEVASTOPOL , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
The Project 23470 first sea-going tug Sergei Balk will enter service with Russia ’ s Black Sea Fleet on February 21 , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Wednesday .
`` On February 21 , 2020 ( Friday ) , a ceremony is due to take place to hoist the St. Andrew ’ s [ Russian naval ] flag and include the latest tug Sergei Balk in the structure of support vessels of the Black Sea Fleet ’ s auxiliary fleet , '' the press office said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Sea Fleet is the Project 23470 lead ship , the press office specified .
Project 23470 ships are designed to tow vessels in ice-covered and ice-free waters , assist them within port areas and in mooring , provide escort operations at sea , extinguish fires on floating platforms and at coastal facilities and fuel burning on the water surface , and also to refloat ships and vessels .
The new tugs have a lifting capacity of 200 tonnes and an operating range of 300 nautical miles and their sea endurance is 30 @ @

SEVASTOPOL, February 19. /TASS/. The Project 23470 first sea-going tug Sergei Balk will enter service with Russia’s Black Sea Fleet on February 21, the Fleet’s press office reported on Wednesday.
"On February 21, 2020 (Friday), a ceremony is due to take place to hoist the St. Andrew’s [Russian naval] flag and include the latest tug Sergei Balk in the structure of support vessels of the Black Sea Fleet’s auxiliary fleet," the press office said in a statement.
The tug Sergei Balk built for the Black Sea Fleet is the Project 23470 lead ship, the press office specified.
Project 23470 ships are designed to tow vessels in ice-covered and ice-free waters, assist them within port areas and in mooring, provide escort operations at sea, extinguish fires on floating platforms and at coastal facilities and fuel burning on the water surface, and also to refloat ships and vessels.
The new tugs have a lifting capacity of 200 tonnes and an operating range of 300 nautical miles and their sea endurance is 30 days.


tass--2020-02-19--US sanctions against Rosneft Trading will not affect Russia-Venezuela relations — Kremlin

ST. PETERSBURG , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
US sanctions against Rosneft Trading , a subsidiary of Russian state-run oil @ @ @ @ @ oil , are illegal and will not affect relations between Moscow and Caracas , Kremlin @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Such restrictions , which we consider illegal from the point of international law @ @ @ @ @ affect our bilateral relations with Venezuela , '' he said responding to a relevant question @ @ @ @ @ , they [ the relations ] are evolving and will continue to evolve , '' @ @ @ @ @ that Rosneft had already voiced their intention to consider a possibility to defend the company @ @ @ @ @ as well as to use other available mechanisms .
`` All measures will be taken @ @ @ @ @ the Kremlin spokesman concluded .

ST. PETERSBURG, February 19. /TASS/. US sanctions against Rosneft Trading, a subsidiary of Russian state-run oil company Rosneft, for selling Venezuelan oil, are illegal and will not affect relations between Moscow and Caracas, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
"Such restrictions, which we consider illegal from the point of international law, can in no way affect our bilateral relations with Venezuela," he said responding to a relevant question.
"On the contrary, they [the relations] are evolving and will continue to evolve," he added.
Peskov recalled that Rosneft had already voiced their intention to consider a possibility to defend the company’s interests in court as well as to use other available mechanisms.
"All measures will be taken in this respect," the Kremlin spokesman concluded.


tass--2020-02-19--Russian defense chief, commander Haftar talk situation in Libya

MOSCOW , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu met with Commander of the Libyan National Army Khalifa Haftar on Wednesday to discuss the situation in Libya , the Russian Defense Ministry told reporters .
`` The sides discussed the situation in Libya .
They stressed the importance of talks held on January 13 in Moscow for establishing ceasefire and launching the process of normalizing the situation in the country , '' the ministry said .
Shoigu and Haftar confirmed the need to fulfill the decisions made at the Berlin conference on Libya .
The sides noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the domestic Libyan crisis by political means and confirmed commitment to Libya ’ s independence , unity and territorial integrity .
There are two parallel executive authorities in Libya right now at loggerheads for power .
The internationally recognized Government of National Accord led by Fayez al Sarraj in Tripoli enjoys active support of Turkey and Qatar .
In its turn , the eastern-based Interim Cabinet led by Abdullah al-Thani is supported by the Libyan Parliament and the Libyan National Army led by Khalifa Haftar .
It is actively backed by Egypt and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 , Berlin hosted a conference on Libya at the level of the heads of state and government , including Russia .
In their final document , its participants urged a ceasefire and pledged to refrain from meddling in Libya ’ s affairs .
They also suggested creating a unified government and launching reforms for restoring the state system , which was ruined by NATO intervention nine years ago .

MOSCOW, February 19. /TASS/. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu met with Commander of the Libyan National Army Khalifa Haftar on Wednesday to discuss the situation in Libya, the Russian Defense Ministry told reporters.
"The sides discussed the situation in Libya. They stressed the importance of talks held on January 13 in Moscow for establishing ceasefire and launching the process of normalizing the situation in the country," the ministry said.
Shoigu and Haftar confirmed the need to fulfill the decisions made at the Berlin conference on Libya. The sides noted that there is no alternative to settling the domestic Libyan crisis by political means and confirmed commitment to Libya’s independence, unity and territorial integrity.
There are two parallel executive authorities in Libya right now at loggerheads for power. The internationally recognized Government of National Accord led by Fayez al Sarraj in Tripoli enjoys active support of Turkey and Qatar. In its turn, the eastern-based Interim Cabinet led by Abdullah al-Thani is supported by the Libyan Parliament and the Libyan National Army led by Khalifa Haftar. It is actively backed by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
On January 19, Berlin hosted a conference on Libya at the level of the heads of state and government, including Russia. In their final document, its participants urged a ceasefire and pledged to refrain from meddling in Libya’s affairs. They also suggested creating a unified government and launching reforms for restoring the state system, which was ruined by NATO intervention nine years ago.


tass--2020-02-19--Some 80 new coronavirus cases confirmed onboard cruise ship in Japan

This brings the total number of those infected with coronavirus onboard the ship , which is anchored in the Japanese port city of Yokohama , to 621 .
One Russian is among them , who has been hospitalized .
His wife , who was also sent to hospital , tested negative for the virus , but she is under doctors ’ care amid the risk of infection .
TOKYO , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
Seventy-nine passengers of the coronavirus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan have contracted the deadly disease , Japan ’ s Ministry of Health , Labor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some 500 people , who had tested negative for the novel coronavirus , disembarked from the vessel after a two-week quarantine .
Two Russian nationals were part of the first group .
Japan ’ s authorities have tested all passengers and crew members for coronavirus .
Upon the results , they compile the lists of those who can leave the vessel - these are the persons , who have not contracted coronavirus and who have passed the two-week quarantine .
Japan ’ s Ministry of Health , Labor and Welfare also reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 3,011 people from the cruise ship , which is carrying over 3,600 passengers .
The Diamond Princess cruise ship left Yokohama on January 20 and returned on February 3 .
Among them was a coronavirus-infected Chinese citizen who left the ship on January 25 in Hong Kong .
In accordance with the decision made by the Japanese authorities , the ship was anchored near Yokohama and quarantined for two weeks since February 5 .
Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in Wuhan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in late December 2019 .
The WHO declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global health emergency and named the virus COVID-19 .
Coronavirus cases have also been reported in 25 other countries , including Russia .
According to the latest data , the overall number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in China has hit over 75,000 and the death toll has exceeded 2,000 .
Nearly 15,000 patients have recovered to date .

This brings the total number of those infected with coronavirus onboard the ship, which is anchored in the Japanese port city of Yokohama, to 621. One Russian is among them, who has been hospitalized. His wife, who was also sent to hospital, tested negative for the virus, but she is under doctors’ care amid the risk of infection.
TOKYO, February 19. /TASS/. Seventy-nine passengers of the coronavirus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan have contracted the deadly disease, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said on Wednesday.
Earlier, some 500 people, who had tested negative for the novel coronavirus, disembarked from the vessel after a two-week quarantine. Two Russian nationals were part of the first group.
Japan’s authorities have tested all passengers and crew members for coronavirus. Upon the results, they compile the lists of those who can leave the vessel - these are the persons, who have not contracted coronavirus and who have passed the two-week quarantine. Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare also reported that it had received the test results of 3,011 people from the cruise ship, which is carrying over 3,600 passengers.
The Diamond Princess cruise ship left Yokohama on January 20 and returned on February 3. Among them was a coronavirus-infected Chinese citizen who left the ship on January 25 in Hong Kong. In accordance with the decision made by the Japanese authorities, the ship was anchored near Yokohama and quarantined for two weeks since February 5.
Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in Wuhan, a densely populated city in central China, in late December 2019. The WHO declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global health emergency and named the virus COVID-19. Coronavirus cases have also been reported in 25 other countries, including Russia.
According to the latest data, the overall number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in China has hit over 75,000 and the death toll has exceeded 2,000. Nearly 15,000 patients have recovered to date.


tass--2020-02-19--Chinese people with service and business visas allowed entry to Russia

According to the ministry , since February 20 , Russia issued a temporary entry ban for Chinese nationals who come for `` private , educational and tourist purposes , as well as for work . ''
MOSCOW , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
Chinese nationals are not barred from receiving service , business , humanitarian and transit visas , and their owners are not barred from entering Russia , Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Wednesday .
`` Despite that , issue of other types of visas to Chinese nationals , including service , business , humanitarian and transit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these visa types are not barred from entering Russia .
Air service remains between Moscow and Beijing , Shanghai , Guangzhou and Hong Kong , '' the Ministry said .
The Foreign Ministry underscores that these measures are strictly temporary and are connected to the coronavirus outbreak .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , formerly known as 2019-nCoV .
Cases of coronavirus have been registered in at least 25 countries , including Russia .
The WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency .
Currently , the total number of people infected with coronavirus exceeds 74,100 in China with over 2,000 reported deaths .
Meanwhile , approximately 14,300 people have reportedly recovered from it .

According to the ministry, since February 20, Russia issued a temporary entry ban for Chinese nationals who come for "private, educational and tourist purposes, as well as for work."
MOSCOW, February 19. /TASS/. Chinese nationals are not barred from receiving service, business, humanitarian and transit visas, and their owners are not barred from entering Russia, Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Wednesday.
"Despite that, issue of other types of visas to Chinese nationals, including service, business, humanitarian and transit ones, continues. The owners of these visa types are not barred from entering Russia. Air service remains between Moscow and Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong," the Ministry said.
The Foreign Ministry underscores that these measures are strictly temporary and are connected to the coronavirus outbreak.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. The source of the outbreak is the COVID-19 coronavirus, formerly known as 2019-nCoV. Cases of coronavirus have been registered in at least 25 countries, including Russia. The WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency.
Currently, the total number of people infected with coronavirus exceeds 74,100 in China with over 2,000 reported deaths. Meanwhile, approximately 14,300 people have reportedly recovered from it.


tass--2020-02-19--Kremlin says Russia reviews Hague court ruling on Yukos, including defense tactics

`` So far , our related agencies , the Ministry of Justice first and foremost , review the case , research defense tactics , tactics to appeal this decision , '' he said .
`` We ’ re on analysis stage now . ''
SAINT-PETERSBURG , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow is analyzing the Hague Court of Appeal ruling regarding payment of more than $ 50 billion to former shareholders of Yukos Oil Company , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said .
On February 18 , Hague Court of Appeal cancelled the earlier ruling by a Dutch court and reinstated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recover $ 50 billion from Russia .
According to Andrey Kondakov , head of the International Centre for Legal Protection , which represents Russia in Yukos case , the Court of Appeal ignored the opinion of the Hague District Court and the fact that the former shareholders were not conscientious investors and have performed a number of unlawful actions .
According to Kondakov , the ruling does not mean automatic arrest of Russian offshore assets , and it will be challenged in the Supreme Court of the Netherlands within three months .
Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would fight for its legitimate interests .

"So far, our related agencies, the Ministry of Justice first and foremost, review the case, research defense tactics, tactics to appeal this decision," he said. "We’re on analysis stage now."
SAINT-PETERSBURG, February 19. /TASS/. Moscow is analyzing the Hague Court of Appeal ruling regarding payment of more than $50 billion to former shareholders of Yukos Oil Company, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
On February 18, Hague Court of Appeal cancelled the earlier ruling by a Dutch court and reinstated the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling to recover $50 billion from Russia. According to Andrey Kondakov, head of the International Centre for Legal Protection, which represents Russia in Yukos case, the Court of Appeal ignored the opinion of the Hague District Court and the fact that the former shareholders were not conscientious investors and have performed a number of unlawful actions.
According to Kondakov, the ruling does not mean automatic arrest of Russian offshore assets, and it will be challenged in the Supreme Court of the Netherlands within three months.
Russian Ministry of Justice also said that Moscow would fight for its legitimate interests.


tass--2020-02-19--Russian Baltic Fleet ships set off for Atlantic deployment

`` The corvette Stoiky and the large amphibious assault ship Korolyov have embarked on a long-distance mission in accordance with their combat training plan for 2020 as part of the Baltic Fleet ’ s permanent presence in the area of its responsibility , '' the press office said in a statement .
KALININGRAD , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
The Baltic Fleet ’ s naval group comprising the corvette Stoiky and the large amphibious warfare ship Korolyov departed from the naval base of Baltiysk in Russia ’ s westernmost Kaliningrad Region and set off for their deployment to the Atlantic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported on Wednesday .
The warships are carrying anti-terror squads from the Baltic Fleet ’ s marine infantry , the statement says .
During its deployment in distant waters , the Baltic Fleet ’ s naval group will fulfil a number of tasks to search for a notional enemy ’ s submarines with the help of basic anti-submarine warfare systems and a deck-based Ka-27 helicopter , repel a simulated enemy ’ s air attack and missile strike .
In addition , the naval sailors will fire small artillery guns and small arms to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
Marine infantry units will hold anti-terror drills to repel an attack by notional terrorists on the ship during anchorages in an unsafe roadstead and in the course of passing through straits , the press office said .

"The corvette Stoiky and the large amphibious assault ship Korolyov have embarked on a long-distance mission in accordance with their combat training plan for 2020 as part of the Baltic Fleet’s permanent presence in the area of its responsibility," the press office said in a statement.
KALININGRAD, February 19. /TASS/. The Baltic Fleet’s naval group comprising the corvette Stoiky and the large amphibious warfare ship Korolyov departed from the naval base of Baltiysk in Russia’s westernmost Kaliningrad Region and set off for their deployment to the Atlantic, the Fleet’s press office reported on Wednesday.
The warships are carrying anti-terror squads from the Baltic Fleet’s marine infantry, the statement says.
During its deployment in distant waters, the Baltic Fleet’s naval group will fulfil a number of tasks to search for a notional enemy’s submarines with the help of basic anti-submarine warfare systems and a deck-based Ka-27 helicopter, repel a simulated enemy’s air attack and missile strike. In addition, the naval sailors will fire small artillery guns and small arms to strike naval targets, according to the statement.
Marine infantry units will hold anti-terror drills to repel an attack by notional terrorists on the ship during anchorages in an unsafe roadstead and in the course of passing through straits, the press office said.


tass--2020-02-19--Syria’s Aleppo Airport welcomes first passenger jet in eight years — media

TASS , February 19 .
A passenger plane has landed at the airport of Syria ’ s Aleppo for the @ @ @ @ @ , SANA news agency reported Wednesday .
The flight arrived in Aleppo from Damascus .

TASS, February 19. A passenger plane has landed at the airport of Syria’s Aleppo for the first time in eight years, SANA news agency reported Wednesday.
The flight arrived in Aleppo from Damascus.


tass--2020-02-19--Kremlin views possible Turkish operation in Syria’s Idlib as worst scenario

`` Let us not expect the worst scenario to become a reality , '' he said .
ST. PETERSBURG , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
Turkey ’ s possible military operation in the Syrian province of Idlib would be the worst scenario , Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters when asked what Moscow ’ s reaction would be if Ankara launched an operation in Syria .
The Kremlin spokesman added that `` if it is an operation against Syria ’ s legitimate authorities and armed forces , it will definitely be the worst scenario . ''
Russia will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation in Idlib from escalating further , according to Peskov .
`` We are determined to continue to use our working contacts with our Turkish counterparts to prevent the situation in Idlib from escalating further , '' he said .
When asked whether Moscow was satisfied with the latest agreements with Turkey on Syria , Peskov said , `` We were satisfied with those agreements , which were reached more than a year ago in Sochi , and that was mutual satisfaction .
However , we stopped being satisfied after militants and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syrian armed forces and Russian military facilities from Idlib 's territory . ''
The Kremlin spokesman stressed that `` contacts with Turkey would continue at various levels . ''
When asked whether the previous Russian-Turkish agreements on Syria could be revised , he refrained from commenting on the issue .
According to Peskov , there are no specific plans for a telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the issue so far , but it can be agreed on within a few hours , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are no concrete plans to hold a phone call .
However , the two presidents maintain close contact , so , if needed , a phone call can be approved literally within hours , '' he said .

"Let us not expect the worst scenario to become a reality," he said.
ST. PETERSBURG, February 19. /TASS/. Turkey’s possible military operation in the Syrian province of Idlib would be the worst scenario, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters when asked what Moscow’s reaction would be if Ankara launched an operation in Syria.
The Kremlin spokesman added that "if it is an operation against Syria’s legitimate authorities and armed forces, it will definitely be the worst scenario."
Russia will continue contacts with Turkey in order to prevent the situation in Idlib from escalating further, according to Peskov.
"We are determined to continue to use our working contacts with our Turkish counterparts to prevent the situation in Idlib from escalating further," he said.
When asked whether Moscow was satisfied with the latest agreements with Turkey on Syria, Peskov said, "We were satisfied with those agreements, which were reached more than a year ago in Sochi, and that was mutual satisfaction. However, we stopped being satisfied after militants and terrorists groups launched offensive operations against the Syrian armed forces and Russian military facilities from Idlib's territory."
The Kremlin spokesman stressed that "contacts with Turkey would continue at various levels." When asked whether the previous Russian-Turkish agreements on Syria could be revised, he refrained from commenting on the issue.
According to Peskov, there are no specific plans for a telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the issue so far, but it can be agreed on within a few hours, if necessary. "As of today, there are no concrete plans to hold a phone call. However, the two presidents maintain close contact, so, if needed, a phone call can be approved literally within hours," he said.


tass--2020-02-19--Kremlin: Authorities taking all necessary steps to prevent coronavirus spread in Russia

`` All necessary steps are being taken in order to prevent coronavirus penetration and spread in our country , '' Peskov said .
ST.PETERSBURG , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s authorities have been taking all necessary steps to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in Russia , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday .
Since February 20 , Russia will temporarily suspend the entry of Chinese nationals , who are heading to the country for work , private , education or tourism purposes .
The authorities will also temporarily suspend accepting documents and issuing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in Wuhan , a densely populated city in central China , in late December 2019 .
The WHO declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global health emergency and named the virus COVID-19 .
Coronavirus cases have also been reported in 25 other countries , including Russia .
According to the latest data , the overall number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in China has hit over 75,000 and the death toll has exceeded 2,000 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

"All necessary steps are being taken in order to prevent coronavirus penetration and spread in our country," Peskov said.
ST.PETERSBURG, February 19. /TASS/. Russia’s authorities have been taking all necessary steps to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in Russia, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday.
Since February 20, Russia will temporarily suspend the entry of Chinese nationals, who are heading to the country for work, private, education or tourism purposes. The authorities will also temporarily suspend accepting documents and issuing invitations to enter Russia for work purposes.
Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in Wuhan, a densely populated city in central China, in late December 2019. The WHO declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global health emergency and named the virus COVID-19. Coronavirus cases have also been reported in 25 other countries, including Russia.
According to the latest data, the overall number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in China has hit over 75,000 and the death toll has exceeded 2,000. Nearly 15,000 patients have recovered to date.


tass--2020-02-19--Ex-Russian president aide Surkov’s talent, experience will find its place — Kremlin

ST. PETERSBURG , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov is not aware where former aide to the @ @ @ @ @ work but is certain that his talent and experience will be useful there .
`` @ @ @ @ @ Putin and Surkov ] had a meeting , he [ Surkov ] was relieved of @ @ @ @ @ request .
There is no doubt that Surkov ’ s many years of experience and @ @ @ @ @ talent will be put to good use , '' he told reporters Wednesday .

ST. PETERSBURG, February 19. /TASS/. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov is not aware where former aide to the Russian president Vladislav Surkov will work but is certain that his talent and experience will be useful there.
"They [Russian President Vladimir Putin and Surkov] had a meeting, he [Surkov] was relieved of his position at his own request. There is no doubt that Surkov’s many years of experience and, without an exaggeration, talent will be put to good use," he told reporters Wednesday.


tass--2020-02-19--Press review: Russia to fight Dutch court’s ruling and Rome, Moscow focus on arms control

Moscow is going to appeal the ruling by The Hague Court of Appeal , which earlier overturned the previous decision on a lawsuit filed by former Yukos shareholders and ordered Russia to cough up $ 50 bln to them .
Russia will continue to uphold its legitimate interests and will challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court of the Netherlands , the Justice Ministry said .
There are no specific deadlines for handling the appeal petition .
However , according to Andrey Kondakov , who heads the International Center for Legal Protection , which represents Russia ’ s interests in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that could take about a year and a half .
He added that the ruling did not automatically mean the seizure of Russia ’ s assets .
`` Now much will depend on the national jurisdiction , under which these assets can be seized .
Some countries are very conservative in their approaches to legal procedures against foreign states and are therefore ready to protect state property , while others , for example , the United States , will rather take sides with investors , '' Vladislav Starzhenetsky , First Deputy Dean of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ School of Economics , told Izvestia .
It is very difficult to predict the outcome of this case , but Russia is unlikely to agree to pay that amount , which , taking into account penalty fees , is over $ 60 bln , the paper quotes Dmitry Gololobov , a Visiting Professor at the University of Westminster , as saying .
According to Executive Director of Padva & Epstein Law Firm Anton Babenko , there are reasons for overturning the ruling in the higher court in The Netherlands and other countries ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian and Italian top diplomats and defense chiefs have held their fourth `` 2+2 '' meeting in Rome to exchange views on strategic stability and arms control , as well as on the situation in Syria and Libya .
The meeting , which took place after an almost seven-year hiatus , confirmed that Russia ’ s and Italy ’ s foreign and defense ministries are restoring dialogue and contacts , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes .
The consultations enable the parties to coordinate their stances on issues of mutual interest and find adequate answers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This being so , Moscow welcomes Rome ’ s willingness to discuss Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s initiative to impose a moratorium on deploying intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressed after the talks .
`` It is noteworthy that Italy , hot on the heels of France , is addressing the issue of the arms control crisis , in the wake of President Emmanuel Macron ’ s famous speech .
That seems to reflect the general trend in the European Union , which seeks to play a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially in light of the destructive arms control policy pursued by US President Donald Trump , '' Nadezhda Arbatova , Head of the Department for European Political Studies at the Institute for World Economy and International Relations , told the paper .
Maintaining security and stability in the Eastern and Southern Mediterranean is a top-priority issue for Italy because of its geographical proximity to the hotbeds of conflict , the expert went on to say .
`` In addition , Russia and Italy have important economic interests in Libya .
Italy has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on its own .
It tried to do so this past January but to no avail .
The failure of the meeting between Fayez al-Sarraj and Khalifa Haftar in Rome dealt a blow to Italy ’ s prestige .
Russia seems to be an important partner for Rome from the viewpoint of returning to the big Libyan game , '' she stressed .
Izvestia : Russian exports to China fall by almost 30 % over coronavirus crisis The novel coronavirus outbreak has adversely affected trade ties between Russia and China .
The volume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January 1 to February 10 , 2020 , compared to the same period in 2019 , a source in Far Eastern Department of the Russian Federal Customs informed Izvestia .
The decline was recorded in the supplies of ore , fats and wax , flour products , grain crops and wood .
Growth is observed only in the exports of fuel materials and inorganic chemistry products .
It is difficult now to evaluate the impact of the restrictions imposed on China over the coronavirus outbreak , the press service of the Russian Industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It noted though that the impact affected most of all socially vital goods , the automotive and consumer goods industry and electronics .
The epidemic ’ s negative impact on the bilateral trade turnover will be limited to the first quarter of this year , the paper quotes Freedom Finance analyst Yevgeny Mironyuk as saying .
The expert believes that the overall decline in exports in 2020 will stand at 10 % or about $ 5 bln .
The drop in supplies from China will be insignificant , since there is a stable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market , he added .
The coronavirus crisis has adversely affected the work of small and medium-sized businesses , President of OPORA Russia business association Alexander Kalinin stressed to Izvestia .
He pointed out that Russian entrepreneurs could not conduct negotiations and sign contracts with their Chinese partners because of the coronavirus outbreak .
If the virus continues to spread further , the association will raise the issue of assistance to domestic companies so that they can compensate for the losses due to force majeure circumstances , Kalinin noted .
Nezavisimaya Gazeta : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has reiterated his determination to continue the operation in the Idlib province despite Turkey ’ s demands , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes .
On Tuesday , Syrian troops resumed their offensive in Idlib and the neighboring province of Aleppo , which is almost fully controlled by Assad ’ s forces .
Damascus ’ forces are currently engaged in battle against two groups in Idlib and Aleppo , specifically , Hayrat Tahrir al-Sham designated as a terrorist organization by both Turkey and Russia , and against the Ankara-backed Syrian National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Some Turkish media earlier reported citing sources in the Turkish General Staff that Assad decided to use the Kurdish People ’ s Protection Units in the offensive .
Turkey considers that group to be the Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers ’ Party .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier actually issued an ultimatum to Assad , stating that Syrian troops should stop the offensive until the end of February , otherwise , the Turkish army will attack them .
`` Ankara ’ s official stance is the following : in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syria came under fire by Assad ’ s forces .
However , society and experts have a different opinion .
The Russian military is behind the shelling , '' Russian International Affairs Council expert Yulia Kudryashova told the paper .
She believes that the root cause of the current situation is the difficulty in implementing the Sochi agreements , which envisage that radical groups will be withdrawn from the demilitarized zones in Idlib , while Turkey will have guarantees that its troops will not be attacked by the Kurds .
`` In practice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unable to control the Syrian National Army , Russia is unable to control the Kurds , and no one can fully control all parties to the Syrian conflict .
So , all that creates problems , '' the expert pointed out .
Kommersant : New escalation in Donbass reported ahead of UN meeting The situation in the Donbass region has escalated again .
According to the self-proclaimed Lugansk People ’ s Republic ( LPR ) , on Tuesday , a Ukrainian subversive group tried to cross the frontline near the inhabited community of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in turn , insists that `` armed groups from the Russian Federation '' attempted to break the status quo , Kommersant writes .
The incident occurred a few hours before the UN Security Council meeting convened at Russia ’ s initiative in order to discuss the lack of progress in implementing the Minsk accords .
A source in Russia ’ s government agencies involved in the negotiations on Donbass described the incident as `` a petty provocation . ''
In his view , this destabilization is unlikely to morph into a large-scale conflict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sought to gain a foothold in `` the grey zone . ''
According to the source , the latest events indicate that President Vladimir Zelensky is unable to maintain control of Kiev ’ s troops .
LPR People ’ s Militia Spokesman Ivan Filiponenko likewise pointed to the Ukrainian command ’ s inability to manage its own army .
`` This is a permanent situation and not something out of the ordinary , '' he told the paper .
Meanwhile , Director of the Russian Center for Current Policy Alexey Chesnakov stressed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to comply with the agreements reached at the previous Normandy Four meeting '' was far more important than Tuesday ’ s incident .
He did not rule out that the escalation at the engagement line was linked to the UN Security Council meeting on the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements .
`` Ukraine ’ s provocation looks quite logical , '' the expert stressed .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews

Izvestia: Russia to fight Dutch court’s ruling over Yukos case Moscow is going to appeal the ruling by The Hague Court of Appeal, which earlier overturned the previous decision on a lawsuit filed by former Yukos shareholders and ordered Russia to cough up $50 bln to them. Russia will continue to uphold its legitimate interests and will challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court of the Netherlands, the Justice Ministry said. There are no specific deadlines for handling the appeal petition. However, according to Andrey Kondakov, who heads the International Center for Legal Protection, which represents Russia’s interests in the Yukos case in foreign courts, that could take about a year and a half. He added that the ruling did not automatically mean the seizure of Russia’s assets.
"Now much will depend on the national jurisdiction, under which these assets can be seized. Some countries are very conservative in their approaches to legal procedures against foreign states and are therefore ready to protect state property, while others, for example, the United States, will rather take sides with investors," Vladislav Starzhenetsky, First Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law at the Higher School of Economics, told Izvestia. It is very difficult to predict the outcome of this case, but Russia is unlikely to agree to pay that amount, which, taking into account penalty fees, is over $60 bln, the paper quotes Dmitry Gololobov, a Visiting Professor at the University of Westminster, as saying. According to Executive Director of Padva & Epstein Law Firm Anton Babenko, there are reasons for overturning the ruling in the higher court in The Netherlands and other countries’ refusal to abide by it. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Russia, Italy overcoming barriers in relations The Russian and Italian top diplomats and defense chiefs have held their fourth "2+2" meeting in Rome to exchange views on strategic stability and arms control, as well as on the situation in Syria and Libya. The meeting, which took place after an almost seven-year hiatus, confirmed that Russia’s and Italy’s foreign and defense ministries are restoring dialogue and contacts, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. The consultations enable the parties to coordinate their stances on issues of mutual interest and find adequate answers to today’s challenges and threats. This being so, Moscow welcomes Rome’s willingness to discuss Russian President Vladimir Putin’s initiative to impose a moratorium on deploying intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressed after the talks.
Read also Foreign, defense ministers of Russia and Italy discuss missile moratorium
"It is noteworthy that Italy, hot on the heels of France, is addressing the issue of the arms control crisis, in the wake of President Emmanuel Macron’s famous speech. That seems to reflect the general trend in the European Union, which seeks to play a more prominent role in global politics, especially in light of the destructive arms control policy pursued by US President Donald Trump," Nadezhda Arbatova, Head of the Department for European Political Studies at the Institute for World Economy and International Relations, told the paper. Maintaining security and stability in the Eastern and Southern Mediterranean is a top-priority issue for Italy because of its geographical proximity to the hotbeds of conflict, the expert went on to say. "In addition, Russia and Italy have important economic interests in Libya. Italy has not been able to reconcile the warring parties on its own. It tried to do so this past January but to no avail. The failure of the meeting between Fayez al-Sarraj and Khalifa Haftar in Rome dealt a blow to Italy’s prestige. Russia seems to be an important partner for Rome from the viewpoint of returning to the big Libyan game," she stressed. Izvestia: Russian exports to China fall by almost 30% over coronavirus crisis The novel coronavirus outbreak has adversely affected trade ties between Russia and China. The volume of exports decreased by 27.6% from January 1 to February 10, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019, a source in Far Eastern Department of the Russian Federal Customs informed Izvestia. The decline was recorded in the supplies of ore, fats and wax, flour products, grain crops and wood. Growth is observed only in the exports of fuel materials and inorganic chemistry products.
Read also China’s coronavirus recoveries outnumber infections in past 24 hours for first time
It is difficult now to evaluate the impact of the restrictions imposed on China over the coronavirus outbreak, the press service of the Russian Industry and Trade Ministry told the paper. It noted though that the impact affected most of all socially vital goods, the automotive and consumer goods industry and electronics. The epidemic’s negative impact on the bilateral trade turnover will be limited to the first quarter of this year, the paper quotes Freedom Finance analyst Yevgeny Mironyuk as saying. The expert believes that the overall decline in exports in 2020 will stand at 10% or about $5 bln. The drop in supplies from China will be insignificant, since there is a stable demand for Chinese goods in the Russian market, he added. The coronavirus crisis has adversely affected the work of small and medium-sized businesses, President of OPORA Russia business association Alexander Kalinin stressed to Izvestia. He pointed out that Russian entrepreneurs could not conduct negotiations and sign contracts with their Chinese partners because of the coronavirus outbreak. If the virus continues to spread further, the association will raise the issue of assistance to domestic companies so that they can compensate for the losses due to force majeure circumstances, Kalinin noted. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Assad wants to fight to the bitter end Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has reiterated his determination to continue the operation in the Idlib province despite Turkey’s demands, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. On Tuesday, Syrian troops resumed their offensive in Idlib and the neighboring province of Aleppo, which is almost fully controlled by Assad’s forces.
Read also Kremlin expects Ankara to ensure safety of Russians in Turkey
Damascus’ forces are currently engaged in battle against two groups in Idlib and Aleppo, specifically, Hayrat Tahrir al-Sham designated as a terrorist organization by both Turkey and Russia, and against the Ankara-backed Syrian National Army (formerly the Free Syrian Army). Some Turkish media earlier reported citing sources in the Turkish General Staff that Assad decided to use the Kurdish People’s Protection Units in the offensive. Turkey considers that group to be the Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier actually issued an ultimatum to Assad, stating that Syrian troops should stop the offensive until the end of February, otherwise, the Turkish army will attack them. "Ankara’s official stance is the following: in early February, the Turkish military in Syria came under fire by Assad’s forces. However, society and experts have a different opinion. The Russian military is behind the shelling," Russian International Affairs Council expert Yulia Kudryashova told the paper. She believes that the root cause of the current situation is the difficulty in implementing the Sochi agreements, which envisage that radical groups will be withdrawn from the demilitarized zones in Idlib, while Turkey will have guarantees that its troops will not be attacked by the Kurds. "In practice, it turned out that Turkey is unable to control the Syrian National Army, Russia is unable to control the Kurds, and no one can fully control all parties to the Syrian conflict. So, all that creates problems," the expert pointed out. Kommersant: New escalation in Donbass reported ahead of UN meeting The situation in the Donbass region has escalated again. According to the self-proclaimed Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR), on Tuesday, a Ukrainian subversive group tried to cross the frontline near the inhabited community of Zolotoye. The regime in Kiev, in turn, insists that "armed groups from the Russian Federation" attempted to break the status quo, Kommersant writes. The incident occurred a few hours before the UN Security Council meeting convened at Russia’s initiative in order to discuss the lack of progress in implementing the Minsk accords.
Read also Escalation in Donbass undermines Minsk Agreements — NATO spokesperson


tass--2020-02-19--Erdogan says new military operation in Idlib only a matter of time

ANKARA , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
Turkey ’ s new military operation in the Syrian province of Idlib is only a matter of time , Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said , addressing the members of his party in the country ’ s parliament on Wednesday .
`` Turkey has completed preparations for the implementation of its plan on Idlib , just like we did with previous operations .
Frankly speaking , an operation in Idlib is only a matter of time .
Turkey won ’ t leave Idlib to the devices of the [ Assad ] regime , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Turkish leader , `` despite ongoing talks on Idlib , Turkey and Russia are still far from reaching an agreement '' on the issue .
He added that the Ankara and Moscow negotiations `` have not produced the desired results yet . ''
Erdogan emphasized that Ankara `` is determined to pay any price to ensure security in both Idlib and Turkey . ''
For the past several weeks , Ankara has been demanding that the Syrian army return to the positions outlined in the Sochi memorandum on Idlib .
Erdogan has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troops back .
The situation in the Syrian province of Idlib escalated after the Russian and Turkish militaries had made another attempt to ensure a ceasefire .
In response , terrorists increased attacks , killing both Russian and Turkish military experts .
The Syrian army took action against extremists , seizing the town of Saraqib on February 5 .
On the morning of February 11 , Syrian opposition forces supported by Turkey launched large-scale attacks on Syrian government troops , particularly on Saraqib and the Nayrab settlement .
The fighting also involved supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlawed in Russia ) .
Syrian troops thwarted the attacks , while militants suffered substantial losses .

ANKARA, February 19. /TASS/. Turkey’s new military operation in the Syrian province of Idlib is only a matter of time, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, addressing the members of his party in the country’s parliament on Wednesday.
"Turkey has completed preparations for the implementation of its plan on Idlib, just like we did with previous operations. Frankly speaking, an operation in Idlib is only a matter of time. Turkey won’t leave Idlib to the devices of the [Assad] regime," Erdogan pointed out.
According to the Turkish leader, "despite ongoing talks on Idlib, Turkey and Russia are still far from reaching an agreement" on the issue. He added that the Ankara and Moscow negotiations "have not produced the desired results yet."
Erdogan emphasized that Ankara "is determined to pay any price to ensure security in both Idlib and Turkey."
For the past several weeks, Ankara has been demanding that the Syrian army return to the positions outlined in the Sochi memorandum on Idlib. Erdogan has threatened to take steps to push Syrian troops back.
Idlib tensions
The situation in the Syrian province of Idlib escalated after the Russian and Turkish militaries had made another attempt to ensure a ceasefire. In response, terrorists increased attacks, killing both Russian and Turkish military experts. The Syrian army took action against extremists, seizing the town of Saraqib on February 5.
On the morning of February 11, Syrian opposition forces supported by Turkey launched large-scale attacks on Syrian government troops, particularly on Saraqib and the Nayrab settlement. The fighting also involved supporters of the Jabhat al-Nusra terror group (outlawed in Russia). Syrian troops thwarted the attacks, while militants suffered substantial losses.


tass--2020-02-19--Russia’s top brass to sign contract for several dozen upgraded Su-34 bombers — source

MOSCOW , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Defense Ministry plans to sign a new contract in the summer for the delivery of several dozen Sukhoi Su-34 frontline bombers to the Aerospace Force with their combat capabilities expanded under the Sych experimental design work , a source in the defense industry told TASS on Wednesday .
`` The Defense Ministry plans to sign a contract with the Sukhoi Company this summer for the delivery of several dozen Su-34 planes to the troops with expanded combat capabilities .
The aircraft will integrate the latest avionics suite developed under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ source said .
The Sych experimental design work was completed in 2019 and , in particular , `` it envisages installing underslung reconnaissance containers on Su-34s , '' the source specified .
`` Also , the range of air-launched weapons , which the Su-34 will be able to employ , increases significantly in the process of this work , '' the source said .
Eventually , there are plans to upgrade operational Su-34 planes , '' the source said .
TASS has no official confirmation of this information provided by the source .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to strike both ground-based and air targets day and night in any weather conditions .
As its basic armament , the plane carries air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles .
The Su-34 has an operating range of 4,000 km , can develop a maximum speed of up to 1,900 km/h and carry a combat payload of up to 8 tonnes .
The first contract for the delivery of 32 Su-34 planes to the Defense Ministry was signed in 2008 .
Currently , the Novosibirsk Aviation Enterprise ( a branch of the Sukhoi Aircraft Company ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the contract signed with the Defense Ministry in 2012 for the delivery of 92 planes to the troops .
Today Russia ’ s Aerospace Force operates from 110 to 130 Su-34 frontline bombers , according to various estimates .

MOSCOW, February 19. /TASS/. Russia’s Defense Ministry plans to sign a new contract in the summer for the delivery of several dozen Sukhoi Su-34 frontline bombers to the Aerospace Force with their combat capabilities expanded under the Sych experimental design work, a source in the defense industry told TASS on Wednesday.
"The Defense Ministry plans to sign a contract with the Sukhoi Company this summer for the delivery of several dozen Su-34 planes to the troops with expanded combat capabilities. The aircraft will integrate the latest avionics suite developed under the Sych experimental design work," the source said.
The Sych experimental design work was completed in 2019 and, in particular, "it envisages installing underslung reconnaissance containers on Su-34s," the source specified.
"Also, the range of air-launched weapons, which the Su-34 will be able to employ, increases significantly in the process of this work," the source said.
Eventually, there are plans to upgrade operational Su-34 planes," the source said.
TASS has no official confirmation of this information provided by the source.
Su-34 fighter-bomber
The Su-34 multirole supersonic fighter-bomber is designated to strike both ground-based and air targets day and night in any weather conditions. As its basic armament, the plane carries air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles. The Su-34 has an operating range of 4,000 km, can develop a maximum speed of up to 1,900 km/h and carry a combat payload of up to 8 tonnes.
The first contract for the delivery of 32 Su-34 planes to the Defense Ministry was signed in 2008. Currently, the Novosibirsk Aviation Enterprise (a branch of the Sukhoi Aircraft Company) is completing the production of Su-34 bombers under the contract signed with the Defense Ministry in 2012 for the delivery of 92 planes to the troops.
Today Russia’s Aerospace Force operates from 110 to 130 Su-34 frontline bombers, according to various estimates.


tass--2020-02-19--Denis Manturov invited representatives of German business community to SPIEF and EEF 2020

Moscow , February 19 .
On 18 February 2020 , the interregional conference on strategic cooperation between Germany and Russia took place in the House of German Economy in Berlin .
The topic of the conference organized by the Russian-German Chamber of Commerce together with the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce ( DIHK ) was ‘ Innovations as the Driver of Economic Growth ’ .
This event brought in over 500 representatives of the business communities , economists and experts from both countries .
Participants discussed the outlooks for Russian and German economic policies , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia .
Participants of the conference included : Germany ’ s Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier ; Russia ’ s Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov ; CEO of the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce ( DIHK ) Martin Wansleben ; Presidential Economic Aide Maxim Oreshkin ; Chairman of the Russian-German Chamber of Commerce Mattias Schepp ; CEO of the Russian Export Center Veronika Nikishina ; Chairman of the Board of Skolkovo Foundation Viktor Vekselberg ; President of Siemens in Russia Alexander Liberov , and others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov invited the attendees to join Russia ’ s key discussion platforms – the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on 3–6 June 2020 and the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on 2–5 September 2020 .
CEO and Chairman of the Roscongress Foundation Alexander Stuglev had a business meeting with Michael Harms who heads the German Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations , a regional partner of the Roscongress Foundation .
They focused on participation formats available for Germany ’ s delegation at the upcoming SPIEF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggestions and ideas for business programme events .
Meeting participants put a special emphasis on science and innovation , as Germany is among the world ’ s leaders in technology and innovative development .
Being Roscongress ’ s regional partner , the Committee is offered to consider the Foundation ’ s special project titled ‘ Innovation Space ’ .
`` The Roscongress Foundation aims at comprehensive cooperation with our German counterparts .
This is why the support we get from our reliable partners – the Russian-German Chamber of Commerce and Mangold Consulting Group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foundation and our experts are open for the suggestions or new initiatives the German business community might have for the business programme of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and other events of the Foundation , as well as regarding business missions and other activities during our events '' , - noted Alexander Stuglev .
On top of preparing SPIEF programme , participants discussed the outlooks for the cooperation between the German Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations and the Roscongress Foundation in Germany .
Following the meeting , Alexander Stuglev invited German @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take part in the business , sporting and cultural programmes of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum .

Moscow, February 19. On 18 February 2020, the interregional conference on strategic cooperation between Germany and Russia took place in the House of German Economy in Berlin. The topic of the conference organized by the Russian-German Chamber of Commerce together with the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) was ‘Innovations as the Driver of Economic Growth’. This event brought in over 500 representatives of the business communities, economists and experts from both countries. Participants discussed the outlooks for Russian and German economic policies, as well as ways to improve investment climate in Russia.
Participants of the conference included: Germany’s Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier; Russia’s Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov; CEO of the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) Martin Wansleben; Presidential Economic Aide Maxim Oreshkin; Chairman of the Russian-German Chamber of Commerce Mattias Schepp; CEO of the Russian Export Center Veronika Nikishina; Chairman of the Board of Skolkovo Foundation Viktor Vekselberg; President of Siemens in Russia Alexander Liberov, and others.
In his welcome address, Russia’s Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov invited the attendees to join Russia’s key discussion platforms – the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on 3–6 June 2020 and the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on 2–5 September 2020.
CEO and Chairman of the Roscongress Foundation Alexander Stuglev had a business meeting with Michael Harms who heads the German Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations, a regional partner of the Roscongress Foundation. They focused on participation formats available for Germany’s delegation at the upcoming SPIEF and REW 2020, as well as suggestions and ideas for business programme events. Meeting participants put a special emphasis on science and innovation, as Germany is among the world’s leaders in technology and innovative development. Being Roscongress’s regional partner, the Committee is offered to consider the Foundation’s special project titled ‘Innovation Space’.
"The Roscongress Foundation aims at comprehensive cooperation with our German counterparts. This is why the support we get from our reliable partners – the Russian-German Chamber of Commerce and Mangold Consulting Group – becomes especially important. The Roscongress Foundation and our experts are open for the suggestions or new initiatives the German business community might have for the business programme of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and other events of the Foundation, as well as regarding business missions and other activities during our events", - noted Alexander Stuglev.
On top of preparing SPIEF programme, participants discussed the outlooks for the cooperation between the German Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations and the Roscongress Foundation in Germany. Following the meeting, Alexander Stuglev invited German delegations of entrepreneurs and relevant organizations to take part in the business, sporting and cultural programmes of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
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