September 2020 - Russia Special Weapons News

Russia Will Supply 25 Million Doses of Sputnik V COVID-19 Vaccine to Egypt Sputnik 30 Sep 2020 -- The Russian Direct Investment Fund previously announced that more than 50 nations had sent requests for the purchase of Sputnik V, registered by the Russian Health Ministry in August, becoming the world's first-ever anti-coronavirus vaccine.
U.S. Judge Sentences Russian Hacker Nikulin To Seven Years In Jail RFE/RL 30 Sep 2020 -- Yevgeny Nikulin, the Russian man dubbed the "Putin" of the Russian hacking world by a colleague, has been sentenced to just over seven years in jail after being convicted of hacking LinkedIn, DropBox, and other Internet companies.
Russia proves strong military capability in anti-terror operations in Syria People's Daily 30 Sep 2020 -- Russia's anti-terrorist operations in Syria have demonstrated the country's high military capability, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in an article published Wednesday.
Putin, Macron Express Serious Concern Over Ongoing Full-Scale Hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh Sputnik 30 Sep 2020 -- The presidents discussed the tense situation in the region in a phone call initiated by the French side, calling on the parties to the conflict to immediately down arms.
Russia Warns Against Use of Mercenaries in Karabakh Conflict, Calls for Their Immediate Withdrawal Sputnik 30 Sep 2020 -- The Armenia-Azerbaijani standoff on Nagorno-Karabakh has grown worse since Sunday, with the two sides engaging in a mutual blame game over who is responsible for the aggression.
In Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict, Turkey's Involvement Could Be Russia's Nightmare RFE/RL 30 Sep 2020 -- As heavy fighting broke out this week between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, reigniting a bitter conflict that has simmered since a war in the early 1990s, Moscow reiterated a long-standing commitment to its traditional role as mediator.
Moscow Extends October School Holiday Amid Increased Number Of Coronavirus Cases RFE/RL 29 Sep 2020 -- Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin says a planned school holiday in the Russian capital next month will be extended by a week as a measure to help stem the spread of the coronavirus.
Russia Reports More Than 8,000 New COVID-19 Cases For First Time Since June RFE/RL 29 Sep 2020 -- Russia reported more than 8,000 new cases of the novel coronavirus, the highest one-day tally since June, as President Vladimir Putin called on citizens to follow measures to prevent its spread.
Convicted Russian Hacker Nikulin To Be Sentenced In U.S. Federal Court RFE/RL 29 Sep 2020 -- Yevgeny Nikulin, the Russian man dubbed the "Putin" of the Russian hacking world by another colleague, is set to be sentenced in a U.S. federal court after being convicted of hacking LinkedIn, DropBox, and other Internet companies.
Statements of Military Support for Azerbaijan or Armenia Will Only Escalate Conflict, Kremlin Says Sputnik 29 Sep 2020 -- Previously, Turkey stated that it is ready to support Baku both on the battlefield and at the negotiating table. At the same time, Ankara stressed that any attack on Azerbaijani territory is also an attack against Turkey.
Russian Servicemen Killed Over 133,000 Militants in Syria, Defence Minister Says Sputnik 29 Sep 2020 -- Russian troops in Syria have killed more than 133,000 militants, including 4,500 from former Soviet republics, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said.
Russia's Su-27 Escorted US, German Aircraft Over Baltic Sea, Defence Ministry Says Sputnik 28 Sep 2020 -- Russian fighter jet Su-27 was scrambled to escort two aircraft of the US Navy and the German Navy over the Baltic Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry's National Defence Control Centre (NDCC) said on Monday.
Kremlin Calls For Immediate Ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh Amid Clashes Between Armenia, Azerbaijan Sputnik 28 Sep 2020 -- Clashes between the two countries erupted on Sunday, with both Yerevan and Baku accusing each other of starting the hostilities. Azerbaijan has declared a partial mobilisation while Armenia has ordered a full one amid the escalating tensions.
Russia Reports 7,867 New Coronavirus Cases, Highest since June 20 SPA 27 Sep 2020 -- Russia's daily tally of new coronavirus cases hit its highest level since June 20 on Sunday at 7,867, bringing its total to 1,151,438, the country's coronavirus task force reported, according to Reuters.
Russian Foreign Ministry Calls For Immediate Ceasefire, Negotiations in Nagorno-Karabakh Sputnik 27 Sep 2020 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry on Sunday has called on all parties in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh to hold fire immediately and begin negotiations amid the latest flare-up of tensions.
Kavkaz-2020 strategic exercise wraps up PLA Daily 27 Sep 2020 -- The closing ceremony of "Kavkaz-2020" strategic exercise was held at the Kapustin Yar Range at 10 a.m. on September 26, local time.
Virus found on 2 Russian ships' imports Global Times 26 Sep 2020 -- China Customs announced the suspension of imports from two Russian ships for four weeks, after East China's Shandong Province announced that the novel coronavirus was found on the outer packaging and samples of aquatic products.
Russia, Kazakhstan to Begin Reconstruction of Zenit Launch Pad in Baikonur, Roscosmos Says Sputnik 26 Sep 2020 -- Russia and Kazakhstan will begin the reconstruction of the launch complex of the Zenit carrier rocket at Baikonur for the new Russian Soyuz-5 vehicle in mid-October, Roscosmos reported.
People In Khabarovsk Protest For 78th Straight Day For Arrested Governor RFE/RL 26 Sep 2020 -- People in the Far Eastern Russian city of Khabarovsk have taken to the streets for the 78th consecutive day to protest the arrest in July of the region's popular former governor.
Venezuela to Cooperate With Russia While Developing Domestic Weapons, Maduro Says Sputnik 25 Sep 2020 -- Venezuela will continue military cooperation with Russia, China, and Iran despite its plans to develop its own armament systems, President Nicolas Maduro said on Friday.
Navalny Says Quick Action By Pilots, Paramedics Thwarted 'Plans Of Killers' RFE/RL 25 Sep 2020 -- Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny says he owes his life to the pilots who made an emergency landing when he collapsed on a flight last month, and to paramedics he said had quickly diagnosed poisoning and injected him with atropine.
Putin Calls For Pact With U.S. To Avoid 'Digital Sphere' Election Confrontations RFE/RL 25 Sep 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for a new deal with the United States to ensure neither country engages in cybermeddling in each other's elections.
The Week In Russia: The Lonely Lessons Of A Secret Swearing-In RFE/RL 25 Sep 2020 -- Alyaksandr Lukashenka's rushed, hushed-up inauguration ceremony in Belarus may evoke memories for Vladimir Putin, and contain a warning about the future as Russia hurtles toward 2024. Also, a COVID-19 surge, Kremlin contortions over the poisoning of Aleksei Navalny, and a UN speech "rehearsing the defense of a nation in decline."
Kremlin Slams EU For Refusing To Recognize Lukashenka, Opposition Calls For More Protests RFE/RL 25 Sep 2020 -- Russia has criticized a decision by the European Union to not recognize Alyaksandr Lukashenka as the legitimate president of Belarus as an opposition leader called for renewed mass protests after Lukashenka held a secretive inauguration this week following a disputed election.
Europe's Refusal to Recognise Lukashenko Goes Against International Law, Kremlin Says Sputnik 25 Sep 2020 -- The refusal of European countries to recognise Alexander Lukashenko as the president of Belarus is against the international law, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday.
Moscow Mayor Urges Companies To Let Employees Work From Home As Coronavirus Cases Rise RFE/RL 24 Sep 2020 -- Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has asked Russia's top companies operating in the capital to again have some employees work from home after new daily cases of COVID-19 reached a three-month high.
Russian Fund Says It Will Supply Another 17 Countries With COVID Treatment Drug RFE/RL 24 Sep 2020 -- Russia's sovereign wealth fund and its partner Chemrar say they have signed agreements with another 17 countries for supplies of the COVID-19 drug Avifavir.
Sweden Accuses Russian, Danish Ships of Violating Its Waters Sputnik 24 Sep 2020 -- According to Swedish Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist, who called the violations "unacceptable", the alleged Russian intrusion happened on 14 September near Gothenburg and lasted 11 minutes. By contrast, no details of the Danish one were provided.
Finland, Sweden, Norway Sign New Defence Agreement in 'Signal to Russia' Sputnik 24 Sep 2020 -- The goal of the new agreement, dubbed a "milestone in Nordic defence co-operation" is to increase rapport between the Nordic countries in an era of superpower struggle.
FinCEN Leak Sheds Light On The Hidden Money Flows Of Putin's Russia RFE/RL 24 Sep 2020 -- In the summer of 2015, the New York branch of British bank Barclays flagged as suspicious a transfer of $1 million to former Moscow Deputy Mayor Iosif Ordzhonikidze for "consulting services."
Russia's Su-27 Scrambled Due to US Air Force Bomber B-52H Flying Over Poland Sputnik 24 Sep 2020 -- Russian fighter jet Su-27 fighter was scrambled on Thursday due to US Air Force bomber B-52H, which was flying over Poland, the Russian Defence Ministry said.
Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, September 23, 2020 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 Sep 2020
Russia Reports 6,431 New Coronavirus Cases, 150 Deaths SPA 23 Sep 2020 -- Russia on Wednesday reported 6,431 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, its highest daily increase since July 13, according to Reuters.
On Lukashenko inauguration day Russian paratroopers parachute into Belarus for drills Press TV 23 Sep 2020 -- Russia's Ministry of Defense says its paratroopers have parachuted into Belarus as part of joint military exercises.
Russian Fighters Su-27 Intercept 2 US Air Force Bombers Over Black Sea, Defence Ministry Says Sputnik 23 Sep 2020 -- Two Russian fighters Su-27 were scrambled to intercept two US Air Force bombers over the Black Sea, the Russian Defence Ministry's National Defense Control Centre (NDCC) said on Wednesday.
‘Eskimo Effect': Putin Explains Avangard Hypersonic Glide Vehicle's Operating Principle Sputnik 23 Sep 2020 -- In late 2019, Russian Strategic Missile Forces commander Col-Gen Sergei Karakaev confirmed that the first Avangard-equipped regiment had been stationed at the Yasnensky missile compound in the Orenburg region, about 1,200 km southeast of Moscow.
Civilian Vessel and Russian Frigate Collide in Strait Between Denmark and Sweden, Danish Army Says Sputnik 23 Sep 2020 -- A strait between the Danish island of Zealand and Sweden, connecting the Kattegat with the Baltic has become a place of a ship collision incident.
Imposing Sanctions on Entities and Individuals Advancing Russia's Malign Influence US Dept. of State 23 Sep 2020 -- Today, the United States imposed sanctions on a network connected to Russian operative Yevgeniy Prigozhin by targeting entities and individuals working on his behalf to advance Russia's influence in the Central African Republic (CAR).
Treasury Increases Pressure on Russian Financier US Treasury 23 Sep 2020 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took further action against the network of Kremlin-connected Russian operative Yevgeniy Prigozhin (Prigozhin), by targeting entities and individuals working on behalf of Prigozhin to advance Russia's influence in the Central African Republic (CAR). Concurrently, OFAC is targeting those that have supported the Russian Federal Security Service directly, as well as those that assist persons helping designated Russian actors to evade U.S. sanctions.
U.S. Widens Sanctions Net Against Kremlin-Connected Backer Of 'Troll Factory,' Mercenary Group RFE/RL 23 Sep 2020 -- The U.S. Treasury has announced sanctions against people and entities with links to the Kremlin-connected organizer and financier of the so-called Russian troll factory behind suspected assaults on U.S. and other foreign elections.
Russia Adds Names To 'Reciprocal' List Of Barred EU Officials RFE/RL 23 Sep 2020 -- Russia said on September 23 that it is expanding a list of barred European officials in response to what it called "hostile steps" against it and its citizens.
Russian opposition figure Navalny discharged from German hospital Press TV 23 Sep 2020 -- The German hospital that had admitted Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny with alleged poisoning says he has now been discharged.
As Russia Stalls, Navalny's Aides Gather Evidence Of His Poisoning RFE/RL 23 Sep 2020 -- On the morning of August 20, Georgy Alburov was having breakfast at the Xander hotel in Tomsk. An employee of Aleksei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), Alburov had stayed in the Siberian city with three colleagues after Navalny's departure for Moscow that morning, to gather material for the organization's latest investigation into official graft.
Navalny Posts Photo In Park After Discharge, As Russia Denies Developing Novichok RFE/RL 23 Sep 2020 -- Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny has been discharged from the Berlin hospital where he was being treated for what Germany has said is a case of poisoning with a Soviet-style nerve agent.
France Received Russia's Request on Navalny Situation, Foreign Ministry Says Sputnik 23 Sep 2020 -- France has received a request from Russia regarding Russian political opposition figure Alexei Navalny and it is currently under review, the French Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
Bulgaria Expels Two Russian Diplomats For Alleged Military Spying RFE/RL 23 Sep 2020 -- Bulgaria has expelled two Russian diplomats accused of military espionage and ordered them to leave the country within 72 hours, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said on September 23.
Bulgarian Prosecutors Accuse 2 Russian Diplomats of Spying to Obtain Military Information Sputnik 23 Sep 2020 -- Bulgarian Chief Public Prosecutor Ivan Geshev has officially informed the country's Foreign Ministry about the results of the probe into actions of two Russian diplomats expelled from Bulgaria earlier in the year, noting that the two were engaged in espionage activities to obtain information on the army modernisation plans.
Russian Su-30 Fighter Crashes in Tver Region Sputnik 22 Sep 2020 -- According to preliminary reports from the Russian Defence Ministry, the incident occurred during a training mission.
Russian Icebreaker Arktika, Dubbed The 'Nuclear Titanic,' Sets Off On Maiden Arctic Voyage RFE/RL 22 Sep 2020 -- The Arktika, Russia's new nuclear-powered icebreaker championed by the Kremlin as the largest and most-powerful of its kind in the world, has set sail on its maiden voyage to the Arctic as part of the country’s efforts to tap the region's commercial potential.
Russia Says Time Running Out For Talks With U.S. Over New START Treaty RFE/RL 22 Sep 2020 -- Russia says it hasn't given the United States any new deadlines in talks over the New START treaty, the last remaining bilateral nuclear-arms pact, but there can't be any pause in discussions, as time is running out.
Putin Decrees 'Military-Political Work' For Russian National Guard RFE/RL 22 Sep 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the introduction of "military-political work" in the country's National Guard, paving the way for Soviet-style ideological political education within its ranks.
Russian FM sees no alternative to multilateralism amid growing discord in int'l community People's Daily 22 Sep 2020 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday that there is no alternative to multilateralism, calling on governments to reaffirm their commitment to the UN Charter and find collective solutions to global problems.
Russia says Navalny’s allies removed evidence Press TV 22 Sep 2020 -- Russia says its efforts to investigate the case of opposition figure Alexei Navalny, who is alleged to have been poisoned, face challenges as his allies have removed evidence from the country and as Germany has failed to provide his medical records.
Putin Submits Package of Bills to Parliament to Legislate Amendments to Constitution Sputnik 22 Sep 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has submitted to the Russian parliament's lower house a bill "On the Prosecution", amendments to the laws "On Foreign Intelligence" and "On Security" in pursuance of amendments to the Russian constitution, the head of the State Duma Committee on State-Building and Legislation said.
Russia says ‘not afraid of US sanctions’ over arms trade with Iran Press TV 22 Sep 2020 -- Russia has played down the US threat of sanctions over any arms trade with Iran following the expiry of a UN arms embargo that Washington failed to keep in place, saying such bans cannot stop the growth of Moscow-Tehran defense cooperation.
Russia sees ‘minimal’ chances of extending New START with US: Deputy FM Press TV 21 Sep 2020 -- Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov says Moscow sees ‘minimal’ chances of extending the New START nuclear treaty with the United States as the Kremlin does not accept conditions laid down by Washington.
Russia Ready For US-Proposed Short-Period New START Extension, If It's Reasonable, Ryabkov Says Sputnik 21 Sep 2020 -- Moscow has agreed to a US proposal to extend the START treaty for a period of less than five years, but regrets the move and insists that a shorter period would be reasonable, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on Monday.
US Proposals on New START Only Good for Washington, but Unattractive for Moscow, Ryabkov Says Sputnik 21 Sep 2020 -- The US-proposed deal, which envisages conclusion of a framework document before the expiration of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), is good only for Washington, but there is nothing attractive in it for Moscow, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said.
Russian Deputy FM Says It's Unlikely That New START Treaty Will be Prolonged Sputnik 21 Sep 2020 -- Earlier in the day, Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, said that the Russian Federation will find effective ways to protect itself if no agreement is reached with the United States on extending the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START).
Russia launches Kavkaz-2020 military drills, featuring forces from Iran, China Press TV 21 Sep 2020 -- Russia has launched the Kavkaz (or Caucasus) 2020 joint military drills with neighboring countries in its Southern Military District and in the Black and Caspian Seas.
Two Russian Fighters Scrambled to Escort UK Spy Plane Over Barents Sea, Defence Ministry Says Sputnik 21 Sep 2020 -- Two Russian fighters MiG-31 were scrambled to escort a UK spy plane over the Barents Sea, the national defence control centre said Monday.
Navalny Demands Russia Return Clothes for Poisoning Investigation VOA 21 Sep 2020 -- Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny demanded Monday that Russia return the clothes he was wearing when he fell ill last month, saying the items are important evidence in the investigation of his poisoning.
Navalny Demands Russian Police Return Clothing Worn On Day Of Poisoning, Calling It 'Important Evidence' RFE/RL 21 Sep 2020 -- Aleksei Navalny, the Kremlin critic who is recovering in Germany from poisoning with a military-grade nerve agent, has demanded Russian investigators return his clothing, calling it key evidence in his case.
Kremlin Insider Laundered Millions Of Dollars Through Barclays After Sanctions, Report Shows RFE/RL 21 Sep 2020 -- Kremlin insider Arkady Rotenberg moved millions of dollars through one of Europe’s largest banks after the United States and EU sanctioned him, according to leaked documents published for the first time.
US Building Coalition Against Nord Stream 2 Gas Pipeline, Pompeo Says Sputnik 21 Sep 2020 -- The United States is building a coalition against the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in an interview.
Russia: US seems to be persistent in undermining intl law IRNA 20 Sep 2020 -- First Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy in a message described US claims to trigger snapback are illegitimate, saying US seems to be persistent in undermining the International Law.
Russia slams EU for inviting Belarus opposition figure to ministerial meeting Press TV 20 Sep 2020 -- Russia and Belarus have both criticized the European Union for making overtures to Belarusian opposition figure Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who left the country for Lithuania after losing the presidential election to President Alexander Lukashenko.
Siluanov: Belarus To Pay $330 Million In Gazprom Debt From New Russian Loan RFE/RL 20 Sep 2020 -- Belarus will channel about $330 million of a new $1.5 billion loan from Russia to cover its outstanding debt to Russian gas giant Gazprom, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov was quoted as saying by TASS on September 20.
US Offers Russia to Extend START Treaty for Less Than Five Years Sputnik 20 Sep 2020 -- The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) will expire on 5 February 2021 if it is not extended. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin previously proposed extending the treaty for five years without any preconditions.
UK Increases Spy Flights Near Russian Border Trying to Find Moscow’s ‘Vulnerabilities’: Report Sputnik 20 Sep 2020 -- On Friday, Sergei Rudskoy, chief of the Russian General Staff's Main Operational Directorate, said that in 2020, the number of foreign reconnaissance flights in the Black Sea region has increased by 40 percent compared to last year.
Conversation with Gerbert Yefremov President of Russia 19 Sep 2020 -- Vladimir Putin congratulated Professor Gerbert Yefremov, prominent missile and space-rocket designer, Honorary CEO, Honorary Chief Designer, Advisor for Science at the MIC NPO Mashinostroyenia, on Gunsmith Day.
Navalny Describes 'Clear, But Long' Road To Recovery After Poisoning RFE/RL 19 Sep 2020 -- Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny has posted a message on social media saying that his path to recovery after being poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent is “clear” but “long.”
Russia’s Tu-160 Strategic Missile Carriers Break Own World Record for Non-Stop Flight Sputnik 19 Sep 2020 -- Two Russian Tu-160 strategic missile carriers have broken their own world record for non-stop flight in their class, spending more than 25 hours continuously in the air, the Russian Aerospace Forces’ commander of long-range aviation Lt. Gen. Sergey Kobylash told reporters on Saturday.
Moscow Urges EU to Reconsider Policies Hampering Normalization in Belarus Sputnik 19 Sep 2020 -- Russia calls on the European Union to reconsider its policies towards Minsk and believes that they lead to erosion of the fundamental rules of the international legal order and prevent the normalization of the situation in the country, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Saturday.
FBI Director Warns of 'Drumbeat' of Russian Disinformation, Stoking Trump's Ire VOA 18 Sep 2020 -- FBI Director Christopher Wray on Thursday warned lawmakers that Russia is not letting up in its efforts to sway the outcome of the November presidential election by trying to hurt the campaign of Democratic candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden - testimony that appears not to be sitting well with U.S. President Donald Trump.
The Week In Russia: Belarus, Breathing, And The 'Berlin Patient' RFE/RL 18 Sep 2020 -- The year 2020 has been all about breathing, it sometimes seems: the life-or-death question of whether one can breathe or has been deprived of the ability to do so.
Extension Of Pretrial Detention Of Former Khabarovsk Krai Governor Furgal Upheld RFE/RL 18 Sep 2020 -- The Moscow City Court has upheld the extension of the pretrial arrest of Sergei Furgal, the former governor of the Far Eastern Khabarovsk Krai region, who is charged with attempted murder and ordering two killings in 2004-2005, as his supporters continue to rally in the city of Khabarovsk.
Kremlin Calls Report About Novichok Found On Navalny Water Bottle 'Absurd' RFE/RL 18 Sep 2020 -- The Kremlin has called reports that Russian opposition figure Aleksei Navalny, who Germany and other Western governments say was poisoned with a nerve agent, ingested the substance via a water bottle in his hotel room in Siberia "absurd."
Foreign Spy Planes Became 40% More Active Over Black Sea in 2020, Russian Military Says Sputnik 18 Sep 2020 -- Foreign spy planes were appearing over the Black Sea 40 percent more often in 2020 than the year before, the chief of the Russian General Staff's Main Operational Directorate said Friday.
Will Russia Snatch Up Belarusian Industrial Assets Amid Crisis? RFE/RL 18 Sep 2020 -- With Belarus facing a shaky future after a disputed election sparked a wave of protests and a brutal crackdown by authoritarian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka's government, Russia appears eager to keep the smaller country, a longtime ally, firmly in its orbit.
Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, September 17, 2020 Russia MFA 17 Sep 2020
Russia Leading 'Drumbeat' of Disinformation Ahead of US Presidential Election VOA 17 Sep 2020 -- FBI Director Christopher Wray told lawmakers Thursday that Russia is not letting up in its efforts to sway the outcome of the November presidential election, backing earlier assessments from U.S. counterintelligence officials that Moscow's main goal is to damage the campaign of Democratic candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden.
Belarusian Health Ministry Has Received Documents for Trials of Russian COVID-19 Vaccine Sputnik 17 Sep 2020 -- The Belarusian Health Ministry said on Thursday it had received all the documents needed for launching the clinical trials of Russia's COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V.
Russia to supply 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to India People's Daily 17 Sep 2020 -- Russia's sovereign wealth fund said Wednesday it had struck a deal with Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd. to supply the Indian pharmaceutical company with 100 million doses of the "Sputnik V" COVID-19 vaccine.
Turkey, Russia Failed to Reach Common Position on Syria's Idlib – Source Sputnik 17 Sep 2020 -- According to the source, Turkey refused to leave checkpoints on the territories controlled by the Syrian army as well as reduce the number of its troops in the region and withdraw heavy weapons.
Russia's Su-27 Scrambled to Intercept US, Swedish Military Planes Over Baltic Sea Sputnik 17 Sep 2020 -- Russian fighter Su-27 was scrambled to intercept US and Swedish military aircraft over the Baltic Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry's National Defence Control Centre (NDCC) said on Thursday.
Russia's Su-27 Scrambled to Intercept US, UK Planes Over Black Sea Sputnik 17 Sep 2020 -- Russia's Su-27 plane was scrambled to intercept US and UK military aircraft over the Black Sea as they were getting closer to the Russian border, the national defence control centre said Thursday.
Russian Fighter Intercepts Two US Bombers Over Bering Sea Sputnik 17 Sep 2020 -- A Russian fighter intercepted on Thursday two strategic bombers of the US Air Force over the Bering Sea, the Russian Defence Ministry said.
Top EU Court Upholds Sanctions On Russian Energy Firms, Calls Them 'Duly Justified' RFE/RL 17 Sep 2020 -- The European Union's top court has upheld restrictive measures adopted by the 27-nation bloc against Russian oil and gas companies in connection with Moscow's actions in Ukraine.
Navalny's Team Says Water Bottle With Traces Of Novichok Found In His Hotel Room In Tomsk RFE/RL 17 Sep 2020 -- Associates of Aleksei Navalny say traces of the nerve agent used to poison the Russian opposition politician were found on a water bottle in the hotel room he was staying in in the Russian city of Tomsk.
Russia accuses U.S. of key role in staging Belarus protests People's Daily 17 Sep 2020 -- The United States has been accused by Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergei Naryshkin of playing a key role in preparing the protests following Belarus' presidential elections.
Russia to sell 100mn doses of COVID-19 vaccine to India Press TV 16 Sep 2020 -- Russia's sovereign wealth fund has reportedly reached a deal to sell 100 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine, called Sputnik-V, to a major pharmaceutical company in India.
US Sanctions 2 Russians in Crypto Theft Scheme VOA 16 Sep 2020 -- The U.S. government announced sanctions Wednesday on two Russian nationals for their role in the theft of at least $16.8 million worth of cryptocurrency.
The United States Sanctions Russian Nationals for Phishing Campaign US Dept. of State 16 Sep 2020 -- Today, in a coordinated action with the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned two Russian nationals for their involvement in a sophisticated phishing campaign in 2017 and 2018 that targeted customers of two U.S.-based, and one foreign-based, virtual asset service providers, commonly known as cryptocurrency exchanges.
Treasury Sanctions Russian Cyber Actors for Virtual Currency Theft US Treasury 16 Sep 2020 -- Today, in a coordinated action with the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned two Russian nationals for their involvement in a sophisticated phishing campaign in 2017 and 2018 that targeted customers of two U.S.-based and one foreign-based virtual asset service providers.
US to Stop Using Russian Rocket Engine RD-180 in Mid-2020s - United Launch Alliance Sputnik 16 Sep 2020 -- US company United Launch Alliance (ULA) plans to end operation of the Atlas-5 launch vehicle with the Russian RD-180 engine in the mid-2020s, Julie Arnold, an ULA spokeswoman, told Sputnik.
Navalny Case Should Not Be Linked To Nord Stream 2 Pipeline, Kremlin Says RFE/RL 16 Sep 2020 -- The Kremlin said on September 16 that there should be no connection between the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany and the case of opposition leader Aleksei Navalny, who Berlin says was poisoned in Russia with a nerve agent.
Two Russian Strategic Missile Carriers Tu-160 Fly Over Baltic Sea, Escorted by Foreign Aircraft Sputnik 16 Sep 2020 -- Recently, the United States has intensified reconnaissance flights near the Russian border, namely over the Baltic and the Black Seas, the Russian military said.
Saudi Arabia Signs Deal on Delivery and Joint Production of Sputnik V Vaccine With Russia Sputnik 15 Sep 2020 -- Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin and King Salman of Saudi Arabia discussed the prospects of the joint development of the Russian vaccine, which was registered in August.
Russia Reopens De Facto Border With Georgia's Breakaway Region Of South Ossetia RFE/RL 15 Sep 2020 -- Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has signed a decree on reopening the de facto border with Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia.
Navalny case: Russian opposition figure shares photo, says breathing unaided Press TV 15 Sep 2020 -- Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny who has been at the center of a dispute between Russia and Western countries over allegations that he was poisoned in Siberia last month, has shared a photo of himself and his family on Instagram, saying he is now able to breathe unaided.
Navalny Posts Picture From Berlin Hospital Bed, Says He 'Generally Feels Like Himself' RFE/RL 15 Sep 2020 -- Russian opposition figure Aleksei Navalny says he is able to breathe on his own and "generally" feels like himself as his recovery from being poisoned with a nerve agent continues.
Poisoned Russian Opposition Leader Posts Photo from Hospital Bed VOA 15 Sep 2020 -- Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny published a photo of himself in a Berlin hospital bed Tuesday as he recovers from a nerve agent poisoning last month in Siberia.
Russia Refutes Claims of Possessing Novichok Stockpiles Amid Navalny's Nerve Agent Poisoning Claims Sputnik 15 Sep 2020 -- All Russia's stocks of the Novichok nerve agent have been eliminated in compliance with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) protocols, the head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Agency (SVR), Sergey Naryshkin, said on Tuesday.
Austria Rejects Halting Nord Stream 2 Pipeline Over Navalny Poisoning RFE/RL 15 Sep 2020 -- Austria has said it still supports the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, despite growing reservations about the project in parts of Europe following the poisoning of Russian opposition figure Aleksei Navalny.
Austrian President Says He Sees no Link Between Navalny's Case, Nord Stream 2 Project Sputnik 15 Sep 2020 -- Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen said Tuesday he did not see any connection between the situation with Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny and the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project.
Russian Fighters Escort US Strategic Bomber Over Bering, Okhotsk Seas Sputnik 15 Sep 2020 -- Russian fighters were scrambled to escort a US Air Force's strategic bomber flying over the Bering Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.
Russia's Su-27 Scrambled to Intercept US Spy Plane Over Baltic Sea Sputnik 15 Sep 2020 -- Russian fighter jet Su-27 was scrambled on Tuesday to intercept a US Air Force patrol plane over the Baltic Sea, the Russian Defence Ministry's National Defence Control Centre said.
Five Takeaways From The Lukashenka-Putin Talks: Who Got What? RFE/RL 15 Sep 2020 -- Vladimir Putin and Alyaksandr Lukashenka sat down for talks in Russia on September 14, the first one-on-one meeting between the two presidents since protests erupted in Belarus following a disputed election in which the authoritarian leader claimed a sixth term.
Kremlin Refuses to Comment on Whether Moscow Has Plan in Case Lukashenko Fails to Hold on to Power Sputnik 15 Sep 2020 -- Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to speculate on Moscow's reaction to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko potentially losing power.
Russia offers $1.5bn loan to Belarus as Putin, Lukashenko meet in Sochi Press TV 15 Sep 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged to grant a loan of 1.5 billion dollars to Belarus, reaffirming support for Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's government.
RAF in latest interception of Russian aircraft off Scotland coast Press TV 14 Sep 2020 -- Britain's Royal Air Force (RAF) reportedly intercepted two Russian aircraft off the north-east Scottish coast on Saturday (September 12).
Russian Navy Keeping Track of Actions of US Destroyer in Baltic Sea Waters, Control Centre Says Sputnik 14 Sep 2020 -- The Russian Navy's Baltic Fleet is studying movements of a destroyer of the US Navy that entered Baltic Sea waters on Sunday, the Russian Defence Ministry's National Defence Management Centre said.
Russian Fighters Scrambled to Intercept 3 US Bombers Over Black Sea, Defence Ministry Says Sputnik 14 Sep 2020 -- Russian fighters Su-27 and Su-30 were scrambled to intercept three US Air Force bombers over the Black Sea, no violation of the Russian border was allowed, the Russian Defence Ministry's National Defense Control Centre (NDCC) said on Monday.
Russia's Tu-160 Missile Carriers Flew Over Northern Seas, Atlantic, Defence Ministry Says Sputnik 14 Sep 2020 -- Two Russian missile carriers Tu-160 flew over the Barents and the Norwegian Seas, as well as the Atlantic Ocean, escorted by Royal Norwegian Air Force planes, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Monday.
Russia accuses West of using Navalny poisoning allegations as sanctions pretext Press TV 14 Sep 2020 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused the West of using the alleged poisoning of opposition figure Alexei Navalny as a pretext to promote new sanctions against Russia.
Navalny's Condition Improving As Germany Says Two Independent Labs Confirm Novichok Poisoning RFE/RL 14 Sep 2020 -- The Berlin hospital treating Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny says his condition is improving as Germany announced two independent laboratories confirmed evidence that he was poisoned with a nerve agent from the Novichok group.
Navalny Allies Win Seats In Siberian City As Ruling Party Claims Sweeping Victory In Local Polls RFE/RL 14 Sep 2020 -- Two allies of stricken Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny are expected to have won local parliamentary seats in the Siberian city of Tomsk when results are released on September 14 for a variety of regional and local elections across the country that the ruling United Russia party likely dominated.
What Do The Regional Election Results Tell Us About Putin's Russia? RFE/RL 14 Sep 2020 -- No surprise: Russia's dominant party is claiming sweeping victories in regional and local elections.
Kremlin Candidates Maintain Majority in Regional Elections VOA 14 Sep 2020 -- The Kremlin's ruling United Russia party maintained its majority with victories in nationwide local elections that wrapped up Sunday -- even as several candidates affiliated with stricken opposition leader Alexey Navalny scored important victories in closely watched races in Siberia.
German, Swedish Labs Confirm Navalny Poisoned by Russian Nerve Agent VOA 14 Sep 2020 -- The German government said Monday two more laboratories in France and Sweden have independently confirmed that Kremlin critic and opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned with the Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok.
Russia, India to Launch New Brahmos Missile Capable of Downing Aircraft With AWACS System by 2024 Sputnik 14 Sep 2020 -- The new missile will be used for destroying major aerial targets, while the previous versions were only capable of destroying targets on the ground or at sea.
Putin Grants Belarus $1.5 Billion Loan VOA 14 Sep 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday granted a $1.5 billion loan to Belarus as a show of support for its embattled leader, Alexander Lukashenko, after weeks of street demonstrations that have accused him of rigging last month's election to retain power in Minsk.
Putin Agrees To Support Belarus With $1.5 Billion Loan, Warns Of 'Foreign Interference' RFE/RL 14 Sep 2020 -- President Vladimir Putin has agreed with his embattled Belarusian counterpart Alyaksandr Lukashenka to a $1.5-billion loan for Minsk, though the Russian leader said the Belarusian people should resolve the crisis without foreign interference.
Kremlin: Russia Sees Lukashenko as Legitimate President, Belarusians as Brotherly People Sputnik 14 Sep 2020 -- Alexander Lukashenko is the legitimate president of Belarus, and all Belarusians are seen as brotherly people in Russia, regardless of whether they agree with the latest election results or not, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.
Lukashenko Travels to Russia Amid Continuing Unrest in Belarus VOA 14 Sep 2020 -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko traveled to the Black Sea resort of Sochi Monday for talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Lukashenko was expected to seek critical support for his government from the Russian leader in what would be their first meeting since Lukashenko won re-election in disputed balloting last month.
Russia Records 5,449 COVID-19 Cases in Past 24 Hours SPA 13 Sep 2020 -- Russia has registered 5,449 COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, which brings the cumulative total to 1,062,811, the country's coronavirus response center said on Sunday, according to Sputnik.
Russians Vote In Regional Elections Seen As Test Of Putin's Ruling Party RFE/RL 13 Sep 2020 -- Russians have been voting in 41 regions in local elections that were seen as a crucial test for the increasingly unpopular ruling party ahead of next year's national legislative elections.
Latvian Prime Minister: Navalny Poisoning Shows EU Must Open Its Eyes About Russia RFE/RL 13 Sep 2020 -- Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins says the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny shows that the European Union must get more realistic about its dealings with Russia.
UK Chief of Defence Intelligence Warns of Capability of Russia's Burevestnik Missile Sputnik 13 Sep 2020 -- The United Kingdom's chief of defence intelligence, Lt. Gen. Jim Hockenhull, has warned that Russia's nuclear-powered Burevestnik (NATO name Skyfall) cruise missiles could remain in the atmosphere for multiple years if necessary and could pose a threat at any moment.
Russia to Send Airborne Forces to Military Drills in Belarus From 14-25 September Sputnik 13 Sep 2020 -- Russian airborne forces will participate in the Slavic Fraternity military drills in Belarus from September 14-25, the Russian Defense Ministry's press office said on Sunday.
Moscow slams simulated US strikes on Russia by strategic B-52 bombers Press TV 12 Sep 2020 -- Top commander of Russia's Aerospace Forces has slammed as "provocative" a US aerial drill late last month in which strategic B-52h bombers simulated strikes against Russia by cruise missiles from Estonia and Canada.
Novosibirsk Opposition Faces Dirty Tricks In Bid To Dislodge Ruling United Russia Party RFE/RL 12 Sep 2020 -- Two unknown attackers entered the headquarters of the liberal opposition Novosibirsk-2020 election campaign and threw a bottle containing an unknown liquid with an acrid odor onto the floor.
Local Polls Seen As Key Test For Putin's United Russia Party Ahead Of 2021 Duma Elections RFE/RL 12 Sep 2020 -- Russians in 41 regions go to the polls on September 13 for local elections that are viewed as a crucial test for the increasingly unpopular ruling United Russia party ahead of national legislative elections next year.
Khabarovsk Protest Held For 64th Straight Day In Russia's Far East RFE/RL 12 Sep 2020 -- Hundreds of people in the Far Eastern Russian city of Khabarovsk have taken to the streets for the 64th consecutive day to protest the arrest in July of the region's popular former governor.
Two Russian Surveillance Aircraft Conduct Flight Above Northern Neutral Waters, Navy Says Sputnik 12 Sep 2020 -- Two Tupolev Tu-142 maritime patrol aircraft of the Russian armed forces have conducted scheduled flights above the neutral waters of the Barents, Norwegian and North Seas, the Northern Fleet of the Russian navy said on Saturday.
China, Russia should strengthen cooperation in four areas: senior Chinese official People's Daily 12 Sep 2020 -- China and Russia should strengthen cooperation in the fight against COVID-19 and other areas to promote bilateral relations, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday.
Joint statement by the foreign ministers of the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China, Moscow, September 11, 2020 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 11 Sep 2020 -- The Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China, in the spirit of relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation that are entering a new era, and based on a common vision of the current international situation and key problems, urge the international community to promote cooperation, deepen understanding, stand up against new challenges and threats by collective efforts and facilitate global political stability and global economic recovery.
Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, September 11, 2020 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 11 Sep 2020
RDIF, Brazilian State of Bahia Agree on Delivery of Up to 50 Mln Doses of Russian COVID-19 Vaccine Sputnik 11 Sep 2020 -- The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and the Health Secretariat of the Brazilian state of Bahia have signed a cooperation agreement to supply Brazil with up to 50 million doses of the Russian vaccine Sputnik V, the Russian fund said.
Microsoft Says Russian, Iranian, Chinese Hackers Target Biden, Trump Campaigns RFE/RL 11 Sep 2020 -- U.S. tech giant Microsoft says hackers linked to Russia, Iran, and China have targeted people and organizations tied to both U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden.
Russian Su-27 Plane Scrambled to Intercept US Planes Over Black Sea Sputnik 11 Sep 2020 -- Russian Su-27 plane intercepted two US planes over the Black Sea, the Russian national defence control centre said Friday.
US Strategic Bombers B-52h Simulated Strikes Against Russia in August, Military Says Sputnik 11 Sep 2020 -- US strategic bombers B-52H held drills in late August, during which they simulated strikes against Russia by cruise missiles from Estonia and Canada, Col. Gen. Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces Sergei Surovikin said Friday.
Russia prepares additional request to Germany on Navalny case Press TV 11 Sep 2020 -- Moscow has prepared an additional request to demand legal assistance from Germany in the case of Alexei Navalny, amid groundless accusations about Russia's involvement in purported poisoning of the opposition figure.
Russian Interior Ministry Wants To Question Navalny In Germany RFE/RL 11 Sep 2020 -- Russia's Interior Ministry wants to question opposition politician Aleksei Navalny in Berlin, where he is being treated after German doctors reported "unequivocal evidence" that he was poisoned with the military-grade nerve agent Novichok, contradicting their Russian counterparts who said they had found no trace of poison.
In Russia's Far East, A Rare Protest Movement Refuses To Be Cowed RFE/RL 11 Sep 2020 -- In this remote Russian city near the border with China, political protests have become a daily ritual. On weekday evenings, dozens of people march along the main road, cursing the Kremlin as cars swerve past and amused passersby take photos. On Saturdays, a carnivalesque mood takes over with thousands treading a circuit around the city center, chanting, "We need the support of the whole country!"
Early Voting Under Way In Russian Regional Elections Seen As Key Test For Ruling Party RFE/RL 11 Sep 2020 -- Two days of early voting have begun in many regions across Russia that are holding local elections ahead of the main and final day of balloting on September 13.
Akhmed Zakayev, Former Member Of Chechen Separatist Government, Says His Relatives Detained In Chechnya RFE/RL 11 Sep 2020 -- A former top official in Chechnya's separatist government, Akhmed Zakayev, who resides in London, says his relatives have been detained in Chechnya after a video statement he posted online condemning the humiliation of a teenage activist.
The Week In Russia: Poison And Geopolitics, Anarchy And Dictatorship RFE/RL 11 Sep 2020 -- As usual, there was talk to the effect that Russia might get through the month of August without any momentous events this year. After all, hadn't enough already happened in 2020, not just in Russia but around the world?
Putin, Lukashenka To Hold First Face-To-Face Talks Since Postelection Crisis RFE/RL 11 Sep 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka will meet next week to hold their first face-to-face talks since a wave of demonstrations demanding the longtime Belarusian leader step down erupted following his disputed reelection last month.
U.S. Says Kremlin Risks Turning Belarusian People Against Russia By Backing Lukashenka RFE/RL 11 Sep 2020 -- U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun has said Russia risks losing the friendship of the Belarusian people if the Kremlin continues to back authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
Russia Reports 5,363 New Coronavirus Cases, 128 Deaths SPA 10 Sep 2020 -- Russia reported 5,363 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, bringing the national tally to 1,046,370, the fourth largest in the world, Reuters reported.
Russia Plans to Supply Up to 100Mln Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine to Latin America, Official Says Sputnik 10 Sep 2020 -- The Russian Direct Investment Fund, one of the entities behind the Russian coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V, plans to supply up to 100 million doses of the vaccine to various countries across Latin America, the company's chief executive officer, Kirill Dmitriev, said on Thursday.
Belarus bound to defend Russia in case of aggression: President Lukashenko Press TV 10 Sep 2020 -- Belarus says it is bound by treaty to defend Russia if an attack is launched on that country "through or near" Belarusian territory.
United States Sanctions Russian Actors and Proxies for Efforts To Interfere in Elections US Dept. of State 10 Sep 2020 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned four Kremlin-linked individuals for their efforts to interfere in United States elections.
Treasury Sanctions Russia-Linked Election Interference Actors US Treasury 10 Sep 2020 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated four Russia-linked individuals for attempting to influence the U.S. electoral process. Russia uses a variety of proxies to attempt to sow discord between political parties and drive internal divisions to influence voters as part of Moscow's broader efforts to undermine democratic countries and institutions.
Report: Russian Hackers Targeted Political Consultancy Working For Biden RFE/RL 10 Sep 2020 -- A campaign-advisory company working for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden was targeted by suspected Russian state-backed hackers, a Reuters report has found, which the Kremlin dismissed as "nonsense."
'Russia-Linked' Individuals, Including Ukrainian Lawmaker, Blacklisted Over U.S. Election Interference RFE/RL 10 Sep 2020 -- The United States says it has imposed sanctions on a Ukrainian lawmaker behind leaked telephone records of Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden, as well as three other "Russia-linked" individuals accused of attempting to influence the U.S. electoral process.
Text of a Notice on Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect To Foreign Interference In or Undermining Public Confidence In U.S. Elections The White House 10 Sep 2020
Text of a Letter to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate The White House 10 Sep 2020
Whistle-Blower Says He Was Told To Downplay Russian 2020 Election Interference RFE/RL 10 Sep 2020 -- A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) intelligence analyst says in a whistle-blower complaint that the head of the department told him to stop reporting on Russian election interference and focus instead on interference by China and Iran.
Russian Fighter Scrambled to Intercept 2 Norwegian Military Planes Over Barents Sea Sputnik 10 Sep 2020 -- Russian fighter MiG-29 was scrambled to intercept two Royal Norwegian Air Force planes over the Barents Sea, the Russian Defence Ministry's National Defence Control Center (NDCC) said.
Russia denounces as 'unacceptable' US claims over Navalny case Press TV 10 Sep 2020 -- Russia has lambasted as "unacceptable" a statement by the United States alleging that senior Russian officials might have been behind the purported poisoning of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny.
Navalny's Condition Said Improved, But Kremlin Critic's Spokeswoman Has Doubts RFE/RL 10 Sep 2020 -- The German magazine Der Spiegel has reported that hospitalized Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny has made further progress in his recovery from poisoning with a nerve agent and is said to be able to speak, although a Navalny spokeswoman appeared to downplay the report.
Russian Fund Says Mexico To Get 32 Million Russian COVID-19 Vaccine Doses RFE/RL 09 Sep 2020 -- The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) says it has signed a deal with a Mexican pharmaceutical company, Landsteiner Scientific, to deliver 32 million doses of the Russian-made Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine.
Russian Deputy Energy Minister Arrested For Embezzlement RFE/RL 09 Sep 2020 -- Russian Deputy Energy Minister Anatoly Tikhonov has been arrested in Moscow on allegations of embezzlement.
Putin's Annual Direct Line Call-In Television Program Will Not Be Held This Year, Spokesman Says RFE/RL 09 Sep 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin's annual TV call-in television program, Direct Line, put off since June because of the coronavirus outbreak, will not be held this year.
Russia Protests Germany's 'Unfounded Accusations' In Navalny Poisoning Case RFE/RL 09 Sep 2020 -- Russia says it has protested strongly to Berlin's envoy to Moscow over "unfounded accusations and ultimatums" purportedly made by Germany over the illness of poisoned Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny.
Russia's Su-27 Scrambled to Intercept US Spy Plane Over Black Sea Sputnik 09 Sep 2020 -- Russian fighter jet Su-27 was scrambled on Wednesday to intercept a US reconnaissance aircraft over the Black Sea, the Russian Defen?e Ministry's National Defense Control Center (NDCC) said.
Novichok's Developer Calls Fresh Reports on Navalny's 'Poisoning' Nonsense Sputnik 09 Sep 2020 -- Reports about the alleged poisoning of Alexey Navalny with a new type of Novichok nerve agent cannot be true, since there were no symptoms of poisoning with this substance, Leonid Rink, one of the developers of the chemical warfare agent, said.
Ministry Says First Batch Of Russian COVID-19 Vaccine Released For Distribution RFE/RL 08 Sep 2020 -- Russia's Health Ministry says the first batch of the country's Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine has been released for civil distribution.
Russia Reports 5,099 New Coronavirus Cases, 122 Deaths SPA 08 Sep 2020 -- Russia reported 5,099 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, pushing its national tally to 1,035,789, the fourth largest in the world, Reuters reported.
Russia offers to mediate between Cyprus, Turkey in maritime dispute Press TV 08 Sep 2020 -- Russia has offered to mediate between Cyprus and Turkey in a dispute over energy exploration rights in the Mediterranean Sea.
Russia Rejects Any Steps in Mediterranean That Can Lead to Further Escalation, Lavrov Says Sputnik 08 Sep 2020 -- Turkey and Greece have recently clashed over a disputed part of the eastern Mediterranean after Ankara sent a research vessel to look for energy resources off the coast of Cyprus.
Belarusian, Russian, Serbian Military to Hold Counter-Terrorism Drills, Defence Ministry Says Sputnik 08 Sep 2020 -- Belarusian, Russian and Serbian troops will practice counter-terrorism tasks during the Slavic Fraternity military exercise, which Belarus will host later in September, the Belarusian Defence Ministry said on Tuesday.
Russia summons German envoy over assertions about Navalny Press TV 08 Sep 2020 -- Russia has summoned the German ambassador to Moscow over assertions by German officials about the alleged poisoning of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny.
Germany: Navalny out of coma, responding to verbal stimuli Press TV 08 Sep 2020 -- Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny has come out of a medically-induced coma, says the German hospital where he is being treated, less than a week after Berlin claimed he had been poisoned with a lethal nerve agent.
G7 Ministers Urge Russia To Find Those Behind 'Abhorrent' Navalny Poisoning, UN Commissioner Calls For Probe RFE/RL 08 Sep 2020 -- The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven nations have condemned the "confirmed poisoning" of Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, and demanded that Russia quickly find and prosecute those behind the "abhorrent" attack.
Assailants Use Unknown Chemical Liquid Attacking Navalny's Team In Novosibirsk RFE/RL 08 Sep 2020 -- Two attackers threw a glass jar with an unknown chemical liquid into an office housing the independent political coalition supported by opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's team in Russia's third-largest city, Novosibirsk.
Senior Russian Energy Official Detained In Fraud Probe RFE/RL 08 Sep 2020 -- Russian Deputy Energy Minister Anatoly Tikhonov has been detained in Moscow and questioned as a suspect in a fraud investigation.
Russian Mig-29 Intercepts Norwegian Military Plane Over Barents Sea, MoD Says Sputnik 08 Sep 2020 -- A Russian MiG-29 fighter jet intercepted a Norwegian Air Force plane over the Barents Sea, the Russian National Defence Control Centre reported.
G7 Foreign Ministers' Statement on the Poisoning of Alexei Navalny US Dept. of State 08 Sep 2020 -- The text of the following statement was released by the G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union.
Alexei Navalny poisoning must get independent probe, says UN's Bachelet UN News 08 Sep 2020 -- UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday urged Russia to carry out or cooperate with a rapid and transparent criminal investigation into the poisoning of opposition activist Alexei Navalny.
UN Rights Chief Condemns Navalny Poisoning, Calls for Probe VOA 08 Sep 2020 -- U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has condemned the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, allegedly by Russian agents, and is calling for a thorough, impartial investigation.
Russia trying to help Syria cope with blockade amid US sanctions: Deputy PM Press TV 07 Sep 2020 -- Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov says Moscow is trying to help Damascus break through an economic blockade created by Washington's new sanctions under the so-called Caesar Act, which deters any foreign companies and individuals from taking part in the reconstruction of the war-ravaged country.
Berlin Hospital Says Navalny Taken Out Of Coma, Is Responsive RFE/RL 07 Sep 2020 -- The German hospital treating Aleksei Navalny says the Russian opposition leader's condition "has improved" and he is "responding to verbal stimuli."
Russian Mig-29 Fighter Escorts UK Reconnaissance Aircraft Over Barents Sea, MoD Says Sputnik 07 Sep 2020 -- A Russian Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter jet on Monday escorted a British Royal Air Force RC-135 strategic reconnaissance aircraft over the Barents Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry's National Defence Management Center of the Russian Federation said in a statement.
Pressure Grows on Merkel to Scrap Multi-Billion-Dollar Gas Pipeline VOA 07 Sep 2020 -- Leading German politicians are calling on the country's Chancellor, Angela Merkel, to abandon the multi-billion-dollar natural gas pipeline known as Nord Stream 2, linking Russia with Germany, because of the poisoning of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny.
Russia reports 5,185 new coronavirus cases, 51 deaths SPA 07 Sep 2020 -- Russia reported 5,185 new coronavirus cases on Monday, pushing its national tally to 1,030,690, the fourth largest in the world, Reuters reported.
Russia Will Start Making New Soyuz-5 Rocket Next Year, Progress Space Centre's Director Says Sputnik 06 Sep 2020 -- Developers will start making the Soyuz-5 rocket (Irtysh) that Russia is planning in order to replace Ukraine's Zenit launch vehicles in mid-2021, General Director of Russian Space Rocket Centre Progress Dmitry Baranov said.
Russia's COVID-19 cases up 5,195 to 1,025,505 People's Daily 06 Sep 2020 -- Russia registered 5,195 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking its caseload to 1,025,505, the country's COVID-19 response center said in a statement Sunday.
Russia Reports 5,195 New Coronavirus Cases and 61 Deaths SPA 06 Sep 2020 -- Russia reported 5,195 new coronavirus cases on Sunday taking its total to 1,025,505, the fourth largest in the world, Reuters reported.
Serbian Official Lashes Out At Russian Spokeswoman For Mocking President RFE/RL 06 Sep 2020 -- A top Serbian official has lashed out at Moscow after a Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman mocked Serbia's president for his participation in a U.S. White House ceremony.
Russia: Germany stalling Navalny probe 'on purpose' Press TV 06 Sep 2020 -- Russia has accused Germany of stalling the process of an investigation into the condition of opposition figure Alexi Navalny after Berlin failed to respond to a request for his medical records by Russian prosecutors.
German Foreign Minister Adds To Pressure On Moscow To Clarify Navalny Poisoning RFE/RL 06 Sep 2020 -- Germany's foreign minister has signaled that Berlin will push for new sanctions against Russia if Moscow fails to explain the poisoning of Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny, and rejected Moscow's allegations that Berlin was delaying investigation efforts.
Germany Threatens Sanctions on Russia over Navalny Poisoning VOA 06 Sep 2020 -- Germany's foreign minister has held out the possibility of sanctions on Russia if the Kremlin does not provide information soon about the suspected poisoning of opposition leader Alexey Navalny.
Russian Scientists Say Coronavirus Vaccine Shows Immune Response RFE/RL 05 Sep 2020 -- Russian scientists have published results from early tests of their Sputnik-V coronavirus vaccine that was approved by the Russian government with much fanfare in August.
8 Russian fighters intercept U.S. bombers over Black Sea, Sea of Azov People's Daily 05 Sep 2020 -- Eight Russian fighter jets intercepted three U.S. strategic bombers over the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov on Friday, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
Russia's Khabarovsk Continues Protests To Support Arrested Former Governor RFE/RL 05 Sep 2020 -- Hundreds of locals in the Far Eastern Russian city of Khabarovsk have taken to the streets for the 57th consecutive day to protest the arrest in July of the region's popular former governor.
Trump Says No Reason To Doubt German Assessment Russian Opposition Leader Poisoned RFE/RL 05 Sep 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said he has seen "no proof" of Russian state involvement in the poisoning of gravely ill Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny but he has no reason to doubt a German assessment that he was poisoned.
Germany Expects Russia to Act on Navalny Case in Coming Days, Foreign Minister Says Sputnik 05 Sep 2020 -- Russia should take action with regard to the alleged poisoning of Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny in the next few days or else Germany will resort to discussing an appropriate response with its partners, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said.
Russia Not Interested in Arms Race, Defence Minister Says Sputnik 05 Sep 2020 -- According to the Russian military, NATO has increased its aerial surveillance efforts near the Russian border by 30 percent compared to the previous year.
Russia's MiG-31 Scrambled to Intercept Norwegian Air Force Plane Over Barents Sea, MoD Says Sputnik 05 Sep 2020 -- A Russian fighter jet MiG-31 was scrambled to intercept a Royal Norwegian Air Force aircraft over the Barents Sea, the Russian Defence Ministry's National Defence Control Centre said on Saturday.
Russian National Indicted for Conspiracy to Introduce Malware into a Computer Network US Dept. of Justice 04 Sep 2020 -- A federal grand jury in the District of Nevada returned an indictment today charging a Russian national for his role in a conspiracy to intentionally cause damage to a protected computer.
Statement by the North Atlantic Council on the poisoning of Alexei Navalny NATO 04 Sep 2020 -- Allies condemn in the strongest possible terms the attack on Alexei Navalny, a Russian opposition figure, with the use of a nerve agent from the banned Novichok group.
Online press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following a meeting of the North Atlantic Council NATO 04 Sep 2020
Russia wards off spy jets as US deploys tanks near border Press TV 04 Sep 2020 -- The Russian military says it has detected more than 40 foreign spy aircraft that were heading toward the country's border over the last week.
Moscow Defiant As NATO Demands Cooperation Over Navalny Poisoning RFE/RL 04 Sep 2020 -- NATO has called on a defiant Russia to "fully cooperate" with an "impartial international" probe to be led by the global Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) into the poisoning of opposition leader Aleksei Navalny.
The West Did It: Kremlin Responds To Navalny Poisoning With Denials, Wild Conspiracy Theories RFE/RL 04 Sep 2020 -- As much of the world expressed outrage following confirmation that a deadly military-grade nerve agent was used in the poisoning of prominent Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny, the response in Russia has been one of denial to outright conspiratorial.
Russia Scrambles Eight Fighter Jets to Intercept US Bombers Over Black Sea - Defense Ministry Sputnik 04 Sep 2020 -- The Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday it had scrambled eight fighter jets after it detected three US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bombers over the Black Sea.
Russia's MiG-31 Intercepts Norwegian Air Force Plane Over Barents Sea Sputnik 04 Sep 2020 -- Russian fighter jet MiG-31 intercepted a Royal Norwegian Air Force plane near the Russian border over the Barents Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry's National Defense Control Center (NDCC) said in a statement on Friday.
NATO: Russia Must Answer Serious Questions About Navalny VOA 04 Sep 2020 -- After an urgent meeting of NATO ambassadors on Friday to discuss the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the allies said Russia must fully cooperate in an impartial investigation under the supervision of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
'Weapon Of Terror': A Novichok Creator Tells How Navalny Case Differs From The Skripal Attack RFE/RL 04 Sep 2020 -- Medical specialists in Germany have determined that Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, who is being treated in a hospital in Berlin after falling ill on August 20 on a flight from Tomsk to Moscow, was poisoned with a form of the Soviet-developed nerve agent Novichok.
Indra Navy – 20 India PIB 04 Sep 2020 -- The 11th edition of exercise INDRA NAVY, a biennial bilateral maritime exercise between Indian Navy and Russian Navy is scheduled in the Bay of Bengal from 04 to 05 September 2020.
Indian, Russian Warships Begin Naval Drills in Bay of Bengal Amid Emerging Security Challenges Sputnik 04 Sep 2020 -- India has been holding military exercises with Russian troops since 2005. Named "Indra", these exercises between the armies, navies, and air forces boost mutual the confidence and cooperation between the two countries' armed forces. They also reinforce the longstanding bond of friendship between the two countries.
Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, September 3, 2020 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 03 Sep 2020
Alleged poisoning of Russian opposition leader a 'grave concern', says chemical weapons watchdog UN News 03 Sep 2020 -- The allegation that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned by a Cold War-era nerve agent is "a matter of grave concern", the head of the UN-backed Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said on Thursday.
U.S. Senators Seek Sanctions On Russia For Election Interference RFE/RL 03 Sep 2020 -- Democratic senators are urging the U.S. Treasury Department to impose sanctions on Russian organizations and individuals for interfering in the 2020 presidential election, saying such a "direct message" to Russian President Vladimir Putin is long overdue.
Conflict in Syria requires political solution without foreign interference: Lavrov tells UN envoy Press TV 03 Sep 2020 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has stressed the need for a political solution to the conflict in Syria, saying the settlement of the conflict must be in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254 and without foreign interference.
Kremlin tells West not to rush to judgement on Russia over Navalny Press TV 03 Sep 2020 -- Russia says the West should not rush to judge it over the alleged poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, adding that there are no grounds to accuse the country of the crime, as talk have intensified in the West of punishing Moscow.
Kremlin Rejects Accusations it Was Behind Poisoning of Russian Opposition Leader VOA 03 Sep 2020 -- The Kremlin rejected accusations it was behind the sudden illness of a leading Russian opposition politician, one day after a highly anticipated German investigation concluded Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny had been poisoned by a Soviet-produced military grade nerve agent.
'It's A Whole New Situation': Russia's Liberal Opposition Determined To Keep Fighting During Navalny's Absence RFE/RL 03 Sep 2020 -- Much of the Russian electorate is still seething over a package of constitutional amendments that were foisted on the country this spring, and could pave the way for President Vladimir Putin to remain in power until 2036. And anger against the ruling United Russia party over a reviled reform that raised retirement ages has not abated.
Pressure Grows For Merkel To Reconsider Germany-Russia Pipeline After Navalny Poisoning RFE/RL 03 Sep 2020 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel is facing growing pressure to toughen her stance toward Russia after her government announced that it had "unequivocal evidence" showing gravely ill Kremlin-critic Aleksei Navalny had been poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent.
Russia Denies Involvement As UN Slams Arms Shipments, Foreign Mercenaries In Libya RFE/RL 03 Sep 2020 -- The top UN official for Libya says foreign backers of the war-wracked country's rival governments have ramped up weapons shipments in violation of an international arms embargo.
Date Set For Trial Of Alleged Killer of Former Chechen Rebel Commander In Berlin RFE/RL 03 Sep 2020 -- A date has been set for the trial of a Russian citizen suspected in killing of a Georgian national and former Chechen rebel commander in Berlin in last year.
Bulgarian Survivor Of Suspected Russian Poison Attack Decries Suspended Probe RFE/RL 03 Sep 2020 -- Bulgarian arms dealer Emilian Gebrev fell into a coma in Sofia in April 2015 after someone smeared the door handles of his car with a substance similar to Novichok - the nerve agent that hospitalized former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny.
Russian PM In Minsk As Belarus Looks To Ally For Help RFE/RL 03 Sep 2020 -- Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has arrived in Minsk as Belarus's beleaguered authoritarian leader, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, pivots to Moscow to overcome weeks of protests and international isolation over an election widely viewed as rigged.
Russia Reports Nearly 5,000 New Coronavirus Cases SPA 02 Sep 2020 -- Russia reported 4,952 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, pushing its national tally to 1,005,000, the fourth largest in the world, Reuters reported.
Red Scare: United Russia Uses 'Administrative Resources' To Beat Back Communists In Ulyanovsk RFE/RL 02 Sep 2020 -- Throughout the early post-Soviet period, the Ulyanovsk region was the buckle in the so-called Red Belt of Communist-leaning agrarian regions across southwestern Russian.
Chechen Leader Kadyrov Appoints His Daughter First Deputy Culture Minister RFE/RL 02 Sep 2020 -- Ramzan Kadyrov, the authoritarian leader of Russia's North Caucasus region of Chechnya, has appointed his eldest daughter as first deputy culture minister.
German Gov't Spokesman Claims Tests Show Navalny Was 'Poisoned by Novichok Group Nerve Agent' Sputnik 02 Sep 2020 -- Russian opposition figure and blogger Alexei Navalny was flown to Germany from Omsk, Russia, where he was hospitalised on 20 August after falling gravely ill. Russian doctors waged an interrupted battle for 44 hours to save his life.
Foreign Secretary statement on Alexey Navalny UK FCDO 02 Sep 2020 -- Following a statement by the German government on Alexey Navalny, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab made the below comments.
Putin Critic Poisoned by Soviet-Era Nerve Agent, Germany Says VOA 02 Sep 2020 -- Germany said Wednesday that tests performed on specimens taken from Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny showed the presence of the Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok.
Kremlin says 'no answer' yet from Berlin on Navalny episode Press TV 02 Sep 2020 -- Russia has censured Berlin for its failure to cooperate with Moscow on the case of Alexei Navalny, saying the German narrative that the Russian opposition figure was poisoned with a nerve agent lacked evidence.
Russian prosecutors demand Navalny's medical records from Germany Press TV 02 Sep 2020 -- Russian prosecutors have asked Germany to provide the medical records of opposition figure Alexi Navalny, who is in coma in a German hospital, for a comparative study of his condition.
Germany Says Navalny Poisoned By Novichok Nerve Agent RFE/RL 02 Sep 2020 -- The German government says tests on blood samples taken from Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny showed the presence of a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok group, a poison suspected of being used in other attempts to silence outspoken Kremlin opponents.
Name Your Poison: Exotic Toxins Fell Kremlin Foes RFE/RL 02 Sep 2020 -- The German government has announced that tests on blood samples taken from Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny showed the presence of a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok group.
'Novichok' Would Have Killed Navalny, Developer of Substance Says Sputnik 02 Sep 2020 -- The symptoms of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny's alleged poisoning are absolutely uncharacteristic of the use of the Novichok nerve agent, Leonid Rink, who was directly involved in the development of Novichok, said.
U.S. Ambassador Again Warns Georgians That Moscow Likely To Meddle In Elections RFE/RL 01 Sep 2020 -- U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan has warned for the second time since early July that Russia will likely try to interfere in the upcoming parliamentary elections in the South Caucasus country.
Russia says US war games in Estonia 'provocative, extremely dangerous' Press TV 01 Sep 2020 -- Russia says live-fire exercises by the United States in Estonia, near Russia's western borders, are "provocative" and "extremely dangerous" as they would escalate tensions in Europe.
Putin Calls Supporters Of Western Historians' Approach To WWII 'Collaborators' RFE/RL 01 Sep 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has denounced those citizens who do not share the Kremlin's interpretation of the history of World War II, calling them "collaborators."
Facebook Says It Removed Networks Of Fake Accounts In Russia, Pakistan RFE/RL 01 Sep 2020 -- Facebook says it has removed three networks of fake accounts last month located in Russia, Pakistan, and the United States as it seeks to combat "influence operations" on its platform.
Bulgaria Suspends Probe Into Poisoning Linked To Russians RFE/RL 01 Sep 2020 -- Prosecutors in Sofia confirm they've "suspended" an investigation into the 2015 poisoning of a Bulgarian arms dealer that had been focusing on three suspected Russian agents.
China, Russia Deepen Their Ties Amid Pandemic, Conflicts With The West RFE/RL 01 Sep 2020 -- Russia has begun work on one of the world's largest polymer plants, an $11 billion project that has its sights set on the Chinese market as economic ties between Beijing and Moscow grow.

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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

September 2020 - Russia Special Weapons News