February 2021 - Russia Special Weapons News

Russia Reports 11,359 New Coronavirus Cases, 379 Deaths SPA 28 Feb 2021 -- Russia reported 11,359 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, bringing the national tally to 4,246,079, according to Reuters.
Developer of Sputnik Light Vaccine Files for Approval in Russia, Other Countries Sputnik 28 Feb 2021 -- An application for an emergency use authorization of Sputnik Light, the single-dose version of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine, has been filed in Russia and several other countries, the vaccine's Twitter account said on Sunday.
Russia Seeks to Strengthen Old Ties with Myanmar Junta VOA 28 Feb 2021 -- Russia's appetite for influence and lucrative arms sales in Southeast Asia has been whetted by the latest coup in Myanmar, where isolated generals remain distrustful of China but still require allies on the United Nations Security Council.
Report: Navalny To Serve Sentence In Penal Colony Near Moscow RFE/RL 28 Feb 2021 -- Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny will reportedly serve his prison sentence near Moscow, according to Russian media sources, although the Kremlin critic's allies say they are still unsure of his location.
Navalny's Movement Faces Tough Obstacles To Expanding Into Russia's North Caucasus RFE/RL 28 Feb 2021 -- When the team of Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny attempted to open a representative office in the capital of the North Caucasus republic of Daghestan earlier this month, events unfolded quickly.
Thousands Of Russians Pay Tribute To Slain Kremlin Critic Nemtsov RFE/RL 27 Feb 2021 -- Several thousand people commemorated the sixth anniversary of the death of Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov in central Moscow.
Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, February 26, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 Feb 2021
Argentinian Government Announces That Russia's Sputnik V Will Be Produced in Country Sputnik 26 Feb 2021 -- The Argentinian government announced on Friday that it will be manufacturing Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine following a deal signed between the representative of Moscow's Gamaleya Institute and Argentina's pharmaceutical company Laboratorios Richmond and India's Hetero Labs Limited.
Dodon Says Moldova Registered Russian COVID-19 Vaccine Sputnik V Sputnik 26 Feb 2021 -- Former Moldovan President Igor Dodon said on Friday that the country registered Sputnik V, a Russian vaccine against COVID-19.
Russia Ready to Work on Initiative for Global COVID-19 Vaccination, Foreign Ministry Says Sputnik 26 Feb 2021 -- Russia is ready to cooperate on creation and implementation of a global COVID-19 immunization plan as proposed by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Friday.
Pentagon Believes Properly Notified Russia About US Strikes in Syria Sputnik 26 Feb 2021 -- The United States believes it properly notified Russia ahead of its airstrikes in Syria without compromising the security of the mission, Defense Department spokesperson John Kirby responded on Friday to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's criticism of the US short-term warning regarding the attack.
Statement by President Biden on the Anniversary of Russia's Illegal Invasion of Ukraine The White House 26 Feb 2021
Biden Says US Will Never Recognise Crimea's Reunification With Russia Sputnik 26 Feb 2021 -- US President Joe Biden said on Friday that Washington would never recognise Crimea's decision to rejoin Russia.
On Eve of Russia Invasion Anniversary, US, EU Reaffirm Crimea Belongs to Ukraine VOA 26 Feb 2021 -- On the eve of the seventh anniversary of the Russian invasion and seizure of Crimea, the United States and European Union have reaffirmed their positions that Crimea belongs to Ukraine.
Biden Says U.S. Stands With Ukraine, Will Never Recognize Crimea Annexation RFE/RL 26 Feb 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden said the United States will continue to back Ukraine against Russian aggression and will never recognize the Kremlin's annexation of its neighbor's territory.
The Week In Russia: 'Ghastly Zealot' Or Medieval Prince? Neither One Will Stand On Lubyanka Square As Statue Vote Abruptly Stopped RFE/RL 26 Feb 2021 -- There were two iconic moments in the abortive August 1991 coup whose failure hastened the collapse of the Soviet Union -- three if you count the telling press conference of the plotters, with self-declared "acting president" Gennady Yanayev's hands trembling as if he had steeled himself for the spotlight with some vodka shots.
Russian Prison Authority Confirms Navalny Transfer, Doesn't Reveal Location RFE/RL 26 Feb 2021 -- Russia's prison authority has confirmed that opposition political leader Aleksei Navalny has been moved from the Moscow detention center where had been held since mid-January to another prison.
Russian T-14 Armata Tank Able to Detect Targets Without Participation of Crew, Source Claims Sputnik 25 Feb 2021 -- In 2022, Russia will launch serial supplies of its cutting-edge post-war generation tank, the T-14 Armata, touted to have no equal. With its combat module unmanned and completely remote-controlled, its crew can remain isolated from the fuel section and munitions, meaning that survivability is increased.
Biden Nominee To Head CIA Sees Russia As Potent Threat RFE/RL 25 Feb 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden's nominee to run the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has told lawmakers that the "biggest geopolitical test" the United States faces comes from China but said Russia remains a familiar threat.
Russia 'has no plans to sever EU ties, will respond to further hostility' Press TV 25 Feb 2021 -- Russia's envoy to the European Union (EU) says his country has no plans to sever relations with the EU but if the bloc adopts further "destructive" measures against Moscow, they "definitely won't go without consequences."
Navalny Moved To Prison Where He'll Serve 2 1/2 Years RFE/RL 25 Feb 2021 -- Russian opposition political leader Aleksei Navalny has been moved from the Moscow detention center where he has been held since mid-January and is believed to be en route to a prison where he will begin serving a 2 1/2 year sentence.
Navalny's Failure To Renounce Nationalist Past May Be Straining His Support RFE/RL 25 Feb 2021 -- An assassination attempt made Aleksei Navalny into a globally recognized dissident, a Russian opposition leader who courted Chancellor Angela Merkel from his hospital bed and collaborated with leading Western news outlets in investigating the near-fatal poisoning he blames on the Kremlin.
Austria To Extradite Former Russian Official Wanted For Embezzlement RFE/RL 25 Feb 2021 -- Austrian authorities have placed Boris Mazo, a former employee of the Russian Culture Ministry who is wanted in Russia for fraud and embezzlement, into pre-extradition detention despite the insistence of his defense team he cannot be transported for medical reasons.
German Man Charged With Spying At Bundestag For Russia RFE/RL 25 Feb 2021 -- German prosecutors say they have filed espionage charges against a German man suspected of passing the floor plan for the parliament building in Berlin to Russian intelligence services.
German National Charged With Passing Secret Information to Russia From Bundestag, Prosecutors Say Sputnik 25 Feb 2021 -- The suspect is alleged to have collected secret data from the parliament building and passed it on to a Russian intelligence operative attached to the Russian Embassy in Berlin.
Russia Reports 11,749 New COVID-19 Cases, 383 Deaths SPA 24 Feb 2021 -- Russia on Wednesday reported 11,749 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, including 1,417 in Moscow, taking the national tally to 4,200,902 since the pandemic began, according to Reuters.
Technology Executives Say All Evidence Points To Russia In Major Hack Of Computer Networks RFE/RL 24 Feb 2021 -- Executives of U.S. technology companies told lawmakers on February 23 that a recent breach of corporate and government networks was so sophisticated that a nation had to be behind it and said all the evidence points to Russia.
Is Moscow Creating Roadblocks For The U.S. In Afghanistan? RFE/RL Gandhara 24 Feb 2021 -- Russia ruffled feathers in Afghanistan last week when its envoy to the country suggested forming an "inclusive and transitional coalition government" in Kabul to hasten the peace process and accused the United States of reneging on its agreement with the hard-line Taliban Islamist movement.
'Enemy Of My Enemy:' In Ukraine, Mixed Feelings About Kremlin Foe Navalny RFE/RL 24 Feb 2021 -- Few patriots would appreciate an outsider comparing a chunk of their country to finger food.
Federal Security Service Board meeting President of Russia 24 Feb 2021 -- This year, the meeting of the Federal Security Service Board, which usually meets in an expanded format, is being held in a restricted format. But this does not downplay its importance. Unfortunately, we have to comply with the current epidemiological restrictions.
Putin warns of Western attempts to 'shackle' Russia Press TV 24 Feb 2021 -- President Vladimir Putin has warned of attempts by the West to 'shackle' Russia, calling on the Federal Security Services (FSB) to be on guard against Western threats.
Putin Signs Laws Imposing Fines For Violating 'Foreign Agents' Law, Other Protest-Related Offenses RFE/RL 24 Feb 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law bills that beef up fines for violating a controversial law on "foreign agents" as well as other legislation relating to protests, such as the financing of rallies and disobedience of law enforcement, in the wake of unsanctioned protests in support of opposition politician Aleksei Navalny.
Former Head Of Russia's Mari El Republic Gets 13 Years In Prison On Corruption Charges RFE/RL 24 Feb 2021 -- The former head of Russia's Mari El Republic, Leonid Markelov, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison on corruption charges.
Moscow Vows to Respond to New EU Sanctions Sputnik 24 Feb 2021 -- Earlier in the day, the Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, described the EU's decision to expand sanctions against Russia over the Navalny case as a "circus" and a story scripted in advance.
Moscow Slams EU Decision to Expand Anti-Russia Sanctions Over Navalny as 'Circus' Sputnik 24 Feb 2021 -- Earlier this week, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that the bloc had agreed to expand sanctions against Moscow over the situation with Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny.
Russia Reports 11,823 New COVID-19 Cases, 417 Deaths SPA 23 Feb 2021 -- Russia on Tuesday reported 11,823 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, including 1,198 in Moscow, taking the national tally to 4,189,153 since the pandemic began, according to Reuters.
Guyana Becomes 33rd Country to Approve Russia's COVID-19 Vaccine Sputnik V Sputnik 23 Feb 2021 -- Guyana's health ministry has authorized Russia's COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V for emergency use, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) announced on Tuesday.
First Batch of Russia's Sputnik V Vaccine Arrives in Mexico Sputnik 23 Feb 2021 -- Mexico has become the first country in North America to approve Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), responsible for global production and distribution of the Sputnik V vaccine, said earier.
Mexico Receives First Shipment of Russian Vaccine to Fight COVID-19 VOA 23 Feb 2021 -- Mexico received its first batch of Russia's COVID-19 Sputnik V vaccine, with 200 thousand doses arriving late Monday night.
Ukraine Takes Russia To European Human Rights Court Over 'Targeted Assassinations' RFE/RL 23 Feb 2021 -- Ukraine has accused Russia of the "targeted assassinations" of "perceived opponents" in a case filed at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), the latest in a series of legal complaints against Moscow.
Navalny Supporters: EU Sanctions on Russia Are Too Weak VOA 23 Feb 2021 -- A European Union foreign ministers' decision to impose fresh sanctions on Russia for jailing Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny has frustrated Russian political activists, who say the proposed punitive action is feeble and warn it will have little impact on Moscow.
Foreign Ministry statement on the EU's new illegal restrictive measures against Russia Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 22 Feb 2021
Meeting with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko President of Russia 22 Feb 2021 -- Vladimir Putin met with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko in Sochi.
Gaza Strip receives 20,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines funded by UAE Global Times 22 Feb 2021 -- A total of 20,000 doses of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccines, funded by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), arrived in the Gaza Strip on Sunday through the Rafah border crossing.
Armenia Not Ruling Out Joint Arms Production With Russia Sputnik 22 Feb 2021 -- Armenian Defence Minister Vagharshak Harutyunyan told Sputnik that his country might set up arms production jointly with Russia.
Ukrainian, Polish Foreign Ministers Call On U.S. To Help Stop Nord Stream 2 RFE/RL 22 Feb 2021 -- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau have appealed to U.S. President Joe Biden to prevent the completion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany, which they called a "dangerous, divisive project."
US Reviewing Potentially Sanctionable Entities Tied to Nord Stream 2 Sputnik 22 Feb 2021 -- The United States continues to review entities that may be involved in sanctionable activity related to the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Monday.
Blinken Welcomes EU Decision to Sanction Russia Over Navalny Situation Sputnik 22 Feb 2021 -- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has welcomed the decision of the European Union to slap sanctions against Russia under the human rights sanctions regime over the situation with Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said in a readout on Monday.
EU Foreign Ministers Reportedly Agree to Expand Personal Sanctions Against Russia Over Navalny Sputnik 22 Feb 2021 -- Foreign ministers of the European Union member states on Monday agreed in principle to expand individual sanctions against Russian officials over the case of Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny, Reuters reported, citing diplomatic sources.
EU Mulls Sanctions on Myanmar, Russia VOA 22 Feb 2021 -- European Union foreign ministers in Brussels were to weigh in Monday on targeted sanctions against Russia and Myanmar, during a meeting that included their first virtual gathering with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
EU 'Set To Sanction' Four Russians Over Navalny Jailing, Clampdown RFE/RL 22 Feb 2021 -- EU foreign ministers on February 22 agreed to fresh sanctions against "specific persons" over Russia's jailing of opposition politician Aleksei Navalny and a crackdown on his allies, according to German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.
Putin, Lukashenka Conclude Talks As West Ramps Up Pressure RFE/RL 22 Feb 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka spent six hours together at Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi on February 22 for talks on their stalled integration efforts.
Top Biden Adviser Suggests Russia Could See U.S. Response To SolarWinds Hack Within 'Weeks' RFE/RL 21 Feb 2021 -- U.S. national-security adviser Jake Sullivan has warned that the United States will respond within "weeks, not months" to a suspected Russian cyberattack, discovered in December, that targeted branches of the U.S. government and other key institutions.
Russia registers 3rd COVID-19 vaccine Global Times 21 Feb 2021 -- Russia has registered its third COVID-19 vaccine CoviVac, following Sputnik V and EpiVacCorona, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced on Saturday.
Russia Approves CoviVac, Its Third Coronavirus Vaccine RFE/RL 21 Feb 2021 -- Russia has approved its third domestically produced coronavirus vaccine, although large-scale clinical trials have yet to be completed.
Russia Reports 12,742 New Coronavirus Cases, 417 Deaths SPA 21 Feb 2021 -- Russia on Sunday reported 12,742 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, including 1,602 in Moscow, taking the national tally to 4,164,726, Reuters reported.
Russia Reports First Case Of H5N8 Bird Flu In Humans RFE/RL 21 Feb 2021 -- Russia has reported the first case of a bird-flu strain, H5N8, being passed from birds to humans.
Russia confirms world's 1st case of human infection with A(H5N8) bird flu virus Global Times 21 Feb 2021 -- Russia has confirmed the first case of human infection with the avian influenza A(H5N8) virus in the world, a Russian sanitary official announced on Saturday.
Austria Expects 'Broad Support' For New Russia Sanctions In Response To Navalny's Jailing RFE/RL 21 Feb 2021 -- Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg expects the European Union to adopt new sanctions against Russia over the case of opposition politician Alexei Navalny.
Ghana Registers Russia's Sputnik V Coronavirus Vaccine, Russian Direct Investment Fund Says Sputnik 20 Feb 2021 -- Ghana's Health Ministry has registered Russia's coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V, becoming the 31st country to do so, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said Saturday.
Russia Reports First Case Of Bird Flu Strain In Humans RFE/RL 20 Feb 2021 -- Russia has reported the first case of a bird flu strain, H5N8, being passed from birds to humans.
Meeting with Head of Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin President of Russia 20 Feb 2021 -- General Director of the Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities Dmitry Rogozin reported to the President on the corporation's performance in 2020 and plans for the near term.
Navalny's Prison Sentence Upheld, While He's Also Fined For Defamation RFE/RL 20 Feb 2021 -- A Moscow court has upheld opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's prison sentence relating to an embezzlement conviction, but reduced the sentence by about 50 days considering time served.
Moscow Appeals Court Upholds Navalny's Prison Sentence VOA 20 Feb 2021 -- A Russian court has rejected an appeal in the sentencing of opposition leader Alexey Navalny — clearing the way for the Kremlin critic to spend more than two-and-a-half years in prison, despite protests at home, and a new rift in Russia's relations with the West over the case.
Biden Administration's Additional Sanctions Over Nord Stream 2 'Inadequate,' Republicans Say RFE/RL 20 Feb 2021 -- The United States imposed additional sanctions on a Russian vessel and the ship's owner for their work on the Nord Stream 2 natural-gas pipeline from Russia to Germany, but the move was immediately criticized as inadequate by Republican lawmakers.
Russian Political Researcher Arrested On High Treason Charge RFE/RL 20 Feb 2021 -- A Russian political researcher has been arrested in Moscow on a charge of high treason.
Russia Reports 13,433 New Coronavirus Cases SPA 19 Feb 2021 -- Russia reported 13,433 new Coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, including 1,972 in Moscow, taking the tally to 4,139,031, Reuters reported.
Russian Envoy Visits Pakistan as Part of Effort to Jumpstart Stalled Afghan Peace Process VOA 19 Feb 2021 -- Russia's special envoy for Afghanistan visited Islamabad Friday to encourage Pakistan's support for a meeting in Moscow to help facilitate the stalled Afghan peace process.
Iran to launch mass production of Russian Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine Press TV 19 Feb 2021 -- Iran plans to start the mass production of Russia's Sputnik V anti-coronavirus vaccines but will use a variety of vaccines, including Indian and Chinese ones.
The Week In Russia: Navalny's Return: Masterstroke Or Mistake? RFE/RL 19 Feb 2021 -- Since he touched down in Moscow a month ago, Kremlin foe and poison survivor Aleksei Navalny has been jailed and handed a prison term of two years and eight months -- and he faces possible further prosecution that could result in many more years behind bars.
Russian Police Remove Memorial To Slain Opposition Leader Nemtsov, Detain Activists RFE/RL 19 Feb 2021 -- Russian police have once again removed a makeshift memorial to slain opposition politician Boris Nemtsov in central Moscow, and detained two activists guarding it, local media reported.
Telephone conversation with President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan President of Russia 18 Feb 2021 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, February 18, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 18 Feb 2021
First Batch of Sputnik V Vaccine Against Coronavirus Arrives in Paraguay, Reports Say Sputnik 18 Feb 2021 -- The first batch of doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus has arrived in Paraguay, media reported.
Guinea Negotiating With Russia for 400,000 Doses of Sputnik V, Health Minister Assistant Says Sputnik 18 Feb 2021 -- Guinea is negotiating with Russia to obtain 400,000 doses of Russian coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V, Mohamed Lamine Yansane, an assistant to the country's health minister, said on Thursday.
Russia Expected to Register New Coronavirus Vaccine CoviVac on February 20, Officials Say Sputnik 18 Feb 2021 -- The CoviVac vaccine, which was developed by Chumakov research center, is expected to be registered on February 20, the official Russian website with COVID-19 data and advice said Thursday.
Russia Expels Estonian Diplomat In 'Tit-For-Tat' Move RFE/RL 18 Feb 2021 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry said on February 18 that it has expelled an Estonian diplomat in retaliation for a move by Tallinn to declare a Russian diplomat persona non grata.
Navalny's Brother Loses Appeal On House Arrest Ruling By Russian Court RFE/RL 18 Feb 2021 -- A Moscow court has upheld a ruling placing Oleg Navalny, the brother of jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, under house arrest.
U.S. Ambassador Says Navalny Poisoning, Jailing Is Not Just An Internal Russian Matter RFE/RL 18 Feb 2021 -- The U.S. ambassador to Russia, John Sullivan, has rejected Moscow's assertion that last year's nerve-agent poisoning of opposition politician Aleksei Navalny and protests prompted by his recent jailing is a strictly internal Russian affair.
Russian Activist Gets Suspended Sentence For Ties With Opposition Group RFE/RL 18 Feb 2021 -- Russian activist Anastasia Shevchenko has been handed a four-year suspended sentence for carrying out activities on behalf of an "undesirable organization," in what Amnesty International has called a "travesty of justice."
Russia Alleges US, Not Taliban, Breaching Afghan Peace Deal VOA 17 Feb 2021 -- A top Russian diplomat says the Taliban insurgency is "flawlessly" adhering to the terms of a 2020 peace deal with the United States to help end the war in Afghanistan and is urging Washington not to renege on its commitments.
Joint Statement by the Representatives of Iran, Russia and Turkey on the International Meeting on Syria in the Astana format, Sochi, 16-17 February 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17 Feb 2021 -- The representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Turkey as guarantors of the Astana format:
Iranian, Russian diplomats discuss Syria peace in Sochi ISNA 17 Feb 2021 -- The Iranian delegation headed by Ali-Asghar Khaji, the Iranian foreign minister's senior assistant in special political affairs, which has travelled to the Russian city of Sochi to attend the 15th International Meeting on Syria within the Astana Format, held talks with the Russian delegation headed by Alexander Lavrentiev, the Russian president's special envoy for Syria.
Peace guarantors stress respect for Syria sovereignty, cooperation on eradicating terror Press TV 17 Feb 2021 -- Iran, Russia, and Turkey, the states that have been serving as the guarantors of an all-Syria ceasefire, stress the importance of respect for the Arab country's sovereignty and lay emphasis on the need to fight terrorism there until its complete eradication.
Iran, Russia, Turkey resume Syria peace talks in Sochi Press TV 17 Feb 2021 -- Iran, Russia and Turkey have launched a new round of negotiations in the Astana format between Syrian government delegates and representatives of foreign-sponsored opposition groups, months after the intra-Syrian peace talks were called off amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Two Russian Su-27s Intercept French Military Aircraft Heading for Russian Borders Over Black Sea Sputnik 17 Feb 2021 -- Two Russian Su-27 fighters intercepted a group of French military aircraft over the Black Sea and escorted them until they flew away from Russia's borders, the Russian Defense Ministry's National Defence Control Centre (NDCC) told reporters.
U.S. Lawmakers Call On Biden Administration To Update Congress On Nord Stream 2 Sanctions RFE/RL 17 Feb 2021 -- A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has called on the Biden administration to brief Congress on its steps to stop a controversial Russian natural-gas pipeline to Europe amid concerns it is nearing completion.
European Court of Human Rights Calls on Russia to Free Navalny VOA 17 Feb 2021 -- The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) is calling on Russia to release top Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny.
European Rights Court Rules Russia Should 'Immediately' Release Navalny RFE/RL 17 Feb 2021 -- The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has called for the "immediate" release of Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, a demand quickly rejected by Russian officials.
Ex-President Of Russian Track And Field Federation, Other Officials Banned In Doping Case RFE/RL 17 Feb 2021 -- The former head of the Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF), Dmitry Shlyakhtin, was among five officials banned on February 17 for four years after a disciplinary tribunal upheld all charges against them in a probe into high jumper Danil Lysenko.
Navy forces conduct night shooting in joint military drills IRNA 17 Feb 2021 -- Spokesman for the Iran-Russia 2021 hybrid Maritime Security Belt Exercise Gholamreza Tahani said on Wednesday that night shooting operation to air targets was conducted.
Iranian, Russian navies practice anti-piracy operations on 2nd day of drills Press TV 17 Feb 2021 -- Iranian and Russian naval forces have practiced anti-piracy operations, during which they rescued two hijacked merchant vessels, on the second day of their joint naval maneuvers in the Sea of Oman and the northern part of the Indian Ocean.
Russia's Sputnik V Vaccine Registration in Togo is 'Ongoing', Foreign Minister Says Sputnik 16 Feb 2021 -- Togo has already launched the necessary procedures to register Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine in the country, Togolese Minister of Foreign Affairs Robert Dussey told Sputnik in an interview.
Montenegro Negotiates Supply of Russia's Sputnik V Vaccine With Moscow, Health Ministry Says Sputnik 16 Feb 2021 -- Montenegro is negotiating delivery of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine with the Russian government and Moscow's Gamaleya Epidemiology and Microbiology Center, the country's health ministry told Sputnik on Tuesday.
Kremlin Calls French Allegations Of Hacking Campaign 'Absurd' RFE/RL 16 Feb 2021 -- The Kremlin on February 16 dismissed French allegations that hackers linked to Russian intelligence have breached several French organizations as absurd.
US Will Look at Other Ways to Advance Strategic Stability With Russia, State Department Says Sputnik 16 Feb 2021 -- Moscow's deputy foreign minister for non-proliferation and arms control, Sergei Ryabkov, recently said Russia may be able to return to some of the many treaties shredded by the Trump administration - but not all of them.
Ukraine Detains Man Accused Of Leading Sabotage Group For Russia-Backed Separatists RFE/RL 16 Feb 2021 -- Ukraine's Security Service said its agents have detained a man alleged to be the leader of an intelligence group of Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Russian prosecutors demand fine against Navalny in slander trial Press TV 16 Feb 2021 -- Russian state prosecutors have demanded that opposition figure Alexei Navalny be fined for defaming a World War II veteran.
Prosecutors Seek $13,000 Fine Against Kremlin Critic Navalny In Slander Trial RFE/RL 16 Feb 2021 -- Prosecutors have demanded that the Kremlin critic and opposition activist Aleksei Navalny be fined 950,000 rubles ($13,000) for allegedly slandering a World War II veteran.
Russian Duma OKs Bill To Fine Violators Of Controversial 'Foreign Agents' Law RFE/RL 16 Feb 2021 -- Russian parliament's lower chamber, the State Duma, has approved in the last reading a bill that envisages fines for those violating the country's controversial law on "foreign agents."
Russia Does Not Welcome Sanctions, Wants Political Will for Dialogue to Prevail, Kremlin Says Sputnik 16 Feb 2021 -- Russia would not welcome new restrictions, as it hopes that political will to continue dialogue will prevail abroad, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.
Russia slams West's 'maniacal persistency' with sanctions Press TV 16 Feb 2021 -- The Kremlin has censured the West's "maniacal persistency" in pursuing sanctions against Russia and its reluctance to resolve contentious issues through dialog.
Russian flotilla enters Iranian waters for joint naval drill Press TV 16 Feb 2021 -- A Russian flotilla, comprising the Stoiky corvette and KoLa refueling ship, has entered Iran's territorial waters for the 2021 combined naval exercise.
Iran, Russia Start Naval Drill In Indian Ocean RFE/RL 16 Feb 2021 -- Iran and Russia have embarked on a joint naval drill in the northern part of the Indian Ocean that they say has been designed to "enhance the security" of maritime trade in the region, Iranian state media reported.
Iran, Russia Start Naval Drill in Indian Ocean VOA 16 Feb 2021 -- Iran and Russia have embarked on a joint naval drill in the northern part of the Indian Ocean that they say has been designed to "enhance the security" of maritime trade in the region, Iranian state media reported.
First phase of joint Navy drills in Northern Indian Ocean put into practice IRNA 16 Feb 2021 -- Spokesman for the Iran-Russia 2021 hybrid Maritime Security Belt Exercise Gholamreza Tahani said on Tuesday that in the first stage of the joint exercises of naval security in the northern Indian Ocean, Iranian and Russian vessels shot at predetermined targets at sea.
Iranian, Russian navies display firepower on 1st day of joint drills Press TV 16 Feb 2021 -- Iranian and Russian military vessels have conducted the first stage of their naval maneuvers in the Sea of Oman and the northern part of the Indian Ocean by unleashing fire on designated targets and squaring up in offensive formations in light of regional threats.
Russia urges 'real progress' on Iran deal before window closes Press TV 16 Feb 2021 -- A senior Russian diplomat has called for "real progress" on the implementation of the 2015 multilateral nuclear deal, stressing the need for the relevant parties to race against time in the coming weeks to save the agreement.
Russia Launches Unmanned Cargo Ship To Space Station RFE/RL 15 Feb 2021 -- Russia has launched an unmanned cargo ship to resupply the International Space Station (ISS).
New Report On Alleged Extrajudicial Executions In Chechnya RFE/RL 15 Feb 2021 -- The Moscow-based Novaya gazeta newspaper on February 15 published official documents it says prove that many of the people allegedly killed in extrajudicial executions in Chechnya in 2017 had been detained by local police.
With Flashlight Protests, Russian Opposition Circumvents Ongoing State Crackdown RFE/RL 15 Feb 2021 -- When Russians took to the streets three times in recent weeks to protest the jailing of Kremlin opponent Aleksei Navalny, police violently dispersed the crowds and detained more than 11,000 people. But the latest nationwide demonstration, on February 14, provoked hardly any clashes or arrests.
Navalny Was Under German Special Forces Protection During His Treatment in Berlin Sputnik 15 Feb 2021 -- Russian opposition figure Alexei Navlny was under protection of special services in Berlin, where he received medical treatment and recovered after the suspected poisoning, the German cabinet said on Monday, responding to a request by the Alternative for Germany parliamentary faction.
Lavrov on Potential Russia-EU Break-up: Rift Has Been Growing for Years at Brussels' Initiative Sputnik 15 Feb 2021 -- The foreign minister has previously stated that Moscow is prepared to end the relationship with the European Union if the bloc introduces sanctions that put the Russian economy at risk.
Iran, Russia to hold joint naval drills on Tuesday ISNA 15 Feb 2021 -- Iran and Russia will hold joint naval drills at North Indian Ocean on Tuesday.
Iran, Russia set to stage joint naval drill in Indian Ocean on Tuesday: Admiral Press TV 15 Feb 2021 -- Iran and Russia will begin a joint naval exercise on Tuesday in the northern part of the Indian Ocean with the aim of bolstering maritime trade security in the region, said the Iranian Navy's spokesman for the drill.
Lebanon Expects to Involve Private Companies in Procuring Russia's Sputnik V, Lawmaker Says Sputnik 14 Feb 2021 -- Lebanon expects to procure Russia's coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V through private companies, as the country will not be able to allocate public funds for this purpose, Assem Araji, the head of the Lebanese parliament's health committee, told Sputnik.
Russia Reports 14,185 New COVID-19 Cases, 430 Deaths SPA 14 Feb 2021 -- Russia reported 14,185 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, including 1,559 in Moscow, taking the national infection tally to 4,071,883 since the pandemic began, according to Reuters.
Iran Counts on Purchasing Arms From Russia to Ensure Regional Security, FM Assistant Says Sputnik 14 Feb 2021 -- Iran hopes it will be able to procure arms from Russia to ensure security in the region, Senior Assistant to Iranian Foreign Minister in Special Political Affairs Ali-Asghar Khaji told Sputnik.
Iran, Russia to hold 2nd joint naval drills in Indian Ocean: Commander Press TV 14 Feb 2021 -- Iran and Russia will soon hold their second naval drills in the northern part of the Indian Ocean in a show of the power of their armed forces, says a high-ranking Iranian military official.
Iran, Russia to hold second joint naval drill in Indian Ocean: Commander IRNA 14 Feb 2021 -- Deputy Commander of Iran's Army for Coordination Affairs Rear-Admiral Habibollah Sayyari on Sunday announced the joint Iran-Russia naval drill in the northern Indian Ocean in the near future.
'Irritated' West using Navalny to 'contain' Russia: Putin Press TV 14 Feb 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says Western powers are exploiting the case of detained opposition figure Alexei Navalny to "contain" Moscow.
In Change Of Tactics, Protesters Use Light To Show Support For Navalny RFE/RL 14 Feb 2021 -- Following mass rallies that saw thousands of detentions, supporters of jailed Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny are using light from mobile phones, flashlights, and candles as a new form of protest.
Hundreds Of Women Rally In Russia In Support Of Political Prisoners RFE/RL 14 Feb 2021 -- Hundreds of women have attended protests in Moscow and St Petersburg on St. Valentine's Day in support of Russian women prosecuted for political reasons.
Russia Reports 14,861 New Coronavirus Cases SPA 13 Feb 2021 -- Russia reported today 14,861 new COVID-19 cases, including 1,963 in Moscow, taking the national infection tally to 4,057,698 since the pandemic began, Reuters reported.
Putin Says Russia Dealt With COVID19 Pandemic Better Than Other Countries Sputnik 13 Feb 2021 -- The initial foreign expectations were that Russia was not going to be able to withstand the coronavirus, but it turned out that it did better than other countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
Russia Imposes Sanctions On Nine Ukrainian Companies RFE/RL 13 Feb 2021 -- Russia has slapped economic sanctions on nine Ukrainian firms, the latest in a list of businesses that it targets with such penalties.
Police Search Navalny's Chelyabinsk Office, Activists Say RFE/RL 13 Feb 2021 -- Law enforcement officers have searched the Chelyabinsk offices of opposition leader Aleksei Navalny, activists reported on February 13.
U.S. Senators Urge Biden To Follow Through On Pipeline Sanctions RFE/RL 13 Feb 2021 -- Two U.S. senators have urged President Joe Biden to ensure the implementation of sanctions aimed at stopping the Nord Stream 2 gas-pipeline project from Russia to Germany.
Russia says Iran must be given economic incentives from JCPOA IRNA 13 Feb 2021 -- Russian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov said in a message that Iran must be given economic incentives from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
China's Gas Prices from Russia Fall as Market Risks Rise Radio Free Asia 12 Feb 2021 -- A little over a year after Russia opened its giant Power of Siberia pipeline to China, natural gas prices for the Chinese market have fallen below European rates.
Russia's Sputnik V Vaccine Authorised in 26 Countries, RDIF Says Sputnik 12 Feb 2021 -- Russia's coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V has been authorised in Montenegro and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, thus bringing the total number of countries where it is authorised to 26, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said Friday.
Kazakhstan Authorises Russia's Sputnik V Vaccine Against Coronavirus Sputnik 12 Feb 2021 -- The development signifies that Kazakhstan has become the 27th nation to authorise the vaccine. Earlier in the day, the Russian Direct Investment Fund announced that Sputnik V had been authorised in a total of 26 nations after Montenegro and St Vincent and the Grenadines greenlighted the medication.
Hungary Becomes First EU State To Use Russian Vaccine RFE/RL 12 Feb 2021 -- Hungary on February 12 was on its way to become the first EU nation to use Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus, breaking ranks with the rest of the 27-member bloc.
Russia Reports 15089 New Covid-19 Cases, 507 Deaths SPA 12 Feb 2021 -- Russia reported 15089 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), during the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases to 4042837.
Second consignment of Russian-made Sputnik-V vaccines arrives in Iran: Ministry Press TV 12 Feb 2021 -- The second consignment of Russian-made Sputnik-V vaccines developed to curb the COVID-19 contagious disease has arrived in Iran earlier than originally planned, the country's Health Ministry says.
Russia 'Ready To Cut Ties' With EU If Sanctions Threat Carried Out RFE/RL 12 Feb 2021 -- Russia says it is prepared to sever ties with the European Union if the bloc follows through with threats to implement tough new economic sanctions against Moscow over the detention and jailing of opposition politician Aleksei Navalny.
Russian Officials: Moscow Ready to Respond if Faced with Harsh EU Sanctions VOA 12 Feb 2021 -- Russia says it needs to be ready to respond if the European Union imposes harsh sanctions on the country over the arrest and jailing of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.
Russia ready to sever EU ties if hit with new sanctions: Lavrov Press TV 12 Feb 2021 -- Russia has warned that it is ready to sever ties with the European Union (EU) if the 27-member bloc hits Moscow with new economic sanctions following recent tensions over the case of Western-backed blogger Alexei Navalny.
Russia calls on US to 'stop reckless saber-rattling' in Black Sea Press TV 12 Feb 2021 -- Russia has censured the presence of the US navy as part of a joint drill with Turkish forces in the Black Sea, calling on the United States to "stop reckless saber-rattling" in the region.
The Week In Russia: The Most Dangerous (Blame) Game? RFE/RL 12 Feb 2021 -- President Vladimir Putin's government stepped up its campaign to blame the West for protests and more as the Kremlin gears up for elections later this year, demonstratively expelling European diplomats during an ill-fated fence-mending visit from the EU foreign policy chief.
Report: Russian Court To Hear Navalny Appeal On Sentence Change February 20 RFE/RL 12 Feb 2021 -- The Moscow City Court will consider an appeal of the decision to convert opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's suspended sentence to real jail time on February 20, the RIA Novosti news agency reported.
Russian Media Ordered To Delete Reports On Planned 'Flashlight' Protest RFE/RL 12 Feb 2021 -- Russia's federal media regulator has ordered media outlets, including RFE/RL's Russian Service and Current Time TV, to delete all reports about a planned mobile-phone "flashlight" protest against the jailing of Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny.
Russia's Anti-Putin Opposition Struggles To Hang Together Following Navalny's Imprisonment RFE/RL 12 Feb 2021 -- When opposition politician Aleksei Navalny stood in the defendant's cage in a Moscow courtroom on February 2, he held a sign that may have captured the Russian opposition's most important priority at the moment.
Back In Court, Navalny Tells Russian Judge To 'Stop Disgracing Yourself' RFE/RL 12 Feb 2021 -- A court appearance by jailed Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny has resumed with a testy exchange with the judge in a slander case involving a World War II veteran, resuming a trial that was interrupted last week.
Navalny Lawyer Calls New Russian Charges Against Her 'Revenge' RFE/RL 12 Feb 2021 -- Lyubov Sobol, a prominent lawyer for jailed Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), has been indicted on fresh charges she labeled political "revenge" for daring to speak to an alleged security officer behind the assassination attempt against the Kremlin critic.
Pakistan Hosts 45 Navies for Joint Drills, Including Russia, China, NATO Members Sputnik 12 Feb 2021 -- The last time Russian naval forces drilled with their counterparts in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization was 10 years ago off the coast of Spain, during the "Bold Monarch" exercises.
Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, February 11, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 11 Feb 2021
No Sputnik Shot For Ukraine As Kyiv Bans Registration Of COVID Vaccines From 'Aggressor States' RFE/RL 11 Feb 2021 -- Ukraine's government has banned the registration of vaccines for COVID-19 from "aggressor states," a designation it has applied to Russia since 2015.
UN political affairs chief warns against 'backsliding' in Ukraine UN News 11 Feb 2021 -- Although a ceasefire in Eastern Ukraine has led to a significant decrease in civilian casualties, the overall situation remains fragile unless progress is made on the security and political fronts, the UN's political affairs chief told the Security Council on Thursday.
U.S. Renews Call On Turkey To Scrap Russian Missile System RFE/RL 10 Feb 2021 -- The United States has renewed its call on Turkey to renounce an advanced Russian air-defense system, rejecting a proposal by Ankara to resolve the dispute.
Turkey Refuses to Ditch Russian S-400s After Biden Cabinet Confirms It Will Maintain Sanctions Sputnik 11 Feb 2021 -- Previously, the Democrat's team revealed that he is not planning to overturn the policy of punishing Turkey over the acquisition of Russian air defence systems initiated under Republican Donald Trump. Biden's administration accused Turkey of not acting like a NATO ally by buying weapons from Moscow.
Russian Deputy FM: Any Agreement to Replace New START Treaty Requires Discussing US Missile Defence Sputnik 11 Feb 2021 -- A five-year extension of the arms reduction treaty came into force earlier this month, as Moscow and Washington managed to find common ground before the deal expired to preserve global peace and security.
Bellingcat: Alleged Navalny Assailant Tailed Another Poisoned Kremlin Critic RFE/RL 11 Feb 2021 -- Russian security agents -- including one allegedly linked to the poisoning of opposition politician Aleksei Navalny -- tailed another Kremlin critic in the days and weeks before his two near-fatal poisoning illnesses, the investigative group Bellingcat said in a new report.
Russian Students Sue After University Expels Them For Joining Protests RFE/RL 11 Feb 2021 -- It was with "pain in my heart," rector Konstantin Markelov said on January 29, that he announced the expulsion of three Astrakhan State University students for attending opposition protests.
Russian Opposition Beset by Infighting as Country Expects More Turmoil VOA 11 Feb 2021 -- A storied Russian liberal politician has sparked an outbreak of infighting among the country's opposition groups after mounting a scathing attack on Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny, arguing the path he would take the country down wouldn't lead to a life free of repression.
Chile Says to Procure Russia's COVID-19 Vaccine Sputnik V Sputnik 10 Feb 2021 -- Chile has secured an agreement on shipments of the Russian-made coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V, Health Minister Enrique Paris has said.
Iran, Russia agree to 'soon' launch joint manufacturing for Sputnik V: Envoy Press TV 10 Feb 2021 -- Iran has concluded talks with Russia aimed at launching local manufacturing for Sputnik V, Moscow's flagship vaccine for tackling the coronavirus pandemic, says Iran's envoy to Russia.
Lithuania Refuses Russia's Demand to Arrest Navalny Ally VOA 10 Feb 2021 -- Lithuania has rejected orders issued Wednesday from a Moscow court calling for the arrest of Leonid Volkov, an exiled ally of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny.
Russian Arrest Warrant Issued For Navalny Associate Volkov RFE/RL 10 Feb 2021 -- A Russian court has issued an arrest warrant for Leonid Volkov, a close associate of jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, just hours after the Investigative Committee added him to the country's wanted list.
Moscow Court Places Two Municipal Lawmakers Under House Arrest Over Navalny Rallies RFE/RL 10 Feb 2021 -- Moscow's Basmanny court has placed two municipal lawmakers under house arrest on charges of breaking coronavirus restrictions by publicly calling on Moscow residents to take part in unsanctioned rallies to protest the arrest of opposition politician Aleksei Navalny.
'Better Jail Than A Cemetery': Russian Regional Lawmaker Detained After Announcing Plans To Challenge Duma Speaker RFE/RL 10 Feb 2021 -- Early on the morning of February 8, Nikolai Bondarenko, a legislator in Russia's Saratov Oblast, got a phone call asking him to move his car. When he got to the bottom of the stairs, he noticed that the light that had been burning the previous evening was now dark.
Report: Navalny's Wife Leaves Russia For Germany RFE/RL 10 Feb 2021 -- Yulia Navalnaya, recently detained for taking part in unsanctioned rallies in support of her jailed husband, opposition politician and anti-corruption crusader Aleksei Navalny, has left Russia and flown to Germany, Interfax quoted a source as saying.
Nord Stream 2: Is Russia's 'Bad Deal For Europe' Also A Done Deal? RFE/RL 10 Feb 2021 -- Facing rebuke and warnings of fresh sanctions over its imprisonment of opposition politician Aleksei Navalny and the arrest of thousands of Russians who protested his jailing, the Kremlin got a piece of good news recently.
WHO Hopes Russia's Sputnik V Vaccine to Be Distributed Through COVAX Program Sputnik 09 Feb 2021 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed hope, in its comment for Sputnik, that Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus would be distributed through the COVAX international program after receiving the WHO authorization for emergency use.
Ukraine Demands Twitter Remove 'Official' Russian Foreign Ministry Account In Occupied Crimea RFE/RL 09 Feb 2021 -- Ukraine is calling on Twitter to remove a "blue check" verified account of the Russian Foreign Ministry's office in Crimea, accusing the social-media giant of promoting Kremlin propaganda.
Top EU Diplomat Says Bloc Mulls New Sanctions Against 'Merciless' Russia RFE/RL 09 Feb 2021 -- The European Union's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, has said his visit to Moscow last week showed that Russia is heading down a "worrisome, authoritarian route," and warned the Kremlin it could face new sanctions over the jailing of opposition leader Aleksei Navalny.
EU's Top Diplomat Borrell Says Bloc Could Impose Further Sanctions on Russia Sputnik 09 Feb 2021 -- The European Union might impose new sanctions on Russia, the high representative for the foreign policy, Josep Borrell, said Tuesday, adding that he would make some "concrete proposals" at the upcoming high-level meeting.
Navalny Spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh Remanded Under House Arrest RFE/RL 09 Feb 2021 -- A Moscow court has rejected an appeal by Kira Yarmysh, spokeswoman of jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, against her detention.
Navalny Team Switches Tactics In Call For New Protest In Russia RFE/RL 09 Feb 2021 -- The leader of the network of jailed Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's teams across Russia has called for new anti-government protests in courtyards and backyards across the country, a change in tactics from mass street rallies that resulted in thousands of arrests.
Russia calls Navalny associates 'traitors' over push for Western sanctions Press TV 09 Feb 2021 -- Russia has accused the associates of opposition figure Alexei Navalny of treason for pushing the West to consider possible sanctions against the Kremlin over his imprisonment.
Russian State TV Investigated The German House Where Navalny Recuperated From Novichok. Mockery Ensued. RFE/RL 09 Feb 2021 -- It was billed as a bombshell: an exposé on Russian state television that promised to rip the roof off the "luxurious" German house where opposition politician Aleksei Navalny lived while recuperating from a near-fatal nerve-agent poisoning, allegedly at the hands of Russian security agents.
Germany Offered U.S. 'Dirty Deal' On Nord Stream 2, Eco-Group Claims RFE/RL 09 Feb 2021 -- An environmental and consumer protection group says the German government offered U.S. President Donald Trump's administration financial support of up to 1 billion euros ($1.21 billion) in a bid to prevent Washington from imposing sanctions on the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
Hungary Approves Russian Coronavirus Vaccine For Use RFE/RL 07 Feb 2021 -- Hungary has become the first European Union member to approve the Russian-developed Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine for general use.
Russia's Sputnik V Vaccine Fully Approved for Use in Hungary, Minister Says Sputnik 07 Feb 2021 -- Hungarian Human Resources Minister Miklos Kasler said on Sunday that the national healthcare service centre had fully approved Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 for use in the European country.
Russia Reports 16,048 New Coronavirus Cases, 432 Deaths SPA 07 Feb 2021 -- Russia reported 16,048 new COVID-19 cases across the country on Sunday, including 2,028 in Moscow, taking the national tally to 3,967,281 since the pandemic began, Reuters reported.
Russia Refutes Lithuania's Criticism of Sputnik V, Stresses Vaccine's Global Recognition Sputnik 07 Feb 2021 -- Russia's coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V proved its effectiveness and was recognised at the international level, despite disinformation and biased statements from Western countries, the Russian Embassy in Lithuania said on Sunday in response to the recent critical statement by Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė.
Deputy health minister: Iran, Russia to cooperate in COVID-19 vaccine production Press TV 07 Feb 2021 -- A delegation from Iran's Health Ministry headed by a deputy health minister has arrived in Moscow to discuss cooperation between the two sides in a variety of health-related areas, particularly the co-production of Russia's coronavirus vaccine.
Russia Reports 16,627 New Coronavirus Cases SPA 06 Feb 2021 -- Russia reported here today 16,627 new Coronavirus cases, which took the overall national number of confirmed infections to 3,951,233, Reuters reported.
German Minister Warns Against Linking Fate Of Navalny With Nord Stream Pipeline RFE/RL 07 Feb 2021 -- German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier has cautioned against linking Moscow's treatment of jailed Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny to the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
Borrell Says Asked Lavrov to Reverse EU Diplomats Expulsion, But 'to No Avail' Sputnik 07 Feb 2021 -- EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Sunday that he knew about Moscow's decision to expel three EU diplomats through social media adding that he personally asked Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to reverse this decision, but "to no avail."
Germany's Merkel says Nord Stream 2 project unaffected by Navalny case People's Daily 06 Feb 2021 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Friday that Germany's attitude towards the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is, for the present, "unaffected" by Russia's treatment of its opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
EU Foreign Policy Chief Wraps Up Russia Visit Amid Criticism Over Response To Navalny Protests RFE/RL 06 Feb 2021 -- EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has completed his three-day trip to Moscow amid criticism of Russia's response to anti-government protests.
Consortium Resumes Laying Pipe For Nord Stream 2 RFE/RL 06 Feb 2021 -- Efforts have resumed to complete the last underwater section of the controversial Nord Stream 2 natural-gas pipeline.
Telegram Blocks Channels That List Personal Data Of Russian Protesters, Law-Enforcement RFE/RL 06 Feb 2021 -- The head of Telegram has said that the popular messaging app has blocked several channels that posted the telephone numbers and addresses of people working for and against anti-government protests in Russia.
No Rallies Planned For Navalny, But Police Raids, Detentions Continue In Russia RFE/RL 06 Feb 2021 -- The authorities in Russia reportedly continued to detain supporters of jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny and closed the center of the country's second-largest city even though no anti-government rallies were planned.
Russia's Vessel Fortuna Starts Laying Nord Stream 2 Pipes in Danish Waters, Company Says Sputnik 06 Feb 2021 -- Russia's vessel Fortuna has begun laying pipes in the waters of Denmark after successfully completing preparatory work for the resumption of the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, the operator of the pipeline, Nord Stream 2 AG, said on Saturday.
Iran purchased two million doses of Sputnik-V vaccine for COVID-19: Official Press TV 05 Feb 2021 -- Head of Iran's Food and Drug Administration Mohammad Reza Shanehsaz says the country has purchased 2 million doses of Russia's Sputnik-V COVID-19 vaccine, whose first shipment arrived in Iran on Thursday.
China donates COVID-19 vaccines to Iraq; Iran, Palestine receive 1st batch of Russian COVID-19 vaccines People's Daily 05 Feb 2021 -- China has donated 50,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Iraq, the Chinese embassy in Baghdad said on Thursday. Meanwhile, both Iran and Palestine received the first batch of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine.
Lebanese Health Ministry Approves Use of Russian Vaccine Sputnik V, Reports Suggest Sputnik 05 Feb 2021 -- A scientific commission under the Lebanese Health Ministry approved the use of Russian vaccine Sputnik V, Lebanese national agency NNA reported.
Hungary May Begin Use Of Russia's Sputnik V Vaccine Next Week RFE/RL 05 Feb 2021 -- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said his country may start inoculating people with the Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 next week, while the European Union's top diplomat expressed hope that the bloc would grant regulatory approval for the Russian-made vaccine.
Hungary May Start Injecting Russia's Sputnik V Coronavirus Vaccine Next Week, Reports Say Sputnik 05 Feb 2021 -- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday that his country might begin using Russia's vaccine against the coronavirus Sputnik V next week, media reported.
Russian coronavirus vaccine 'good news for mankind,' EU's Borrell says Press TV 05 Feb 2021 -- Josep Borrell, the foreign policy chief of the European Union, says the success of Russia's Sputnik-V coronavirus vaccine is "good news for the whole of mankind."
Blinken Warns Lavrov That U.S. Will Respond 'Firmly' To Russian Malign Actions RFE/RL 05 Feb 2021 -- Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned Russia that the new U.S. administration will respond "firmly" to Russian actions against the United States and its allies.
Russia expels diplomats from three EU countries over Navalny protests Press TV 05 Feb 2021 -- Russia has expelled diplomats from three European Union (EU) countries for taking part in unauthorized protests in support of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny.
Russia Expels European Diplomats, Top EU Official Laments 'Low Point' In Relations RFE/RL 05 Feb 2021 -- Moscow said it was expelling diplomats from three European Union members saying they participated in protests to support opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, a topic that the bloc's top diplomat said earlier in the day had brought bilateral relations to a "low point."
Russia Expels Three EU Diplomats For Participating in Unauthorised Rallies Sputnik 05 Feb 2021 -- The diplomats took part in unauthorised rallies to support Russian jailed blogger Alexei Navalny whose suspended sentence was replaced with three-and-a-half years in prison.
Russia Expels European Diplomats Over Navalny Case VOA 05 Feb 2021 -- Russia and Western nations continued to clash Friday over the fate of jailed opposition leader Alexey Navalny, with Russia's Foreign Ministry announcing the expulsion of three European diplomats over alleged support for the Kremlin critic even as the top EU diplomat was in Moscow for talks.
Russia dismisses US 'aggressive rhetoric' over Navalny case Press TV 05 Feb 2021 -- Russia has denounced the US president's latest comments on the detention of opposition figure Alexei Navalny as "aggressive rhetoric," saying the "hints of ultimatum" in Joe Biden's words are unacceptable.
Halt To Russia's Opposition Protests Prompts Criticism From 'Seething' Activists RFE/RL 05 Feb 2021 -- After two weeks of police beatings, thousands of arrests, and a wave of criminal prosecutions whose reach is only just becoming apparent, allies of imprisoned Kremlin foe Aleksei Navalny have called an end to the anti-government protests they incited over the course of three consecutive weeks.
In Court Again, Navalny Accuses Russian Officials Of 'Fabricating' Slander Case RFE/RL 05 Feb 2021 -- Jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny has accused Russian officials of "fabricating" a slander case against him for comments he wrote on Twitter about several people who appeared in a pro-Kremlin video.
No EU Sanctions for Now, While Russia Protesters Allege Brutal Police Treatment VOA 05 Feb 2021 -- The European Union's top diplomat told Russian counterparts that the case against jailed Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny has brought EU-Russian relations to a "low point." "Our relations are under severe strain," Josep Borrell said at the start of a three-day visit to Moscow.
Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, February 4, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 04 Feb 2021
First COVID-19 vaccine shipment from Russia arrives in Iran IRNA 04 Feb 2021 -- The first cargo of Russia's COVID-19 vaccine delivered to Iran by Russia arrived in Tehran by Iranian airline less than an hour ago.
Iran receives first batch of Russian-made COVID-19 vaccines Press TV 04 Feb 2021 -- Iran has imported the first consignment of Russian COVID-19 vaccines from Moscow after the cure's remarkable rate of efficacy was verified by domestic authorities.
Iran Gets First Batch Of Russia's COVID-19 Vaccine As It Shuns West RFE/RL 04 Feb 2021 -- The first batch of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine has arrived in Iran as the country prepares to launch a COVID-19 inoculation campaign aimed at curbing the usage of Western medicines.
Exclusive: EU Staff In Moscow Given Green Light For Sputnik Vaccination RFE/RL 04 Feb 2021 -- The European Union is allowing its diplomats in Moscow to be vaccinated with the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine if they choose, even though it hasn't been approved by the bloc's regulators, according to an internal email seen by RFE/RL.
Appeal Grows For Russian, Chinese Serums As Western Vaccine Efforts Get Bogged Down RFE/RL 04 Feb 2021 -- A new study has helped Russia's leading coronavirus vaccine bounce back from criticism of a premature rollout just as many countries are confronting a growing array of logistical and political challenges to delivering vaccines.
Remarks by President Biden on America's Place in the World The White House 04 Feb 2021
Biden Promises US Re-engagement with the World VOA 04 Feb 2021 -- President Joe Biden promised Thursday that the United States would sharply increase its engagement around the world during his White House tenure, ending what he contended was the "past few years of neglect and abuse" of foreign relations by former President Donald Trump.
China's Rise Complicates Biden's Mideast Policy Plans VOA 04 Feb 2021 -- As the Biden administration contemplates a return to Obama-era policies in the Middle East – from the Iran nuclear deal to Israeli-Palestinian negotiations -- it is finding those policies complicated by China's rising role as an influential political player throughout the region.
Biden Says Defense, State Will Work Together to Rebuild U.S. Foreign Policy DoD News 04 Feb 2021 -- The Defense Department and the State Department will work closely and in tandem to better represent to the world the power of American values and ideals, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. said today during a speech at the State Department.
Biden touches on Saudi war, Russia, China among other issues in his 1st foreign policy speech Press TV 04 Feb 2021 -- US President Joe Biden delivered a speech during his first visit to the State Department on Thursday, touching upon a range of issues pertaining to Saudi Arabia, Russia and China among others.
Biden Says 'America Is Back' In Major Foreign Policy Speech RFE/RL 04 Feb 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden outlined his foreign policy vision in a speech at the State Department on February 4, vowing to confront "authoritarianism" in China and Russia while reengaging with the world and allies.
US, Russian Officials Hail START Treaty Extension VOA 04 Feb 2021 -- The United States and Russia have agreed that their five-year extension of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, known as START, will enhance national and international security. The treaty limits the number of strategic nuclear warheads and intercontinental ballistic missiles each side can maintain.
U.S., Russia Extend Arms Reduction Treaty DoD News 04 Feb 2021 -- The United States and the Russian Federation have agreed to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty for five years, U.S. officials announced.
U.S. extends nuclear arms control treaty with Russia for five years People's Daily 04 Feb 2021 -- The United States on Wednesday extended the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) with Russia for five years, said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Zelenskiy Defends Decision To Block TV Channels Controlled By Russia-Linked Magnate RFE/RL 04 Feb 2021 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has met with a group of ambassadors from the Group of Seven (G7) and the European Union to defend his government's decision to shut several television channels controlled by a Russia-linked magnate, a move supported by Washington but questioned by Brussels and slammed by Moscow.
Biden Says He Warned Putin U.S. Will No Longer Look The Other Way RFE/RL 04 Feb 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden says he has warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that the days of the United States "rolling over" with regard to Russia's transgressions have ended.
Secretary Blinken's Call with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov US Dept. of State 04 Feb 2021
Russia, Iran Among Leading States Practicing Repression Abroad, Says Rights Watchdog RFE/RL 04 Feb 2021 -- Russia and Iran are among the top authoritarian states extending their tentacles of repression abroad to target exiles, a new report by Freedom House says.
Russia slams West's excessive hysteria over Navalny's case Press TV 04 Feb 2021 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says the West's hysteria over the case of opposition figure Alexei Navalny and the protests held over his detention in Russia has become excessive.
In Navalny Protests, The Kremlin Finds A Familiar Target To Blame: The U.S. And The West RFE/RL 04 Feb 2021 -- Just two days before Moscow was roiled by the biggest anti-government protests since the Soviet collapse, Vladimir Putin went public with the target of his blame:
Prosecutor Seeks Five-Year Prison Term For Russian Activist Shevchenko RFE/RL 04 Feb 2021 -- The prosecutor in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don has asked a court to sentence Anastasia Shevchenko, an activist with the Open Russia opposition group, to five years in prison for her involvement in the activities of an "undesirable organization."
Lawyer For Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation Fined For 'Disobeying' Russian Police RFE/RL 04 Feb 2021 -- Lyubov Sobol, a lawyer of Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), has been fined for what a Moscow court called "disobeying police."
U.S. Senators Introduce Bill To Sanction Russian Officials Over Navalny Poisoning RFE/RL 04 Feb 2021 -- A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has introduced legislation to impose fresh targeted sanctions on Russian officials found to be complicit in the poisoning of opposition leader Aleksei Navalny.
From Jail, Navalny Tells Russians To Overcome Fear As EU's Top Diplomat Flies To Moscow RFE/RL 04 Feb 2021 -- Jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny is calling on Russians to overcome fear and free the country from "a bunch of thieves in power," in his first major comments since a court this week ordered him to serve a prison sentence.
Continued suppression of protests in the Russian Federation and the sentencing of Alexey Navalny: UK statement UK FCDO 04 Feb 2021 -- Delivered by Ambassador Neil Bush at the OSCE Permanent Council, 4 February 2021.
Counselors Or 'Commissars'? Motive Under Scrutiny As Russia Moves To Protect School Kids From 'Destructive Influence' RFE/RL 04 Feb 2021 -- In late January, as Russia was being rocked by a wave of protests sparked by the January 17 arrest of opposition leader Aleksei Navalny, the country's education minister addressed the upper chamber of parliament, the Federation Council.
Macron Renews Call For Dialogue With Russia, Floats Himself As Broker In U.S.-Iran Talks RFE/RL 04 Feb 2021 -- French President Emmanuel Macron has renewed his call for dialogue with Russia despite what he called its "huge mistake" in jailing opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, and offered to be an "honest broker" in talks between the United States and Iran.
Mexican Regulator Authorises Emergency Use of Russia's Sputnik V Coronavirus Vaccine Sputnik 03 Feb 2021 -- Mexico's Deputy Health Secretary Hugo Lopez-Gatell said Russia's COVID-19 vaccine, Sputnik V, has been authorised by the local regulator for importation and emergency use.
Mexico Grants Emergency Use of Russia Vaccine to Fight Coronavirus VOA 03 Feb 2021 -- Mexico's regulatory agency approved emergency use of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, shortly after Deputy Health Minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell announced Tuesday the country's plan to combat the novel coronavirus would involve use of the vaccine.
Ukraine Sanctions 'Russian Trojan Horse' Media Assets Associated With Putin Friend RFE/RL 03 Feb 2021 -- Ukraine has sanctioned the media assets connected to a political heavyweight with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kyiv's latest move against pro-Kremlin figures inside the country.
Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation on the extension of the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 03 Feb 2021 -- On February 3, 2021 the MFA of Russia and the U.S. Embassy in Moscow exchanged diplomatic notes regarding the completion of internal procedures required for the entry into force of the Agreement to extend the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms of April 8, 2010 (New START).
North Atlantic Council Statement on the Extension of the New START Treaty NATO 03 Feb 2021
On the Extension of the New START Treaty with the Russian Federation US Dept. of State 03 Feb 2021 -- "President Biden pledged to keep the American people safe from nuclear threats by restoring U.S. leadership on arms control and nonproliferation. Today, the United States took the first step toward making good on that pledge when it extended the New START Treaty with the Russian Federation for five years."
New START Treaty Mythbusters US Dept. of State 03 Feb 2021 -- Fact Sheet
US, Russia reach deal to extend nuclear arms treaty Press TV 03 Feb 2021 -- The United States and Russia have reached a new deal to extend for five years a key nuclear arms treaty between the the two superpowers.
New START Extension Agreement Comes Into Force, to Remain in Effect Until 5 February 2026 Sputnik 03 Feb 2021 -- The agreement on the extension of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) entered into force on 3 February, with Russia and the United States exchanging relevant notes, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
U.S., Russia Extend New START Nuclear Arms Treaty For 5 Years RFE/RL 03 Feb 2021 -- Russia and the United States have formally extended the New START nuclear arms-control treaty for another five years, just days before it was set to expire.
Documents Show Firm That Created Security, Communications Systems For Russian Government Also Worked On 'Putin's Palace' RFE/RL 03 Feb 2021 -- Last month, jailed Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation released a video exposé detailing a $1.35 billion residential complex on the Black Sea coast that was allegedly built for President Vladimir Putin's use. Navalny's team called the massive project "the world's largest bribe."
Russia Ups Legal Pressure on Foreign Media Outlets VOA 03 Feb 2021 -- At an appeals hearing Tuesday, Russian prosecutors accused journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva of being a "mouthpiece of the West" as the court upheld her conviction of "justifying terrorism."
Russia Dismisses Western Criticism of Navalny Sentencing VOA 03 Feb 2021 -- The Russian government dismissed Western criticism Wednesday of its sentencing of opposition politician Alexey Navalny and the massive rallies that followed that resulted in the arrest of hundreds of protestors.
Russia: UN rights office 'deeply dismayed' by Navalny sentencing UN News 03 Feb 2021 -- The UN human rights office, OHCHR, expressed dismay on Wednesday over the sentencing of Russian opposition politician and activist Aleksei Navalny, and urged the authorities to release scores of his supporters arrested during rallies protesting his detention.
Russian court hands down prison term to Alexei Navalny Press TV 03 Feb 2021 -- A court in Russia has sentenced opposition figure Alexei Navalny to three and a half years in prison for breaking the terms of a suspended sentence he had received seven years ago for an embezzlement case.
Moscow Defiant As Pressure Mounts On Russia Over Navalny Prison Sentence RFE/RL 03 Feb 2021 -- Russian officials stood defiant as Western countries ratcheted up pressure on the Kremlin after a Moscow court a day earlier sentenced Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny to jail time, a move that sparked immediate protests in Russia amid suspicions the ruling was aimed at crushing growing dissent inside Russia.
Russia's Opposition Takes Stock After Navalny Jailing RFE/RL 03 Feb 2021 -- Ahead of a ruling that would land him behind bars for more than two years, Aleksei Navalny stood behind the glass of a courtroom cage on February 2 to address the thousands who took the streets in his support for two consecutive weekends and denounce the government he says orchestrated his prosecution after it failed to ensure his silence through assassination.
Russian opposition leader Navalny gets 3.5 years in prison People's Daily 03 Feb 2021 -- A Moscow court on Tuesday sentenced Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny to 3.5 years in real jail time in defiance of pressure from domestic protesters and Western countries.
Russia's Sputnik Vaccine Safe, Effective Against COVID-19, Study Finds VOA 02 Feb 2021 -- Russian scientists say the country's Sputnik-V vaccine appears safe and effective against COVID-19, according to early results of an advanced study published in a British medical journal.
British Journal Publishes Russian Research Data Indicating Sputnik-V Vaccine Is Safe And Effective RFE/RL 02 Feb 2021 -- Russian scientists say the country's Sputnik-V vaccine appears safe and effective against COVID-19, according to early results of an advanced study published in a British medical journal.
Russia Reports 16,643 New COVID-19 Cases, 539 Deaths SPA 02 Feb 2021 -- Russia on Tuesday reported 16,643 new COVID-19 cases, including 1,701 in Moscow, taking the national case tally to 3,884,730 since the pandemic began, according to Reuters.
The Sentencing of Russian Opposition Figure Aleksey Navalny US Dept. of State 02 Feb 2021 -- The United States is deeply concerned by Russian authorities' decision to sentence opposition figure Aleksey Navalny to two years and eight months imprisonment, replacing his suspended sentence with jail time.
Russia: UK responds to Navalny sentencing UK FCDO 02 Feb 2021 -- Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has called for the immediate release of Alexey Navalny after his sentencing in Moscow.
Russian Court Sentences Alexei Navalny to 3.5 Years in Prison VOA 02 Feb 2021 -- A Russian court has sentenced opposition politician Alexei Navalny to three and a half years in prison, defying condemnation abroad and public outcry at home to send one of the Kremlin's most vocal critics to jail.
Russia believes Navalny's poisoning case a 'sham' Press TV 02 Feb 2021 -- Russia believes that the case of opposition figure Alexei Navalny is nothing but a "sham," since Moscow has not been provided with any information to prove Western allegations that he was recently poisoned, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says.
Russia slams foreign diplomats' presence at Navalny hearing as meddling Press TV 02 Feb 2021 -- Russia says the presence of foreign diplomats at a court hearing for Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny is evidence of Western meddling in Moscow's internal affairs.
Moscow Court Rules To Give Navalny Prison Time, West Reacts Sharply RFE/RL 02 Feb 2021 -- A Moscow court has ordered Aleksei Navalny to serve 2 years and 8 months in prison after finding him guilty of violating his parole in a reversal of a suspended sentence the Russian opposition politician says was driven by President Vladimir Putin's "fear and hatred."
World Reacts To Russian Court Reversal Of Navalny Sentence RFE/RL 02 Feb 2021 -- A judge in Moscow has ordered a suspended 3 1/2 year sentence that opposition politician Aleksei Navalny received in 2014 to be changed to time in a penal colony, adding that time previously spent under house arrest in the sentence would count as time served, thus reducing his incarceration to 2 years and 8 months.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during talks with OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Ann Linde, Moscow, February 2, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 02 Feb 2021
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks and answers to questions at a joint news conference following talks with OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Ann Linde, Moscow, February 2, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 02 Feb 2021
Russian Foreign Ministry Warns West Against Meddling in Russia's Affairs Over Navalny Case Sputnik 02 Feb 2021 -- Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Tuesday, commenting on calls of Western countries for the release of Alexey Navalny, that there was no need to interfere in the affairs of a sovereign state.
'Green Light To Use Any Cruelty': Russian Protest Witnesses Describe Brutal Police Crackdown RFE/RL 02 Feb 2021 -- Authorities in Russia have been at pains to portray participants in two waves of mass protests in support of opposition politician Aleksei Navalny as unruly hooligans with whom it was only possible to deal forcefully.
World Anti-Doping Agency Decides Not To Appeal Ruling On Russia Ban RFE/RL 02 Feb 2021 -- The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) says it has decided not to appeal the Court of Arbitration for Sport's (CAS) ruling that halved Russia's international ban for doping offenses to the Swiss federal court.
Armenian Health Ministry Authorises Russian Coronavirus Vaccine Sputnik V, RDIF Says Sputnik 01 Feb 2021 -- The Armenian Health Ministry authorized the use of the Russian coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said in a statement.
Iran to begin imports of Russian vaccine this week: Official Press TV 01 Feb 2021 -- Iranian officials say a first batch of Russian-made COVID-19 vaccines will arrive in the country later this week.
France urges Germany to scrap massive gas pipeline project with Russia Press TV 01 Feb 2021 -- France has called on Germany to scrap a massive nearly-finished gas pipeline from Russia in protest over the detention of Western-backed opposition figure Alexei Navalny.
Russia Considers Jail Term for Navalny VOA 01 Feb 2021 -- The Russian general prosecutor's office said Monday that that it supports a request by the federal prison system to impose a jail term on opposition leader and Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny, instead of a suspended sentence.
Russian Authorities Put A Target On Journalists As Opposition Protests Continue RFE/RL 01 Feb 2021 -- On the eve of a second wave of national mass protests in support of jailed opposition leader Aleksei Navalny, Russian police detained Sergei Smirnov, editor in chief of the independent news outlet Mediazona, outside his Moscow home as he left to take a walk with his small son.
With Huge Show Of Force, Echoes Of Belarus In Russia's Protest Crackdown RFE/RL 01 Feb 2021 -- As Russia braced for a second weekend of protests on January 31 and the opposition reeled from consecutive days of law enforcement raids and arrests, a pro-Kremlin YouTube channel published a dispatch from inside a Moscow training base for riot police officers tasked with dispersing demonstrators on the streets of Russia's capital.
Navalny Allies Call For Gathering At Moscow Court Hearing On Possible Jail Term RFE/RL 01 Feb 2021 -- Allies of Aleksei Navalny are calling on his supporters to gather at a Moscow courthouse on February 2 where the jailed opposition politician has a hearing looking at converting a suspended sentence he served into real jail time in a case widely considered to be politically motivated.
European Court To Consider Navalny Poisoning Case Against Russia RFE/RL 01 Feb 2021 -- The European Court of Human Rights on February 1 announced it has informed Russia that it will consider a complaint filed to the court by the opposition politician Aleksei Navalny.
Russian Court Orders House Arrest Of Navalny Spokeswoman Until March 23 RFE/RL 01 Feb 2021 -- A Russian court has placed Kira Yarmysh, the press secretary of opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, under house arrest until March 23 as a "restraining measure."
Russia is Not Ready to Take Into Consideration US Statements on Rallies, Kremlin Says Sputnik 01 Feb 2021 -- Russia is not ready to take into consideration Washington's statements on the unauthorized rallies ongoing in the country, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.
Most pro-Navalny protesters in Russia 'hooligans, provocateurs': Kremlin spokesman Press TV 01 Feb 2021 -- Moscow has described as "hooligans and provocateurs" a large number of people who took to the streets in the Russian capital and dozens of other cities across the country on Sunday demanding the release of Western-backed opposition figure Alexei Navalny.

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February 2021 - Russia Special Weapons News