Irkutsk's flood-stricken population receiving financial aid, says governor

Region’s governor Sergey Levchenko said that on Sunday those afflicted will receive 10,000 rubles (158$).

IRKUTSK, June 30. /TASS/. The Irkutsk Region authorities have begun transferring compensations to those afflicted by a powerful flood in the region, the press service for the regional government reports. More than 900 million rubles ($14.2 million) were allocated from the federal and regional budgets for these purposes.

"Today, the Irkutsk Region residents affected by the flood began receiving compensations. 662 million rubles ($10,4 million) for these purposes have already been allotted from the budget of the Russian Federation. The money has already been transferred to the regional budget. The region also allocated 318 million rubles ($5 million)," the statement reads.

On Sunday, those afflicted will receive 10,000 rubles (158$), the press service quoted region’s governor Sergey Levchenko as saying. Currently, the approved lists contain 3,600 names, the amounts were transferred to all the districts.

"The next task is to rebuild residences and infrastructure. As soon as water subsides, experts will start reconstructing water pipelines, electric power lines, roads and bridges. The necessary forces are already being gathered for that, such as specialists, materials, road and construction equipment. Current problems are being solved at the scene now, such as water is being supplied, places that block water are being cleared. When water subsides, sanitary clean-up will be performed," the government reports.

Irkutsk Region Flood

Heavy rains have caused the powerful flooding in the Irkutsk region. State of emergency has been introduced in the region. According to the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry’s data, 4,042 residential buildings where 9,919 people live, as well as 41 socially important facilities and 4,106 farmland plots have been flooded in 48 inhabited communities.

Late on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting in the town of Bratsk on the situation in the flooded areas. According to the Emergency Minister Yevgeny Zinichev, 353 people were injured, 97 were hospitalized, 1161 residents were evacuated, five died and another two are missing in the flood. Thirteen bridges were damaged in the flooding, traffic is restricted on the Sibir federal road and another 17 parts of local roads. Eletric supply was turned off in four districts where more than 11,000 people live.

Source: ITAR-TASS 30-06-2019

Over 400 people evacuated by boats and helicopters from flood-stricken Irkutsk region

Reports said that water rose by 12 meters in the region, surpassing the critical mark of seven meters, after torrential rains hit the area.

IRKUTSK, June 28. /TASS/. Over 400 residents were evacuated from the flood-stricken Siberian town of Tulun by boats and helicopters, the Russian Emergencies Ministry told TASS on Friday.

"Over 400 people were evacuated by different means — by boats and helicopters," the ministry said adding that it is hard to establish the exact number of evacuated people at this time.

Tulun's administration said that 25 boats are involved in the evacuation efforts, provided both by the Russian Emergencies Ministry and volunteers. Around 56 rescuers and 50 volunteers are working at the site. "As of 10:30pm Moscow time on June 29, 250 people, including 72 children, have been accommodated at places of temporary stay," the administration said.

Reports said that water rose by 12 meters in the region, surpassing the critical mark of seven meters. Over 870 residential houses were affected, along with over 1,170 residents.

The floods in the Irkutsk region started after torrential rains. The state of emergency was declared in the region. As of 1pm Moscow time on June 28, nearly 2,800 residential houses, 16 roads and 13 bridges were affected by the floods in 27 settlements. According to the Russian Emergencies Ministry, nearly 840 people were evacuated from the area. Three people are reported missing. According to the authorities, two of the missing persons died.

Source: ITAR-TASS 29-06-2019

Putin and Trump talk for 80 minutes in Osaka

The two leaders discussed Syria, Iran, Ukraine and Venezuela.

OSAKA /Japan/, June 28. /TASS/. The meeting between the President of Russia and the United States, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, on the sidelines of the G20 summit lasted 80 minutes, TASS reports.

Earlier, it was suggested that the conversation will take up between 60 and 90 minutes.

Opening the meeting, both leaders noted that the meeting can become a great opportunity to talk about many issues that piled up and needed to be discussed. Donald Trump proposed discussing trade and disarmament issues. "It is a great honor to be with President Putin. His representatives, my representatives have many things to discuss, including trade and including some disarmament, little protectionism, perhaps," he said.

"I cannot but agree with the [US] President, we have something to talk about," Putin noted. "All the topics were set out, we have not seen each other in a while, since the Helsinki meeting (in July 2018 - TASS). It is true that our administrations worked and gave us a great opportunity to continue what we were agreeing on in Helsinki," Putin underlined."

Source: ITAR-TASS 28-06-2019

Russian, Irish foreign ministers to meet in Moscow on July 2

The two plan to discuss the current situation and the prospects of development of Russian-Irish relations, the possibility of activating cooperation in the trade-economic and humanitarian spheres.

MOSCOW, June 27. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet with Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Coveney on July 2 in Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Artyom Kozhin said during Thursday’s briefing.

"On July 2, Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Coveney will arrive in Moscow on a working visit. The upcoming talks will be the first since December 2012," he said.

"[The diplomats] plan to discuss the current situation and the prospects of development of Russian-Irish relations, the possibility of activating cooperation in the trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian spheres," the diplomat noted. "The sides will exchange opinions on the relevant international and regional issues.".

Source: ITAR-TASS 27-06-2019

Two Russian paratroopers drown during exercises in Crimea

The servicemen failed to get rid of a parachute harness after landing into the water.

SIMFEROPOL, June 26. /TASS/. Two paratroopers drowned during an exercise in Crimea when they landed into the water after parachute jumping, the Southern Military District’s press service has told reporters.

The exercises were carried out on Wednesday at the Stary Krym testing range. "Two contract servicemen of a military unit of Russia’s Airborne Troops deployed to Crimea landed into the water and failed to get rid of a parachute harness," the press service said. The rescue service tried to take steps to rescue them, but the servicemen drowned.

The law enforcement agencies together with a commission of the Airborne Troops’ command will investigate the causes of the incident.

Source: ITAR-TASS 26-06-2019

Russia to pay fee to Council of Europe after powers are restored

Russia won’t tolerate any restrictions on its basic and other powers in PACE, the head of Russia'a delegation stressed.

STRASBOURG, June 25. /TASS/. Russia will pay its contribution to the Council of Europe’s budget only after its powers are restored in full, the head of Russia’s delegation, Deputy State Duma (lower house) Speaker Pyotr Tolstoy said on Tuesday.

"First, Russia’s powers will be restored, and then we will speak about this," Tolstoy said.

Russia won’t tolerate any restrictions on its basic and other powers in PACE, he stressed. "The powers are challenged in general. There is no such a procedure as dividing powers into key and less important ones," the politician said.

"We are not planning to tolerate any sanctions against the Russian delegation, any damage to our powers," he warned.

On Tuesday, PACE approved the resolution of Belgian representative Petra De Sutter that will allow the Russian delegation to take part in the Assembly's June session. The resolution was backed by 118 members, 62 people voted against it, and 10 people abstained. PACE decided that its members’ "rights to vote, to speak and to be represented in the Assembly and its bodies shall not be suspended or withdrawn in the context of a challenge to or reconsideration of credentials". The Assembly also agreed on inviting the parliaments of Council of Europe member States "which are not represented by a delegation to the Assembly" (Russia and Bosnia and Herzegovina) to present their credentials at the June 2019 part-session.

In April 2014, the Russian delegation was stripped of the rights to vote, participate in observer missions and be represented in the organization’s ruling bodies following the 2014 events in Ukraine and Crimea’s reunification with Russia. In 2015, PACE twice considered the issue of possibly restoring the Russian delegation's powers in the Assembly. Instead, sanctions were further toughened. In response, the Russian delegation refused to work in such conditions. In 2017, Russia also stopped making financial contributions to the Council of Europe.

Source: ITAR-TASS 25-06-2019

Putin extends counter sanctions until end of 2020

Putin also signed an additional document, which changes the norms of the original decree on counter-sanctions dated August 6, 2014.

MOSCOW, June 24. /TASS/. President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree extending specific economic measures against countries that imposed sanctions against Russia until December 31, 2020.

The document has been published on the official portal of legal information.

The president has instructed the government to take steps for the implementation of the decree and, if necessary, to submit proposals for changing the duration of these counter sanctions.

Putin also signed an additional document, which changes the norms of the original decree on counter-sanctions dated August 6, 2014.

In particular, the new document allows for the transit shipments of sanctioned goods through Russia on condition that these goods are "subject to ensuring their traceability by using a control system based on GLONASS technology". It is also required that such goods must be sealed, and the drivers involved in the transit of this cargo must have the appropriate registration coupons.

The decree now also envisages permission for the import of sanctioned goods by individuals for personal use.

Similar amendments have been made to the decree of October 22, 2018 on counter-sanctions against Ukraine.

Sanctions and counter measures

In March 2014, the European Union and a number of countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, Switzerland, New Zealand, Iceland and others, began to impose sanctions against Russia over the situation in Ukraine. In particular, the sanctions lists of Russian individuals and legal entities were made. Restrictive measures included a ban on entry, freezing of accounts. Also, so-called sectoral sanctions were introduced: the assets of the companies that came under such sanctions were not frozen, but restrictions were imposed on medium-and long-term lending.

In response, on August 6, 2014, Russian President signed a decree "On imposing separate special economic measures ensuring security for the Russian Federation." The government imposed restrictions on imports of certain goods from the US, the European Union, Norway, Australia and Canada based on the document the following day. Later the list of countries was expanded, and the list of goods was revised.

After the EU countries extended sanctions against Russia on June 22, 2015, on June 24, Putin extended Russia’s countermeasures by another decree for another year. Subsequently, the counter sanctions were extended twice. The last time the restrictions were prolonged on July 12, 2018 until the end of 2019.

Source: ITAR-TASS 24-06-2019

Butina’s sentence reduced by 10 days

She will be released from prison on October 25.

MOSCOW, June 22. /TASS/. The sentence of Russian Maria Butina in the United States has been reduced by 10 days; she will be released on October 25, Head of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs Leonid Slutsky said on Saturday.

"Two good news: the lawyers were finally able to appeal, it was accepted for consideration. But, most importantly, Maria’s sentence has been reduced by 10 days, she can be released on October 25, not November 5," Slutsky said.

"We will continue to fight, we will help, we will do everything to free our citizens from foreign prisons," he added.

Butina’s case

Maria Butina, 30, was arrested in Washington DC on July 15, 2018 - prior to the Helsinki meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump. The US Department of Justice said that she was suspected of acting "as an agent of Russia inside the United States by developing relationships with US persons and infiltrating organizations having influence in American politics, for the purpose of advancing the interests of the Russian Federation."

On December 13, Butina pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to violate the US law governing foreign agents operating in the country and signed a plea agreement. Butina had arrived in the United States for a course of studies. She did a master’s degree at American University, where she studied international relations.

On April 26, a Washington-based court sentenced Butina to 18 months in prison for violating the law on foreign agents.

Moscow insisted that Butina had been arrested on trumped-up charges and demanded her release.

Source: ITAR-TASS 23-06-2019

Russia marks Day of Memory and Sorrow commemorating start of 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War

On June 22, 1941, German troops invaded the Soviet Union’s territory.

TASS. June 22, the day when the Nazi Germany attacked the Soviet Union and the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 began, is marked as the Day of Memory and Sorrow in Russia.

Great Patriotic War

On June 22, 1941, German troops invaded the Soviet Union’s territory. German planes dropped bombs on Kiev (now the capital of Ukraine), Minsk (now the capital of Belarus), Riga (now the capital of Latvia), Sevastopol (Crimea) and other cities and towns. The war lasted 1,418 days. A total of 27 million Soviet people were killed, including 18 million civilians and 8.7 million servicemen. Four million people were tortured and killed at Nazi death camps. Some 4.5 million Red Army soldiers and officers were captured, and 2.5 million of them died in captivity.

On June13, 1992, the presidium of the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation declared that June 22 should be marked as The Memory Day for Defenders of the Fatherland. On June 8, 1996, then President Boris Yeltsin issued a decree to rename it the Day of Memory and Sorrow.

Commemorative events

On June 22, all flags on the Russian territory are flown at half staff. All cultural centers, TV and radio stations are recommended to exclude entertainment events and shows from their schedule.

Senior Russian officials traditionally lay wreaths to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow. All across Russia, various events to honor the memory of WWII victims are held, and minutes of silence are observed.

Since 1994, Moscow holds the annual Memory Watch campaign to mark the sad date. Youth movements, war veterans and Moscow government officials traditionally take part. Overnight to June 22, participants gather near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on the Red Square to observe a minute of silence and lay wreaths to the monument, dedicated to all unidentified soldiers who lost their lives in the war.

Another notable campaign, the Candle of Memory, is held annually since 2009. On June 21, a memorial candle is lit at Moscow’s Yelokhovo Cathedral and is taken to the Hall of Memory and Grief of the Great Patriotic War museum on the Bow Hill. This candle is used to light many others, which are brought to WWII burial sites and monuments all over the country. In 2015, other former Soviet States, including Kazakhstan, Armenia and Belarus joined the campaign.

In 2009, the Memory Alley opened at Moscow’s Sparrow Hills. Overnight to June 22, people lit up candles and attach bells to tree branches there to honor the memory of the deceased.

Annually since 2017, a demilitarized convoy of armored vehicles departs from Moscow to Minsk and then returns back to Moscow. The event coincides with the beginning of the Great Patriotic War.

Besides, remains of WWII victims, discovered by search parties during the past year, are reburied with military honors on this day. Last year, such ceremonies took place in Central Russia’s city of Voronezh, in the northwestern regions of Novgorod, Vologda and Komi and south Russia’s Stavropol region.

June 22 is also marked in Belarus, as the day of Day of Remembrance of the victims of the Great Patriotic War, and in Ukraine, as the Day of Sorrow and Remembrance of Victims of War.

Source: ITAR-TASS 22-06-2019

Russian Navy’s new missile corvettes surpass customer’s expectations, says source

The results of new ships’ operation are used to generalize experience and introduce innovations into serial ships of these Projects under construction.

ST. PETERSBURG, June 21. /TASS/. The Russian Navy’s Project 22800 ‘Karakurt’ and Project 21631 ‘Buyan-M’ new missile corvettes have surpassed the customer’s expectations over the period of their use, a source in the defense industry told TASS on Friday.

"The [new] small-displacement ships have performed better than expected… This relates to small missile ships. Their design characteristics were already excellent but in practice they surpassed them by seaworthiness, the use of weapons and their operability," the source said, noting that the conclusions stemmed from the experience of using new missile corvettes in the fight against terrorists in Syria and from their operation in distant waters.

The results of new ships’ operation are used to generalize experience and introduce innovations into serial ships of these Projects under construction, the source added.

Project 22800 Karakurt-class missile corvettes are a Russian series of green-water multipurpose missile/artillery warships. The corvettes of this class developed by specialists of the St. Petersburg-based Almaz Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering (part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation) displace about 800 tonnes and develop a speed of over 30 knots.

Karakurt-class corvettes are armed with Kalibr and (or) Oniks missiles, and also with the modernized AK-176MA 76.2mm artillery system. The corvettes’ endurance is 15 days.

Overall, the shipbuilders are planning to build 18 warships of this Project for the Russian Navy.

Project 21631 ships are armed with Kalibr cruise missiles stored in the 3S-14 eight-cell vertical launcher. The Kalibr system delivers strikes by cruise missiles against naval and ground targets, using 3M-54 and 3M-14 missiles, respectively. The corvettes are also armed with the A-190 100mm artillery system and the AK-630-2 ‘Duet’ small-caliber air defense artillery complex. The ships of this Project also carry 3M-47 ‘Gibka’ launchers.

Project 21631 small missile corvettes are 75 meters long, displace 949 tonnes and develop a speed of 25 knots. Their sea endurance is 10 days and they operate at a distance of up to 2,500 miles. They have a crew of 52.

Source: ITAR-TASS 21-06-2019

Russia presented hard evidence in MH17 crash case, says security chief

Nikolai Patrushev said that the Dutch investigators had named suspects in the downing case without providing evidence.

UFA, June 20. /TASS/. Moscow has presented hard evidence in the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 crash case, Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev said in response to a TASS question on Thursday.

"We presented information, including technical and other data, it is hard evidence but it is not being taken into account," he noted. "We would like this evidence to be considered but they have no wish to assess it," Patrushev added.

Patrushev said that the Dutch investigators have named suspects in the 2014 MH17 downing case without providing evidence.

"As soon as the event occurred, the perpetrators were immediately named and they reduced this entire investigation to confirm their first assumption," Patrushev told reporters. "We don’t see any evidence that proves what they have said. And in general, in my opinion this has been an awkward investigation."

MH17 crash

Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, a Boeing-777 passenger plane travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down over Ukraine’s eastern region of Donetsk on July 17, 2014. The crash killed all the 283 passengers and 15 crewmembers. There were nationals of ten states among the dead.

The Joint Investigation Team comprises representatives of the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Malaysia and Ukraine.

On May 24, 2018, the team gave an update of the state of affairs in the criminal investigation, claiming that "the BUK-TELAR that was used to down MH17, originates from the 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile brigade (hereinafter 53rd brigade), a unit of the Russian army from Kursk in the Russian Federation."

Russia’s Defense Ministry rejected all allegations and said that none of the missile systems belonging to the Russian Armed Forces had ever been taken abroad. The missile, which downed Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, had been made in the town of Dolgoprudny outside Moscow in 1986, delivered to a military unit deployed to Ukraine and never brought back to Russia, Chief of the Russian Defense Ministry’s Missile and Artillery Department Lieutenant General Nikolai Parshin said at a briefing.

Nevertheless, on May 25, 2018, Australia and the Netherlands issued a statement saying that they "hold Russia responsible for its part in the downing of flight MH17." "The Netherlands and Australia are now convinced that Russia is responsible for the deployment of the Buk installation that was used to down MH17," the statement said.

On June 19, 2019, the Joint Investigation Team announced that it had identified four suspects involved in the crash (three Russian nationals and one Ukrainian), adding that a trial was expected to begin on March 9, 2020. The Netherlands plans to seek their extradition and will ask Russia for an opportunity to question them.

Source: ITAR-TASS 20-06-2019

Russia presents evidence that terrorists are trying to obtain biological weapons

Terrorists have started using suicide groups consisting of members of one family with minor children to penetrate protected facilities more actively.

UFA, June 19. /TASS/. International terrorists are trying to obtain access to nuclear and biological weapons and also toxic chemicals to use them in their attacks, Russian Deputy Security Council Secretary Yuri Kokov told the tenth international meeting of high-level delegates overseeing security matters in Ufa.

"A number of tendencies in the tactics of international terrorist organizations’ steps deserve special attention and analysis," Kokov said. "First of all, this concerns the continued attempts to get access to data about the manufacturing of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, their increased attention to issues related to the use of pathogenic biological agents and toxic chemicals for terrorist purposes. "

"The increased use of modern high-tech technical means creates additional risks as terrorists seek to quickly acquire them and use in order to commit crimes," Kokov said. As an example, the deputy security chief cited the attacks on Russian military facilities in Syria carried out with the use of drones. This March, in order to prevent such attacks, Russia’s Aerospace Defense Forces destroyed a depot belonging to the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham terrorist group in Syria’s Idlib, which stored combat unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

According to him, terrorists have started using suicide groups consisting of members of one family with minor children to penetrate protected facilities more actively. One of the new forms of terrorist activity was an attempt to attack coastal infrastructure using saboteur swimmers, who had been trained and had skills in mining seaports and capturing civilian vessels, primarily tankers and gas carriers.

Source: ITAR-TASS 19-06-2019

Zelensky’s rhetoric on Russia similar to Poroshenko, Kremlin says

The Kremlin assured that Putin will find the right words to say to Zelensky if their meeting takes place.

MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. The rhetoric on Russia of new Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is similar to his predecessor Pyotr Poroshenko, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday.

"We are carefully watching this and we tend to agree with the stance, which is now taking shape, that these positions are rather similar," Peskov said, when asked to comment on Zelensky’s statements on Russia.

Peskov also said that Putin will find the right words to say to Zelensky if their meeting takes place.

According to Peskov, he came across one of Zelensky’s interviews, in which he had said he already had a phrase to start a potential meeting with the Russian leader. "President Putin always starts his meetings with the most appropriate words. If such a meeting [with Zelensky] ever takes place, I have no doubt that he [Putin] will use the right words," Peskov noted.

During an interview with Germany’s Bild newspaper, Zelensky was asked what he would say to Putin if he held a meeting with him. The Ukrainian president said he would emphasize that Crimea and Donbass were parts of Ukraine.

"As for Donbass, he should speak about it with Donbass residents and not with Putin," the Kremlin spokesman noted. "As for Crimea, there is nothing to speak about," Peskov added.

He pointed out that the new Ukrainian president’s rhetoric was similar to that of his predecessor Pyotr Poroshenko. "We have been closely following the situation and we are inclined to agree that the similarity in their positions is becoming more and more clear," the Russian presidential spokesman said, commenting on Zelensky’s statements about relations with Russia.

Crimean reunification

After Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich was ousted in a coup in February 2014, mass protests erupted in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. On March 11, 2014, Crimea’s Supreme Council and Sevastopol City Council adopted a declaration of independence.

On March 16, 2014, Crimean authorities held a referendum on reuniting with Russia. Over 80% of voters participated in the plebiscite, most of them supporting the idea (96.7% in Crimea and 95.6% in the city of Sevastopol).

On March 18, President Vladimir Putin signed the treaty on Crimea’s reunification with Russia and the Federal Assembly (parliament) approved the document on March 21. However, Kiev has so far refused to acknowledge Crimea as part of Russia.

Source: ITAR-TASS 18-06-2019

Trans Arctic expedition’s second icebreaker returns home

The expedition has completed all the tasks.

ARKHANGELSK, June 17. /TASS/. The Trans Arctic 2019 expedition’s second stage, which began on May 15 on board the Mikhail Somov research vessel, finished on Friday. The icebreaker returned home. The expedition’s leader Olga Balakina told TASS in the good weather and ice conditions the ship was lucky to make it to Franz Josef Land and to the Victoria Island.

"The expedition has completed all the tasks, and in certain tests we were even ahead of the plans," she said. "We were lucky to have good weather and favorable ice situation. The vessel crossed waters of the White and Barents Seas, went along Novaya Zemlya’s western coast, and Franz Josef Land’s south-western and northern shores. We have also visited the Victoria Island."

Warm water and thin ice

The ice in the Barents Sea "was rather thin, this year’s white ice is thin," she continued. "In some parts, the ice was medium thick, but anyway for the Somov it was not a problem."

By the oceanology cuts (cuts are lines with the points, which have fixed coordinates, where scientists take water probes - TASS), the experts confirmed the Barents Sea’s hydrology peculiarity - the warm Atlantic stream coming in from the west, which leaves 88% of its warmth in the Barents Sea.

"This way, the Barents Sea receives the warmth, and this year we have seen the water temperatures were by 1-2 degrees higher than usually," she continued. "One of the reasons is the warm winter, and, of course, the warming climate."

Meeting animals

During the expedition, scientists watched the fauna. "We have seen 32 sea birds species and 12 species of mammals," the expedition leader continued. "We have registered areas in the Barents Sea, to where birds tend to come during the spring migration, and we have demonstrated how those areas are connected with warm streams. We have gathered information on seven species, which are on Russia’s Red Book."

Leonid Kruglov on board the Mikhail Somov began making a documentary about the Arctic. For quite a time, the expedition did not come across any animals, he said. "But as we were approaching Franz Josef Land, we could see real crowds."

The scientists registered the white seagull’s colony on the Victoria Island, and were shocked to see a huge herd of bowhead whales. "We managed to fly above the island and the ice fields and counted more than 80 animals," Dmitry Glazov of the Severtsov Institute told TASS. "That was a great surprise."

In the past, researchers could see groups of maximum 20-30 whales near Franz Josef Land. "We believe, the formed climate factors have made them come there," the expert said, adding the mammals apparently have sufficient food in that area.

"Bowhead whales know how to live in the ice, they can break ice with heads when they need to take a breath," he said. "They must have sufficient food. Our colleagues will study plankton probes, and we shall have more details about the food those whales use."

Curious cautious narwhals

Studying narwhals was among the expedition’s main tasks. The researchers were lucky to see the first group of narwhals on June 1. "Within a few following days, we watched them from the helicopters, and used drones," the scientist said. "We tried to follow them, but, those animals must be afraid of the ship, and we could not see them from the deck, only once and only a few tails."

By using helicopters and drones, the scientists managed to count the animals. They were about 40. "We shall have to study every picture to analyze every animal," the expert said. "What is good about narwhals is that they can be identified by unique spots."

The filmmakers tried to walk the ice to approach the narwhals. "We walked the ice, rather close to them, we launched the drone a few times, and the pictures we’ve got are absolutely incredible," Leonid Kruglov told TASS.

The narwhals gathered in a small bay next to a rock, spreading into the sea. As the helicopter disappeared, they calmed down and began watching the drones. "Our cameraman Max Arbugayev lowered the drone, and here we see the mom with a cub is lying on her side, watches the drone, trying to make out what it may be," Kruglov said. "They behaved silently, and it was clear they were not afraid, but rather curious."

The climate changes

The scientists studied various pollutants in the Arctic, including microplastics and radioactive substances.

"We have measured the radioactivity and saw that in the Arctic shore areas it is even lower than across Russia," Evgeny Yakovlev of the Arctic Studies Center told TASS. "Everything is fine there with the radiation, even on Novaya Zemlya, though it used to host the main nuclear test grounds."

Radioactive substances may remain in the sea water and soil, the scientists said, adding experts would study the probes for another two months. In the changing climate, radioactive substances are getting more easily into the Arctic seas, he said.

The Mikhail Somov

The expedition’s leader stressed the Mikhail Somov participated in an expedition for the first time in many years. "The expedition was on board the legendary Mikhail Somov, which has been used lately as a support vessel for our Arctic stations," she said. "Once again, the expedition has proved it is a universal ship, which has a heli pad, the ice class - everything for effective work."

The icebreaker will be a key character in the new film about the Arctic, Kruglov said. "We are charmed by the icebreaker, by her life, her crew, and we understand that in our project, dubbed Novaya Zemlya, she will be a main character, it is a vintage ship, which lives under laws of the 1970s, it keeps the atmosphere of the 70s - the golden era of the Arctic’s exploration," he said, adding he would also film the Mikhail Somov’s other voyages within next two-three years.

About the expedition

The Trans Arctic 2019 scientific polar expedition is a big project of Russia’s hydrometeorology service, RosHydroMet, which continues the research traditions of sea, air and drift expeditions and stations in the Arctic’s high latitudes. The first stage kicked off in March on board the Akademik Treshnikov vessel. The second stage was on board the Mikhail Somov. The Professor Multanovsky and Professor Molchanov research vessels will also participate in the expedition. Earlier, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev ordered to allocate in 2019 almost 870 million rubles ($13 million) for scientific studies and monitoring of the Arctic environment during the Trans Arctic 2019 expedition.

Source: ITAR-TASS 17-06-2019

Russia’s Baltic Fleet monitors NATO Baltops-2019 drills

According to Russia’s National Defense Control Center, participants of the exercises are practicing radio-suppression of location and navigation systems.

MOSCOW, June 15. /TASS/. Russia’s Baltic Fleet is monitoring the joint exercises of NATO Baltops-2019, Russia’s National Defense Control Center (NDCC) informed reporters on Saturday.

"In order to identify the threats to navigational safety of civilian vessels, related to the use of radio-electronic warfare means by NATO ships, the corresponding units of the Baltic Fleet are monitoring the radio-electronic situation in the area of the drills," the message by the NDCC informed.

According to the center, participants of the NATO drills in the southern part of the Baltic Sea are practicing radio-suppression of location and navigation systems.

Vessels and aircrafts from 16 NATO member countries (Belgium, the UK, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, the USA, Turkey, France and Estonia) are participating in the drills, along with two NATO partner states (Finland and Sweden).

Source: ITAR-TASS 16-06-2019

Negotiations on Butina transfer from US prison to Russia may begin soon

Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova said that she is not satisfied with the judgement imposed on Butina.

KHANTY-MANSIYSK, June 14. /TASS/. Negotiations on convicted Russian citizen Maria Butina’s transfer from the US to Russia may start soon, Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova told TASS on Friday, citing Maria’s father, Valery Butin.

"Her lawyer and father [Valery Butin], with whom I maintain contact, say that the imprisonment conditions are rather satisfactory. They expect that the procedure for her possible transfer to Russia will be launched in the near future," Moskalkova said in response to the question on whether she asked about the current conditions of Butina’s imprisonment in the US.

She added that she is not satisfied with the judgement imposed on Butina. "After Butina had made a plea deal, she was given minor sentence. However, I am personally dissatisfied with the fact that [the court] did not limit itself to the actually served sentence," the human rights commissioner noted.

Butina was arrested in Washington on July 15, 2018, ahead of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Helsinki. The 30-year-old Russian was charged with collusion for conducting activity on US territory to benefit the Russian government. In addition, the American intelligence service state that the Russian conducted this activity without being registered with the US Department of Justice as an agent of a foreign state. Moscow denounced the charges brought against Butina as fabricated and demanded that she be released from custody. On April 26, the Russian was sentenced to 1.5 years of imprisonment.

Source: ITAR-TASS 15-06-2019

Donbass residents start receiving Russian passports under fast-track procedure

On April 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree, which eases Russian citizenship rules for residents of certain regions of southeastern Ukraine.

ROSTOV-ON-DON, June 14. /TASS/. The first group of residents of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DPR, LPR) have received Russian passports issued under a fast-track procedure in accordance with the Russian president’s decree. A passport ceremony took place in Russia’s Rostov region, where over 60 Donbass residents had arrived on Friday morning.

In late April, two offices of the Russian Interior Ministry’s Migration Service were established in the Rostov region: one in the Neklinovsky district and the other in the city of Novoshakhtinsk. The offices provide passport services to DPR and LPR residents respectively.

On April 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree, which eases Russian citizenship rules for residents of certain regions of southeastern Ukraine. "Individuals permanently residing in certain areas of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Lugansk regions have the right to apply for Russian citizenship under a fast-track procedure," the decree reads. According to the document, the decision has been made "in order to protect human rights and freedoms" based on generally accepted international laws.

Source: ITAR-TASS 14-06-2019

Artillery troops use new reconnaissance system to crush ‘enemy’ in south Russia drills

Overall, the drills involved over 600 personnel and about 100 items of military hardware, the Southern Military District informed.

MOSCOW, June 13. /TASS/. Artillery units of Russia’s Southern Military District destroyed a notional enemy’s mobile firing positions in the Republic of Adygeya in live-fire drills, employing a new reconnaissance and target acquisition system, the District’s press office reported on Thursday.

"Artillery teams of the Southern Military District held live-fire exercises in Adygeya, firing Msta-S 152mm self-propelled howitzers against a simulated enemy’s mobile firing positions. The artillery personnel used the most advanced Argus mobile reconnaissance post mounted on the BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle for reconnaissance and target acquisition," the press office reported.

The artillery personnel also practiced complying with the time standards of assuming firing positions from the move, conducting live-fire from sheltered positions using a single gun or acting as part of artillery units.

Overall, the drills involved over 600 personnel and about 100 items of military hardware, the press office said.

The PRP-4A Argus mobile reconnaissance post is designated to reconnoiter single and multiple, stationary and mobile, open and camouflaged targets like a tank for the land forces’ artillery. The upgraded Argus was unveiled at the RAE-2013 defense show in Nizhny Tagil in the Urals.

Source: ITAR-TASS 13-06-2019

Russia’s ‘Independence Day’: How June 12 became a national holiday

Key facts about Russia's national holiday celebrated on June 12.

MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. Russia Day is a national holiday in the Russian Federation celebrated annually on June 12. In accordance with the Russian Labor Code, it is an official public holiday.

Declaration of State Sovereignty

On June 12, 1990, the 1st Congress of People's Deputies of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR, part of the Soviet Union) adopted the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the RSFSR. The document declared the primacy of the Constitution and the laws of the Russian republic over the Soviet Union’s legislation, establishing equal rights for all citizens, political parties and non-governmental organizations, the principle of separation of powers into three branches, namely the legislative, executive and judicial and the necessity to substantially expand the rights of the regions. The document also stated that the Declaration is the basis to frame a new constitution. In all, 907 deputies voted to adopt the document, 13 voted against it, while 9 abstained. Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet Boris Yeltsin signed the Declaration.

Holiday established

On June 11, 1992, the Supreme Soviet of Russia published a decree designating June 12 as a public holiday. On September 25, 1992, the corresponding amendments were introduced into the Russian Labor Code.

Holiday’s history in Russia

On Russia Day, the country traditionally holds holiday concerts, mass open air celebrations and sports events.

On June 12, 1995, the holiday was celebrated for the first time. The first ceremony of awarding the State Prizes (introduced in 1992-1993) in science and technology, literature and the arts was held in the Kremlin on that day. In later years, the State Prize awarding ceremonies on June 12 became a tradition. The holiday also received the unofficial title of "Independence Day". This wording has never been used in the official documents, but can be seen in the media, appears on placards and banners.

In 1998, then Russian President Boris Yeltsin proposed calling this day "Day of Adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of RSFSR" - Russia Day - in his address to the nation broadcasted by the main TV channels. However, the holiday was officially renamed only on February 1, 2002, when the new Labor Code came into force with all the official public holidays set out.

Since 2001, Russia Day has been celebrated with fireworks in Moscow and in other cities around the country.

Source: ITAR-TASS 12-06-2019

Russia’s Su-27 fighter intercepts US, Swedish spy jets over the Baltic Sea

The Baltops-2019 NATO naval drills are held on June 9-21 in the southern part of the Baltic Sea.

MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. A Su-27 fighter jet was scrambled on Monday to intercept US and Swedish reconnaissance planes near Russia’s border over the Baltic Sea where NATO is holding drills, and escorted the jets to prevent the violation of Russia’s state border, the Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

"On June 10, the Russian airspace control services over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea detected two air targets approaching Russia’s state border. A Su-27 fighter jet of the Baltic Fleet’s Air Defense Forces was scrambled to intercept the targets," the statement said.

The Russian fighter jet’s crew approached the air targets at a safe distance and identified them as the US RC-135 and Swedish Gulfstream reconnaissance jets.

The Baltops-2019 NATO naval drills are held on June 9-21 in the southern part of the Baltic Sea. Around 40 ships and submarines, and 40 aircraft from 18 countries will take part in the military exercise.

Source: ITAR-TASS 11-06-2019

Russian electronic warfare specialists test new method of jamming enemy aircraft

The new method allows electronic warfare specialists to create "vacuum" space shielded from the impacts of drones, airborne radars, radio-controlled high-explosive munitions and cruise missiles.

YEKATERINBURG, June 10. /TASS/. Electronic warfare specialists from Russia’s Central Military District tested a new method of jamming enemy aircraft while using three different types of ground-based electronic counter-measures systems, the District’s press office reported on Monday.

"During the experiment at the Sverdlovsk and Chebarkul practice ranges, servicemen used the Borisoglebsk [electronic counter-measures] system to conduct radio-electronic reconnaissance. By penetrating the channels of communications systems’ control, they created interference in the operation of ground and airborne radio communications employed by a notional enemy," the statement says.

"The teams of the Krasukha [electronic counter-measures] system suppressed the signal of an onboard radar installed on an aircraft and also the radio channels of controlling unmanned aerial vehicles. The activation of the Zhitel hardware made it possible to shut out satellite communications equipment, navigation and cellular communications systems within a radius of 30 km," the statement reads.

The new method allows electronic warfare specialists to create "vacuum" space shielded from the impacts of drones, airborne radars, radio-controlled high-explosive munitions and cruise missiles, the District’s press office explained.

The drills involved about 500 servicemen, the District’s press office specified for TASS.

"The experiment involved unmanned aerial vehicles, communications systems, dummy munitions and aircraft," the press office said.

Source: ITAR-TASS 10-06-2019

Eleven injured as two tourist buses collide in Sochi

KRASNODAR, June 9. /TASS/. Eleven people, including a child, were injured after two buses collided in Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi early on Sunday, the press service of the local Interior Ministry told TASS.

"According to preliminary data, two tourist buses have collided. As a result, eleven people were injured, including a child," the press service said.

No deaths have been reported.

According to police, one of the buses did not yield to the other. The crash occurred in Sochi’s Lazarevsky District. Fifteen ambulance teams have been dispatched to the scene.

Source: ITAR-TASS 09-06-2019

PM Medvedev to visit Geneva on June 10-11 to participate in International Labor Conference

Russian Prime Minister also will visit the European Organization for Nuclear Research.

MOSCOW, June 8. /TASS/. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev will visit Geneva on June 10-11, where he will take part in the International Labor Conference and will visit the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), where he will examine the Large Hadron Collider, the Russian Government said on Saturday.

"In Geneva, the Prime Minister will visit the European Center for Nuclear Research, the largest research center in particle physics, on June 10," the report said. "On the second day of his stay in Geneva, Dmitry Medvedev will take part in the International Labor Conference dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the International Labor Organization. The Prime Minister will address the plenary session of the Conference in the Assembly Hall at the United Nations Palace," the government report said.

Bilateral meetings of Dmitry Medvedev are scheduled on the sidelines of the International Labor Conference, including Director-General of the International Labour Organization Guy Ryder. Traditionally, at the conference, countries are represented by governments, trade union leaders, and leaders of employers' associations. The Russian delegation includes Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, Minister of Labor and Social Protection Maxim Topilin, President of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Alexander Shokhin, and Chairman of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia Mikhail Shmakov.

Source: ITAR-TASS 08-06-2019

US cruiser impeded Russian warship’s passage in East China Sea

The Pacific Fleet voiced a protest to the US vessel’s command.

MOSCOW, June 7. /TASS/. Russia has voiced a protest to the US command after its guided-missile cruiser hindered the passage of the Admiral Vinogradov anti-submarine destroyer some 50 meters in front of it, forcing the vessel to perform a dangerous maneuver, the Pacific Fleet’s press service told reporters on Friday.

The incident occurred at 6.35 a.m. Moscow Time in the southeastern part of the East China Sea, when a task force of the Russian Pacific Fleet and a US carrier strike group were heading in parallel directions. "The US cruiser Chancellorsville suddenly changed its course and crossed the Admiral Vinogradov destroyer’s course some 50 meters away from the ship. In order to prevent a collision, the Admiral Vinogradov’s crew was forced to conduct an emergency maneuver," the press service said.

The Pacific Fleet voiced a protest to the US vessel’s command, stressing that such steps are unacceptable.

Large anti-submarine ships of Project 1155 are designed to fight adversary nuclear submarines in the ocean zone, ensure the operation of Russian submarines and protect surface warships. The Admiral Vinogradov destroyer and the Chancellorsville cruiser have a full displacement of 7,500 tonnes and 9,800 tonnes, respectively.

Source: ITAR-TASS 07-06-2019

Russia, Belarus, Serbia to hold joint military drills on June 14-27

During the drills, the paratroopers from the three countries will practice counter-terror operations.

MOSCOW, June 6. /TASS/. The Russian-Belarusian-Serbian tactical drills dubbed Slavic Brotherhood-2019 will take place in the Serbian city of Pancevo on June 14-27, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced on Thursday.

Paratroopers from the Pskov airborne assault division will represent Russia in the drills, the ministry said.

"Overall, the drills that will run on June 14-27 will involve about 600 troops, including more than 200 from Russia’s Airborne Force, about 300 from the Serbian armed forces and up to 60 servicemen from Belarus, as well as more than 50 combat vehicles and Il-76MD military transport aircraft," the statement says.

During the joint drills, the paratroopers from the three countries will practice counter-terror operations.

The ceremony of opening the trilateral military drills will be held on the territory of the cantonment of Serbia’s Special Forces Brigade in the city of Pancevo on June 14.

Source: ITAR-TASS 06-06-2019

New patrol ship to enter service with Russian Navy in June

Also, the Project 21631 missile corvette Ingushetia is due to be put afloat in June.

MOSCOW, June 5. /TASS/. The Project 22160 patrol boat Dmitry Rogachev will become operational in the Russian Navy in June this year, Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov said at the Navy’s enlarged board meeting on Wednesday.

"In June, a ceremony will be held to hoist the flag and accept the Project 22160 patrol vessel Dmitry Rogachev for service in the Navy," the Defense Ministry’s newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda quoted the Navy chief as saying.

Also, the Project 21631 missile corvette Ingushetia is due to be put afloat in June, the Navy chief added.

Both ships were built at the Zelenodolsk Shipyard in Tatarstan in the Volga area.

Project 22160 and Project 21631 ships

The Dmitry Rogachev is the Project 22160 first serial-produced ship. The project was developed by the Severnoye Design Bureau. The patrol vessel Dmitry Rogachev was earlier expected to be accepted for service in the Russian Navy in early 2019.

Project 22160 ships are primarily designated to defend and protect the maritime economic zone. The patrol ships also capable of accomplishing escort and anti-piracy missions and performing search and rescue operations.

The patrol vessels of this Project have their sea endurance of 60 days. They can develop a speed of 30 knots and operate within a range of 6,000 nautical miles. The Project 22160 lead vessel Vasily Bykov was laid down at the end of February 2014. The Project’s second-built and first serial-produced vessel Dmitry Rogachev had its keel laid in the summer of 2014. The Zelenodolsk Shipyard plans to deliver six Project 22160 ships to the Russian Navy by 2020.

Project 21631 Buyan-M-class small missile ships feature increased water displacement and are equipped with the latest Kalibr-NK standardized precision missile system designated to strike naval and coastal targets.

As was reported earlier, Project 21621 ships that will number 12 vessels of this series are expected to be upgraded and armed with new radio-technical equipment and air defense capabilities.

Source: ITAR-TASS 05-06-2019