FSB foils terror attack in Russia's Tatarstan

Two IS militants have been detained.

MOSCOW, July 31. /TASS/. A terror attack at an infrastructure facility in Russia’s Tatarstan in the Volga Federal District has been thwarted and two militants of the Islamic State terror group (outlawed in Russia), who are suspected of plotting it, have been detained, the Federal Security Service said.

"The Russian Federal Security Service jointly with the Russian Interior Ministry have foiled a terror attack at an infrastructure facility in Tatarstan as part of an earlier opened criminal case," the FSB said.

Two Russian citizens, who are members of the IS terror group, have been detained at the scene. According to the FSB, they were linked to recruiting local citizens to terror groups and terrorism propaganda.

Explosives and elements of self-made explosive devices have been seized from the suspects. The FSB has not revealed their names as the investigation continues.

Seventeen terrorist attacks were foiled in Russia in the six months of 2019, Russia’s First Deputy Prosecutor-General Alexander Buksman said on Tuesday.

Source: ITAR-TASS 31-07-2019

Russian diplomat slams Kiev’s plan to launch TV channel for Crimea, Donbass as madness

According to Maria Zakharova, it resembles more a Bible story than the present-day situation.

MOSCOW, July 30. /TASS/. Ukraine’s plans to launch a worldwide Russian-language TV channel look like madness amid restrictions imposed on the use of Russian in the country, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on Facebook.

"It means, Kiev will launch a Russian-language channel to convince those in Ukraine who seek to protect their right to speak Russian that they are wrong," she said. "Just imagine: the Kiev authorities are allocating funds to reach out to the Russian-speaking audience around the world, while in their own country, a new language law allows the use Russian only as a language of private communication and religious rites," Zakharova noted.

"What is going on is just madness, it resembles more a Bible story than the present-day situation," the Russian diplomat added.

The Ukrainian presidential administration earlier announced plans to launch a worldwide Russian-language TV channel in order to win the hearts and minds of Ukrainians living all around the world, particularly in Crimea and Donbass.

Source: ITAR-TASS 30-07-2019

WWII munitions found at Battle of Stalingrad monument in Volgograd

The finds were dug up in the course of the restoration.

ROSTOV-ON-DON, July 29. /TASS/. Army engineers from Russia’s Southern Military District have eliminated WWII munitions found during restoration works at the Motherland Calls! monument in Volgograd devoted to the heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad, the District’s press office reported on Monday.

"The combat engineers of a motor rifle unit of the Southern Military District eliminated the munitions found at the foot of the Motherland Calls! sculpture on Mamayev Hill in Volgograd," the press office reported.

The WWII munitions were unearthed by workers in the course of the restoration. The munitions included a 76mm artillery shell and a grenade.

The munitions were destroyed at the Prudboi firing range.

Source: ITAR-TASS 29-07-2019

Russian Navy can fight back any aggressor, says Putin

Russian president pointed out that the plans for the country are to build a unique in its possibilities fleet, designed for a long time.

ST. PETERSBURG, July 28. /TASS/. Russian Navy is ready to fight back any aggressor, President Vladimir Putin said at the Main Naval Parade marking Russia’s Navy Day on Sunday.

"Our Navy ensures security of the country, its national interests and can properly repulse any aggressor," the president said.

This is guaranteed by unique weapons that Russia has, "but the most important is that the courage and training standards of the fleet crews, loyalty to the St. Andrew’s Flag and devotion to the Fatherland remain a special and lofty duty for them, the sailors stand to the end when they perform their combat missions," the president stressed.

"At the time of bitter trials, the seamen are ready to give their lives for their ship, their people and the Fatherland," Putin emphasized, citing numerous examples of heroism revealed by Russian sailors back in the 19th century, during World War II and most recent examples, like the courage of the crew during the fire onboard a Russian submersible in the Barents Sea.

"The Fatherland has always remembered and will always remember the feats of the Russian sailors," Putin pledged, thanking the seamen for seeking inspiration from heroic traditions, for their unity and strength, for bravery and courage, and for their service to the Fatherland.

He said Navy Day is celebrated across the whole country, which honors "all those who at different times in history served Russia faithfully and loyally, and who continue doing this on its borders and far away from the homeland".

Vladimir Putin also noted that Russia plans to build a unique fleet.

"The heroism of sailors, the talent of naval commanders and ship-builders, daring of scientists and courage of pioneers have brought great naval glory to Russia. We will not only hold the bar high, but we will continue to move further - we will be building a unique in its possibilities fleet, designed for a long time, the fleet of a strong and sovereign state," the president stressed.

The Main Naval Parade in St. Petersburg and Kronshtadt involves more than 4,000 personnel, 43 warships and submarines as well as 41 aircraft. Naval parades are also held on Sunday in Baltiysk, Sevastopol, Severomorsk and Astrakhan, as well as in the Syrian port of Tartus.

Source: ITAR-TASS 28-07-2019

Austria seeks to revive spy scandal, Russian foreign ministry says

Austria’s interior ministry said on Thursday it had put Russian national Igor Zaitsev, 65, on the international wanted list on suspicion of spying for Russia’s military intelligence.

MOSCOW, July 26. /TASS/. Austria’s submission of Russian national Igor Zaitsev to the international wanted list on suspicion of spying for Russia’s military intelligence against Austria is an attempt to revive the hysteria around Russian spies, the Russian Foreign Ministry told TASS on Friday.

"We deeply regret that there are those who seek to revive last November’s ‘hot topic’ about Russian spies in Austria, which we thought has been resolved with our Austrian partners. At least, all our bilateral contacts with the Austrian leadership have been held in this atmosphere in the recent months," the ministry said.

"Notably, the accusations are worded in the notorious ‘highly likely’ style. Since such fakes are never meant to initiate a serious conversation, we see no point in commenting on them," the ministry stressed.

Austria’s interior ministry said on Thursday it had put Russian national Igor Zaitsev, 65, on the international wanted list on suspicion of spying for Russia’s General Staff Main Directorate, formerly known as the Main Intelligence Directorate, or GRU. The arrest warrant was issued by the Salzburg prosecutor’s office, which suspects Zaitsev of recruiting the retired Austrian colonel who was arrested in 2018 and charged with leaking secret information to Russia. Austrian police claim that the Russian national, a senior GRU officer, is suspected of coordinating the activities of the retired Austrian army officer to spy against Austria since 1987.

Source: ITAR-TASS 27-07-2019

Bank of Russia reduces key rate to 7.25%

 Russian economy’s growth rate is coming in lower than the Bank of Russia’s expectations, the regulator said.

MOSCOW, July 26. /TASS/. The Bank of Russia cuts the key rate by 25 basis points to 7.25%, noting continued inflation slowdown, the regulator says in its press release.

"Inflation slowdown is continuing. At the same time, inflation expectations remain elevated. Russian economy’s growth rate is coming in lower than the Bank of Russia’s expectations," the Central Bank says.

Poor economic activity along with temporary factors limits inflation risks over the short term horizon, the Bank of Russia notes.

Source: ITAR-TASS 27-07-2019

Russia’s Black Sea Fleet warships line up in Sevastopol Bay for Navy Day parade

 The parade will be held on July 28, when Russia celebrates Navy Day.

MOSCOW, July 25. /TASS/. The Black Sea Fleet’s warships have lined up in a parade formation in the Sevastopol Bay ahead of Russia’s Navy Day celebrations, the Fleet’s press office reported on Thursday.

"The Black Sea Fleet’s warships have completed forming their parade lineup in the Sevastopol Bay," the press office said in a statement.

Sevastopol residents and guests will be able to view the submarine Novorossiysk, the air-cushion missile ship Samum, the frigate Admiral Makarov, the missile gunboat R-60 and other warships.

Sevastopol Naval Parade Commanding Officer, Commander of the Squadron of Surface Ships Rear Admiral Oleg Krivorog was in charge of the warships’ parade lineup, the press office said.

Russia will celebrate Navy Day on July 28. Naval parades will be held in St. Petersburg, Baltiysk, Sevastopol, Severomorsk and Astrakhan, and also in the Syrian port of Tartus.

Russia’s Main Naval Parade in St. Petersburg and Kronshtadt on July 28 will involve 43 warships, 41 aircraft and more than 4,000 personnel.

Source: ITAR-TASS 25-07-2019

Railway section of Crimean Bridge to be among Russia’s safest

"Given the unique nature of this facility, extensive measures of technical control to ensure transport security have been envisaged there," the official said.

MOSCOW, July 24. /TASS/. Special security measures will be in place for the railway section of the Crimean Bridge, connecting the peninsula with mainland Russia, the director general of the Russian Transport Ministry’s departmental security service, Alexey Kovyrshin, told TASS on Wednesday.

"At present, works are being carried out to equip the railway segment of the Crimean Bridge with the required engineering and technical equipment for transport security, as envisaged by the project. Given the unique nature of this facility, extensive measures of technical control to ensure transport security have been envisaged there," he said.

"For today, this facility will be among our country’s most protected transport infrastructure facilities," the official added.

According to the official, the car and the railway sections of the Crimean Bridge will be considered two separate objects, and the safety there will be ensured by different agencies - the car section will be guarded by the Transport Ministry’s departmental security service and the rail section - by the rail transport departmental security service. The overall security will be provided by officers of the Russian Guard, who will also patrol waters around the bridge.

The 19-kilometer long Crimean Bridge, the longest one in Russia, links the Taman Peninsula and the Kerch Peninsula. The bridge’s motorway section was inaugurated in May 2018, with President Vladimir Putin taking part in the opening ceremony. The railway section is expected to be unveiled by the end of 2019.

Source: ITAR-TASS 24-07-2019

Russian Defense Ministry denies border violations during flights over Sea of Japan

MOSCOW, July 23. /TASS/. Two Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers did not violate other countries’ borders during their scheduled flight over neutral waters of the Sea of Japan, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Tuesday.

"On July 23, 2019, two Tu-95MS strategic bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces were performing a scheduled flight in the airspace over neutral waters of the Sea of Japan," the ministry noted.

The Defense Ministry stressed that the planes did not violate other counties’ borders. "According to flight data, the Tu-95MS aircraft did not deviate from the planned route in accordance with international regulations, flying more than 25 km away from Dokdo (Takeshima) islands without violating South Korea’s airspace," it said.

The ministry said that two South Korean F-16s approached the Russian bombers near the Liancourt Rocks and "conducted unprofessional maneuvers, crossing the course of the Russian aircraft and jeopardizing their safety."

The Russian defense agency also pointed out that "The South Korean pilots did not establish communications with the crews of Tu-95MS, fired flares and then the F-16s conducted another maneuver, retreating away from the Russian planes."

The Russian Defense Ministry has refuted reports on warning shots fired by South Korea’s F-16 fighter jets at Russia’s Tu-95MS strategic bombers.

"No warning shots were fired by South Korea’s fighter jets," the Defense Minsitry said, adding that, "if the Russian pilots felt a security threat, the response would follow quickly."

The ministry also emphasized that "it is not the first time that South Korean pilots have unsuccessfully tried to disrupt the Russian aviation’s maneuvers over the neutral waters of the Sea of Japan, citing a self-imposed "air defense identification zone"." However, these zones are not envisioned by the international rules and, therefore, are not recognized by Russia, which has been repeatedly communicated to the South Korean side through various channels."

Flights over Sea of Japan

Earlier on Tuesday, the South Korean Yonhap News Agency claimed that a Russian Air Force jet had twice violated the South Korean airspace near the Liancourt Rocks, situated in the Sea of Japan and contested by Seoul and Tokyo.

The South Korean air defense identification zone stretches not only across the country’s airspace, but is also partly applied to the international airspace. In spite of that, the South Korean military demands that the intention to enter the zone and the aims of the flights should be communicated to them ahead of missions. Usually, if it does not happen, they scramble aviation to intercept the ‘intruders’ even if the South Korean airspace has not been violated.

Source: ITAR-TASS 23-07-2019

Russia’s Su-25SM attack aircraft strike targets in Kyrgyz army’s drills

MOSCOW, July 22. /TASS/. Four Russian Su-25SM ground attack aircraft took part in the Kyrgyz army’s Sary-Tash-2019 military exercises, the press office of Russia’s Central Military District reported on Monday.

"The Russian planes delivered a missile strike against targets simulating notional armor and the amassment of illegal armed formations. The pilots also practiced overcoming air defenses by performing anti-missile maneuvering. The flights were conducted at speeds of 700 to 750 km/h and at an altitude of 300 to 3,000 meters," the press office said.

The military exercises dubbed Sary-Tash-2019 kicked off in Kyrgyzstan on July 18. They involve 600 troops and over 100 items of military hardware. The drills practice blocking and destroying militant intruders.

Source: ITAR-TASS 22-07-2019

Donbass republics ready to adhere to new ceasefire agreement

For his part, the head of the LPR militia Mikhail Filiponenko expressed hope that the Ukrainian side will adhere to the agreement as well.

DONETSK, July 20. /TASS/. The people’s militias of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR) are ready to adhere to the new ceasefire agreement signed during the talks in Minsk, heads of the DPR and LPR militias Denis Sinenkov and Mikhail Filiponenko stated on Saturday.

"In relation to the agreement reached on introducing an indefinite ceasefire starting 00:01 on July 21, 2019, the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic ruled the People’s Militia to issue the corresponding order to all units and every serviceman," the Donetsk News Agency quotes Sinenkov as saying.

For his part, the LPR official expressed hope that the Ukrainian side will adhere to the agreement as well. "The People’s Militia of the Lugansk People’s Republic has always strived for peaceful regulation of the conflict, considering it one of its priority goals. We are ready to adhere to the conditions of another ceasefire and, as earlier, we are ready to implement a ceasefire regime," the Luganskinformcenter news agency quotes Filiponenko as saying.

The so-called spring ceasefire formally came into effect in Donbass on March 8, however, on the same night it was violated by the Kiev forces. At the meeting of the Contact Group in Minsk on July 17, the sides agreed to establish a new ceasefire starting July 21.

Source: ITAR-TASS 20-07-2019

Russian fighter jets scrambled 6 times over week to intercept foreign aircraft

According to the Defense Ministry’s newspaper, 28 foreign aircraft conducted air reconnaissance near the Russian borders.

MOSCOW, July 19. /TASS/. Russian fighter jets were scrambled six times over the past week to intercept and shadow foreign aircraft near Russia’s borders, the Defense Ministry’s newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda reported on Friday.

According to the infographics published in the newspaper, 28 foreign aircraft conducted air reconnaissance near the Russian borders. The Russian fighter jets "prevented the violation of the country’s airspace," the paper said.

Over the week, the Russian pilots performed 320 flight shifts at 76 aerodromes, the paper said.

Source: ITAR-TASS 19-07-2019

Kremlin responds to Theresa May’s criticism of Putin’s ideas about liberalism

May said she did not share Putin’s point of view that the "liberal idea has become obsolete".

ST. PETERSBURG, July 18. /TASS/. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov insists that Russian President Vladimir Putin was right when he said that the liberal idea has become obsolete.

"I would not agree with [UK Prime Minister Theresa] May: we can and should compare life in Russia and in Europe or in other countries of the world. All have their pluses and minuses. But it is impossible to counterpose one system of values to another. Moreover, it would be wrong to do that. Other than that, we are guided by the assertions that were voiced by President Putin in his interview with the Financial Times," Peskov told journalists on Thursday.

In an interview with the Financial Time in June, President Putin said he believed liberalism had "outlived its purposes" and "become obsolete." In his words, the modern liberal idea had come into contradiction with the interests of the overwhelming majority of the population. He noted that Russia’s Western partners also admitted that some of its elements, such as multiculturalism or denial of traditional values were simply unrealistic. But, he stressed he was confident that liberal ideas could not be done away with and should go on existing.

In her speech at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, or Chatham House, a thinktank, on Wednesday, British Prime Minister Theresa May said she did not share Putin’s point of view that the "liberal idea has become obsolete." "This is a cynical falsehood. No one comparing the quality of life or economic success of liberal democracies like the UK, France and Germany to that of the Russian Federation would conclude that our system is obsolete. But the fact that he feels emboldened to utter it today indicates the challenge we face as we seek to defend our values," she said.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin spokesman said with regret he did not have a possibility to "follow Mrs. May’s speech" on Wednesday as he had been accompanying the Russian president on his trip to holy site on Valaam. "These discussions [on the liberal idea] look not that acute from there," he noted.

Source: ITAR-TASS 18-07-2019

Criminal cases launched after massive children’s poisoning in Crimean camp

49 children and five youth leaders were taken to the hospital.

SIMFEROPOL, July 17. /TASS/. Investigators of the Main Investigative Directorate for Crimea of the Russian Investigative Committee launched criminal cases on the poisoning of children and youth leaders in the Luchisty camp in Yevpatoria, the directorate’s press service told journalists on Wednesday.

"The investigative bodies of the Russian Investigative committee for the Republic of Crimea launched criminal cases for crimes under Part 1 Section 238 (‘Providing services that fail to comply with consumers’ life and health safety requirements’) and Part 1 Section 236 (‘Violation of sanitation and epidemiological rules’) of the Russian Criminal Code," the report says.

The incident in the children’s camp

The press service of Crimea’s Ministry of Health earlier reported that by 8:00 Moscow time 54 people were taken to the Yevpatoriya State Hospital after poisoning: 49 children and five youth leaders. They are in moderate condition.

The Luchisty children’s camp is located on the western Crimean shore 8 km off Yevpatoria, in the village of Zaozernoye.

Source: ITAR-TASS 17-07-2019

Over 40 warships to take part in Russia’s Main Naval Parade

The parade will take place in St. Petersburg and Kronshtadt on July 28.

MOSCOW, July 16. /TASS/. Russia’s Main Naval Parade in St. Petersburg and Kronshtadt on July 28 will involve 43 warships, 41 aircraft and more than 4,000 personnel, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said at the ministry’s conference call on Tuesday.

"It [the parade] will take place in St. Petersburg and Kronshtadt on July 28, on Navy Day, It will involve 43 combat ships and 41 aircraft furnished with the latest armament. More than 4,000 servicemen and Young Army Movement members will be involved," the defense chief said.

Naval parades will also take place at the main naval bases of the Russian Fleets and the Caspian Flotilla in Severomorsk, Baltyisk, Sevastopol, Vladivostok and Astrakhan, and also in the Syrian port of Tartus, Shoigu said.

"Overall, more than 150 combat ships of various classes, about 80 planes and over 15,000 personnel are set to take part [in naval parades]," the defense minister said.

An increasing number of foreign guests attend Russia’s naval parades with each passing year, Shoigu said.

This time, 26 foreign delegations will attend the naval celebrations. China, India, Vietnam and the Philippines will send their combat ships to Russia’s naval parades, the defense chief said.

The military orchestras of Thailand and Vietnam will also take part in Russia’s naval celebrations. They will perform together with the consolidated orchestra of the Russian Navy.

Source: ITAR-TASS 16-07-2019

Less gadgets, higher marks? Russians back ban on mobile phone use in schools, poll reveals

67% of Russians are in favor of prohibiting pupils from using mobile phones at school, according to the poll.

MOSCOW, July 15. /TASS/. About 62% of Russians believe that prohibiting the use of mobile phones in schools would have a positive effect on the academic process. At the same time, the number of those who support the idea of banning mobile phones has dwindled by 6%, a poll conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center has shown.

"The number of Russians in favor of prohibiting pupils from using mobile phones and smartphones at school and who believe that this type of ban would have a positive effect on the academic process has dropped from 73% to 67% and from 69% to 62% respectively over the past year," the pollster said.

The proposed move is backed by 70% of women interviewed by the research organization. Among those who back that idea are also Russians aged between 35 and 44 (70%) and between 45 and 59 (72%) as well as parents whose children have no mobile phones (84%).

Besides, 55% of the respondents do not support a total ban on using gadgets during school time, with the exception of seniors aged 60 and above (53%).

The survey was conducted on July 7, 2019, with 1,600 Russians aged over 18 interviewed over the phone. The margin of error does not exceed 2.5% with a probability of 95%.

Source: ITAR-TASS 15-07-2019

Ukrainian PM admits impossible to sever train connection with Russia

Vladimir Groysman dubbed the issue of traffic to/from Russia as "sensitive"

KIEV, July 13. /TASS/. Ukraine cannot cut off rail connection with Russia due to transit commitments to the European Union, Ukrainian Prime Minister Vladimir Groysman said on Saturday.

"We merely cannot instantaneously sever traffic between Ukraine and Russia, including rail one, when transit goods are moved into the European Union, as we have assumed international commitments to the EU, including the Association Agreement," the prime minister said aired by the Ukrainian television channel Nash.

Groysman dubbed the issue of traffic to/from Russia as "sensitive." However, he added that flights to Russia were not supposed to be resumed, since Russia is an adversary, according to the Ukrainian prime minister.

Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Vladimir Omelyan said in early August 2018 that the country had plans to stop train traffic to/from Russia. Later, Omelyan explained that the Infrastructure Ministry was planning to stop passenger rail traffic from Russia, while freight rail traffic would not be affected.

In 2018, Ukrainian Railways company cancelled direct trains running between Ivano-Frankovsk, Chernovtsy, Kremenchug and Chernigov and Russian cities. The Kiev-Moscow train connection generated the highest revenues for the Ukrainian Railways.

Source: ITAR-TASS 14-07-2019

Scores of residential houses affected by floods in Russia's southern Siberia

The Russian Emergencies Ministry said that torrential rains in the region will continue for three more days.

MOSCOW, July 13. /TASS/. Flash floods have affected around 80 residential houses in a village in Russia's southern Siberian Tuva region, the press service of the Russian Emergencies Ministry told TASS on Saturday.

"Representatives of the Russian Emergencies Ministry's main directorate in Tuva have departed for the Khondergei village in the Dzun-Khemchinsky district, where 80 residential houses were affected by floods," the press service said adding that the group included 37 people, fou pieces of equipment and three floating devices.

The ministry also said that torrential rains in the region will continue for three more days.

Source: ITAR-TASS 13-07-2019

Kremlin describes Putin’s phone call with Ukrainian president as pragmatic

The first conversation between the presidents lasted about 20 minutes.

MOSCOW, July 12. /TASS/. The first telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Vladimir Zelensky lasted about 20 minutes on Thursday, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, adding that the conversation had been pragmatic.

"As for the atmosphere of the phone call, it was the first introductory conversation between the two presidents, it was the first time they held a phone call as they hadn’t contacted each other before," Peskov said. According to him, "the conversation was rather pragmatic." Peskov added that the phone call had lasted "about 20 minutes."

The first conversation between Putin and Zelensky is important in itself, according to the Kremlin spokesman.

"It is hardly necessary to discuss tones and emotions, this is not what the conversation was for," he said when asked if Putin was satisfied with his phone call with Zelensky. "The first conversation between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents is very important in itself," Peskov pointed out.

When asked if there were plans to arrange another telephone conversation between the two presidents, Peskov said that "there is no clear understanding at the moment."

When asked if Putin and Zelensky had discussed the possibility of releasing Ukrainian sailors arrested in Russia and Russian journalist Kirill Vyshinsky charged with high treason and arms trafficking in Ukraine, the Kremlin spokesman said the two presidents had agreed that "the work will continue at the expert level."

Peskov added that Putin and Zelensky had touched upon "the future of the Normandy talks."

The Russian and Ukrainian presidents held their first telephone conversation on Thursday. The call was initiated by Kiev. According to Zelensky’s team, the phone call marks "the first step towards resuming the Normandy talks."

Source: ITAR-TASS 12-07-2019

Fire at gas pipeline near power plant in Moscow Region extinguished

One person was killed and 13 injured in the disaster.

MYTISHCHI /Moscow Region/, July 11. /TASS/. Firefighters have extinguished a blaze that broke out at a gas pipeline on the premises of a thermal power plant in Mytishchi, near Moscow, Russian Deputy Emergencies Minister Ilya Denisov told reporters on Thursday.

"The fire at a high-pressure gas pipeline has been put out. The firefighting operation is underway at a transformer station and at certain hotbeds of fire, and a foam attack is being prepared. There is no threat to the residents of the Moscow Region and the environment," the official said.

By latest reports, fire in the administrative building has also been contained. "The fire has been contained," the source said.

Outside fire was extinguished as well, head of the Emergencies Ministry's Main Directorate for the Moscow Region Sergei Poletykin reported on Thursday.

"The outside fire was put out at 15:43 Moscow time," he told journalists.

Poletykin noted that the fire started as a result of gas leakage from the gas pipeline. Russian Deputy Emergencies Minister Ilya Denisov earlier said that the high-pressure pipeline broke, which led to a jet fire.

"There was a threat to a dormitory located nearby, but it was saved, just two square meters of the area were damaged, and in the near future the residents will be able to return to their rooms," Poletykin said.

The fire covered an area of over 1,000 square meters, the fire-fighting headquarters told TASS. "The building’s roof is on fire on an area of more than 1,000 square meters," the source said.

One person was killed and 13 were injured in the fire that sparked in the pipeline near the thermal power station in Mytishchi, Moscow Region, the Center for Emergency Medicine told TASS. "One person was killed, 12 people received outpatient treatment, and one more person was hospitalized," the source said.

The Emergencies Ministry specified that the body of the deceased person was found during the fire fighting operations.

The firefighting effort involved 157 personnel, two helicopters and two fire engines.

A high-pressure gas station, a gas pipeline, technical facilities and an administration building caught fire on the premises of the Severnaya thermal power plant in Chelobityevo, Mytishchi, on Thursday.

The gas-powered Severnaya thermal plant in Mytishchi, with the capacity of 1,060 MWt, was put into service in 1992.

Source: ITAR-TASS 11-07-2019

Three IS militants sentenced for plotting terrorist attacks in Moscow

The men will spend from 10 to 15 years in jail.

MOSCOW, July 9. /TASS/. The Moscow District Military Court has sentenced three members of the Islamic State (terrorist group, outlawed in Russia) to between 10 and 15 years in jail over plotting terrorist attacks in Moscow, a TASS correspondent reported from the courtroom on Tuesday.

"The court has found the defendants guilty and sentenced Anzor Tlupov, Bakhtovar Tuychiyev and Manuchekhr Tuychiyev to 13, 15 and 10 years, respectively," the judge said, noting that the three men would be serving their sentences in a maximum security colony.

The defendants were charged with illegal production of explosives, setting up a terrorist group, engagement in the group's activities, plotting a terrorist attack and contributing to terrorism.

The court found that three IS militants had been plotting a series of terrorist attacks in Moscow and the Moscow Region. At the moment of detention in summer 2018, they were trying to destroy explosive substances.

Source: ITAR-TASS 09-07-2019

Kremlin to ponder Zelensky’s proposal on new talks format

The Kremlin will study the proposal, according to the spokesman.

MOSCOW, July 8. /TASS/. Russia is not ready to give a response to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s offer on holding talks to settle the crisis in Donbass, to be mediated by the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and France, but will definitely study this proposal, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.

"I’m not ready to answer now, this is an absolutely new format," Peskov said. "We need to understand if the meeting has any prospects and what kind of a format is being suggested," Peskov explained.

"This is a new initiative, and certainly, it will be considered, but now I cannot give any response," he said.

Speaking on the possible US participation in the talks, Peskov noted Washington is not a party to the Normandy format (Russia, Germany, Ukraine and France) and its representatives were not signatories to the Minsk agreements. Earlier, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky suggested meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Minsk and that the encounter should be mediated by the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and France.

The Ukrainian leader said the sides needed to discuss the issue of "who owns Crimea and who is not present in Donbass." Zelensky suggested that the talks should involve US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron.

On Kiev-Moscow TV linkup initiative

The initiative of two TV channels, Ukraine’s NewsOne and Russia’s Rossiya-1, to organize a TV bridge "deserves high marks," according to the Kremlin spokesman.

"This initiative of two TV channels can only be welcomed from our point of view," Peskov said.

Despite all "political and diplomatic troubles between the two countries," nobody has cancelled communication of the two peoples. "This communication continues, directly and indirectly. That is why, we believe this initiative deserves high marks," Peskov stressed.

The initiative to hold a Kiev-Moscow TV linkup was announced on Sunday, July 7, by TV host Dmitry Kiselyov during his Vesti Nedeli (News of the Week) program on Rossiya-1 TV channel. The program was meant to be hosted jointly with Ukraine’s NewsOne TV channel, which is part of a media group owned by Chairman of the Political Council of Ukraine’s Opposition Platform - For life party Viktor Medvedchuk.

Some Ukrainian parties have strongly dismissed the TV linkup idea. The NewsOne TV channel announced on Monday that the program was expected to inspire politicians to hold an open dialogue for the sake of peace.

Ukraine’s Newsone TV channel later cancelled the Kiev-Moscow TV bridge citing threats of physical violence against its employees.

Source: ITAR-TASS 08-07-2019

Fuel truck explodes in Urals, killing three tourists travelling on top

The driver lost control of the vehicle, which swerved off the road and into a ditch.

YEKATERINBURG, July 7. /TASS/. Three people were killed and five injured when a tanker truck exploded in the Sverdlovsk Region in the Urals, the chief spokesperson for the regional interior ministry department, Valery Gorelykh, told TASS on Sunday.

"According to preliminary information, the driver of the Ural fuel truck, loaded with about 4.5 tonnes of fuel, headed to the town of Kytlym to refuel heavy equipment for rock excavation. The driver permitted about seven tourists to climb on top of the tank," he said.

"The driver lost control of the vehicle, which swerved off the road and into a ditch. Upon impact, the truck caught fire and exploded. According to preliminary data, three people died and at least five more people received injuries and burns of varying degrees and were taken to a local hospital, where they are receiving medical assistance," Gorelykh went on, adding that the driver was among the survivors.

The regional emergencies service said the fire spread to the area of 10 square meters and was put out by firefighting crews.

The incident poses no threat to the local population or environment, rescuers said.

Source: ITAR-TASS 07-07-2019

Over 400 people injured by East Siberia floods

As of the middle of Friday, 22 people were reported dead, 15 people missing and over 330 hospitalized.

TULUN /Irkutsk Region/, July 6. /TASS/. More than 400 people have been taken to hospitals following heavy floods in East Siberia’s Irkutsk Region, Russia’s Deputy Minister for Civil Defense, Emergency Situations and Disaster Relief Pavel Baryshev said at a meeting of the commission on the issue of floods in the Irkutsk Region.

As of the middle of Friday, 22 people were reported dead, 15 people missing and over 330 hospitalized as a result of floods in the Irkutsk Region.

"Unfortunately, 22 died, 410 have been hospitalized, medical assistance is provided to 2,165 affected on an ambulatory basis," Baryshev said.

Floods in the Irkutsk region started after torrential rains at the end of June. As many as 103 settlements have been affected by the disaster. More than 10,150 dwelling houses, which accommodate almost 33,000 people, have been flooded. A state of emergency was declared in the region.

Source: ITAR-TASS 06-07-2019

Su-27 fighter jet intercepts US spy plane near southern Russian border

The Russian fighter jet’s crew "approached an aerial target at a safe distance".

TASS, July 5. A Russian Su-27 fighter jet of the Air Force in the Southern Military District was scrambled to intercept a US Boeing P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft approaching Russia’s border, the Defense Ministry said on Friday.

"A Su-27 fighter jet of the Air Force on duty in the Southern Military District was scrambled to intercept a target," the ministry said.

The Russian fighter jet’s crew "approached an aerial target at a safe distance, identifying it as a US reconnaissance plane P-8A Poseidon, which immediately changed the flight direction away from Russia’s state border," the ministry stated.

Russia’s Su-27 observed international rules of using the airspace and after fulfilling the goal it returned to its airfield.

In mid-June, Russia’s Su-27 fighter jets were scrambled to intercept US strategic bombers, which approached Russia’s state border from the Black Sea and the Baltic Seas.

Source: ITAR-TASS 05-07-2019

Russian Navy starts tracking NATO warships in Black Sea

Under surveillance are British and Canadian vessels, according to the control center.

MOSCOW, July 3. /TASS/. Ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet are monitoring the British destroyer and the Canadian frigate that entered the Black Sea waters on July 2, the Russian National Defense Management Center reported on Wednesday.

"The forces and hardware of the Black Sea Fleet have begun tracking the activities of the British Royal Navy HMS Duncan destroyer and the Canadian Forces HMCS Toronto frigate, which entered the waters of the Black Sea on July 2, 2019," the statement reads.

The Kasimov small anti-submarine ship and Pytlivy patrol ship are tracking the NATO vessels, the center clarified.

The defense agency said that "naval air force jets and the Bal and Bastion coastal missile systems have been put on duty in designated regions." Radio electronic tracking is also being conducted.

Currently, NATO ships are taking part in the Sea Breeze 2019 drills in the Black Sea. The exercises officially began on July 1 in the western part of the Black Sea. This year, according to the press service of the Ukrainian embassy in the US, more than 3,000 servicemen from 19 countries are participating in the drills, including those from the United States, the United Kingdom and Ukraine. The US is playing a key role in preparing the drills’ scenario and executing it. The exercises are scheduled to run until July 12.

Source: ITAR-TASS 03-07-2019

Russia’s Yekaterinburg wins bid to host 2023 Summer Universiade

The bid was represented by Russia's top brass.

MOSCOW, July 2. /TASS/. The Executive Committee of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) has chosen Russia’s Urals city of Yekaterinburg to host the 2023 Summer Universiade.

The decision was announced at the FISU Executive Committee’s meeting in Italy’s Naples.

Yekaterinburg’s bid was represented by Russian Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov, Governor of the Sverdlovsk Region Yevgeny Kuyvashev, Rector of the Urals Federal University Viktor Koksharov and Head of the Sergei Seyranov.

Russia will host the Summer Universiade for the second time following the competitions held in Kazan in 2013. Back during the USSR (1973), Moscow hosted the Summer Universiade. In March 2019, Russia held the Winter Universiade in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia.

The Summer Universiade is an international sporting and cultural festival, which is staged every two years in a different city. The name of the international sports event is a combination of two words - ‘University’ and ‘Olympiade.’

It is only second to the Olympic Games. The program of the Summer Universiade currently includes 18 sports: Basketball, Water Polo, Volleyball, Judo, Rugby Sevens, Athletics, Table Tennis, Swimming, Diving, Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics, Archery, Tennis, Football, Taekwondo, Fencing, Shooting and Sailing.

The 2019 Summer Universiade is due to be held in Naples from July 3 to 14, and in 2021 the event will be hosted by China’s Chengdu.

Source: ITAR-TASS 02-07-2019

Production of S-500 missile systems begins in Russia

In CEO of Russia’s Rostec state-run hi-tech corporation Sergei Chemezov words, the S-500 system’s range will be higher than that of S-400 systems.

MOSCOW, June 30. /TASS/. Production of S-500 surface-to-air missile systems begins in Russia. These systems will soon enter operational service in the Russian army, CEO of Russia’s Rostec state-run hi-tech corporation Sergei Chemezov said on Sunday.

"New state-of-the-art weapons are being developed. So, once we can already sell S-400 systems, we now begin to manufacture S-500 systems. These are more updated systems. I’d prefer not to tell about them now, they are not yet operational. I think they will enter service very soon," he said in an interview with the Deistvuyushchiye Litsa (Political Actors) with Nailya Asker-zade program on the Rossiya-1 television channel.

When asked when these state-of-the-art missile systems enter operational service, he said, "When trials are over."

In his words, the S-500 system’s range will be higher than that of S-400 systems.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov told journalists earlier in the week that S-500 surface-to-air missile defense systems would be delivered to troops earlier than initially planned after a series of successful tests. The troops are expected to receive them in the next few years.

Earlier, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that deliveries of S-500 surface-to air missile defense systems to the troops would begin in 2020. S-500 is being created with a possibility of operation in the next 25 years. Western newspapers and publications noted that the new Russian missile defense system had managed to hit a target at a range of 481.2 km, which is 80 km father than any other existing air defense missile system.

Source: ITAR-TASS 01-07-2019