Russian Black Sea Fleet corvette eliminates enemy warships with cruise missiles in drills

The ships’ crews conducted electronic missile launches, the Fleet’s press office specified.

SEVASTOPOL, April 28. /TASS/. The Black Sea Fleet’s latest missile corvette Ingushetia and missile boats eliminated a notional enemy’s surface ships with Kalibr and Moskit cruise missiles during drills, the Fleet’s press office reported on Tuesday.

"The crews of the small missile ship Ingushetia and the missile boats Naberezhniye Chelny and Ivanovets accomplished the assigned missions within a surface action group. At the final stage of the drills, the crews of the Fleet’s ships successfully fulfilled the assignment of eliminating a notional enemy with Kalibr and Moskit anti-ship missiles," the press office said in a statement.

"In accomplishing their mission, the crews achieved simultaneous calculated target destruction at different distances to the targets and time of launches and also with different types of missiles," the statement reads.

The ships’ crews conducted electronic missile launches, the Fleet’s press office specified.

Before that, the sailors practiced the ships’ joint deployment and combat maneuvering as a homogeneous naval tactical group and held drills for providing communications and air defense for a naval group during its transit at sea, the statement says.

The small missile ship Ingushetia has been built for the Black Sea Fleet and is the eighth upgraded Project 21631 ‘Buyan-M’ vessel. The new warship was floated out in June 2019 and entered service with the Black Sea Fleet on December 28, 2019.

The Ingushetia is not the first warship of this class in the combat structure of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.

Project 21631 Buyan-M-class small missile ships are outfitted with the latest artillery, missile, anti-saboteur, air defense and radio-technical armament, including the most advanced Kalibr-NK precision missile system designated to strike naval and coastal targets.

Source: ITAR-TASS 28-04-2020

Russian T-14 Armata tanks tested in Syria

Serial supplies of Russia’s new T-14 tanks on the Armata platform to Russian troops will begin in 2021.

MOSCOW, April 19. /TASS/. The T-14 tank on the heavy tracked vehicle platform has been tested in Syria, Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov said on Sunday.

"Yes, that’s right. They [Armata tanks] were used in Syria," he said in an interview with the Deistvuyushchiye Litsa (Political Actors) with Nailya Asker-zade program on the Rossiya-1 television channel answering a corresponding question. "They were used in field conditions, in Syria, so, we took into account all the nuances."

Alexander Potapov, CEO of Uravagonzavod, the tank’s developer and manufacturer (incorporated into Rostec corporation), said in an interview with the Vedomosti daily on February 3 that first batches of Aramata tanks would be supplied to the Russian army in 2020 for field trials.

The Armata is a heavy tracked standardized platform serving as the basis to develop a main battle tank, an infantry fighting vehicle, an armored personnel carrier and some other armored vehicles. The T-14 tank based on the Armata platform was shown to the public for the first time at Red Square’s Victory Day parade on May 9, 2015. The new combat vehicle features fully digitized equipment, an unmanned turret and an isolated armored capsule for the crew.

Serial supplies of T-14 tanks

Serial supplies of Russia’s new T-14 tanks on the Armata platform to Russian troops will begin in 2021."It [the T-14 Armata tank] is expensive because it is still undergoing extra trials and modernization after the defense ministry requested additional technical solutions in order to begin serial supplies starting from the next year under the existing contract," said Denis Manturov.

Foreign buyers of Armata tanks

Russia plans to begin work with potential foreign buyers of Russian Armata tanks and has already received a number of advance orders.

"Next year, when serial supplies of these tanks to the defense ministry are launched and an exports certificate is obtained, we will begin to work with foreign clients," said Denis Manturov.

According to the minister, a number of countries have already demonstrated interest to these tanks. He noted that Russia already has advance orders. "Preliminarily, bearing in mind that we cannot provide all the documentation to our foreign clients, well, we do have preliminary orders," he said.

Source: ITAR-TASS 26-04-2020

Russian Central Bank cuts key rate to 5.5% per annum

MOSCOW, April 24. /TASS/. The Bank of Russia reduced the key rate by 50 basis points at once for the first time since October 2019 to 5.5% per annum, the regulator said in a statement following its board meeting on Friday.

"On 24 April 2020, the Bank of Russia Board of Directors decided to cut the key rate by 50 bp to 5.50% per annum. Since the March Board of Directors meeting, the situation has changed dramatically. Significant restrictive measures have been introduced to combat the coronavirus pandemic both in Russia and across the world, which negatively influences economic activity," the statement said.

This creates material and prolonged disinflationary influence on price dynamics from the aggregate demand perspective, which offsets the effect of temporary pro-inflationary factors, including those related to the fall in oil prices, the regulator added.

Source: ITAR-TASS 25-04-2020

Number of coronavirus cases in Russia rises by 5,849 over past day

A total of 68,622 coronavirus cases have been recorded in Russia.

MOSCOW, April 24. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Russia has risen by 5,849 over the past 24 hours, reaching 68,622 in all regions of the county, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Friday. The growth rate does not exceed 10% for the third day in a row.

"A total of 68,622 coronavirus cases (+9.3%) have been recorded in 85 regions of Russia. Over the past 24 hours, 677 people have been discharged after recovering, the total number of recoveries is 5,568. Sixty coronavirus patients have died over the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 615," the crisis center said. It noted that 2,697 new patients (46.1%) had no symptoms.

The number of coronavirus cases in Moscow has risen by 2,957 over the past day reaching 36,897.

New cases have also been recorded in 81 regions, including 611 in the Moscow Region, 253 in St. Petersburg, 113 in Dagestan, 94 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region and 84 in the Krasnoyarsk Region.

A total of 677 people in 49 regions have been discharged from hospitals, including 287 in Moscow, 49 in the Moscow Region and 43 in St. Petersburg.

Thirty-seven fatalities have been recorded in Moscow, 10 in the Moscow Region, 3 in St. Petersburg and 2 in the Krasnodar Region. Khakassia, Udmurtia, Mordovia, the Nizhny Novgorod Region, the Murmansk Region, the Volgograd Region, the Yaroslavl Region and the Ulyanovsk Region reported one death each.

Source: ITAR-TASS 24-04-2020

Russian Navy warship transiting Black Sea straits to join Mediterranean Squadron

The missile corvette Orekhovo-Zuyevo is expected to join the Russian Navy’s permanent Mediterranean taskforce already by Tuesday evening.

SEVASTOPOL, April 21. /TASS/. The Black Sea Fleet’s missile corvette Orekhovo-Zuyevo has started transiting the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits to join the Russian Navy’s Mediterranean taskforce, the Fleet’s press office reported on Tuesday.

"The ship’s crew is making a planned transit from Sevastopol to the Mediterranean Sea. During the transit, the ship’s crew accomplished a set of shipborne combat drills at the Fleet’s combat training ranges in the Black Sea," the press office said in a statement.

The missile corvette Orekhovo-Zuyevo is expected to join the Russian Navy’s permanent Mediterranean taskforce already by Tuesday evening, the statement says.

The Orekhovo-Zuyevo is the seventh Project 21631 ‘Buyan-M’ small missile ship. 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.

Russian Navy’s Mediterranean Squadron

The Soviet Navy’s 5th Mediterranean Squadron served as a prototype for the Russian Navy’s permanent Mediterranean taskforce operating at present. The 5th operational Soviet Squadron dealt with the tasks of naval presence in the Mediterranean theater of operations during the Cold War period. Its main rival was the US Navy’s 6th Fleet. The Soviet Squadron was disbanded on December 31, 1992, a year after the disintegration of the Soviet Union.

In 2013, Russia started to create a new operational Mediterranean taskforce. Russia’s new permanent Squadron is dealing with planned and urgent combat missions arising in the Mediterranean theater of operations, including warding off threats to Russia’s national and military security.

Source: ITAR-TASS 21-04-2020

Light aircraft crashes in Russia’s Far East

It had three people on board. According to preliminary information, they died.

MOSCOW, April 18. /TASS/. A light aircraft crashed during a training flight near the village of Lesnoye in Russia’s Far Eastern Khabarovsk region, killing three people on board, an emergency source told TASS on Saturday.

"An L-4 light aircraft crashed while performing a training flight. It had three people on board. According to preliminary information, they died," the source said.

At present, emergency services are working at the scene. The cause of the accident is being established.

The information was confirmed to TASS by the region’s deputy government chair in charge of the fuel and energy sector and utilities, Anatoly Litvinchuk. He said the plane fell about 60 km away from the Kalinka airfield.

According to the Khabarovsk region administration, the aircraft caught fire when it crashed, but it was put out promptly. A spokesperson for the regional authorities said the L-4 plane had been performing a commercial flight at the time of the accident.

Source: ITAR-TASS 18-04-2020

Russian fighter jets not scrambled on interception missions in last week

The defense ministry said that violations of Russian airspace were prevented.

MOSCOW, April 17. /TASS/. Russian fighter jets have not been scrambled on interception missions in the last week, the Krasnaya Zvezda (Red Star) newspaper quoted the Russian Defense Ministry as saying.

According to the defense ministry, 24 foreign aircraft and nine unmanned aerial vehicles conducted reconnaissance near Russian borders. Foreign aircraft and drones were monitored by Russian radars. The defense ministry said that violations of Russian airspace were prevented.

The defense ministry said that Russian pilots carried out 356 sorties at 78 aerodromes in the past week.

Source: ITAR-TASS 17-04-2020

Two individuals suspected of spying for Ukraine held in Crimea

According to the FSB, the exposed spy missions had been plotted by Col. Oleg Akhmedov, who headed a unit of Ukraine’s military intelligence in Kherson, southern Ukraine.

MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Wednesday it had detained two individuals in Crimea suspected of spying for Ukraine’s military intelligence service.

"The Russian Federal Security Service in the Republic of Crimea has thwarted the activity of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry aimed at plotting and carrying out acts of sabotage and terrorism, stealing state secrets and recruiting Russian nationals," the FSB Public Relations Center reported.

The Russian counterintelligence service has foiled the activity of agents recruited and led by Col. Akhmedov of Ukraine’s military intelligence service in Kherson. The group consisted of a Russian servicewoman, who is suspected of sharing state secrets with Ukraine’s military intelligence agents in 2017-2018, and a Ukrainian national, who allegedly spied on the orders of Ukraine’s special service.

The FSB has released a video showing that the Russian servicewoman and the Ukrainian national were captured at home. During the search operation, the officers found banking cards and a contract for military service with Ukraine’s Armed Forces.

Two criminal cases into high treason and espionage have been opened against these individuals. The Ukrainian national has been taken into custody. The woman has been placed under house arrest due to humanitarian reasons, given that she has minor children.

According to the FSB, the exposed spy missions had been plotted by Col. Oleg Akhmedov, who headed a unit of Ukraine’s military intelligence in Kherson, southern Ukraine. The suspects’ alleged espionage activity was revealed as part of investigating a criminal case opened this January. One of the suspects in this investigation is a Russian national, who had built caches in Crimea with rounds of ammunition and explosives, which he had brought from Ukraine’s soil, on Akhmedov’s order.

The FSB says "the Ukrainian military intelligence conspired to carry out several acts of sabotage and terrorism at the facilities of critical social and military infrastructure on our country’s soil." An investigation and a search effort is ongoing.

Source: ITAR-TASS 15-04-2020

Over 20,000 hospital beds for coronavirus patients to be set up in Moscow

Another 24 hospitals will be repurposed for the treatment of suspected coronavirus patients.

MOSCOW, April 14. /TASS/. About 21,000 hospital beds for coronavirus patients will be set up in Moscow, the city’s Healthcare Department said in a statement.

"Another 24 hospitals will be repurposed for the treatment of suspected coronavirus patients in the next ten days. That said, about 21,000 hospital beds for coronavirus patients will be set up at the Healthcare Department’s facilities," the statement reads.

According to the health authority, doctors specializing in other diseases will be moved to other hospitals.

Coronavirus pandemic

In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.

On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.

To date, a total of 18,328 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 1,470 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 148 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.

Source: ITAR-TASS 14-04-2020

Russian Black Sea Fleet warship strikes enemy naval force, aircraft in drills

Towed target screens simulating the notional enemy’s warships were used as surface targets whilst the air targets were simulated by illuminating air bombs dropped by the Black Sea Fleet aircraft, according to the Fleet’s press office.

SEVASTOPOL, April 13. /TASS/. The crew of the Black Sea Fleet small anti-submarine ship Muromets held a live-fire exercise at a Black Sea naval range, the Fleet’s press office reported on Monday.

"As part of combat training measures, the sailors performed preparatory and qualification artillery firings against sea and air targets," the press office said in a statement.

Towed target screens simulating the notional enemy’s warships were used as surface targets. The air targets were simulated by illuminating air bombs dropped by the Black Sea Fleet aircraft. The ship’s artillery crews also conducted firings against the mock-ups of floating mines, the statement says.

"At the final stage of the firings, the sailors practiced the algorithm of measures for the ship’s air defense during its transit at sea, with close-in jamming actions," the press office said.

Source: ITAR-TASS 13-04-2020

Coronavirus case tally in Russia surpasses 15,700

A total of 1,045 people have been discharged to date. The total death toll has hit 130.

MOSCOW, April 12. /TASS/. The number of novel coronavirus cases in Russia has risen by 2,186 over the past day, reaching 15,770 in 82 regions, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Sunday.

Some 1,291 people have recovered and 130 others have died.

"In Russia the cases of coronavirus infection have risen to 15,770 (+16.1%) in 82 regions. Over the past day, 246 people have been discharged. A total of 1,045 people have been discharged to date. Some 24 patients with coronavirus have died over the past day. The total death toll in Russia has hit 130," the crisis center said.

Last week, the tally of confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia surpassed 5,000, and over the past seven days this number has nearly tripled. However, the daily growth in cases this week did not exceed 20%.

Russia’s specialists have managed to keep the mortality rate lower than on average in the world, where it rose from 5% to 6% this week.

The number of recoveries is also gradually increasing. Over the past week, it grew from 6.6% to 8.2%. Last Sunday, the total number of recoveries reached 355, and over the past seven days this number more than doubled, rising to 936. By the end of next week, the recoveries are expected to hit several thousand.

Source: ITAR-TASS 12-04-2020

Russia to spend $1.3 bln to construct two helicopter carriers — source

Construction contract is slated for signing in late April.

MOSCOW, April 10. /TASS/. Construction of the first two universal landing ships at Crimea’s Zaliv shipyard will cost about 100 billion rubles ($1.3 bln), the contract is slated for signing in late April, a source in the military-industrial complex told TASS.

"Construction contract is slated for signing in late April. The helicopter carriers’ cost will be slightly less than 100 billion rubles," the source said.

According to the source, the ships should be laid down in early May.

"The lead ship should be commissioned in 2026, and the second one should be commissioned in 2027," the source said.

No official comments are available.

Earlier, military-industrial complex sources told TASS that a technical project for both ships has already been prepared and it complies with the Navy’s requirements. The ships’ full displacement will be 25,000 tons, while their full length will be about 220 meters. Each ship will carry up to 20 heavy helicopters, 900 marines and will be equipped with a docking camera for landing boats.

Universal landing ships, also known as helicopter carriers, have never been built in Russia and the USSR before.

Source: ITAR-TASS 11-04-2020

Death toll from fire at retirement home in Moscow up to five

According to preliminary data, the fire was caused by a fuel vapor explosion in the boiler room.

MOSCOW, April 10. /TASS/. The death toll from the fire at a retirement home in Moscow has risen to five as one more of those hurt died in hospital, a source in the medical services told TASS on Friday.

"One more person who was hurt in the fire has died in hospital. In all, the death toll makes five," the sources said adding that 15 people are still in hospital.

According to earlier reports, four people died and 16 were injured.

The fire at the retirement home in Moscow’s western suburb broke out in the evening of April 8. The home accommodated elderly people, including those with reduced mobility. According to preliminary data, the fire was caused by a fuel vapor explosion in the boiler room. A criminal case was opened. According to a source in the law enforcement agencies, the building was not accepted into service.

Source: ITAR-TASS 10-04-2020

Putin sends message of hope to UK PM Boris Johnson to defeat coronavirus

On April 6, the prime minister’s office reported that Johnson’s state had worsened.

MOSCOW, April 7. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a telegram to the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who earlier was diagnosed with the coronavirus disease, expressing his support and wish for the prime minister to defeat the illness. The telegram text has been published on the Kremlin website.

"I would like to express my sincere support in this trying time," the president said. "I am certain that your energy, optimism and sense of humor will help you to defeat the illness."

"I sincerely wish you fast and complete recovery," he added.

On March 27, Prime Minister Johnson, 55, announced that his coronavirus tests were positive. On April 5, he was hospitalized, where, according to The Times, he "received oxygen treatment." His hospitalization reportedly was not an emergency, and was done by recommendation of the prime minister’s doctor, who called for the prime minister to be examined in a hospital.

On April 6, the prime minister’s office reported that Johnson’s state had worsened, and that the prime minister was transferred to an intensive care unit. According to Sky News report, the prime minister is conscious and has been taken to the ICU as a precaution, in case he needs a ventilator.

Besides Johnson, Prince Charles of Wales and Health Secretary Matt Hancock also contracted the disease, but have already recovered. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace spent a week at home with coronavirus suspicion, but he has also reported his recovery.

UK Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack, Chief medical officer Chris Whitty and Chief Adviser to Prime Minister Dominic Cummings remain in self-isolation.

Source: ITAR-TASS 07-04-2020

Russian Baltic Fleet anti-aircraft gunners accomplish over 200 fire missions in drills

The drills involved over 500 personnel.

KALININGRAD, April 6. /TASS/. Missile and artillery personnel of the Baltic Fleet’s army corps accomplished over 200 various fire missions during field exercises at practice ranges in the Kaliningrad Region, the Fleet’s press office reported on Monday.

"The combat training measures at several practice ranges in the Kaliningrad Region involved over 200 items of combat hardware of the army corps’ artillery and missile units, and also the Fleet’s marine infantry formations," the press office said in a statement.

The drills involved over 500 personnel, the press office specified.

As part of the field exercises that lasted a month, the artillery and missile troops accomplished over 200 various fire missions, employing Grad multiple launch rocket systems, Giatsint large-caliber guns, Msta-S, Akatsiya, Gvozdika, Pion and Nona self-propelled artillery systems, Podnos mortars and other armament, the statement says.

Apart from the live-fire, the crews and combat teams practiced measures while on the march and accomplished procedures within the required time limits to deploy weapon systems and assume firing positions, equip and camouflage them, according to the statement.

"At various stages of the field exercises, the artillery and missile units practiced their cohesion, sharpened the personnel’s combat skills and the commanders’ skills of fire control in a training battle during defense and in an offensive," the Fleet’s press office specified.

Source: ITAR-TASS 06-04-2020

Only 2% of coronavirus patients need hospitalization — deputy mayor of Moscow

A total self-isolation regime for all city residents of all ages has been in place in Moscow since March 29.

MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. Only two percent of coronavirus patients who are undergoing treatment at home need hospitalization, deputy mayor of Moscow Anastasia Rakova said on Friday.

"As of today, only two percent of 836 people were taken to hospital. As a matter of fact, we don’t see any worsening when a patient stays at home," she said in an interview with the Rossiya-1 television channel.

She noted that many patients have mild forms of the disease, with no symptoms. In this case, in her words, "there is no point in staying at hospital"  and "occupying a bed someone else might need."

A total self-isolation regime for all city residents of all ages has been in place in the capital city since March 29. Shops, except food stores and those selling articles of daily necessity and pet supplies, theaters, restaurants, cafes, bars, fitness centers, beauty parlors, recreation centers has been saying closed. People are prohibited to visit parks. Violators of the self-isolation regime face a fine of up to 5,000 rubles (65 US dollars). However, fines will not be charged until the rules of movements about the city are adopted.

As of April 3, a total of 4,149 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia. As many as 282 patients have recovered. According to data as of 10:30am Moscow time, thirty-four patients died. Moscow accounts for the majority of cases (2,923). The Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public informed about the coronavirus situation.

Source: ITAR-TASS 04-04-2020

Kremlin says non-working period in Russia to end once coronavirus threat is minimized

The Kremlin spokesman noted that regional authorities could issue their own regulations depending on the need for restrictions.

MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. The non-working period in Russia will end once the coronavirus spread is minimized, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday.

"As long as the threat of the virus spread and the epidemic persists, as well as the risk of an increase in infection cases, the [non-working] period about which the president spoke yesterday will continue. Once the threat is over or minimized through joint efforts, there will be no more need to extend the period," Peskov pointed out.

At the same time, the presidential spokesman noted that regional authorities could issue their own regulations depending on the need for restrictions. "It is important for the heads of Russian regions to have extra powers because they know better what their regions need. And they will be able to make their own decisions depending on whether stricter or softer measures are required," Peskov said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 2 extended the coronavirus non-working period in the country until the end of the month. He added, however, that the measures could be lifted earlier if the coronavirus situation improved. According to Putin, the epidemic has not yet reached its peak in the world, including Russia.

So far, a total of 4,149 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 281 patients having recovered from the virus. The country’s latest data indicates 34 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.

Source: ITAR-TASS 03-04-2020

Russian Railways withdraws from projects in Iran

The company has stopped work on electrification of the Garmsar - Inche Burun line and closes a branch in Tehran, it informed.

MOSCOW, April 2. /TASS/. Russian Railways (RZD) has ceased implementation of infrastructure projects in Iran, press release of the holding said on Thursday. The Iranian side has been notified, the company noted.

In this regard, RZD International, which is in charge of the holding's foreign projects, has stopped work on electrification of the Garmsar - Inche Burun line and closes a branch in Tehran.

"JSC RZD [Russian Railways] expresses confidence that withdrawal of RZD International from the Garmsar - Inche Bourun Project shall not affect the partnership between Russian Railways and Iranian Railways, which is carried out first of all in the field of international logistics including the International North - South Transport Corridor development," the company wrote in a statement.

Russian Railways continues to implement projects in India, Serbia and Cuba. The company is engaged in construction of railway infrastructure, electrification of lines, creation of dispatch centers.

Source: ITAR-TASS 02-04-2020

Coronavirus cases in Russia surpass 2,700, death toll hits 24

24 people have died over the entire period.

MOSCOW, April 1. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Russia has risen by 440 over the past day to 2,777 in 75 regions, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Wednesday.

A total of 190 people have recovered and 24 people have died over the entire period, the center said.

"Some 2,777 coronavirus cases in 75 regions have been registered in the Russian Federation as of today. Over the past day, 69 people have recovered and have been discharged, and 190 people have recovered over the entire period. Seven fatalities have been registered over the past day and the total number over the past period is 24," the center reported.

New coronavirus cases have been recorded in 35 Russian regions - Moscow (267), the Komi Republic (32), St. Petersburg (27), the Moscow Region (15), the Saratov Region (11), the Vologda Region (7), the Chelyabinsk Region (7), the Leningrad Region (6), the Buryatia Republic (6), the Krasnoyarsk Region (6), the Tula Region (5), the Krasnodar Region (5), the Voronezh Region (4), the Volgograd Region (4), the Penza Region (4), the Omsk Region (4), the Kursk Region (3), the Tambov Region (3), the Khanty Mansi Autonomous Region (3), the Bryansk Region (2), the Ivanovo Region (2), the Republics of Dagestan (2), Kabardino-Balkaria (2) and North Ossetia (2). One case was recorded in the Vladimir, Lipetsk, Tver, Altai, Novosibirsk, Khabarovsk and Sakhalin Regions as well as the Republics of Chechnya, Bashkortostan and Mordovia.

Over the past 24 hours, 45 people have been discharged in Moscow, three in Udmurtia, Kaliningrad, Tula and Moscow Regions, and two others in the Novosibirsk and Voronezh Regions. One recovery was reported in Yakutia, Samara, Saratov, Tyumen and Ryazan Regions as well as Bashkortostan, Krasnodar Region and the Republic of Tatarstan.

New fatalities have been recorded in Moscow (5), the Moscow Region (1) and the Pskov Region (1).

In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.

On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. To date, more than 850,000 people have been infected worldwide and over 42,000 deaths have been reported.

Source: ITAR-TASS 01-04-2020