Russian paratroopers to get high-speed buggies based on latest armored vehicles

The need for creating the buggy was demonstrated at the Center-2019 strategic command and staff drills in September 2019, according to Airborne Force Commander Colonel-General Andrei Serdyukov.

MOSCOW, July 31. /TASS/. Russia is developing a new high-speed buggy for paratroopers based on the latest family of Strela armored vehicles, Airborne Force Commander Colonel-General Andrei Serdyukov said in an interview with the Defense Ministry’s Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper on Friday.

"Work is underway to create a Strela light buggy. The model’s mobility characteristics are unique. Its maximum possible speed is 155 km/h. By now, a whole family of such vehicles has been developed. They can be used for various missions, including for the purpose of mounting armament," the commander said.

The need for creating the buggy was demonstrated at the Center-2019 strategic command and staff drills in September 2019. There are plans to equip Airborne Force units "of a new light type" with Strela vehicles, he stressed.

The press office of Russia’s Military Industrial Company told TASS on July 13 that the Company’s specialists had developed a family of VPK-Strela new light armored vehicles that could be transported by Mil Mi-8 helicopters on an external sling.

The baseline vehicle weighs 4.7 tonnes and its armor provides the 2nd-degree ballistic protection (it shields against bullets with a heat-strengthened core of 5.45x39mm cartridges of the AK-74 assault rifle, bullets with the heat-strengthened core of 7.62x39mm rounds of the AKM submachine-gun and bullets with the non-heat strengthened core of 7.62x54mm ammunition fired from the Dragunov sniper rifle).

The vehicle’s anti-blast protection shields the crew inside it upon hitting mines or explosives with a yield of up to 2 kilograms in TNT equivalent.

The Strela can develop a speed of up to 155 km/h on the road and carry eight personnel. The vehicle’s design is based on advanced assemblies, units and accessories planned for their use in mass production in the domestic auto industry. The vehicle’s components are 100% produced on the territory of Russia.

Source: ITAR-TASS 31-07-2020

Kremlin awaits clarification over Russians taken into custody in Belarus

Moscow also expects that all the rights of Russian citizens detained in Belarus will be observed.

MOSCOW, July 30. /TASS/. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has told reporters that Moscow does not yet have full information regarding the detention of Russians in Belarus and expects the situation to be clarified.

"Today, our ambassador held a meeting in the Foreign Ministry and with [our] colleagues in Minsk. We hope that we will receive comprehensive information about what happened as a result of that communication and through communication channels between our special services," he explained.

According to the Kremlin spokesman, Moscow does not have full information about the incident yet. "We do know that 33 Russian citizens were detained in Belarus yesterday, and another 200 are still on a wanted list. There is no information about any illegal actions by the Russian nationals that might serve as a reason for being taken into custody. We know nothing about that. We see and hear official statements from Minsk that the Russians are allegedly involved in plans to destabilize the situation in Belarus in the run-up to the presidential election. We do not have any other information," he specified.

When asked to comment on remarks by Zakhar Prilepin, a Russian author, who said, according to media reports, that there were individuals among those taken into custody who had been with him in Donbass, Peskov replied, "We will take that into account."

The Kremlin also expects that all the rights of Russian citizens detained in Belarus will be observed.

"No doubt, we expect that all the rights of detained Russian citizens will be observed in full," the Kremlin spokesman said.

Source: ITAR-TASS 30-07-2020

Su-27 and Su-30 fighters hold stratospheric dogfight in southern Russia drills

During the drills, the fighters’ crews performed complex aerobatic maneuvers.

SEVASTOPOL, July 28. /TASS/. The crews of fighter jets of the Southern Military District’s composite air formation practiced an aerial battle and aerobatic maneuvers during drills, the Black Sea Fleet’s press office reported on Tuesday.

"The training flights in the stratosphere were performed by the crews of Su-27SM3 and Su-30M2 fighters from the Southern Military District’s air units stationed in the Republic of Crimea and the Krasnodar Region. During the flights, the pilots practiced searching for and detecting a notional enemy’s aircraft and conducting an aerial battle at an altitude of 12-15 kilometers," the press office said in a statement.

During the training aerial battles, the fighters’ crews performed complex aerobatic maneuvers, the statement says.

During the drills, the pilots also practiced flight navigation, piloting along the designated route and dodging a notional enemy’s air attack weapons, and also successfully landed on a notionally destroyed runway. The crews performed all the exercises both solely and as part of pairs, wings and groups, the press office said.

Source: ITAR-TASS 28-07-2020

Crimean Shipyard floats out advanced cruise missile corvette

The launch ceremony was attended by Crimean Head Sergei Aksyonov.

KERCH, July 24. /TASS/. The Zaliv Shipyard in Kerch on the Crimean Peninsula floated out the Project 22800 Karakurt-class cruise missile corvette Tsiklon, a TASS correspondent reported from the scene.

The launch ceremony was attended by Crimean Head Sergei Aksyonov, officials of the city and the Shipyard, shipbuilders and the public.

"Your work for building ships gives a possibility for other Crimean enterprises working in cooperation with you to utilize their capacities. This is actually a big deal. I am confident that thanks to you Crimea will revive its glory of a shipbuilding region of the Russian Federation," Aksyonov said.

This is the first Project 22800 ship floated out from the slipway of the Zaliv Shipyard, the Shipyard’s press office specified.

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, develop a speed of over 30 knots and their sea endurance is 15 days.

Karakurt-class corvettes are armed with Kalibr-NK cruise missiles and the upgraded AK-176MA 76.2mm artillery gun.

Source: ITAR-TASS 25-07-2020

Latest mobile radar arrives for mountainous air defense force in Siberia

The radar is capable of detecting air targets at ranges of 1 km to 40 km and at an altitude of up to 10 km.

MOSCOW, July 24. /TASS/. A Garmon mobile radar station arrived for a mountainous air defense formation in the Republic of Tyva in Siberia, the press office of the Central Military District reported on Friday.

"The radar arrived for air defense units of a motor rifle formation of the 41st all-arms army. It is designed to detect an air enemy and control the airspace in the interests of short-and medium-range anti-aircraft missile batteries," the press office said in a statement.

In addition, the radar’s team has a radio station for communications. About five minutes are required for a team of three to assemble the radar and prepare it for operation," the statement says.

An operational radar is capable of detecting air targets at ranges of 1 km to 40 km and at an altitude of up to 10 km. The radar can detect air targets moving at a speed of 700 m/s.

Source: ITAR-TASS 24-07-2020

Latest missile frigate enters service with Russian Navy

Project 22350 frigates are long-distance deployment ships and carry precision weapons.

ST. PETERSBURG, July 21. /TASS/. The Project 22350 frigate Admiral Kasatonov has entered service with the Russian Navy, Navy Spokesman Captain 1st Rank Igor Dygalo announced on Tuesday.

"By order of Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov, the Project 22350 latest frigate Admiral Kasatonov has been accepted for service in the Navy," the spokesman said.

The ceremony of accepting the frigate for service in the Navy and hoisting the St. Andrew’s (Russian naval) flag on its board was held in the Neva roadstead, following the warship’s arrival for its participation in Russia’s Main Naval Parade.

"The frigate Admiral Kasatonov, which has successfully completed state trials, has been accepted for service in the Navy in the Neva roadstead abeam Senate Square. The Navy has received another ship capable of effectively coping with assigned missions in long-distance maritime and oceanic zones," Yevmenov said.

Project 22350 frigates being built at the Severnaya Shipyard (part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation) are long-distance deployment ships and carry precision weapons. They are capable of operating effectively both solely and as part of Russian Navy all-arms forces.

Project 22350 warships displace 5,000 tonnes, are 135 meters long and 16 meters wide and can develop a speed of about 30 knots. They have an operating range of 4,500 miles, a crew of about 200 and their sea endurance is 30 days.

Source: ITAR-TASS 21-07-2020

Russian fighters shadow Norwegian spy plane over Barents Sea

No violations of Russia’s state border were allowed, the National Defense Control Center stressed.

MOSCOW, July 17. /TASS/. The Northern Fleet’s fighter jets shadowed a Norwegian Air Force P-3C Orion reconnaissance plane over the Barents Sea, Russia’s National Defense Control Center reported on Friday.

The Russian airspace control capabilities detected a Norwegian Air Force P-3C Orion reconnaissance plane on July 17, 2020, the Center said.

"The fighter aircraft of the Northern Fleet’s Air Force and Air Defense Army carried out its shadowing," it said.

No violations of Russia’s state border were allowed, the National Defense Control Center stressed.

On July 14, the Russian airspace control systems detected a Norwegian Air Force P-3C Orion reconnaissance plane over the Barents Sea flying towards Russia’s state border. The Northern Fleet’s fighter aircraft were also scrambled to identify and intercept the target.

Source: ITAR-TASS 18-07-2020

About 150,000 Russian troops go on high alert in snap combat readiness check

The surprise combat readiness check is held on Putin's order.

MOSCOW, July 17. /TASS/. About 150,000 troops, over 26,000 weapon systems, 414 aircraft and 106 warships are involved a snap combat readiness check that kicked off for Russia’s Southern and Western Military Districts, the Airborne Force and marine infantry of the Northern and Pacific Fleets, Defense Minister Army General Sergei Shoigu announced on Friday.

"The check stipulates holding 56 tactical exercises with the troops. A total of 35 training grounds and camps and 17 naval ranges in the Black and Caspian Seas will be involved. Overall, the surprise check has brought together 149,755 personnel, 26,820 items of armament and military hardware, 414 aircraft and 106 warships and support vessels," Shoigu said at a meeting with military commanders.

The defense minister issued instructions to implement the programs of troops’ combat training and cohesion during the drills and qualification exercises.

"The results of training measures held should be taken into account in assessing the level of the preparedness of military large units and formations for taking part in the Kavkaz-2020 [Caucasus-2020] strategic exercise [scheduled for September]," the defense chief said.

Snap combat readiness check held on Putin’s order

 The surprise combat readiness check for the troops of the Southern and Western Military Districts, marine infantry of the Northern and Pacific Fleets and some units of the Central Command and also for the Airborne Force started on order from Russia’s Supreme Commander-in-Chief President Vladimir Putin, the defense minister said.

"In compliance with a decision by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces, a snap check has begun for the troops of the Southern and Western Military Districts, some large units of the Central Command, the Airborne Force and marine infantry of the Northern and Pacific Fleets," Shoigu said.

The drills are meant to assess the troops’ ability to provide military security in Russia’s southwest where serious terrorist threats persist and to prepare for the Kavkaz-2020 strategic command and staff exercise, the defense minister said.

For the purpose of fulfilling the tasks set by the supreme commander-in-chief, Shoigu has ordered the General Staff to organize the check and control of the troops’ operations. Working groups will be set up to check military command centers, troops and forces involved in the drills.

The deputy defense ministers have been assigned the tasks to ensure control of the fulfilment of assignments by subordinate military command centers and troops involved in the snap check in their relevant areas of activity.

The commanders-in-chief of the military branches of the Russian Armed Forces, the commander of the Airborne Force and the heads of military command centers will direct the preparations of military large units and formations for accomplishing combat training assignments.

Source: ITAR-TASS 17-07-2020

Kremlin concerned by clashes on Azeri-Armenian border

Moscow has called on both sides to exercise restraint.

MOSCOW, July 14. /TASS/. Clashes on the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia are deeply concerning, and Moscow is ready for mediation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Tuesday.

"We are deeply concerned by shootouts on the Armenian-Azeri border," he noted. "We are calling on both sides to exercise restraint and honor their obligations as part of a ceasefire. As we have repeatedly said on different levels, Russia is ready to provide mediation efforts for settlement, as a co-chair of the [OSCE] Minsk Group."

"As you know, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had intensive contacts with his counterparts from Baku and Yerevan," Peskov added.

Source: ITAR-TASS 14-07-2020

Five people injured in gas explosion in Nizhny Novgorod

The explosion of an air-gas mixture happened in an apartment on the sixth floor of a nine-story panel apartment building.

MOSCOW, July 11. /TASS/. Five people were injured in a gas explosion followed by a fire in a residential building in Nizhny Novgorod, press service of the city’s government administration told reporters on Saturday.

"Currently, five people have been injured in a gas explosion, three of them were slightly injured, doctors examined them on the spot, hospitalization was not required. Two more people, a man and a woman, were taken to a hospital. Their condition does not cause any concerns," the press service said.

Earlier, the Ministry of Emergency Situation reported three injured. According to the Ministry, the explosion of an air-gas mixture happened in an apartment on the sixth floor of a nine-story panel apartment building. Inter-apartment partitions, floors between the sixth and seventh floors were damaged.

Source: ITAR-TASS 11-07-2020

Russia’s top brass to prioritize using self-driving vehicles in Arctic

In April, the Kamaz truck maker held successful trials of self-driving trucks in the Polar region, according to the head of the Khrulyov Military Logistics Academy.

MOSCOW, July 10. /TASS/. Russia’s Defense Ministry prioritizes using self-driving vehicles in the Arctic, the Extreme North and the Far East, Head of the Army General Khrulyov Military Logistics Academy Lieutenant-General Andrei Toporov said on Friday.

In April, the Kamaz truck maker held successful trials of self-driving trucks in the Polar region, during which control posts were also tested, the general said in an interview with the Defense Ministry’s Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper.

"Following the tests, Deputy Defense Minister Army General Dmitry Bulgakov defined this area of developing military motor vehicles as the most promising and priority activity for the Arctic and also for the regions of the Extreme North or the Far East with harsh climatic and rough road conditions," he said.

Source: ITAR-TASS 10-07-2020

Ukraine’s exit from Minsk accords would be extraordinary event for all — Kremlin official

Moscow does not know what the Ukrainian president means by plans B and C, Deputy Chief of Staff the Presidential Executive Office Dmitry Kozak said.

MOSCOW, July 9. /TASS/. If Ukraine decides to pull out of the Minsk agreements, this will be an extraordinary event for all, however, Russia is ready for any turn of events from a political standpoint, Deputy Chief of Staff the Russian Presidential Executive Office Dmitry Kozak said in an interview with TASS.

"Firstly, I would like to touch upon the goals for the upcoming year set by the Ukrainian political leadership. It is clear that because all these goals are the object of negotiation within the Minsk and Normandy formats, every participant of the negotiation process must understand the end result," he explained. "What are Ukraine’s final goals? What are the conditions and mechanisms to implement those goals, according to our Ukrainian colleagues? I assure you that so far, despite the talks that have lasted for over five years, no one has complete clarity on these issues."

"We do not know what the Ukrainian president means by plans B and C either," Kozak continued. "There is no point in trying to guess the secret plans of Ukrainian colleagues. Ukraine’s exit from the Minsk agreements would be an extraordinary event for everyone. However, this will be a political event, and not a natural or man-made disaster, where we need a detailed plan of action drafted beforehand to eliminate the consequences. From a political standpoint, we will be braced for any development."

Hope for constructive dialogue

Cautious hope for a constructive dialogue with Kiev on resolving the conflict in Donbass is rapidly fading, Dmitry Kozak told TASS.

"Until very recently, up to early March, we had cautious hope for an open and constructive dialogue on issues related to resolving the conflict. However, the hope is rapidly fading," he pointed out.

According to Kozak, Moscow can understand that Kiev authorities have difficulties in making decisions given the domestic political situation. "We can see that their political opponents strongly oppose all efforts to take constructive steps to implement the Minsk agreements. Opposition particularly comes from their predecessors who participated in the development of the agreements," Kozak noted.

The March 11 meeting of the Contact Group on resolving the situation in eastern Ukraine became an important watershed, he went on to say. The meeting, which involved the self-proclaimed Donbass republics, Russia and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), reached an agreement on ways to move the negotiation process forward. "The next day, the meeting’s participants had to face strong pressure. Protests bordering on mass civil unrest made Ukrainian envoys drastically change their position," the Russian official stressed. "This is why, as for prospects for resolving the issue through political means, I can only say that today, everything depends on Ukraine, the primary beneficiary of efforts to resolve the issue," Kozak emphasized.

At the same time, he said that it was a matter of survival for the residents of Donbass and the entire Ukraine. "If [Ukrainian] President Zelensky’s team maintains a sustained, direct and honest dialogue with Donbass, the conflict may be resolved in quite a short time. However, if they stick to the position they have been demonstrating in recent months, holding talks only to protract the negotiation process, then it will lead to a years-long frozen conflict," Kozak concluded.

Efforts to resolve the Donbass conflict are based on the Minsk agreements, which particularly require Ukraine to carry out a constitutional reform, enshrining the self-governing status of Donbass in the basic law. The special status law that Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada (parliament) passed a while ago has in fact been suspended in the wake of amendments running counter to the Minsk accords. The law, initially supposed to remain in effect for only a year, has been repeatedly extended.

Gap between Ukraine and Donbass

Inconclusive talks between Ukraine and the self-proclaimed Donbass republics only widen the gap between Kiev and the residents of the republics, Dmitry Kozak opined.

"Time waits for no man. The conflict has been going on for six years. Inconclusive and useless lengthy talks only widen the gap between Donbass residents and the Ukrainian government," he said. "It is clear that it will be harder and harder to bridge this gap in the future."

"Lately, namely at the latest Berlin meeting, we have been calling on our colleagues to take on an open stance: if you don’t find it necessary to adhere to certain obligations, or you are unable to do that, just state it directly. Don’t mislead the entire world talking about your unwavering support of the Minsk agreements or, for example, of 'a comprehensive, full and permanent ceasefire'," Kozak said.

Mass protests broke out in eastern Ukraine, mostly populated by Russian-speaking citizens, following a coup d’etat in Ukraine in February 2014 and President Viktor Yanukovich’s ouster. In mid-April of the same year, Kiev’s authorities launched a military operation in Donbass in response. Heavy shelling of residential areas, including the use of aviation, caused large-scale humanitarian disaster in the region. According to the UN, more than 13,000 people have been killed in the armed conflict and over 30,000 have been injured.

Simultaneously, Kiev introduced a full blockade of the region, severing all economic ties. The Ukrainian authorities stopped paying social benefits to the citizens of the territories not under their control.

Source: ITAR-TASS 09-07-2020

Russian Black Sea Fleet forces to seize and defend bridgehead on Crimean coast in drills

The drills involve about 500 personnel of a coastal defense large unit from the Black Sea Fleet’s army corps and over 70 items of military hardware, according to the Fleet’s press office.

SEVASTOPOL, July 8. /TASS/. The troops of the Black Sea Fleet’s army corps will seize and defend a bridgehead during drills on the Crimean coast, the Fleet’s press office reported on Wednesday.

"Force-on-force battalion-level tactical drills with units of the Black Sea Fleet’s army corps began at training ranges of the Crimean Peninsula. The personnel of units from a coastal defense large formation will practice measures in a constantly changing maneuverable battle to accomplish firing, tactical, engineering and special training assignments on the terrain in an environment close to real warfare," the press office said in a statement.

"The troops will alternately practice the assignments of conducting an offensive, holding defense and switching to a counter-offensive," the statement says.

As the Black Sea Fleet specified for TASS, the troops involved in the drills will practice operations to seize and defend a bridgehead on the coast.

The troops will accomplish a live-fire exercise, firing all types of small arms, grenade launchers and combat vehicles’ guns against the targets that are simulating a notional enemy’s forces. The personnel will actively employ drones to adjust artillery fire and conduct reconnaissance, the press office said.

The drills involve about 500 personnel of a coastal defense large unit from the Black Sea Fleet’s army corps and over 70 items of military hardware that include T-72B3 tanks and BTR-80 and BTR-82A armored personnel carriers.

"The troops are currently performing a march from their permanent base to the training range, during which they will practice scenario injects to counter a notional enemy’s subversive and reconnaissance groups, repel air strikes and overcome terrain sections notionally contaminated with chemical agents," the press office said.

Source: ITAR-TASS 08-07-2020

Almost every development program in Russia aimed at eliminating poverty — Kremlin

The spokesman also commented on the results of a sociological study that showed that the monthly income of over 70% of Russians does not exceed $345.

MOSCOW, July 7. /TASS/. Almost every development program in Russia is aimed at elimination of poverty, although sometimes circumstances prevent their implementation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists Tuesday.

"Of course, this [persistent level of poverty] is a problem that both the president and the Government prioritize," the spokesman underscored. "Of course, elimination of poverty is what almost every development program is aimed at, be it national projects or anything else."

"Sometimes, certain circumstances complicate the implementation of these plans, but this does not mean that the work stops," Peskov said.

He also commented on the results of a sociological study, conducted by Rosgosstrakh Life insurance company and the Perspektiva scientific foundation, who concluded that the monthly income of over 70% of Russians does not exceed 25,000 rubles ($345), while 45% of Russians have income of 15,000 rubles ($207). The spokesman said that he is unaware of the calculation methods and the capabilities of companies that conducted the survey.

"The sample is far from the biggest; we can say with certainty that it would be inappropriate to draw conclusions on a federal scale from this sample," he added.

Answering a question what income would be enough for Russians, the spokesman said this question should be addressed to the Ministry of Economic Development.

Source: ITAR-TASS 07-07-2020

Russian Black Sea Fleet flagship to remain in service until 2040 — source

It will be a record of the overall time of service among Russian 1st rank warships.

MOSCOW, July 5. /TASS/. The Russian Black Sea Fleet’s flagship, the Guards missile cruiser Moskva, will remain in service until 2040, a source in the Russian defense industry told TASS on Saturday.

The warship was placed in the dock of the 13th Ship Repair Plant in Sevastopol on April 22. The dockside repairs proceeded along with the cruiser’s maintenance, which was also done by the shipyard’s specialists. The vessel was brought out of the dock on July 2-3.

"According to expert evaluations, the repairs <…> will allow the ship to remain in service for at least 20 more years," the source said. "It will be a record of the overall time of service among Russian 1st rank warships."

TASS was unable to officially confirm the information at the time of the publication.

In late summer, the Moskva cruiser will head to the Mediterranean, to join the Russian Navy task force there.

The cruiser Moskva is the Project 1164 ‘Atlant’ lead ship. It entered service in 1983. As its main armament, the warship carries 16 launchers of P-1000 Vulkan missiles.

In the second half of 2015, the cruiser led the Russian Navy’s permanent Mediterranean task force, shielding Russia’s Hmeymim airbase in Syria with its air defense weapons. On July 22, 2016, the cruiser Moskva was awarded the naval Order of Nakhimov.

Source: ITAR-TASS 05-07-2020

Moscow’s anti-ballistic missile defense system to get new radars and missile interceptors

The system’s firepower capabilities for the defense of Moscow and the Moscow Industrial District will be boosted twofold, according to the Russian Aerospace Force commander-in-chief.

MOSCOW, July 3. /TASS/. The anti-ballistic missile (ABM) defense system deployed around Moscow and Russia’s Central Industrial District will soon get new radars and missile interceptors, Aerospace Force Commander-in-Chief Colonel-General Sergei Surovikin said on Friday.

"The trials of the capabilities of the system (A-135) are currently underway and the Aerospace Force will soon get an upgraded multi-purpose radar station and modernized missile interceptors of the ABM system," he said in an interview with the Defense Ministry’s Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper.

Active work is currently underway to upgrade the ABM system. Several test-launches of the upgraded missile interceptor have already been conducted, the colonel-general said.

"No doubt, the upgrade of the existing A-135 ABM system that is on combat duty in the city of Moscow is a major task for defense enterprises," Surovikin stressed.

"The trials of the system’s capabilities are underway and the Aerospace Force will soon get a renewed multi-purpose radar station and modernized missile interceptors of the ABM system," he said.

The system’s firepower capabilities for the defense of Moscow and the Moscow Industrial District will be boosted twofold, which has been numerously confirmed by the interceptor’s preliminary trials, he said.

Source: ITAR-TASS 04-07-2020

Russia’s Central Election Commission approves results of constitutional vote

A total of 77.92% of voters supported the amendments and 21.27% voted "no".

MOSCOW, July 3. /TASS/. Russia’s Central Election Commission (CEC) has passed a ruling approving the results of a nationwide vote on amendments to the country’s Constitution.

According to the document, a total of 77.92% of voters supported the amendments and 21.27% voted "no." Overall voter turnout was 67.97%.

"Here is the CEC’s draft ruling on the results of the nationwide vote on constitutional amendments. According to the document, constitutional amendments, envisaged by Article 1 of the law on the amendment to the Russian Constitution and backed by more than half of Russian nationals in the nationwide vote, are considered to be approved," CEC Chairperson Ella Pamfilova announced.

The commission’s members voted unanimously to pass the ruling.

The CEC chairperson pointed out that a total of 109,190,337 Russians had registered to participate in the vote. "As many as 74,215,555 people - 67.97% - took part in the vote," she specified, adding that 57,747,288 voters had supported the amendments.

"Only two members of election commissions, who represent the Communist Party, refused to sign the final protocols in the Altai and Khanty-Mansiysk regions," Pamfilova noted. "The CEC received 15 special opinions from members of regional commissions, 11 of which were filed by the Communist Party. These don’t refer to actual irregularities and did not prevent the commissions’ members from voting to sign the protocols," the CEC chairperson said.

The Russian president's decree set July 1 as the official voting day, but Russians were provided with the opportunity to cast their ballots on June 25-30 in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. According to the law, the amendments will enter into force if over half of those taking part in the vote support them. There is no minimum voter turnout.

Source: ITAR-TASS 03-07-2020