West uses technologies of staging mass riots in Russia and Belarus, says Lavrov

The Western media and officials "voice nearly ultimatums against us," he said.

MINSK, November 26. /TASS/. Western countries are employing technologies of organizing mass riots in Russia and Belarus, while their officials set ultimatums against Moscow and Minsk, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday.

"Russia and Belarus are under pressure aimed at changing our stance and limiting our countries’ development. The Western media and officials voice nearly ultimatums against us. There have been too many facts of meddling in domestic affairs. They are using the technology of organizing mass riots, and the opposition gets financial and other support," Lavrov said after a board meeting of the two countries’ Foreign Ministries.

In this situation the West is playing "a game without rules" style, Lavrov noted. "Without giving any evidence they are slapping unilateral sanctions. The work of cooperation formats, which had been built for years, is frozen," Russia’s top diplomat said.

Source: ITAR-TASS 28-11-2020

Russia to wrap up work on breakthrough S-500 air defense missile system in 2021

Russia is developing the S-500 with a view of its operation in the next 25 years.

MOSCOW, November 27. /TASS/. Russia will complete its work on the most advanced S-500 anti-aircraft missile system in 2021, Aerospace Force Deputy Commander-in-Chief Lieutenant-General Andrei Yudin said in an interview with the Defense Ministry’s Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper on Friday.

"It should be noted that the work on developing the S-500 mobile air defense and anti-ballistic missile system is scheduled to be completed in 2021," the general said.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov said at the Army-2020 international arms show that the S-500 system was already undergoing state trials and work was underway to purchase parts for its serial production.

Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko said in February that military specialists had held the trials of the world’s unrivaled surface-to-air missiles for the latest S-500 air defense system last year.

The deputy defense minister said in December 2019 that the preliminary tests of the S-500 anti-aircraft missile system would begin in 2020 and the commencement of its serial deliveries to the troops was scheduled for 2025.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu earlier said that the deliveries of the latest S-500 surface-to-air missile systems to the troops would begin in 2020. Russia has been training specialists to learn to operate the new system at the Military Academy of the Aerospace Force in Tver since 2017.

Russia is developing the S-500 with a view of its operation in the next 25 years. As the Western media reported, the new Russian missile system struck the target at a range of 481.2 km or 80 km more compared to any existing missile system.

Source: ITAR-TASS 27-11-2020

Putin extends counter-sanctions until end of 2021

The government has been instructed to ensure the implementation of the decree and, if necessary, make proposals to change the period of validity of these counter-sanctions.

MOSCOW, November 21. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree extending certain special economic measures against countries that have imposed sanctions on the Russian Federation until December 31, 2021. The document was published on Saturday on the official website of legal information.

The government has been instructed to ensure the implementation of the decree and, if necessary, make proposals to change the period of validity of these counter-sanctions.

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

In response, on August 6, 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree, based on which the Russian government imposed a ban on imports of a number of food products from the United States, the European Union, Norway, Australia, and Canada.

After the EU countries extended sanctions against Russia on June 22, 2015, on June 24, Putin extended the food embargo for another year. Subsequently, it was extended three times, most recently on June 24, 2019, until the end of 2020.

In June 2019, Putin extended counter-sanctions until December 31, 2020, and amended the norms of the original decree on counter-sanctions from August 6, 2014, and the decree from October 22, 2018, on counter-sanctions against Ukraine.

Source: ITAR-TASS 21-11-2020

Russia developing new weapon to replace Iskander tactical missile system

The Iskander-M is unique and its upgraded potential "has been tapped by less than a half," Russia’s Missile Forces and Artillery chief stressed.

MOSCOW, November 19. /TASS/. Russia has laid the scientific groundwork for a new weapon to replace the Iskander tactical missile system, Russia’s Missile Forces and Artillery Chief Lieutenant-General Mikhail Matveyevsky said in an interview with the Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper on Thursday.

"The Iskander-M will comply with modern requirements for quite a long time and will remain the basic weapon for the missile forces and artillery at least until 2030… As for the future weapon, we can say that quite substantial scientific groundwork is already available today for its development," the general said.

The Iskander-M tactical missile system is unique and its upgraded potential "has been tapped by less than a half," he stressed.

Russia is currently carrying out scientific work on the concept of advanced rocket artillery armament. Efforts are simultaneously underway for upgrading the capabilities of existing weapon systems. Today the Russian artillery troops are receiving upgraded Tornado-G medium-caliber multiple launch rocket systems and modernized Tornado-S launchers, the general said.

The Iskander-M tactical missile system is designated to strike adversary low-sized and site targets to a range of up to 500 km: missile launchers, multiple launch rocket systems, long-range artillery, aircraft and helicopters at aerodromes, command posts and communications centers.

Source: ITAR-TASS 19-11-2020

Five prisoners in Russia sentenced to long terms for plotting terrorist attacks

The defendants in the case were found guilty under five sections of the Russian Criminal Code.

MOSCOW, November 16. /TASS/. The Second Western District Military Court has sentenced five prisoners to prison terms ranging from 8.5 to 24 years for recruiting their cellmates and plotting terrorist attacks as well as attempted murders of cadets of the Air Force Academy whose graduates are taking part in hostilities in Syria, the Public Relations Center of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) informed TASS on Monday.

"The FSB foiled the activities of a terrorist community formed in the correctional facility No.3 of Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service in the Voronezh Region by Ruslan Bugakov born in 1974, Ruslan Chausov born in 1977, Genyas Gatjibaibov born in 1971, Maxim Stepanov born in 1989 and Sergei Mukhamatzyanov born in 1988 who were earlier convicted of grave offences," it noted.

Bugakov was sentenced to 24 years in a special regime penal colony with serving the first 5 years in a prison, Chausov - to 18 years in a special regime colony with the first 3 years in prison, Gatjibaibov - to 17 years in a special regime colony with first three years in prison, Stepanov - to 16 years in a special regime colony with serving the first 2 years in prison, and Mukhametzyanov - to 8 years and 6 months in a special regime colony with serving the first 2 years in prison.

"During the investigation, the involvement of community members in dragging prisoners released in 2019 and 2020 into terrorist activities was proved as well as in preparing a number of terrorist attacks, including the blowing up of an apartment building in Voronezh and attempted murders of law enforcement offices and cadets of the Air Force Academy named after Zhukovsky and Gagarin whose graduates take part in hostilities in Syria," the FSB said.

The verdict was handed down on November 13. The defendants in the case were found guilty under five sections of the Russian Criminal Code, specifically, attempted terrorist attacks, organization of a terrorist community and participation in it, facilitating terrorist activities, public calls for terrorist activities, justification of terrorist propaganda and public calls for extremist activities.

Source: ITAR-TASS 16-11-2020

Demand for holiday goods in Russia up by 2.5-fold

The largest Russian online retailer Wildberries said that spruce sales increased by almost 23 times.

MOSCOW, November 14. / TASS /. The largest Russian online retailer Wildberries studied the purchases of Russians between November 6 to 12 and noted a more than two-fold increase in demand for goods for home holidays compared to October of this year, the company said in a research report made available to TASS on Saturday.

"Between November 6-12, compared to the same week in October, the number of orders of goods for home holidays on Wildberries increased by 148%. The most dynamic growth in demand was for artificial Christmas trees (an increase in the number of orders by almost 23 times) and Christmas tree decorations (by 7 times in the Moscow region, the number of orders for holiday trees increased by 22 times, and in St. Petersburg by 14 times. The most popular models to order are the ones that cost between 8,000 and 15,000 rubles, and 150 to 180 centimeters in height," the company said.

The demand for portable karaoke microphones increased by 95% and for music speakers by 84%. Acoustic systems became 83% more popular in a week. The company attributes this increase in sales of holiday goods to the restrictions imposed on the operation of clubs, bars and restaurants due to the coronavirus.

"To create a festive atmosphere in an apartment or house, Russians chose floodlights (+ 90%), garlands (+ 437%) and balloons (+ 51%). Holiday sets became more popular by 103%, pinata sales went up by 100%, decorations for bottles and dishes by 328%," according to the analysts.

Between November 6-12, Russians also actively ordered dishes and accessories for the festive table. Sets for making cocktails became more popular by 162%, for making rolls - by 100%, for fondue - by 121%, decanters for wine - by 71%, ice buckets - by 128%, dishes - by 81%, and glasses - by 77%.

Wildberries operates in eight countries: Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Slovakia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. According to the analytical agency InfoLine, Wildberries (the leader of the Russian Internet trade) in H1 2020 ranked seventh among all retailers in Russia in terms of revenue. Wildberries turnover in the first nine months of 2020 increased by 104%, to 285.6 bln rubles.

Source: ITAR-TASS 15-11-2020

Ceasefire observed along entire engagement line in Karabakh - Russia’s top brass

An exchange of the bodies of servicemen killed on the battlefield around the town of Shusha has begun with the assistance of Russian peacekeepers, the Defense Ministry Spokesman said

MOSCOW, November 14. /TASS/. The ceasefire is being observed along the entire engagement line in Nagorno-Karabakh, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Major-General Igor Konashenkov said on Saturday.

"The ceasefire is being observed along the entire engagement line," the general said.

Also "12 observation posts of the Russian peacekeeping contingent have been set up along the engagement line in the area of the peacekeeping operation as of November 14 and they are monitoring the situation round-the-clock," he added.

An exchange of the bodies of servicemen killed on the battlefield around the town of Shusha has begun with the assistance of Russian peacekeepers, the spokesman said.

On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a full ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh. As the Russian leader said, Azerbaijani and Armenian forces will remain at their current positions while Russian peacekeepers will be deployed to the region.

Source: ITAR-TASS 14-11-2020

Russian peacekeepers on their way to Nagorno-Karabakh after peace deal

A total of 1,960 peacekeepers, 90 armored personnel carriers and 380 vehicles and pieces of special equipment will be sent to Nagorno-Karabakh.

On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh that entered into force at midnight Moscow time on November 10. The Russian leader said the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would retain the positions they held and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region. The Russian peacekeepers will be deployed to the region for a period of five years but this term may be automatically extended for additional five-year periods, if necessary, the document on the Kremlin’s website says. A total of 1,960 peacekeepers, 90 armored personnel carriers and 380 vehicles and pieces of special equipment will be sent to Nagorno-Karabakh. See the images of Russian peacekeepers on their way to the disputed region.

Source: ITAR-TASS 10-11-2020

Russia doesn’t seek to please others, aims to consolidate itself, Putin says

The Russian President pointed out that he meant internal, spiritual consolidation.

MOSCOW, November 4. /TASS/. Russia’s ultimate goal is not to please others, but to strengthen its unity, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a video conference with representatives of religious denominations on Saturday.

Commenting on the constitutional amendments on family and the protection of traditional values, the president said, "You have said that some do not like what we do. It is very odd as we do not intrude, but assume that our goal is not to please anyone, but our goal is to strengthen ourselves."

Putin pointed out that he meant internal, spiritual consolidation.

"Based on respect for others, we believe that we will be treated with the same respect," he added.

Concluding the meeting, the president mentioned the law banning insults to the feelings of believers.

"It is right and we have made the right choice. However, it's not even that, it's not the laws, but our inner awareness that we have been living in a multi-ethnic state for more than a thousand years, and that we have succeeded in building it, merely because we respect and love one another," he concluded.

Source: ITAR-TASS 07-11-2020

Upgraded T-72B3 main battle tanks arrive for Russian troops

The upgrade includes a new fire control system with an automatic target tracker, according to the defense manufacturer.

MOSCOW, November 5. /TASS/. A batch of upgraded T-72B3 main battle tanks arrived for Russian troops, the press office of Uralvagonzavod defense manufacturer announced on Thursday.

"Uralvagonzavod (part of the state corporation Rostec) has dispatched a batch of upgraded T-72B3 tanks to the Defense Ministry of Russia," the press office said in a statement.

"The combat vehicles have received a new powerful engine, an advanced fire control system, a rear view camera and the driver mechanic’s display complex," the statement reads.

The work was carried out under the defense procurement plan, which envisaged that the tanks from the repair stock would undergo major overhaul and upgrade to the T-72B3 level, the press office said.

While developing the T-72 tank, specialists integrated substantial upgrade potential that is being actively used today. The upgrade has covered actually all the systems, improving the vehicles’ maneuverability and increasing their firepower and protection, including the armor shield," Uralvagonzavod said.

The upgraded T-72B3 tank comes with a new fire control system with an automatic target tracker, it added.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu earlier said that following the results of the International Army Games specialists proposed some technical solutions for boosting the T-72’s combat efficiency and reliability, which resulted in the T-72B3M modification that outshined foreign rivals by some characteristics.

Russia plans to upgrade all of its operational T-72 tanks, the defense chief said.

Source: ITAR-TASS 05-11-2020

Russia’s top brass to get first Su-57 fifth-generation fighter in December

The deliveries of Su-57 fighters with the second-stage engine are set to begin in 2022.

MOSCOW, November 2. /TASS/. Russia’s Defense Ministry will get the first serial-produced Su-57 fifth-generation fighter in December, a source in the defense industry told TASS on Monday.

"The Defense Ministry will get the first serial-produced Su-57 with the operational first-stage engine on the single military output day in December this year and four more such planes in 2021," the source said.

The new fighter’s delivery rate will eventually grow to 15 aircraft a year, the source said.

"As a result, the contract signed in 2019 on 76 Su-57s through 2028 will definitely be fulfilled on time," the source stressed.

The deliveries of Su-57 fighters with the second-stage engine are set to begin in 2022, the source said.

The Su-57 is a fifth-generation multirole fighter designed to destroy all types of air, ground and naval targets. The Su-57 fighter jet features stealth technology with the broad use of composite materials, is capable of developing supersonic cruising speed and is furnished with the most advanced onboard radio-electronic equipment, including a powerful onboard computer (the so-called electronic second pilot), the radar system spread across its body and some other innovations, in particular, armament placed inside its fuselage.

The Su-57 took to the skies for the first time on January 29, 2010. Compared to its predecessors, the Su-57 combines the functions of an attack plane and a fighter jet while the use of composite materials and innovation technologies and the fighter’s aerodynamic configuration ensure the low level of radar and infrared signature.

The plane’s armament will include, in particular, hypersonic missiles. The fifth-generation fighter jet has been successfully tested in combat conditions in Syria.

Source: ITAR-TASS 03-11-2020