Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | July 16

Russia has confirmed 752,797 cases of coronavirus and 11,937 deaths. July 16: 3 things you need to know today Britain’s cybersecurity agency on Thursday accused a hacking group it said “almost certainly” operates as part of Russian intelligence services of trying to steal information on coronavirus vaccines. Russia plans to conduct Phase III trials of its experimental coronavirus…

Russian Hackers Trying to Steal Coronavirus Research, UK Says

Britain’s cybersecurity agency on Thursday accused a hacking group it said “almost certainly” operates as part of Russian intelligence services of trying to steal research into potential coronavirus vaccines. The National Cyber Security Centre said the attacks by the group APT29 were ongoing but targets have so far included UK, U.S. and Canadian vaccine research…

UK, U.S. and Canada Accuse Russia of Vaccine Research Hacking

Britain, the United States and Canada on Thursday risked worsening fraught diplomatic ties with Russia by accusing Moscow-linked hackers of targeting labs in their countries conducting coronavirus vaccine research. The three governments pointed the finger at the Kremlin, saying that a hacking group called APT29 was “almost certainly” linked to Russian intelligence. In a separate claim, London…

Russia to Outsource Coronavirus Vaccine Testing to Mideast

Russia plans to conduct Phase III trials of its experimental coronavirus vaccine in the Middle East as well as at home, the head of Russia’s sovereign fund told Reuters on Thursday. Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) head Kirill Dmitriev said he expects Phase III trials involving several thousand people to begin after a 100-person Phase…

Russia Violates Women’s Rights During Childbirth Amid Coronavirus – Report

Russia is among dozens of countries that have violated women’s rights during childbirth amid restrictions imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Open Democracy advocacy group said Thursday. Women in at least 45 countries faced treatment that defied World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines this spring and summer, Open Democracy’s investigation said. These include forcibly separating…

Russian Wildfire Smoke Choking Siberian Cities

Smoke from raging forest fires in Siberia was filling cities Thursday as officials scrambled to prevent the flames from reaching homes. More than 100 firefighters and volunteers were trying to douse the flames of a fire outside the city of Yugorsk in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District, just one of several areas affected. “A fire line…

Fighting Between Armenia and Azerbaijan Widens

Fierce fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan continued for a fifth day on Thursday, with at least 16 soldiers on both sides killed. Both sides also reported the other attacking civilian settlements in what appears to be a widening conflict. The Azerbaijani authorities said that Armenian artillery fire killed one civilian, Aziz Azizov of the village Aghdam in…

Can I Travel to Russia Now That Quarantine Is Over?

As Russia has begun reporting fewer coronavirus infections in the past month, its authorities have made several announcements that appeared to suggest it was reopening its borders to foreigners. This week, authorities said they will lift self-quarantine requirements for arriving citizens and foreigners alike. Starting Wednesday, Russia has also started negotiations with other countries to…

U.S. Targets Russia Group Over Libya Mines, Sudan Suppression

The United States on Wednesday accused a Russian mercenary group of laying landmines in and around Tripoli and imposed sanctions over its alleged cooperation with Sudan’s ousted dictator. The Pentagon’s Africa Command said it had “verified photographic evidence” that the Wagner Group, a private security operation allegedly sponsored by the Russian government, planted mines “indiscriminately”…

Russian Pranksters Trick Newly Re-Elected Polish President

A pair of notorious Russian pranksters known for posing as foreign officials in prank calls with European politicians have hoodwinked Poland’s newly re-elected president this week. Vladimir Kuznetsov, one half of the duo known as Vovan and Lexus, poses as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in the English-language call, where he congratulates Polish President Andrzej Duda…

Siberia Heat ‘Almost Impossible’ Without Climate Change

A recent heatwave in Siberia that saw temperature records tumble as the region sweltered in 38-degrees-Celsius highs was “almost impossible” without the influence of manmade climate change, leading scientists said Wednesday. An international team of researchers found that the record-breaking warm period was more than 2 C hotter than it would have been if humans had…

Over 140 Detained After Anti-Putin Protest in Moscow

Russian police detained over 140 people including a high-profile Moscow deputy after Kremlin critics protested Wednesday against changes to the constitution, the OVD-Info monitor said. The group, which tracks arrests at political protests, said 142 people were detained Wednesday evening. Many people including journalists were put in police vehicles, AFP correspondents said from the scene.…