Russia’s Coronavirus Cases Surge Past 200k

The number of infections in Russia has been rising by more than 10,000 a day since Sunday, in contrast to countries in western Europe that are taking steps to ease lockdown measures. Officials attribute the increase to mass testing and detecting asymptomatic cases not always counted in other countries. The country’s reported mortality rate remains…

Fire at Moscow Coronavirus Hospital Kills One

One person died after a fire broke out in a hospital treating coronavirus patients in northern Moscow, forcing an evacuation, emergencies officials said Saturday. The Spasokukotsky hospital No. 50 was treating nearly 700 patients infected with the coronavirus as of Friday.  It was not clear what started the fire or whether it affected the wing…

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | May 9

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 270,000 people worldwide continues to spread, Russia has stepped up its measures to slow the pandemic’s spread within its borders. There have been 198,676 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and 1,827 deaths. May 9: 3 things you need to know today Russia confirmed 10,817 new coronavirus…

Russian Priest Hospitalized With Coronavirus After Calling it ‘Extremely Useful’

A senior Russian priest notorious for his controversial remarks about women and family life has been hospitalized with coronavirus after he extolled the infection’s positive impact on humanity, the RBC news website reported Friday. Archpriest Dmitry Smirnov earned the dubious title of “Sexist of the Year” this spring for comparing common-law wives to prostitutes, urging…

Venezuelan Opposition Plotted Russian Ally Maduro’s ‘Capture’ With U.S. Mercenaries: WP

Members of Venezuela’s U.S.-backed opposition negotiated a $212.9 million deal to “capture” President Nicolas Maduro with a U.S. security firm, The Washington Post reported Thursday. Venezuela announced Monday that it had killed eight and arrested 17, including two former U.S. Green Berets, on suspicion of trying to topple Maduro in an operation supported by the…

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | May 8

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 270,000 people worldwide continues to spread, Russia has stepped up its measures to slow the pandemic’s spread within its borders. There have been 187,859 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and 1,723 deaths. May 8: 3 things you need to know today Russia confirmed 10,699 new coronavirus infections…

Russian Billionaire Bosov Dies by Suicide

Russian billionaire and coal baron Dmitry Bosov has died by suicide at his home in a Moscow suburb, authorities said Wednesday. Relatives discovered Bosov’s body with gunshot wounds at his home in the luxury village of Usovo in Moscow’s elite suburb of Rublyovka, the country’s Investigative Committee said in a statement. A Glock pistol was…

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | May 7

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 265,000 people worldwide continues to spread, Russia has stepped up its measures to slow the pandemic’s spread within its borders. There have been 177,160 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and 1,625 deaths. May 7: 3 things you need to know today Russia confirmed 11,231 new coronavirus infections…

Belarus Expels Russian Journalist Over ‘Fake’ Coronavirus Report: Media

A Russian journalist has been expelled from Belarus over a report that described the neighboring allied country’s dire coronavirus situation, according to the Russian state-run television channel where his report aired. Wednesday’s report on Channel One alleged that Belarussians mistrust their country’s official Covid-19 infection numbers (19,255) and death count (112). In the video report,…

Russian Culture Minister Contracts Coronavirus

Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova has tested positive for the coronavirus, the RBC news website reported Wednesday, citing Lyubimova’s spokeswoman. Lyubimova’s diagnosis makes her the third Russian cabinet official to become infected with the virus after construction minister Vladimir Yakushev and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. All three have confirmed their infections in the past week…

Claims of Coronavirus’ Manmade Origin Are Fake, Russia Says

Russian prosecutors have shot down online conspiracy theories about the coronavirus’ manmade origins as fake, the Prosecutor General’s Office said in a statement Wednesday.  Prosecutors ordered Russia’s media watchdog to delete videos claiming that Covid-19 “is a genetically modified bioweapon artificially created to implant microchips into the population and establish a global world order” from…

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | May 6

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 258,000 people worldwide continues to spread, Russia has stepped up its measures to slow the pandemic’s spread within its borders. There have been 155,370 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and 1,451 deaths. May 6: 3 things you need to know today Russia confirmed 10,559 new coronavirus infections…

Russia’s Post-Soviet Neighbors Belarus and Turkmenistan Face Coronavirus as Leaders Deny Problem

Two of Russia’s post-Soviet neighbors, Belarus and Turkmenistan, have drawn criticism over their response to the coronavirus, with the two countries’ leaders largely denying the severity of the pandemic. Here’s a brief look at how these two countries in Russia’s backyard have been faring since the start of the outbreak: Belarus (17,489 cases, 103 deaths):…

Russia Slams NYT for ‘Russophobia’ Following Pulitzer Prize Win

Russian diplomats have slammed The New York Times’ Pulitzer Prize-winning series articles about Russia’s covert activities abroad as examples of “Russophobia.” The New York Times won the Pulitzer for international reporting Monday for six investigative articles and two videos that “expos[ed] the predations of Vladimir Putin’s regime” across Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Russia’s…

Russia’s Coronavirus Cases Rise By Over 10K for Third Straight Day

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, the highest ranking official to contract the infection, is now “feeling normal,” spokesperson Boris Belyakov said Tuesday. He said Mishustin, who announced he tested positive last week, was continuing treatment under Health Ministry guidance, adding the prime minister is “actively talking with colleagues by phone.” The authorities say they have…

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | May 5

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 252,000 people worldwide continues to spread, Russia has stepped up its measures to slow the pandemic’s spread within its borders. There have been 155,370 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and 1,451 deaths. May 5: 3 things you need to know today Russia confirmed 10,102 new coronavirus infections…

St. Petersburg Doctors Compensated Based on ‘Percentage of Guilt’ for Getting Coronavirus

Authorities in St. Petersburg have pledged to pay compensation to doctors who become infected with the coronavirus — but only after an investigation establishes their level of responsibility for getting it, according to newly adopted rules. The head of Russia’s second-largest city has promised hazard pay ranging from 300,000 rubles ($3,800) to 1 million rubles…

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | May 4

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 248,000 people worldwide continues to spread, Russia has stepped up its measures to slow the pandemic’s spread within its borders. There have been 145,268 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and 1,356 deaths. May 4: 3 things you need to know today Russia confirmed 10,581 new coronavirus infections…

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | May 3

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 244,000 people worldwide continues to spread, Russia has stepped up its measures to slow the pandemic’s spread within its borders. There have been 134,687 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and 1,280 deaths. May 3: 3 things you need to know today Russia confirmed 10,633 new coronavirus infections…

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | May 2

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 239,000 people worldwide continues to spread, Russia has stepped up its measures to slow the pandemic’s spread within its borders. There have been 124,054 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and 1,222 deaths. May 2: 3 things you need to know today Russia confirmed 9,623 new…

2% of Moscow Residents Have Coronavirus: Mayor

About 2% of Moscow residents — or more than 250,000 people — have the coronavirus, the mayor of the Russian capital said on Saturday, citing test results.  “According to screening tests of various population groups, the real number of the infected is around 2% of Moscow’s total population,” Sergei Sobyanin wrote on his blog. Russia has…

Russian Minister Hospitalized With Coronavirus

Russian construction minister Vladimir Yakushev has been hospitalized with coronavirus, local media said Friday, just a day after the prime minister announced he was infected.  The construction and housing minister’s deputy was also infected, the news agency Interfax reported, as Russia has seen a steady increase in infections that have reached the highest levels of government. “I…

Russia Ditches Putin Mosaic in Army Church

A mosaic featuring Russian President Vladimir Putin will no longer be displayed in a grand military church being built outside Moscow after the leader objected, a cleric said on Friday. Russian Orthodox Bishop Stefan of Klin told news agency Interfax the committee in charge of the church’s interior decoration “decided not to display it” because…

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | May 1

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 234,000 people worldwide continues to spread, Russia has stepped up its measures to slow the pandemic’s spread within its borders. There have been 114,431 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and 1,169 deaths. May 1: 3 things you need to know today Russian Prime Minister Mikhail…