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Coronavirus pandemic

Russia may start coronavirus vaccine production before year ends, says senate speaker

To date, 795,038 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 580,330 patients having recovered from the disease

MOSCOW, July 23. /TASS/. The production of a coronavirus vaccine may begin in Russia before the end of the year, Federation Council (the upper house of parliament) Chairperson Valentina Matviyenko said at Thursday’s press conference wrapping up the parliament’s spring session.

"Russians will have the opportunity to get vaccinated before the end of the year," she pointed out. "We definitely are the first country to announce clinically-tested vaccines, which is a very important thing," Matviyenko added.

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Upper house speaker rejects rumors COVID-19 vaccine was used in Russia in spring

She pointed out that Russia was ready to cooperate with other countries. "If we start production, we will definitely share [the vaccine] with other countries," the Russian senate speaker noted. "Some tried to accuse us of meddling and carrying out cyber attacks to steal vaccines from others. We don’t need to steal anything because our own potential is strong," Matviyenko stressed.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said, presenting a report to the State Duma (the lower house of parliament) on Wednesday, that four coronavirus vaccines had proved to be safe. Trials of two vaccines developed by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology are at the final stage. Clinical trials took place at the Sechenov University Hospital and the Burdenko Main Military Clinic Hospital.

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. According to the latest statistics, over 15,382,800 people have been infected worldwide and more than 630,300 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 9,357,600 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.

To date, 795,038 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 580,330 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 12,892 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.

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Over 3,100 foreign mercenaries fight for Ukraine, most of them from US

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Kiev violates diplomatic relations convention by recruiting mercenaries abroad — diplomat

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Russia to retaliate immediately if Kiev gets ATACMS missiles — diplomat

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Switzerland unblocks Russia-related assets worth 290 mln Swiss francs

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US effectively dooms Ukraine by its new decisions, Russian envoy says

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US arms supplies unable to change situation in Kiev's favor — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that a year ago the opponents "were telling everyone that they were waiting for the moment Russia would be defeated on the battlefield"

Ukraine’s draft dodger makes attempt to cross Dniester into Moldova on air mattress

Men of conscription age try to leave the country in every possible way, often putting their lives at risk

US waging hybrid war against Serbs to snuff them out for good — Republika Srpska head

"Republika Srpska comes under direct pressure and under constant US sanctions; and we are looking for ways to solve this problem," Milorad Dodik said

Moscow slams NATO drills near Russian borders as inflammatory

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Musk concurs that civil war looming in West

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Kremlin vows to resolve situation with Turkish Airlines refusing service to Russians

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Ukraine says Western systems ineffective against Russia's electronic warfare

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Russia maintains position on 'buffer zone' in Ukraine to counter missile threats

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US stops hiding true purpose of sanctions on Moscow, Russian envoy says

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Bolivian leader decries fresh US military aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan

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Ukrainian army strikes own surrendering soldiers — POW

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Dust from Sahara turns rain in Ukraine yellow

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No response from West to killing of Izvestia war reporter Eremin — diplomat

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Russian court arrests in absentia four foreign agents charged with terrorism

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Russian athletes have right to decide on Olympic participation — aide

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13 violations by US-led international coalition’s aircraft recorded in Syria

According to Major General Yury Popov, nine violations of the deconfliction protocols of December 9, 2019

Ukrainian troops in Kharkov Region lift antennas with kites to get better signal

Military expert Andrey Marochko speculated that the Ukrainian army had to resort to this tactic because the TV tower in Kharkov was damaged

US spends millions of dollars on studying UFOs, 'covers up' information — congressman

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Russia discourages use of UN sanctions for interference in African affairs — envoy

Vasily Nebenzya underscored that Russia continues to "make an important contribution to strengthening of African countries’ potential, including UN Security Council and General Assembly"

Attempts are made to turn Moldova into ‘second Ukraine’, Lavrov warns

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German defense minister says Russia making more arms than it needs for its op in Ukraine

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Ukraine exhausted, needs constant money flow from outside — defense official

Apty Alaudinov added that if the Ukrainian army received long-range weapons, it might try to attack Russia's civilian infrastructure due to its powerlessness on the front

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Putin stays in daily contact with Sergey Shoigu, Kremlin spokesman says

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Russia dissatisfied with UN’s activity under grain deal — senior diplomat

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Belarus responds to threats with preventive deterrence measures — defense minister

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Russia’s victory in Ukraine to change course of history in Europe — von der Leyen

Ukraine "is carrying a heavy burden" for the benefit of the EU, and therefore EU member states must "provide Ukraine with means to defend themselves," European Commission president said

Iran denies reports it pulled some military advisers from Syria — Al Mayadeen

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Russia presents world’s first hydrogen-fueled luxury car at Innoprom exhibition

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Russian defense minister dismisses his deputy Ivanov

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Niger would like Russia to train its troops — interior minister says

Mohamed Toumba noted that the training of troops could help in the fight against terrorism

Kiev may use ATACMS missiles to hit Crimean Bridge — Russian defense ministry official

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Putin proclaims Odessa Russian city, challenges Ukraine's historical narrative

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Houthis attack two commercial ships, US destroyer — statement

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Stockmann company to buy Russian business of Hugo Boss — Industry Ministry

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US incapable of replicating Cold War-era arms race — Valdai club expert

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Anti-Russian measures prove world cannot exist in unipolar diktat, envoy says

According to Anatoly Antonov, "the further it goes, the more America corners itself into a zugzwang"

Russians not let to Turkish Airlines flights to Mexico due to US pressure on it — diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov noted that such problems exist for Russians using Turkish Airlines flights to other Latin American countries

Blinken’s visit to China meant to shatter Russian-Chinese ties — senior Russian diplomat

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Russia, Africa united by common vision on global issues — senior diplomat

Mikhail Bogdanov noted that "the African continent is a dynamically developing part of the world with an enormous growth potential, attractive domestic market and expanding export prospects"

Bolivarian Alliance countries stand for multipolar world — Maduro

"ALBA can be among the founders of a new world, a new international multipolar order," the Venezuelan president stressed

Top US diplomat Blinken arrives in Shanghai

A State Department spokesperson told a special briefing previewing Blinken’s trip earlier that the Secretary of State would visit Shanghai and Beijing to "build on our intensive diplomacy [with China] over the past year"

Modern weapons make up 82% in Russian air defense troops — Shoigu

"The Kiev regime has failed to achieve the goals of its counteroffensive prepared by NATO instructors," the defense minister said

US shifted conflict in Europe onto EU, NATO shoulders to weaken Russia, says Lukashenko

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Russia ready to cooperate with all interested partners to ensure security — Putin

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Radioactive cloud from Ukraine’s eliminated munitions drifts to Europe — Security Council

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Gagauzia against Chisinau’s policy of severing ties with Russia

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Lukashenko says US rues giving rise to Russia-China alliance

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US draft on nukes in space seeks to go beyond legal framework Russia adheres to — MFA

Maria Zakharova pointed out that Russia reaffirms its "strict commitment" to the international legal obligations under space law

Press review: Dissecting US aid package to Ukraine and sands of global economy shifting

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Top brass posts video of Leopard tanks, Bradley combat vehicles seized by Russian troops

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Court in Cyprus rules to extradite Russian national Petrov to US

Artur Petrov who is also a German citizen, was arrested in Cyprus on August 26, 2023 at the request of the US Department of Justice on charges of illegally exporting US-made microelectronics to Russia

Proper humanitarian assistance to Gaza impossible amid hostilities — Russian diplomat

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Russia tasked with 'building new world' — Putin

Speaking at a plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club, the Russian leader also highlighted "the role and responsibility" of its members