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Coronavirus pandemic

100% of volunteers develop COVID-19 antibodies from EpiVacCorona vaccine

Efficiency in the over-60 group was slightly lower than that in the under-60 ones

© Vladimir Gerdo/TASS

MOSCOW, February 18. /TASS/. All volunteers aged from 18 to 60, participating in the EpiVacCorona vaccine post-registration studies, have developed antibodies to COVID-19, Head of the Vector State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology’s Zoonotic Infections and Influenza Department Alexander Ryzhikov told TV Channel One.

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Vector Center confirms efficacy of Russian coronavirus vaccines against British strain

"The first group of volunteers [aged from 18 to 60] showed 100% immunological efficacy, that is all vaccinated healthy individuals under the age of 60 had generated antibodies [to COVID-19]," he stated.

Ryzhikov noted that the immunological efficacy in the volunteers aged over 60 was slightly lower and amounted to 94%. "It's an excellent result for this age," the expert concluded.

On July 24, 2020, Russia’s Health Ministry authorized the Novosibirsk-based Vector State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology to conduct the vaccine clinical trials on volunteers. The testing ended on September 30. On October 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Vector’s vaccine had been registered. On November 16, the Health Ministry granted permission for the EpiVacCorona post-registration studies on volunteers aged over 60 years and on November 18 - for testing on 3,000 volunteers.

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Ukraine may become 'first victim' of Trump’s second term, British expert predicts

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Detentions, blocking of roads: what is known about situation in Abkhazia

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Press review: UK and French leaders discuss Ukraine as the dollar continues to climb

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Ukrainian General Staff reports difficult situation along entire frontline

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Russian lower house passes third reading of bill banning child-free propaganda

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Press review: Russia, Belarus finalize security deal as China readies for Trump’s new term

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North Korea ratifies treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia

The leader of North Korea Kim Jon Un signed the corresponding decree on November 11

Russia destroys virtually all Ukrainian military equipment near Chasov Yar in DPR — expert

Colonel Vitaly Kiselyov added that Russian airborne regiments near Chasov Yar are successfully carrying out combat operations with the support of volunteer units

Russian troops push forward in Kharkov Region post-liberation of Kolesnikovka — official

Russian army continues to advance towards Oskol, smoothing out the front line along the river and towards the settlements of Glushkovka and Borovaya

Japan prohibits Russian bodybuilders to compete in world championship under national flag

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Russian forces destroy Ukrainian Stryker armored vehicle in Kharkov Region

The strike’s accuracy and efficiency were confirmed by data-recording equipment in real time

Lukashenko calls for support to developing nations in accessing green technologies

The Belarusian leader emphasized that global action to combat climate change requires a united international effort in practice

Russian forces steadily advance on Boguslav direction — Belousov

The Russian Defense Minister congratulated the command and the personnel of the 153rd Armored Regiment with the liberation of the settlement of Kolesnikovka

Japan finds Putin’s remark on relations positive, but sanctions will stay — top diplomat

"Unless the current situation changes, we will have no choice but to impose severe sanctions on Russia," Takeshi Iwaya noted

Trump vows to sit down with Russia, Ukraine at negotiating table on first day in office

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Russia says Su-35S fighter jets provide cover to bombers, attack aircraft in Kursk Region

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Ukraine aims to call up 1 mln people in eastern areas by end of 2024 — official

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Ukraine issue gets more attention at UN after Trump’s election win — Russian diplomat

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Kiev should sign peace treaty, but this will spell end of grift for many, billionaire says

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Ukraine retreating fast, delaying peace to result in lost territories — entrepreneur

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US officer Gordon Black transferred to Russian prison in Far East

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Libya invites Russian companies to cooperate in oil production

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Russian traitor Kuzminov dead, buried in Spain — CBS

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Russia insists on inadmissibility of justifying Nazi ideology by freedom of speech

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Climate policy should be based on common sense, not ideology — Orban

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Ukraine admits to mismanagement of military personnel

Maria Berlinskaya recounted how Ukraine’s army received tens of thousands of people, including "the smartest managers, the smartest economists, and very good businessmen, for free"

Putin orders to simplify foreign tourists’ entry to Far Eastern regions

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Kremlin aide insists only NATO forces capable of blowing up Nord Stream pipelines

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Russian engine maker unveils cutting-edge aircraft engine

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Republican Party to retain control over US House — data provider

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Combat experience distinguishes Su-57 among fifth-generation fighters

The Russian Defense Ministry said it excellently performed in combat

Europe on the verge of sweeping changes — Hungary’s Foreign Minister

"It is obvious that the European strategy [in respect of Ukraine], which has clearly failed, cannot be continued," Peter Szijjarto said

Extension of conflict not in Ukraine’s interest — analyst

According to Sean Bell, the West provided a "huge amount" of weapons to Ukraine, but that didn’t help the government in Kiev

Russia demonstrates Il-76MD-90A(E) airlifter to 11 foreign customers this year

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Houthis say they attacked US aircraft carrier in Arabian Sea

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Putin says once invited ex-German Chancellor Schroeder to banya and it burnt to ground

Because of this, the Russian President reminds, he never invites his foreign colleagues to Russian traditional steam house any more

Russia's Black Sea Fleet combat-ready to counter threats — presidential aide

Nikolay Patrushev noted that despite Kiev's aggressive actions in the region, coordinated by NATO specialists, there is nothing that might look like "defeat" of Russia's fleet in the Black Sea

Ukrainian army to retreat near Krasnoarmeysk in coming weeks — expert

Colonel Vitaly Kiselev explained that on the flat terrain in this area the Ukrainian army would be unable to hold on for long and will be forced to retreat

Zelensky desperately seeks good relations with Trump, Ukrainian lawmaker

Alexander Dubinsky said that Viktor Pinchuk, a businessman and son-in-law of former advisor to ex-Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, had promised Zelensky to establish contact with Trump

Ukraine’s troops south of Kurakhovo caught in pincers — military sources

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Lavrov to lead Russia’s delegation to G20 summit in Brazil

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Israeli foreign minister says preparations underway for annexing some West Bank areas

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Russian troops secure supply route to Plekhovo in Kursk Region — commander

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US plans to remove 'arrogant' Zelensky and stage 2025 elections in Ukraine — SVR

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Trump to reverse Biden’s executive orders in first week in office — press secretary

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Belarus officially becomes BRICS partner state — Foreign Ministry

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EU chief outlines his visit to Ukraine's first line of defense

Josep Borrell did not specify which of Ukraine’s borders he had actually seen

Top Russian security official sees Moscow-Beijing relations as pillar of global politics

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Russian presidential aide warns of possible new sabotage attempts by US, UK

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Top Russian security official hails strategic cooperation with China

Sergey Shoigu noted that Russia-China ties were based on the principles of mutual respect, equality, trust, non-interference in each other’s domestic affairs and support for each other on the issues that the parties found important

Ukraine imposes sanctions on maintenance services of two Moscow airports

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Beijing ready to boost security coordination with Russia, top diplomat says

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Russia keeps building defense capacity despite conflict in Ukraine — Polish general

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Europe's plans to replace US aid to Ukraine under Trump are 'idle talk'

Nikolay Azarov also raised the question of whether outgoing US President Joe Biden would allow the Kiev regime to use long-range Western missiles to strike deep into Russia before Trump's inauguration, as some foreign media had previously suggested

Trump, Putin speak over phone — newspaper

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Russia initiates creation of Eurasian multipolarity charter — top Russian diplomat

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54 countries vote against resolution on combating ne-Nazism

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Erdogan wants Israel to 'pay' for aggression, calls for economic blockade against it

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Russia to equip 290 landing sites for drone operations by 2030 — regulator

The agency also plans to place landing sites in 16 constituent entities of Russia in 2025

UAC delivers Su-57, Su-35S fighter jets

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Russian forces advancing in seven directions in Avdeyevka area, expert says

According to Colonel Vitaly Kiselyov, the advance in the Avdeyevka area makes it possible for Russian forces to move towards the city of Zaporozhye

Russia taking additional security measures in Baltics — official

According to Nikolay Patrushev, the US and its allies in Europe have decided to militarize the Baltic Sea

Turkey's F-16 fighter downs Armenia's Su-25 from Azerbaijani territory — Yerevan

According to official Yerevan, the pilot of the shot down aircraft died

Scholz 'honored' by Musk's 'Olaf buffoon' statement

German Chancellor added, that he 'don't comment on tech billionaires'

Trump may nominate Senator Rubio for Secretary of State — WSJ

53-year-old Marco Rubio has been a member of the Senate since 2011

Breakthrough near Krasnoarmeysk could enable Russian push toward the Dnieper — expert

Markus Reisner noted that many of the Ukrainian units on this section of the frontline are understaffed by 50%

Japan remains ready to sign peace treaty with Russia — top diplomat

After Tokyo imposed anti-Russian sanctions over the situation in Ukraine, Russia halted consultations with Japan on a peace treaty

Russia’s Rubikon unmanned technology center team destroys Ukrainian armor in Kursk area

"The video shows a team of the Russian Defense Ministry’s Testing Center of Advanced Unmanned Technologies destroying Ukrainian armor by an FPV drone in the Kursk area," the ministry said

Ukraine offers up to 750,000 dollars to Russian pilot for hijacking helicopter — TV

The correspondent also reported that the Ukrainian intelligence officer obtained the phone number of the pilot's wife and persuaded her to leave Russia before the helicopter was hijacked

Moldova expresses displeasure about Georgian prime minister’s comments

Earlier, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze told reporters "gross violations" were committed during the presidential election in Moldova, but the country’s authorities were not investigating them

Italian producer announces two collaborative projects with Russia

An attempt at cultural isolation of Russia has not borne fruit, Paolo Maria Spina said

Ukraine building on ‘victory plan’ for incoming Trump administration — newspaper

According to the newspaper, "one idea would replace some US troops stationed in Europe with Ukrainian forces" once the conflict is over

Trump to end NATO’s obsession to get on Russian territory — White House ex-strategist

Steve Bannon noted that Trump’s MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement seeks to completely cut funding to Ukraine. According to Bannon, Europe, including Italy, will follow Trump’s lead, and, if "they [Europe and Italy] truly believe what they have been saying in recent years, they should be ready to pay"

Bitcoin price hits all-time high, exceeding $89,000

As of 03:07 Moscow time, the price of bitcoin fell and reached $88,200

Russian troops advance to Ukrainian army’s supply route near Selidovo in Donbass area

The road is also the basic route to Krasnoarmeisk with a distance of no more 6 km in that road section, the source noted

Biden to try to persuade Trump to sustain assistance to Ukraine — advisor

Jake Sullivan also pointed out that Biden had promised Ukraine that the US administration "will have sent the full amount of resources and aid to Ukraine the Congress has authorized" by January 20

Kremlin spokesman denies media reports of phone call between Putin, Trump

Dmitry Peskov described the Washington Post and Reuters reports about the alleged telephone conversation as "the most remarkable example of the quality of the information that is published nowadays, sometimes even by quite respected outlets"

Russia for the first time displays Su-57 jet at China show

Su-57 multirole fifth-generation fighter jet was designed to destroy all air, ground, and water surface targets, monitor the airspace at major distances from deployment bases, make adversary headquarters, command posts and control systems inoperative

Russia, Iran, Turkey condemn all Israeli military attacks on Syria — joint statement

According to Alexander Lavrentyev, a military operation by Turkey would only exacerbate an already tricky situation

Russian troops liberate Kolesnikovka community in Kharkov area over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 530 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy ammunition depots in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

What we know about massive Ukrainian drone attack on Russian regions

Russian senator slams candidate for German chancellorship’s remarks as irresponsible

Konstantin Kosachev also emphasized that talking to Russia in the language of ultimatums "is not only counterproductive, but also short-sighted, especially for Germany"

Trump to rely on forces that brought him to power — Russian presidential aide

Nikolay Patrushev agreed that Trump, when he was still a candidate, "made many statements critical of the destructive foreign and domestic policies pursued by the current administration"

Medvedev suggests that Elon Musk launch campaign to amend US Constitution

Article II of the US Constitution stipulates that: "No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President"

Dagestani deminer holds stronghold on his own for several weeks

According to the statement the enemy shelled Zakaria Aliyev almost daily but the Dagestani man’s spirit "turned out to be stronger than any weapon"

Trump, Putin could agree on limits of nuclear warheads — US expert

Nevertheless, in his words, "maintaining caps on strategic nuclear arsenals, even by way of an informal agreement between Trump and President Putin, would serve U.S. and global interests."

Ukrainians play 'radio games' with Russian recon to spread disinfo on attacks — LPR expert

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Musk doubles down on his opinion about 'endless war' in Ukraine

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Countries will line up for Russian gas when US stops exporting LNG — Serbian president

According to Aleksandar Vucic, Washington will use LNG "for the growing consumption of artificial intelligence, electric charging stations and everything else"

Ukrainian losses, Sudzhansky district head retirement: situation in Kursk Region

Units of the battlegroup continued offensive operations, defeating Ukrainian formations in the areas of the settlements of Daryino, Leonidovo, Malaya Loknya, Nikolayevo-Daryino and Novoivanovka

Freezing conflict will only allow Ukraine to rearm itself, fight Russia anew, says expert

Ruslan Kalinchuk noted that Russia "will not negotiate on Donbass and Novorossia," while Vladimir Zelensky will not do any deals unless Russia makes concessions because "he would immediately be ousted in such an event"

Russia to insist that G20 declaration be based on principles of multipolarity — diplomat

Marat Berdyev mentioned that the fourth meeting of G20 sherpas kicked off on Tuesday, with one of the goals being to finalize the draft of the summit’s concluding declaration