Moscow Kremlin
The Kremlin has threatened military intervention in eastern Ukraine. In the event of a flare-up of fighting, Russia will not stand idly by and watch a possible "human catastrophe", Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to the Interfax agency.
Russia will take measures to protect its citizens, he added. Peskov also said there was a concentration of Russian troops in the region because the country's security was at stake.
Around one and a half months after an internationally heavily criticised court ruling, Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has been taken to a Russian prison camp. He is being held in the Vladimir region about 100 kilometres east of Moscow, Navalny wrote on Instagram. Although he believes the numerous media reports about torture in the camp, he has so far not been able to observe any violence, the 44-year-old wrote. He himself is under constant surveillance, with cameras everywhere. "But if you take it with humour, it is possible to live."
The United States is set to impose sanctions on Russia over the poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny as early as Tuesday, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters. The sources declined to provide details on specific targets and or authorities involved.
Around the trial of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, Russian security forces have again taken massive action against demonstrators in several cities. According to human rights activists, a total of almost 1,400 people were arrested. Supporters of the most important Putin opponent called for demonstrations immediately after the verdict was announced. According to the non-governmental organization OVD-Info, the police arrested 1116 protesters in Moscow alone, and 246 in St. Petersburg.
20,582 Covid-19 cases have been reported in Russia in a single day. This makes an all-time high in single day cases as the country has reported 1,733,440 cases in total.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated that "additional measures are being taken" but a broad lockdown is still out of the discussion as it is too "early" for that.
Russia may delay the public vote on amendments allowing Vladimir Putin to hold office potentially until 2036 due to the corona virus pandemic. The Kremlin has not yet officially rescheduled the vote originally planned for April 22nd. Putin intends to alter the constitution in order to get the chance for a fifth and sixth term as President.