Russianofficials have completed the construction of a containment systemwhich will prevent nuclear materials from leaking out of the sunkenRussian submarine Komsomolets, Russian television reportedJuly 19. Tax Evasion Up as Government Cuts Budget of Tax Collectors.

More than 14,000 individuals and firms are now evading taxesentirely, and this evasion costs the Russian government some 7.3trillion rubles, the head of the Federal Tax Police Sergei Almazovtold Interfax July 20. He said his group could do little to combatthis rising tide of evasion... MORE

As it rushed to complete itsschedule before the summer holidays, the Duma passed a defensebill which limits the length of service for those who serve inhot spots, and which provides several new grounds for defermentfrom military service, Moscow's Echo radio reported July 20. Inother actions,... MORE

As Boris Yeltsinrecovers from his heart attack, the Cardiology Research Centerin Moscow told Interfax July 19 that cardiovascular diseases hadcaused 53.5 percent deaths in Russia in 1994. Specifically, thecenter reported that 1.2 million Russians had died of heart problemsin 1994, an increase from 885,000 such... MORE

At the FederationCouncil July 20, Tatarstan President Mintimir Shaimiyev denouncedthe Council's chairman, Vladimir Shumeiko, for his recent denunciationof Abkhaz leader Vladislav Ardzinba as a criminal, Russian mediareported. Shaimiyev said that Shumeiko's remarks were inappropriatefor a Russian parliamentary leader, disrespectful to the Abkhazpeople who had elected... MORE

As part of his electioncampaign, Russian premier Viktor Chernomyrdin met with the SiberianAccord regional association in Tyumen on July 20, Interfax reported.He assured that group, which has often pursued an independent,even anti-Moscow line, that his bloc wanted to work with all theregional associations, Interfax reported... MORE

Communist leaderGennady Zyuganov dismissed the Russian premier's report to theDuma as "nothing but an attempt to patch the holes in a shipwhich is sailing in the wrong direction," Moscow's Echo radioreported July 19. Other reaction to the speech followed predictablelines, with government supporters and opponents... MORE

Yeltsin's healthproblems suggest that he will not be able to run for reelection,and therefore should begin to transfer power now while he can,Moscow's Obshchaya gazeta urged in its July 20-26 issue."In Russia, a boss whose subordinates find out that he isgoing to leave them immediately... MORE

On July 21, the Russian delegationhanded over a list of those they said were missing in action,and the Chechens promised to do the same on July 22, Interfaxreported. One person who remains missing and about whom neitherside apparently inquired is Fred Cuny, the American aid... MORE

Chechen leaders havecharged, and Russian government statements and media reports confirm,that Russian prime minister Viktor Chernomyrdin is under enormouspressure not to make any concessions to the Chechens. He saidas much in a television interview July 19, and Yeltsin's personalrepresentative at the talks said there could... MORE