* Two sailors, including one Russian, on board a cargo ship died and eight were hospitalized with poisoning, apparently caused by a chemical reaction, off Ukraine's Black Sea coast, emergencies services said
* The ambassador of Belarus in Russia has been given a note proposing that Belarus immediately abolish a $45 transit duty on Russian oil, a deputy Russian economics minister said
* Sergei Ivanov, Russia's defense minister and a deputy prime minister, said:
- economic disputes between Russia and Belarus should not affect bilateral military cooperation
- an agreement on a united Russia-Belarus air defense system is ready for signing
- the three Russian companies the U.S. imposed sanctions on did not violate international norms
* U.S. sanctions against Russian enterprises are an attempt to extend American laws to foreign companies, the RussianForeign Ministry said
* Igor Levitin, Russia's transportation minister, said:
- U.S. and Russian aviation authorities should avoid action affecting airlines' competitiveness
- The U.S. has asked Russia to increase the volume of flights by U.S. airlines on routes over the Russian Federation linking America, Asia and Europe
- There is a pressing need for Russia to harmonize its flight safety procedures with international standards
* Moldovan wine could appear in Russia in January-February, Russia's chief doctor said
