COVID-19 pandemic in Russia#Controversies

{{main|Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia (January–June 2020)|Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia (July–December 2020)}}

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On 12 January, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan, Hubei, China, who had initially come to the attention of the WHO on 31 December 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.elsevier.com/connect/coronavirus-information-center|title=Novel Coronavirus Information Center|website=Elsevier |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130171622/https://www.elsevier.com/connect/coronavirus-information-center|archive-date=30 January 2020|access-date=15 March 2020}}{{Cite news|last=Reynolds|first=Matt|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/china-coronavirus|title=What is coronavirus and how close is it to becoming a pandemic?|date=4 March 2020|magazine=Wired UK|access-date=5 March 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305104806/https://www.wired.co.uk/article/china-coronavirus|archive-date=5 March 2020|issn=1357-0978}} Compared to SARS of 2003, the case fatality ratio for COVID-19{{cite web|url=https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/196137/crunching-numbers-coronavirus/|title=Crunching the numbers for coronavirus|website=Imperial News|date=13 March 2020 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319084913/https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/196137/crunching-numbers-coronavirus/|archive-date=19 March 2020|access-date=15 March 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/guidance/high-consequence-infectious-diseases-hcid|title=High consequence infectious diseases (HCID); Guidance and information about high consequence infectious diseases and their management in England|publisher=Government of the United Kingdom|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303051938/https://www.gov.uk/guidance/high-consequence-infectious-diseases-hcid|archive-date=3 March 2020|access-date=17 March 2020}} has been much lower, but the incubation period and transmission have been significantly greater, resulting in a significant total death toll.{{cite web|url=https://www.wfsahq.org/resources/coronavirus|title=World Federation Of Societies of Anaesthesiologists – Coronavirus|website=wfsahq.org|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312233527/https://www.wfsahq.org/resources/coronavirus|archive-date=12 March 2020|access-date=15 March 2020}} On 31 January, the first two cases in the country were confirmed, one in Tyumen, Tyumen Oblast, and another one in Chita, Zabaykalsky Krai. Both were Chinese nationals.{{cite news|url=https://tass.ru/obschestvo/7656549|title=В России выявили первые два случая заражения коронавирусом|date=31 January 2020|agency=TASS|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131125707/https://tass.ru/obschestvo/7656549|archive-date=31 January 2020|access-date=31 January 2020}}

On 23 February, eight Russians from the cruise ship Diamond Princess were evacuated to Kazan, Tatarstan where they were hospitalised, including three confirmed cases.{{cite web|url=https://tass.ru/obschestvo/7843971|title=У троих россиян с лайнера Diamond Princess подтвердился коронавирус|date=26 February 2020|agency=TASS|access-date=2 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228000400/https://tass.ru/obschestvo/7843971|archive-date=28 February 2020|url-status=live}} These cases were listed as occurring on international conveyance and not included in official Russian statistics by Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing. These eight people, including the three patients who recovered, were discharged from hospital on 8 March.{{cite news |title=All quarantined Russians from Diamond Princess cruise ship discharged from hospital |url=https://tass.com/russia/1127861 |access-date=8 March 2020 |agency=TASS |date=8 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309153246/https://tass.com/russia/1127861 |archive-date=9 March 2020 |url-status=live }} Some of Russia's citizens abroad have been confirmed to be infected, on 28 February a Russian man tested positive in Azerbaijan after he had visited Iran. While some days later the health ministry of the UAE announced that two Russians got the virus in the United Arab Emirates.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenational.ae/uae/health/coronavirus-uae-announces-six-more-cases-of-covid-19-1.987661|title=Coronavirus: UAE announces six more cases of Covid-19|website=The National|date=4 March 2020 }}

File:Vladimir Putin in Kommunarka hospital1.jpg in Moscow on 24 March 2020]]

There were no other confirmed cases until 2 March when the first case in Moscow was confirmed.{{cite web|url=https://www.interfax.ru/russia/697390|title=У приехавшего из Италии россиянина обнаружили коронавирус|website=Interfax.ru|date=2 March 2020 |access-date=2 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319195614/https://www.interfax.ru/russia/697390|archive-date=19 March 2020|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://ria.ru/20200302/1566843474.html |title=У вернувшегося из Италии россиянина выявили коронавирус |access-date=5 June 2020 |archive-date=4 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304103919/https://ria.ru/20200302/1566843474.html |url-status=dead }} The patient was a young man who fell ill on 21 February while on holiday in Italy, and returned to Russia on 23 February, staying at his house in Moscow Oblast. He showed up with symptoms at a clinic on 27 February, and was then hospitalised in Moscow. On 5 March, the first case in Saint Petersburg was confirmed. The patient was an Italian student who returned to Russia from Italy on 29 February, and was hospitalised on 2 March.{{cite web|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4277083|title=В России обнаружили коронавирус у гражданина Италии|date=5 March 2020|website=kommersant.ru}} On 6 March, six more cases were confirmed, with five of them being in Moscow and one of them being in Nizhny Novgorod. All of them were reported to be linked to Italy.{{cite news |title=Six new coronavirus cases confirmed in Russia. They're all mild and linked to Italy |url=https://meduza.io/en/news/2020/03/06/six-new-coronavirus-cases-confirmed-in-russia-they-re-all-mild-and-linked-to-italy |access-date=6 March 2020 |work=Meduza |date=6 March 2020}} On 19 March, the first death of a patient with confirmed COVID-19 was reported in Moscow. A 79-year-old woman was first hospitalised on 13 March and transferred to a private clinic the next day. Upon confirmation of COVID-19 she was transferred to intensive care. She also had numerous underlying health conditions and other diseases.{{cite news |title=Elderly woman with coronavirus dies in Moscow |url=https://tass.com/society/1132327 |access-date=19 March 2020 |agency=TASS |date=19 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319083603/https://tass.com/society/1132327 |archive-date=19 March 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Штаб: Умершая в больнице пожилая пациентка имела целый ряд серьезных хронических заболеваний |url=https://www.mskagency.ru/materials/2984079 |access-date=19 March 2020 |agency=AGN "Moscow" |date=19 March 2020 |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319085546/https://www.mskagency.ru/materials/2984079 |archive-date=19 March 2020 |url-status=live }} However, her death was not counted as a coronavirus death.{{cite news |title=В оперативном штабе назвали причину смерти пациентки с коронавирусом в Москве |url=https://tass.ru/obschestvo/8025791 |access-date=19 March 2020 |agency=TASS |date=19 March 2020 |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319155923/https://tass.ru/obschestvo/8025791 |archive-date=19 March 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=О подтвержденных случаях новой коронавирусной инфекции COVID-2019 в России |url=https://rospotrebnadzor.ru/about/info/news/news_details.php?ELEMENT_ID=14060 |access-date=19 March 2020 |work=Rospotrebnadzor |date=19 March 2020}}{{cite news |title=Оперштаб заявил об отсутствии в России летальных исходов от коронавируса |url=https://www.rbc.ru/rbcfreenews/5e736ddf9a7947c662f701ed |access-date=19 March 2020 |work=RBC |date=19 March 2020 |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319163527/https://www.rbc.ru/rbcfreenews/5e736ddf9a7947c662f701ed |archive-date=19 March 2020 |url-status=live }} The first two confirmed deaths were recorded on 25 March in Moscow. The patients were 73 and 88 years old and had tested positive for the coronavirus.{{cite news|url=https://tass.ru/obschestvo/8077753|title=В Москве умерли два пожилых пациента с коронавирусом|agency=TASS|date=25 March 2020|access-date=25 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325231108/https://tass.ru/obschestvo/8077753|archive-date=25 March 2020|url-status=live}} On 25 March, President Putin announced that the 2020 Russian constitutional referendum would be postponed due to the epidemic.{{cite news|url=https://tass.ru/politika/8075213|title=Путин: дата голосования по поправкам к Конституции должна быть перенесена|agency=TASS|date=25 March 2020|access-date=25 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326173903/https://tass.ru/politika/8075213|archive-date=26 March 2020|url-status=live}} He said that the next week starting on 30 March would be non-working nationwide and urged Russians to stay at home.{{cite news|url=https://tass.com/society/1135339|title=Putin calls on Russians 'to stay home' due to coronavirus|agency=TASS|date=25 March 2020|access-date=25 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325143939/https://tass.com/society/1135339|archive-date=25 March 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/03/25/coronavirus-in-russia-the-latest-news-march-25-a69117|title=Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News – March 25|website=The Moscow Times|date=25 March 2020|access-date=25 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325143936/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/03/25/coronavirus-in-russia-the-latest-news-march-25-a69117|archive-date=25 March 2020|url-status=live}} Later, the non-working period was prolonged twice, lasting until 11 May.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/04/28/putin-extends-russias-coronavirus-lockdown-as-new-infections-continue-to-rise-a70130|title=Putin Extends Russia's Coronavirus Lockdown as New Infections Continue to Rise|date=28 April 2020|website=The Moscow Times}}{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/05/11/putin-eases-nationwide-virus-lockdown-as-russia-becomes-3rd-most-infected-country-a70240|title=Putin Eases Nationwide Virus Lockdown as Russia Becomes 3rd Most-Infected Country|date=11 May 2020|website=The Moscow Times}} On 27 March, international flights were grounded after the government ordered the civil aviation authority to suspend all regular and charter flights to and from the country.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-russia-flights/russia-to-ground-international-flights-on-march-27-due-to-coronavirus-idUSL8N2BJ0NK|work=Reuters|title=Russia to ground international flights on March 27 due to coronavirus|date=26 March 2020}} On 29 March, Mayor of Moscow Sergey Sobyanin issued a stay-at-home order starting the next day.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/03/29/moscow-orders-citywide-quarantine-starting-march-30-a69789|title=Moscow Orders Citywide Quarantine Starting March 30|website=The Moscow Times|date=29 March 2020|access-date=30 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330055335/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/03/29/moscow-orders-citywide-quarantine-starting-march-30-a69789|archive-date=30 March 2020|url-status=live}} On 30 March, similar orders or recommendations were announced in numerous other federal jurisdictions, with many more announcing such restrictions over the next few days.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-coronavirus-cases-lockdown-update-sanctions-deaths-putin-a9437716.html|title=Russia coronavirus: Record rise in cases sees country introduce tough lockdown sanctions|date=31 March 2020|website=The Independent}} The same day, the border was shut, with all border crossings closed.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/03/28/russia-to-close-borders-to-curb-coronavirus-a69785|title=Russia to Close Borders to Curb Coronavirus|website=The Moscow Times|date=28 March 2020}}

File:Разметка для соблюдения дистанции в метро 05.jpg passengers in April 2020]]

On 11 April, Moscow's mayor, Sobyanin, signed a decree introducing a digital pass system to enforce the coronavirus lockdown. Residents would require such a permit to travel around the city and Moscow Oblast using personal and public transport, with different types of passes including travelling to work, visiting hospitals and clinics, and private trips. Such permits would become mandatory on 15 April.{{cite news|url=https://tass.com/society/1144123|title=Moscow issues around 1 million digital passes in first day of system operation|agency=TASS|date=13 April 2020}} On 29 April, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said on social media that the city would start constructing temporary hospitals that would have a total of 10,000 hospital beds for coronavirus patients.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/04/29/coronavirus-in-russia-the-latest-news-april-29-a69117|title=Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News (April 29)|date=29 April 2020|website=The Moscow Times}} Russia also indefinitely extended its entry ban for foreigners, which was originally set until 1 May, with Prime Minister Mishustin saying that the ban will be lifted when the coronavirus situation improved.{{cite news|url=https://tass.ru/obschestvo/8362419|title=Кабмин продлил запрет на въезд иностранцев в Россию|date=29 April 2020|agency=TASS}} On 30 April, Prime Minister Mishustin said that he tested positive for the virus.{{cite news|url=https://tass.com/politics/1152169|title=Russian PM Mishustin says tested positive for coronavirus|agency=TASS|date=30 April 2020}}

On 9 May, with the 2020 Moscow Victory Day Parade postponed, celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the surrender of Nazi Germany were reduced. An air show took place in Moscow instead and President Putin laid flowers at the Eternal Flame outside the Kremlin. Authorities also urged citizens to stay at home instead.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/05/09/putin-calls-for-invincible-unity-as-russians-mark-victory-day-on-lockdown-a70230|title=Putin Calls for 'Invincible' Unity as Russians Mark Victory Day on Lockdown|website=The Moscow Times|date=9 May 2020}} On 10 May, the World Health Organization's representative to Russia, Melita Vujnovic, said that day that Russia may have reached the plateau for the virus.{{cite news|url=https://tass.com/society/1154955|title=Russia may have reached coronavirus plateau – WHO representative|agency=TASS|date=10 May 2020}} On 11 May, President Putin announced the end of the national non-working period on 12 May and also announced additional support measures. He also said that regional leaders can choose to keep restrictions. On 26 May, Putin announced that the postponed 2020 Victory Day Parade would be held on 24 June.{{cite news|url=https://tass.com/politics/1160483|title=Russia to hold Victory Day Parade on June 24 – Putin|agency=TASS|date=26 May 2020}} On 27 May, Sobyanin announced that some restrictions in Moscow would be eased on 1 June, with all non-food stores and some service sector businesses re-opening and residents would be able to go outside for walks and sport according to a schedule.{{cite web|url=https://www.sobyanin.ru/vtoroi-etap-smyagcheniya-ogranichenii-0106|title=Второй этап смягчения ограничений. Как будем жить после 1 июня|website=sobyanin.ru|date=27 May 2020}}

On 1 June, the postponed referendum was announced to be held on 1 July.{{cite news |title=Russia to vote on July 1 on reforms that could extend Putin's rule |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-putin-vote/russia-to-vote-on-july-1-on-constitutional-changes-that-could-extend-putins-rule-idUSKBN2382Q6 |access-date=1 June 2020 |work=Reuters |date=1 June 2020}} Reuters news agency also reported that Russia would roll out its first approved drug to treat COVID-19 in the next week.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-russia-exclusive/exclusive-russia-after-approving-japanese-covid-19-drug-to-roll-out-game-changer-next-week-idUSKBN2381FR|title=Exclusive: Russia to roll out its first approved COVID-19 drug next week|date=1 June 2020|work=Reuters}} On 2 June, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said that the government would launch a 5 trillion ruble ($73 billion) recovery plan in the next month to counteract the pandemic's economic impact.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/06/02/russia-prices-economic-recovery-plan-at-70bln-a70456|title=Russia Prices Economic Recovery Plan at $70Bln|website=The Moscow Times|date=2 June 2020}} On 8 June, Moscow's mayor, Sobyanin, said that the city would lift coronavirus restrictions. Self-isolation rules and travel permits would be waived on 9 June, with no more walking schedules. Residents would be able to freely travel around the city and visit public places. Places like beauty salons, hairdressers and veterinarian clinics would re-open, with other places like restaurants re-opening over the course of June. Residents were still required to wear face masks and gloves and were advised to maintain their distance from others.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/06/08/which-coronavirus-restrictions-is-moscow-lifting-a70514|title=Which Coronavirus Restrictions Is Moscow Lifting?|date=8 June 2020|website=The Moscow Times}}{{cite news|url=https://tass.com/society/1165379|title=Moscow mayor waives self-isolation rules, travel permits, walking schedule starting June 9|agency=TASS|date=8 June 2020}} That day, Prime Minister Mishustin also announced the partial re-opening of the border for some travellers, saying that it would allow citizens to leave the country for work, studying, medical treatment or to take care of relatives. It would also allow foreign citizens to enter for medical treatment or those needing to care for relatives and family.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-russia-cases/moscow-lifts-coronavirus-lockdown-as-russia-partially-reopens-borders-idUSKBN23F0R7|work=Reuters|date=8 June 2020|title=Moscow lifts coronavirus lockdown as Russia partially reopens borders}} On 22 June, Moscow's mayor, Sobyanin, announced further easing of restrictions on 23 June with cafes and restaurants reopening as well as fitness centres and swimming pools. Restrictions on libraries and kindergartens would be lifted.{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/22/06/2020/5ef0cb529a7947bf9fcf86ee|title=Собянин объявил о новом "очень серьезном" снятии ограничений в Москве|date=22 June 2020|website=rbc.ru}} On 23 June, President Putin announced changes to the tax system and further state benefits.{{cite news|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-russia-putin-taxation/putin-raises-tax-for-wealthy-russians-ahead-of-vote-on-his-rule-idUKKBN23U2CF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624075549/https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-russia-putin-taxation/putin-raises-tax-for-wealthy-russians-ahead-of-vote-on-his-rule-idUKKBN23U2CF|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 June 2020|title=Putin raises tax for wealthy Russians ahead of vote on his rule|work=Reuters|date=23 June 2020}} On 24 June, the Victory Day parade in Red Square took place while it was reported that 30 major cities in Russia had cancelled their parade.{{cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2020-06-24/parady_pobedy_iz_za_covid_19_otmeneny_ili_proydut_bez_zriteley_v_35_regionah_rossii|title=Парады Победы из-за COVID-19 отменены или пройдут без зрителей в 40 регионах России|date=24 June 2020|website=Znak|access-date=15 July 2020|archive-date=6 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006063003/https://www.znak.com/2020-06-24/parady_pobedy_iz_za_covid_19_otmeneny_ili_proydut_bez_zriteley_v_35_regionah_rossii/|url-status=dead}}

File:NN 11-08-2020 02.jpg. Proletarskaya metro station]]

On 1 July, the main day for the vote on constitutional amendments took place. On 8 July, the governor of Moscow Oblast, Andrey Vorobyov, signed a decree easing some restrictions in the region including allowing restaurants, cafes, bars and other catering establishments to reopen from 25 July as well as a number of other places to reopen from 15 July.{{cite web| url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/08/07/2020/5f05e65b9a7947df58153ea0|title=Власти назвали сроки открытия ресторанов, баров и отелей в Подмосковье|website=rbc.ru|date=8 July 2020 }} On 9 July, Moscow's authorities announced further easing of some restrictions with cinemas allowed to reopen and concerts allowed to be held from 1 August provided that they meet certain requirements. Attractions would be able to reopen and restrictions on places like parks and cultural centres would be removed on 13 July. Universities and schools would also be able to return to normal and the use of face masks and gloves outdoors would no longer be required except in public transport, shops and crowded areas.{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/09/07/2020/5f06e4169a794776d7ab0aa4|title=Власти Москвы с 1 августа разрешили работу кинотеатров и концерты|website=rbc.ru|date=9 July 2020 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/rbcfreenews/5f0b8a779a794713540e0f89|title=В Москве начался новый этап отмены ограничений|website=rbc.ru|date=13 July 2020 }} On 10 July, Tatyana Golikova said that starting on 15 July, authorities will start to gradually lift restrictions on flights abroad and will begin negotiations to restart international flights.{{cite web|url=https://ria.ru/20200710/1574185609.html|title=Россия начнет снимать ограничения на международные полеты с 15 июля|date=10 July 2020 |agency=RIA Novosti}} On 15 July, the 14-day quarantine requirement for arrivals in the country was abolished with arrivals now requiring medical documents in English or Russian showing a negative test. Tatyana Golikova previously said that quarantines can be maintained for Russians returning from countries with high infection rates.{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/rbcfreenews/5f0e4a2c9a79472586fca058|title=В России отменили обязательную изоляцию для прибывших из-за рубежа|website=rbc.ru|date=15 July 2020 }} On 16 July, Reuters reported that 30 million doses of the experimental vaccine would be produced domestically in Russia and the potential for 170 million to be manufactured abroad, according to the head of RDIF, Kirill Dmitriev. He also said that a Phase III trial involving several thousand people is expected to start in August.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-russia-vaccine/russia-to-mass-produce-experimental-covid-19-vaccine-wealth-fund-head-idUSKCN24H1AD|title=Russia to mass produce experimental COVID-19 vaccine: wealth fund head|work=Reuters}} On 24 July, Tatyana Golikova said that the country plans to resume some international flights on 1 August.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-flights/russia-to-resume-some-international-flights-from-august-1-idUSKCN24P185|title=Russia to resume some international flights from August 1|work=Reuters}}

File:McDonald's en strato Lenin (Tjumeno).jpg

On 11 August, President Putin said in a meeting that the vaccine developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology was the first vaccine against the coronavirus to be registered. He said that one of his daughters was vaccinated.{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/11/08/2020/5f3256989a79472274d74d9b|title=Путин объявил о регистрации вакцины от коронавируса в России|website=rbc.ru|date=11 August 2020 }} The previous day, the Association of Clinical Research Organisations, a union of pharmaceutical companies in Russia, urged the head of the Ministry of Health to delay the registration due to incomplete testing.{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/ru/putin-objavil-o-registracii-v-rf-vakciny-vopreki-mneniju-jekspertov/a-54526291|title=Путин объявил о регистрации в РФ вакцины вопреки мнению экспертов|publisher=Deutsche Welle}} The head of the RDIF stated that 20 countries had requested in total 1 billion doses of the vaccine, nicknamed Sputnik V.{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/business/11/08/2020/5f326fa59a79473022545141|website=rbc.ru|title=Россия получила запрос на 1 млрд доз вакцины против коронавируса|date=11 August 2020 }} On 31 August, the head of Rospotrebnadzor, Anna Popova, confirmed the beginning of the academic year at the next day on a full-time basis, saying the current epidemiological situation makes it possible to do so.{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/rbcfreenews/5f4d3fb69a7947832b3589d3|title=Глава Роспотребнадзора подтвердила начало учебного года в очной форме|website=rbc.ru|date=31 August 2020 }} The deputy prime minister Tatyana Golikova also previously said that higher education institutions would be able to postpone the start of the academic year by a maximum of two months, with 92% of universities starting normally.{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/rbcfreenews/5f49152a9a79470da52016e0|title=Не попавшие в Россию зарубежные студенты в пандемию начнут учебу удаленно|website=rbc.ru|date=28 August 2020 }}

On 1 September, Russia's confirmed number of cases surpassed 1 million, becoming the fourth country to reach that mark.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/healthcoronavirus-russia-cases/russias-coronavirus-case-tally-passes-one-million-mark-idUSR4N2FE028|title=Russia's coronavirus case tally passes one million mark|work=Reuters|date=1 September 2020}} Flights to Egypt, the Maldives and the United Arab Emirates were added to the list of countries where flights are planned to be resumed.{{Cite news|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/02/25/coronavirus-in-russia-the-latest-news-feb-25-a69117|title=Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News 5|date=25 February 2021|newspaper=The Moscow Times|accessdate=25 February 2021}} On 5 September, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu reported his condition on state TV after being vaccinated.{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/05/09/2020/5f53d7529a79471411e7ca44|title=Шойгу сообщил о своем состоянии после вакцинации от COVID-19|website=rbc.ru|date=5 September 2020 }} On 8 September, the health ministry's press service said that the first batches of the vaccine developed by the Gamaleya Centre had entered civilian circulation.{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/08/09/2020/5f5692d39a7947842832936c|title=Первую партию российской вакцины от COVID выпустили в гражданский оборот|website=rbc.ru|date=8 September 2020 }} On 13 September regional elections in Russia were held, with social distancing measures and sanitary requirements for polling stations. Voting was also extended to three days, taking place from 11 to 13 September, with the main voting day on the last day, as well as other changes.{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/politics/14/09/2020/5f5b817b9a79470e4816cc6b|title=Первые выборы в России во время пандемии. Главное|website=rbc.ru|date=14 September 2020 }} On 17 September, RBC reported that pharmacies in Russia would begin selling Coronavir and Favipiravir for treatment of the virus.{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/17/09/2020/5f63a10d9a79472197106abf|title=В российских аптеках начнут продавать два препарата для лечения COVID-19|website=rbc.ru|date=17 September 2020 }} On 20 September, Prime Minister Mishustin signed a decree resuming flights with Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and South Korea. On 23 September, Rospotrebnadzor head, Anna Popova, signed a decree which requires Russian citizens who have returned from abroad by plane to stay home until they receive a negative test result.{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/23/09/2020/5f6b7a129a794704fbc61754?from=from_main_1|title=Прибывающих из-за границы россиян обязали уйти в изоляцию|website=rbc.ru|date=23 September 2020 }} Also that day, it was reported that a State Duma deputy from the Communist Party, Vakha Agaev, had died from the virus, becoming the first death among State Duma members.{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/23/09/2020/5f6b88c89a79470b1d6778fb?from=newsfeed|title=Депутат Госдумы Ваха Агаев умер от коронавируса|website=rbc.ru|date=23 September 2020 }} On 28 September, Rospotrebnadzor head, Anna Popova, said that there was no need for new strict restrictions due to a rise in cases. She said that the situation had changed compared to the beginning of the year as well as the understanding of the virus, and attributed the rise in cases to the seasonality of the virus.{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/28/09/2020/5f71e89b9a794760591608b7|title=Попова не увидела необходимости в новых ограничениях из-за COVID-19|website=rbc.ru|date=28 September 2020 }} On 29 September, the Chairman of the State Duma, Volodin, said that 18 deputies were in the hospital with the virus and that overall 60 deputies have been ill. The State Duma would also partially switch to working remotely.{{cite web|url=https://www.interfax.ru/russia/729104|title=Восемь депутатов Госдумы госпитализированы с COVID-19 за неделю|date=29 September 2020 |agency=Interfax}}

On 2 October, it was published that in total, more than 45,000 people had died to date with coronavirus in Russia. The fatality rate in Russia was 4.6% at the end of August 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/economics/02/10/2020/5f771fd19a794716a5dce126|title=Число умерших с COVID-19 в России превысило 45 тыс. человек|website=РБК|date=2 October 2020 |accessdate=25 February 2021}} On 4 October there were confirmed 10,499 and it was the highest number since May 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://xn--80aesfpebagmfblc0a.xn--p1ai/|title=Коронавирус COVID–19: Официальная информация о коронавирусе в России на портале |website=стопкоронавирус.рф|accessdate=25 February 2021}} 13,634 were confirmed on 11 October. 15,150 were confirmed on 15 October and it was the highest number since the pandemic started. Also daily deaths have steadily been increasing. There are now 23,723 deaths in the country.

On 6 November, Russian statistics published that 55,671 people had died with coronavirus before 30 September 2020. The official death toll was 20,891.{{cite news |author= |title=Число умерших с COVID-19 в России превысило 55 тыс. человек |url=https://www.rbc.ru/economics/06/11/2020/5fa4fa519a7947dc922c05b9 |work=РБК |date=6 November 2020 |access-date=6 November 2020}} On 8 November 2020, Russia reported 20,498 new coronavirus infections and 286 coronavirus-related deaths. This brings the number of infected cases to a total of 1,774,334 and the death toll to 30,537.{{cite web|url=https://tass.com/society/1221125|title=Russia records over 20,000 coronavirus cases in the past three days|access-date=8 November 2020|agency=TASS}}

On 28 December, the Federal State Statistics Service said that the amount of recorded deaths from all causes between January and November had risen by 229,700 compared to 2019. Tatyana Golikova, Deputy Chairman of the Government, said that more than 81% of these deaths could be attributed to COVID-19, meaning at least an estimated 186,000 Russians had died because of the virus.{{cite web |title=Russia admits to world's third-worst Covid-19 death toll |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/28/russia-admits-to-world-third-worst-covid-19-death-toll-underreported |website=The Guardian |date=28 December 2020 |access-date=28 December 2020}}

According to a Levada poll conducted in November 2021, percentage of those who are concerned about getting infected with COVID-19 is 48%, while those not concerned 50%, while 39% personally knew someone who survived COVID-19 infection in acute form and 27% knew someone who died as result. 61% believes that COVID-19 is a biological weapon, and that belief is much more widespread among 55+ respondents (68%) than among younger ones (43%).{{Cite web|title=Коронавирус, вакцина и меры|date=November 2021 |url=https://www.levada.ru/2021/11/01/koronavirus-vaktsina-i-mery/|access-date=2021-11-02|language=ru-RU}}

Despite the availability of a vaccine many Russians refused to get vaccinated leading to new waves of infections. During the summer and fall of 2021 Russia experienced severe waves of the Delta variant. Mortality rates reached record levels. Authorities introduced QR codes for vaccinated individuals restricting access to malls, restaurants and other public places for the unvaccinated

At the beginning of 2022 Russia faced the Omicron variant, but this time the government did not impose strict restrictions. The government's focus shifted to the invasion of Ukraine, which began on 24 February. This led to reduced media attention to the pandemic. By the end of 2022 most COVID measures had been lifted with officials claiming that the situation was under control.

{{main|Russian government response to the COVID-19 pandemic}}

{{Update|section|date=December 2020}}

The government of Russia initially responded to the pandemic with preventive measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, which involved imposing quarantines, carrying raids on potential virus carriers, and using facial recognition to impose quarantine measures.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-health-moscow-deportation-idUSKCN20M252|title=Russia to deport 88 foreigners for violating coronavirus quarantine|date=28 February 2020|work=Reuters|access-date=29 February 2020|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229030207/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-health-moscow-deportation-idUSKCN20M252|archive-date=29 February 2020|url-status=live}} Measures to prevent a crisis in Russia include banning the export of medical masks, random checks on the Moscow Metro, and cancellation of large-scale events by schools. The Russian government has also taken measures to prevent foreign citizens from heavily affected countries from visiting Russia.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} Local governments have also responded to the pandemic by imposing their own preventive measures in their communities.

[[File:COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns in Russia.svg|350px|thumb|Map of federal subjects that have announced the "self-isolation regime".

{{legend|#003557|Stay-at-home order}}

{{legend|#278dbf|Partial restrictions or recommendations}}]]

File:COVID-19. A quarantined Playground.jpg

On 28 March, Chechen authorities urged the population of the republic to stay at their places of permanent residence, and banned entry to Grozny for anyone except emergency services, food supplies, government officials, police, and journalists.{{cite news |title=Власти ЧР ограничили въезд в Грозный |url=https://chechnyatoday.com/news/334637 |access-date=28 March 2020 |agency=Чечня сегодня |date=28 March 2020 |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328130136/https://chechnyatoday.com/news/334637 |archive-date=28 March 2020 |url-status=live }} On the next day, Chechnya closed its borders, with a full lockdown coming into effect on 30 March.{{cite news |title=Russia's Chechnya closes administratieve borders amid coronavirus outbreak |url=https://tass.com/russia/1137037 |access-date=29 March 2020 |agency=TASS |date=29 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329021423/https://tass.com/russia/1137037 |archive-date=29 March 2020 |url-status=live }}

On 29 March, Moscow issued a stay-at-home order for all residents starting on 30 March. Muscovites were not allowed to leave their homes except in cases of emergency medical care and other threats to life and health, to travel to work for those who are obliged to, to make purchases in the nearest shop or pharmacy, to walk pets at a distance not exceeding 100 metres from the place of residence, as well as to take out the garbage. People were instructed to keep a distance of 1.5 metres from other people. Those recently unemployed will receive 19,500 rubles a month.{{cite news |title=Коронавирус. Ограничение передвижения по городу и социальная поддержка |url=https://www.sobyanin.ru/koronavirus-ogranichenie-peredvizheniya-i-sospodderzhka-grazhdan |access-date=29 March 2020 |work=Sergey Sobyanin website |date=29 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329164920/https://www.sobyanin.ru/koronavirus-ogranichenie-peredvizheniya-i-sospodderzhka-grazhdan |archive-date=29 March 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=В Москве введут режим всеобщей самоизоляции |url=https://ria.ru/20200329/1569323145.html |access-date=29 March 2020 |work=РИА Новости |date=29 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329200603/https://ria.ru/20200329/1569323145.html |archive-date=29 March 2020 |url-status=live }} After that, a similar regime was introduced in Moscow Oblast at 20:00 MSK on 29 March.{{cite news |title=Режим самоизоляции вводится для всех жителей Московской области |url=https://mosreg.ru/sobytiya/novosti/news-submoscow/v-podmoskove-vvoditsya-rezhim-samoizolyatsii-dlya-vsekh-zhiteley |access-date=29 March 2020 |work=Governor of Moscow Oblast official website |date=29 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329175541/https://mosreg.ru/sobytiya/novosti/news-submoscow/v-podmoskove-vvoditsya-rezhim-samoizolyatsii-dlya-vsekh-zhiteley |archive-date=29 March 2020 |url-status=live }}

On 30 March, similar orders were announced in Adygea, the Komi Republic, Mari El, Tatarstan, Chuvashia, some districts of Sakha Republic, Arkhangelsk, Astrakhan,{{cite news |title=В Астраханской области ввели карантин из-за ситуации с коронавирусом |url=https://kaspyinfo.ru/srochnoe-zajavlenie-astrahanskaja-oblast-perehodit-na-rezhim-vseobshhej-samoizoljacii/ |access-date=30 March 2020 |work=KaspiyInfo |date=30 March 2020}} Belgorod, Irkutsk, Kaliningrad, Kursk, Lipetsk, Murmansk, Nizhny Novgorod, Novgorod, Ryazan, Saratov, Sverdlovsk, Ulyanovsk and Vologda oblasts, the cities of Bryansk and Saint Petersburg.{{cite news |title=В Петербурге введен режим самоизоляции. Теперь как в Москве |url=https://fontanka.ru/2020/03/30/69060805/ |access-date=30 March 2020 |publisher=Fontanka |date=30 March 2020 |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331160422/https://www.fontanka.ru/2020/03/30/69060805/ |archive-date=31 March 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Which regions of Russia are sheltering in place? A running list |url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2020/03/30/which-regions-of-russia-are-sheltering-in-place |access-date=30 March 2020 |work=Meduza |date=30 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331135421/https://meduza.io/en/feature/2020/03/30/which-regions-of-russia-are-sheltering-in-place |archive-date=31 March 2020 |url-status=live }} Leningrad Oblast banned movement of people between districts and introduced a lockdown in the town of Murino.{{cite news |title=В Ленобласти вводится ограничение на выезд за пределы района проживания |url=https://tass.ru/obschestvo/8115959 |access-date=30 March 2020 |agency=TASS |date=30 March 2020 |language=ru}}

On 31 March, the "self-isolation regime" was announced in republics of Altai, Bashkortostan, Buryatia, Dagestan,{{cite news |title=В Дагестане ввели режим самоизоляции |url=https://ria.ru/20200331/1569421526.html |access-date=31 March 2020 |agency=RIA Novosti |date=31 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401212402/https://ria.ru/20200331/1569421526.html |archive-date=1 April 2020 |url-status=live }} Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Kalmykia, Karachay-Cherkessia, Karelia,{{cite news |title=В Карелии ввели режим самоизоляции |url=https://ria.ru/20200331/1569413191.html |access-date=31 March 2020 |agency=RIA Novosti |date=31 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404081255/https://ria.ru/20200331/1569413191.html |archive-date=4 April 2020 |url-status=live }} Khakassia, Mordovia, Udmurtia and Tuva, Altai, Khabarovsk (for those over 65), Krasnodar, Krasnoyarsk, Perm, Primorsky, Stavropol and Zabaykalsky krais, Bryansk, Chelyabinsk, Kaluga, Kemerovo, Kirov, Kostroma,{{cite news |title=В Костромской области ввели режим обязательной самоизоляции |url=https://ria.ru/20200331/1569412562.html |access-date=31 March 2020 |agency=RIA Novosti |date=31 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402002059/https://ria.ru/20200331/1569412562.html |archive-date=2 April 2020 |url-status=live }} Kurgan, Magadan, Novosibirsk, Omsk,{{cite news |title=Все сибирские регионы ввели режим самоизоляции |url=https://ria.ru/20200331/1569414078.html |access-date=31 March 2020 |agency=RIA Novosti |date=31 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403135522/https://ria.ru/20200331/1569414078.html |archive-date=3 April 2020 |url-status=live }} Penza, Pskov (for those over 65), Rostov, Sakhalin, Samara, Smolensk,{{cite news |title=В Смоленской области ввели режим всеобщей самоизоляции |url=https://ria.ru/20200331/1569419173.html |access-date=31 March 2020 |agency=RIA Novosti |date=31 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331195950/https://ria.ru/20200331/1569419173.html |archive-date=31 March 2020 |url-status=live }} Tambov, Tomsk, Vladimir, Volgograd, Voronezh and Yaroslavl{{cite news |title=Губернатор сделал заявление о карантине по коронавирусу в Ярославской области |url=https://76.ru/text/gorod/69063322/ |access-date=6 April 2020 |work=76.ru |date=31 March 2020}} oblasts, Khanty-Mansi{{cite news |title=Власти Югры ввели режим обязательной самоизоляции для жителей региона |url=https://ria.ru/20200331/1569419723.html |access-date=31 March 2020 |agency=RIA Novosti |date=31 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331195645/https://ria.ru/20200331/1569419723.html |archive-date=31 March 2020 |url-status=live }} and Yamalo-Nenets autonomous okrugs, the Jewish Autonomous Oblast,{{cite news |title=В Еврейской автономной области вводят режим самоизоляции |url=https://tass.ru/obschestvo/8125851 |access-date=31 March 2020 |agency=TASS |date=31 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402011750/https://tass.ru/obschestvo/8125851 |archive-date=2 April 2020 |url-status=live }} the city of Sevastopol.{{cite news |title=В Севастополе ввели режим обязательной самоизоляции из-за коронавируса |url=https://ria.ru/20200331/1569417054.html |access-date=31 March 2020 |agency=RIA Novosti |date=31 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401162317/https://ria.ru/20200331/1569417054.html |archive-date=1 April 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Регионы вводят режим самоизоляции по примеру Москвы |url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4309220 |access-date=31 March 2020 |work=Kommersant |date=31 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401013025/https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4309220 |archive-date=1 April 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Режим самоизоляции введен в 51 регионе России |url=https://riafan.ru/1263791-rezhim-samoizolyacii-vveden-v-51-regione-rossii |access-date=31 March 2020 |work=RIA FAN |date=31 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402143713/https://riafan.ru/1263791-rezhim-samoizolyacii-vveden-v-51-regione-rossii |archive-date=2 April 2020 |url-status=live }} Republics of Yakutia and Karelia limited the sale of alcohol.{{cite news |title=Второй регион России ограничил продажу алкоголя на время самоизоляции |url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/31/03/2020/5e836ed79a7947715cc2f33c |access-date=31 March 2020 |work=RBK |date=31 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331222928/https://www.rbc.ru/society/31/03/2020/5e836ed79a7947715cc2f33c |archive-date=31 March 2020 |url-status=live }}

On 1 April, the "self-isolation regime" was announced in the disputed territory of Crimea and Sevastopol,{{cite news |title=Все регионы Юга России перейдут на режим самоизоляции с полуночи |url=https://tass.ru/obschestvo/8130961 |access-date=1 April 2020 |agency=TASS |date=1 April 2020}} the republic of North Ossetia–Alania,{{cite news |title=Все регионы Северного Кавказа ввели режим самоизоляции из-за COVID-19 |url=https://ria.ru/20200401/1569425565.html |access-date=1 April 2020 |agency=RIA Novosti |date=1 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404183158/https://ria.ru/20200401/1569425565.html |archive-date=4 April 2020 |url-status=live }} Kamchatka{{cite news |title=На Камчатке ввели режим самоизоляции |url=https://ria.ru/20200401/1569426353.html |access-date=1 April 2020 |agency=RIA Novosti |date=1 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403124527/https://ria.ru/20200401/1569426353.html |archive-date=3 April 2020 |url-status=live }} and Khabarovsk{{cite news |title=Режим самоизоляции в Хабаровском крае расширили на неработающих граждан |url=https://tass.ru/obschestvo/8130501 |access-date=1 April 2020 |agency=TASS |date=1 April 2020}} krais, Ivanovo{{cite news |title=В Ивановской области со 2 апреля вводят режим полной самоизоляции |url=https://ria.ru/20200401/1569442072.html |access-date=1 April 2020 |agency=RIA Novosti |date=1 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404220155/https://ria.ru/20200401/1569442072.html |archive-date=4 April 2020 |url-status=live }} and Orenburg{{cite news |title=В Оренбуржье ввели режим самоизоляции населения из-за коронавируса |url=https://ria.ru/20200401/1569441675.html |access-date=1 April 2020 |agency=RIA Novosti |date=1 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404184942/https://ria.ru/20200401/1569441675.html |archive-date=4 April 2020 |url-status=live }} oblasts. On 2 April, the measures were announced in Amur Oblast (for those over 65), Tyumen Oblast,{{cite news |title=Тюменский губернатор ввел режим самоизоляции в регионе |url=https://ria.ru/20200402/1569492218.html |access-date=2 April 2020 |agency=TASS |date=2 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402112222/https://ria.ru/20200402/1569492218.html |archive-date=2 April 2020 |url-status=live }} and Chukotka Autonomous Okrug.{{cite news |title=Все регионы ДФО ввели режим самоизоляции |url=https://ria.ru/20200402/1569482829.html |access-date=2 April 2020 |agency=RIA Novosti |date=2 April 2020}} On 3 April, the measures were announced in Oryol Oblast{{cite news |title=Орловская область вводит режим самоизоляции |url=https://tass.ru/obschestvo/8160325 |access-date=6 April 2020 |agency=TASS |date=3 April 2020}} and Tula Oblast (for those over 65).{{cite news |title=В Тульской области ввели режим самоизоляции для людей старше 65 лет |url=https://ria.ru/20200403/1569561717.html |access-date=6 April 2020 |agency=RIA Novosti |date=3 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404201108/https://ria.ru/20200403/1569561717.html |archive-date=4 April 2020 |url-status=live }}

{{main|COVID-19 vaccination in Russia}}

Mass vaccinations began in December 2020, starting with primarily doctors, medical workers and teachers. Vaccinations began in Moscow on 5 December and were expanded to all other regions by 15 December.{{cite web|url=https://www.interfax.ru/russia/739630|title=Путин поручил начать массовую вакцинацию от COVID на следующей неделе|agency=Interfax|date=2 December 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-russia-rolls-out-covid-vaccination-in-moscow/a-55831123|title=Coronavirus: Russia rolls out COVID vaccination in Moscow|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=5 December 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.interfax.ru/russia/741387|title=Минздрав объявил о старте вакцинации от COVID-19 во всех регионах РФ|agency=Interfax|date=15 December 2020}} In January 2021, the vaccination programme was extended to the entire population.{{cite web|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4641383|title=Путин поручил начать массовую вакцинацию от коронавируса|date=13 January 2021|website=Kommersant}}

As of 20 July 2021, 33.19 million people have received at least one dose, with 21.6 million people fully vaccinated.{{Cite web|title=Статистика вакцинации от коронавируса в России и в мире|url=https://gogov.ru/articles/covid-v-stats|access-date=2021-07-20|website=gogov.ru|language=ru-RU}}{{cite news|url=https://graphics.reuters.com/world-coronavirus-tracker-and-maps/countries-and-territories/russia/|work=Reuters|title=Russia}}{{cite journal|url=https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations|title=Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccinations|journal=Our World in Data|date=5 March 2020|last1=Ritchie|first1=Hannah|last2=Mathieu|first2=Edouard|last3=Rodés-Guirao|first3=Lucas|last4=Appel|first4=Cameron|last5=Giattino|first5=Charlie|last6=Ortiz-Ospina|first6=Esteban|last7=Hasell|first7=Joe|last8=MacDonald|first8=Bobbie|last9=Beltekian|first9=Diana|last10=Roser|first10=Max}}

{{main|Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia}}

{{See also|COVID-19 recession}}

{{main|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics in Russia}}

{{main|Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia}}

• 30 November – {{ill|Boris Yuryevich Aleksandrov|lt=Boris Aleksandrov|ru|Александров, Борис Юрьевич}}, 73, founder and President of Rostagroexport Group, creator of the brand name B. Y. Aleksandrov{{cite news |title=Основатель бренда "Б.Ю. Александров" умер от COVID-19 |url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/30/11/2020/5fc4ca2c9a7947076742edd0 |access-date=9 December 2020 |publisher=RBK Group |date=30 November 2020}}
• 24 December – {{ill|Vladimir Khristov|ru|Христов, Владимир Кириллович}}, 71, founder and owner of Public Joint Stock Company Susumanzoloto (Magadan), gold manufacturer with fortune of 0.5 bln. ${{cite news |title=Умер бизнесмен из списка Forbes Владимир Христов |url=https://www.forbes.ru/newsroom/milliardery/417281-umer-biznesmen-iz-spiska-forbes-vladimir-hristov|access-date=27 December 2020 |publisher=Forbes (Russia)|date=24 December 2020}}

For the clerics of the Russian Orthodox Church, only those serving in Russia are included

• 4 May – {{ill|Jonah (Karpukhin)|ru|Иона (Карпухин)}}, 79, metropolitan of the Astrakhan and Kamyzyak eparchy{{Cite web|url=http://www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/5631990.html|title=Преставился ко Господу митрополит Иона (Карпухин) / Новости / Патриархия.ru|website=Патриархия.ru}}
• 7 May – {{ill|Ambrose (Yurasov)|ru|Амвросий (Юрасов)}}, 82, archimandrite, founder and ghostly father of the Presentation Nunnery in Ivanovo, died of pneumonia (suspected infection){{Cite web|url=http://www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/5633207.html|title=Отошел ко Господу архимандрит Амвросий (Юрасов) / Новости / Патриархия.ru|website=Патриархия.ru}}
• 1 June – {{ill|Isidore (Kirichenko)|ru|Исидор (Кириченко)}}, 79, Metropolitan of Ekaterinodar and Kuban'{{cite news |title=Умер заразившийся COVID-19 глава Чувашской митрополии РПЦ |url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/01/06/2020/5ed4c3a59a79472b52ef1fc1|access-date=1 June 2020 |work=RBK Group |date=1 June 2020}}
• 9 June – Seraphim Glushakov, 51, Bishop-emeritus of Anadyr' and Chukotka{{cite news |title=Пятый митрополит РПЦ умер от коронавирусной инфекции|url=https://www.svoboda.org/a/30960420.html|access-date=20 November 2020 |publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=20 November 2020}}
• 23 June – Jampel Lodoy (Apysh-ool Sat), 44, Kamby Lama (Supreme Lama) of Tuva, tested positive for COVID-19{{cite news |title=Умер заразившийся коронавирусом верховный лама Тувы |url=https://tass.ru/sibir-news/8799315 |access-date=23 June 2020 |agency=TASS |date=23 June 2020}}
• 22 July – Eulogius Smirnov, 83, Mitropolitan-emeritus of Vladimir and Suzdal'
• 8 August – {{ill|Isidore (Kirichenko)|ru|Исидор (Кириченко)}}, 79, Metropolitan of Ekaterinodar and Kuban'{{cite news |title=Кубанский митрополит умер от осложнений из-за коронавируса |url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/08/08/2020/5f2e53e59a794735aef75e53 |access-date=25 August 2020 |work=RBK Group |date=8 August 2020}}
• 20 November – {{ill|Theophanes (Ashurkov)|ru|Феофан (Ашурков)}}, 73, Metropolitan of Kazan' and Tatarstan

• 19 April – Alexander Vustin, 76, composer, COVID-19 (not proven){{cite web|title=В Москве скончался композитор Александр Вустин. Его друзья винят коронавирус | url=https://www.fontanka.ru/2020/04/19/69100843/ |publisher=Фонтанка | date=19 April 2020 | access-date=19 April 2020 | language=ru}}
• 26 May – Samvel Gasparov, 81, filmmaker, director{{cite web|url=https://www.intermedia.ru/news/347762 |title=Умер режиссер Самвел Гаспаров |publisher=Intermedia.ru |date=4 June 2020 |access-date=8 June 2020}}
• 20 September – {{ill|Mikhail Borisov|ru|Борисов, Михаил Борисович}}, 71, showman, actor, PhD in psychology, professor in Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute{{cite news |title=Ведущий "Русского лото" Михаил Борисов умер от коронавируса |url=https://rg.ru/2020/09/20/vedushchij-russkogo-loto-mihail-borisov-umer-ot-koronavirusa.html |access-date=20 September 2020 |agency=RG.RU |date=20 September 2020}}
• 29 October – Alexander Vedernikov, 56, conductor, music director and principal conductor of the Mikhailovsky Theatre (2019–2020), chief conductor of the Royal Danish Opera (2018–2020), chief conductor of the Odense Symphony Orchestra (2009–2018), music director of the Bolshoi Theatre (2001–2009){{cite web|title=Дирижер Александр Ведерников умер от коронавируса | url=https://tass.ru/obschestvo/9873943 |agency=TASS| date=30 October 2020 | access-date=31 October 2020 | language=ru}}
• 2 December – Boris Plotnikov, 71, actor{{cite news |title=Умер актер Борис Плотников |url=https://tass.ru/kultura/10149315 |access-date=2 December 2020 |agency=TASS |date=2 December 2020}}
• 18 December – {{ill|Roman Arbitman|ru|Арбитман, Роман Эмильевич}} (Lev Gursky), 58, fiction writer{{cite news |title=Умер писатель-фантаст Роман Арбитман |url=https://www.interfax.ru/russia/742086 |access-date=19 December 2020 |agency=Interfax |date=19 December 2020}}
• 2 January 2021 – Vladimir Korenev, 80, film and theatre actor, teacher, People's Artist of Russia{{cite news |title=Названа причина смерти Владимира Коренева |url=https://ria.ru/20210102/prichina-1591820135.html |access-date=2 January 2021 |agency=RIA Novosti |date=2 January 2021}}
• 14 January 2021 – Boris Grachevsky, 71, film director, screenwriter, artistic director of Yeralash, a Russian children's comedy TV show and magazine{{cite news |title=Умер Борис Грачевский|url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/14/01/2021/60009e989a7947732ed7af5c |access-date=15 January 2021 |publisher=RBK Group |date=14 January 2021}}
• 29 January 2021 – Vasily Lanovoy, 87, film and theatre actor, teacher, People's Artist of Russia{{cite news |title=Названа причина смерти Василия Ланового|url=https://ria.ru/20210129/lanovoy-1595057269.html |access-date=29 January 2021 |agency=R Novosti |date=29 January 2021}}

On 25 April 2020, it was reported that doctors had published and were updating a public list of colleagues who had died during the pandemic which, as of 19 November, has 838 names.{{Cite web |title=Список памяти |url=https://sites.google.com/view/covid-memory/home |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=sites.google.com |language=en-US}}{{cite web|url= https://ria.ru/20200425/1570567029.html|title= Российские врачи опубликовали список умерших от коронавируса коллег |trans-title=Russian medicals published a list of workmates who died of coronavirus |date=25 March 2020|agency=RIA Novosti |access-date=25 April 2020}}

• 16 May – Viktor Shudegov, 67, former member of the Federation Council and the State Duma, leader of A Just Russia party's regional office in Udmurtia{{cite news |title=Скончался Виктор Шудегов |url=https://udmurtia.spravedlivo.ru/005176106.html |access-date=16 May 2020 |work=A Just Russia |date=16 May 2020}}
• 26 May – Vladimir Lopukhin, 68, former Minister of Fuel and Energy of Russia (1991–1992){{cite news |title=Первый министр энергетики России умер от коронавируса |url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/26/05/2020/5ecce0189a7947137059f0b1 |access-date=26 May 2020 |work=RBK Group |date=26 May 2020}}
• 18 June – Mikhail Ignatyev, 58, former Head of the Chuvash Republic (2010–2020){{cite web |title=Экс-глава Чувашии Михаил Игнатьев умер от коронавируса |url=https://www.interfax.ru/russia/713807 |agency=Interfax |access-date=18 June 2020 |language=ru |date=18 June 2020}}
• 23 September – Vakha Agaev, 67, Member of the State Duma (2011–2020) from the Communist Party, left-wing politician, businessman, D.Sc. in Economics{{cite news |title=Депутат Госдумы Ваха Агаев умер от коронавируса |url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/23/09/2020/5f6b88c89a79470b1d6778fb |access-date=1 October 2020 |work=RBK Group |date=23 September 2020}}
• 29 October – Ulfat Mustafin, 61, Ufa mayor (2018–2020), city manager, PhD in engineering (concerning gas pipelines){{cite news |title=Мэр Уфы умер из-за осложнений после заражения коронавирусом|url=https://echo.msk.ru/news/2733316-echo.html |access-date=29 October 2020 |work=Echo of Moscow |date=29 October 2020}}
• 18 December – Valentin Shurchanov, 73, Member of the State Duma (1999–2020) from the Communist Party, left-wing politician, Secretary of Communist Party Central Committee (2009–2013){{cite news |title=Депутат Госдумы Валентин Шурчанов умер после заражения коронавирусом |url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/society/news/2020/12/18/851575-ot-koronavirusa-umer-deputat-gosdumi-valentin-shurchanov |access-date=19 December 2020 |work=Vedomosti |date=18 December 2020}}

• 7 April – Mishik Kazaryan, 72, physicist, professor, tested positive for COVID-19{{cite web | url = https://www.5-tv.ru/news/291222/fizik-kazaran-spolozitelnym-testom-nacovid19-umer-vmoskve/ | title = Физик Казарян с положительным тестом на COVID-19 умер в Москве | author = Ниса Мурзанаева | work = ТРК "Петербург" | date = 7 April 2020}}
• 12 May – Ernest Vinberg, 82, mathematician at Moscow State University{{cite web | url = https://nplus1.ru/blog/2020/05/15/vinberg | title = В калейдоскопе | work = N + 1 | date = 15 May 2020 |access-date=4 June 2020}}
• 30 November – Irina Antonova, 98, art historian, expert in Italian Renaissance art, Director of the Moscow's Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts (1961–2013){{cite news |title=Названа причина смерти Ирины Антоновой |url=https://ria.ru/20201201/prichina-1587135119.html |access-date=2 December 2020 |publisher=РИА Новости |date=2 December 2020}}
• 26 December – {{ill|William Schmidt (philosopher)|lt=William Schmidt|ru|Шмидт, Вильям Владимирович}}, 51, D.Litt. (Philosophy), professor of RANEPA, specialist in religious studies including philosophy and history of religion{{cite news |title=Коронавирус унес жизнь известного российского религиоведа профессора Вильяма Шмидта|url=https://credo.press/234888|access-date=27 December 2020 |publisher=Credo.Press|date=26 December 2020}}
• 15 January 2021 – Anatoly Vishnevsky, 85, D.Sc. (Economy), economist, demographer, writer, Director of the Higher School of Economics Institute of Demography since 2007{{cite news |title=Умер директор Института демографии ВШЭ Анатолий Вишневский|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4651805|access-date=16 January 2020 |publisher=Kommersant|date=15 January 2020}}

• 13 May – {{ill|Magomed Aliomarov|ru|Алиомаров, Магомед Алиомарович}}, 67, head coach of the Russian women's national wrestling team, former wrestler{{cite news |title=Мамиашвили: тренер сборной РФ по борьбе умер из-за болезни, вызванной коронавирусом |url=https://tass.ru/sport/8458239 |access-date=13 May 2020 |agency=TASS |date=13 May 2020}}
• 3 July – Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, 57, wrestling (freestyle & sambo) coach, father and personal coach of Khabib Nurmagomedov, a professional mixed martial artist{{cite news |title=Умер Абдулманап Нурмагомедов — отец бойца UFC Хабиба Нурмагомедова |url=https://meduza.io/news/2020/07/03/umer-abdulmanap-nurmagomedov-otets-boytsa-ufc-habiba-nurmagomedova |access-date=3 July 2020 |work=Meduza |date=3 July 2020}}

{{main|Statistics of the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia}}

The official national statistics include data by region. As of May 2020, some local governments were separately reporting their own data that differed from the national government's count.{{cite news|title=Coronavirus has devastated Moscow. Now it's spreading across Russia's 11 time zones to ill-funded regions|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/17/europe/russia-coronavirus-time-zones-intl/index.html|last=Hodge|first=Nathan|date=17 May 2020|publisher=CNN|access-date=17 May 2020}}

{{COVID-19 pandemic in Russia/Cumulative and daily charts}}

{{COVID-19 pandemic data/Russia medical cases by federal subject}}

[[File:COVID-19 outbreak total deaths per capita in Russia (Rosstat).svg|thumb|400px|Confirmed or probable COVID-19 deaths per million by federal subjects in April–November 2020, according to Rosstat.

{{Col-begin}}

{{Col-3}}

{{legend|#110a1e|2,000–5,000}}

{{legend|#402050|1,000–2,000}}

{{legend|#253494|500–1,000}}

{{Col-3}}

{{legend|#2c7fb8|200–500}}

{{legend|#41b6c4|100–200}}

{{Col-3}}

{{legend|#7fcdbb|50–100}}

{{legend|#c7e9b4|20–50}}

{{Col-end}}

]]

On 13 June, the Russian Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat) published data on natural population changes in April. 2,712 people with COVID-19 died during April across Russia, including 1,660 as the primary cause of death. According to daily updates of the Emergency Operations Center, there were only 1,162 deaths from COVID-19.{{cite news |title=Росстат: в апреле в России от COVID-19 умерли 1660 человек. Это значительно превышает данные из отчетов оперативного штаба |url=https://meduza.io/news/2020/06/13/rosstat-v-aprele-v-rossii-umerli-2712-chelovek-s-covid-19-eto-znachitelno-prevyshaet-dannye-iz-otchetov-operativnogo-shtaba |access-date=13 June 2020 |work=Meduza |date=13 June 2020}} Rosstat's published death toll includes both those where the virus was determined to the main cause of death, as well as where the main cause of death was determined to be something else. 1,270 deaths are where the virus was determined to be the main cause, 435 deaths where the virus had a "significant influence", 617 deaths where the virus was present but did not play a major role, and 390 deaths where the person tested negative but it was later determined to be the main cause of death. Officials including Tatiana Golikova said that the changes in the counting method follows WHO recommendations. She also said that the figures represent a 2.6% death rate among those infected, and that the death rate for May will be higher.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/06/13/russia-more-than-doubles-april-coronavirus-death-toll-a70564|title=Russia More Than Doubles April Coronavirus Death Toll|date=13 June 2020|website=The Moscow Times}}

Pavel Malkov, the head of Rosstat, said in an interview with RBK published on 23 June that the statistics agency had published a higher death toll for April because it receives more complete data than the national coronavirus crisis centre and that it has a different calculation methodology, saying that the agency receives data from the Civil Registry Office and deals with death certificates that can take up to 45 days to complete following testing while the crisis centre publishes operational data manually entered into the system. He also said that "one of the biggest secrets in statistics is that it's practically impossible to manipulate" and that "if we're talking about a qualitative indicator with a developed methodology, then any attempt to affect the final numbers by distorting the input data will become immediately evident".{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/06/23/coronavirus-deaths-spike-explained-by-methodology-russias-statistics-chief-says-a70666|title=Russia's Coronavirus Death Spike Explained by Methodology, Statistics Chief Says|date=23 June 2020|website=The Moscow Times}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/interview/economics/23/06/2020/5eeca0b09a7947c6ff6cdec5|title=Глава Росстата — РБК: "Манипулировать статистикой практически невозможно"|date=23 June 2020|website=rbc.ru}}

On 10 July, Rosstat published data which said that COVID-19 was confirmed or assumed to be the main cause of death for 7,444 people who died in May. An additional 5,008 people with a COVID-19 diagnosis were determined to have died from other diseases, with the virus being a catalyst for 1,530 of those deaths. The death toll reported by the coronavirus crisis centre for May was 3,633. The data also said that 172,914 people had died in Russia in May, an increase of more than 18,000 compared to the same month last year.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/07/10/new-figures-suggest-russias-coronavirus-death-toll-underreported-a70848|title=New Figures Suggest Russia's Coronavirus Death Toll Underreported|date=10 July 2020|website=The Moscow Times}}

On 7 August, Rosstat published mortality data for June which included 11,917 deaths for people with COVID-19, with the virus being determined or believed to have been the primary cause of death for 7,037 of them, with 1,589 without PCR verification.{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/economics/07/08/2020/5f2d290b9a79474ac2ef34e0|title=Росстат представил данные о смертности от COVID-19 за июнь|website=rbc.ru|date=7 August 2020 }}{{cite web|url=https://rosstat.gov.ru/folder/313/document/94975|title=Росстат представил данные о естественном движении населения в июне 2020 года|website=rosstat.gov.ru}} The total number of people with COVID-19 who died from April to June was therefore 27,411 according to Rosstat's data, with a death rate of 4.2% of confirmed cases.https://rosstat.gov.ru/storage/mediabank/dUhQs3DJ/edn06-2020.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811054238/https://rosstat.gov.ru/storage/mediabank/dUhQs3DJ/edn06-2020.htm |date=11 August 2020 }} Rosstat data for June 2020, May 2020, April 2020

On 4 September, Rosstat published mortality data for July which included 10,079 deaths for people with COVID-19, with the virus determined or suspected to have been the primary cause of death for 5,922 of them. The death toll reported by the national coronavirus crisis centre for July was 4,522. Rosstat's data also showed that 181,479 deaths were registered in July, the highest monthly number of deaths since August 2010, compared to an average of around 150,000 over the past five years.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/09/04/russia-records-30k-excess-deaths-in-july-most-month-fatalities-in-decade-a71354|title=Russia Records 30K Excess Deaths in July, Most Monthly Fatalities in Decade|website=The Moscow Times|date=4 September 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://zona.media/news/2020/09/04/covid-july|title=Росстат: в июле умерли больше 10 тысяч пациентов с коронавирусом|date=4 September 2020|website=Mediazona}}

On 2 October, Rosstat published mortality data for August which included 7,463 deaths for people with COVID-19, with the virus identified and determined to have been the main cause of death for 3,222 of them. The number of people with COVID-19 who died from April to August 2020 was 45,663 according to Rosstat's data.{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/economics/02/10/2020/5f771fd19a794716a5dce126|title=Число умерших с COVID-19 в России превысило 45 тыс. человек|website=rbc.ru|date=2 October 2020 }}

On 6 November, Rosstat published mortality data for September which included 9,798 deaths for people with COVID-19, with the virus identified and determined to have been the main cause of death for 4,329 of them. The number of people with COVID-19 who died from April to September 2020 was 55,671 according to Rosstat's data.{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/economics/06/11/2020/5fa4fa519a7947dc922c05b9|title=Число умерших с COVID-19 в России превысило 55 тыс. человек|website=rbc.ru|date=6 November 2020 }}

On 10 December, Rosstat published mortality data for October which included 22,571 deaths for people with COVID-19, with the virus identified and determined to have been the main case of death for 11,630 of them. The number of people with COVID-19 who died from April to October 2020 was therefore 78,623 according to Rosstat's data.{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/economics/10/12/2020/5fd204349a7947b8af8ef882|title=Смертность от COVID-19 в октябре стала рекордной с начала пандемии|website=rbc.ru|date=10 December 2020}} 47,000 more deaths in October were also recorded compared to the previous year.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/12/10/russia-records-almost-50k-excess-deaths-in-october-deadliest-month-yet-a72256|title=Russia Recorded Almost 50K Excess Deaths in October – Deadliest Month in Decade|date=10 December 2020|website=The Moscow Times}}

On 28 December, Rosstat published mortality data for November which included 35,645 deaths for people with COVID-19, with the virus identified or determined to have been the main cause of death for 19,626 of them.{{cite web|url=https://zona.media/news/2020/12/28/corona-november|title=Росстат: в ноябре умерли более 35 тысяч зараженных коронавирусом|website=Mediazona|date=28 December 2020}} 78,541 more deaths in November were also recorded compared to the previous year, an increase of 55.6%, while the national task force reported only 11,905 coronavirus deaths over the month. Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said that more than 80% of excess deaths were related to the coronavirus. In total, 230,000 more deaths were reported in 2020 compared to the previous year (including January–March).{{cite web|url=https://www.interfax.ru/russia/743338|title=Росстат сообщил о росте смертности в ноябре на 55% в годовом измерении|agency=Interfax|date=28 December 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/12/28/russias-mortality-hit-16-year-high-in-november-official-data-says-a72505|title=Russia's Mortality Hit 16-Year High in November, Official Data Says|website=The Moscow Times|date=28 December 2020}}

Rosstat data showed 116,030 deaths can be attributed directly to the coronavirus by 28 December 2020,{{cite news| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-russia-november/russia-reports-20-5-more-deaths-since-pandemic-state-statistics-service-idUSKBN29219D?il=0| title=Russia reports 20.5% more deaths since pandemic – state statistics service|work=Reuters | date=28 December 2020}} and over 200,000 by March 2021.{{cite news| url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-05/russia-covid-19-deaths-pass-200-000-as-epidemic-s-toll-grows| title=Russia Covid-19 Deaths Pass 200,000 as Epidemic's Toll Grows |work=Bloomberg|author=Anthony Halpin| date=5 March 2021| accessdate=6 March 2021}}{{cite news| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-russia-toll-idUSKCN2AX272| title=Russia's COVID-19 death toll surpasses 200,000: Rosstat| date=5 March 2021|work=Reuters | accessdate=6 March 2021}} On 2 April, the coronavirus related deaths enumerated 225,572 fatalities,{{cite news| work=Bloomberg| title=Russia Says February Covid-19 Toll Is Nearly Double Early Count |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-04-02/russia-says-february-covid-19-toll-is-nearly-double-early-count |author=Jake Rudnitsky| date=2 April 2021}} and over 316,000 by August 2021.{{cite news| work=Bloomberg| date=6 August 2021| title=Russia's June Covid Death Toll Jumped 43% as Vaccinations Lag |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-08-06/russia-s-june-covid-death-toll-jumped-43-as-vaccinations-lag| author=Torrey Clark}}

On 28 May, Moscow's health department said that the death toll for the city for April was 1,561 using a new methodology, where originally it was 636. It said that this included 756 people diagnosed with the virus but determined to have died of other causes and 169 people who tested negative but were suspected to have had the virus. The official death toll for the city or country had not been revised.{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/en/news/2020/05/27/russia-s-health-ministry-wants-to-stop-counting-coronavirus-patients-without-complaints|title=Russia's Health Ministry wants to stop counting coronavirus patients 'without complaints'|website=Meduza|date=27 May 2020}}

On 3 June, the city of St. Petersburg reported a 32% higher death rate in May compared to the previous year. The city government said that 6,427 death certificates were issued, compared to 4,875 the previous year. For the same month, the official coronavirus death toll was 171 people.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-corovavirus-russia-stpetersbur/russian-city-of-st-petersburg-reports-spike-in-deaths-in-may-amid-covid-19-outbreak-idUSKBN23A2H1|title=Russian city of St. Petersburg reports spike in deaths in May amid COVID-19 outbreak|date=3 June 2020|work=Reuters}}

On 10 June, Moscow's health department increased the city's coronavirus death toll from 1,895 to 5,260 for May. It said that "COVID-19 as a main or an accompanying cause of death was registered in 5,260 cases". It also said that the difference was due to changes made by the Health Ministry in the approach of counting deaths, saying that "new recommendations allowed us to improve the calculation of cases where COVID was the main cause of the death and of those where it became, with a high degree of probability, a catalyst...for other illnesses".{{cite news|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-moscow/moscow-raises-may-coronavirus-death-toll-by-3365-idUKKBN23H1SE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610181926/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-moscow/moscow-raises-may-coronavirus-death-toll-by-3365-idUKKBN23H1SE|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 June 2020|title=Moscow raises May coronavirus death toll by 3,365|work=Reuters|date=10 June 2020}}

In March 2020, there was some scepticism about the accuracy of Russia's reported infection figures. Anastasia Vasilyeva, leader of the Doctors' Alliance organisation loosely aligned to the Russian opposition and doctor for opposition figure Alexei Navalny, made a series of videos accusing the authorities of concealing the true number of coronavirus cases by using pneumonia and acute respiratory infection as a diagnosis instead. Health officials rejected the allegation. The WHO's representative to Russia, Dr. Vujnovic, expressed scepticism at the allegation. President Putin later addressed concerns about statistics, saying that the government is not covering up the number of cases, though might not have the full picture.{{cite news |author=Mary Ilyushina |title=Why does Russia, population 146 million, have fewer coronavirus cases than Luxembourg? |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/21/europe/putin-coronavirus-russia-intl/index.html |access-date=22 March 2020 |publisher=CNN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322030913/https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/21/europe/putin-coronavirus-russia-intl/index.html |archive-date=22 March 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Russia's low infection numbers viewed skeptically |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/coronavirus-russia-s-low-infection-numbers-viewed-skeptically-n1166101 |access-date=22 March 2020 |publisher=NBC News |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322210125/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/coronavirus-russia-s-low-infection-numbers-viewed-skeptically-n1166101 |archive-date=22 March 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/en/news/2020/03/24/moscow-s-mayor-warns-putin-that-regional-officials-don-t-understand-coronavirus-risks-and-says-low-levels-of-testing-could-explain-russia-s-small-number-of-confirmed-cases|title=Moscow's mayor warns Putin that regional officials don't understand coronavirus risks and says low levels of testing could explain Russia's small number of confirmed cases|website=Meduza|date=24 March 2020|access-date=24 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324172633/https://meduza.io/en/news/2020/03/24/moscow-s-mayor-warns-putin-that-regional-officials-don-t-understand-coronavirus-risks-and-says-low-levels-of-testing-could-explain-russia-s-small-number-of-confirmed-cases|archive-date=24 March 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/03/27/russias-coronavirus-cases-surpass-1000-in-biggest-one-day-jump-a69710|title=Russia's Coronavirus Cases Surpass 1,000 in Biggest One-Day Jump|website=The Moscow Times|date=27 March 2020|access-date=27 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327215426/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/03/27/russias-coronavirus-cases-surpass-1000-in-biggest-one-day-jump-a69710|archive-date=27 March 2020|url-status=live}} Analysis of the statistical properties of the official Russian daily infection counts found that the preferred noise model of the Russian data through to May 2021 was sub-Poissonian, with a factor of about 10 to 100 less noise than for other countries with similarly high infection counts, and the fourth lowest 28-day noise level out of 78 countries.{{cite journal | last1 = Roukema | first1 = Boudewijn F. | author1-link = | title = Anti-clustering in the national SARS-CoV-2 daily infection counts | journal = PeerJ | volume = 9 | pages = e11856 | date = 2021-08-27 | issn = 2167-8359 | doi = 10.7717/peerj.11856 | pmid = 34532156 | pmc = 8404575 | id = {{zenodo|5262698}} |arxiv=2007.11779 | bibcode = 2021PeerJ...911856R | doi-access = free }}

In May 2020, as Russia's mortality rate was much lower compared to other hard-hit countries, a number of media outlets including the Financial Times and New York Times said that the number of deaths in the country may have been under-reported, based on a spike in mortality rates officially reported in Moscow where approximately 1,800 more deaths were registered in April compared to the monthly average, while the Financial Times noted a similar surge in St. Petersburg, concluding that there could be around 70% more deaths than reported.{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/12c8f559a4ec43f72035e6d1ca58271a|title=Russia slams New York Times, Financial Times on virus deaths|date=14 May 2020|work=Associated Press}} The reported excess deaths were considerably smaller compared to other hard-hit areas in other countries.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-52659481|title=Coronavirus: Is Putin rushing Russia out of lockdown?|website=BBC News|date=15 May 2020}} Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the reports "disinformation" and said that letters demanding a retraction would be sent. Moscow's health department rejected the media reports, saying that autopsies were being conducted in all suspected coronavirus deaths, which was why "post-mortem diagnoses in Moscow and causes of death, in the end, are exceedingly accurate, and the mortality data absolutely transparent". It said that over 60% of deaths in the city with suspected coronavirus infections were ascribed to other causes. The World Health Organization's guidelines on reporting deaths, issued in mid-April, states that "deaths due to COVID-19" should be considered as such "unless there is a clear alternative cause of death that cannot be related to COVID disease." The Federal State Statistics Service's counting process runs contrary to the WHO's guidelines.

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Russian media have reported contradictory policy of Russia Today, whose Russian-language edition in 2021 started an intensive campaign in support for COVID-19 vaccination, while at the same time other language versions (German, Spanish, English etc.) run equally aggressive campaign against these vaccinations, sharing anti-vaccination misinformation targeted at these audiences.{{Cite web|title=В России RT агрессивно пропагандирует вакцинацию, ведущие канала называют ее противников "имбецилами". Зато на Западе канал стал рупором отрицателей ковида Как это устроено. Исследование "Медузы"|url=https://meduza.io/feature/2021/11/09/v-rossii-rt-agressivno-propagandiruet-vaktsinatsiyu-veduschie-kanala-nazyvayut-ee-protivnikov-imbetsilami-zato-na-zapade-kanal-stal-ruporom-otritsateley-kovida|access-date=2021-11-11|website=Meduza|language=ru}} Lybov Sobol and other journalists pointed out even if RT leadership believes these news streams are targeted at separate audiences, Russian anti-vaccination community is promptly picking up stories published in foreign RT editions and translates them back into Russian and uses for domestic anti-vaccine propaganda.{{Citation|title=Как Маргарита Симоньян убивает россиян| date=8 November 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVywXZivpgQ|language=en|access-date=2021-11-11}}

In June 2021 Deputy Digital Development Minister Oleg Kachanov quoted data from official record of recoveries in the context of its integration with database used for issuance of "COVID passport" certificates, and the database had 9 million recoveries recorded, which was almost twice as the official case statistics (5 million) at that time.{{Cite web|title=Russia's vaccination certificates reveal COVID-19 numbers up to five times higher than official statistics|url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2021/07/21/russia-s-vaccination-certificates-reveal-covid-19-numbers-up-to-five-times-higher-than-official-statistics|access-date=2021-07-28|website=Meduza|language=en}}

Further analysis of crowdsourced recovery certificate numbers (which were sequentially numbered) by physicist Sergey Shpilkin indicated that the total number of recoveries in the register exceeds 29 millions, which is 4.5x higher than the official number of cases from the beginning of pandemics (6 million).

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• {{cite web |url=https://coronavirus-global.com/russia |title=Coronavirus Russia updates and news |trans-title=Latest news and statistics of coronavirus in Russia. |access-date=4 April 2020 |language=en, ru |archive-date=8 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408085649/https://coronavirus-global.com/russia/ |url-status=dead }}
• {{cite web |url=https://region63.info/covid-19 |title=Статистика распространения коронавируса в России и мире |trans-title=Statistics on the spread of coronavirus in Russia and the world |language=ru |access-date=3 May 2020 |archive-date=28 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928230309/https://region63.info/covid-19 |url-status=dead }}
• Wikiversity:COVID-19/All-cause deaths/Russia

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