Russia has reported a record 1,028 Covid deaths in a single day, with President Vladimir Putin expected to introduce new nationwide restrictions in Europe's worst affected country.
The new figures bring Russia's official death toll to 226,353 - the highest on the continent even as authorities have been accused of vastly downplaying the severity of the pandemic.
The country also recorded 34,074 new virus cases, according to an official tally. Infection rates have soared in recent weeks amid a stalled vaccination programme, with only 35% of the country fully innoculated.
Mr Putin is expected later today to rule on a government proposal to introduce a nationwide week-long holiday at the end of the month to curb the spread of the virus.