Russia on Sunday reported a record daily rise in coronavirus infections, as the handling of the outbreak begins to weigh down President Vladimir Putin’s popularity. According to the government’s daily update, 10,633 new infections were reported in the 24 hours to Sunday, bringing the country’s total to more than 134,000. As some European countries start to gradually lift restrictions, Russia is now the European country registering the most new infections each day. Residents in Moscow – the epicentre of the contagion – are being urged to stay home despite glorious weather. But the economic fallout from a five-week lockdown, combined with record-low prices for oil – the backbone of the national economy – is taking its toll, and frustration with Mr Putin’s response is mounting.
