Moscow's mayor says the city would give away free cars in a prize draw for residents who get the COVID-19 shot in an effort to speed up the sluggish rate of vaccinations amid surging coronavirus cases.

Russian scientists find the Sputnik V vaccine 97.6% effective against COVID-19 in a "real-world" assessment based on data from 3.8 million people.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he expected Russia to reach herd immunity to coronavirus and lift pandemic-related restrictions by the end of summer.

The Kremlin and the Russian developer of the COVID-19 vaccine have hit back at the French president over his remarks that Russia and China seek to “weaponize” their jabs against the EU.

The German health minister says he would be in favor of purchasing Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine for COVID-19.

Iran and Russia are to launch a joint production line for Sputnik V vaccine this month.

Iran has unveiled a mobile field hospital, especially designed for COVID-19 patients.