Russia recorded 1,002 deaths and 33,000 new infections on Saturday, and their fatalities from Covid are now standing at 222,315, making Russia have the highest toll in all of Europe.

According to official statistics published, this statistics sets a high for both fatalities and cases for the third day in a row. The Kremlin avoided re-introducing strict restrictions because it says they needed to keep the economy working, despite calling the vaccination rate unacceptably low, with many people still being vaccine-skeptic.

Up to date only 32 percent of Russians have fully vaccinated, while more than half of Russians do not plan to get a shot. Health Minister Mikhail Murashko has blamed Russians for the growing outbreak saying they are not taking up vaccination,

While Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said everything had been done to give the public the chance to “save their lives by getting vaccinated. In a situation where infections are growing, it is necessary to continue to explain to people that they must get vaccinated. It is irresponsible not to get vaccinated. It kills.” Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said