The Kremlin has blamed a surge in Covid-19 cases on reluctance to get vaccinated due to "nihilism" after a record 9,000 new infections in the capital city fanned fears of a third wave.

Russia has reported 17,262 new coronavirus infections nationwide.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin was monitoring the situation closely.

Asked to explain the surge in cases Peskov blamed the virus's "cunning nature", a reference to its mutations, as well as "total nihilism, and the low vaccination level".

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