Over 186,000 Russians Have Died From COVID-19

Drew Fossen

Health

1st January 2021

Over 186,000 Russians Have Died From COVID-19

COVID fatalities are more than three times higher than previously reported (Getty Images).

The Claim

55,265 Russians have died from COVID-19.

News posted on

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Emerging story

Russia has reported 55,265 deaths from COVID-19. On social media, an article is spreading suggesting that in fact more Russians have died than is being reported.

Twitter users are sharing this story with a lack of surprise and are asking to check the numbers of China as well.

Misbar’s Analysis

Misbar’s investigation found the original death count of 55,265 to be fake.

On December 28, 2020, Russia admitted that its coronavirus death toll was more than three times higher than it had previously reported.

According to the Rosstat statistics agency, “the number of deaths from all causes recorded between January and November had risen by 229,700 compared with the previous year.”

Deputy prime minister Tatiana Golikova added, “more than 81% of this increase in mortality over this period is due to COVID,” meaning that more than 186,000 Russians have died from COVID-19.

As of December 31st, Russia has reported 57,019 COVID-19 deaths.

Based off the previous report, Russia had the 4th most confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the world (3.1m), while suffering from the 8th most deaths. An estimated 186,000 deaths would put Russia 3rd in total COVID deaths worldwide.