Russia recorded nearly 30,000 more cases and more than 600 deaths, a record high as officials avoided a nationwide blockade.

Russian health officials today reported 29,935 new cases of Covid-19, bringing the country's total number to 2,963,688, the fourth highest in the world.

Russia's mortality rate is much lower than that of other severely affected countries, raising fears that officials could lower the size of the outbreak.

Officials on December 23 also noted that new infections rose to a record in the Moscow capital, the country's epidemic.

The new figures are released in the context of Russian officials repeatedly saying that the country does not need to re-impose a national blockade as it did when the pandemic started earlier this year.

"If we follow the rules and requirements of the health regulator, we don't need any blockade," Putin said.

Although strict restrictions have been imposed in some major cities, regional governments have not taken drastic measures to require masks in public and reduce crowds.

However, many Russians still follow the rules of social distance and wear masks.

Russia is currently hoping for the Sputnik V vaccine that it produces itself.

Health officials said last week more than 12,000 people had been vaccinated since early December in Moscow, a city of about 12 million.