Putin warns of "extraordinary" scenarios as Russia COVID-19 cases surge

President Vladimir Putin warned Russian officials to prepare for "extraordinary" scenarios as the nation faces a worsening coronavirus crisis, with Moscow implementing stricter lockdown measures and reporting record daily infections.

Putin emphasized that the upcoming weeks are crucial for Russia's battle against the virus, stating the situation is evolving daily and not for the better.

He directed officials to consider all potential developments, even the most challenging and unusual ones, and to address shortages of protective equipment for medical personnel.

Moscow has begun issuing digital travel permits to enforce lockdown rules, with over 800,000 passes issued ahead of the system's official launch, though it faced technical glitches and hacking attempts.

The digital permit system, which assigns a unique code for travel, will be checked by police patrols, with fines for violations, although certain personnel like armed forces and journalists are exempt.

Hospitals in Moscow are nearing their capacity due to the increasing number of COVID-19 patients.

Russia reported its highest daily increase with 2,558 new infections, bringing the total to 18,328 cases and 148 deaths, though actual figures are presumed to be higher.

Moscow, with over 12 million residents, is the epicenter of the outbreak in Russia, accounting for 11,513 cases and 82 deaths.