The screenshot of an article which mentions that Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the destruction of all COVID-19 vaccines in the country is going viral. Several users had also added the link to the article in the caption.
An archive of the post can be seen here.
(Source: Twitter/Screenshot)
(Archives of similar claims can be found here, here, and here.)
Are these claims true?: No, there is no evidence to prove that Putin issues such an order. Furthermore, the article going viral was published on 4 March on a website called 'Real Raw News'. The website's "about us" section mentions that it contains humour, parody, and satirical content.
The website carries a disclaimer in the"about us" section.
(Source: Real Raw News/Screenshot)
Ironically...: On 4 March, TASS - a Russian news agency - published a report which mentioned a press release from the Ministry of Health.
It said that batches of Sputnik V vaccines had been sent to Moscow and other regions. However, the other regions were not specified.
The press release also said that the vaccine protects against COVID-19. It mentioned, "Vaccination and timely revaccination are especially relevant for people over 60 and people with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular, diabetes and others."
The report was published on 4 March, the same day as the viral article.
(Source: TASS/Screenshot)
No such order is available in the public domain: We checked the official website of the Kremlin but did not come across any such order that directed the destruction of COVID-19 vaccines.
Further, no credible news reports were available which talked about such an order from the Russian President.
Conclusion: A fabricated article from a website which publishes "satire, parody, and humour" content is being shared to claim that the Russian President has ordered the destruction of all COVID-19 vaccines in the country.
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