Posts Spread Unfounded Claims About Russia’s Use of COVID-19 Vaccines

Russia developed a COVID-19 vaccine, Sputnik V, in 2020. President Vladimir Putin has said he received three doses of the vaccine, and the government continues to urge Russians to get vaccinated against the disease. But social media posts falsely claimed Putin “ordered the destruction of all” COVID-19 vaccine stockpiles in Russia.

Russia was quick to develop its own COVID-19 vaccine — named Sputnik V — and begin administering first doses to Russians in late 2020.

Russia then used Sputnik V as a tool of diplomacy, signing agreements to distribute 700 million doses globally. The Kremlin and...