As of 6PM Tuesday, for the first time in the world, a vaccine against the new coronavirus was registered in Russia, he said during a televised video conference call with government ministers.

Putin emphasized that the vaccine underwent the necessary tests and has proven efficient, offering a lasting immunity from coronavirus. Russia will reportedly begin producing the vaccine soon and already has plans for a massive, country-wide vaccine drive, he added.

Russian health minister Mikhail Murashko earlier said clinical trials of a coronavirus vaccine candidate from the Moscow-based Gamaleya Institute were complete.