Russia has reported a record 1,028 Covid deaths in a single day, with President Vladimir Putin expected to introduce new nationwide restrictions in Europe's worst affected country, reports AFP.

The new figures bring Russia's official death toll to 226,353 — the highest in the continent even as authorities have been accused of vastly downplaying the severity of the pandemic.

The country has also recorded 34,074 new virus cases, according to an official tally.

Meanwhile, Putin is expected to rule on a government proposal to introduce a nationwide week-long holiday at the end of the month to curb the spread of the virus.