First, what they agree on. There is no doubt that vodka sales have sharply risen in Russia since Vladimir Putin called a national “non-working” holiday last week to combat the spread of Covid-19.
However, two of Russia’s most prominent public figures disagree on the reason behind the sudden renewed interest in the hard stuff. Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko insists Russians are buying vodka for external use and not because “they began to drink more.” She says the purchases are to make antiseptic at home, due to a shortage in supermarkets and drugstores.
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