Russian president criticized the fake news about spreading coronavirus in his country, saying baseless reports about the matter are being organized and published from abroad.

Iran Press/Europe: Fake news reports about the novel coronavirus spreading in Russia are being directed from abroad, President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday at a government meeting.

He told ministers the country's FSB security service had reported him that false information was being planted to create panic, while in reality, the situation is not critical.

He said Russia had to fight this trend by releasing "timely and trustworthy information."

The novel coronavirus (Covid-19) is spreading fast. More than 93,000 people are known to be infected, nearly 3,200 deaths have been recorded.

The bulk of cases and fatalities have been confined to China, but the virus is spreading internationally.

205/209

Read more:

Trump blames Coronavirus on Obama

Iranian, Swiss FMs discuss ways to combat coronavirus