Many Russian medical institutions, particularly in the regions, face a chronic and catastrophic shortage of basic medical supplies, such as protective clothing and masks as well as medicines and ventilators. Despite this, Russia delivered 600 ventilators to Italy in March as well as 60 tons of medical supplies to the US in early April, which included ventilators, masks, respirators and protective equipment. Dr Anastasia Vasilyeva, a former ophthalmologist and a founding member of the Doctors’ Alliance trade union, told Express.co.uk: “We are really suffering from this lack of equipment and protection, medical staff.