There are fears an oxygen supply shortage could hit Russia, following a surge in coronavirus infections

Authorities have moved to suspend space rocket test-firing in a bid to preserve precious oxygen supplies as COVID-19 cases surge.

The news comes as the nation recorded its biggest daily spike in new coronavirus infections on Saturday, with an additional 28,000 positive cases and 962 deaths.

The suspension will occur for at least the next month with a top space official confirming the news.

The head of Russia’s space agency says “in view of growing demand for medical oxygen to treat the sick, today we decided to suspend test firing rocket engines”.

The Kremlin is blaming the high spike in new cases and deaths on the slow progress of the national vaccination rollout.

Russia has approved at least five domestically developed Covid-19 vaccines, but its vaccination drive has stalled at under 30% of the population, according to the independent Gogov monitor.