title: A (Cold) War for Vaccines
abstract: In August 2020, Vladimir Putin proudly reported “the world’s first-registered vaccine against the new Corona-virus”. Developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, it received the brand name “Sputnik V,” a nod to the pioneering Sputnik-1 satellite launched by the Soviets in 1957. The period following the announcement saw a steady outpouring of allegations leveled by, and at, Russia. Western governments and media outlets frequently denounced the Russian spread of f