The Russian vaccine Sputnik V is effective against a new strain of coronavirus found in the UK, Kirill Dmitriev, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said. Earlier today, the Gamaleya Center, the British company AstraZeneca, RDIF and the R-Pharm company have signed a memorandum of cooperation in the fight against coronavirus. “We also confirm that, according to our information, Sputnik V is highly effective against a new virus mutation found in Europe. It is just as effective against it as against existing strains,”  Mr. Dmitriev said at the ceremony of signing a memorandum of cooperation (quoted by TASS). A more contagious species of COVID-19 was discovered in the UK late last week. The Republic of South Africa has also reported a new mutation. WHO has called on countries to take action to stop the spread of the COVID-19 mutation.