Russian medical workers say coronavirus is ravaging their ranks. But hospital chiefs are silent.

Moscow — When a Russian intensive care doctor spoke out last month about the lack of protective gear and ventilators, she was summoned by police and threatened with charges for spreading "fake news," an offense that carries up to five years in prison.

Russia’s hierarchy of fear — from the president down to head doctors in hospitals — appears to be stepping up its intimidation against anyone speaking out about shortages and infections in health-care ranks as the coronavirus pandemic expands across the country.