WASHINGTON, February 23. /TASS/. The Russian Embassy in the United States is flying its flag at half-mast in Washington, D.C. in solidarity with the US mourning of those who died from COVID-19.

"Today our flag flies at half-mast as a sign of solidarity with the American people mourning the loss of more than 500,000 lives claimed by #COVID19 pandemics," the Embassy wrote on its Twitter account.

The Russian flag was also flown at half-mast on the premises of the Russian diplomatic mission on occasion of the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The death toll from COVID-19 in the United States has surpassed 500,000, said the Johns Hopkins University, which relies on data provided by international organizations, federal and local authorities. According to the latest data, as many as 28,174,133 people have contracted COVID-19 in the US and 500,071 people have died.