The Russian Ministry for Emergencies says hundreds of wildfires are ablaze across the country - from the Pacific Far Eastern forests to regions near Moscow.

The situation is especially critical in the Vladimir and Ivanovo regions, about 200km (125 miles) east of Moscow.

Fires have also spread across Yakutiya, Kamchatka and Nizhniy Novgorod.

Correspondents say a national heatwave and incidents of arson have been blamed for the spate of wildfires.

More than 5,000 Russians are reported to have been mobilised to tackle the fires.