Oilmen forced to stop work after being trapped in 'horseshoe' of burning taiga, as pall of smoke smothers Irkutsk region where state of emergency imposed.

Lena Pillars, a World Heritage Site, hit by the rampant flames, as calls grow for greater efforts to tackle infernos.

Both Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund are expressing grave concern at the risk of contamination in the Pechora Sea.

With smoke having blown as far as the US and Canada, experts now say 'the trend is positive' in controlling fires raging from the Urals to the Pacific.

Historic cities of Krasnoyarsk and Irkutsk ideal to connect country to buoyant Asian markets.

Adventurers from Irkutsk's A1team spruce up the giant lake's shoreline, before showcasing its stunning scenery - and ancient rock paintings.

Instagrammers still find a way - driving over fields of grass, wild cannabis and nettles to reach turquoise waters despite ‘dangers to health’.

Found in Kamchatka's Valley of the Geysers, it promises a scientific breakthrough, say experts.

Can the world's oldest and deepest lake finally realise its potential as a world class venue?

Is increased tourism, or a normal natural cycle, to blame for the rapid growth of spirogyra to 50% of the coastline?