Wildfires scorch forests in parts of Russia

Different Russian regions have been hit by the spread of wildfires amid a heatwave, according to a report from Russian state broadcaster, RTR.

Russia's Emergencies ministry says the total area of forest hit by fires in Tyumen region has reached more than 60 thousand hectares (over 148 thousand acres).

Emergency teams were also engaged clearing breaks in woodland to prevent the fires from spreading.

Forest fires have burnt several houses in Mayna in the Ulyanovsk region.

Alexey Russkikh , the acting governor of the Ulyanovsk region, told RTR there hadn't been any casualties.

Russia's hydrometeorological centre has warned that a temperature increase is expected in different regions at the beginning of this week, and the average temperature in central Russia and Siberia could reach 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit).