Greenpeace claim authorities underestimate the scale of destruction, amid warnings of lack of resources to fight fires. 

Greenpeace is demanding the Russian government blocks a major Gazprom link to Shanghai across one of Siberia's most sacred wildernesses.

Ecology groups warn that the extent of fires in forests and taiga has been misreported by up to 159 times compared with satellite evidence of the grim facts.

Or is it too expensive to put the environment before the need for energy?

New shipping link symbolises developing Arctic economy which can avoid eco-damage, says Putin.

Pro-Kremlin eco-groups echo Greenpeace concerns by highlighting burning of forests which do not appear in government reports.

Natural causes, or linked to oil and gas exploitation?

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.

Fresh water supply crisis looms in parts of Siberia as critics accuse hydroelectric firm of 'excessive drainage' from lake.