Putin calls for boost in resources to cope with emergencies in Siberia and the Far East

Putin's demand came in a speech devoted to improvements needed in Russia's military organisation in the period to 2020.

'The Emergencies Ministry must have greater possibilities for rapid and effective action in any part of Russia and around the world,' he said.

'This involves developing regional groups with air transport at their disposal, and fire and rescue brigades. We need to substantially bolster the emergencies units in Siberia and the Far East, including for being able to respond to emergency situations in the Asia-Pacific region.'

The Kremlin leader did not specify the types of emergencies he had in mind but Siberia and the Far East in recent summers suffered raging wild fires which have stretched the capabilities of the emergency services and at times required assistance from the Defence Ministry, with air power flown in from Moscow.

There have been cases, too, of criticisms in the speed of response to air accidents and sea emergencies off the Pacific coast of eastern Russia.