Putin sacks forestry chief

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin yesterday sacked Russia's forestry agency chief, who was criticised over the failure to prevent the summer's devastating wildfires.

Mr Putin dismissed Rosleskhoz head Alexei Savinov and replaced him with his deputy, Viktor Maslyakov. The Prime Minister has criticised the agency for failing to efficiently use government funds allocated for fire prevention.

A heat wave has triggered thousands of wildfires in Russia, killing 50 people.