Following the wildfires that have hit Volgograd Region and neighbouring areas Dmitry Medvedev instructed Prosecutor General Yury Chaika to carry out investigations into municipal and regional authorities’ preparedness for fire-fighting efforts.

The President spoke by telephone with the heads of the affected regions and Emergency Situations Minister Sergei Shoigu. Mr Shoigu briefed the President on the firefighting and relief efforts.

Dmitry Medvedev was briefed on the current situation in Volgograd Region, where dozens of homes have burned down in grass fires.

Dmitry Medvedev issued instructions to the Government Cabinet, the Accounts Chamber and the government of the Volgograd Region, following an investigation conducted by the General Prosecutor's Office and the Presidential Control Directorate which revealed shortages in performance of the federal executive authorities and the government of the Volgograd Region in overseeing engineering, construction and operation of a new bridge across the Volga River.