<p><br /> The US, Germany and France have asked citizens to avoid travel to Moscow as Russia struggles to battle wildfires which have claimed 52 lives and choked the capital.<br /> </p><p><br /> Germany closed its embassy until further notice and advised citizens against "non-essential" travel to the affected regions. The US State Department asked nationals to seriously review travel plans.<br /> </p><p><br /> The French foreign ministry also asked citizens to avoid travel to nine affected regions and announced it was sending experts to determine "the most adequate aid" it could offer.<br /> </p><p><br /> Moscow's iconic landmarks such as the spires of the Kremlin towers or the onion domes of Orthodox churches were rendered invisible as a heavy smog hung over the city after the worst heatwave in decades broke out in July.<br /> </p><p><br /> President Dmitry Medvedev called on Moscovites to show patience, although he acknowledged "we're suffocating, you can't breathe".<br /> </p><p><br /> "We all want this heatwave to pass but this is not in our hands, it is decided above." Medvedev said.<br /> </p>
