FIRES have scorched forests contaminated with radiation from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, a Russian forestry official said yesterday, but it was unclear what danger the smoke from such wildfires could pose.

Two Russian air force jets rehearsing aerobatic manoeuvres collided today near Moscow, killing one stunt pilot and sending one fighter crashing into nearby holiday homes, a military official said.

A bus packed with passengers going from Moscow to a neighbouring region overturned outside the capital early today, killing six people and injuring 20.