Moscow landmarks lost in smoky gloom

A THICK blanket of acrid smoke from forest and peat bog fires hung over the Russian capital yesterday, obscuring from view some of Moscow’s most famous landmarks and raising the carbon monoxide level as much as 2.7 times above normal.

Flights at two Moscow airports were disrupted for several hours as the thick smog reduced visibility.

Tourists visiting Red Square held paper masks over their mouths, and struggled to make out the Kremlin’s golden cupolas through the fog-like smoke.