Many residents have refused to leave their homes because of the worst flooding since records began.

The Russian president spoke after flying over devastated settlements, and fields were crops have been destroyed.

Emergencies minister Vladimir Puchkov vows: 'We will defend both the city and the factories'.

People begin to mop up their waterlogged homes: but what about the 'abandoned' dogs and cats?

At least 30,000 homes are hit by flooding in Amur region, with Vladimir Putin ordering more emergency aid to stricken people.

Flooding now covers an area almost as large as France, Germany and Britain combined, or close to the equivalent of Texas and California.

Damage from wave of floods already labelled 'catastrophic' with worse to come as Russian president Vladimir Putin demands: 'Put people first'.

More than 20,000 residents were moved as rivers burst their banks with forecasts of worsening flooding later this week.

More flooding misery due to burst dam as experts say the cause is global warming.

Pet Druzhok was evacuated but swam back to stand on the doorstep of his waterlogged house, holding back the tide.