Eighteen people died in Moscow's ponds and rivers yesterday as the city swelteredthrough a heat wave.
Since the beginning of the swimming season at the start of June, a total of 211 people have drowned in Moscow, including 160 this month, the city's ambulance service said.
For more than a week, temperatures have soared daily into the high 30s centigrade.
Drownings are frequent summertime occurrences in Russia, as people take to rivers, ponds, and reservoirs in order to cool off.
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Factors include drunkenness, absence of lifeguards or rules at impromptu swimming sites - and lack of swimming or safety instruction.
AP