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.

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.

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.

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.

President Dmitry Medvedev called on Moscovites to show patience, although he acknowledged "we're suffocating, you can't breathe".

"We all want this heatwave to pass but this is not in our hands, it is decided above." Medvedev said.