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Seven more people have died in Russia's capital, Moscow, as Arctic temperatures continue to grip the country.

The deaths happened overnight and were caused by exposure to temperatures as low as minus 31C, officials said.

More than 30 people across Russia have died since Tuesday, in the coldest weather to affect the country in more than 25 years.

Energy consumption has hit new highs as Russia struggled to keep warm in the severe winter conditions.

"The Moscow energy system has never sustained such a load," said Anatoly Chubais, chief executive of the state electricity monopoly, the Unified Energy system.


Russian policeman outside the Kremlin

In pictures: Russian freeze
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Many schools and businesses remained shut, electrical billboards turned off, cars were unable to start and trolley buses put out of action by snapped cables.

On Friday, it was a few degrees warmer in the capital, but forecasters have said the respite will be brief and another cold spell is on its way, the BBC's Emma Simpson in Moscow reports.

A number of European countries have reported drops in the level of their gas supplies from Russia.

'Brandy cure'

One zoo near Moscow has meanwhile come up with another way of beating the cold, our correspondent says.

She says that Russian media have reported that some of the monkey will be given wine three times a day for protection against the elements.

A performing lion is already being rubbed all over in brandy to cure a case of pneumonia, reports say.

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