The BBC's new drama about the international underworld has corrupt Russian families at its core.

The characters in McMafia move in a world rife with prostitution, people trafficking and contract killings.

But the BBC has been criticised by the Russians themselves - who say the programme is a cliched and inaccurate portrayal of their contribution to Britain.

The Russian embassy's Twitter account said the drama "depicts Britain as a playground for Russian gangsters" and asked followers to guess how many Russian offenders are currently in UK prisons.

Almost 60 per cent of voters correctly guessed the embassy's answer was "fewer than 10".

It said: "Crime rate among Russians in UK is well below national average. Good that our followers are not buying into the cliches BBC is spreading."

The BBC declined to comment on the claim.