Four soldiers have been charged with stealing credit cards from the wreckage of the plane crash that killed Kaczynski and 95 others (AP)

Emergency ministry workers search through the wreckage of the Polish presidential plane in Smolensk, Russia (AP)

Four Russian soldiers have been charged with stealing bank cards from the wreckage of the plane crash that killed Polish President Lech Kaczynski and 95 others.

They used at least one of the cards to withdraw 60,345 roubles (about £1,500).

"The four suspects have admitted their guilt and are actively co-operating with investigators," an investigative committee said.

Poles have reacted with shock and outrage that people would try to profit from a crash that has deeply shaken the nation, and is widely considered the country's worst tragedy since the Second World War. The Super Express tabloid condemned the thieves as "hyenas."

The theft also raises doubts in Poland about whether all procedures were followed in securing the crash site - and it risks straining the good working relationship formed between Russians and Poles in the aftermath of the crash.

The soldiers were attached to the airport in the western Russian city of Smolensk, where the plane carrying Mr Kaczynski crashed on April 10. The president was leading a high-ranking delegation to a memorial ceremony for Polish prisoners of war massacred by Soviet secret police at the start of the Second World War.

Polish officials said that the money was withdrawn using a card that belonged to Andrzej Przewoznik, a prominent official who oversaw Poland's wartime memorials. They said the thieves failed to obtain cash from another card that belonged Mr Przewoznik.

PA