U.S. intelligence leaker Edward Snowden has left the Moscow airport where he has been staying since June, the BBC reported citing his lawyer.

Anatoly Kucherena said Snowden had received the necessary papers to enter Russian territory from the transit zone at Sheremetyevo Airport.

Russia is currently considering his request for asylum.

The U.S. has charged Snowden with leaking details of its electronic surveillance programs.

He arrived in Moscow on June 23 from Hong Kong, after making his revelations.

The Snowden affair has caused diplomatic ructions around the world, upsetting America's close allies and traditional enemies.

The U.S. Attorney General, Eric Holder, has given Moscow an assurance that he will not face the death penalty if extradited to America, but the Russians say they do not intend to hand him over.