Two Russian planes with aid arrive, two helicopters sent

Two Russian planes with aid arrive, two helicopters sent

MOSCOW, BELGRADE -- Russia has sent a relief cargo to Serbia hit by heavy floods, a spokesperson for the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry has told Itar-Tass.

“An IL-76 plane of the Russian Emergencies Ministry with 29 tons of relief cargo onboard left Moscow for Niš at 6:55 Moscow time. The cargo includes five water pumps, two portable electric power stations, ten boats, 3,200 blankets, canned fish and meat, essential hygienic products,” Aleksandr Drobyshevsky was quoted as saying.

A second airplane with 38 of relief cargo left Russia's capital at 7:30 Moscow time.

Both aircraft have in the meantime landed in Serbia.

The Russian Emergencies Ministry also dispatched two helicopters to save and evacuate people affected in a flood. “Two helicopters Kamov Ka-32 departed from the Moscow regional airfield Ramenskoye to the city of Niš on Gomel-Brest-Bratislava-Niš route. These aircrafts are to fly more than 2,300 kilometers,” the ministry spokesman said.

“Ka-32 crews which have huge working experience in emergency situations will search for and save flood-affected people in Serbia. They will conduct a terrain reconnaissance, evacuate flood-hit people and will deliver required goods to hard-to-reach localities,” Drobyshevsky added.

In Niš, Deputy Director of the Russian-Serbian Humanitarian Center Nikolai Sukora told reporters that hard times reveal true friends, and that Russia sent everything Serbia requested.

"Russia is providing all assistance to our brotherly Serbia," Sukora said.

(Tanjug)

76 Russian rescuers with two special vehicles and ten boats have been working in Serbia since Friday...