Russia Sends Aid Planes to Syria and More Ships, May Evacuate Citizens
Two Russian Emergencies Ministry planes carrying humanitarian aid for Syria on Tuesday took off from Moscow for the city of Latakia and may take Russians wanting to leave on their flight back, the ministry said.
The Ilyushin-62 and Ilyushin-76 planes were carrying 46 tons of humanitarian aid and would be ready to evacuate any Russians wanting to leave the country, a ministry spokesperson told Russian news agencies.
The aid consists of electrical equipment, bedding, tents as well as foodstuffs like fish and milk conserves as well as sugar.
"Citizens of Russia and the (ex-Soviet grouping) CIS wanting to leave can leave Syria on these planes," the ministry said, adding that the departure from Latakia back to Moscow was planned former later Tuesday.
It said a hotline had been set up for Russians who were thinking of leaving Syria with psychologists on hand to take the calls.
Also Tuesday, the defense ministry said Russia is sending four more warships to the Mediterranean Sea.
The four landing ships will join an escort ship and smaller vessels that are already on duty in the region, the defense ministry said in a statement to Russian news agencies.
A military source quoted by RIA Novosti said their main task could be taking part in a possible evacuation of Russian citizens from Syria.
Source: Agence France Presse
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