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Russia sends seaplanes to help Israel fight forest fires

Xinhua, November 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

Russia has sent two seaplanes to Israel to help fight forest fires, Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations said Friday.

"According to Russian President Vladimir Putin's commission and at the request from the Israeli side, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations has sent two seaplanes and an operation group to Israel for the extinguishing of forest fires," the ministry said.

The Russian aviators will immediately start to put out the fires upon their arrival in Israel.

"The seaplane crew are ready to work in difficult conditions and have extensive experience in forest fires extinguishment," the ministry said.

The ministry's seaplanes have been applied not only in Russia, but also in Serbia, Greece, Montenegro and other countries. They had also successfully extinguished fires in Portugal in autumn 2016.

Israel on Wednesday requested international assistance in putting out forest fires that have been raging across the country over the past two days amid dry and windy weather.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters that Israel has secured the support of Russia as well as Greece and Croatia. Endi