Military pilots help extinguishing wildfires in Siberia

Crews of Ilyushin Il-76 of the Russian Defence Ministry made two flights to drop 84 tonnes of water near Chita, and crews of Mikoyan Mi-8 helicopters made 16 drops of water near the Krasny Yar settlement, press service of the Defence Ministry said on Sunday.

The crews report the wildfires were localised. Now, the Il-76 planes are filled with water to make more flights, and the helicopters monitor the extinguishing.

The Defence Ministry has prepared twelve planes and 65 helicopters to be used in extinguishing of wildfires in distanced regions. The equipment and crews are ready at local aerodromes.