The defence ministry said the planes were carrying military physicians and protective gear
MOSCOW, April 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia will send 11 military planes carrying medical equipment to Serbia to help it fight the coronavirus outbreak, the Russian Ministry of Defence said.
Russia, which has so far recorded more than 3,500 cases of the virus, has already sent similar shipments to Italy and the United States.
Russia and Serbia have strong political, military and economic ties. Moscow backs Belgrade in refusing to recognize the independence of Kosovo, a former Serbian province.
The defense ministry said the planes were carrying military physicians and protective gear.
Russia has also sent several planes with medical supplies to Italy, which has recorded close to 14,000 coronavirus deaths – a gesture some European Union and NATO officials portrayed as a political move aimed at expanding Moscow’s influence in Europe.
Russia also sent ventilators and protective gear to the United States this week in a shipment the Kremlin initially described as aid.
The Russian Foreign Ministry later said Moscow had paid half the cost, while a Trump administration official said the United States had paid it all.
The U.S. shipment drew anger from domestic critics of the Kremlin who pointed out that Russia was itself experiencing severe shortages of medical supplies in some regions.
Russia has recorded 4,149 coronavirus cases and 34 deaths. — NNN-AGENCIES
