Russia sends Il-76 airlifters to help Italy fight COVID-19.

As part of the operation to transfer Russian military specialists, special equipment and equipment to the Italian air force base Practice di Mare (30 kilometers southwest of Rome, Italy) to assist the Italian Republic in the fight against coronavirus infection, already 14  Il-76 military transport aircraft of the Aerospace Forces with Russian military personnel and special equipment on board took off from Chkalovsky airfield (Moscow region) to Italy. After coordination with the Italian side the areas of implementation of preventive and disinfection measures, Russian military specialists will begin to perform tasks for their intended purpose.

Russian Aerospace Forces Il-76 heavy transports began a medical airlift of supplies and medical personnel to Italy today in support of the coronavirus relief mission (Picture source: Russian MoD)

The Russian media outlet tvzvezda.com reported that, “The Il-76 aircraft of the military transport aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces, which today, March 22, left Chkalovsky airfield and headed for Italy. The aviation group was created by order of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Sergey Shoigu.” The report went on to say, “About 100 specialists in the field of virology and epidemiology with the necessary machinery and equipment will be [have been] transferred to Italy.”

After clarifying and agreeing with the Italian side of the areas of deployment, Russian military doctors and virologists will begin to perform tasks to help the Italian Republic in the fight against coronavirus infection.

On behalf of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of Russian Armed Forces Vladimir Putin, Defence Minister, General of the Army Sergei Shoigu ordered to create the aviation group for operational delivery of Russian military specialists to support the Italian Republic in the fight against coronavirus, starting from 22 March.

Upon the Italian side is ready, the military transport aircrafts of the Russian Aerospace Forces will deliver to the Republic 8 mobile teams of Russian military specialists-virologists and doctors, automobile complexes for aerosol disinfection of transport and territory, as well as medical equipment.

 A vehicle prepares for boarding on an Il-76 (Picture source: Russian MoD)