Serbia received 11 planes with medical equipment from Russia in the last two days, to help the country’s fight against coronavirus, Reuters reported.
The supplies include ventilators and medicine and are part of an agreement between presidents Aleksandar Vucic and Vladimir Putin, the Serbian Defense Ministry reportedly said.
“On Friday, the aid arrived in six planes, while during the night and this morning five more planes landed at Batajnica Airport,” they stated.
Russia has also sent 87 army medics and “16 pieces of military equipment”, according to the Moscow Times.
Serbia has reported 1,476 people infected with coronavirus and 39 dead.
Three weeks ago, President Alexandar Vucic blasted the European Union for lack of solidarity with his country, and for allegedly blocking the export of medical equipment from the union, while praising China and “brother” President Xi Jinping.
The statement was followed by aid coming from the EU and China.
Meanwhile, to some Russians, the government’s medical aid airlifts are examples of generosity and show the country pitching in during a time of global need. But others see the Kremlin pursuing wider foreign policy and propaganda goals.
Delivery of the Serbian aid was preceded by another mission to virus-ravaged Italy, where Russian had already delivered over 15 planeloads of medical supplies along with a team of contagion specialists. Moscow dubbed the effort “From Russia With Love”.
