ILYUSHIN TO KEEP FIGHTING WILDFIRES

BELGRADE, AUGUST 26 /SRNA/ – The Ilyushin firefighting aircraft will continue fighting wildfires in Serbia; since arriving from Russia, it has carried out 22 operations and dropped nearly one million liters of water while battling fires in Deliblato Sands, on Mount Stolovi and in Lukovo near Vranje.

A decision on the Russian aircraft's further deployment will be made in cooperation with the Emergency Situations Sector of Serbia’s Ministry of Interior, RTS reported.

Andrei Vislov, commander of the Ilyushin crew, said that Russia would stand by Serbia whenever necessary.

"There is no need for a request when it comes to friends. We will always be there, side by side. Russia will always be there for Serbia in every difficult moment and struggle," Vislov stressed.

He said that the aircraft crew works professionally and has good cooperation with Serbia's firefighters and the Emergency Situations Sector.

Captain Vislov said that this was his fifth visit to Serbia, while the Ilyushin first fought wildfires in Serbia in 2007.

The Russian water bomber Ilyushin arrived in Serbia on August 20 on the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin to assist in fighting a major wildfire in Deliblato Sands.