Azerbaijani rescue helicopters extinguish fires in Ryazan

Mi-17 and Ka-32 helicopters of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Emergencies are helping extinguish fires in the Ryazan region, RIA Novosti reports.

They started helping on August 5th near populated localities of the Sasov region. The helicopter groups consist of 19 people. They have been helping contain several fires near the villages of Lopukhi and Deulino.

According to the aviation chief of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Emergencies, Colonel Ashraf Mamed ogly Gasymov, the two helicopters were purchased in Russia in 2009 and are being used for such operations for the first time. They have already carried out 60 water discharges.

Specialists from Belarus, Ukraine, Poland and Kazakhstan are aiding in Ryazan as well. A total of 2700 people and 325 pieces of engineering equipment are involved, including Il-76 and Be-200 aircraft.

There were 19 natural fires discovered on Tuesday, covering 3,800 ha. The fires can be found in 17 of the constituent parts of the Russian Federation. An emergency situation was declared in 7 regions, including Moscow. According to the Ministry of Regional Development, the fires have destroyed 1,900 houses, leaving 3,500 people without housing.