Russian defense chief stresses need for rescue centers to help in emergencies around the world

MOSCOW, December 27. / TASS /. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stressed that international relief coordination centers can provide assistance in emergencies around the world, but that sanctions make it impossible to implement them, he said. said in an interview with the weekly Argumenti i Fakty published on Monday.

“A long time ago, we proposed through the Ministry of Emergency Situations to set up relief coordination centers in various corners of the world. For example, for joint efforts to fight forest fires. number of planes and people in reserve, which may be suddenly necessary if a powerful fire breaks out. This approach could be implemented everywhere if there were no kind of barriers, such as sanctions or bureaucracy. What if everyone aspires to live in harmony and help each other, ”he said.

The defense chief also noted that at present the ministry has the largest number of Il-76 military transport planes and Mi-8 and Mi-26 helicopters. Shoigu added that they are all capable of fighting fires if necessary. “The country should have sufficient resources, which may be needed in an emergency,” he concluded, responding to a question about why military personnel are helping civilian crews put out fires.