MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Two Russian Emergencies Ministry Be-200 amphibious aircraft will be dispatched to Israel to help extinguish wildfires raging since the start of the week, the ministry said Thursday.
"On behalf of the Russian President and in accordance with Israel's request, the Russian Emergencies Ministry sends to Israel two BE-200ChS amphibious aircraft and a task force to extinguish wildfires," a ministry spokesperson said.
Netanyahu warned on Wednesday that wildfires could expand on Thursday as strong winds are expected overnight.
The Beriev Be-200 is well suited to firefighting missions. It can take in up to 12.5 metric tons of water in the space of a few seconds while traveling over a body of water before dropping the load on the flames.
