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Russian peacekeepers arrive in Tver

On February 19, 2012 the Il-76 plane left for South Sudan to take a group of Russian servicemen and hardware from the territory of South Sudan

TVER, February 22 (Itar-Tass) — The first group of servicemen of the Russian peacekeeping contingent has arrived to Tver’s air field of Migalovo from South Sudan, military sources in Tver told Itar-Tass on Wednesday.

Last weekend Russia began withdrawing its peacekeeping contingent from South Sudan, spokesman for Russia’s Air Force, Colonel Vladimir Drik told Itar-Tass.

“On February 19, 2012 the Il-76 plane left for South Sudan to take a group of Russian servicemen and hardware from the territory of South Sudan. It is planned for the Russian air group to be withdrawn from South Sudan by the end of March 2012,” Drik said.

Russia’s Air Force will make about 20 flights aboard the Il-76 and An-24 Ruslan planes to take away Russian peacekeepers from South Sudan. A total of 120 Russian servicemen, four Mi-8MTB helicopters and about 400 tonnes of engineer-air property will be delivered to Russia. Russian planes will fly on the Djuba (South Sudan) – Migalovo airfield (Tver) route.

The spokesman recalled that the Russian air group was in the Republic of Sudan since April 2006. It transported observers of the U.N. Mission, delivered and convoyed cargoes, organised rescue operations. The rotation of servicemen is held every six months, Drik added.