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More military dispatched to help fight floods in Russian Far East

4500 people, 630 units of hardware and 40 helicopters engaged in operation

MOSCOW, August 16 (Itar-Tass) - Russia's defence ministry has boosted the number of military personnel helping with the aftermath of floods in the Far East to 4,500 people, ministry sources told Tass on Friday.

A ministry statement said that currently, more than 4,500 military assisted by 630 units of military equipment and about 40 planes and helicopters are involved in the rescue and cleanup efforts.

During a telephone conference on Thursday, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu gave instructions to bring forces working in flood-hit areas up to 3,000 people. A ferry link has been organized across the Urkan river to evacuate people and transport cargo in the Amur region.

Four units of PTS-2 amphibious carriers are engaged in different areas of the region. A camp capable of temporarily accommodating 660 people has been opened, where people are entitled to hot meals and medical services. A total of 650 beds have been reserved at barracks of a military academy.

Personnel from the Eastern Military District are reinforcing 2,500 kilometres of dams in the Jewish Autonomous Area.

Terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall

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CIA chief says Ukraine could lose by end of this year — Politico

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