MOSCOW, August 23 (Itar-Tass) - The Russian Defence Ministry will use military and special-purpose machinery to assist in eliminating the aftermath of floods in the Far Eastern Federal District (FEFD), an official at the Ministry's press-service and information department said early Friday.

Along with pontoonb rige laying vehicles, heavy-duty mechanized bridges, floating transporters, and tug motorboatds, themilitary are also using bulldozers, excavators, cranes, truck tractors, and heavy-haul vehicles.

In order to airlift personnel and equipment, the Defence Ministry has widely used military transportation and army aviation (aircraft Il-76, An-124 Ruslan, An-12 and Mi-26 and Mi-17 helicopters).

In all, more than 4,700 servicemen, about 900 military vehicles, about 50 aircraft and helicopters, as well as 34 boats of the Defence Ministry are involved in the efforts to eliminate flood aftermath.