Russia deploys Il-76 aircraft to Serbia to fight forest fires

forest fires Il-76TD Deliblatska Peščara Russia-Serbia cooperation emergency assistance

Russia has deployed an Il-76TD firefighting aircraft to Serbia to combat massive forest fires, particularly in the Deliblatska Peščara nature reserve. The aircraft, which can drop up to 42 tons of water in a single flight, landed at Niš Airport following a request for assistance from the Serbian government. Serbian officials noted that aircraft of similar capacity were unavailable through the European Union's civil protection mechanism.

The fires in the Deliblatska Peščara reserve have reportedly consumed over 3,500 hectares of vegetation. The deployment follows orders from Russian President Vladimir Putin and involves an operational group from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations. The aircraft flew through Bulgarian airspace to reach its destination, a move that has prompted discussions regarding regional security and diplomatic implications.

Simultaneously, the Balkan region is facing widespread wildfire challenges. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Armed Forces are actively engaged in firefighting efforts across multiple municipalities, including Bosansko Grahovo and Nevesinje, utilizing helicopters to support ground crews.

Entities

Aleksandar Vučić · Davor Vidović · Deliblatska Peščara · Ivica Dačić · Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia · Niš · Niš Airport · Russia · Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations · Serbia · Vladimir Putin

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] On August 17, there were 201 interventions, including 146 open-space fires.
[● 3 SOURCES] One person died during the fire interventions on August 17.
[● 14 SOURCES] The Il-76 firefighting aircraft has a capacity of up to 42,000 liters of water. www.evrsac.rs · www.espreso.co.rs · fakti.bg · www.kurir.rs · n1info.hr · +6 more
[● 13 SOURCES] The deployment of the Il-76 aircraft was ordered by President Vladimir Putin. www.epancevo.rs · www.evrsac.rs · www.vesti.bg · www.vijesti.ba · www.plovdiv24.bg · +3 more
[● 13 SOURCES] Serbia requested assistance due to the critical worsening of the fire situation. www.epancevo.rs · www.evrsac.rs · www.espreso.co.rs · fakti.bg · www.plovdiv24.bg · +3 more
[● 3 SOURCES] A state of emergency was declared in Kladovo due to a fire covering over 800 hectares.
[● 27 SOURCES] An Il-76 aircraft with a crew and an operational group was sent to Serbia. www.epancevo.rs · www.evrsac.rs · www.espreso.co.rs · fakti.bg · www.kurir.rs · +19 more
[● 22 SOURCES] Serbia requested Russian assistance due to the critical worsening of the fire situation and threats to settlements. www.epancevo.rs · www.evrsac.rs · www.espreso.co.rs · www.rador.ro · www.real.gr · +16 more
[● 14 SOURCES] The aircraft can drop up to 42 tons of water in a single flight. vreme.com · www.evrsac.rs · sputniknews.cn · www.danas.rs · www.espreso.co.rs · +8 more
[● 6 SOURCES] The fire in the Deliblatska Peščara reserve has consumed more than 3,500 hectares. n1info.hr · vijesti.hrt.hr · sputniknews.cn · fakti.bg · jornaldebrasilia.com.br
[● 2 SOURCES] A state of emergency was declared in parts of the Bela Crkva municipality. n1info.hr · vreme.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The company Transportgas Srbija announced an emergency interruption of natural gas supplies to consumers in Bela Crkva as a preventive measure. vreme.com