Greece has requested Russia to deploy a second Beriev Be-200, a so-called super weapon against the fires still raging in the country. Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias had an extensive telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Monday. The battling against wildfires was discussed as well as the possibility of dispatching an additional Beriev BE-200 aircraft to provide assistance was requested, the Foreign Ministry said in a post on Twitter.
I had an extensive telephone conversation with #Russia counterpart S.#Lavrov earlier today. Battling against wildfires was discussed and the examination of the possibility of dispatching an additional Beriev BE-200 airplane to provide assistance was requested. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/c2QhfpAWVA
— Nikos Dendias (@NikosDendias) August 9, 2021
One Russian Beriev has been operating against the fires in Greece since end of July. According to forecast, the forest fire season is still crucial for the next 9 days after a prolonged heat wave, media reported on Monday.
Dendias call to Lavror was followed by a phone call by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to his Russian counterpart.
Late in the afternoon, media reported that Russia responded positive to the Greek request and it sends two Ilyushin and two Mil Mi-8 helicopters. One of the Ilyushin will ba based in Athens and one in Thessaloniki.
