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Russian helicopter squadron on standby

    ABIDJAN

    A Russian air force helicopter squadron can be fully deployed in two weeks after the command has been given, the Russian news agency Interfax reported the Ministry of Defence as saying on Tuesday.

    A total of 106 Russian servicemen - 104 helicopter crew and technicians and two military observers - will be sent to Sierra Leone as part of the UN mission, the news agency reported the military as saying.

    The squadron includes four Mi-24 combat helicopters. Their crews, who will carry arms and ammunition, will provide security for UN personnel by accompanying land convoys, and carry out search and rescue missions, patrols and reconnaissance flights, Interfax reported.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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