Russia completes rotation of peacekeepers in Sudan

July 9, 2007 (MOSCOW) — Russia’s Air Force have completed rotation of its peacekeeping air group within the framework of the UN Mission in Sudan, an aide of the Air Force commander, Col Aleksandr Drobyshevskiy, told ITAR-TASS on Monday.

“Il-18 and Il-76 planes brought 120 servicemen and 13 tonnes of cargo to Sudan. These planes took back peacekeepers who had served their mission in Sudan for seven months. The flight time of each pilot makes up 300 hours,” he said.

“The peacekeepers fulfilled all tasks. All personnel of the Russian air group, part of the UN Mission in Sudan, have been commended,” he said.

The newly rotated group made four flights earlier on Monday.

The Russian air group was deployed in Sudan in April 2006. It includes 120 servicemen and four Mi-8 helicopters. Peacekeepers are rotated once in six months.

(ITAR-TASS)