Yuriy Kobzar21:46, 09/07/24

These are civilian transport and rescue vehicles, which will be used both in the army and in civil departments.

Portugal presented six Russian-made Ka-32 firefighting helicopters to Ukraine. The last truck with part of this cargo left on Friday, the Portuguese media reported , citing a statement from the country’s Ministry of Defense. 

It is noted that in October 2022, the then Minister of Defense Helena Carreiras promised to send six Russian firefighting helicopters to Ukraine, which did not have a license for operation in Portugal, and one of them was completely out of order due to an accident.

In November 2023, more than a year after the transfer to Ukraine was announced, the helicopters were still in Portugal, and Lisbono said he was waiting for “the Ukrainian partner to indicate the next steps” in the process.

“After a long period of uncertainty and negotiations, the current Government (…) has agreed on the transportation of helicopters with the Ukrainian authorities, in particular with the Ukrainian Embassy in Lisbon and the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense,” said the statement of the Portuguese Ministry of Defense, distributed yesterday among local media.

It is noted that Ukraine agreed to accept the helicopters in their current condition, that is, without prior repair. 

The Portuguese government purchased these helicopters in 2006.

(C)UNIAN 2024