(Newswire.net — April 2, 2020) — Russia sends medical equipment to the US to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic, Reuters quoted Russia’s Interfax.
The Antonov An-124, “with medical masks and medical equipment on board,” left for the U.S. overnight, a statement said. No details were disclosed.
Russian Antonov An-124-100 military cargo plane organized by the Russian Defense Ministry arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport at around 4 pm EDT on April 1.
With the capacity of carrying 120t (264,555 lbs), the Antonov An-124 “Ruslan” quad jet is the second-largest strategic airlift airplane in the world next to the six-engine Antonov-225 “Mriya” capable of lifting over 250 t.
The US President Donald Trump has gratefully accepted Moscow’s humanitarian aid, according to Kremlin spokesman Dimitriy Peskov.
Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested giving assistance in a telephone interview with the US President Donald Trump on Monday as they discussed the COVID-19 epidemic and the oil market.
Peskov rebuked “some of the American side” who “at least did not contribute to the prompt resolution of technical issues” regarding the agreed-upon delivery, which could explain the delay, RT reports.
The move is turning Russophobic pundits red in the face as they contemplate bizarre theories as Moscow sends a planeload of much-needed medical supplies to the US in their military airplane. A gift from the Kremlin to its coronavirus-stricken rival has prompted the usual suspects searching for hidden motives.
“Russia sent us a very, very large planeload of things, medical equipment, which was nice” US President Donald Trump’s announcement took many by surprise.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the departure of the shipment on Wednesday and added that he hoped the US would be able to return the favor if it was needed.
“It is important to note that when offering assistance to the U.S. colleagues, the president (Putin) assumes that when U.S. manufacturers of medical equipment and materials gain momentum, they will also be able to reciprocate if necessary,” Peskov was quoted as saying.
The US has about 180,000 confirmed cases of coronas virus-infected, with another 16,000 confirmed Tuesday.
More than 500 people have died in the United States for the second consecutive day, bringing the total number of deaths related to the COVID-19 epidemic to 3,600, Reuters cited the official data.