OREANDA-NEWS. Russian Ministry of Defense reported that the eighth and ninth military aircrafts Il-76 had delivered to Italy groups of specialists and medical equipment for the fight against coronavirus epidemic. They arrived at the base Pratica di Mare of the Italian Air Force.

On March 22, seven airplanes took off from Moscow, on Monday morning two more were sent. In total, they delivered about 100 Russian specialists in virology and epidemiology, as well as medical equipment.

Before that, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed his readiness to assist in the fight against coronavirus spread in Italy during a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of the country, Giuseppe Conte.

At present, more than 59 thousand cases of infection were registered in Italy, more than 5.4 thousand people died.