Russian airplane arrives in Damascus carrying aid

A Russian airplane carrying 38 tons of aid arrived on Thursday in Damascus for those affected by the violence taking place in Syria. The aid is evidence of the strong ties between the two countries, Syria's Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Hassan Hijazi said in a press statement upon the plane's arrival. This is the first batch of food aid sent by the Russian government and others are due to arrive tomorrow and in the comming days, he added. Hijazi pointed out that the distribution of aid would be through cooperation with the Syrian Red Crescent, and the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, in addition to non-governmental organizations, referring to the impact of economic sanctions imposed on the Syrian people in ensuring daily rations. Meanwhile, Deputy Director of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, Alexander Bogdanov said that the second batch will also include 38 tones, wile the date of arrival of the third will be determined later. Rations included in the aid are sugar, meat, baby milk and canned fish.