Russian military burn 600 bodies of deer killed by anthrax in Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District
YEKATERINBURG. Aug 5 (Interfax-AVN) - The radiation, chemical and biological protection units of the Central Military District intensified the process of destroying the remains of the reindeer killed by anthrax in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, where a local outbreak of anthrax was registered, Col. Yaroslav Roshchupkin, aide to the troops commander of the Central Military District, told reporters on Thursday.
"The Defense Ministry has more than doubled the intensity of territory cleansing in Yamal. The remains of 240 deer in the area contaminated by anthrax have been destroyed today. All in all, 600 dead animals have been destroyed, which is over one-fourth of their total number," he said.
The disease has killed over 2,300 deer in the tundra. Six mobile groups are working in the center of the infected area, each group is composed of 12 liquidators who are burning the animals and disinfecting the area, Roshchupkin said.
The military are using fire mixtures, petroleum products and old car tires. "Three helicopters have been added to the aviation group of Mi-8 army helicopters provided by the administration of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District. The pilots arte conducting reconnaissance and are transferring personnel with special property," he said.
"The headquarters, which is led by Maj. Gen. Valery Vasilyev, the head of the radiation, chemical and biological protection troops of the Central Military District, coordinates the work of the units, transfers information to the National Defense Management Center, and also ensures interaction with Emergency Situations Ministry bodies," Roshchupkin said.
A total of 280 troops and some thirty units of equipment are being used in the work, Roshchupkin said.
