19 Jan 2013 17:21

Ukrainian 'Ruslan' jets assist in transportation of French servicemen to Mali

KYIV. Jan 19 (Interfax) - Antonov An-124-100 'Ruslan' jumbo transport aircraft of Ukraine's Antonov Airlines have been assisting in transportation of the French military contingent to Mali since mid-January under the NATO SALIS program, a source at the airline administration told Interfax on Friday.

"After the UN had decided to support the French military operation against Islamists in Mali, our entire "Ruslan" fleet was mobilized within the SALIS framework to transport the French military contingent to Mali," he said.

"As of now, it is planned that our fleet will provide transportation services to the mission in Mali, which is being joined by other EU countries, until the end of the month," the source said.

Te