Some ships with grain Russia sent free of charge to African countries already being unloaded - Putin

MOSCOW. Dec 4 (Interfax) - Russia has sent ships carrying its grain as aid to six countries in need of food, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"By the way, [ships] carrying Russian grain are now en route to the six countries as assistance to these countries, which need food," Putin said at a ceremony of accepting foreign ambassadors' credentials.

Some ships are already being unloaded in the countries, some are at sea, and some are being loaded in Russian ports, he said.

On November 22, Putin said the first ships carrying free grain had left for Africa.