Russia to Donate 50 APCs and Two Mi-17 Helicopters to Palestine

Russia is expected to donate 50 armored personnel carriers (APCs) and two Mi-17 transport helicopters to Palestine, a source close to the negotiations said Monday.

"We will supply the equipment to Palestine as aid," the source said.

The arrangement, including financing, has already been agreed on by all the ministries involved. However, it is not yet clear when the deliveries will take place, the source said.


Relevant issues have also been agreed on with Israel, the source added.

In February, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said: "We supplied military equipment to the Palestinians earlier. They recently approached us with a request for more equipment, including APCs. This request is being studied, and the Russian leaders are in support of it."

In October, Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said Defense Ministry and Interior Ministry officials were visiting Palestine to look into the possibility of providing assistance to Palestinian security forces and police.