MOSCOW. Feb 6 (Interfax) - The Russian military has formed ten units to help the Syrian population affected by the latest earthquake, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday.
"Defense Minister of the Russian Federation Gen. of the Army Sergei Shoigu has instructed the commander of the Russian group of forces in Syria to help clean up the aftermath of the earthquake that occurred in the territory of this country," the ministry said.
"Ten combined units made up of servicemen of the group of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the Syrian Arab Republic have been formed. They have begun clearing the rubble, searching for those injured and providing them with medical aid in the districts hardest hit [by the earthquake]," it said.
"More than 300 servicemen and 60 pieces and military and specialized hardware are working there," it said.
"Six points distributing humanitarian aid - food kits and essential items - among those affected were promptly set up and began functioning in the cities of Aleppo, Hama, Latakia and the localities of Jebla, Stamu and Bustan al-Basha as part of the assistance being extended by the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides," the ministry said.
"A mobile group of Russian military medics has been formed and is on standby at the Khmeimim airbase. Four blood donation points and a joint operational staff to coordinate the activities of forces and means assisting the Syrian side have been deployed," it said.