Spanish peacekeepers will fly Russian aircraft

Spain annuls the contract with the Ukrainian Mediterranean Airlines. It will use Antonov 124 and Ilyushin 76 aircraft of the Russian Volga-Dnepr airlines to transport its soldiers to Afghanistan and other places for humanitarian missions, said Spanish Defence Minister Federico Trillo, according to El Mundo newspaper.

The Thursday communique of the Spanish Army General Staff reads that the Spanish armed forces already use aircraft of the Volga-Dnepr airlines.

Spanish experts believe ex-USSR-made aircraft have good characteristics, successfully fly at low heights, take up from and land on poorly maintained aerodromes.

According to aviation expert Carlos Toro, the Russian aircraft are in a better technical condition than those in Ukraine. In addition, Ukrainian pilots often exceed the flight load norm, therefore often get tired and are more likely to commit mistakes.

Three Ukrainian Yak 42 crashed in the world over the past six months.

As it became known, almost all Spanish peacekeepers who flew Ukrainian aircraft confessed that even their exterior inspired apprehension.

Previously, the Norwegian defence ministry annulled its contract with the Ukrainian Mediterranean Airlines.