The Kremlin is planning retaliation against the Portuguese government for giving Ukraine six Russian Kamov helicopters. These machines were used to extinguish fires by Portuguese services subordinate to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
On Saturday, the Portuguese television RTP, quoting a spokeswoman Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova, said that the Kremlin had threatened Portugal retaliation for being referred to Ukraine helicopters.
Zakharova called Lisbon's action a “hostile step.” She said that “Portugal and other European Union countries are following the path set by Washington,” being “submissive” and at the same time “unaware” of the consequences of their actions. Zakharova added that the Kremlin is already analyzing what retaliatory measures to apply, and “everyone will learn about their entry into force.”
Portugal used Russian helicopters to fight fires
According to the Portuguese news agency Lusa, the helicopters transferred by the Portuguese government to Ukraine as military equipment are Kamov Ka-32A11B machines.
Purchased in 2006 from Russia by the Portuguese Ministry of Internal Affairs, Kamov helicopters were used in Portugal to extinguish fires by services subordinate to this ministry. As the media recall, Russian helicopters have repeatedly broken down.
According to information from the Portuguese Ministry of Defence, the helicopters were sent to Ukraine by road, and the last delivery took place in the first half of September.
Although in October 2022, the then head of the Portuguese Ministry of Defence, Helena Carreiras, announced that her ministry intended to send Kamov helicopters to Ukraine, the socialist government of Prime Minister Antonio Costa, which remained in power until April this year, did not decide to take this step.
Main image source: YURI KOCHETKOV/PAP/EPA