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Russian Helicopters Arrive in Iraq to Combat ISIS

A Mi-28 Night Hunter attack helicopter. Wikicommons

Russia has delivered a batch of Mi-28 Night Hunter attack helicopters to Baghdad, Iraq's Defense Ministry said on its website.

"These helicopters will be put into operation to contribute to the military's struggle against the Islamic State terrorist group," the ministry said Saturday.

Russia has been ramping up its support for the Iraqi government as it struggles to contain the spread of the radical Islamic State from war-torn Syria to Iraq.

Russia delivered five Su-24 aircraft to the Iraqi military in early July, which were worth up to $500 million, BBC reported. Russia's Foreign Ministry said that Russian pilots would not fly the aircraft, and that Russia would simply help the Iraqis prepare the planes for combat.

The number of Mi-28 helicopters delivered to Iraq was not immediately clear, although three of the attack vehicles can be seen in a video accompanying the statement. The deliveries are part of $4.2 billion agreement signed in 2012 for the delivery of military equipment to Iraq.

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