Russia faces backlash in Italy over 'useless' coronavirus aid

[TomSea]

Russia faces backlash in Italy over 'useless' coronavirus aid
amp.thenational.ae

Much of the Russian aid that has arrived in Italy to combat the spread of coronavirus is “useless”, according to senior politicians in Rome, who have dismissed it as a pretext for a photo opportunity.

As Russian outlets and pro-Kremlin social media accounts praised the decision to send supplies in Italy’s time of need, unnamed officials in the capital were questioning the motives behind the delivery.

Military vehicles flying Russian flags carried the aid on its 600km journey from an Italian airbase south of Rome to Lombardy, the region worst affected in the world by Covid-19. Footage of the convoy was shared on social media along with images of Russian military doctors dressed in fatigues poring over maps with their Italian counterparts.

See more at:  https://amp.thenational.ae/world/europe/russia-faces-backlash-in-italy-over-useless-coronavirus-aid-1.997881

[PeteS in CA]

“Of the Russian equipment, 80 per cent is completely useless or of little use to Italy,” senior political sources told the Italian newspaper La Stampa. “In conclusion, it is little more than an excuse.”

The aid, emblazoned with stickers stating “From Russia with love”, has been compared unfavourably with that which has arrived in Italy from China. Beijing sent much-needed masks and ventilators along with doctors who had battled the coronavirus in Wuhan, but Russia seems to have mostly sent supplies for countering chemical or biological warfare, including a field laboratory for chemical-bacterial sterilisation.

Probably from a military surplus warehouse.