Russian specialists preparing an Ilyushin IL-76 transport aircraft of Russian Defense Ministry for departure to Italy at the Chkalovsky military airport outside Moscow today
Russia is flying eight mobile teams of military virologists and doctors to Italy today to help tackle the deadly coronavirus crisis.
Italian premier Giuseppe Conte accepted Vladimir Putin's offer of armed forces personnel, vehicles, and equipment.
Russia will also send about 100 military specialists in virology and epidemics, the Interfax news agency cited the defense ministry as saying.
It comes as the death toll in Italy from the contagion sweeping the globe rose by 793 to 4,825 yesterday and the Italian government imposed more stringent lockdown measures.
The Lombardy region, which has been the hardest-hit area in Italy, imposed even tougher lockdown measures as deaths continued to soar.
Putin spoke to Conte on Saturday, the Kremlin said, adding that the Russian leader had offered his support and help in the form of mobile disinfection vehicles and specialists to aid the worst-hit Italian regions.
Russian military virologists and medics have been sent o Italy to help battle coronavirus and try to bring down the death toll
Russia will also send about 100 military specialists in virology and epidemics (pictured above)
The Russian Defence Ministry said that military transport planes would deliver eight mobile brigades of military medics, special disinfection vehicles, and other medical equipment to Italy from Sunday.
The Lombardy region has introduced stricter restrictions, banning all exercise, even solitary sport, as the use of all vending machines was also prohibited.
Construction sites have also been shut down and markets closed. All factories not producing essential goods have also been shuttered.
In Italy, all retailers, except pharmacies, food shops, post offices, and banks were closed weeks ago as a drastic lockdown was imposed.
Lombardy is the worst-affected region in the country with 3,095 deaths and the northern region has been under lockdown since March 8.
Putin's spokesman said its offer to help out NATO member Italy was 'humanitarian'.
A spokesman for Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu: 'The Russian Aerospace Forces' military transport aircraft will jet eight mobile teams of military virologists and doctors, vehicles for aerosol disinfection of transport and territories, as well as medical equipment to the republic.'
A Russian truck being loaded on to a plane to be sent to Italy at Chkalovsky military airport outside Moscow today
Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov the pandemic was something every nation has to tackle.
He said: 'Italy is facing a totally severe epidemiological situation.
'When taking a decision to help the Italian republic, Putin was primarily guided by humanitarian considerations.'
Italian defense minister Lorenzo Guerini 'expressed gratitude' to the Russian armed forces, said Moscow.
Putin's move appears to show confidence that Russia is not facing an imminent mass spread of coronavirus.
The Kremlin leader was quick to seal off his country's 2,615-mile border with China after the Wuhan outbreak.
President Vladimir Putin has said the virus is 'generally under control' in the country, and the government has promised to step up testing.
It also emerged Putin is being protected from infection around the clock with all of his staff undergoing mandatory testing and all workers involved in the presidents' events schedule were being tested.
On Saturday Russia registered its first death of a patient infected with the coronavirus.
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