KYIV, Mar. 26 (AP) – Ukraine has sold Macedonia eight army helicopters but will not intervene in the government’s fighting there with ethnic Albanian rebels, the Defense Ministry said Monday.
Some 48 Ukrainian troops are currently in Macedonia, including 33 crew members and technicians of a Ukrainian helicopter unit that had served with peacekeeping forces in neighboring Kosovo until its mandate expired, the ministry said in a statement.
The rest are crew members and technical personnel of two Mi-24 helicopters that were sold to Macedonia, it said.
Overall, Ukraine has sold Macedonia four Mi-8, the former Soviet military’s main workhorse, and four Mi-24 attack helicopters. Their transfer, according to the ministry, is due to be completed by April 20.
The Mi-24s already took part Saturday in fighting against the Albanians, but the Defense Ministry was quick to deny possible suggestions of Ukrainian involvement.
“Not a single Ukrainian serviceman has partaken, is partaking or will partake in combat operations of the Macedonian republic’s armed forces,” it said.
Ukraine, which holds the rotating presidency of the U.N. Security Council, has urged the international community to contain the Macedonian violence and said violation of the Balkan nation’s territorial integrity could have dangerous consequences for the region and Europe.
