Switzerland delivers rescue equipment to Ukraine: 30 vehicles and fire pumps

Switzerland has provided Ukraine with a new batch of equipment worth 5.6 million Swiss francs.

"Today, I have the honor to continue our cooperation with the State Emergency Service. We are transferring 30 water pumps for firefighting and 30 vehicles that will be used for clearing debris left after shelling of civilian and residential infrastructure. They will allow rapid response services to help people who often find themselves trapped under rubble," said Swiss Ambassador to Ukraine Felix Baumann during the official handover of the equipment.

Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine

He reminded that Switzerland signed a partnership memorandum in March with the State Emergency Service. The agreement includes the transfer of vehicles and spare parts, as well as training and education for rescuers. Another project involves the construction of a logistics hub for the technical service unit of the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service in the Kyiv region.

It is noted that to minimize the impact on the environment, the vehicles were transported by train.

Switzerland provided similar equipment in October 2022. Since the beginning of the war, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, in cooperation with the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection, and Sports of Switzerland, has delivered nearly 1,200 tons of humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Swiss partners were also shown the destroyed emergency service vehicles as a result of Russian shelling.

Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine

Switzerland maintains a policy of neutrality. Therefore, it does not supply weapons to Ukraine. It also prohibits third countries from transferring their weapons to warring parties.

However, Switzerland is trying to lift the ban on re-exporting weapons to Ukraine. Earlier, President Viola Amherd proposed this effect.

Switzerland provides Ukraine with non-lethal humanitarian and financial assistance.