KABUL - The First Vice President Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum has met with the Russian Ambassador to Kabul Alexander Mantytskiy to discuss Moscow’s support to the Afghan National Security Forces and the Afghan Air Force.

The meeting was reportedly held following Gen. Dostum’s return from Russia where he met with the country’s defense minister and other government officials, according to the State-owned Sputnik International news agency.

Briefing the Russian Ambassador regarding his visit to Russia, Gen. Dostum requested delivery of lethal military equipment including heavy weapons and Mi-35 gunship helicopters.

Gen. Dostum had also requested Moscow to help Afghanistan in maintenance of the Afghan Air Force helicopters fleet.

This comes as Zamir Kabulov, President Putin’s special representative for Afghanistan, said earlier Afghanistan and Russia will a sign an agreement for the delivery of Mi-35 gunship helicopters.

Kabulov further added that the agreement is expected to be signed by the two countries during the ongoing month.

He said the Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed the relevant authorities to deliver the gunship helicopters to Afghanistan in a bid to boost the capabilities of the Afghan army.

“Russia is already providing certain assistance in strengthening the capabilities of the Afghan government forces,” Kabulov said, adding that Russia will also provide military training for Afghan officers. (KP)