The French have saved a Russian officer

15.10.2010 Russian foreign ministry extended thanks to French government, French military and civil organizations for the help rendered to an officer of Russia's warship Admiral Levchenko who was in need of urgent operation, reported the website of Russia's defense ministry.

"It was reported on Sept 20 that one of the officers from Northern Fleet (NF) large ASW ship Admiral Levchenko which is on station in the Gulf of Aden Snr. Lt. Radik Bukharmetov needed urgent hospitalization. His health status was critical", reported the website. As for unverified information, he had acute pancreatitis. Upon request of Russian Navy command, Russian foreign ministry urgently called in aid to French authorities; they immediately transmitted appropriate directions to their military and diplomatic representatives in Djibouti which is the nearest port to our warship.

In close coordination with Russian embassy, the patient was delivered to the French military hospital in Djibouti by French naval helicopter. He underwent several operations. When it turned out that the officer needed blood of rare group, one of the hospital employees offered to become a donor. "Russian citizens working in Djibouti and crewmembers of a Chinese hospital ship also volunteered to give their blood", said the foreign ministry's press release. After appropriate medical treatment the officer's health status improved, so on Oct 6 he was transported to Moscow by Russian military aircraft and put in Military Clinical Hospital for further treatment. As for now, the patient has improved in health; Radik Bukharmetov is on the mend, reported senior medical officer of the hospital Col. Igor Maksimov.