The Russian military currently in Syria took part in the vote on amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, they cast their votes at the Russian air base Khmeimim, the logistics point of the Russian Navy Tartus, as well as remote observation posts and locations of military police, departments of the center for reconciliation of the warring parties.
The vote was held in compliance with strict anti-epidemic measures. Before the arrival of the military personnel, all voting points and surrounding territories were processed by specialists of Russian NBC Protection Troops, temperature of all voters were measured, gloves were provided and their hands were disinfected.
In honor of the important day even a military orchestra played. This is where the command of the Russian Armed Forces group in Syria, as well as military and civilian personnel of the base, voted.
"Despite the fact that we are far from home and we are performing a combat mission, I believe that everyone should come and make their own choice, and this is the duty of every citizen of the Russian Federation, regardless of whether they are military or civilian," said Mikhail Vladimirov, a soldier at the air base.
Another voting point was set up at the Metras airfield, where there was once an American base, in Northern Syria. In such remote corners of the Arab Republic, members of the election Commission at the Russian Embassy help organize voting. They were taken to this air base by helicopter.
"We conduct voting in hard-to-reach places where every serviceman can take part in voting and cast his vote... We prepare ballots, lists and go to this territory to vote. At the Embassy of the Russian Federation, members of the precinct election commission are appointed, who perform direct tasks of going to the polling stations where military personnel will vote," said one of these representatives of the Commission, Elena Kuleshova.
In Syria, in addition to Russian military personnel, there are also civilians. They came to express their attitude to the amendments to the Russian Consulate in Latakia, and voted in the Consul's office.
"It is very important for every Russian citizen who lives far from their homeland, especially in Syria, a country at war, to feel a sense of belonging to the events that are taking place at home. That is why so many people now come to the site," the head of the consular Department Zaur Huseynov said.
"I am voting for the first time outside of Russia. I live far away - in the port city of Tartus. Came to vote," said Andrei Karitskii.
At the reconciliation center in Aleppo, military police and members of the Center voted.
"A day before the vote, rapid tests were conducted among the personnel involved for the content of immunoglobulins. Today, two-phase treatment was carried out and, accordingly, all personnel are provided with personal protective equipment in the form of masks and disposable gloves, " Igor Brovko, a representative of the medical service in Aleppo, said.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from RIA Novosti