"On the territory of the Republic of Mordovia, a large natural fire continues to operate on the territory of a state natural reserve near settlements," says a message published on the agency's website.

It is noted that "to prevent the spread of the fire, a grouping of forces and means in the amount of more than 600 people and 130 pieces of equipment was involved."

“The AMG GU EMERCOM of Russia operates in the Republic of Mordovia and the Nizhny Novgorod region.

Four aircraft were involved: a Be-200 aircraft and two Mi-8 helicopters of the Russian Emergencies Ministry, as well as two Il-76 aircraft of the Ministry of Defense, ”the Ministry of Emergency Situations said.

The department added that "today two more Il-76 aircraft with pouring aviation devices were sent to the place of extinguishing the fire."