Russians send troops and aid workers to Kabul

A dozen Russian ransport planes have landed at Bagram airport outside Kabul where British marines have been stuck for more than a week.

A dozen Russian transport planes have landed at Bagram airport outside Kabul where British marines have been stuck for more than a week.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the planes were carrying soldiers as well as staff and supplies for a humanitarian mission.

‘‘This action was carried out at the request of the Islamic State of Afghanistan,’’ Putin said, using the name of the Afghan government of ousted President Burhanuddin Rabbani.

Putin said the operation took place with the help of US troops and Northern Alliance forces.

The Foreign Ministry said the soldiers will help clear mines from the road leading from the airport in Bagram, about 25 miles to the north, to a site where the Russians plan to house their humanitarian centre.

Officials said that by the end of the week, 88 Russians would be in Kabul working to develop the centre, which will coordinate humanitarian assistance to Afghans and work with the nation’s future government.

Russia closed its embassy in Kabul in August 1992, about four months after Islamic rebels threw out the communist regime that had been backed by the Soviet Union.