Russia Delivers Aid to Cyclone-Hit Madagascar After Putin Visit

Vladimir Putin and Michael Randrianirina at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow on Feb. 19, 2026. — Vladimir Putin and Michael Randrianirina at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow on Feb. 19, 2026.Photographer: Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

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By Eric Laperozy

February 23, 2026 at 3:24 PM UTC

Russia has sent two plane-loads of food aid to cyclone-hit Madagascar just days after the African island nation’s new leader met with President Vladimir Putin.

The planes landed on Monday in the Malagasy capital, Antananarivo, carrying 30 tons of rice, 16 tons of beans and 13 tons of sunflower oil, Russia’s embassy in Madagascar said in a statement.