The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Russia is asking the United States for an explanation on Washington's transfer to Ukraine of four Mi-17 helicopters that were previously given to the US for operation in Afghanistan, adding that this is a clear breach of its international obligations by the US side. 
 
In a commentary, the foreign ministry said that other than Washington's statements about the new shipments of military aid to Ukraine, "attention was drawn to another flagrant violation of its international obligations by the US side." 
 
“The point is that the package of 'assistance' to Ukraine, announced on June 1 by the US administration, includes, among other things, four Mi-17 helicopters, which our country had previously transferred to the United States for operation exclusively in Afghanistan. Such an understanding was legally enshrined in the relevant contract and certificate of the end-user, where it is indicated in black and white that the mentioned helicopters must be delivered to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for its armed forces. Only this way, and nowhere else," it stressed. 
 
The ministry then noted that the Russian embassy in the United States asked for "detailed explanations" on why the Mi-17s were transferred to Kiev "without the knowledge and consent of the exporter, i.e. Russia, and contrary to established diplomatic practice." 
 
The ministry had not received any clear answer, it said, adding that the US "is irresponsibly supplying long-range missile and artillery systems to Ukraine," while strongly condemning such actions and stressing they "put off the prospect of a fast peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine."

"Responsibility for the consequences lies with Washington and its puppets in Kiev," it concluded.