Saturday, June 26, 1999 Published at 21:29 GMT 22:29 UK
Russians arrive in Kosovo
K-For commander Gen Sir Mike Jackson welcomes the Russians
An advance party of Russian peacekeepers has touched down in Kosovo to pave the way for a 3,000-strong force.
Their arrival on Saturday came amid growing fears about violence, with Kosovo Albanians returning to the province seeking revenge on Serbs.
The Russian Illyushin was immediately followed by a French C-130 Hercules, carrying supplies to reequip the airport.
Another 12 flights - half of them Russian and half Nato - are expected over the next week, after which the airport should be fully operational for military and humanitarian flights.
More Russian troops are expected to arrive on Monday.
Uncertainty about role
It is still not clear where the Russian troops, who will eventually number around 3,000, will be stationed in Kosovo.
Many ethnic Albanians are nervous at the thought of a Russian presence, and there are concerns that if the Russians are assigned to prodominantly Serb districts, it could lead to a de facto partition of Kosovo.