MOSCOW, March 17 (RIA Novosti) - Russia will send three airplanes with humanitarian aid to Tajikistan, including food, blankets, tents, and electric generators, a spokeswoman for the Federal Agency for State Reserves said on Tuesday.

The deliveries follow a request from Tajik President Emomali Rahmon. Severe weather conditions have caused mass energy shortages in the impoverished mountainous Central Asian nation.

"The unloading of the humanitarian aid and generators will begin on Wednesday, March 18, in Tajikistan. Three airplanes will be sent to the republic with humanitarian aid," the spokeswoman said.