Russian military command expects continuation of "mine war" in Chechnya

Vyacheslav Tikhomirov, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Interior Troops, forecasts aggravation of the situation in Chechnya in spring and summer.

On March 27, in reply to questions of journalists at the official ceremony devoted to the Day of Interior Troops, General Tikhomirov stated that presently the situation in the Chechen Republic was tense and that an outburst of unlawful activities was expected in spring and the "mine war" would still be waged.

At the same time the commander-in-chief indicated that the troops had managed to significantly reduce their losses in Chechnya in recent years.

General Tikhomirov stressed that "the improved skills of officers and privates, quality of new equipment and armaments, professional training level - those component parts make it possible for us to adequately achieve tasks set." According to him, the strength of the Interior Troops group in Chechnya will soon be reduced. The general explained that he was not talking about the large-scale reduction, simply certain units engaged in the provision of security in the course of the 2003-2004 election campaigns would be withdrawn from the republic.