31 July 2008, 19:09
Baranov states there will be no reduction of internal troops in Chechnya
The group of MoI troops in Chechnya which is about 28,000 strong is not going to be reduced until autumn 2008.
"There is no question about any reduction of our group in the republic", said Valiri Baranov, deputy chief commander of IT, on July 30.
Baranov also said that, pursuant to the resolution on optimization of the Security Council, the number of the MoI internal troops, which are about 200,000 strong, will be reduced by 2015. However, General Baranov has not mentioned the number of the troops which will remain in 2015, reports RIA "Novosti".
The IA "North Caucasus" reports that Baranov also stated that the separatist underground which is funded from abroad continues to act on the North Caucasus territory.
It should be noted that, with the beginning of the spring and summer season, fighters in Chechnya have become considerably more active. Attacks on military forces in Chechnya currently occur at least two or three times a week.
