MOSCOW. Nov 1 (Interfax-AVN) - Russian peacekeepers in Transdniestria have been unable to control the security zone from helicopters and to rapidly reach a destination by helicopter since 2002, senior commander of the Russian peacekeeping force in Transdniestria Col. Anatoly Zverev told Ekho Moskvy radio on Saturday.
"Air control is out of reach," he said.
The Joint Control Commission initially attached a separate air wing to peacekeepers. The wing was stationed in Tiraspol. However, the Air Force Staff stopped flights of Russian helicopters in Transdniestria in 2002.
The flights were suspended due to the high wear of helicopters in the North Caucasus, including Chechnya. The air wing in Transdniestria was made up of four Mil Mi-24 and four Mil Mi-8. The helicopters are still in Transdniestria, but their condition makes flights impossible, Zverev said.
The separate air wing remains a part of the peacekeeping force, he added.
Previously, the helicopters were actively used to control the fulfillment of agreements in the security zone. Military observers flew over the security zone to monitor traveling of military units, hardware and armaments.
Besides, helicopters rapidly transported peacekeepers in case of emergencies.