ULIANOVSK, February 2 (AVN) - Aircraft and trains are to deliver 3,500 more airborne troopers to the combat area of Chechnya, Airborne Troops Commander Georgy Shpak told the Military News Agency.
The total number of airborne troopers in the North Caucasus will be about 8,000.
The majority of them serve in the Novolaksky and Botlikhsky districts.
Two regimental tactical groups and one battalion group from the 31st Ulianovsk brigade are located there.
The airborne troopers are slow but reliable in blocking localities and preparing them for being mopped-up by the Interior Ministry troops, the general added.
Federals must continue the operation in Chechnya if they do not want to start the war in the area from the very beginning in two or three years, Shpak stated.
Speaking about the losses in the airborne troops in January he said that there was one man killed and 11 wounded.