RYAZAN, June 1 (AVN) - A new shift of Airborne troopers getting ready to serve in the SFOR peacekeeping force in Bosnia started a preparation course in the 234th training centre in the central Russian city of Ryazan on Thursday, Colonel Vladimir Murashkin, head of the peacekeeping force group in the Airborne Staff, told the Military News Agency.
The shift comprises 712 officers and professional soldiers, 80 percent of whom have previously served in various trouble spots and taken part in the anti-guerrilla operation in the North Caucasus, Murashkin said.
The training course will last two months, and the rotation in Russia's separate Airborne brigade in Bosnia is to begin in late July, the colonel said. Brigade commander Colonel Sergei Istrakov will also be replaced, as his term of service in the Balkans will soon expire.
The 1,300 strong brigade is currently accomplishing peacekeeping missions in northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. It supervises the territory of 1,750 square kilometres and the 70km long division line between Serbs and Moslems.