KHANKALA, October 2 (AVN) - Regimental and battalion tactical groups of the federal forces stationed in southern Chechnya have been suffering acute lack of potable water, a spokesman for the unified federal headquarters said on Monday.
The groups are equipped with outdated water filtering stations that systematically break down, the spokesman told the Military News Agency. As a result, tank trucks are used for transportation of water to the stationing areas which is very risky for the personnel under the conditions of mine warfare. As many as 12 federals were killed and about 30 wounded in such operations in summer this year.
The lack of water is especially troubling in the 42nd motorised rifle division, which deploys its battalions in the mountainous Itum-Kale district, the spokesman said. Water supplies are often not enough even to cook hot meals and servicemen have to use water from nearby lakes and rivers which does not fit sanitary and epidemiologic standards.