MOSCOW. Sept 19 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian Airborne Staff has drafted a withdrawal plan for personnel, weapons and hardware of the Russian Military Contingent within KFOR from the Balkans, a competent source in the Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.
The plan was drafted in line with the General Staff's decision to replace airborne peacekeepers with Land Forces units in Kosovo and Bosnia, the source told Interfax-Military News Agency.
The first stage of the plan envisages withdrawal of units and equipment which are to be reduced, the source said. It is to be implemented in October..
In accordance with Chief-of-Staff Anatoly Kvashnin's directive the contingent will be reduced by 1,300 officers and enlisted men, over 70 pieces of ordnance, some 200 vehicles and pieces of engineering equipment, as well as over 100t of cargo including 70t of ammo.
The units and hardware will be transported by trains and military transport planes from October 15 to 30. The Russian Armed Forces will provide six military trains, four IL-76 Candid and AN-124 Condor planes for this purpose.