SLATINA, Kosovo. Oct 12 (Interfax-AVN) - The 27th aviation group of the Russian Military Contingent will be reduced by three helicopters and 12 servicemen in accordance with Chief-of-Staff Anatoly Kvashinin's directive, a spokesman for the contingent headquarters said on Friday.
The helicopters and servicemen will leave for Russia on AN-22 Cock planes of the military transport aviation, the spokesman told Interfax-Military News Agency.
The group led by Colonel Yuri Oleinik arrived in Kosovo in July 1999. Two MI-8 Hip and two MI-24 Hind helicopters started pulling duty on July 24. Aother Hip is constantly on duty for evacuation of ill or wounded people and for performing search and rescue operations.
The group comprises a total of 11 helicopters and 50 pilots and technicians.