KHANKALA. Aug. 26 (Interfax-AVN) - Despite the aggressive actions of Chechen guerillas, troops of the Unified Forces in the North Caucasus are being withdrawn from the republic, Commander of the Unified Federal Forces in the North Caucasus Colonel General Vladimir Moltenskoi told Interfax-Military News Agency on Monday.
Moltenskoi said that surplus detachments and military assets are pulled out from the republic as the structure of the rest of the forces is being improved.
Moltenskoi resumed carrying out responsibilities of the group's commander upon return from vacation; Lieutenant General Sergei Makarov was an acting commander during his absence.
Moltenskoi added that responsibilities of the group will be specified at the session of the National Security Council and Operational Headquarters charged with control over anti-terror operations in the North Caucasus.
The general characterized the situation in Chechnya as a complicated one, yet he added that it was under control. Moltenskoi said that most guerillas were deployed in forests, above all.
The general noted that the troops were to force guerrillas out of the woods by autumn and destroy them during winter.