MOSCOW. Nov 29 (Interfax-AVN) - Gradual replacement of rapid response police detachments in Chechnya will be among the most important missions of SOp forces now being formed by the Russian Interior Ministry Force, commander of the Force and deputy defense minister Army General Vyacheslav Tikhomirov said on Friday.
"Measures are being taken to establish six SOp Interior Ministry detachments numbering a total strength of 3,500 people. Gradual replacement of all rapid response police detachments in Chechnya is among the main missions of these bodies and already existing SOp Interior Ministry units," Tikhomirov told reporters.
Special operations forces will become a full-scale Interior Ministry Force component by 2004, he said.