MOSCOW. April 25 (Interfax-AVN) - The 46th brigade and special purpose units based in Chechnya will be the first in the Interior Ministry troops to switch over to professional service, first deputy commander of the Interior Ministry troops Colonel General Valery Baranov told Interfax-Military News Agency on Friday.
"In accordance with the federal purpose-oriented program on manning the army with professional servicemen that was discussed at the Thursday governmental session where I happened to be present, the 46th special purpose brigade permanently stationed in Chechnya and special purpose units located in the North Caucasus will be the first in the Interior Ministry troops to switch over to professional service," Baranov said.
He noted that the total strength of professional servicemen in the Interior Ministry troops will amount to 15,000-20,000 people on the initial stage of the reform that starts on January 1, 2004.
"We will consider the transition of the first Interior Ministry units to professional service at today's session of the military board of the Interior Ministry Troops Command," Baranov stressed.
He said that military commandant's offices subordinated to the Interior Ministry troops in Chechnya will undergo the transition as well if economic situation in Russia is favorable.
Baranov added that the Interior Ministry troops group in Chechnya currently numbers about 20,000 people.