MOSCOW. Nov 10 (Interfax-AVN) - The replacement of airborne forces in Chechnya, organic to Combined Federal Force in the North Caucasus, has begun, a competent source in the Airborne Force HQ told Interfax-Military News Agency on Monday.
"The airborne forces organic to Combined Federal Force in the North Caucasus in Chechnya are being replaced under the directive of the Armed Forces chief of staff and order of the Airborne Force commander. The new personnel have been trained for three months for action in forest-covered mountains of the North Caucasus," the source said.
He said that in November battalion task forces of the 76th Pskov-based and 106th Tula-based divisions, as well as an artillery battalion from the Novorossiysk-based 7th Airborne Division, will be sent to Chechnya to replace their fellow servicemen.
Within the replacement the 234th regiment of the 76th division will arrive in Chechnya to be tailored into two battalion task forces, the source said. He went on to say that this would be the second all-volunteer regiment in action.
According to the source, the replacement to be completed in mid-December will be performed in one step. The personnel and hardware will be transported by railway, he added.
Currently the Airborne Force has four battalion task forces, an artillery battalion, and a surveillance force in Chechnya, all amounting to 2,500 personnel.