MOSCOW. Nov 11 (Interfax-AVN) - At the present time, units of the Russian Interior Ministry forces, assigned to the Combined Federal Force, account for about 70% of all combat operations in Chechnya, Lieutenant General Vyacheslav Dadonov, deputy commander- in-chief of the Russian Interior Ministry Forces, said at a meeting with families of deceased servicemen, killed in Chechnya, held in Moscow on Tuesday.
"Since operational command of the antiterrorist operation in the North Caucasus was transferred from the Federal Security Service to the Interior Ministry on September 1, most objectives in Chechnya are now carried out by the Interior Ministry forces. At the present time about 70% of all combat objectives in Chechnya are fulfilled by units of the Interior Ministry forces," the general said.
He also said that at the moment the strength of the Interior Ministry force in the North Caucasus totaled 25,000 commissioned officers, warrant officers, and other ranks.
"Troops will be withdrawn from Chechnya as combat missions are gradually fulfilled. Only professional soldiers, primarily special forces of the Interior Ministry and the Russian Defense Ministry, will fight in Chechnya in the future," Dadonov said.