MOSCOW. Feb 9 (Interfax-AVN) - The Defense Ministry has extended the term of its personnel's service trips to Chechnya from six months to one year, a source in the ministry told Interfax-Military News Agency on Monday.
"Starting from 2004, Defense Ministry units within the Combined Federal Force will be replaced once a year," the source said.
Units of the 76th airborne division heading for Chechnya at the moment will be replaced in 12 months, he noted. The units are manned with contracted personnel.
The decision is only valid for the mountain part of the Combined Federal Force that includes task forces of the Airborne Force, North Caucasus military district and coastal units of the Caspian Flotilla, as well as several special-purpose units reporting directly to Defense Ministry and General Staff directorates.
According to data available to Interfax-AVN, replacement terms of other units within the Combined Federal Force have not been changed. The Interior Ministry Force replaces its units in Chechnya every six months, while Railway Force units taking part in repairs and restoration work on the Chechen territory are replaced every three months.