MOSCOW. Sept 8 (Interfax-AVN) - A Russian Air Force serviceman who deserted his unit stealing a Kalashnikov assault rifle and 60 cartridges on Monday has been detained in the Novgorod region.
Alexei Danilov "was detained 12 kilometers from his military unit (on Tuesday evening - Interfax-AVN). He obeyed all orders issued during his detention, and it was established that he had not used his weapon," Colonel Alexander Drobyshevsky, Air Force press service chief, told Interfax-Military News Agency.
At the moment, Danilov is at the Veliky Novgorod commandant's office, Drobyshevsky said, adding that the man will soon be delivered to the military prosecutor's office to investigate the circumstances behind his action and decide on his punishment.
The search for Danilov involved over 800 people and 25 vehicles.
Danilov, from the town of Vorkuta, was recruited to the army in June 2004.