MOSCOW. Nov 23 (Interfax-AVN) - In 2000, Russia had 46 million anti-personnel mines, Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov told State Duma deputies on Tuesday.
"Today we have 26.5 million, of which 23.5 million ought to be scrapped because their service life has expired," he said.
Answering questions from deputies, Ivanov said that some states are discussing possible restrictions on the use of naval mines.
"The Defense Ministry's position is clear. We categorically refuse to engage in talks on this matter - we very much need naval mines," he said.