MOSCOW. Feb 9 (Interfax-AVN) - A peacekeeping brigade formed in the Volga-Urals Military District will primarily be used in countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, but might be deployed in other regions if the UN requests it, said Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov.
"I don't rule out that the brigade could be used in other parts of the world if there is a United Nations' decision and clearly articulated will," Ivanov told the press at the Federation Council on Wednesday.
The brigade is mainly intended for deployment in the CIS, the minister said. "You know that our peacekeepers are serving in Abkhazia and South Ossetia," he said.
The brigade is based in Samara and comprises 2,500 contract servicemen. It has three motorized infantry battalions, one reconnaissance battalion and logistics support units.