Russia to clear Chechnya of mines completely by 2017

Russia's Ministry of Defence will look into the problem of removing mines from  agricultural territories in the Chechen Republic. According to Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Khloponin, 5,500 hectares of fields will be cleared of mines by 2015. Nearly 8,000 hectares of forest territory will be safe in 2017.

The work schedule has been coordinated between all ministries and the government of Chechnya. According to the official, additional funding for the work works will not be required.

Dmitry Medvedev, in turn, pointed out the importance of this work because  almost 50 percent of the population of the North Caucasus are rural residents, and the agricultural sector is one of the most promising areas for the  development of the region.