1270 Russian Soldiers to Be Withdrawn from Chechnya over Coming Days

1270 Russian soldiers will be withdrawn from Chechnya over the next few days. As RTR television reports, this was announced by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday. The minister said that 'these figures were calculated carefully by the general staff and the Defense Ministry.'

'We do not believe that the withdrawal of surplus troops will have any impact on the security situation in Chechnya,' said Mr Ivanov. He also said that a field engineer battalion would be withdrawn as well as an artillery division and parts of the interior forces. About 30-35 thousand soldiers carrying out special duties will remain in Chechnya on a permanent based.