Federal troops to leave Chechnya

Federal troops stationed in Chechnya are to be cut mainly by withdrawing part of army units and divisions, officials at Russia’s General Staff say commenting on the order issued by President Vladimir Putin for power ministries to develop proposals on how best to cut the contingent. According to the military cited by Interfax, a “considerable proportion of heavy arms has already been pulled out of the republic or is prepared to do so.” Officials at the General Staff also say that “army units have already accomplished the task of neutralizing large, medium and small rebel groups, while it is the business of special units to neutralize individual rebel groups and their leaders.