Russian peacekeepers in Kosovo: fresh statistics

More than 3,000 Russian peace-keepers control 10 per cent of the Kosovo territory, commander of the Russian troops contingent (RVK) Major-General Vladimir Kazantsev told journalists today. According to him, the Russian contingent consists of the 11th, 13th and 14th tactical groups, the 27th aviation group and the combat support elements. Three regions of basing and three zones of responsibility in four sectors have been allotted to the Russian contingent. According to RIA Novosti, the Russian servicemen carry out peace-keeping missions at 13 control posts, 10 observation posts and 14 guard posts, and also patrol twenty routes. Gen. Kazantsev also said that 5 guards and 15 patrol groups were daily posted in the zone of the contingent's own security, and from 3 to 6 motor-transport columns with foodstuffs and fuel are convoyed. Nineteen reserve groups are in constant readiness. Among the tasks facing the RVK the general highlighted observation and control of the fulfilment of the agreement, determined by resolution 1,244 of the UN Security Council, as the principal one. Gen. Kazantsev characterized the situation in Kosovo as “stably tense.”