Number of Russian peacekeepers in Kosovo has been reduced

The reduction of the Russian military contingent in Kosovo has been successfully completed in accordance with the decree of the President and the directive of the Defence Minister of Russia. Beginning with July 1, the number of the Russian peacekeepers in Kosovo amounts to 650 men.

As has been reported by deputy commander of the Russian military contingent in Kosovo Nikolai Mirny, on Monday the last plane with military personnel from Kosovo arrived in Russia. Altogether 650 men, unnecessary military equipment and property have been brought to Russia.

However, the amount of the tasks to be accomplished, according to him, has remained the same, but the forms of their accomplishment have changed. Now the Russian servicemen will have three basic garrisons in Kosovo from where they will fulfil their peacekeeping tasks.

Commander of the Russian Military Contingent in Kosovo Nikolai Kriventsov is confident that the reduction of the Russian contingent will not considerably tell on the accomplishment of the peacekeeping tasks.

Other member-countries of the mission are also withdrawing their peacekeepers from Kosovo, since the situation in that province is being stabilised.