RUSSIA: Russian army mountain unit to keep watch over southern borders

Russia readies an army unit to protect its mountainous north Caucasus border regions. Russia's military has recently been conducting manoeuvres in the country's mountainous north Caucasus region, as part of plans by the army General Staff to create a "Mountain Brigade", made up of professional soldiers. Some 14.8 billion rubles, about 600 million U.S. dollars, have been allocated from the defence budget towards setting up the unit and ensuing it is operational by the end of 2007. Military exercises for the new mountain bridages were held recently at a training ground in North Ossetia. About 500 soldiers and officers took part in the manoeuvres, which included live fire exercises. Some of the officers taking part in the training said most of the soldiers would relish the chance to be serve in a mountain brigade. "Now people have become interested in this and you can see the sparkle in their eyes, because not many have a chance to see mountains as most of them are from low land regions. And I have to say it is very pleasant to serve and work in the mountains," said Lieutenant Ramil Abukezhdarov. The 23-year-old army officer said the mountainous territory presented a new kind of challenge. "It is not very difficult here, but there is certainly an extra challenge because of the terrain whether you want it or not, but it is boring there on the plains. There is always something new and interesting here, like special training for mountains, shooting. Even shooting is more interesting in the mountains than on the plains," added Abukezhdarov. During the exercises at the Daryal Military camp, soldiers were given instruction on special mountain equipment they need. Russia has been concerned about security across its southern border regions, where two separatist wars in Chechnya have helped spread instability across other republics in the Russian Federation. And with Russia set to host the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, security in the country's North Caucasus mountains has become an issue of vital importance. President Vladimir Putin said recently the mountain brigades would help with security for the 2014 games.

ITN Source | July 30, 2007

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