Moscow, 10 March 2003 (RFE/RL) -- More than 700 soldiers and several pieces of military equipment left today by train from the Khankala military base near the Chechen capital Grozny, the final contingent to leave as part of a planned troop reduction. Last week, the Russian government said it would immediately withdraw 1,270 troops and 200 pieces of military equipment.
Russian forces currently deployed in Chechnya number about 80,000, but some unofficial estimates put the number at about 100,000.
Russian forces currently deployed in Chechnya number about 80,000, but some unofficial estimates put the number at about 100,000.