President Putin meeting with Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov.
The Defence Minister reported on plans to reduce Russia’s military contingent in Chechnya. In the next few days, 1,270 servicemen and about 200 military vehicles will be withdrawn from the republic. This will reduce troop numbers in Chechnya to about 30,000 soldiers of the 42nd motorised rifle division, 46th internal troops brigade, and commandant’s offices and commissariats.