The President said that he had decided to reduce and partially withdraw the Russian troops from Chechnya. He made Nikolai Patrushev, director of the Federal Security Service, the leader of the counter-terrorist operation. According to the President, there is no need for so many soldiers of the Armed Forces in Chechnya. The counter-terrorist operation in Chechnya will continue, but with the use of other means, the President said, adding that more attention will be paid to certain special operations.
The President reminded that Akhmad Kadyrov, head of Chechnya's administration, formed a plan involving the partial withdrawal of the troops. In this connection, Mr Putin instructed the Government to work out certain elements of the plan, which also involved dealing with socio-economic problems.