Russia withdrew a first batch of federal soldiers from duty in Chechnya today, as part of a plan to call back 1,270 troops in an attempt to prove that the war-ravaged republic has become more secure ahead of a controversial poll later this month.
The soldiers attended a farewell ceremony near the base at Khankala, outside the Chechen capital Grozny, ITAR-TASS reported, though it gave no details details as to how many troops were withdrawn.
The Russian general staff said that the withdrawal of 1,270 of the 80,000 federal troops estimated to be stationed in Chechnya would be completed by Friday.
Russia has been seeking to convey a sense of an improved atmosphere in the republic ahead of a March 23rd referendum on a new constitution that would fix Chechnya's place within the Russian Federation.
The Kremlin has offered the referendum as proof that it has found a peaceful end to the war in Chechnya, where federal troops have been battling separatist rebels since October 1999.
AFP