When the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, General of the Army A. Kvashnin, inspected units of the United Group of Federal Troops (forces) in Chechnya, he compared the actions of the 136th motorized Rifle Brigade of the North Caucasus Military District, which in August 1999 in a matter of hours engaged in a battle with gangs in Dagestan, with the daring throw of Russian paratroopers in Kosovo. Then, in Botlich, the soldiers and officers of the 136th acted courageously, steadfastly. In many respects, it was only thanks to their resolute throw that the militants managed to prevent the penetration of militants into the depths of Dagestan territory, and subsequently completely defeat the bandits.

The 136th is still in action today. Its units now form the basis of the group, which provides cover for the administrative border of Chechnya and Dagestan and takes an effective part in the elimination of militants in the southern mountainous regions. Our non-staff correspondent Major Dmitry Semenov met with the commander of the group-Commander of the 136th Motorized Rifle Brigade, Major-General Georgy Eliadze.

- Georgy Vasilyevich, how great is the danger of resuming the combat activity of gangs in your direction today?

- Data from radio intercepts and intelligence reports indicate that the militants, having been defeated, are switching to tactics of action in small groups. And our task is to fight against such groups. For this purpose, for example, our intelligence is actively used. We land our troops in designated areas, conduct reconnaissance activities, and if bandits or their bases are found, immediately strike with aircraft or artillery. Recently, for example, one of the bases was destroyed in this way. Fire from the air was covered with a powerful bandit node. Eight trucks were destroyed at once.

- Do the militants engage in open clashes?

- Mostly when trying to break through from Chechnya to neighboring territories, when our units get in their way. One of these attempts to break through from the territory of Nozhay-Yurt district was recently stopped by the internal troops. The militants are also mining roads and shelling our posts and convoys. But all these attacks immediately receive a worthy rebuff.

- Comrade General, it is known that in the first Chechen campaign, the militants made a serious bet on the possible lack of coordinated actions between representatives of law enforcement agencies in organizing military operations. Are such expectations of bandits justified today?

"Absolutely not. At the moment, all security units concentrated in the group's area of responsibility are strictly and unconditionally subordinate to the commander of the group and act according to his plan. There are currently forces of the Ministry of Defense, Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, border guards, police units, and the commandant's company of the Botlikhsky district military commissariat operating here. All these formations operate under a single leadership.

- Your group is serving in rather difficult conditions - the enemy is nearby, plus the highlands... How is the supply and provision of people organized?

- The conditions here are really difficult. The base area of the grouping is located at an altitude of 1370 meters above sea level. There are strong points with marks of locations over two kilometers away. But I must say that they have no problems with providing food, fuel, and clothing. For the personnel today there is everything.

- How does the local population feel about the military, especially about the presence of such a powerful combat group in their area?

- The attitude is the warmest. People here have experienced the occupation of August last year and do not want it to happen again. Every day, local residents come to the location of the grouping: they bring home-made food and greens. The group's command is working closely with the Botlikh district administration. By the way, one of the six commandant companies formed in Dagestan operates in this area. This unit of about 100 people is staffed by local residents who have entered the service under a contract, and is attached to the district military enlistment office. The supply of the company was partially taken over by the local authorities. The unit serves at roadblocks and is in constant readiness to repel the attack of gangs.

- What is your forecast for the further development of the situation? How long will the troops stay here?

"As long as the situation requires." As long as there is a threat to the security of the Dagestani people, we will not leave here. Bandits will continue to try to enter the territory of Dagestan or try to get help from here. And they don't have to count on it seriously for two reasons. First of all, because of the complete loss of respect for them on the part of local authorities after last year's August invasion. And secondly, we simply won't allow it.

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