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Russia will station fewer troops in Georgia's breakaway regions than it planned after last year's war, First Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Kolmakov said Tuesday.
"We have no reason to deploy all [the planned] personnel at military bases in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Part of the contingent could be deployed in Russia," Colonel General Kolmakov said, RIA-Novosti reported.
He said personnel in Russia would be stationed close to the border.
The Defense Ministry has said it would open a base in Gudauta, in western Abkhazia, and another in Tskhinvali, the capital of South Ossetia, by late 2010.
Russia earlier said it would keep 3,800 troops in each region. It is unclear how many troops have already been deployed.
Abkhazia said last week that Russia planned to keep just 1,700 troops in the region for financial reasons.
Troop Cuts For Rebel Regions
20 May 2009
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