Russia to assign $300mln for special forces trainingApril 24, 2013 - 18:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Russian Defense Ministry will allocate 10 billion rubles (about $300 million) to training programs for special forces, RIA Novosti quoted Col. Gen. Vladimir Shamanov, commander of the Airborne Assault Forces (VDV), as saying Wednesday, April 24. Special forces, including Special Operations Troops, VDV and Navy and Army special units, will be trained at a military intelligence department of the Ryazan VDV Academy, Shamanov said. The program will be launched within the next two or three years, he said. Shamanov also said he proposed the establishment of a rapid reaction corps and creation of a separate “mobile” military district in Russia. The rapid reaction corps, including the VDV, the Special Operations Troops, naval infantry and other units, would be placed under the command of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, he said. That would result in the creation of a fifth tactical-strategic command that would make it possible to provide “a comprehensive response to threats and challenges both inside and outside the country,” he said. That refers primarily to peacekeeping operations under UN auspices as well as operations carried out as part of Russia’s obligations to its Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) allies, Shamanov said. Russia currently has four military districts (tactical-strategic commands) established as part of the military reform that started in 2008, replacing the former six districts. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Russia provides info about arrested Armenian ex-MP Russian law enforcement agencies have provided information about the arrest of Tigran Urikhanyan. Lemkin Institue slams Pashinyan's “cryptic engagement with Genocide denial” The Lemkin Institute is alarmed over Pashinyan’s statements “questioning Armenia's legal basis to pursue justice against Turkey”. 41 detained as antigovernment protests continue in Yerevan 41 people were detained in Yerevan as people demanding Pashinian’s resignation stage campaigns of civil disobedience. Armenia votes for UN resolution granting Palestine new rights The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on May 10 to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine. |