150 young men called up for military service in Chechnya

For the first time during the last decades, 150 young men were called up for military service in Chechnya. They will serve in special motorized battalion No 249 of Inner Troops, structural unit of Brigade No 46 of Inner Troops of the Ministry of Interior Affairs of Russia dislocated in the republic on continuing basis.

The last large-scale call of residents of Chechen Republic to induction into the armed forces took place in 1991, yet before the breakup of the USSR. Later a great number of recruits from Chechnya served in Russian military units but after the beginning of the first military campaign in the republic the draft was totally brought to a stop.

"For the first time during the last 20 years draft-age citizens of our republic will be called up for statutory military service. 150 young men will serve in special motorized battalion No 249 of Inner Troops of the Ministry of Interior Affairs of Russia dislocated in the territory of our republic. Statutory service in the Armed Forces of our country lasts one year after which the young men can continue it as contract soldiers", an official of Military registration and enlistment office of Chechnya said to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to him, 300 Chechen conscripts are expected to be called up for statutory service next year.

"Without an order from the Headquarters we cannot send the conscripts to military units. This question is still in the air although we have a lot of young men willing to serve in the Armed Forces", the representative of office added.

According to Military registration and enlistment office of Chechnya, the number of draft-age citizens in the republic makes about 80 thousand persons.

Until recently soldiers of "South" and "North" units of Inner Troops of the Ministry of Interior Affairs of Russia served on contract but there were no soldiers of statutory service among them.