Russian Defense minister visits Adygeya
ADYGEIYA, November 12, Caucasus Times, – Within the framework of scheduled two-days inspection of the army units deployed in the North Caucasus region Russia’s Defense minister Sergei Ivanov arrived yesterday in Adygeya, Caucasus Times correspondent reports citing government office press service.
The airplane of Mr. Ivanov expected to arrive at midday, landed at 3 p. m. at the military airport of Khanskaya, near Maikop. Top Russian official was welcomed by President Sovemen, “power structures” officials accompanied by scores of journalists. The federal minister inspected, for starters, Maikop military hospital, where he announced a terrorist attack alert and commanded training rescue operation conducted by Special Forces unit, which had to show how they would handle hostage release. Mr. Ivanov seemed quite satisfied and inspected the 131st Armor Infantry Brigade where he had met with commanders of the unit. Later, he laid flowers on a memorial of Russia’s heroes.
Speaking at his briefing with journalists Mr. Ivanov said, the visit had been planned “to check how the joint operational command would fight terrorist threats in the republic… and secondly, to visit the Infantry Brigade, which had participated in the first Chechen military campaign.”
Finally, the Defense minister held a meeting with President Sovemen of Adygeya. Journalists were not allowed at the meeting.