Putin Speaks of Strengthening Russia’s Southern Borders

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on July 15 while visiting Dagestan, a Russian republic in the north Caucasus, that 15 billion rubles (approximately USD 522 million) will be spent to improve infrastructure there in order to strengthen control of Russia’s southern borders, RIA Novosti news agency reported.

He said that two mountain rifle brigades will be deployed on the southern borders. “Works [in this respect] will be over by 2007, taking into consideration the fact of the withdrawal of our military bases from Georgia. The bases will be pulled out, but the border will be protected,” Putin said.

Tbilisi and Moscow agreed that Russia will pull out its bases from Georgia sometime during 2008.

The Russian President also said that the infrastructure for the protection of the southern borders will be equipped with modern technology.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)