Russian peacekeepers take off for Chad.

MOSCOW, February 28 (Itar-Tass) -- The first unit of the Russian
aviation group takes off for the republic of Chad on Sunday to take part
in the UN peacekeeping operation in Chad and the Central African Republic,
an official representative of the Russian Air Force told Itar-Tass.

"Within the framework of regular personnel rotation, a Tu-154 aircraft
of the Russian military transport aviation force with the group's first
unit will take off for Chad on Sunday from the Chkalovsky airdrome. On
March 4, the second unit will take off by an IL-76 aircraft from the
Migalovo airport (Tver). The IL-76 will also take on board the group's
stores," said Lieutenant Colonel Vladimir Drik.
Regular personnel rotation of the Russian aviation group in Chad is
carried out in accordance with the Russian president's decree of September
1, 2008 on Russian armed units participation in the European Union's UN
support operation in Chad and the Central African Republic, Drik reminded.
Under the decree, up to 200 Russian servicemen, four Mi-8MT transport
helicopters equipped with standard weapons, ammunition and other stores
may take part in the operation. However, actually only some 100 air
personnel and engineers and four helicopters are involved in the operation.
Within the next eight months, the Russian servicemen will be engaged
in transportation of cargoes and UN personnel, evacuation and rescue
operations, and in survey flights. The Russian servicemen in Chad have
specially equipped dwelling modules and uniform adapted to the local
climatic conditions. The Russian base in located in the Abeche airdrome in
Chad.
It is not ruled out that this will be the last mission of the Russian
group since Ndjamena has asked the United Nations not to renew the UN
mission's mandate in Chad and the Central African Republic, which expires
this March.
The Russian aviation group has been deployed in Chad since December
2008. The EU peacekeeping operation in Chad and the Central African
Republic was carried out under the UN resolution of September 25, 2007.
The EU peacekeeping force comprised some 3,700 servicemen from France,
Spain and Italy. In March 2009, peacekeeping functions were transferred to
the UN mission.