Russia Deploys Additional Troops to Former Yugoslavia

Strategic Insights -

Russian lawmakers voted to send 300 additional troops to the former Yugoslavia to take up peacekeeping duties in Croatia and Bosnia. The decision comes after a successful Russian initiative to avert NATO air strikes against their allies, the Bosnian Serbs, by replacing Serb gun positions with Russian peacekeepers. This move is part of an effort to build on Moscow's revived influence in the region in pushing for a settlement of the conflict.

Key Takeaways:

  • 300 additional Russian troops will be deployed to the former Yugoslavia to take up peacekeeping duties in Croatia and Bosnia.
  • The Russian Parliament's upper house, the Federation Council, voted 118 to 2 to approve a request by President Boris Yeltsin to send the extra troops.
  • U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali had asked Russia to send more men to the conflict.
  • The troops will be split between peacekeeping contingents in Croatia and the Bosnian capital Sarajevo.
  • Two Russian soldiers have been killed in former Yugoslavia and 19 wounded - mainly by land mines.
  • The salaries of Russian soldiers serving with UNPROFOR will be raised on a voluntary basis.

Statistics:

  • 300 additional Russian troops will be deployed to the former Yugoslavia.
  • 400 other Russian peacekeepers were deployed to Sarajevo before the NATO bombing ultimatum deadline.
  • 118 members of the Federation Council voted in favor of deploying additional troops.
  • 2 Russian soldiers have been killed in former Yugoslavia.
  • 19 Russian soldiers have been wounded in former Yugoslavia.
  • A five-power summit involving the leaders of Russia, the United States, France, Britain, and Germany aimed at agreeing on a solution to the Bosnian civil war has received a cool reception from Western leaders.

Sources:

  • Interfax news agency
  • Itar-Tass news agency
  • UNTV