South Ossetian Armed Forces reduced to 1,250 servicemen

The new South Ossetian Minister of Defense colonel Valery Yakhnovets will lead a reduced army, reports Interfax. “I will lead a reduced army of 1,250 soldiers. The reduction of staff wasn’t my decision it was a political decision. But I don’t want to provide for further reductions, it leads to a social tension in the кepublic”, Yakhnovets said in an interview with the “Kommersant” newspaper. He said the move was in accordance with the republic's financial capabilities.He also noticed that South Ossetia must have a good neighbor, and Russia could assist in defense issues.