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Russian Space Troops' Commander Tells Putin His Forces Are "Combat Ready"

Posted on: Wednesday, 28 July 2004, 06:00 CDT

Excerpt from report by Russian news agency ITAR-TASS

Moscow, 28 July: Lt-Gen Vladimir Popovkin, the commander-in- chief of the Space Troops, has reported to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the combat readiness of the Space Troops.

In the words of the commander, the infrastructure of Russian space launch facilities [cosmodromes] is developing, "personnel and combat capabilities of systems to warn of a missile attack and Moscow's antimissile defence are being increased".

"The Space Troops have an enormous volume of work which still needs to be done," said Popovkin, whom the president congratulated on his new appointment and new title [made on 10 March 2004]. "In modern conditions, the use of space has become a most important factor with regard to the political, economic and military security of the state."

The commander reported to the president: "Today, the Space Troops of the Russian Federation's armed forces are combat ready."

Popovkin reported that "the state of armaments and equipment and the training of staff ensure the fulfilment of tasks in the interests of all types and kinds of troops, power structures and the country's socioeconomic and scientific development".

"The systematic restoration of the orbital group is under way. Flight tests are planned in 2004 for new intelligence and communications space systems." [Passage omitted]

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