MOSCOW (Sputnik) – There are currently no plans to reduce the number of personnel in the Russian Strategic Missile Forces, Col. Gen. Sergei Karakayev, the forces' commander, said Thursday.
"A Strategic Missile Forces service personnel reduction is not planned in the future, their number will be maintained at the same level, of about 60,000," Karakayev told reporters.
The Strategic Missile Forces currently encompass three missile armies: the 27th Guards Missile Army (headquartered in Vladimir), the 31st Missile Army (Orenburg), the 33rd Guards Missile Army (Omsk).
Russia's Strategic Missile Forces are an arm of the country's Armed Forces and the main component of its strategic nuclear troops. Their main goals include nuclear deterrence and defense against possible enemy nuclear missile attacks.
