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New motorized infantry division to emerge in Russia's south by year-end — source

The division’s strength will total about 10,000 officers, its headquarters will be stationed in the Rostov-on-Don, a source says

MOSCOW, March 24. /TASS/. A new fully armed and equipped motorized infantry division will be deployed in Russia’s southern Rostov Region by the end of this year, a source at the headquarters of the Southern Military District has told TASS.

"In accordance with directives from the chief of the General Staff and the commander of the Southern Military District a fully-manned and armed mechanized infantry division will be formed in the district. Three military garrisons are to be built in the Rostov region to accommodate the personnel," the source said.

"The division’s strength will total about 10,000 officers. Its headquarters will be stationed in the Rostov-on-Don. The unit will boast the newest weaponry, armor, trucks and special vehicles.

According to the source, this year the most essential infrastructures - headquarters, barracks and so on - will be established. The other facilities will be built in 2017. For speeding up construction work builders will use pre-fabricated assembly modular units similar to those tested of late in Omsk, Abakan, Kyzyl and other localities.

"According to preliminary estimates, the costs of accommodating the newly-formed mechanized infantry division will total at least five billion rubles ($700 million).

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu unveiled plans for creating three West-oriented divisions at the beginning of 2016.