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Russian experts to sweep mines in South Ossetia left after 2008 war

The detachment includes top-class pyro-technicians, dog handlers, experts of the Russian Emergencies Ministry department of robotic technology and a doctor

MOSCOW, June 6 /TASS/. The Russian Emergencies Ministry has sent experts from the Lider center for risk-related rescue operations to South Ossetia to clear its territory of mines left after the 2008 war with Georgia, a source at the Russian Emergencies Ministry press service told TASS.

The rescuers left for Vladikavkaz, the capital of North Ossetia, Russia, earlier on Monday.

"The detachment includes more than 30 people, including top-class pyro-technicians, dog handlers, experts of the ministry’s department of robotic technology and a doctor," the ministry said.

A truck convoy will take the rescuers from Vladikavkaz to Tskhinval, the capital of South Ossetia, where they are going to clear the republic’s territory of bombs, mines and other explosive devices left after the 2008 Georgian aggression against South Ossetia.

The field engineers who have left for South Ossetia have vast experience of demining territories not only in Russia but also abroad.

"The pyro-technicians from the Lider center will deliver a special robotics complex to South Ossetia that will enable them to search for and defuse mines and bombs from a safe distance," the Emergencies Ministry said.

The demined strips of land will be used for agricultural purposes.

"The aim of the demining works is to expand arable lands; guarantee security to the local population and develop the country’s economy," the ministry’s press service concluded.