Under an agreement that Russia and Georgia signed on March 31, Russian troops are to leave Georgia's two Soviet-era military bases - Akhalkalaki and Batumi - by 2008. The pullout from Akhalkalaki, about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the border with Turkey, is to be completed by December 2006.
Vladimir Kuparadze, deputy commander of the Russian contingent in South Georgia, said seven T-72 main battle tanks, six BRDM-2 amphibious scout cars, two BTR-60 armored personnel vehicles and four communications vehicles would be loaded on board the train at a railway station in Tsalka, 100 kilometers (62 miles) east of Akhalkalaki.
The first train would head for Russia via Georgia and Azerbaijan on May 15, the official said.
"The equipment will be transported by rail through Azerbaijan," Kuparadze said. "Georgia is responsible for the security of the train until it reaches the border with Azerbaijan, and then the Azerbaijani authorities will take over."
