The Russian aviation group, operating in Sudan as part of an international peacekeeping operation, has begun preparations for its summer rotation, the Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

The first unit of Russian peacekeepers arrived in Sudan in April 2006. They are expected to remain in the region for five or six years, with rotations every six months.

"The personnel have gathered at the [Torzhok pilot training] center for mission debriefing," spokesman Lt. Col. Vladimir Drik said.

"The group is being supplied with spare parts, medical equipment and other supplies necessary for their autonomous operation," the official said.

The current Russian peacekeeping contingent in Sudan comprises 120 personnel and four Mi-8 helicopters equipped according to UN and international standards.

Russian peacekeepers provide transport services for UN military observers in Sudan, including accompanying freight and carrying out rescue operations.

In March and April, the Russian helicopter unit transported almost 1,800 passengers and over 86 metric tons of cargo as part of preparations for the country's general elections. The Russian peacekeepers also delivered ballots to polling stations in southern Sudan.

Personnel from the group were awarded UN medals in May for their outstanding performance in the region.

The UN Mission in Sudan was established in 2005 to monitor the peace agreement between the government in Khartoum and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement in southern Sudan, which ended the longest-running civil war in Africa.

MOSCOW, June 10 (RIA Novosti)