KIEV, June 23 (RIA Novosti) - Ukraine started on Tuesday a planned rotation of its peacekeeping contingent in Liberia, the Defense Ministry said.
"We started today the 13th rotation of the 56th detached helicopter group, which is fulfilling UN missions in Liberia," the ministry said in a statement.
The 56th helicopter group has been deployed in Liberia since 2004. It comprises 300 servicemen, eight Mi-8 Hip multipurpose helicopters and six Mi-24 Hind attack helicopters.
The group accomplishes a variety of tasks, including "transporting the mission's personnel, evacuating the wounded and the ailing, providing air escort and support to force movement," according to a UN press release.
The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) was established by Security Council resolution 1509 (2003) of 19 September 2003, following a civil war, which lasted for over a decade and claimed the lives of almost 150,000 people.
As of 31 March, 2009, UNMIL had a total of 11,345 uniformed personnel, including 9,988 troops, 139 military observers and 1,218 police, as well as more than 1,500 local and international civilian personnel.
