MOSCOW, December 23 (RIA Novosti) - Troops specializing in radiation, chemical and bacteriological protection are working to alleviate the effects of the toxic slick that has polluted the Amur River in Russia's Far East, the Defense Ministry said Friday.
The ministry said 170 teams had been formed to monitor the situation.
According to the ministry, 125 contract servicemen trained to handle toxic chemicals and 35 units of special equipment are involved in the effort.
Experts are testing the water every three hours and providing water supplies to the Far East city of Khabarovsk.
The toxic slick that flowed into the Amur River following an explosion at a Chinese petrochemical plant arrived in Khabarovsk early Thursday and is now passing through city.
The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry said that a state of emergency had not been imposed in Khabarovsk.
