Speaking at a government meeting, Rashid Nurgaliyev said the contingent comprises four special purpose battalions placed in Daghestan, North Ossetia, Kabardino-Balkaria and Ingushetia.
The contingent totals 6,487 servicemen trained for combat operations in mountainous areas.
"We are ready to accomplish tasks set for mountain brigades operating in the North Caucasus," Nurgaliyev said, adding that the troops were fully equipped to modern requirements.
In addition, the minister said a 334-men battalion had been specifically trained to operate in high-altitude mountainous areas.
Nurgaliyev said that interior troops will operate in close interaction with border guards and Defense Ministry units.
Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said in March that the 33rd and 34th motorized rifle brigades will be completely formed by December 2007 and deployed in the Caucasus, near the border with Georgia.
Serdyukov said that only contract officers and sergeants, who number 4,566, would serve in the brigades.
