MOSCOW, January 15, 2004 (RIA Novosti) -- Vladimir Putin said that the conscripts' pneumonia case in Magadan would be thoroughly investigated, and those guilty would be held responsible.
"How can we speak about any personnel potential, if we witness such an attitude to conscripts. This case will be thoroughly investigated and the culprits punished. I assure you this will be done," said the Russian President, addressing the session of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) board.
According to the President, the conscripts, who were going to serve at the border, were ordered to leave the plane and stand for long in frosty and windy weather while the plane was being refuelled. "As a result, all the conscripts have been hospitalised," said Vladimir Putin.
