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Army in barracks

Interfax quoted the Defence Ministry as saying troops not taking part in the military operation in the rebel region of Chechnya were in their barracks. Yeltsin named Prime Minister Vladimir Putin as acting president. "The troops received no extra or specific tasks in connection with President Boris Yeltsin's resignation," Interfax quoted the ministry as saying.

"The troops are involved in regular training or taking part in the anti-terrorist operation in Chechnya," the ministry said. "No unplanned movements of troops are being carried out. The troops which are not involved in the anti-terrorist operation are in their barracks." -Reuters