RUSSIAN BAKERS CUT OFF BREAD TO RUSSIAN TROOPS.

Soldiersin a unit near Moscow no longer receive any bread, because thedefense ministry has failed to pay for it in the past, Moskovskykomsomolets reported June 23. According to the bakers, theMoscow military district alone is billions of rubles behind inits payments, and these arrears will force the bakers to stopsupplying troops with more bread. Meanwhile, Russian radio reportedJune 25 that authorities in Sverdlovsk oblast had demanded thatthe Russian government pay the defense ministry so that it couldpay suppliers in that region. In order to meet budget and deficittargets this year, the Russian government has not fully fundedthe military; as a result, the army has cut back on research anddevelopment, and on acquisitions, and is now being forced to cutback on food.

One-Third of Young Russians Now Unemployed.