MOSCOW, November 9 - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday the armed forces had witnessed a switch from a stage of prolonged transformation to a stage of planned military development this year.

"These have been hard years for the country, army, and fleet... We lived under conditions of unending conflict in the North Caucasus and were unable to solve one problem at a time. It`s pleasant to note that the armed forces are starting rhythmic work," Putin said at a conference with military commanders.

He said the Defense Ministry had managed to improve the quality of command over troops and forces, remarking that the armed forces had been quite effective in countering the recent attack on Nalchik, the capital of Kabardino-Balkaria.
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