30 August 2007: Russians in the dark

The Russian garrison at an air base in Kyrgyzstan has been left in the dark. Their electricity has been cut off because the bill hasn't been paid.

The local electricity company said the barracks, which house 300 servicemen, have been cut off, but added that the air strip lights had not been affected.

The Russian military has now promised that the unpaid bill, amounting to over £6,000, will be paid by the end of the week.