Russia to monitor Sochi Games from space

MOSCOW - Russian Emergency Situations Ministry will monitor from space the vicinities of Sochi during the upcoming Winter Olympic Games, the ministry's regional chief said Thursday.

"The system of monitoring and forecast of the emergency situations has been deployed, including the space-based monitoring," said Alexander Kazlikin, head of the ministry's Krasnodar regional.

According to Kazlikin, the ministry has deployed its staff in that Black Sea city's venues, including sport arenas and residential areas.

He added that over 680 preparatory and preventive operations have been held by now.

Emergency Minister Vladimir Puchkov requested from its regional department to pay special attention to the security of transportation, energy and other infrastructures in Sochi.

According to the ministry, an 8,925-man group with 1,628 vehicles has been deployed in Sochi.

The 22nd Winter Olympics are to be held on Feb 7-23 with 98 sets of medals for grab.