By Nikolai Gorshkov BBC correspondent in Moscow

The Russian Army has launched its first fully professional unit as part of an experiment to decide whether to end decades of military conscription.

The airborne division, based at Pskov, not far from St Petersburg, will stop taking conscripts and will only employ soldiers on a contractual basis from now on.

The experiment by the Russian Defence Ministry has been long in the making.

Draft-dodging and shoot-outs are said to be common

The need for a professional army is becoming more obvious with every new disaster that hits the country's armed forces, either in Chechnya or elsewhere.

Draft-dodging, deserting and shoot-outs within units are widespread.

Politicians have been trying to kick-start the army reform by introducing model units of professional soldiers.

But the generals have been dragging their feet, arguing that Russia did not have the necessary funds to switch from a free conscript army to an expensive, professional force.

Looming problems

The experiment at the Pskov airborne division may well prove they were right.

According to reports, the building of new accommodation for soldiers and officers, who usually are cramped into barracks and rented flats, has hit financial rocks and fallen behind schedule.

But the biggest problem is finding the right type of soldier.

Politicians have been keen to reform the military

The Defence Ministry says only the best professionals should be signed up to serve in the division.

But the offered salary of about $70 a month is not the kind of money a professional would subscribe to.

There used to be a number of benefits for the military to top up their meagre salaries.

But since the government abolished them last July, many of those already on contracts decided to quit.

Now the authorities are looking for ways of luring soldiers into the new professional unit.

The airborne troops are considered to be the best fighting force in the country, and there are plans to increase their numbers.

If this experiment fails, the Russian army will remain in limbo.