
(August 22, 1999)
August 20
Botlikhsky District: Over the past 24 hours federal forces
led 37 bombing strikes against rebel strongholds in southwest Dagestan. This marks the
heaviest air assault by federal forces in thirteen days of fighting. Russias
Interior Ministry reported that two Kamaz lorries carrying terrorists were destroyed and
two rebel munitions dumps discovered overnight; over 100 rebel gunmen were claimed to have
been killed. Despite these advances, the Ministry noted that Islamic gunmen seized three
new villages, Roti, Akur, and Chado, outside Botlikh. Russia TV reports that rebel gunmen
are retreating and leaving their dead behind, either unattended or laid in mass graves.
Dagestan, municipal districts: Special police forces are
patrolling streets in Dagestans major urban centers on alert for terrorist attacks,
sabotage, and hostage-taking by Islamic forces. In Makhachkala, Kaspiysk, Khasavyurt and
Buynaksk, self defense forces are guarding hospitals, schools, industrial enterprises, and
administrative buildings.
Grozny: More than 200 Chechen reservists have been deployed
to the Kizlyar section of the Dagestani border to secure the Mozdok-Kizlyar route into
Chechnya. Borozdinovskaya, a village two kilometers from the border, has seen constant
shelling by Islamists trying to open this northern route. Borozdinovskaya is now
reportedly secure and manned by police as part of a state of emergency called by Chechen
President Aslan Maskhadov last Sunday. The border defense for Kizlyar is under the command
of former Chechen interior minister Brigadier General Aslanbek Arsayev, who assures,
"the border will be reinforced at all possible intrusion sites." Russias
Defence Ministry reports Shamil Basayev is actively trying to recruit jobless youths in
Chechnya to support his waning campaign in Dagestan.
Stavropol: Border officials from Chechnya and Russias
Stavropol Territory have agreed to a cooperative arrangement for establishing buffer zones
over a five kilometer administrative boundary. The agreement, signed today in the Cossack
village of Galyugayevskaya near Stavropol, will enable combined Russian and Chechen forces
to curb weapons smuggling and terrorist movements across the border.
Vladikavkaz: Police units from North Ossetia and mobile
units of Internal Troops from Russias Interior Ministry regrouped along the 284
kilometer stretch of North Ossetias administrative border with Chechnya and
Ingushetia. Checkpoints and border posts were reinforced between Chechnya and Ingushetia
in response to reports from Russias FSB (Secret Service) that Islamic militants had
tried to recruit from North Ossetias Prigorodnyy District. Officials in North
Ossetia have worked closely with Russian Interior Ministry troops, units of the 58th
Army of the North Caucasus Military District, and units on the Vladikavakaz border to
prevent rebels from stirring ethnic unrest in the region. All transport communications on
the border will be monitored indefinitely and all transport vehicles travelling to Russia
on the Kavkaz federal road from the North Caucasus will be stopped and checked.
August 19
Tando: Bomb raids continued over villages to the north of Botlikh today, helping ground
troops seize two of the rebel bases outside of Tando, routing 70 guerrillas, according to
Russias Defense Ministry. Russian Deputy Interior Minister Igor Zubov said today
that a large-scale offensive against rebels held up at Tando would begin next week, after
Russian and Dagestani troops regrouped. The combined death toll of Russian and Dagestani
forces is now 40 dead and 160 injured after twelve days of fighting. Basayevs press
office declares these figures to be excessively low.
Grozny: Shamil Bashayev has put his troops on alert to
begin phase two of his campaign in Dagestan, code-named Imam Gamzat Bek. Russian forces
are preparing for a series of attacks to take place at Kizlyar and Khasavyurt, two major
cities located in central Dagestan, approximately sixty miles north northwest of the
Botlikhsky District.
Agvali: Two Dagestani police personnel were wounded by
sniper fire this morning in the Tsumadinsky District, according to Interfax.
Andi: Dagestans Interior Ministry reports that
another rebel force of up to 2,000 men has approached a village near the Kharami Pass.
Moscow: Losses suffered by Russian paratroopers on
Wednesday have been attributed to miscalculations of rebel locations in Tando, according
to Kommersant Daily. Federal forces have strafed the hamlet north of Botlikh, destroying
all 50 homes, in order to seize the strategic height from Islamic militants. Rebels opened
fire on a paratrooper unit as they were landing, killing eight according to early reports
by the Ministry of Defense. Rebels continue their claim of 60 Russian casualties, in
addition to destroying three tanks, three armored vehicles, and four armored personnel
carriers. Izvestia reports that officials from Russias general staff "are
quietly admitting that it will take six months to wipe out the Wahhabi groups at the
Chechen-Dagestani border."
August 18
Botlikhsky District: Federal forces have flown 50 sorties over the past 24 hours to gather
intelligence, deliver airstrikes and drop land mines in regions held by rebel forces.
Ground campaigns were renewed against rebels in the Botlikhsky district today, though
Russian forces suffered their heaviest losses in twelve days of combat during the latest
offensive at Tando. Dagestans Interior Ministry reported eight Russian casualties
and 20 wounded, while Basayevs information agency declared that 60 Russian troops
had been killed overnight. Chief of the General Staff Gen. Anatoliy Kvashnin declared
today that, "stabilizing the situation in Dagestan is a drawn-out process and would
require several months." Despite their losses, combined Dagestani and Russian forces
secured the Kharami mountain pass today, cutting off yet another rebel supply route from
Chechnya.
Makhachkala: Russian Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev
concluded his one-day mission to Dagestan today after meeting with Defense Ministry
officials who are managing anti-terrorist operations on the border. North Caucasus
Military District Commander Viktor Kazantsev has been appointed head of the army group
deployed in Dagestan, ending the theater command of Russias Interior Ministry.
Commenting on the change of command, Chief of the General Staff Gen. Anatoliy Kvashnin
said, "changes in the Dagestani situation, which involves combat actions, call for
putting a person in charge of the group who would have more forces and means at his
disposal."
Buinaksky District: Television and radio relay stations
broadcasting Islamic extremist programming were bombed today outside the villages of
Karamakhi and Chabaniakhi. Speaking on Tuesday, head of the State Council of the Republic
of Dagestan Magomedali Magomedov indicated a hard-line stance against local sympathizers
to Basayevs jihad. Referring to the broadcast of open propaganda materials,
Magomedov said, "We are actually in a state of war, and we shall pursue a very tough
policy with regard to those who do not wish to abide by the laws of the Russian Federation
and Dagestan, those who are in the way."
Moscow: First Deputy Minister Mikhail Seslavinsky indicated
that Russia has also begun its own information blockade, confirming to Ekho Moskvy radio
on August 18 that the Ministry for the Press, TV and Radio Broadcasting and Mass
Communications have sanctioned the broadcast of interviews with rebel leaders. Russian
Public TV received a more strict version of the statement than was issued to All-Russia
State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company, Russia TV, NTV, and TV6.
Makhachkala: Kavkaz-Tsentr broadcast today that the joint
command of Dagestani mojahedin appointed Sirazhdin Ramazanov to the post of Rais al-Vazara
(prime minister) of the Islamic State of Dagestan. Ramazanov is thus charged with forming
a Hukumat (government) that will be completed within the next two to three weeks.
Ramazanovs first act as Rais al-Vazara was the appointment of Magomed Tagayev to the
post of Information and Press Minister. Tagayev, a native of Ansalta, has been directing
the press center for the Dagestani mujahedeen.
August 17
Makhachkala: First Deputy Defense Minister Vladimir Kolesnikov reports, "We control
the situation in the villages, where the guerrillas are still staying. There are not many
of them left, and they will be driven out within a few days." Kolesnikov mentioned
also that upon returning from combat zones on Monday, he found 147 guerrillas had been
killed in the Botlikhsky District between Friday and Saturday. Chechen hospitals are
filling with wounded guerrillas aged between 16-35 and rebel morale is reportedly low.
Kolesnikov noted that fighting was even more active on Sunday and Monday, though Monday
night was mostly inactive.
Botlikhsky District: Air assault troops have arrived in the combat
zone from Ulyanovsk, thirty-second Brigade, and will join with other forces as they
regroup to prepare for a final offensive. At present, a combined force of 13,000 Russian
commandos, Dagestani police, and local volunteers have encircled the rebels and await
orders to seize their position. Rebels held up at Tando to the north of Botlikh are
calling urgently for reinforcements, though they are isolated by Russian forces. The State
Duma Committee on Defense announced today that federal forces will not maneuver in order
to purge the Islamists from Dagestan, but "destroy" them. Head of the General
Staff of the Russian armed forces General Anatoliy Kvashnin stated furiously "They
must be destroyed, and that is all, so that bandits no longer destroy civilians."
Moscow: President Boris Yeltsin doubted if the establishment of a
state coordinating body would be necessary for the North Caucasus, though he said it would
be considered. Yeltsin was positive about the progress of Russian forces in the region and
emphasized the financial needs of the people, saying "One should show respect to the
Dagestani people and support it," adding, "we support at the hardest
moments." During a meeting with Prime Minister Putin, Yeltsin was pressed on whether
Russia would leave the North Caucasus to Islamic rebels and replied, "It will never
happen. We will not allow it." Putin affirmed that no time limit will be imposed on
federal forces conducting operations in Chechnya and Dagestan.
August 16
Botlikhsky District: Russian forces seized the village of Shodroda after a twelve-hour
battle outside of Botlikh. Fighting for this strategic position has resulted in four
Russian paratroopers killed and wounded 20 since Friday. No Russian casualties were
reportedly taken in todays offensive at Shodroda. Rebel lines of retreat from
Shodroda and nearby Ansalta, Rakhata, Rikvani, and Tando have been mined. Relying on
Su-24s and Su-25s for reconnaissance and mine-planting, federal forces flew over 50
sorties overnight, leveling most of the 50 homes in Tando. Approximately 600 hundred
paratroopers and special police arrived from Stavropol earlier in the day, while a
battalion of Airborne troops arrived to the district from Buynaksk. Russias Interior
Ministry reports that rebels now hold only four of the 32 villages in the region.
Grozny: Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov received an
audience of 5,000 for an anti-war rally today, where he continued to downplay
Chechnyas role in Dagestan and accused Russia of "trying to trigger a civil war
in Chechnya." Maskhadovs language was uncharacteristically confrontational
today, saying that "fighting crime and abductions and rebuilding the economy is the
chief jihad," adding that "we do not need Dagestan or other parts of Russia, but
we will not tolerate attacks on Chechnya." This rally comes on the heels of
yesterdays announcement that Chechnya would today begin a full state of emergency
that will last until September 16.
Makhachkala: Dagestans Interior Ministry cites the
losses of Basayevs force as severe. In the past ten days of fighting, five mortars,
14 civilian lorries, three tanks and seven anti-aircraft guns were destroyed and 600
rebels killed. Five gunmen are now in Russian custody. Despite his defeat, Basayev
proclaimed today that "the longest and most difficult" campaign will begin
"within 60 hours." Details of the operation, code named Imam Gamzat Bek, were
not given. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was later today targeted for
assassination by the Islamic Peacekeeping Armys sharia court in Dagestan.
August 15
Grozny: President Aslan Maskhadov declared a state of emergency that will continue through
September 16, pending "future developments" in Dagestan. The conditions for the
state of emergency include a 10:00 PM-6:00 AM (Moscow time) curfew, a ban on all
unsanctioned rallies and protests, and suspension of all press accreditations and
radio-broadcast licenses. Chechnyas official envoy to Moscow, Mairbek Vachagayev,
emphasized the police actions were not the result of fighting in Dagestan, but of recent
comments made in Moscow that dismissed the independent status of Chechnya. Consideration
for a state of emergency in the Russian Federation is made only by appeal to the Russian
Federation Council, which Maskhadov has not done. Chechnyas alert will instead be
enforced by a "special regime" on the administrative border, according to
Vachagayev, beginning at midnight tonight.
Botlikhsky District: Rebel strongholds at Ansalta, Rakhata,
and Shodroda were pounded by Russian combat helicopters and Su-25 warplanes, allowing
paratroopers to capture the Miarsinsky Heights command feature south of the villages.
Novalaksky District: A patrol group of police from a
western district in Dagestan was fired upon early Sunday morning by bandits armed with
submachine guns and grenade launchers. Bandits and police fought between the villages of
Galaiti, Duchi, and Gamiakh for 30 minutes before the rebels retreated to Chechnya. No
casualties were reported. This skirmish, along with firefights reported from Outposts 1
and 2 in the Kizlyar district, indicate the northernmost movements of the rebel forces,
which are disproportionately lodged in the south near Botlikh and surrounding villages.
Rikvany: Dagestani police and volunteers under the command
of Police Col. Umakhan Umakhanov thwarted a rebel push from Benoi, Chechnya to join forces
at Botlikh. As many as 21 rebel gunmen were killed, while three of the Dagestani troops
perished and six were wounded.
Grozny: Basayevs information agency reported the
death of 19 rebels overnight near the villages of Gagatly and Rikvany in western Dagestan,
noting also that an additional 35 rebels were killed since Friday night.
August 14
Gagatly, Rikvany: Moslem fighters led by Shirvani Basayev, brother of field commander
Shamil Basayev, were routed by Dagestani volunteers and policemen who, having run out of
ammunition, buried the rebels under an avalanche. Eyewitnesses reported that 60 fighters
were buried under the debris after an overhanging cliff exploded. Shirvani Basayevs
condition is unknown at this time.
Kenkhi: Russias Interior Ministry confirmed that
Russian forces were routing rebels from positions inside the Chechen border, cutting off a
part of Basayevs reserve contingent, hiding three miles from the Dagestan border on
the Chechnya side. Kenkhi was one of 19 bomb raids occurring from Friday night to Saturday
morning.
August 13
Grozny: Acting Prime Minister Vladimir Putin declared that rebel bases in Chechnya have
become combat targets for ground and air assaults. Putin affirmed, "Chechnya is a
Russian territory. We will deliver strikes against any place where gunmen are based."
A column of Russian troops and armored personnel carriers fired on Chechen border guards
on Friday morning after crossing the border near the village of Ishcherskaya from the
Russian region of Stavropol. Khumid Dalayev, a Chechen border guard cited by Interfax,
said the incident amounted to an hour-long "provocation" to incite the guards to
return fire. Russias Defense Ministry has denied this incident, as well as reports
from Grozny that Russian jets and helicopters attacked three Chechen villages on Thursday.
Moscow: Russian Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev has
fulfilled instructions from acting Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to increase the pay of
the soldiers deployed at Dagestan. Monthly pay to Russian troops and Dagestani police
forces retained by contract will be increased by anywhere between 70 and 170 percent. On
August 12, Putin said, "If we pay them properly, I think they will cope with the
assigned task quicker." Russian peacekeepers serving in Kosovo are paid US$1,000 per
month, a sum that will now be more proximate to the conscripts in Dagestan who were
earlier paid very little. Basayevs forces are rumored to earn US$100 per day of
combat, while the wounded are paid US$300.
Tsumadinsky District: Russias Interior Ministry
reports that search and destroy missions have ended in Khvani, Echeda, and Tsumadin,
making the district clear of Islamic forces. Steps will be taken to secure area villages
from intrusion by reserve forces. Commander of Interior Ministry troops Vyacheslav
Ovchinnikov said the cleanup of Tsumadinsky marked the end of Phase One. Phase Two, the
clearing of Botlikhsky District, will begin on August 17. Dagestani police came across a
substantial rebel arsenal during mop-up operations near Khvani on Thursday night.
ITAR-TASS reports that the depot included two grenade launchers, a mortar, large-bore
submachine guns, 90 mines, 20,000 bullets, 200 mines for underbarrel grenade-launchers,
and 200 mines for anti-tank grenade launchers.
Ansalta: Russian paratroopers seized a command terrain
outside of Ansalta Thursday night that gives Russia a strategic advantage in wresting
control of nearby Botlikh from rebel forces. Commander of the North Caucuses military
district Viktor Kazantsev sees this advance as the start of a full ground assault.
Kazantsev noted also that militants had for the first time failed to retrieve the bodies
of their dead.
Moscow: Russian Deputy Interior Minister Igor Zubov told
reporters of Russias appeal to Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov to assist federal
forces in the "anti-terrorist" campaign against the rebels. Maskhadov maintains
that the warring in Dagestan is an internal matter that must be handled solely by Russia.
Botlikhsky district: Federal forces have elected to use
Su-24 bombers to ferret Islamic forces from their positions in the ravines of western
Dagestan. Anatoly Kornukov, chief of Russias Air Defense, said that these
"special bombs of great killing power, [are] capable of reaching militants in
canyons, caves and other hardly accessible places." Russias Interior Ministry
has used its air power conservatively because of the presence of Dagestani civilians in
the region. Cruise missiles will not be used in the region, which Kornukov said will be
secure in three days.
August 12
Lake Kezenoy-am: The northern supply route of Chechen forces has been blocked by federal
border troops. Mountain paths south of Kezenoy-am through Snegovoy Pass remain open,
allowing for continuous supply of arms to rebel positions in northern Dagestan. The
Islamic Peacekeeping Army is channeling light munitions through the regions gorges
and ravines on horseback.
Godoberi: Islamic rebels engaged the first detachment of
Dagestans volunteer forces that left Makhachkala by bus on Wednesday. This first
unit is 300 strong and will receive support from the regular army, additional volunteers
en route to the region, and 1,000 servicemen arriving soon from Stavropol. There is no
report yet on the operational success of the mostly untrained volunteers facing
Basayevs guerrilla forces.
Stavropol: Reinforcements from Russias Interior
Ministry are en route to Dagestan from the Northern Caucuses and Murmansk, Russia.
Russias commando-elite comprise the majority of newly deployed units to border
regions of Chechnya and Dagestan, including 600 paratroopers, 50 members of OMAN, and a
brigade from Russias GRU (secret service). A battalion of 500 men from OMAN forces
based in the Urals has also departed for the Northern Caucuses.
Ansalta: Shamil Bashayev establishes Islamic Peacekeeping
Army headquarters at Ansalta. Islamic forces are holding their positions at Botlikhskiy
and Tsumadinsky districts but have suffered heavy casualties. Over 200 aviation sorties
have been flown in northern Dagestan in the past five days, allegedly inflicting 150 rebel
fatalities and wounding 300 more.
Moscow: Deputy Interior Minister Igor Zubov announces that
both sides have taken losses in Dagestan, noting that some rebels have withdrawn to
Chechnya. Zubov cited the rebel forces at 700 active personnel and 500 reserve, while
hundreds of Dagestani volunteers assist Russian detachments. Armored personnel carriers
are patrolling Moscow and police forces are on alert for any terrorist actions.
Stavropol: Russian airforce commander in chief, Colonel General Anatoly Kornukov, stated
that a plan drawn up by the ministers of Defense and the Interior is being
implemented in Dagestan. In accordance with the plan, a special weaponhighly
effective and with great killing poweris being used.
Gubden: Rebels are forced out of village by locals in Karabudakhentsky district in
Dagestan after seizing a Moslem teaching center for training purposes.
August 11
Botlikh, Tsumadinsky district: Russians escalate air campaigns on Tondo and surrounding
villages in attempt to dislodge rebel forces. Two hundred Russian forces surrounded the
district in order to secure villages held by the Islamic Peacekeeping Army.
Operations continued through the night in Botlikh and Tsumadinsky districts.
Stavropol: Russian border police shut down all of the 60 checkpoints at midnight along the
border of Dagestan and Chechnya. All crossing vehicles will be thoroughly searched. OMAN
and SOBR units from Russias Federal Anti-Terrorism Commission arrive in the Kurskiy
district of Russian, northwest from Chechnya.
Grozny: Basayev declares that rebel forces surrounded Russias 136th Army Brigade
near Buinaksk. Islamists allege that seven Russian helicopters and one plane have been
shot down or grounded. The Islamic Shura of Dagestan declare Shamil Basayev as
military amir of the combined forces of Dagestans mujahedin. Basayev appoints
Wahhabi militant Khattab as chief commander.
Botlikh: Khattab is reportedly wounded and his interpreter killed while carrying out
operations in north Dagestan.
Makhachkala: Dagestans Interior Ministry reports the combined casualties for
Dagestani police and Russian forces were 10 dead and 27 wounded. The Ministry reported
rebel casualties to be 44 dead and 80 wounded as of Tuesday. Mayor Said Amirov
organizes volunteer forces and deploys the first 300 to Botlikh. This international
brigade is comprised of refugees and civilians who will be trained in the field by
former servicemen having combat experience in Afghanistan and the former Soviet
Union. Dagestans Interior Ministry confirms the loss of two Russian helicopter
gunships by rebel mortar attacks.
August 10
Echeda, Khvani: Russian forces and Dagestani police secure two villages on Dagestans
western border, repelling rebel troops.
Makhachkala: Russian forces destroy two rebel tanks and one anti-aircraft gun in the late
evening.
Grozny: Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov refers to the conflict as a dirty big
game, alleging that A Mongol Tartar invasion is being simulated to deceive the
Russian and world community and distract attention from the deep processes underway in
Dagestan."
August 9
Zemo Omalo: A Russian Su-24 fighter enters Georgian
airspace at 0945 GMT. Cluster bombs with possible carriage of anti-personnel mines are
dropped on a village 60 km outside the Dagestan border, wounding three.
Godoberi: One Russian helicopter is allegedly shot down, falling into the Andiyskoye
Koysu.
Botlikh: Four Russian helicopters are reportedly immobilized by mortar fire on airstrip in
northern Dagestan. Russian helicopter opens fire on Dagetani police convoy killing four
and wounding seven.
August 7
Botlikh, Tsumadinsky: Approximately 1,200 guerrillas cross into Dagestan and establish
strongholds in the northwestern region of Dagestan. These forces comprise mercenaries from
Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan, though the majority are guerrillas loyal to Chechen
warlords Shamil Basayev, Salman Raduyev, and Jordanian Wahabbi leader Khattab. At least
nine villages are overtaken with little resistance and occupied by Saturday.
July 27
Stepashin states that there will not be another war in Chechnya.
July 24
Chechnyas envoy to Russia, Mairbek Vachagayev, says that Chechnya is willing
to form part of Russian federation but will not give up independence.
July 23
Chechen attackers open fire with mortars and submachine guns at a Russian
post in the town of Kizlyar wounding three soldiers.
July 17
Atgeriyev is freed and returns to Chechnya.
July 16
Chechen Security Minister Turpal-Ali Atgeriyev is detained in Moscow by Interior
Ministry police for his alleged role in a 1996 attack and charged with banditry,
hostage-taking, and terrorism. Atgeriyev was in Moscow as a representative of
Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov, and was tohave met with Russian officials
to plan a Yeltsin-Maskhadov meeting.
July 15
Rushailo holds a closed meeting of the Interior Ministry to discuss the situation in
Chechnya.
July 3
Rushailo addresses the Federation Council and warns that Russia will make
preemptive strikes against Chechen rebels. Stepashin says that Chechnya will
not be allowed to split away from Russia. Rushailo is promoted to the rank of
Colonel General.
June 30
Alexander Lebed negotiates the release of seven hostages held in captivity in
Chechnya.
June 29
Stepashin states that the stabilizing of the situation in the Caucasus and prevent
it from worsening is the top priority of the government.
June 28
Stepashin chairs a conference of the Dagestani law-enforcement bodies in
Makhachkala to discuss the situation in the North Caucasian republic.
June 24
Speaker of the Russian State Duma Gennady Seleznyov and Chechen speaker
Ruslan Alikhadzhiyev hold an informal meeting to discuss the problems in the
Caucasus.
June 22
Stepashin holds a meeting to discuss the situation in the North Caucasus. Rushailo states
that all Chechen paramilitary bases will be destroyed.
June 17
Overnight fighting between Chechen and Russian forces results in the deaths of 7 Russian
Interior Ministry troops and the wounding of 15 others.
June 11
Russian Prime Minster Sergei Stepashin and Interior Minister Vladimir Rushailo
meet with Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov to talk about economic and law-
enforcement arrangements between the two countries.
June 1
Thirty Chechen gunmen attack a military post killing one Russian officer and
wounding three others.
May 29
Chechen Deputy Prime Minister Akmed Zakayev says that Russian air strikes were in
violation of a bilateral treaty. Chechen Security Minister Turpal Atgeriyev denies that
Chechens were responsible for the attack on the Russian border post.
May 28
Seventy armed Chechen militants attack a Russian checkpoint in Dagestan
around 2 am resulting in the death of 1 Russian officer and 9 Chechens. Russian
Mi-24 helicopters fire on a Chechen guerilla camp.
May 27
Russian Forces free two Orthodox priests and five soldiers from Chechnya during an
overnight mission. Interior Minister Vladimir Rushailo claims that between 500 and 800
people are still being held in Chechnya. Sixty Chechen rebels, while hunting for weapons,
attack a police station killing one and injuring 13.
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