Chechen militants use hostages as a live shield

During a clash between Russian federal forces and a group of Chechen militants on Thursday evening in southeast Chechnya, militants tried to use hostages as "a live shield".

As has been reported, the battle took place near the village Dyshne-Vedeno in the Vedeno district of Chechnya. According to the information of the Regional Operative Staff for Control Over the Counter-Terrorist Operation in the North Caucasus, a group of up to 20 bandits invaded the populated area and took hostages from among local residents - 22 women and a 10-year-old teenager. Using them as "a live shield", the bandits tried to make it into the center of the village and attack the military commandant's office.

Federal forces managed to cut off hostages from militants without shooting, after which a skirmish took place. Nine militants were killed in the battle. Two servicemen of federal forces were killed and four wounded.

According to updated information, another battle took place on Thursday in the city of Argun east of Grozny. According to the information of the Chechen interior ministry, unidentified persons fired at the checkpoint situated in the center of the city from submachine-guns and underbarrel grenade launchers. Three law-enforcement agents were wounded. Casualties among militants are not reported.