Grozny - Chechen forces yesterday launched a fierce counter-offensive against Russian troops sent to crush Islamic guerrillas in the rebel republic, according to the Chechen President, Mr Aslan Maskhadov.
Chechen forces struck back at federal government soldiers in the Goragorsky area west of the capital, Grozny, Mr Maskhadov said, adding that federal troops had suffered heavy losses in the clashes.
"Our forces have started a counter-offensive in the north, above the Terek River, and they have already taken control of the Chervlyonnaya-Uzlovaya settlement," he said.
The battles around Goragorsky throughout the day left 200 dead among Russian forces, who lost 17 light armoured vehicles, Mr Maskhadov claimed.