At least one car bomb exploded today outside a bank in the city of Vladikavkaz, a southern Russian city near Chechnya.
The blast hit a passing military vehicle, killing at least one woman and wounding several soldiers. Russian news agencies are reporting that several people had been killed in the explosion.
The local emergencies ministry confirmed the blasts had occurred in the city of Vladikavkaz but had no further details.
The ministry could not confirm reports by two Russian agencies that people had been killed.
Heavy smoke filled the area as firefighters battled flames after the explosion.
Vladikavkaz is the capital of the province of North Ossetia, to the west of Chechnya, where rebels and Russian forces have been fighting since 1999.
More to follow