Nine Russian Soldiers Killed In Chechnya

Russian soldiers in Chechnya (file photo) 26 September 2005 -- Nine Russian soldiers are reported to have been killed and 14 wounded in the latest fighting in Chechnya.
A pro-Russian official, who asked not to be identified, says seven Russian soldiers died and at least 10 were injured fighting militants near the village of Bugovroi.

He says two Russian soldiers died and four were injured during nine other attacks by Chechen rebels on federal troop positions over the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the United Nations reported that mines and unexploded ammunition have killed hundreds and wounded thousands of civilians over the past 10 years in Chechnya.

A report by the United Nations Office for Coordinating Humanitarian Aid to Chechnya said today that mines have killed 641 civilians and wounded 2,340 in the republic since 1995.

The figures included 125 children killed and 612 injured. They were based on reports from residents of Chechnya gathered through 15 special mailboxes organized by the United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF.

(AFP/AP)