Up to 10 Russian soldiers killed in Dagestan

Up to 10 Russian soldiers and at least one rebel have been killed in battles and skirmishes throughout Dagestan.

In the first incident, one Russian soldier was wounded in a grenade attack on a patrol in the Khasavyurt district.

Meanwhile, fighting in the Kayakent district in southern Dagestan has left up to 10 Russian soldiers dead. It is understood that two members of the Russian special forces and one soldier were killed in a battle with Chechen and Dagestani rebels on the outskirts of a forest. In a follow up operation, Russian news agencies have reported that seven Russian soldiers were killed or wounded when a grenade exploded accidentally.

Also, in Kaspiisk, a rebel was killed in a shootout with Russian forces. Russian forces attempted to capture 21 year-old Shamil Khazhiyev but he opened fire with a pistol and was killed.