Russians fear imminent Chechen rebel attack

Russian forces say that they believe that Chechen rebels have left their main base of operation in the southern mountains. 

Large rebel units based in the Vedeno district frequently carry out attacks on government targets. The area is mountainous and thickly forested making it incredibly dangerous for Russian patrols. Local authorities have said that they have not observed any movement in the area nor have they intercepted any rebel radio communications in recent days. Pro-Russian President Kadyrov has said he believes that the rebels have left the area.

Local experts, however, haave said it is premature to of an abscence of rebel formations due to a lack of radio activity. Speaking to the Caucasian Knot newspaper, experts said that no large rebel columns are active in the mountains anymore and they prefer to operate in smaller cells of around five to ten members, only joining up for large operations such as the attack on the village of Tsentoroi on August 29th, which left 12 Russian soldiers and 5 civilians dead. The expert added that militants rarely used mobile phones or radio communications as they were aware of their vulnerabilities.

Local observers say that militants have their bases in the dense forests in almost all of the foothills in Chechnya and that their long silence in wireless communications may indicate preparations for some sort of major action.