Chechen Commander appeals for new recruits

Chechen Rebel Commander and self-proclaimed underground President of the Chechen Republic, Doku Umarov, has called for more recruits to help drive the Russian Military from the northern Caucasus.

In a video which was released by the Kavkaz Center, Doku Umarov urges young people to join with his forces in the Caucasus Mountains. He also called on existing rebel units in Chechnya, Ingushetia, Dagestan and Kabardino-Balkaria to "intesify operations to eliminate our enemies". He went on to say that rebel attacks would increase as the harsh Caucasian Winter came to an end.

The northern Caucasus has seen an increase in fighting between rebels and pro-Government forces in recent years, with violence in areas like Dagestan and Kabardino-Balkaria surpassing that of Chechnya. Describing the situation, Umarov said:

"Today there is a total war going on. It is not us who had declared it on Russia, it was Russia who declared it on us. When there is a total war, there are not peaceful people left. If total war has been declare on us, then Allah permits us to fight with them as they fight with us.

Therefore, today we have the right to fight against them the way they are fighting against us. I urge you, fight with them, destroy them."

Rebels launch assault on city - 12 Russian Troops wounded

 
A large contingent of rebel fighters have launched a raid on the city of Nalchik in Kabardino-Balkaria in the northern Caucusus.

According to Russian media, at least 10 groups of rebels, each consisting of about 5 fighters, hit Russian Army and Polcie targets across the city within the space of two hours.

Police and military installations across the city were raked with machine gun fire while others were hit with anti-tank rockets. The interior ministry has announced that 12 members of the security forces were wounded. Rebels have claimed that they killed a number of police officers and soldiers although Russian Security Forces have denied this. It is believed that the rebels used a number of hijacked vehciles to launch the attacks.

On the same night, two police installations in outlying towns, one located in the neighbouring province of Ingushetia, were bombed.

The head of security for the city, Arsen Kanakov, has described the incident as a "co-ordinated attack on the city intended to cause destabilization".

Rebel sources have said that the raid was carried out by 5 teams of fighters with a further 5 units providing backup. They also claimed that all of their fighters escaped without injury.

Russia admit soldier killed and others wounded in Kabardino-Balkaria

The Russian Military has admitted that one of it's soldiers has been killed and seven injured following a prolonged gun battle with separatists in the Elbrus region of Kabardino-Balkaria.

The popular skiing resort had been the scene of fierce clashes between rebels and security forces over the last week. Earlier Russian news agency's reported that five rebels had been killed in an ambush by members of Russia's Elite Anti-Terrorist Unit, this was later reduced to three before the statement was retracted.

Reports emerging from the area indicate that an attempt to ambush a rebel "mobile commando unit" failed. Rebels have stated that their forces managed to break through an attempted encirclement and safely return to base without suffering any fatalities. The rebels did not confirm whether any of their fighters had been injured.

A resident in the nearby village of Mardzhanoy said:
"We're in shock. Helicopters were flying, armored vehicles moved in . Strikes and shooting were heard. What kind of strikes they were, we can't tell, it is impossible to say for sure if you are present on the battle site. In the afternoon, a lot of military vehicles drove up into a valley". 

It has been reported that Russian forces used jets, helicopters, heavy artillery and mortars to bombard nearby rebel positions.

Nearby towns and villages are currently under military curfew and the movement of people and vehciles in surrounding areas has been heavily restricted.

Large Battle underway between rebels and Russian forces in Kabardino-Balkaria

There are reports of fierce fighting between insurgents and Russian security forces, including elite anti-terrorist units, in Kabardino-Balkaria in the northern Caucasus.

Rebel forces have confirmed that one of their "mobile units" is currently engaging Russian forces in the Elbrus district of the province. It is understood that the engagement began sometime yesterday. Information on what is taking place has been sketchy, Russian Forces say they have no stable communications due to adverse weather conditions - Elbrus is located high in the Caucusus Mountains and is a popular ski resort. Local residents have reported the use of fighter aircraft to bombard suspected rebel positions as well as heavy artillery and mortars.

Russian Forces initially claimed that they had ambushed and eliminated a squad of rebel fighters, this was quickly retracted and security forces have now claimed to have killed three fighters. They have also stated that three members of the elite anti-terrorist unit have been seriously wounded. Rebel forces have not confirmed any casualties. A local police officer has said that one Russian soldier was killed and six wounded.

Both rebel and Russian security forces frequently over-exaggerate each others losses while playing down their own. Media is banned from Chechnya and surrounding areas making independent verifications of casualties almost impossible.

Russia sends extra troops to Kabardino-Balkaria

After a series of attacks and sabotage operations in Kabardino-Balkaria, the Russian Defence Ministry has announced that it is sending more troops, including members of the Federal Security Service (FSB formerley KGB), to the province.

In recent weeks separatist rebels have carried out a number of attacks on troops and police. One police officer was killed in a gun attack in Nalchik yesterday while a senior civil servant was also killed. A bomb also exploded outside a liquor store and a car bomb was defused at a hotel in the city. On Friday, five people from Moscow were gunned down in the Baksan district. Russian authorities have stated that the five were tourists while rebels have claimed that they were in fact undercover members of the security forces.

The insurgency, which originally flared up in Chechnya, has spread to neighbouring republics over the past two years.

Kabardino-Balkaria is a popular skiing resort for Russian tourists

Attacks continue in Kabardino-Balkaria

Attacks against Russian security forces have continued in Kabardino-Balkaria with a number of incidents in the last two days.

Separatist rebels have claimed responsibility for a gun attack on a police checkpoint in Nalchik which left one police man dead and another injured. According to the rebels, a team of their fighters approached the checkpoint and opened fire with a machine gun hitting two police officers, the rebels then made their getaway. The incident is said to have occurred on Lenin Avenue at around 7.30pm.

At around 9pm on the same day a squad of separatist gunmen entered a gym in the Khasanya suburb of the city and shot a man to death. Rebels claim the dead man worked as a member of the local government although this has not been confirmed.

Acts of sabotage are also widespread.

Over 100 civilians killed in Caucasus conflict in 2010

Over 100 civilians died in the ongoing conflicts in the North Caucasus in 2010. These include victims of Russian Security Forces and separatist rebels. Chechnya and Dagestan have remained the most dangerous areas of the Caucasus while there has been a sharp increase in violence in neighbouring Kabardino-Balkaria.

Dagestan - In Dagestan at least 54 civilians died of conflict related deaths in 2010. These included a 9 year-old boy who was shot dead by a stray bullet fired by Security Forces on December 6th during a counter-terrorist operation. A number of those who were killed had been abducted and tortured before their bodies were found dumped in rural areas. The latest victim of such an incident was Zaur Alibekov who was kidnapped and murdered on December 12th. Russia was found guilty of murdering and dissappearing two brothers during the Second Chechen War.

Chechnya and Ingushetia - At least 30 civilians died conflict related deaths in Chechnya and neighbouring Ingushetia last year. In one incident in the town of Arshti on February 11th at least four civilians were killed and 14 wounded in counter-terrorist operations being conducted by Russian forces. It is particularly difficult to verify the number of civilians killed in Chechnya however, as relatives of alleged gunmen have frequently claimed that those killed were in fact civilians.

Kabardino-Balkaria - While little statistics exist for Kabardino-Balkaria there has been a sharp rise in attacks during the year.

Explosion rips through apartment block in Nalchik

At least one person has been killed in an explosion at an apartment block in central Nalchik in Kabardino-Balkaria.

A subsequent search of the building by security personnel lead to discovery of what was described as a "homemande bomb". It is believed that the device may have exploded as it was being assembled.  Police also said an illegal radio station was discovered during the search.

In recent weeks Nalchik has been the scene of a number of separatist rebel attacks on security forces, some of which have resulted in the deaths of pro-Russian militiamen. In 2005 a massive surprise assault by rebel forces on the town left up to 130 Russian soldiers and around 50 rebels dead.

Rebels claim responsibility for shooting

Separatist rebels have claimed responsibility for the shooting dead of the Chairperson of the Muslim Board of Kabardino-Balkaria in Halchik yesterday.

According to reports, two men challenged the Anas Pshikhachev to come out of his house at around 7pm. When he opened the door he was shot four times with 9mm pistols.

An investigation is currently underway.

Russian APC hit by mine

A Russian Army URAL troop transport vehicle has been hit by an improvised explosive device in Kabardino-Balkaria.

The truck was carrying Russian Interior Ministry troops when it struck a mine in the Elbrus district of Kabardino-Balkaria. Separatist rebels are suspected. There has been no confirmation of casualties although Russian authorities have confirmed that a vehicle was damaged in an attack.

Prison Inspector assassianted in Nalchik

A senior prison inspector has been shot dead in Kabardino-Balkaria, it has emerged.

The attack took place in the city of Nalchik on Sunday. Penetenitary Inspector Albert Altuyev died in a hail of bullets at around 6.30pm while driving his vehicle on Akkayev Street.

It is understood that Altuyev died at the scene. Separatist rebels are suspected.

Police Officer killed in Kabardino-Balkaria

A district police officer has been shot dead in the Kenzhe area of Kabardino-Balkaria it has been reported.

The attack took place late on Sunday night. A lone gunmen shot the officer a number of times before stealing his service weapon and making an escape. So far neither the Russian Military or the Interior Ministry has confirmed the incident.

The dead officer has been namedlocally as Lieutenant Martin Gegirov. Separatist rebels are suspected

Police officer killed in Kabardino-Balkaria

A police officer has been shot dead by separatists in Kabardino-Balkaria.

The shooting took place in the northern city of Baksan, about 20 miles north of the capital Nalchik.

According to a security official:  "Unknown gunmen shot dead a Federal Security Service official when he was returning home from work" 

The police officer died at the scene.

Oil truck fired on in Kabardino-Balkaria

A truck belonging to the Rosneft oil company has come under fire from militants in Kabardino-Balkaria.

The driver of the truck was injured by small arms fire after a number of gunmen machine gunned the vehcile on a highway near Zhankoteko.

Rosneft is an oil company which is owned by the Russian government. It's chairman is Russia's deputy prime minister and ex-KGB agent, Igor Sechin.

Police vehicle blasted in Kabardino-Balkaria

A Russian police vehicle was blown up with a roadside bomb in Kabardino-Balkaria.

The attack took place in the town of Elbrus on the Prokhladny-Azau road. The device was hidden on the roadside and exploded when the police vehicle passed. Two police officers were wounded in the attack. AN investigation into the incident has been launched.

Police commander assassinated in Kabardino-Balkaria

A commander of the Russian Police was killed in Kabardino-Balkaria today.

The officer was returning home when he was shot dead at point blank range by a rebel unit in the town of Islamey. It is understood that the officer held the rank of Major and was based in the Baksan district.