KHANKALA, February 1 (AVN) - Large rebel forces tried to break away from Grozny's Leninsky and Central districts towards the villages of Alkhan-Kala and Staraya Sunzha overnight to Tuesday, a source in the unified federal command told the Military News Agency.
Another 10 unsuccessful breakthrough attempts were made in other areas of the surrounded city, the source said. Federal units which took part in the fights suffered minor losses, he added.
According to the source, the increasing number of breakthrough attempts is related to the recent "capitulation" of several rebel gangs. By this, the rebels managed to take large number of wounded out of the combat area and expanded their manoeuvre possibilities. As to the wounded, they have gained the legal right for treatment and rehabilitation, after which they would be able to join guerrilla warfare in Chechnya's liberated districts, the source said.
In order to study the rebel action which is currently referred to as "capitulation of a part of extremists," Defence Minister Igor Sergeyev will leave for the North Caucasus on Tuesday, a Defence Ministry source told the Agency.