KHANKALA, February 14 (AVN) - Federal aviation has flown over 100 combat missions in the southern Chechen Argun and Vedeno gorges in the past 24 hours, a spokesman for the unified federal headquarters said on Monday.
SU-24 frontline bombers, SU-25 attack planes and MI-24 helicopters have been hammering rebel strong points and fortified areas which impede federal advance in the gorges, the spokesman told the Military News Agency. According to preliminary data, the aircraft eliminated over 20 strong points, two air defence systems, a headquarters, two mobile communication centres, four off-road vehicles and four permanent firing points. Besides, they set up eight road blocks at mountain paths.
IL-76 transport planes airlifted two armoured vehicles and 186 servicemen from Chechnya to central Russia.