ITUM-KALE, July 12 (AVN) - A total of 15 militant groups numbering some 150 men have penetrated into the Itum-Kale district of Chechnya near the Russia-Georgia border, a source in the 14th border guard unit staff told the Military News Agency on Wednesday.
At the present moment large guerrilla formations are not able to break through the border since it is blocked by 17 units, the source said. However, he added, small groups are still moving through along mountain paths "quite frequently."
According to the source, the main task of the separatist force in the border area is reconnoitring the possible routes for the reinforcements from Georgia.
The situation is especially complex at the Veduchi and Verkhneye Dzhari outposts. The border patrols there are engaging the rebels in rafales on a daily basis. Apparently this way the secessionists are trying to check on the weak points in the border protection system.