GROZNY. July 31 (Interfax-AVN) - Most of the rebels who crossed into Chechnya from Georgia overnight to July 27 have been destroyed, commander of the unified federal group in the North Caucasus Lieutenant General Sergei Makarov told Interfax-Military News Agency on Wednesday.
"The remaining part of the group is breaking through to the Russian-Georgian state border making use of the forest-covered terrain. We use all available means and try to make use of all our advantages," Makarov said.
According to him, it is now possible to confirm the destruction of 25 guerillas. This is the number of corpses found after clashes and aircraft strikes.
Makarov did not rule out the possibility of using federal forces in Georgia. "If we get an order we will implement it," he said responding to a question on the possibility of getting the mission to destroy Chechen extremists in Georgia's Pankisi gorge. "However there is no need for it at the moment," the commander added.