KHANKALA. March 4 (Interfax-AVN) - Two marine companies of the Caspian Flotilla suffered losses in a reconnaissance and search operation near the village of Tazen-Kale, in Vedeno district, Chechnya, a source at the headquarters of the federal force in the North Caucasus told Interfax-Military News Agency on Tuesday.
"Six marines were killed and 10 wounded in the fighting that lasted for over 24 hours on February 26-27," the source said.
The marines discovered a major rebel base in the mountains where six field commanders were staying, he said.
The rebels are believed to have lost 30 to 40 men killed.
An MI-8 Hip multifunctional helicopter was hit during the operation on February 27. The crew made a crash landing. The three crew members and 16 servicemen survived the incident.