MOSCOW. March 1 (Interfax-AVN) - Chechen rebels blasted seven automobiles and armored vehicles of the federal forces last week, a source at the headquarters of the Combined Federal Force in the North Caucasus told Interfax-Military News Agency on Monday.
"The blast of the Interior Ministry Force's IVF killed four servicemen and concussed three others on February 26," the source said.
Sappers on engineer reconnaissance missions cleared two bridges from mines and rendered harmless over 100 explosive devices, including 21 landmines.
Federal positions came under fire 14 times last week. Servicemen on search missions found five arms and ammo caches, the source said.
SU-24 Fencer frontline bombers and SU-25 Frogfoot attack planes flew six combat sorties, while MI-8 Hip, MI-24 Hind and MI- 26 Halo helicopters accomplished about 200 missions. Federal aircraft destroyed a rebel ambush on the Kavkaz federal highway and created two roadblocks on mountain passes near the Georgian border.