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Chechen mountain ambush leaves up to 75 Russians dead: ORT

MOSCOW: Up to 75 Russian paratroopers may have been killed in an overnight ambush by Chechen fighters in the southern Chechen mountains, the state-run ORT television station reported.

The attack happened in the Argun Gorge where Russian paras have been battling to Chechen fighters who took to the mountains after the fall of Grozny.

"The casualty figures vary widely, one of these is 75 dead," an ORT correspondent reported.

However, he stressed that the toll was unofficial and the military press service had not confirmed the incident took place.

The Russian defence ministry was not immediately available for comment. The latest attack came two days after Chechen fighters ambushed a column of elite interior ministry troops near the shattered capital Grozny, killing at least 20 men, according to government figures. The Chechens claim 60 Russian dead. AFP