15.11.2007 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Split in Chechen separatist leadership after rebel leader Dokka Umarov declared himself "Emir of the Caucasian front"; exiled Chechen politicians reject such Islamist rhetoric; according to some analysts, row is further undermining already weakened resistance movement ("Islamic Pledge Splits Chechen Rebels") [ID 21721]

"A split has opened up in the scattered Chechen separatist leadership after rebel leader Dokka Umarov declared himself “Emir of the Caucasian front”, provoking a furious response from exiled Chechen politicians who say such Islamist rhetoric undermines their cause. (...)
Umarov is believed to be operating from hideouts in the mountains of Chechnya, while Zakayev and most members of the Ichkerian parliament are in exile. The two rebel factions wage war on one another largely via two websites, chechentimes.net and chechenews.com. The latest row amongst the rebels first broke out in October when Umarov said in a statement sent to Radio Liberty that he was abolishing all existing territorial entities in the North Caucasus and setting up a Caucasian Emirate headed by himself. (...)
Umarov, 43, was a guerrilla commander who became the rebels’ president in June 2006, following the killing of his predecessor, Islamic theologian Abdul-Khalim Saidulayev. His declaration of an emirate represents a break from his predecessors, all of whom said they were engaged in a war of liberation against the Russians, rather than a religious jihad. Some analysts say the row is further undermining an already weakened resistance movement."

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31.10.2007 - Source: Guardian

No major attack by North Caucasus restistence in two years since raids on police in Nalchik; at least 7 prominent resistance commanders killed since June 2006; losses reportedly at least partially offset by continuing influx of young recruits into resistance ranks ("Seven die in suicide bombing at army HQ") [ID 21724]

"In the two years since the raids on police and security facilities in Nalchik, the capital of the Kabardino-Balkaria Republic, the North Caucasus resistance has not launched a single major attack that has made world headlines.
At least seven prominent resistance commanders have been killed since June 2006, including Abdul-Khalim Sadullayev, Aslan Maskhadov's successor as president of the Chechen Republic Ichkeria (ChRI), and radical field commander Shamil Basayev. (..)
In Chechnya, resistance websites have reported steady low-level fighting, primarily in the form of ambushes, generally between the resistance and the pro-Moscow Chechen Vostok (East) and Sever (North) battalions, which are subordinate respectively to the Russian Defense Ministry and Interior Ministry special forces (spetsnaz). Periodic press releases issued by the ChRI Information Ministry list dozens of small-scale military strikes that since April have killed between 200-300 of the enemy. The largest number of casualties the resistance claimed to have inflicted in a single engagement -- 70 -- was in fighting in early April near Gordali in Nozhai-Yurt Raion. Unconfirmed reports in July suggested that the resistance virtually controlled swathes of southern Chechnya. (...)
Those losses have, however, reportedly been at least partially offset by the continuing influx of young recruits into the resistance ranks. In a statement posted on the resistance website kavkazcenter.com on March 5, Umarov said that "thousands of young people" seek to participate in the jihad against Russia, but that the resistance does not have the means to recruit and train them all. For that reason, he continued, "many young people both in Ichkeria [Chechnya] and other regions of the Caucasus, and also of Russia, are organizing themselves into military jamaats and operating autonomously. We understand and welcome that initiative.""

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09.09.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Pro-Russian forces in Chechnya say they have killed Musa Mutiyev, a rebel commander close to separatist leader Doku Umarov ("Rebel Commander Reported Killed In Chechnya") [ID 21088]

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24.08.2007 - Source: BBC News

Grozny: Rustam Basayev, one of last remaining rebel figures, has been killed by security forces, according to Russian officials say ("Rebel figure killed in Chechnya") [ID 21090]

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11.07.2006 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Chechen militant leader Basayev's death major victory for Moscow, could result in armed conflict beginning to ebb away; according to spokesmen of Chechen pro-independence government armed struggle against Russian forces will continue ("Basayev’s Mysterious Death Brings Hope") [ID 15392]

"The death of the most notorious Chechen warlord suggests an end to conflict in the North Caucasus could be in sight. Russia’s most wanted man, Chechen militant leader Shamil Basayev may have met his end by accident rather than in a deliberate hit as Russian leaders claim, but his death certainly marks a major victory for Moscow and could result in the armed conflict beginning to ebb away. Ground zero for this major development is the edge of Ali-Yurt, a small village in Ingushetia not far from the border with Chechnya. (…)

Local policemen who were among the first to arrive said four dead bodies dressed in black were found at the scene, two of them relatively unscathed and the other two mutilated. They also discovered the wreckage of a Kamaz lorry and two Zhiguli (or Lada) cars.
Two of the dead men were identified quickly from their ID papers as Tarhan Ganizhev and Isa Kushtov. The identities of the other two were unclear, but preliminary investigations indicated that they were killed when the explosives one of them was handling blew up.
Only next morning did rumours begin to circulate that one of the two unidentified corpses was none other than famous Chechen militant Shamil Basayev, on the run from the Russian authorities for more than 12 years. An official from Ingushetia’s FSB security service told IWPR that Basayev had been identified because he was missing his lower leg - blown off by a mine in 2000 - although the prosthetic limb had not been found.

Then, at four in the afternoon, the head of the Russian FSB, Nikolai Patrushev, reported to President Vladimir Putin that in the course of a special operation in Ingushetia, Shamil Basayev and a whole series of bandits were eliminated. (…)
"

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10.07.2006 - Source: ReliefWeb

Ingushetia: Chechen rebel leader Shamil Basayev, Russia's most wanted man, and number of other militants killed ("Chechen rebel leader Basayev killed"), Autor: Xinhua [ID 15395]

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25.04.2006 - Source: Prima News

Authorities confirm refusal to turn remains of Aslan Maskadov, President of Chechen Republic Ichkeria, over to his relatives for burial ("Authorities confirm refusal to give Maskadov's remains to his relatives") [#50369],  [ID 16570]

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10.03.2006 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Chechnya: According to prime minister, 3,000 security forces engaged to catch separatist military commander Shamil Basayev ("Thousands In Manhunt For Basayev In Chechnya") [#46277],  [ID 16571]

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14.02.2006 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Chechnya: According to government, local rebel leader Dzhabrail Abdurazakov killed in shoot-out with security forces in Urus-Martan ("Russia Reports Local Resistance Leader Killed In Chechnya") [#44140],  [ID 16572]

Document(s): Open document

07.02.2006 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Ideological split of rebel leadership; resistance President Sadulayev strips Deputy Prime Minister Zakayev and Health Minister Khanbiyev; polemic on role of Islam, international law and whether the aim is an independent Chechen state or an Islamic state encompassing the entire North Caucasus ("The Ideological Split In The Chechen Leadership") [#43734],  [ID 16573]

"Chechen resistance leader Abdul-Khalim Sadulayev issued a decree on 5 February stripping Deputy Prime Minister Akhmed Zakayev and Health Minister Umar Khanbiyev, both of whom currently represent the resistance in Europe, of those government posts, and ordering most Chechen ministers currently abroad (except Zakayev) to return to Chechnya. Zakayev has recently engaged in a polemic with radical Chechen ideologues, including Press and Information Minister Movladi Udugov, who reject an independent Chechen state in favor of an Islamic state encompassing the entire North Caucasus and who argue that resistance fighters should not be constrained by the norms of international law. Over the past two months, Zakayev has published two lengthy articles taking issue with what he terms the "musings" of Chechen "ideologues," including Udugov, and accusing them of being in cahoots with Moscow."

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30.01.2006 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Daghestan: According to authorities Chechen commander Lechi Eskiyev killed during security operation ("Russia Says Top Chechen Commander Killed In Daghestan") [#43064],  [ID 16574]

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19.01.2006 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

According to pro-Russian administration, security forces killed Chechen field commander Supian Abdulaev ("Leading Chechen Rebel Reportedly Killed") [#42418],  [ID 16575]

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17.10.2005 - Source: BBC News

Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev claimed responsibility for attack on Nalchik, he claims 41 fighters and 140 members of security forces have been killed ("Basayev claims Russian city raid") [#37710],  [ID 16576]

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07.09.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Some 30 rebels including leader Kazbek Batalov, accused of recent attack on village Roshni-Chu, killed according to Chechen Interior Minister Alkhanov ("Authorities Report Destruction Of Chechen Band") [#36372],  [ID 16577]

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26.08.2005 - Source: ReliefWeb

Extremist Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev has been formally named as first deputy prime minister of a rebel government ("Chechen warlord gets rebel government title (AFP)") [#36123],  [ID 16579]

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24.08.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Chechnya: Rebel President Sadullaev explains reasons behind reorganising Chechen military command, disbanding Chechen government and dismissing network of envoys ("Chechnya: What's Behind President's Dismissal Of Envoys, Government?") [#35800],  [ID 16580]

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22.08.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Militant chief of Urus-Martan Raion, Ruslan Vakhayev, killed by law-enforcement bodies ("Local Chechen Militant Chief Killed") [#35694],  [ID 16581]

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15.07.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Chechnya: Senior Chechen field commander and deputy of opposition president, Doku Umarov, condemned terrorist attacks by Shamil Basaev ("Chechnya: Vice President Denounces Terrorism, Basaev") [#34073],  [ID 16583]

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03.06.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Chechnya: Maskhadov's successor Abdul-Khalim Sadullaev said that he condemns terrorism and taking hostages ("Russia: New Chechen Resistance Leader Vows No More Hostage Takings") [#32604],  [ID 16585]

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15.05.2005 - Source: ReliefWeb

Vakha Arsanov, Former Vice-President of Ichkeria killed ("The week in brief: 9 - 15 May 2005 (PW)") [#32037],  [ID 16586]

"Vakha Arsanov, former Vice-President of the independent Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, was killed in Grozny, the Moscow-backed Chechen authorities announced, but the information has not been confirmed by independent sources."

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15.03.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Chechnya: Federal Security Service announced that it will pay $10 million for any information that may lead to Shamil Basayev ("FSB: Will Pay $10 Million To Find Basaev") [#30378],  [ID 16587]

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15.03.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Chechnya: Abdul-Khalim Sadulaev, chairman of the Sharia Supreme Court, was chosen as president and military commander until free elections can be held ("Analysis: Chechen Resistance Closes Ranks") [#30377],  [ID 16588]

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13.03.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Kantash Mansarov, coordinator of separatist undercover operations in Grozny, was reportedly killed while resisting arrest ("Rebel Commander Killed In Chechnya") [#30067],  [ID 16589]

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11.03.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Chechnya: Abdul-Karim Saidulaev, head of a religious court, becomes Aslan Maskhadov's successor; he is seen by many as more militant than his predecessor ("Chechnya: Succession Could Signal Shift Toward Battle-Hardened Youth") [#30050],  [ID 16590]

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08.03.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Chechnya: Analysis of the situation after Aslan Maskhadov's death, including possibility of peaceful solution of the conflict ("Analysis: What Comes After Maskhadov?") [#30043],  [ID 16591]

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08.02.2005 - Source: BBC News

Chechnya: Temporary ceasefire declared by Chechen rebel president Maskhadov; Chechen rebel field commander Shamil Basayev, released a video statement aimed at disproving recent rumours of his death ("Chechen rebel hits back on video") [#28869],  [ID 16592]

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08.11.2004 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Chechnya, Vedeno: at least 18 separatist fighters, including Emir Suleiman, a top lieutenant of separatist field commander Basaev, killed by Russian troops ("Russian Military Says 18 Chechen Fighters Killed") [#26849],  [ID 16594]

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01.11.2004 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Chechnya: Chechen warlord Basaev warns of new terrorist attacks as long as Russia continues to violate the Geneva Conventions ("Chechen warlord warns of new terrorist attacks (Newsline Volume 8 Number 206)") [#26793],  [ID 16595]

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08.09.2004 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

North Ossetia: 40 family members of Chechen rebel leaders arrested and forced to denounce their relatives during the Beslan siege ("Chechen Leaders’ Relatives Seized") [#25436],  [ID 16596]

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08.09.2004 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

North Ossetia: the 2 best-known Chechen rebel leaders, Shamil Basayev and Aslan Maskhadov are the main suspects in the Beslan attack ("Basayev and Maskhadov Under Pressure") [#25435],  [ID 16597]

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27.07.2004 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Chechnya: Disqualified presidential candidate Malik Saidullaev allegedly threatened by State council chairman Taus Dzhabrailov that unless he withdrew "voluntarily" from the ballot, all possible measures would be undertaken to prevent him from participating ("Disqualified Chechen presidential candidate details threats, pressure (Newsline 8 Number 141)") [#24298],  [ID 16598]

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02.07.2004 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

A ruling by a US Immigration Court granting Mr. Akhmadov, who served as the foreign minister of the separatist government of Chechnya until the Russian invasion of 1999, asylum, has been appealed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which argues that Mr. Akhmadov is suspected of supporting terrorist acts ("Washington Backs Kremlin On Chechen Exile In America") [#23748],  [ID 16600]

"In May, a judge in the United States granted political asylum to Ilyas Akhmadov, who served as the foreign minister of the separatist government of Chechnya until the Russian invasion of 1999. But the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), created after the 11 September attacks, has appealed that decision. Despite the fact that Akhmadov has been working for a negotiated settlement to the Chechen conflict, the DHS claims Akhmadov is a terrorist."

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08.06.2004 - Source: BBC News

Qatari prosecutors have demanded the death penalty for 2 Russian agents accused of murdering a Chechen rebel leader ("Qataris 'seek death' for Russians") [#23186],  [ID 16602]

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17.05.2004 - Source: BBC News

Chechnya: high-profile Chechen warlord, Shamil Basayev, has claimed responsibility for the bomb attack which killed Chechen President Akhmad Kadyrov ("Chechen rebel claims Grozny blast") [#22348],  [ID 16603]

"Shamil Basayev made the claim on a rebel website and warned more attacks were being planned against Moscow. In the statement, he said the death of the Moscow-backed president was a "small, but important victory". Mr Basayev, Russia's most wanted man, has in the past claimed responsibility for a string of rebel attacks. He said he was behind the Moscow theatre siege two years ago, when hundreds of people were taken hostage. Last year, the United Nations Security Council placed him on its list of international terrorists. [...] Another Chechen separatist leader, Aslan Maskhadov, denied any involvement in the attack."

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23.04.2004 - Source: Caucasian Knot

Chechnya: The Russian Justice Ministry has denied media reports that Lecha Islamov, a Chechen field commander, died a violent death in a prison hospital ("Chechen field commander died natural death in prison (Interfax News Agency)") [#21617],  [ID 16604]

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23.04.2004 - Source: Caucasian Knot

Chechnya: Magomed Khambiyev, Chechen separatist leader and former interior minister of Ichkeria, who surrenderd in early March says all his subordinates have surrendered ("Chechen warlord says all his subordinates have surrendered (Interfax News Agency)") [#21613],  [ID 16605]

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22.04.2004 - Source: Caucasian Knot

Chechnya: Law-enforcement agencies of the Chechen Republic have no information unambiguously confirming the death of separatist commander Saudi Abu al-Walid ("Chechen law-enforcement agencies look for evidence of Abu al-Walid's death") [#21618],  [ID 16606]

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15.04.2004 - Source: Caucasian Knot

Chechnya: President of Chechnya Akhmad Kadyrov is offering a reward for tips on the present whereabouts of Aslan Maskhadov, separatist leader and once President of Ichkeria ("Chechen president offers reward for capture of Maskhadov (RIA Novosti)") [#21619],  [ID 16607]

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14.04.2004 - Source: ReliefWeb

With the beginning of the operation for the capture of Ichkerian President Aslan Maskhadov fighting reported from mountain areas of Chechnya ("Fighting reported from mountain areas of Chechnya (Prague Watchdog)") [#21378],  [ID 16608]

"The Russian military has become more active recently in the mountain areas of Chechnya. For several days houses have vibrated from bomb explosions and missiles flying overhead. As is asserted in Grozny, the operation for the capture of Ichkerian President Aslan Maskhadov has begun. Taking part in this operation are Russian special troops and the pro-Kadyrov Chechen armed units under the command of Sulim Yamadayev. For the first time in six months, planes are now flying overhead, targeting the bases of Chechen guerrillas. According to unofficial reports, Chechen guerrillas shot down a helicopter in the Nozhai-Yurt district bordering Dagestan."

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12.04.2004 - Source: Caucasian Knot

Chechnya: Magomed Kazayev, who was a member of the rebel group led by Shaa Turlayev, chief of Maskhadov's security surrendered ("Another bodyguard of Maskhadov surrenders (Interfax News Agency)") [#21620],  [ID 16609]

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09.04.2004 - Source: Caucasian Knot

Chechnya: Shamil Basayev's subordinate, field commander Saidov was killed in the course of a special operation in the Vedeno district of Chechnya on April 7 ("Shamil Basayev's subordinate killed in Chechnya") [#21622],  [ID 16610]

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11.03.2004 - Source: Caucasian Knot

Chechnya: Aslan Gazuyev, commander of the Riada-as-Salikhin rebel group among rebells who were killed in large-scale special operation involving units of the presidential security service and the Chechen Interior Ministry; another rebels surrendered ("Ramzan Kadyrov reports on liquidation of rebel commander in Chechnya") [#21624],  [ID 16611]

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10.03.2004 - Source: Memorial Human Rights Center

Chechnya: Statement of Memorial on the "voluntary surrender" of Magomed Khambiev (""Voluntary Surrender" of Magomed Khambiev") [#21628],  [ID 16612]

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10.03.2004 - Source: Prima News

Chechnya: Former minister of defense "voluntarily" turned himself to authorities; dozens of his relatives reportedly held hostage to force him to this move ("Why did the former Minister of defense for Chechnya give himself up to the Russian authorities?") [#20313],  [ID 16613]

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04.03.2004 - Source: Caucasian Knot

Chechnya: Akhmed Basnukayev, who allegedly had been behind acts of terrorism killed by FSB forces in Ingushetia on March 3 ("FSB announces destruction of Akhmed Basnukayev from federal wanted list (ITAR-TASS)") [#21626],  [ID 16614]

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04.03.2004 - Source: Chechen Times

Chechnya: Ruslan Gelayev reportedly shot dead by two border guards as he tried to flee from Chechnya’s neighbouring republic Dagestan southwards across the mountains into Georgia’s Pankisi Gorge ("Ruslan Gelayev: Feared Chechen rebel-turned-bandit") [#21630],  [ID 16615]

"Now — conveniently close to Russia’s presidential election — it is the turn of one of Chechnya’s most feared rebels-turned-bandits, Ruslan Gelayev, reportedly shot dead by two border guards as he tried to flee from Chechnya’s neighbouring republic Dagestan southwards across the mountains into Georgia’s Pankisi Gorge. Russia’s FSB, the main successor to the KGB, says he shot dead both guards with his Kalashnikov, but not before one of them managed to shoot him too. The Chechen resistance rejected this account of his death, but confirmed that he had died a shahid (martyr) in an «unequal struggle with the Russian occupiers»."

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15.01.2004 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Several former rebel commanders changed side ("Chechnya: The Fighting Goes On") [#18800],  [ID 16617]

"The character of the fighting has changed. The Chechen fighters are more scattered and divided than they were in the conflict of 1994-96. Several former rebel commanders, including Ruslan Yamadayev, Apti Arsanukayev and Ibragim Sultygov are now fighting on the Russian side."

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