Most of Chechen terrorists hiding in residential localities of Chechnya

At present most of the Chechen terrorists are hiding in the residential localities of Chechnya, disclosed Commander of the Joint Group of Forces in the North Caucasus Valery Baranov.

"It is impossible for them to escape to Georgia over the ridge, since almost all passes on the Russian-Georgian border were closed in October," Baranov said.

According to him, at present terrorists prefer to lead the so-called mine war. "They fight not only against Federal forces, but against local authorities and intelligentsia, those, who support the restoration of the republic, as well as against law-enforcement bodies," he noted.

He also stressed that the losses among the Joint Group of Forces were reduced by 1.6 times in 2003.

Today in connection with the forthcoming December 7 elections, all poling places in Chechnya are under the protection of the Federal forces, Baranov added.